[PQ] every fire fueled

JYON

After introducing herself, others went ahead to do the same, while she quietly but attentively focused her attentions on those that introduced themselves. There was Feral, who was seemingly untrained in magic as she was, and was also a hunter comfortable enough with the bow.

It made her wonder, which of the two would be better with the bow? Jyon was very confident with her own skills, but she'd been deceived with that very overconfidence she'd once had before, so she wasn't about to jump to conclusions this time around. She would wait to see the fellow hunter in action before she would even judge him. The next individual to introduce herself emerged from the shadows seamlessly, and had very much the build and stance of a warrior.

There was no doubt that this one was a veteran in the ways of combat and wars. She was Wessex, a Ascended, which made all the sense now. A vampire, a creature of the night, she believed that was what they were usually known as to her. The warrior mentioned her expertise in weapons and unarmed combat which proved Jyon's assumption to be right about her. Wessex was indeed a warrior in every right. The next to came was Rory. This one was unlike the others.

He was talented with magic, able to summon animals and play with fire. He was competent with the bow and lacked any close combat skills. They had quite the group here this day, with quite a variety of experiences all among them. It was interesting to see how this all panned out.

The large man, Deimos resumed speaking once the introductions were done, and mentioned his many experiences in wars and battles in other worlds. After a brief speech, he began to divide them into small groups, and Jyon ended up with the two warriors, Deimos and Wessex.

He wanted her to test her skills against that of the veteran warrior, Wessex. She wasn't exactly sure what an inexperienced warrior like her could do against someone so experienced, but she wasn't about to simply give up without trying. Gripping the wooden grip of the training sword in her hands, she lunged forward with a surprisingly quick thrust towards Wessex.

When nothing goes right,
go left.

Wessex would handle this much differently than Deimos and Kiada do, and so for once, she is glad to have to hand over all responsibility to the other soldier. She can follow instructions, turn her mind relatively ‘off’ and let her body do the talking. She thinks she knows why they’re paired together. Grabbing another wooden practice sword in solidarity (but missing the weight of iron in her hand), she settles herself into a defensive, ready position, weapon in a loose, two-handed grip and waits for the first attack. Instead of trying to provoke Jyon into turning into a tiger to defend herself (which is what she would have done if they were training on their own), the Ascended takes a small step to the right and moves to block the thrust with a quick sideways sweep across the body from right to left - more or less both moving her body out of the way and trying to bat her opponents sword to the side. She then quickly tries to pull back ever so slightly and, using the pommel as a counterweight, swing the blade down in an arc to slice at Jyon’s left upper leg. Surprise! She's not as quick as she is at night, but the movements still have a certain fluidity and ease to them - perhaps one of reflex, rather than superhuman speed. WESSEX She whispered back, I am the storm

DEIMOS Delivered from the blasts It was intriguing, interesting, to witness them fight – for the experienced to face the unseasoned – there was much to be learned from either opponent, for himself, and for their own roles, shaped and declared by their hands, by their grasps, by their endeavors, by their machinations. He watched, the silent, stoic behemoth as they gathered their arms and Jyon thrusted, quick and sharp, and Wessex aimed to block, with an attack of her own harpooned in for good measure. Perhaps due to the daytime, or some rookie’s luck, Jyon’s movements managed to catch Wessex – and vice versa, with Wessex’s sharp motions catching hold of Jyon – a bit more potent, a bit more powerful, but there all the same. Instead of giving them direct input (hold your sword like this, thrust like that; which would likely insult Wessex), as he usually conducted when training with one other, he wanted them to think for themselves. Both of them seemed well-suited to handling their blades, Wessex especially, with her practice and skill already well renowned. But, there wasn’t going to be someone holding their hand in a regular combat situation, no one amidst the crowd to shout and bombard them with directions and sagacity. Battle was about talent, prowess, and muscle memory, but also machinations – how to outwit, how to outlast, how to bombard by whatever means necessary. They could instill the sharper tactics here, learn how to grasp situations that could mold them into future motivations and aspirations. “Well done,” he clamored at first, suitably impressed with both of them, gaze taking in each motion, a creature of study and persistence. “Now, look for a weakness. How can you overcome your opponent? What could you to ensure they are impeded? How can you defend yourself when they draw near?” It wasn’t reality, sticks and stones and training swords – but they could stage it, play it on pretenses, as he stalked, as he watched, as he lingered, pacing and following their lines and curves. Would Jyon shift into her Attuned form? How would Wessex aim to conquer? His eyes darted over to Kiada and her assemblage, though Rory and Feral didn’t appear to have moved on yet – perhaps she could get them started, or fill in for those who opted out. -- Jyon and Wessex moving on, sorry for the delay! Jyon first, then Wessex! Attacks/hits were determined by dice roll – but you can decide how/where your character was hit. There won’t be any HP determiners here. the last of a line of lasts

JYON

Her thrust was just as quickly blocked by the more experienced warrior with a side sweep as she tried to bat her sword to the side. Using that momentum, Wessex swung the practice sword down in an arc to try and slice towards her upper leg. Whether it was instinct or pure luck, she wasn’t clear, but her body quickly moved back quickly, but only fast enough for the other woman’s weapon to gaze upon her lower thigh instead of a hard direct hit towards the upper regions. Jyon was not confident in being able to replicate such a manoeuvre, and she knew that if this had been an actual battle, she would have already been wounded by such a hit, but what was one to do when faced with such an experienced opponent? One did what one could.

The loud booming voice of Deimos paused the battle, and he congratulated the pair for their part in the duel so far. He then urged them to look for a weakness, for ways to overcome each other, and ways to defend themselves. Once the words ended from the huge warrior, the duel once again resumed, and Jyon was thrust back into the moment. Her mind went through the different tactics and strategy she could possibly use, even the more underhanded ones, although she pushed those out of the way for now.

There was no reason to resort to using dirty fighting just yet. This had been a clean practice duel so far, and she intended to keep it that way, unless Wessex had other plans up her sleeve. Angling her blade sideways and up, Jyon moved to circle Wessex, like a tiger circling its prey, waiting until her back was facing her before she struck, leaping into yet another quick downward slash aimed towards her torso.

When nothing goes right,
go left.

Ugh, see,this is why she doesn’t fight during the day. Wessex is noticeably slower than she usually is, taking a tap on the arm that could have been easily avoided, and she knows it, too. Even though she manages a strike back, her face wrinkles into a mild look of displeasure (though it is directed at herself, it could be misconstrued for being towards someone else - hopefully Deimos knows she’s super critical to herself, far more than towards others). But if he wants them to look for weaknesses… Wessex nods and remains silent, crouching low and moving face-to-face with Jyon so that her back is never to the younger woman. And in a real fight, it wouldn’t be. But she does try to edge closer to the other, knowing that her own prowess lies in close combat, where she could release her talons and use her strength. On any other day she might have done so, but given that they’d started with wooden swords, she isn’t about to introduce metal and real damage. Something tells her Deimos wouldn’t like that. The Ascended waits until Jyon moves, ducking away from the downward slash and releasing her bio-pulse, a short burst of energy meant to briefly run amok on a nervous system (which she doesn’t have), causing disorientation, dizziness, overheating, and a sudden rapid heart rate. It’s a silent attack, and Wessex gives little indication, if any, that she’s let one loose. Deimos might feel it, too, if he’s within ten feet of the pair. If it doesn’t work, she’s ready to pull out her talons out of her knuckles. Just for show. And perhaps to teach Jyon that with Ascended, you should expect the unexpected. WESSEX She whispered back, I am the storm

DEIMOS Delivered from the blasts The Reaper, the Sword, was always intrigued by the way others fought, by the lengths in which they’d go to succeed. Jyon was new to the intricacies, but dove headlong into it, tried, while Wessex’s experience was encased and embodied in her movements. Both were worth studying, examining, and scrutinizing, looking either for flaws or successful feats, where they fell into arenas and decibels of fighting. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on Jyon’s side this time, her strike only pressing into air, Wessex’s absence noted on her defensive ploy, still swift despite the beat of the sun. In an interesting turn of events, the same could be said for the Wraith’s endeavors, the bio-pulse not striking true upon the Attuned, but felt by the beast himself. He growled at the tactics, a sudden disorientation and dizzying effect careening along his frame, heart racing while he stood stock still – a narrowing of his eyes as it passed, tempted to gesture at a flare of his life drain back at her, a warning, in the rumble of his chest. He managed to subdue the potential onslaught, calm and composed again, though less impressed with her schemes. While they tended to new orchestrations and assaults, his gaze lingered on Kiada, whose participants had yet to start. In a ruffian, impish decree, he thought about hurling his sword over and seeing which one flinched first out of sheer depravity and iniquity, a foil of amusement and ultimatums. Instead, because he had to be the commanding force in this situation, the mountain’s voice pierced over the melee. “Wessex, would you spar with Kiada?” A toss of his head indicated the situation, striving not to roll his eyes. “She is a shifter too.” The notes added in case that type of onslaught still intrigued her. Then he picked up his sword, the weight and feel of it applied to callouses in his palms, a beacon home, raising it to implore a challenge to Jyon. “My turn. Make your move.” He maneuvered into a defensive position, watching, waiting, for her chosen motion. -- Based on dice roll, both Wessex and Jyon miss one another (but Wessex’s bio-pulse hits Deimos on the edges. Oops.) Wessex has been asked to go spar with Kiada, and Deimos asks Jyon to try and attack him. No post order! One more round should cover it! Sorry for the delays. D: the last of a line of lasts

He told them to look for weaknesses. Not knowing your opponent is a weakness and she used it to her advantage, as any other trained soldier would. Who is Deimos to qualify good attacks versus bad, to be the gatekeeper for what should happen during a spar when his instructions had been followed to the letter? How can you overcome your opponent? Fight them in the dark. But that wasn’t possible. So how can she ensure her opponent is impeded? By making them dizzy. Not being able to control its strength other than by proximity is simply a nasty little detail that should have worked in her favor. Daylight must be affecting her more than she realizes. He does, however, redirect her towards Kiada, and Wessex rises from her combative stance to look at the younger woman with her pair. A swift nod to the man given before she pulls her cloak hood up and saunters into the open area, gesturing for Kiada to come over. “Maybe they need a little demonstration.” she offers with a fanged, mischievous grin. Picking up the wooden practice sword, Wessex backs slowly towards the edges of sunlight and resumes a defensive position. When she’s ready, she makes a ‘come at me, bro’ motion, hoping Kiada might shift and actually fly at her. WESSEX She whispered back, I am the storm

KIADA

You think I'll be the night sky,
so that you can be the star?

The Harpy passes off her team, allowing them to leave for the day as Deimos’ voice rises and suggests she take Wessex. There’s a slightly playful smile that dances on her face and she nods, setting aside her wooden sword. The Ascended wanted a shifter, and Kiada could certainly give her that.

So when she approaches and grasps onto the wooden sword, Kiada spends a moment sizing her up — icy eyes drifting along the weaknesses she might find, but she’s never really met an Ascended. She doesn’t know what to expect, so as cliche as it is she tries to expect the unexpected, and go from there. She gives a light chuckle to Wessex’s comment, a half nod of ‘You’re on!’ Before she shrugs off her jacket, revealing that dark X marking on her neck.

And without any warning, she shifts into plumes if white, red, and black, taking to the sky to circle a moment and gather the wind beneath her large wingspan. And then she dives for Wessex’s sword arm, large talons outstretched in the hopes of disarming the woman.

---

Kiada shifts to her vulture form and tries to snag the wooden sword from Wessex!

i'll swallow you whole.

Wessex cracks a smile at the accepted challenge and the fierce edges of the younger woman across from her. They’ve met, but it’s always been in name only: a nod, a smile, an acknowledgement. This is a chance to learn a little bit more about the Outlander. And to be honest, she’s fucking delighted when Kiada shifts into a large bird. Her mind immediately goes to the deadly attack, the one she would make in the midst of a battle but won’t do more than consider here. Wait for the girl to come closer, lure her in, even, and then hit her with an outstretched hand and a surprise claw reveal - preferably in the chest if they’re dire enemies. But this isn’t war and Kiada isn’t an enemy (in fact, she may have been an ally that Wessex doesn’t know about); which means she has to think quickly. Unsure of how agile this particular bird might be, Wessex drops flat to the ground and rolls to her back, keeping a tight grip on the sword and the tip pointed up towards her soft belly. If kiada wants it, she’ll have to come and get it. WESSEX She whispered back, I am the storm

KIADA

You think I'll be the night sky,
so that you can be the star?

Oh, she imagines that she’d get along well with Wessex, whether through sparring or just generally being strong women, something would align. She sees it now as the challenge rises between them, and the Harpy shifts into feathers of ivory and ebony, circling up into the sky with scarlet eyes that watch for the Ascended woman. And when she dives, she aims for the arm, but Wessex is fast and quick, and she calculates it a smidge too late — not realizing how quickly the ascendeds could move. How flexible they may be.

So she dives, aiming for that arm only to follow it as the woman rolls and points it up. And thank the gods it’s a wooden sword, because the Harpy tries to swoop to avoid it, instead her large wingspan becoming a con to her form rather than a pro, and she grazes the inside of her feathered chest and edge of her arm with the sword’s point. She swoops up then to shift back into herself with a bright laugh as she turns back to Wessex. “Very nice!” She comments, a grin spreading across her features.

i'll swallow you whole.

DEIMOS Delivered from the blasts After everything, for what felt like eons, like seasons, like eternities, they’d managed to conquer and conjure themselves well into the afternoon. By the time onslaughts and fights had wrapped up, and he’d watched out of pure curiosity and speculation during Kiada and Wessex’s portions, dusk was calling. Even if it was the Wraith’s preferential time for escalating endeavors and prowess, the rest of them had already taken their fair share of beatings. “Well done everyone,” he called out, announcing the end, bringing the training session to a close. “Thank you again for coming. I hope these opportunities have granted you some insight into your skills.” His stare went from one individual to the other, sticking strongly to Kiada, a roughened smirk granted her way, symbolic of their intentions, even if they’d been scattered at best. To the rest of them, he remarked again – placing faith that perhaps some of what they’d learned today would help, rather than hinder. “May you persist in your craft.” May you be able to hone your skills. May you be able to defend yourself and your people. -- I am so sorry this has taken so long. Props to those who stuck through it I love you forever. <3 It’s over, it’s done, thank you thank you thank you. the last of a line of lasts