Sparring and Stories (Mok)

[Wrenmae]

Shroud chuckled, clasping Mok by the arm briefly before starting back into Sunberth. The mercenary had some skill, that much was certain, and with enough foresight and training well... Shroud shook his head, no no, it wouldn't do to hold mutinous thoughts so close to the chest. Mok would be someone Shroud was starting to trust quite a bit more. Their journey had been a rocky one, but from the first it was something that both of them could count on. Mok didn't have a mind for convoluted plans, deceit, and subterfuge strategy. Not that Shroud had much experience in that area himself, but he at least was more situated by mind set to deal with those kinds of complications. On the other hand, Shroud was not as straight forward, knowledgeable on Sunberth, or strong as Mok. They made an interesting duo, a symbiotic relationship of combining spectrum strengths. The rest of the Crimson Edge were not so trustworthy, not nearly so as Mok had proven himself to be. "Hypnotism is the art of manipulation," he explained, dragging a hand to his head and tapping his index finger against its side, "The more you know your opponent, the more effective it is." He grinned, ruefully, winking a dark eye at his companion and pausing before they started into the streets. Unwelcome eyes and ears existed there, hiding in alcoves and in places least expected. "It's hard to rebuff, especially when your opponent has trained in it as steadfastly as you have with your sword. But..." He paused, rubbing his chin. "I suppose if I were to give you advice on how to stop it, look no farther than your own mind. Know yourself and your emotions, trust nothing but what you can prove, feel nothing but what you know...train your mind through meditation and will and you may be able to push away Hypnotism's more debilitating delusions." He stepped onto the street, mismatched bricks paving Sunberth in dilapidated finery. They made their way to the PIg's Tavern, Shroud digesting the information Mok had given him...food for thought indeed, and certainly helpful in his future daggerplay. "We make a powerful pair, you and I," he remarked, sliding into a seat and folding his hands together, "The rest of the Edge have their own ambitions, or follow Cade blindly. I have no trouble conforming to his ambition now, but we are still so few in number and cause. I hope you will not take it the wrong way...but I have more trust in your ability than his." Shroud sighed, leaning back against his chair, "You've given me less reason to doubt your abilities whereas Cade seems preoccupied with simply growing his organization...but if we don't temper it with organization, we'll be little more than a mob with a flag."

[Mok]

Mok listened intently as Wrenmae explained to him all about hypnotism. It was an interesting subject. The myrian had never had his mind controlled in such a fashion. It really made him wander, becausee he liked to think of himself as a mentally tough person. He had trained many years in order to be able to withstand pain and suffering. Mok had walked through the jungles. Endured the wild nature. Lived through the most trying and insane times ever. He was built tough. His mind could with stand a lot of torture and his body a lot of pain, but hypnotism was something different. It was a petching cheat. Instead of testing a man's skills against another, it was just a man controlling another thoughts, not giving the man a chance to fight back and fight for his own life. It was extreme bullshit in Mok's mind; it was underhanded twisted motherpetching shit. He would learn how to combat it though. He would figure out a way to make sure no one entered his mind and changed his thoughts. He would learn how to trust his own feelings like Wrenmae said. He wanted Wrenmae to train him. He would take Shroud's mental torture if it meant that he could combat such an evil magic. Yes! That was the way. He would train his mind to take the pain and differentiate everything.

They continued to walk in conversation into the tavern. The gangster ordered a beer for each of them. That's when Wrenmae brought up Cade to Mok.

"Yeah, I feel ya bro." Mok responded in honest truth, "Before I say anything, Cade is my brother too. I've been so much bullshit with that man, I would never turn my back on him. I would take an arrow for that man any day, you feel me? In my experience he has been a true motherpetcher. He is my petching blood brother for life."

The myrian took a long draught from his ale. It was refreshing, "But, I do feel ya. Cade's a simple man: bloodlust and pleasure, yup. I think that he plans on forming these recruits minds and bodies through experience. Its not my way of doing things, but I ain't the leader. Cade's vision of the Crimson Edge is a lot more lax than I would want it to be. I care little though as long as they are loyal. As long as they are true to the Crimson then we can work on their other short comings with time."

The two continued with this conversation and drank ale the rest of the night, merry making and enjoying the well deserved rest.

Red = Myrian
Bold = Common

[Ink]

And in the Aftermath . . . The Rewards are Revealed. Wrenmae : Skills: Body Building 1 Weapon (Dagger) 3 Acrobatics 1 Rhetoric 1 Brawling 1 Hypnotism 1 Lores: The Art of Hypnotism Sunberth Gangs: The Crimson Edge Written in the ink : If there are any concerns or problems with my grading please feel free to toss me a PM. I am more than happy to explain my reasons or reevaluate them if you feel I've been unfair.