Hidden in the Dark

[Paonna]

Where was she headed? She sure as hell didn't know. It was just a walk to nowhere, perhaps in a circle back to her apartment. She didn't have a location in mind, anyways, and she certainly wouldn't be able to navigate in the dark...

"No, no location in mind. And you can come with us, I suppose." She ran her fingers through her hair, before turning around and walking her original direction before she realized this Akalak was following her. The air was stickier now, and she could see more clouds forming above...would there be a storm? She hoped not. Rain was so gloomy, even at night when there was no light anyways. Uyu hated it, too. She'd sleep more when it was humid and rainy. Then again, so did Paonna.

"So, what brought you out this night?" She asked politely, while Uyu trailed around her legs and sniffed around. Red pandas were nocturnal. She got that much just by observation, and she supposed it helped with her joy of taking nightly walks; she wasn't really afraid of being in danger. Riverfall had proved to be a relatively safe city, especially for woman. Thank goodness this person had no intention of proving her wrong.

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis smiled, as Paonna accepted him along for their walk, giving him permission really, to stay close. A good excuse. Much simpler than having to try to sneak around, and observe from afar. Much easier. He simply followed along, having to shorten his normal pace, with his long legs, so he would not soon overtake her. She was so small, and he so big, that it was bit difficult, and he occasionally had to stop and let her take a pace or two, before continuing on, before letting her go again. It was that, or walking at an annoyingly slow pace, and he did not like those. His other side was better at them. "Tonight? Nothing really in particular. I simply enjoy this time of the day, to be out and about, and taking things in. Rarely do I meet other people as I do. Though in this case, I seem to have met both a person, and her pet." Rykanis smiled, and brought one hand to his lakan, briefly trying to call her attention to it, since he was always armed. "Though I am always prepared, should I meet someone, even someone with nefarious intents. All Akalaks train to defend themselves, Riverfall, and those that live within it. Though it seems at the moment, the most often seen problem is rats. What of you, are you skilled with fighting? I should think for you, being able to protect yourself would be a vital thing. Even if it is only some simple hand to hand."

[Paonna]

She wasn't skilled at fighting. Not at all. Maybe a slap if the person was unguarded and sleeping, and maybe Uyu could scratch them...but they were both absolutely terrible at combat. She never thought about it, learning how to fight. It would be a great idea. Why was it that she didn't? Everyone fought here, it wouldn't be hard at all to find an instructor. Nothing was in her way to learn a weapon. And it was odd that he was bringing it up, but he could've just been trying to strike a conversation. Don't the Akalak love their weapons?

"No, I can't fight very well, if at all." She glanced at his weapon, the name escaping her. "Neither can Uyu." The red panda was still running alongside them, and Paonna rarely noticed Rykanis trying to not walk faster than she.

"Why do you ask?"

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis made a sad expression, and shook his head, hearing she could not fight. In Riverfall of all places, she could not fight. It just did not seem to mix, in a place were everyone was required to know how, in case it was needed to protect the city. "Well, I certainly don't claim to be an expert, or any such thing, I am not. Though I am skilled enough in blade and fist. As expected of a Akalak." Really, nearly all Akalaks had such skills, so to most he was simply mediocre in his fighting abilities. Though he supposed compared to an uninitiated, he was skilled. It seemed many of the konti came here, with no expectation of having to fight. "Though I suppose if you wanted me to, I could show you a bit. Just a small spar or something, to show you the basics, in case you have to defend yourself or fight. Though would you prefer armed training, or unarmed?" Though it did seem a bit odd to him... "Is there any particular reason you have never learned to fight?" This is a dangerous world to not know how to, and to rely only on others for protection.

[Paonna]

"I just...never learned. I never thought I'd be good at it. I've never really felt threatened, either. Even when I came here from Mura, I felt safe." She looked up at Rykanis. "Is that odd?"

She remembered is offer to teach her to fight. Unarmed would be better, because she doubted they had Suvai here. To learn to fight with Suvai, she'd have to go back to Mura. Not that is really mattered to her, anyways. And chances are, she wouldn't be carrying a weapon around with her. So unarmed was a good choice for her to learn.

"Actually, learning how to fight unarmed would be nice. I should learn. I really should. Thank you for offering."

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis thought on her words... It did not seem so odd, to feel safe. But really, the reason the city seemed so safe, was because of how seriously everyone took its defense. Everyone did their part, to protect it. "I guess not. But bear in mind, if you live here, you are required to be available to work in its defense, at any moment. So learning to fight and defend yourself, is really a must, especially if you get called up. And of course you will not be to good at first, you must practice and work at it." Rykanis smiled at her once more. So many people forgot that bit of Riverfall, or took it to lightly. Left it to the bug strong Akalaks, and forgetting it was as much their duty to. Well even if he had to do it himself, he would help this girl learn to fight. "No problem. I would be happy to teach you. We should head to the Sasaran, that is the only place you can train freely. And it is specially equipped for working in hand to hand skills. I will lead the way." That being said, Rykanis walked off, making sure to keep his pace slow enough for the girl to follow, and not leave her behind. Almost without thinking he headed to the Sasaran. He had been there so many times, it was almost without thinking he went the route. Getting there, he held up his arm to show the building, another grin on his face. "So what do you think of it?"

[Paonna]

"I have never seen this 'Sasaran'. But, it is late. I'm going home." She could've sworn Uyu nodded at her to go home. She was so tired...so tired. It was too late for her to do anything right now. She picked up Uyu and she settled into her normal place around her neck, and Paonna looked at Rykanis.

"It was nice meeting you." And then, she turned down the moon-lit street and started walking home.

OOCYeah, it's a short post. Sorry about that. Buutttt, I think it's a good stopping point. We can continue and edit this if you want, but I don't really want to.

[Shadow Cast]

Thread Rewards

Paonna:

XP- Socialization 4; Interrogation 2;

Lore- Honor is Important to Akalaks; Rykanis Prefers Tukant; In Riverfall, You Must Learn to Fight; The Sasaran is a Place to Spar

Rykanis:

XP- Stealth 1; Socialization 5; Rhetoric 2; Teaching 1;

Lore- Paonna has a Kelvic Pet; Paonna Feels Safe in Riverfall

Comments: Short thread, very to the point. Ryk, I love your stealthy-ness and your shadow talk (With me being the shadows and what-not ). Keep it up guys!

Happy Threading
-Shadow