[Training] let the cuts close

DEIMOS

the fire can't touch me
for I have burned too many times

Solace came in the form of slashing steel and blades, in the consolation of warrior refrains and habitual stances. Convictions, promises, vows he’d made months and seasons before gave prowess in his rituals of watching, of witnessing, of marking and chiseling his path through the guards’, prospering instruction, unfolding and unfurling his own machinations, the sting of warrior predilections soothing whatever ailed the breadth of his shoulders or the walls in his chest.

For today’s nuances, they were assailing the climbing wall. He’d already fitted new ropes, the notions of Kiada’s fall coming to mind, and several others had clambered onward and upward. The earth had been re-assessed, evaluated, and strengthened, so the ice and snow wouldn’t give way – appreciating these figments for another piece, for another method of training. It couldn’t be the same each and every time – the guards would grow restless, slung into doldrums, a mind slowed down and labored. So he brought his hand upwards, shielding his eyes from the rays of sunlight (content to see it, truly), in order to survey them closer from below.

Some scurried, fast and swift and sure. Others notched their feet further into the footholds and gripped as if their lives depended on it. Some were triumphant, booming and bellowing from the top, and others breathed sighs of relief when they finally climbed and clambered to the top. And all of it brought him contentment – from the surge of success, from the rally of one another. Peace, in between the onslaughts.

the sea can't harm me
for I have been drowning all my life

And I'm not expecting you to care, but I have finally seen the light

Deimos and Morgan had a lot in common; both warriors, both used to the fight and almost oddly comforted by practicing for it. She respected his strength and ability, though she had learnt over Deepfrost that while he surpassed her on a battlefield she had more of a suitability for leadership. Honestly, Morgan was glad for that; if Deimos attempted a coup she'd be worried about her chances, and he made a very fine General.

Heading onto the training grounds with her hammer over her shoulder and her armour pendant activated, she was ready to get out some of the remaining Longnight stress. Deimos could take whatever she could give, so she was prepared to really try her best in this training session.

When she approached he was training the guards; she stopped to watch for a while, smiling at their work. Morgan had started here herself, once upon a time, a teenager with nothing but determination. After a while she cleared her throat, stepping forward to address her General in a moment of quiet. "Deimos. If you're not too busy, our training session..?" They had agreed on these days, though not a specific time, both of their schedules fluid yet busy.

Morgan

Base Code by Sky!

DEIMOS

the fire can't touch me
for I have burned too many times

One last soul made it to the top, and their volleying rounds of applause surged while the rest began their trek back downwards. With that particular session over, they could take breaks and breathers by the braziers, or cool down in the vestiges of the cool air, before beginning their next rounds. Deimos tugged the ropes and tethers back into place, and had only begun walking towards one of the newest guards, when another stepped forward, a clearing of a throat indicating his presence was required.

A shift in his stance and the incline of his head over shoulders hastened the softest of snorts – for he had his own training to attend to. Promises and convictions from days before, when they’d altered and changed their leadership roles (a relief). “Of course,” and he nodded, noting in the back of his mind to discuss things with the other guard later.

They’d agreed on weapons, and his gaze went to the Warhammer, ensuring he’d require some form of armor. Presuming she’d follow him towards the cleared out area for designated skirmishes, the monolith strode over to the sidelines, grabbing hold, applying, and rendering protective pieces upon his own form. “Was there anything in particular you wanted to work on?” Thereafter, he snagged at his preferred weapon – aptly the sword – from his belt.

the sea can't harm me
for I have been drowning all my life

And I'm not expecting you to care, but I have finally seen the light

It was always good to see people thriving in the roles they had chosen, and Morgan smiled as Deimos looked over to her, seemingly pulled away from the immersion of the training grounds. He was an easy part of this place; she couldn't have asked for a better replacement captain.

He was right in assuming he'd need some armour; Morgan wasn't quite as cruel as to make him practice against her hammer with his bare skin. She walked with him to the racks, just briefly looking him over before he covered himself; he was an attractive, well kept man - where was that wife he'd once had? She knew something had happened, but not what...but as with her own romantic matters, the conversation didn't fit into their professional and practical setting, so she didn't ask.

"Hm. Truthfully I worry all my skills will degrade as I spend more time on the administration of leadership." She admitted, leaning her hammer one way than the other as she considered if there was a particular element she wanted to focus on. "Close combat would probably be useful. It's been a while since I've had to fight with one person intensely, but it will surely come up again."

Morgan

Base Code by Sky!