Training [SE] Suncatchers
for Deimos
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
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Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#1
Not all of the struggles they undertook were sword against shield or steel against steel. Some fights called on magic or claws or fangs to undertake, at least in part, and Jigano had been so focused on his new magic and dragon shape that he had been neglecting his more humble beginnings. When he had almost been tagged by a hunting eagle in his raven form it had been a bit of a wakeup call, and he had reached out to the General for help in gaining back his feathered edge.

It was why he was perched out behind the barracks now, white-feathered and bright-eyed, sitting on a pell and watching the golden eagle across from him. And the round, yellow scrap of glass attached to his leg by a sturdy string?

It seemed a better alternative than tearing at each other with beak and talon, even if he could Heal them of their hurts - provided they survived the battle. If they fell from too high up not all the Mastered Healing in the world could put them back together again. Besides, with all the death of Fiat Lux so recently behind them, turning the training into a game of 'catching the sun' offered a bit more hope and affirmation of sunnier days ahead. Deimos had Safrin's blessing to speed Amalia's recovery, the Hollowed Grounds was currently at peace with its neighbors, and things had achieved a fragile peace in mourning those lost during the festival. They could respect the traditions of the Fae and work on their aerial agility in the meantime, so that they would be better prepared to face the next challenge that came their way.

Or so they could dream.

Ready when you are, the white raven called to Deimos , flexing his toes in preparation for launching himself skyward to begin the practice session.
Deimos Ignatius
the Resurrected Sword
Warden of Halo / Guildmaster

Age: 33 | Height: 6'4" | Race: Hybrid | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 14 - Strg: 72 - Dext: 72 - Endr: 73 - Luck: 80 - Int: 3
BELIAL - Mythical - Peryton (Blend) ZURIEL - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Heather Offline
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Posts: 6,554 | Total: 10,647
MP: 9824
#2
DEIMOS
The familiarity of blades had always struck him as routine, habitual, an instinctual rush into mettle and metal. Magic had always been readily available too – a wellspring of disaster and mayhem at his beck and call. He’d leaned heavily on it throughout his days in Helovia and Isilme, and certainly amidst Caido – but the former lands hadn’t designated him with attuned forms either. He’d taken to eagle tactics nonetheless, chasing Roana in the forest, or hunting after Kiada when she was blighted, and plummeting from the Spire with the Harpy and Adam – but never a formal bout amidst talons and vitriol.

A part of him wasn’t in it – the glasses attached to their legs, the notion of catching the sun; everything else hanging precariously over his shoulders, just waiting for the next thing to drop, to assault, to maim.

And another portion to him knew he required it, some other outlet between desperately combing for leaves, bones, or soil, and restlessly wandering from barracks, infirmary, guildhalls, and back.

The depths of his eyes glanced across to the ivory raven, clicking his beak into place. A single nod of his head was given, before extending his wings, lower limbs crouching, then pushing off from the fencing – ascending straight into the sky.
gatekeeper of an endless war
where lines between right and wrong
don't exist anymore
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#3
Never one to waste an unnecessary word, Deimos launched himself upwards and Jigano waited a few breaths before following. The eagle's wings were larger and more powerful, but the raven's body was lighter and easier to propel. A good thing if he was dodging, a bad thing if he was struck. It was what made this training an interesting match; it wasn't just about keeping away from the opponent, but also getting close enough to try and grab their 'sun.' Agility would play an important role, but so would strength. He remembered snatching tailfeathers between he and Kiada last year while their companions had looked on. This was a more refined version of that, with far less laughter and far more awareness of what they had lost by not being enough in previous trials.

Wisdom dictated that he keep his distance from the eagle, but Jigano's wisdom had come up far too short far too often. Today he pushed himself with a reckless edge, flapping mightily to catch the golden-feathered General, bucking all common sense by aiming straight for his tailfeathers and making a snatch with his beak at the trailing shiny that all his corvid instincts urged him to claim.
Deimos Ignatius
the Resurrected Sword
Warden of Halo / Guildmaster

Age: 33 | Height: 6'4" | Race: Hybrid | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 14 - Strg: 72 - Dext: 72 - Endr: 73 - Luck: 80 - Int: 3
BELIAL - Mythical - Peryton (Blend) ZURIEL - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Heather Offline
Change author:
Posts: 6,554 | Total: 10,647
MP: 9824
#4
DEIMOS
Most of Deimos’ opponents, based on build alone, were lighter and faster than his broad expanse. It promised agility, swift, light, quick volleys against his physique. He was used to making up for it with weapons, with strength, with might, with inherent reflexes or a deliberate, anticipated assault. But they weren’t aiming for any of that today: a test of fortitude in a different way, different light. Probably exactly what he needed.

He wouldn’t enjoy the ascent in these moments: not instances for admiring the landscape, for appreciating freedom and liberation, for staring out over the open expanse and striving to meet the sun. Instead, his attention had to be squarely on the ivory raven, intending to shoot for his tailfeathers. If he were in human form he would’ve snorted, the notion ridiculous at best – following through at a beelined descent, plummeting, plummeting, plummeting with tremendous speed, attempting to break free from any opening, incoming assault.

Only after, on presumed, escaped clutches, did he ascend once more, trying to come up from underneath the raven, beak attempting to snatch at Jigano’s suncatcher. A safer play, for now, not measured with brutality, not layered in abhorrence, but concentrated, calculated efforts instead; coldblooded machinations spiraling in a carnivore’s mind.
gatekeeper of an endless war
where lines between right and wrong
don't exist anymore
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#5
He'd flown and play-fought with Kiada, but never with an eagle - not one he could watch turn with intention and strike down with dizzying speed. His initial gambit had been hoping that Deimos wouldn't expect him to come up directly from below, that he could make a grab for the sun before the General expected him to be so close, but the golden eagle took nothing for granted. As the bigger bird dove Jigano scrambled, knowing he couldn't outrace the plummeting plumage of his previous prey. Instead he pulled himself in tight, jerking his wings as he curved them around himself to change his trajectory a precious few inches - and swinging his dangling bauble away from Deimos's dive.

It was a messy dodge at best, reminiscent of why he'd come here today in the first place, and the turbulence of the eagle's passage set him to wobbling as he struggled to spread his wings again and regain his balance with a strangled croak of dismay. A glance down to determine if he could try the same tactic against his opponent revealed a golden form swiftly rising towards him once more, nearly upon him already, and it was less his conscious direction than his body's native instincts that had him arching backwards in a display of aerial flexibility, somersaulting behind the bigger bird and tugging his suncatcher just out of range of that raptoral beak.

He had raptor-surfed Kiada once before, but he wasn't quite brave enough to do the same to Deimos. He hesitated only a moment over the possibility before closing his own wings and attempting to dive down Deimos's back and snatch at his trailing glass target with a clever talon on the way past.
Deimos Ignatius
the Resurrected Sword
Warden of Halo / Guildmaster

Age: 33 | Height: 6'4" | Race: Hybrid | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 14 - Strg: 72 - Dext: 72 - Endr: 73 - Luck: 80 - Int: 3
BELIAL - Mythical - Peryton (Blend) ZURIEL - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Heather Offline
Change author:
Posts: 6,554 | Total: 10,647
MP: 9824
#6
DEIMOS
Combat experience in eagle form had unfortunately come at costs: the blight scaled and rankled, and he’d bled from Kiada’s talons, taking hits and falls while struggling, while striving, to get her to maintain some semblance of sense. The same had happened by the Spire – though Jigano likely didn’t remember it – defense and assaults, sieges as they waged war over roses, thorns, and thousands of other unsaid things.

It carried him to the here and now, to raptorial predilections, contorting, coiling, coordinating in his mind: not bothering to either seethe or grumble displeasure in missing again. That had been the point of it; to misdirect, to apply himself in fiercer, stronger, quicker corridors. He watched as the raven flew seemingly backwards, somersaults the larger bird had yet to perfect (or try, really); then gusts of wind, series of movements, alerted him to another incoming melee.

The beast turned his head to see an ivory manifestation barreling towards him; and his eyes narrowed, shifting to the left, quickly, rapidly, attempting to stay out of range. Jigano instead snagged at one of his feathers rather than the glass; the slightest snippet of pain amongst the nerves grated, a mark on plumage, an incessant warning to be better.

On an inclination of speed then, on swifter tails and turns, he intended to hasten right back, descending alongside, talons reaching for the dangling spheres and baubles, the representation of suns.
gatekeeper of an endless war
where lines between right and wrong
don't exist anymore
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#7
He thought he had the prize in his grasp, confident in his aerial maneuvering and the seasons spent sporting feathers as well as fur. Nearly a year and a half now that he'd held this form, even if it wasn't as native to him as his foxshape, and he had both fought and played in it, testing limits and boundaries on his own and with friends as well as against foes.

He stretched thieving toes towards the goal as he arrowed past, feeling a spike of fierce victory as they closed on something, but it was short lived as the soft silk of the tailfeather slid out of his talon with only a faint tug of resistance in passing. It definitely wasn't the hard, round 'sun' prize he had hoped for, and with that the most recent pass was over as they opened up space between them again briefly.

Far too briefly, Jigano realized a moment later as Deimos turned his dive against him, coming down from above like an avenging angel, his shadow falling over the raven a mere moment before the heavier eagle was upon him. An inelegant croak was surprised from the raven, very nearly a squawk, as he did the only thing he could do with Deimos so close behind him - he pulled up, wings beating furiously to halt his own descent and swing his own sun up beneath his fanned-out tail and body.

The only downside to this plan was that the larger, more muscular eagle would likely crash right into him and carry them both towards the ground if Deimos didn't slip manage a last-minute dodge in time.
Deimos Ignatius
the Resurrected Sword
Warden of Halo / Guildmaster

Age: 33 | Height: 6'4" | Race: Hybrid | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 14 - Strg: 72 - Dext: 72 - Endr: 73 - Luck: 80 - Int: 3
BELIAL - Mythical - Peryton (Blend) ZURIEL - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Heather Offline
Change author:
Posts: 6,554 | Total: 10,647
MP: 9824
#8
DEIMOS
Fault lines and fissures again; mistakes in their haphazard displays. This hadn’t been about harming, about destroying, about reaching pinnacles of damage and bombardment. There’d been other days, other hours for that, and while he usually blistered into that accord with little prompting, Deimos also had the wherewithal of control and composure, a fluid, formulated bout of calculations kindled and formed in his mind.

Except Jigano wasn’t making it easy.

Right beneath him – if talons were to stretch too far, reach out significantly, or if he simply continued to fall, they’d crash and inevitably burn. On an harsh intake of breath, he strived to cease the level and plummeting motions of his descent, curling it off to the right side of the raven – uncertain if he’d tucked his talons enough, if they’d snag at either feathers or suns, if his attempts even mattered, if his speed and attempts had been enough to keep them completely out of harm’s way.
gatekeeper of an endless war
where lines between right and wrong
don't exist anymore
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#9
It wasn't that he wanted Deimos to crash into him, so much as he trusted the General's physical prowess in being able to avoid such a collision.

That, and he still wasn't used to just how fast the golden eagle was in a dive, underestimating his opponent and thinking he had more time than he truly did to arrange an evasion. Feathers slid past one another, silver and gold, as bodies nearly brushed and wings actually did. The General's close passage sent the smaller raven tumbling, control lost as he was swept away in the eagle's wake, and at one point he felt a slight tug on his leg that was a minor complaint to the frantic pumping of wings as he scrambled to right himself before he made the intimate acquaintance of the training field dirt.

Luck and sheer brute strength brought him up before he fell into the danger zone, and he panted as he tried to regain lost altitude, feeling lighter and freer for the exhilaration and adrenaline still racing through him--

Which was about the point he realized that an empty string dangled from his leg. Sharp blue eyes sought out his opponent, dismayed to see that at some point in their dogfight - whether by luck or skill - the General's talons had closed on his sun, capturing it for a moment or a season or a year - however long the Fae spell was supposed to last.

But one sun caught meant one sun still to go. Deimos had won the round on the attack, but now it was his turn to defend as the raven attempted to complete the ritual - and the game. No croak to warn the other man; this time Jigano launched himself with all his speed on the ascent before the eagle could get high enough above him again for another dive, aiming to catch the dangling sun in his beak with deftly wicked aim.
Deimos Ignatius
the Resurrected Sword
Warden of Halo / Guildmaster

Age: 33 | Height: 6'4" | Race: Hybrid | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 14 - Strg: 72 - Dext: 72 - Endr: 73 - Luck: 80 - Int: 3
BELIAL - Mythical - Peryton (Blend) ZURIEL - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Heather Offline
Change author:
Posts: 6,554 | Total: 10,647
MP: 9824
#10
DEIMOS
Surprise: the slightest scorch of bewilderment when he pulled away and noticed the representation of the sun in his talons. The last assault had been minor in its exploits, mostly a way to manage and evade succumbing to mutual oblivions – and his eyes cast back to where he’d seen Jigano last, not an individual to give way to distractions in the midst of battle. A single thought, a single notion, and then back into the fray, giving him enough time to –

Except Jigano hadn’t crashed, and must’ve realized the inevitable swing of things. Deimos was more or less the target once more, and the eagle noted the swift ascent, the blinding grasp of air and wind.

So he descended, plummeted again from where he was, spiraling instead of a straight maneuver, as he, Kiada, and Adam had done when they launched from the Spire, when he’d attempted to evade the Harpy in her vile vitriol and vehemence, tearing through underbrush. He dared, emboldened enough, to hurtle himself closer and closer to the ground, knowing his strengths, his abilities, his tenacity; a rush of beak spiraling somewhere on his feathers and wings again. Uncertain if the ivory raven had snagged or blasted or torn at him, he tried to maneuver before Jigano could snag at him once more, intending to remain the victor in their bizarre game.
gatekeeper of an endless war
where lines between right and wrong
don't exist anymore
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#11
A final clash, a twist of feathers and sinew, and this time when Deimos dove Jigano was ready for the eagle's speed and the General's boldness. Gold feathers swept past, but this time it was the raven who danced, prepared for the pressure of wind and wake, wings steady and sure. Deimos wasn't the only one who had trained with the harpy, battling a-wing, though then the prize had been tailfeathers not suns. This time he used Deimos's speed to his advantage, to slip just sideways enough to land a grasping claw on a slick, smooth surface. He was surging upwards while the eagle dropped down, and the pressure between them was more than enough to snap the twine binding the prize. He didn't quite croak out his victory, but a fierce rush of pride - and maybe some relief - eased the strain on his wings as he slowed and then turned his ascent into a spiraling return to the ground below.

It gave him time to compose himself, so that when he landed back upon his starting pell he could look at Deimos with bright blue eyes and bob his head in gratitude. Thank you, he offered, breaking the silence of the battle at last. Would it pass muster for joining the militia, do you think? A sense of tentative optimism, emotions still running high from the game, emboldened the bard to make the suggestion, half request.

Zariah had earned only his contempt with her high-handed ways, but Deimos had led through example enough to earn his trust, and that made all the difference in who he was willing to fight for.
Deimos Ignatius
the Resurrected Sword
Warden of Halo / Guildmaster

Age: 33 | Height: 6'4" | Race: Hybrid | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 14 - Strg: 72 - Dext: 72 - Endr: 73 - Luck: 80 - Int: 3
BELIAL - Mythical - Peryton (Blend) ZURIEL - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Heather Offline
Change author:
Posts: 6,554 | Total: 10,647
MP: 9824
#12
DEIMOS
No true victor; both suns snagged and caught, stark reminders that for all his prowess on the battlefield in human form (the inherent, instinctive abilities; the way swords clashed and lacerated, brutalized and slashed), he was a relative novice when it came to aerial combat. More time, more patience, more practice – in perhaps all of his attuned predilections – would be worth savoring. He descended, ultimately landing, wings spread to flap, reconvene in their ruffled presence, then settling against his sienna frame, marked upon the training grounds, talons digging into the dirt.

In the face of Jigano’s gratitude, its denizens shifting through the bonds of collected animals and their fabrications, he almost felt nothing – except perhaps a sort of disappointment in himself, the knack for needing to be better, stronger, faster, enough in any aspect of his mercenary nature. It, like so many other things and building of skills, would take time. They were ruminations for another day, perhaps, when the world wasn’t as bitter and he wasn’t as weighed down by so many other aspects (maybe that was foolish – to believe there’d be better moments in the coming of foretold seasons; as if the land hadn’t told him enough). You are welcome he kindled in response, piercing eyes shifting back to the raven; a raptor inclination of his head.

The inquiry would’ve led to an arch in his brow, if he was standing tall as the proud warrior, and not the golden eagle. Were you not already listed as a combat medic? The slightest of teases, of taunts, as if Deimos had long ago presumed a niche, a role, that Jigano would or could fulfill. There wasn’t even a thought to the Sword being worth following – he’d never thought of himself in such a stature; just willing to go where he was suitable, to impart what little wisdom and sagacity he’d collected.
gatekeeper of an endless war
where lines between right and wrong
don't exist anymore
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#13
Courtesy came easier now, past apologies and more endured tragedies, through project after project assisted and completed together, finding the places where their abilities complemented and their skills intersected to bolster and strengthen, rather than tear down and diminish. So much had passed between them that they might never stand easily together, but there was a world and people in it that would keep bringing them together, and there was worthiness in trying to take off the rough edges he had put on their relationship.

Such moments of brief teasing, a flicker of what-might-have been, without Fae or Spires or falling Temples, always caught the raven a little off-guard, but he croaked in pleasure at the recognition and reminder of the past offer, a suggestion he hadn't realized had been taken seriously. That, and whatever else the militia needs, he expanded on his willingness, lifting the leg that had lost its prize ruefully as he tilted his head down to inspect it, clacking his beak. Besides, I still have quite a lot I can learn from you, when you have time to teach.

{Finished}


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