Walk it off (Aello)

[Rysen Londell]

Spring 20 511 AV It was mid day, the sun was high in the sky and the people of Ravok were out enjoying it. Rysen stepped carefully almost on his toes as he made his way through the crowds of people. By now he had grown accustomed the navigating this city; it had taken him awhile to get used to traveling across the bridges but now he moved through the city with ease. A slight smirk on his face as he carelessly navigated himself about, his pace was quicker than what his normal one but today he was excited. It had occurred to him that a lone man who roamed unarmed was not by any means a good idea. So far he had been lucky to not become a victim of anything serious however, he figured it would at least sometimes deter people from attacking him. But he was nervous, never in his life had he ever had any kind of weapon training. He had seen swords before and held them but certainly never fought with one. Worries filled his mind about it but he would simply have to begin practicing or maybe find a teacher willing to train him. Regardless he had made up his mind to take up arms. He came to the weapons shops and he began his investigation of trying to find himself the perfect one for him. It was all very overwhelming to him as he didn't know much about what he was looking for. He didn't like not knowing anything about this things as this was not a feeling he was very used to. Several times he would pick something up and examine it for a moment before placing it back down. He thought to himself, What are you getting yourself into? Truthfully he was slightly worried of be scammed, so he tried his best to act like he knew what he was doing, although he was unsure if anyone believed him or if they even cared to notice at all. As time went on he was becoming frustrated as he could not find anything that he liked. Axes seemed to bulky for him and he was leaning towards buying some kind of sword for himself. But he could not make up his mind as to what exactly he wanted. Just as he was beginning to think he would never find anything in this market something caught his eye. He made his way over to it and looked upon it in amazement. It was a simple longsword, a very ordinary looking blade but it looked well made. Nothing stood out about it but to him it was beautiful, this was it he told himself, this would be his weapon of choice. He picked it up and held the hilt in his hands as he looked it up and down. The blade was polished recently and the weight felt good in his hand. It looked as if he would be able to wield it with one or two hands which he thought was very practical. To anyone else it would have seemed like any other longsword but he loved it. "How much?" He casually asked the vendor without removing his eyes from the blade. The man tending the store looked to see what Rysen was holding. "Ahhh yes! A fine choice sir a fine choice indeed. That particular blade is fifteen gold mizas." Rysen reached into his bag and withdrew the money requested and handed it over to the vendor. "A wise purchase sir! Can I intrest you in a unique sheath or perhaps some polish to get you blade looking its best? He shook his head at the vendor, "I don't think that will be necessary, this will be all thank you." With that he turned to leave still holding onto his new toy. He secured it safely onto his belt as he walked away with a certain new swagger in his step.

[Aello]

Aello was weaving her way in and out of the Ravokian streets. She was headed to the markets, still in search of a decent book on magic she could use for reference. The girl was holding several small, green blades of grass between her fingertips. Yune was perched on her left shoulder, munching on the blades she had already fed her. "You may want to slow down Yune, wouldn't want you choking, or spitting everything back up on the new clothes," Aello chuckled, as she walked along through the sunlit streets. There seemed to be no wind behind them today. Nothing much either- they had passed very few people, and animals, and hadn't yet passed a single shop or stall. Well, at least one that was actually open. "Where do you think they all went Yune?" Aello asked as she lifted her left hand to her shoulder so that the bird could grab another blade of grass to munch on. "The city is never this quiet." The bird extended its neck, parted its tiny beak, and plucked a blade of grass from between Aello's fingertips. It retracted its neck, and then tilted its head back as it repeatedly opened its beak, and then shut it. Soon enough, Yune had engulfed her latest treat. Aello sighed. "Alright Yune, you make a good point. We are using a series of back alleys to get there." Even in the bird's silence, she seemed to speak to Aello nowadays. Or perhaps that was simply the young spiritist wishing that each of them could speak the few things the other companion did. If only she spoke sparrow, perhaps she wouldn't be so lonely. If only the sparrow spoke Common... then they really could strike up quite the conversation. Aello turned right at the corner of the street, and headed down another narrow passageway. Soon enough, she found herself in the center of a series of shops. "Ahh, here we are Yune," Aello exclaimed as she lifted her hand once more to feed her the rest of the grass. The bird lapped it up hungrily, as Aello made her way around the street, and then... ooouuuf. Aello's grip on her bow tightened as she looked up at the person she had hit. "Sorry..." she stammered. There was something about the man's eyes that looked familiar. "Rysen?" Aello asked, when she realized that it must be the man from the bar. "That you?" Aello asked, as his new blade glinted in the light. Instantly, Aello's eyes were drawn to it. "Since when do you carry a blade?" Aello inquired.

[Rysen Londell]

Rysen was absorbed in thought as he continued on his way. His mind was full of thoughts on how he could improve his skills in combat, he had a feeling that simply carrying a sword wouldn't do much for him if he didn't try and learn how to handle it properly. His pace was slow as it always was when he was deep in thought and his attention drifted on where he was going. Suddenly he felt impact and he stumbled backwards slightly. His hand griped the hilt of his new blade which was very unnatural for him considering it had only been carrying it for a few minutes. He recognized the girl whom he had just collided with, she had light brown hair and dark brown eyes. "Aello! Good to see you again." In truth he was happy to see her, it wasn't often he ran into someone he knew in this town. And for another thing he had felt bad about the way their last encounter had ended. "Hah, yes its me." He chuckled and a grin crept across his face as he spoke. When she asked him about his new purchase he looked down at it and griped the hilt at his waist. "What this thing? Just picked it up in all honestly. I figured it was about time I arm myself properly." He let go of the hilt and his arms returned to his side. His gazed shifted back to her and his eyes met hers. "So what about you, hmm? What brings you out today?"

[Aello]

Sure seems that way too. Poor guy has no idea what he is doing, now does he? Aello took a half a step closer, helping to close the gap between them. "Just looking for a book actually. But this doesn't seem to be the place for such things," she replied, as she cast another glance at the blade. It seemed to be glimmering, calling to her. Aello walked over to Rysen and made sure that her left side brushed his right. She extended her left hand, and gripped the hilt of his sword firmly. "You have no idea what you're doing, do you Rysen?" Aello asked, as she stared intently into the man's eyes. "None at all. Never having wielded such a thing." Yune remained silent as Aello let go of the hilt rather forcefully, pushing it back towards Rysen's flesh. "Should you want a few tips... how to wield such a thing, then make your way to the alley between the street over there," Aello paused to point to the street that was right behind Rysen, "turn right. Walk another ten blocks, and then stop. Make a left, you will see an old abandoned house there. It will keep eyes off of you." Aello said no more. She had left Rysen behind her. The young spiritist was making her way to the other side of the street, there was another alley there. It would lead her in the opposite direction of where she wanted to go, but she could easily loop her way around to meet Rysen. Best not to be seen with him. Aello walked in silence for a few minutes, until she cut across town using a series of side-streets. She arrived in front of the place Rysen had described perhaps an hour after they had initially bumped into each other. Wonder if he's here... hopefully he didn't get lost. The outside of the house seemed so uninviting- dark wood with chipping black paint. A boarded-up window, a large black door with blood spatted across the side closest to the knob. But, at least it is empty, and provides a place to be alone. Aello looked left and right. It didn't seem like anyone was coming, or like anyone had followed her. Aello stepped closer to the door, and pushed it open. It swung back with a slight creak. She stepped inside, and then shut the door as silently as she could behind her. The inside of the room was simple- hardwood floor covered in a thin sheet of dust, cobwebs in the corners. White paint chipping off the walls. "Same as always Yune," Aello commented.

[Rysen Londell]

Rysen's grin quickly faded after she began to speak. He was caught completely off guard as she grasped the hilt of his sword and rather forcefully pushed back against him. He looked away from her and hung his head staring at the ground. He did not like be spoken to like that; he felt like a small child being scolded for playing with something that they shouldn't be.Shes right...I don't have a clue what I'm doing. The moment seemed much longer to him than it actually was. He felt a little helpless at the moment but everything she had said was true. Never had he wielded such things, he never even played with toy swords as a boy. Back in Zeltiva he was always buried in a book studying different things and when he wasn't doing that he was fishing or out on his father's boat. A deep sigh escaped him as he gathered his composure. There was no reason to feel this way, he was no fighter that was something he accepted. But hearing it from her made him feel uncomfortable. The she turned and left him, he hadn't been paying attention and now she was leaving. He ran back through the directions she had just given him. Was she offering tips to him? She must be very skilled if she want to give out tips. Or perhaps she is just very confident. Either it didn't matter to him, he needed some help and it looked like she was offering it to him and he was certainly not going to turn her down. So off he went following her directions, constantly repeating them to himself as he walked. He moved swiftly and quietly through the ally ways as he went and his eyes were narrowed and focused. It was unusual for him to move in such a way as he often preferred to take in the sights and reflect back on things but this was not the time for that. Eventually he came upon an old abandoned house. It was very run down and looked as if no one had used it in years, how such a place had not been torn down he did not know. Suddenly he began to question this woman's motives. Someone he barely knew runs into him at random and invites him to an old run down house. It seemed very suspicious to him. However he had come this far and he certainly wasn't going to turn back not. Just be smart Rysen. He took a deep breath as he approached the house. His hand reached out and gripped the knob tightly and he paused for a moment before turning it and pushing the door open. He stepped in and carefully closed it behind him. It was dark and a musty smell filled his nostrils, there was dust and cobwebs everywhere. Then he turn and saw Aello standing there before. He didn't advance toward her though, he just stood there waiting for something to happen. His eyes studied her thoroughly before he said anything, "Well...here I am." He was still uneasy about all of this so he kept his guard up and waited to see what she had in store for him.

[Aello]

"Hello Rysen," Aello greeted as she turned to greet him. He seemed a little nervous, and so very out of place in the room. Yune chirped once in greeting, before flying off Aello's shoulder and sitting at the edge of the window sill. Gingerly, Aello pulled her bag off her shoulders and slipped it under the window, she did the same with her quiver. Next she untied her cloak, and pulled it away from her. She heaped it on top of the rest of her belongings. As soon as she was done, she turned back to Rysen. "Didn't think you would make it. But here you are nonetheless." Aello pat her hands together, as though trying to clean them off. She was standing in front of Rysen now, staring at him intently when she was finished. "The first thing you have to do is alter your stance. You're too much of a target." With that, Aello stepped forward with her right foot. The left she kept behind her, but she twisted her foot instead of keeping it straight, so that together, her feet would make a ninety degree angle. They were about seven inches apart. Aello's upper body twisted at the waist, so that it was pointed at the wall, away from Rysen. Her face was watching him intently, and held in his direction. Her back was as straight as possible, and her knees were slightly bent. "Stand like this and you're less of a target," Aello explained. "Of course it takes some getting used to to remain in this position, as does everything. Some people just crouch and wing it, it seems..." her voice trailed off as she waited for Rysen to grab his weapon. Aello's right hand was resting by her thigh. She had soon pulled the cursed dagger from concealment. The blood seemed to glimmer while the blade itself hid in shadow. It always seemed to grow darker to her. "Unfortunately, the rest we'll simply have to learn as we go along," Aello explained. "Considering how we're using different weapons, and the bow has always come more easily." Aello paused. "Nonetheless, we can always learn, the blind can lead the blind... just don't get yourself killed or too bloodied up on the blade. You can dodge can't you?" Aello asked as she stepped forward with her right foot, and then moved the left one along. She extended her right arm, which was holding the blade, and lunged for Rysen. If he didn't move, she would strike his right arm.

[Rysen Londell]

Rysen's eyes narrowed as she removed her bag and placed it under the window. He was taking everything in and he began to understand why she brought him here. She called him a target and she was right. If he were to ever get into a fight he would most likely get destroyed. The house was perfect for a little training and he was grateful for her giving him a chance at some practice. As she shifted her stance he attempted to mimic her by moving his body into a similar position. He glanced down to make sure that his feet were positioned properly. She had asked him about his dodge skills and he felt that he was fairly quick. After all during his time in school he had often taken studying break to go out and run through the town for some exercise. He looked up just in time to see her coming right at him her dagger drawn. He hadn't even heard her take it out. She lunged right at him and he managed to stumble to the side. He turned his body inwards so that his chest faced her outstretched arm and as she passed him he stretch his arms out to the side and sucked in his stomach. He took several steps back and gather his balance. "Blind leading the blind? Well, that works for me." A devilish grin crept across his face. His bag fell off his shoulders and he tossed it near where she had placed hers.He withdrew the blade from him waist and gather his feet similar to what she had shown him. It felt good in his hands and he was excited to see what he was capable of. He brought his arms up in front of him so that the sword was just in front of his body. He gripped the hilt with both hands and took a step forwards before taking off at Aello. He brought the sword down and swung upwards across his body.

[Aello]

Aello could vaguely make out the sound of Yune chirping in the background. It seemed like the sparrow were egging each of them on, willing them to fight each other. "Glad you're enjoying this Yune," Aello called, as she lifted her right leg upwards, and balanced on her left. Her foot was pointed down at the ground, and she appeared to be assuming a ballet position, in rather bad form of course. Or, perhaps it was tree pose, minus the arms. Her arms were curled inwards, as though she were about to dance with Rysen this way and that. Narrowly dodging out of the way at all times, much like she had just now. "You almost got me there," Aello commented, as she slowly lowered her right foot back onto the hardwood floor, displacing a thin sheet of dust as she did so. "But, you missed, thank goodness," Aello said as she resumed the stance she had shown Rysen only moments before. She was staring at him intently, biding her time before she struck out at him again, unless, of course, he beat her to it. But she doubted that, she seemed to move far faster than he did. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that she was already skilled with the bow, or that he was far larger than she. In which case, she provided him with less of a target than she provided him with. Deciding she had waited long enough, Aello stepped towards the left side of Rysen's body. As she moved, she lifted the dagger she held in her right hand, and tried to simply drag it against his body. As though she were trying to slice him in half as she passed him, like one may try to cut a slice of bread. If he didn't move out of the way, she would leave a cut in his clothes. Perhaps even cut closely enough to his flesh to draw blood. Aello couldn't be certain, for her motion wasn't very forceful. The blade however, was another story, being as sharp as it was.

[Rysen Londell]

Rysen stumbled forward after his attack had missed, he figured that he had put too much force into it. It was a very clumsy movement but he regained his balance. His body repositioned and he gather his strength sliding his feet back into position. She looked very graceful and he was taken aback by it. He had always thought that strength and violence were the products of such fighting but he never expected some of it to be so graceful. "Nice moves." His grin was growing and he found himself so far enjoying himself. His feet were exactly how she had shown him and his arms held the sword in front of him just as he had done before. Their eyes were locked and he could feel his heart pounding. The adrenaline was coursing through his body and it all felt very different to him, he was not accustomed to it. He was beginning to understand why some people choose to live this way, it was very exhilarating. But he needed to focus now, this was not the time to let his mind wander. He breathed out deeply, a technique he adopted long ago to regain his focus. They had come to a standoff and his nerves began to catch up to him. He started to question himself on what he should do next. Wait for her attack or go on the offensive and strike first? He moved his left foot forward as he prepared to lunge out at her. He had decided that he should attack first. But it seemed that she had the jump on him as she came at him again with her dagger. This had taken him off guard and he was not ready to react. He awkwardly brought his sword up in an attempt to block her attack. The blades hit and a large sound echoed through the small room. But he had not fully blocked her attack, rather he had altered it movement. Her dagger slid across his shoulder and he quickly jumped back. It stung and he brought his hand to where it had been cut and pressed his finger where the pain was. He looked down at his fingers and saw red but not much. Luckily it was only a scratch."Well that's one point to you. And you even get the first blood. Hmph." It was time to try something that might catch her off of her game. He grabbed the hilt with both hands and brought it behind him with the blade pointing away from him. Then without warning he charged right at her, he hoped that such a direct attack might give her pause that he would be able to take advantage of. As he neared her instead of bringing the sword in a sweeping motion he side stepped to the side of her. He stuck out his right foot and continued with a quick sweep dragging his foot on the ground in an attempt to take her off of her feet. His right hand also let go of the hilt and he reached out at her shoulder, if he managed to grab her he could pull her toward his foot and hopefully put her onto the ground.

[Aello]

"Well, ladies are always first, right?" Aello asked as she forced her body to come to a halt as soon as she had passed him. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and her palms were growing sweaty. The hilt of the blade slid around silently in her hand, as she desperately tried to get a better grip on it. Dropping her blade, even when she was sparring with someone as inexperienced as herself, if not more so, would not be a very good idea. In fact, if Rysen didn't notice, and she was too slow with her dodging, it could get her killed. Or at least, seriously injured. They weren't exactly practicing with wooden blades after all. Aello did her best to tighten her grip, as Rysen rounded on her. He had grabbed her shoulder, and somehow managed to trip her. Aello landed with a thud. Her back had pressed into the hardwood floor, scattering a flurry of grey dust everywhere. A dark and dismal winter had seemed to come early this year. Her blade flew from her hand, and clattered across the floor. A single drop of crimson red blood dripped off the side and pooled beneath the blade. Aello knew it was Rysen's. She could see the cut she had made from her spot upon the floor. "At least it was little more than a flesh wound," Aello commented as she rubbed her head. "This is the part where you'd normally slay your opponent isn't it?" she asked. "Suppose you won this round. But next time, my dear sir, you may not be so lucky." With that, Aello rolled along the floor, away from Rysen and her fallen dagger. A thin sheet of dust was now caked to her clothing, and she had backed herself into a wall. Good thinking there Aello, now what? The blade doesn't come back to you that quickly. Aello rolled her eyes as she brought herself to her feet. "So, armed man against disarmed women. Lets do it," she said as she assumed the fighting position, minus her sword. She gave a slight clap with her hands, before she balled them into fists. She held each of her arms before her. They were bent at the elbow. "Come on now Rysen," Aello called as she nervously eyed her dagger. It seemed to be fading into the floor, as though the dust served as a sort of camouflage. All you have to do is dive for it as soon as he moves. Just roll across the floor and make sure you actually pick it up. Then the game will be a little more fair. You'll be even again... kind of. Your blade is less than half the size of his... Aello rolled her eyes. And try not to hit your head again, it is hurting enough as is. Aello's brain was right. A sharp, shooting pain was lingering behind her ears, jabbing her from time to time. It was difficult for her not to wince, and impossible for the young spiritst not to reply to her thoughts. "Thanks Mom," she whispered, so silently, that it should have been impossible for Rysen to hear.