Learning to Fight

by **Ruzekiel Soren** on September 10th, 2012, 12:32 am

8th of Fall, 512 A.V.

Zeke was not having a good day. Granted, Alvadas was his kind of city, but it turned out that people didn't like strangers who could see through moving walls. Then again it could have been Etienne stomping on that poor man's face that had sent Zeke sprawling into the gas-lit street with a black eye and a split lip. It was all just a big misunderstanding, thought Zeke, wiping at the blood dribbling down his chin with his ragged coat sleeve. He tilted his carved oak mug to his lips and was rudely reminded that he had run out of rum. Zeke sat his cold back against the brick wall across from the tavern door and wrapped his arms around himself.

Well, at least it wasn't Avanthal. It was pleasantly chilly, enough to keep the blood warm, but certainly not sweltering. All in all, his situation wasn't so bad. He even had a stale crust of bread left over from his friendly encounter with the Kelvic earlier that week. He just wished that he had left the other guy with as many painful bumps and bruises as he had right now.

by **Tainon** on September 12th, 2012, 8:11 am

Once again, Tainon found himself walking through the streets of Alvadas. Today was not definitely a good day. Somehow, he got lost twice that day and didn’t manage to deliver the merchandise that he was supposed to. The customers would most likely be very displeased with him, so when he finally found their house, he didn’t bother to collect the money from them and just put the things they wanted in front of their door. Then he turned and began to make his way home.

After a while he stopped walking and leaned against a wall of some house to rest and to collect his thoughts. This was getting ridiculous. Luckily, he was going to leave this place soon, travel the world and then return to his birth place. He really didn’t like this city right from the day his family moved in here. At first, it was a great adventure, with all the mysteries and secrets, but he was becoming tired of the constant change.

He pushed himself away from the wall and began walking again. He spotted a familiar street with a tavern on one side. On the other side, across from the tavern, he saw a figure with a mug in his hand sitting there. He continued walking until he saw the person’s bruised face.

For a moment he thought about turning around and finding some other way to get home. He wasn’t in the mood for a violent drunk. But he continued walking and trying to look as though he hadn’t noticed him.

by **Ruzekiel Soren** on September 14th, 2012, 7:57 pm

Zeke wondered what he must look like here, in the late evening, sprawled across the narrow winding street with a horrible headache and a generally black and blue countenance, but he was used to piecing together the scraps of his fragile dignity and carrying on, so he carried on. Wincing, he sat up and began to prod at his face with a slim finger, assessing how fierce (or pathetic) he would look when he walked back to where he was currently living.

Hearing some motion near him Zeke turned, to lay eyes upon what might have been the strongest creature he had ever seen. The man looked like an Isur, but Zeke did not want to find out---the stranger looked rather scary, and he was not quite recovered from his last run-in with big scary people to try communicating with him, so instead Zeke froze until the Isur passed without so much as a look, at which he let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.

Watching the heavily built man’s back as he walked away, Zeke reached into his dusty coat pocket, rummaging around for his compass. When he finally found it, however, he realized that his way home was nearly cracked right down the middle in the scuffle that took place only a few hours before. Frantic, Zeke looked around a few times, jumping up with several creaks and cracks and even dancing a little on his toes trying to think of what to do. In a flash of recklessness that did not usually afflict the young traveller, he jogged after the Isur to ask him if he had any means of navigation whatsoever.

“Excuse me?” Zeke inquired, with a confidence that he didn’t have. He was surprised that his voice didn’t shake. “Do you happen to have a compass on you, milord?” Yes, play the underling, make the stronger guy feel important, he schemed, bowing a slight bit and cocking his head to the side.

by **Tainon** on September 24th, 2012, 7:39 am

When Tainon passed the man sitting on the street, he quickened his pace a little. Relief went through him. He didn’t want any trouble now when he wanted to leave the city. That wouldn’t be good. Although he was an adult now, he knew that his parents would most likely close him in the shop and load him with work, so that he wouldn’t have a chance to sneak away.

And he desperately needed to. He loved his parents more than anything, but he also wanted to find his freedom and see if he can survive in this world alone.

Just as he was about to turn to a street, where he was absolutely sure that his house was, he noticed some movement behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the man desperately looking around himself. Taion rolled his eyes.

‘Obviously looking for a bottle,’ he thought, a bit disgusted, and shook his head. Then he continued walking.

He was lost in his thoughts again, when someone addressed him. He turned around and frowned. It was that man and he was asking him about a compass. He frowned even deeply, when he heard the word ‘milord’.

He raised an eyebrow, annoyed. He said, deliberately stressing the word by which he was addressed: “Sorry, milord, I do not have a compass. I don’t need to have a compass. I live here.” Of course, he didn’t mention that he got lost twice today. The man didn’t need to know that.

by **Ruzekiel Soren** on September 24th, 2012, 8:37 pm

Zeke sighed. He obviously was not making a good impression on this man. He knew his appearance was rumpled, and his eyes bloodshot, but he really needed to get back to the inn. The Isur clearly was not taking any horse dung from Zeke, which was intriguing, since that was how Zeke got himself through most situations.

"Look, I just need to get back to the Wolf's Cave Inn. I was in here," he waved towards the back of the tavern that he was just chucked out of,
"and then my stupid horse decided to pick on someone bigger than me and get me in trouble. Thus," He took out his broken, bent compass and presented it to the stranger. "I have no way of getting back. Believe me, if I knew how to fight off those brigands without getting my shirt handed to me," at this he pointed to his bruised and mangled face with a wry grin,
"I would clearly have saved my compass from a horrible violent death and gotten back home safely."

If only he had listened to the master-of-arms when he was a kid. He'd had better things to do when his brother was around to protect him. Now that Darrin was gone, he was left with a really bad hangover and a messed up face and no way of getting home, except by asking this clearly irritated giant if he perchance had a compass.

“I’m not asking for trouble mate, though I may look like it,” Zeke pleaded. “I just got in the way of someone I shouldn’t have, and without your help I’ll have to sleep on cobble again tonight. So please, just tell me where to find the Wolf’s Cave without a compass, and I’ll leave you in peace.”

by **Tainon** on October 1st, 2012, 1:02 pm

Tainon listened to the man’s story with distrust on his face. The man seemed to be telling the truth, but Tainon was not one to trust a stranger so easily, although if the story were true, he felt rather sorry for the man. He had also experienced the feeling of being picked on by people bigger than him. Tainon eyed the stranger doubtfully, but considered his options.

He still had time, so he could quickly show the man to the Wolf’s Cave Inn and head back home. It wasn’t so far away from the place where they were now. Looking closely at the man, he considered him. Tainon was slightly taller than him and he was thin and looked beaten. The Isur doubted that this man could effectively attack him, Nor he could steal anything from him. He didn’t have anything in his pockets.

Finally, he sighed and nodded. “All right, I will take you to the Wolf’s Cave. About the fighting off people…,” he thought for a while. “You just need someone who would teach you. And also, you need to get stronger. You look too…frail. It's no wonder that you were so easily defeated.” He shrugged and began walking to the direction of the Inn.

by **Ruzekiel Soren** on October 1st, 2012, 11:20 pm

Zeke made a small triumphant gesture and set off after the Isur, walking quickly to keep up with his long stride. That was a close one. He’d been sure that the taller man was about to walk away in his disgust. He grinned, and then realized what the man was saying. He jogged up next to his guide.
“I am not frail ,” he said in indignation. He would have been crossing his arms had he not been trying to keep up with the curt stranger. However after he had considered the Isur’s words he had to agree.

He had never been in a real fight, besides that unfortunate incident with Kane and that had been extenuating circumstances--his life was in danger then. Thus, by now the brief lust for battle he had felt was gone. He didn’t want it back either. Give him a warm fire, some mead and a good book any day. But what if that were ever threatened? Could he defend himself? The stinging of his cheek and the ache of his jaw said no. And what about Sunny? What if she were to get into trouble? He would not be able to help her. That made him think. Obviously it didn’t make him think enough, though, because he pulled a dangerous move.

“Will you teach me??” The words came out before Zeke could stop them.

If he could get this man to show him at least some simple ways to defend himself, or at least not get butchered, something. He knew he was going to encounter violence. Maybe it was his pluckiness, or his abrasive sense of humor, but something was eventually going to get him in trouble again. It was time to man up. So he looked up at the Isur with green fire in his eyes, challenging him, daring him.

by **Tainon** on October 30th, 2012, 10:57 am

At Zeke’s indignation about Tainon’s remark about Zeke’s fragility, he snorted and smirked good-naturedly. He continued walking but Zeke’s next words surprised him and he stopped abruptly. Partly it was because the man stood in his way, but also because he was a little bit taken aback by his request.

He frowned, thinking. Could he do it? He certainly had the skill, but he had never taught anyone before. Well, he decided, at least I can try.

He nodded slowly. “All right, I will teach you a few tricks. But I must warn you, I may be a little clumsy with the explanations. I have never taught anyone before.” He shrugged apologetically.

He led Zeke to an alley which he knew was almost always empty and he stood opposite of him.

“All right, here is the best place. Now, let me tell you something about fighting without a weapon. If someone confronts you and wants to hit you or kick you, you have to be fast enough to block his hit and avert it so that it doesn’t hurt you. Being quick and flexible is the most important thing when you fight without a weapon, I think.” He paused. “Um, what about some practice? I will attack you and you will try to defend yourself.” He suggested.

OOCSorry for the extremely long wait. My job is to blame....

by **Ruzekiel Soren** on October 30th, 2012, 11:29 pm

oocNo trouble at all. Don’t ever worry about posting late, because I have school and a production going on that I havent even gotten the lines down for yet. Nothing compared to actual work of course, but you get my drift. Totally fine.

In the dark alley, secluded from the noise and lights of the city, Zeke could hear faint skittering of rats and see his own breath frost up against the dimly lit brick. He listened eagerly to what the Isur had to say, trying to keep a mental note of his advice.

Weapons were a good thing to have, but it was rightly a skill to learn after learning the basic skills needed for unarmed combat. Like dodging. Sure enough, when Tainon began to talk about practice with attacking and defending Zeke grew skittish.

“Are you sure that’s the best idea? Not like I’m afraid or anything, but--” he saw the first punch whip towards him a little too late and he let out an oomf as the Isur’s fist made contact with his well-padded stomach. The air came out of him in a whoosh. “Not ready,” he wheezed.

It didn’t hurt. In fact it probably wouldn’t even bruise in the morning, given that Tainon had probably expected to feel the resistance of a straw-stuffed marionette rather than a man, and expected right. Zeke straightened and put both hands up in a sort of guard in front of him, lightly curled into fists like he’d seen his brother do, although the memories were murky.

He began to run through what he might do when Tainon came at him again. Perhaps he could duck if it was aimed at his head? Or jump out of the way?--No, too many unknowns with that one. Maybe he would throw up an arm to protect the vitals and cushion a blow to the chest? It was all unknowns really, but he would figure it out.

by **Shijara** on July 16th, 2014, 6:39 pm

Tainon

The Good Stuff :

Ruzekiel Soren

The Good Stuff :

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and I'll be happy to discuss it with you. Keep writing!

Skill	XP
Socialization	+2
Observation	+1
Unarmed Combat	+1