PM to join Clashing or Crashing? (Alex)

[Irathia]

34th of Winter, AV. Irathia awoke in the Squire Dormitories, she rubbed her eyes and rolled onto the floor with a small thud, her muscles groaned and her eyes protested, wanting to sleep more. Irathia smacked her mouth and tried to get the taste of old saliva out of her mouth. Irathia pushed her self onto the ground, propping her self up into a sitting position as she ran her hand through her hair twice, untangling her hair and pushing it back as she sat on the floor, slowly waking up. Irathia grabbed her chest and opened the thing. There her "normal" clothes rested, neatly folded and placed on top of her cloak and hammer. She pulled the clothes on and stared at the black cloak. It was... Dirty. Irathia stared at dark brown dots of mud and unknown grime. Irathia picked it up and gave it a nice kicking and patting, sending some dirt flying off into a fine dust. Which Irathia inhaled almost immediately, giving her a small coughing fit as her body rejected the fine cloud of dust. After a bit of forced tears and coughing, Irathia was ready for the day, hammer slung onto her hip and cloak tightly wrapped around her body. Irathia set out into the city of Syliras to meet her Patron, Ophelia Ravonai, in the Antinous Training Ground so they can work on more combat. Irathia felt like today was going to be the day Irathia learned how to use a shield, or perhaps a sword for once. Even though the second option didn't interest her as much as hammers... It just felt natural to use them more than any sharp weapons like swords or daggers. Irathia eventually found Ophelia, where they exchanged pleasantries a tiny bit. Ophelia noted that Irathia was late, which Irathia apologized several times. Irathia noticed that Ophelia had a shield in her hand, it was rather old looking but Irathia felt excited. She has been wanting away to defend her self that was not just her swinging her hammers so the enemy can't get a hit in... Which Irathia realized that wouldn't be possible for ever... Irathia felt the shield being shoved into her arms, where she tried to place it on her arm and hold it correctly. Irathia assumed all to the shield was just hold it in a place where the sword or weapon would hit, though she has seen Ophelia use it in different ways. Though this was only when Irathia and her were 'sparing,' as in she stood in place and blocked and parried every single attack Irathia did...

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The morning rolled through once again. Alex stepped out into the halls of the barracks his armour clinking against himself. He was training today with another weapon he’d never gotten a handle on before. Also at his patron’s request. The cold biting air of the early morning swept into his face. A frosted air bit into him his body tensing with the sweeping winds. He grit his teeth. He wasn’t expecting such a chill wind so early in the morning. His plan for today was to meet his patron in the open fields. But instead that was changed to the training grounds.

Sighing Alex swung by the quarter masters place to pick up a “double bladed sword” a sturdy handle in the centre and a blade on each end. Or at least it would have been if he hadn’t gotten a metal cored wooden one to practice against his patron with. The weapon felt heavy in his hands. Odd in design as well. Something he wasn’t used too but it seemed that he’d have to start getting used to it for his patrons needs. Alex sighed slowly and climbed the stairs.

The grounds were primarily empty. Just him Ser Greyheart and the weapon masters. Then again it was eight in the morning. Alex stepped up his blade in his hands. He’d been requested not to bring his shield with him. “Good to see you this early Alex. Got enough sleep I hope?” Greyheart smiled lightly and lifted his sword. Wooden and steel core much like Alex’s new blade to train with. “Ser. Why exactly do you want me to train with something this…Awkward to use?” Alex hauled the thing up using both hands to hold it level in front of him. The balance was good but it felt like a more…Intricately used weapon than he was even remotely used too.

“Alex I want you to train with a variety of weapons so you can get a feel for those which appeal to you the most. Like you tried out the great sword in the fight with ball. It was a good idea. Had you the skill and the experience. You may have actually been able to pull it off. Which is why I’m training you on something like that today.” Greyheart smiled lightly and took a wide slow swing at Alex. Who instinctively brought the blade of the sword up to block on the left side. “Good. The blade you’re using there is good to block with one side and lash out with the other, near simultaneously.”

Alex thought he got it and for the next bell traded blows with Greyheart simple wide swings blocked on both parts. No harsh instant strikes this was a weapon that. Had a bit of a learning curve. Eventually a familiar face arrived at the training grounds. Irathia. The female squire whom Alex had spoken too briefly before. Now slightly worn out but having a better understanding of the basic motions of the blade sat on a nearby bench and watched her patron almost effortlessly counter every strike she tried to lash out with.

“Hail Sera Ophelia. Mind if I borrow your squire briefly to help assist my own squire’s training?” Greyheart spoke out, his tone friendly but if he needed to switch to his authoritative voice he would. A small look of what the heck crossed Alex’s face.

[Irathia]

Irathia's smile instantly faded, putting on her 'mask,' Irathia turned to look at the man that asked if he could barrow her. Irathia gave out a silent sigh as she rather not fight anyone but Ophelia today, though if she was told to she would. "Hail Ser Greyheart." Ophelia said, nodding in response. "May I ask, what do you need Irathia for?" She asked, smiling slightly. Irathia noted that the man seemed friendly enough, quite tall though, which made Irathia slightly uncomfortable. She liked his hair though, it was appealing, the dirty blonde hair that quite frankly looks like it could become a mop. He seemed kind enough, though she was curious what Ser Greyheart, as Ophelia said, wanted her for... She assumed seeing Alex with a sword in his hand and armor on is plenty, to get the faintest hint of what Ser Greyheart attends to do.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Greyheart smirked upon hearing what he needed to borrow Irathia for. “I would like to borrow Irathis to train with my squire. I’ve been teaching him how to use a blade for a good portion of the morning and I was wondering if I could have him test out his skill against another.” Greyheart gave a reassuring smile as Alex often did. Alex now rose from the bench at the side strolling over to stand next to Ser Greyheart. Standing a full inch taller than his patron now the strange and rather obscure weapon in his hands. Something not many would have seen nor used effectively. Or at all.

“So Sera Ophelia If I may?” Greyheart spoke again and Alex shifted his feet a little.
“Nice to see you again Irathia. Sorry about this. It’s something my patron likes to do. Just checking how much I’ve progressed against other squires. You don’t have to say yes but I’d be greatly appreciative if you did.” He smiled slightly his soft voice rolling out slowly over the distance as he gripped the blade in his hands. The shifting and rolling weight. He’d been taught the bare bones of the blade, blocks and strikes. How to chain one into the other. But then again he needed practice against an opponent with full intent to hit him.

It was odd really this was the first time he’d ever held onto a weapon intended to both defend and strike simultaneously. He pulled the blade up in his hands. Wooden but steel through the centre. If he did hit her in the even she said yes the worst that would happen is that a probably painful bruise would occur. However if she struck him he was in full plate and the hammers most likely wouldn’t sting as much.

[Irathia]

Irathia's face contorted a small bit as she thought about sparing. Is it a good idea? I mean... He has been fighting for way longer compared to me... Could I even beat him. Irathia rubbed her chin and she bit her lip. Her knuckles whitened as she squeezed the hammer. A sudden smile spread across her face as she held up her hammer slightly. She shifted slightly as she nodded, "Sure." Irathia said. "So... Should I get a wooden hammer?" Irathia said, she held up her heirloom, it looked quite worn like it has been through years of use. The once polished metal was dull, full of scratches and small impact points, only a few parts had the gloss that the metal had, mainly at the very top."Or are you going to be okay in that fancy armor of yours." She said, getting sort of jealous that Alex had enough money to afford armor. While Irathia had... A decent amount of mizas from the small amount she has been in Syliras, she was far from the amount to buy armor. Irathia knew that becoming a knight results in her getting armor... One of the more selfish reasons why Irathia wanted to become a knight. Irathia stared at Alex's wooden weapon, quite odd in design. Though it appeared to be some sort of... Glorified sword. Irathia hated swords now that she thought about it, she enjoyed using the heavy headed blunt weapon that can crack stones if she used it enough. Irathia's face scrunched up as she stared at it... I feel like I am going to walk out with a LOT of bruises! Irathia thought as she stared at it. Though... If Ophelia asked me to train in that I would not refuse, though I would not like it and show my distaste. As Irathia thought about this her face went blank slightly, as she zoned out for a couple of seconds. She shook her head and began to focus, staring at Alex's weapon as Irathia shifted in place, getting into a offensive potion. Though she did note the shield that was still on her arm... How was she exactly supposed to do with the shield? Would it even be useful against a weapon such as the one Alex wielded... If anything, Irathia will chuck it at Alex as a distraction. Irathia thought as she stared at the sword, trying to focus on Alex.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex swayed on his feet a little. He watched Irathia mull things over in her own mind. Debating as to whether or not she’d accept his patrons offer. Before her patron could even response Irathia simply said sure. Alex gave a soft smile. Perhaps now he’d get to face someone closer to his own skill level maybe…After all Greyheart was exceptionally well versed in his weapons. Irathia on the other hand, Alex had never been given the chance to see how she fought. And more to the point. Why wasn’t she in the plate that all squires wore? Alex thought it was mandatory for all squires who weren’t pycons or incapable of wearing armour to use it. Despite the mis-fit and the small spots of rust.

Should she get a wooden hammer? Alex contemplated for a moment. “No it should be ok in this “fancy” armour of mine.” He gave a small smile of mocking sentiment. This armour barely fit him, it was loose in places and slightly rusty in others. He twisted the blade in his grip stepping forwards and past his patron now holding the blade across his front at an angle. He was going into the stationary stance his patron had almost quite literally beaten into him. Alex shifted his feet grounding his stance. He didn’t have the safety of the shield however he did have a much sturdier weapon with a lager scope of movement to attack with.

Irathia had the small hammer and a shield. Both would be hard for him to cope with. The shield offered a solid wall of defence. Impossible to get through should she use it right. Or even partially wrong. So his best bet was to attack her hammer arm. Alex paced around her He was going to wait for her to strike. He’d begun to formulate a plan spinning around the possibilities in his head. The potential for him to make a successful strike. Hinged solely on where she swung first. He’d begun to circle around to her right, willing her prompting her to make a strike with the hammer.

“Alex, calm and calculated. Just like we practiced.” Greyheart now spoke in a more commanding tone. Alex was learning a lot about how to lead people from him. Lead with adoration rather than fear, compassion rather than strictness. Alex gave a small smirk of self-assurance, the first feeling that he knew what he was doing in a long time.

[Irathia]

Irathia's eyes narrowed as her face forged a emotionless mask, she begins to circle to the left. Irathia didn't like that weapon being close to an opening to her swinging arm. If Alex were to land a strong enough hit on her wrist or elbow Irathia would probably drop her armor. Leaving her with no form of offensive, which scared her. That is when a thought happened... Her shield can be used as a weapon, simple bashing on the face or jabbing with the rim can leave some one breathing or air, or to fall on the ground... Which can gain her the advantage IF it worked, which she was doubting her self it would... She noticed lately that she has been in a constant state of doubt. Irathia's knuckles brightened when she squeezed her hammer's hilt, giving a sign she was preparing to swing at Alex. Irathia aimed and calculated the power to her swing, which she planned to land the blow into Alex's chest, hoping that would knock out his breath. Irathia slid her foot forward quickly while she growled, something Irathia has never done before. She was bearing her pointed teeth as some odd feeling filled Irathia, though she suppressed it, choosing to focus more on her ability to fight instead of letting her emotions drive her. Her face quickly turned back into a mask, refusing to tell him what she was going to do by the facial emotions... She noticed that when sparring with Ophelia, Ravonai made sure not to show her emotions to Irathia.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex watched carefully as Ira’s face hardened. She fought by never showing what went on, a hard emotionless face. That was harder to keep up as Alex had learnt. Instead Alex just let a soft smile fall upon his features, his slow pacing around to her right. Feeling the weight of the large and obscure weapon in his hands he flexed his fingers around it lightly. He watched her for any shift of motion. He could see the knuckles of her right arm brightening. The swing from her right arm came fast like a swift thunderous smashing bolt. She stepped into the strike as she threw it. Bearing the sharpened teeth at him a snarl of anger on her face now. Alex knew that the emotionless mask was something hard as heck to hold. Still it unnerved him slightly. It told him that there was more force behind that strike than he fully anticipated.

Alex took the strike on the edge of his large and unwieldy blade letting her deliver the momentum. As she hit the wood of his sword he used her own force to push him around. He let his legs twist with her following the blade’s want to turn and as she followed through due to the sheer force of the strike he’d use the opposite blade of the strange weapon to strike out at her back. The mirk on his face never falling. It was easier to keep up a smile than it was to keep up a blank face. Because when things went right it was good to show. And it unnerved when things went the opponent’s way too.

The strike was completely avoidable by just simply tumbling through or even bringing the shield back around to intercept. Had he been better he could have possibly made this a much stronger or deadlier move with it. Still thought for the bell of training he had with it only he was preforming admirably.
“Alex, don’t forget to use your feet. Step with the sword not against it.” Greyhearts words rang out giving Alex advice on what to do. He could see the skill difference in his squire and as such was giving him a touch of help. And mildly wondering why Ophelia wasn’t assisting her own squire?

[Irathia]

Irathia's fell on her knees as the wooden sword slammed against her back. Her hammer sliding under her hand and her shield skidding. Irathia swung her head around and quickly stood, getting her footing again... Irathia glanced at Ophelia, she was staring at Irathia, studying her, seeing what Irathia's next move is. Irathia went back to looking at Alex, he had an annoying grin spread across his face. Irathia slammed her hammer against her shield, a grin spreading across her face as she did so. Though she tried to ignore the sound of cracking wood as a few of the more brutally hit parts started to shed clinging shards of wood. In her mind Irathia was screaming as she saw that. Oh my gods why. Irathia thought as she circled a bit more... An idea struck, Maybe if I trick him into thinking that I am going to swing my hammer, then shove my shield into him. Irathia thought, staring at his gut... It wouldn't be hard, the shield doesn't really needed to be aimed like a hammer or spear... Just a nice shove into the stomach, or maybe the arm... Shoulder? Irathia brought up her hammer, aiming for Alex's shoulder. Irathia bared her teeth, making it appear like she was putting all force into her hammer as she lunged again. She pretended that her shield was just protecting her stomach. When she managed to close the gap Irathia brought the shield forward as she changed her direction of her hammer. Though Irathia was worried that she might totally miss or the impact of her shield would not do that much damage... It felt like her momentum would not be enough to carry a nice blow to Alex when the shield connects, if it connected that is.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex watched Irathia tumble to the ground, the hard smack to her back had sent her tumbling down. He took no pleasure in it but it was easier to hold a smile and know what his motions were working as he’d practiced with Greyheart earlier. He caught the glance of annoyance on her face as she motioned to stand up. Her footing was practiced and agile. Irathia knew what she was doing. Alex on the other had had no skill with this weapon outside of the hour of practice but he did have a reservoir of tactics and gambits to use. Alex whirled the blade around in his hands flicking it back and forth. Accidentially catching himself in the side of the head. A loud groan from his patron echoed out.

“Fancy shyke after you master the basics!” Alex nodded and looked over irathia who was now back to her feet and ready to strike out at him again. Alex kept his motions slow and in a circle, hopeing to sue the motion of her continually turning to keep up with him to dizzy her. Since she seemed to want to turtle up her defences from the raising of the shield. She went for a heavy strike with her hammer at him. Lunging to close the distance. Alex motioned himself to get out of the way only to find that the hammer strike wasn’t the intended strike and found a wooden shield bearing down on his arm. The weight of the wood and her body collided with his forearm. Squeezing the arm with the sword to his body he felt the pressure against him. He slid his foot back to take some of the pressure and keep him standing. Alex Looked over the shield holding that unnerving smile on his face.

“Bad move Ira.” Alex spoke in his soft almost unnervingly calm voice. With that he’d push back against the shield and bring his foot across and attempt to knock her footing out from under her. If this worked as she fell he’d bring the flat of his open palm to her stomach and attempt to knock the wind out of her as she fell.