Morning Training

by **Quinn Harpe** on May 13th, 2013, 1:36 am

Aoren was not the only who worked the hard labor jobs. Quinn himself was built up by taking what no one else will, tanned almost to the bone by countless hours under the sun - and for what? Just for his daily bread, quite literally. Weighted down and lacking the staff his partner had made great use of, Quinn would have to say this was a less than even pairing... Not that he did not believe in his skills, but the Quarterstaff was a beautifully effective extension of the body.

When Aoren near flew over the river with aid from that staff, Quinn knew he had the advantage here. Leaning forward so that he could pick up a burst of short distance speed, his legs coiled and at the first feel of moistened ground he leaps. With his arcing jump it was clear he would not make it, at least till he shifted his center of weight. Slipping the backpack down on his back rotating with a partial spiral he landed facing the river. It took another quick flick of his body to throw him the rest of the way back, or risk falling in. Hands rising to complete a backwards flip. When his right foot touches ground he pivots on his ankle and swings on his hip to throw his weight onto the left foot and launch back into a sprint.

It was not very flashy and a clumsy version of what the better trained could do. It does show a skill in the physical body, as Aoren could have already seen, as well as an experience with it that could only have come by seasons of preparation and mental-physical synergy.

It was when Aoren dropped to the earth that his legs finally slow. They burned, his abdomen burns, his lungs ached and his heart raced. This was definitely an enjoyable way to start the day. When he slows to a walk he first comes to the quarterstaff, and with a grip of his toes and a flick of his foot he tossed it up to grip the long staff. Moving the weapon to rest the butt on the ground in front of Aoren so he may aid himself up, Quinn spoke again. "That was a delight, I apologize it ended so poorly. Are you wounded?"

by **Aoren** on May 13th, 2013, 7:45 pm

Aoren grasped the end of the staff that was offered to him. He pulled himself up with a grunt and shook his head. There was still a delighted grin on his face and he chuckled with each breathy exhale until the winded feeling left him.

"I'm fine. A few scrapes but that's it. That was quite an enjoyable run. So much for Tag, eh?" He laughed softly and wiped a hand over his brow where beaded a few drops of sweat in the late Spring warmth. "Shall we head back to the clearing? I certainly wouldn't mind a bit of a cool down walk." Aoren took hold of his quarterstaff calmly accepting it from Quinn. He began walking back toward the stream that they'd both leapt over a few minutes ago before Aoren's downward tumble.

"Have you ever handles a quarterstaff before, Quinn?" The thought of the hermit having some skill with the weapon didn't seem all that far-fetched. Quinn seemed very monk like in his bearing and while Aoren had never personally met a monk if he has to envision one he'd suspect they looked similar to Quinn.

by **Quinn Harpe** on May 14th, 2013, 5:04 am

"I will accept a draw, my friend, an adult solution to the childish game." When Auren had gotten to his feet, Quinn gave him a pat on the back. When requesting to move back to the clearing, the hermit only nodded and began the trek back to the spot which they had met, which due to their full sprint to get to their current location was a distance away. That left plenty of time for an idle conversation, which Auren seemed happy to start.

"Indeed I have, though never have I been one to master such a weapon. Young when I tried, it left me with little more of a headache... I suppose it was due to my lack of preparation, or the size of the staff versus my youth..." With a glance to the quarterstaff again, Quinn fell into thought. IT was not long lasting, and soon he spoke again. "Would it be asking too much to try once more? A weapon as fine as that is too tempting not to give a second try."

He was never one to use swords, their sharp blades were dangerous to an enemy he may not want to harm... a sturdy quarterstaff could do equal bludgeon damage or remain simply defensive, a feature Quinn admired greately. "You can hold my pack in leverage if you do not trust me." That was an addition that may show how much Aoren had inspired him, and may even be a boost to the man's pride.

by **Aoren** on May 14th, 2013, 5:37 am

"I have other skills that can occupy the time I had meant to dedicate to training with my staff. If you would like to reacquaint yourself with the weapon then you are welcome to. I need no other assurance than that of your word that you won't whisk away with the only physical weapon I possess." He chuckled and hopped over a rock. As they neared the stream he knelt down at its bank. His hand slid down the shaft of the staff allowing it to rest against his shoulder. He had learned a long time ago to not leave it unattended if it could be helped. Aoren cupped his hands in the flowing water then splashed his face. He would have to fill his waterskin at this stream before he headed back to Syliras later. He again cupped his hands and drank deeply a few times.

Rising to his feet he waited for Quinn to get his fill of water before wading through the shallow stream to the other side. He could have vaulted over it as he did before but he felt that would be an excessive display of force and it was not necessary as the stream was not so wide it couldn't be walked without getting too wet. Once he was on the other side he waited for Quinn then continued on backtracking to the clearing where they had started.

"I will admit that the quarterstaff was not my first choice of weapon when I was younger. I always wanted to be a master swordsman but fate it would seem didn't favor me with the sword. So a staff was put in my hand I guess you could say we worked together a lot better. I've never been without it since. The woman who taught me how to use it, well, she was or rather -is- quite the weapons expert. An artist with a blade as much as a staff. She taught me everything I know about how to be a warrior. She taught me that to wield a weapon is to bear a great burden for with it you have the choice of defending or attacking and either thought is a terrible thing." Aoren reflected on the lesson he'd been taught when he had first started taking lessons from his friend Ileera. He truly did owe everything to her.

"It's an interesting thought really. To defend there must be an attacker and for there to be an attacker there must be those who are trying to defend themselves. One cannot exist without the other but both have the power to become the other. To protect life or to destroy it." He pondered that truth for a few moments in silence.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to ramble. I can't help myself sometimes."

by **Radiant** on July 20th, 2013, 5:02 pm

Quinn :

Aoren :

Notes :

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+2 XP
Socialization	+1 XP
Storytelling	+1 XP
Philosophy	+1 XP
Running	+3 XP
Acrobatics	+3 XP
Meditation	+1 XP
Weapon: Quarterstaff	+1 XP

Completed Morning Training