If It Kills Me
Aisha Khai
Swordmaster / Deepfrost Shield / Guildmaster

Age: 28 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 4 - Strg: 18 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 17 - Luck: 20 - Int:
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Posts: 879 | Total: 1,111
MP: 1615
#15
AISHA
As far as she could tell, Elide took the advice in stride, almost surprised at the small acknowledgement Aisha gave. Hopefully that boost would encourage her to press on and incorporate these new aspects into her wielding, her form and force.

And then the fight began, only one more glance to Deimos just before the eager recruit launched her calculating attack. The step parallel to the swing, promised power. But Aisha noticed the tension just before the second quicker steps, it betrayed Elide's intent; a smaller more precise maneuver rather than a brute one. And this is smart, but Aisha knows these tactics. With a jerk she catches Elide's steel with her own, drawing a circular motion with her arm and redirecting the woman's weapon as they clash.

There is a slight reverb in her arms as she presses the other's blade away, resisting the disarm, but that only incites her further. After her weapon is freed from the clash she quickly draws the blade up, aiming the flat at her opponent's wrist, hoping to send a shock, a warning.
and there's a hole in my chest
like there's a hole in the sun
so tell me what's coming next?
Elide Pendragon
Researcher / Hunter

Age: 37 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Ascended | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 1 - Strg: 14 - Dext: 13 - Endr: 14 - Luck: 5 - Int:
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#16
Elide

Her opponent's sword sweeps around in a circular motion, veering her hit in a direction she had not intended for it to go. The advantage sought is perhaps never even gained, let alone lost. Elide gives a tilt of her head and pinch of her brow as if to silently say huh, okay.

She'd bury the trick away for later, if she runs into an opportunity to use it. Even if Elide steps back in anticipation of a strike, she doesn't quite expect what comes next. The flat of Aisha's sword slaps against her wrist. There's no pain that comes from it but, it is strong enough to loosen one of her hands' grips on her blade, to send her hands reeling back from the pressure.

In retaliation, she swings her sword out towards Aisha's feet in the hopes of forcing the other woman to move. However, it's lacking in power since she's recovering her grip as she does this. The maneuver Aisha pulled is still echoing through her, pulling her focus off-kilter.

But, maybe one of Aisha's weaknesses is that she has a temper... she seems passionate, quick, fierce. To test this, Elide does something quite out of character.

"What was that?" She has to force the taunt but, it helps that it's almost  an earnest question, "a slap on the wrist?" She arches a brow.
never before had the song of war
been the song of hope ascending
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)
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#17
DEIMOS
the ocean does not apologize for its depth
and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
His presence was a silent one once more – a mountain amidst the grounds, stalwart and intrepid, but unmoving for this barrage. The beast’s gaze tracked Aisha’s movements, Elide's motions, watched the reverberation between blades and steel, as the motions played out. What would’ve been orchestrations of the rudimentary, par for the course when unfurling potential, altered slightly, when the taunt uttered and echoed.

Clever; he’d have to hand it to her. Aisha was a spark, embers and cinders, eager and ebullient, content to be stoked – he’d yet to see her entirely falter or flicker into anger, but he could see the chances in it. In the ability to flare up, forget herself in the heat of moments and ferocity; and so he scrutinized both now, to see the regard and reaction of his friend and ally, and the Ascended.

And what would her weakness be? he regarded back towards Aisha, intrigued, calculating, machinating on the ends of prospects and probabilities.
for the space they take
and so, neither shall I
Aisha Khai
Swordmaster / Deepfrost Shield / Guildmaster

Age: 28 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 4 - Strg: 18 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 17 - Luck: 20 - Int:
Played by: Chachy Offline
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Posts: 879 | Total: 1,111
MP: 1615
#18
AISHA
Oh and she is passionate, fierce, quick. Those are her proudest qualities. Her temper is entwined with them, coating that passion with a layer of vanity and ego. Elide's retaliation to the hit on her wrist was weaker, less charged, it seemed Aisha's attack had done what it'd been meant to do. Easily Aisha parried the low swipe, she bore an electric excitement as she readied to engage in the next motions.

And then there was teasing, unexpected from the stoic ascended, it drew her attention from the thrust she'd aimed at the other's side. Her eyes met with Elide's, surprise at the goading, then anger when she realized that this distraction had played it's course. Her blade slipped past the other, Aisha retreated from their close confines when she realized she'd stupidly misplaced her focus and cost herself a maneuver.

It wasn't so much the teasing that angered her, but her own folly, and with a huff she sent the recruit an angled glare. Deimos's question resounded in her mind, she thinks too far ahead. Aisha decided that unpredictability would be her biggest asset, as she'd done before with her attack to the wrist. And so she tried to calm herself, not give in to the obvious temptation to charge and slash and engage. She assumed a defensive position again, weapon angled across her chest, and waited.
and there's a hole in my chest
like there's a hole in the sun
so tell me what's coming next?
Elide Pendragon
Researcher / Hunter

Age: 37 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Ascended | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 1 - Strg: 14 - Dext: 13 - Endr: 14 - Luck: 5 - Int:
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#19
Elide

Aisha's jab is more-or-less easily diverted, and Elide feels a hint of satisfaction at her ploy working. Even if it's only for half a second, seconds matter in the heat of battle, don't they? Her gaze narrows back at Aisha's, a pointed attempt to fire a silent shot back at her. Taunts and teases aren't the only way to ignite a person. Now that the prod has been made, anyway.

If she can get a sturdy move in against the Shield, she might be able to further coax Aisha's embers into a roaring fire.

Which, she's actually interested to see, all things considered. Although... she does have to wonder about her own safety if the swordmaster's temper really does reach any sort of limit. Eeesh, Elide does not like the mental image that comes up. Thinking too far ahead, indeed.

She almost doesn't expect it when Aisha cools and steps back to let Elide make the next move. The lull of a proper spar is still something to get used to, the ins and outs of maneuvers, the recovery from mistakes or hits. Elide fully expects to continue until one of them cannot anymore.

So she surges forth with vigor, a proper comeback from the reverberations of Aisha's 'slap on the wrist'. However, she stops the forward strike aiming for Aisha's chest in favor of a premeditated swipe at her undefended leg in a lightning-fast motion. This is a bait, however; a small, ambitious plan in motion.
never before had the song of war
been the song of hope ascending
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)
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#20
DEIMOS
the ocean does not apologize for its depth
and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
He almost smiled at Aisha’s insinuation. There were times for measures, calculations, and machinations. There were times for impulsivity. There were times where everything one ever knew fled the mind; and therein were moments that proclaimed victors and successors. How one rose to the occasion, when danger was imminent, when even muscle memory couldn’t save them, how cunning waged more than just wars, how desperation could entice even the most innocent of individuals.

And still, he watched.

Aisha calmed and Elide clashed, and there was no reason to persist. All of them had seen enough, to nuance, to understand, to puzzle over the complexities. Would Elide want to stay? Would they want to have her as part of their defenders and protectors? “Last move for both,” he announced; no need for them to maul and mutilate until everything crashed and burned around them. That hadn’t been the point of the exercise.

It was to see what the Ascended knew. How she adapted. Where she intertwined within stones and swords. “Then we will make our decision.”
for the space they take
and so, neither shall I
Aisha Khai
Swordmaster / Deepfrost Shield / Guildmaster

Age: 28 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 4 - Strg: 18 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 17 - Luck: 20 - Int:
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Posts: 879 | Total: 1,111
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#21
AISHA
Aisha's calm step back served her well, giving her the opportunity to do what the other seemed so keen on. Finding weakness, analyzing. As Elide rushed forwards, the swordsmaster braced her steel before her chest. She watched not the other's blade, but her shoulder, her posture. The sword would follow the stance, and the moment it changed Aisha realized the ploy.

Elide is quick witted, her usage of the weapon is astonishing for having practiced so little. Maybe ascended super senses helped in many different facets, aided in maneuvers of all kind. If Aisha was not so trained, she could've been tripped up quite literally. Instead she swung her blade down to clash with her opponents, biting into it's edge with brute force that should press back and resound.

Deimos's call for the spar to end was disappointing, Aisha was rather intrigued with the new recruit who had done so well. Not every soldier measured up, but Elide showed promise. She had lit a fire after all. With a few more flourishes, making up for earlier foibles in case any prying eyes needed reminding, Aisha allowed the spar to run its course, if Elide would concede as well.
and there's a hole in my chest
like there's a hole in the sun
so tell me what's coming next?
Elide Pendragon
Researcher / Hunter

Age: 37 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Ascended | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 1 - Strg: 14 - Dext: 13 - Endr: 14 - Luck: 5 - Int:
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#22
Elide

Deimos' voice rising through the clang of their small battle brought Elide out of her focus, flicking her gaze toward him for a split second to show that she heard him. However, her plan was in motion, and she felt all the more pressure to make her last move count.

Elide is inexperienced physically but, mentally, she is no stranger to the machinations of a swordfight. She has watched, observed, written, read, and even studied the art of battle. There is much to learn from even the simplest of soldiers, in her eyes. She would not be so naive to come here with nothing but a promise of aspirations and demons to follow.

To prove such worth, Elide is baiting Aisha with her charge, even with the presumably marking notion towards the woman's leg. To trip or cut is not her intention, but to catch. Catch she does, and Aisha ensnares herself. Even if she is a swordmaster, Elide is not so simply pressed back, even if the pressure is strong. Strength is unnecessary for countering the pivot Elide's sword takes, sending Aisha's short of its intention. Aisha's sword will find itself, thanks purely to its own momentum, veering off to the side.

Elide draws her sword down the length of it swiftly, the end of her blade thwacking against Aisha's sword arm. It is a dull blade, after all, so it is unlikely to actually inflict a wound. However, it will serve the purpose of tit for tat.

Finished, Elide pulls her sword back. It sings across Aisha's blade in the way that steel does, and she lowers her weapon out of respect for the end of a spar well-fought. There is no need for gloating or embarrassment, on either of their parts, so Elide merely offers Aisha a respectful dip of her chin. The taunting glint of her eye is gone, replaced only with admiration and hope to try this again, soon.

That, however, is up to her judges.



Elide rolled a natural 20 for her last attack and this was her plan. So she had to do a big finish~ <3
never before had the song of war
been the song of hope ascending
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)
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Posts: 6,559 | Total: 10,652
MP: 9824
#23
DEIMOS
the ocean does not apologize for its depth
and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
“Interesting,” was all the composed General had to say after the onslaught of movement and motion. There was no lie concocted in his mouth; the semblances were intriguing, for someone of little experience, save for books and their own instruction and methods, to have corresponded and orchestrated various means and measures. Perhaps she absorbed information readily from these small, trivial moments. Maybe she had fabricated her inabilities, and had yearned to put on a grand show. The speculations were rapid and evolving, constantly twisting and turning amongst the other ruses, schemes, and machinations in his mind.

He knew the weight of his decision; of things that would readily succeed, of uses and upheavals, of errors that could be maintained, polished, into learning devises. But he was not the only one immersed in the quandary, so the beast inclined his head first in a nod to Elide, respect given where it was due, the weight of his gaze segmented into hers. “We will take a moment to discuss.” A hint for Aisha to follow, as he backed away, out of earshot, towards the stone walls, where multitudes of their own lingered, committed to their duties, the sounds of steel overriding other nuances.

Therein, anyway, Deimos intended to use the Attuned bond, so their considerations would be silent. The monolith leaned near one of the braziers, catching the heat of the fire, folding his arms across his chest, otherwise stoic and unyielding. His voice was its own rumble, coiling towards Aisha’s mind. What are your thoughts?
for the space they take
and so, neither shall I
Aisha Khai
Swordmaster / Deepfrost Shield / Guildmaster

Age: 28 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 4 - Strg: 18 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 17 - Luck: 20 - Int:
Played by: Chachy Offline
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Posts: 879 | Total: 1,111
MP: 1615
#24
AISHA
The end of the spar was satisfying, an entirely different feeling than the coursing blood of victory. This was intrigue, this was surprise. Aisha was a practiced swordswoman and had fully expected to throttle the vamp, but pleasantly she'd been challenged. She finally broke away from the clash, having taken another thwack to her arm, she emitted a low growl as she hopped back. She eyed Elide as she dipped her head, brows narrowed, almost suspicious, but mostly just full of curiosity.

Deimos called her over to discuss, past a few blazing braziers that crackled and popped. If only she could return an answer without spoken word, but in this body she was yet to conquer the feat. And so she took a hushed tone, glancing back toward Elide, "Fuck that "first time she picked up a sword", she knows what she's doing." The leopardess squared her shoulders away from the remaining courtyard, her words would be for Deimos alone.

"But I like her. If we send her away now I might never get to whoop her ass right," she grinned, reaching up to lightly press the spot on her arm that she'd been hit. "I say we let her in."
and there's a hole in my chest
like there's a hole in the sun
so tell me what's coming next?
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: 6,559 | Total: 10,652
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#25
DEIMOS
the ocean does not apologize for its depth
and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
He maintained his stoic visage, head tilted to listen, every inch the mountainous fortress, a bestial, barbaric fathoms when necessary. For now, he was the calculating Reaper once again – the shadow who’d often examined new recruits, who’d asked and scrutinized and wondered over potential – but shifted more into Sword parameters when Aisha spoke. There was no over-arching war here. Not yet. There were no invasion to plan. No enemies to run through. This was a potential member of the guard, and they were determining whether or not she should stay.

“I had similar thoughts,” he arched his brow, low and muted, under the roar of the braziers, of the fire building and brewing, providing heat and warmth across the stones and open elements. Whether or not it happened to be fortune, a rapid acquiring of sagacity, or a compelling ability to soak in new information amidst experience, it scarcely mattered. “And she is determined. We want those with ambitions.” Something to aspire towards, to reach for, to have a perception of why they were growing, changing, becoming stronger, better. Deimos would much prefer someone with goals over those who picked up an armament with nothing attached to its means and measures. “We are in agreement then.” He nodded, maneuvering forward from where they’d stood and conferred, returning back to a waiting Elide.

Mostly as a joke, an unnerving move, the impassive disposition had yet to yield. His features gave nothing away; blank slated, appearing utterly indifferent, cast in a solemn stretch of piercing eyes and formidable structure. Only when he held out his hand, extending it towards the Ascended, did anything alter or change, bestowing the smallest of grins. “Welcome to the Deepfrost Shields.”
for the space they take
and so, neither shall I
Elide Pendragon
Researcher / Hunter

Age: 37 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Ascended | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 1 - Strg: 14 - Dext: 13 - Endr: 14 - Luck: 5 - Int:
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#26
Elide

Elide is unaware of how she has surprised the two of them. She had given it her all, and isn't that what they expected of her? To gawk about like a toddler with a pair of scissors would be most... idiotic of her. If Deimos and Aisha didn't expect her to try to impress them, well... surprise!

Nevertheless, she turns her gaze away from the growling Aisha to gauge Deimos' response. Perhaps she is hopeful to gain some form of insight into his decision over her acceptance or rejection before he actually airs it. She's unsuccessful in the endeavor. He is as stoic as ever.

Elide can respect the need for a more private conversation, so she merely lowers her shoulders and nods in understanding. While they are gone, she will make it a point not to listen for them. It would be rude, of course, and they will tell her their final answer regardless. So, in the meantime, she finds the weapons' rack to return the sword to and admire the other menagerie of weapons there. A greataxe looks particularly appealing...

It's only their return that catches her attention, turning to meet Deimos' pale gaze. Her chin lifts, tilts to the side, as she regards his demeanor and welcomes whatever they've decided on. Finally, his facade relents - even if only a small amount, and Elide feels a bit of pressure roll off from her arms. There's a lot she could say and for a moment she is struck silent.

Then, she takes his offered hand. "I will not squander this opportunity. Thank you," she eyes Aisha, as well, adding, "I look forward to more of your teachings."



fin~!
never before had the song of war
been the song of hope ascending


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