PM to join [Antinous Training Grounds] A Mirror Image, If A Little Off.

[Alexander Faircroft]

15th Spring 516AV

9:16AM

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

The Frigid winds of winter now fading and giving way to the bright skies and warm light of Syna. Alex stepped through the streets of syliras from the Squire barracks. The cool winds of syliras blew and the dented and battered armour he wore was something that he’d grown fond of. Something that he found he enjoyed. Nothing fancy but it got the job done. Much like him. He didn’t gallivant about in bright swanning colours, nor did he parade around showing off his skill, or what little skill he had. Instead he chose to focus on refining the skills he did have. Stepping up into the Antinous Training Grounds, Alex sighed at the emptiness. Only the weapon masters were present. It was better to know that he was able to do what he wanted. To practice the weapon he wanted too.

Alex stepped up to a training dummy, his great sword in hand, the blade pointed towards the floor and the handle raised over his head. Slid back into a full stance. Alex slid his front foot forwards shifting his weight around he brought the edge of the great sword to collide with the training dummy. Pushing his weight into the sword he shunted it out of the wooden dummy following through with the weight, whirling the blade around his head to compensate and then drove the blade into the opposite side of the dummy. Pulling the blade back he reset into stance again before throwing forwards a heavy thrust with his full body weight. A short shunt by from his positioning it was faster than it should have been. Pulling the blade back Alex twisted the handle in his hands. Wondering if it would be better to hold the blade flat or edge up.

Alex rose form his stance and took several steps back without looking only to be met with a familiar sound of steel hitting steel. One he knew well from taking blows to the armour for the last season or so. Spinning around he gave a small bow to show he didn’t mean any harm if it was a weapon master before apologizing. “I’m terribly sorry I did not mean to do that…”

[Revy Hiroe]

It had been a while since Revy had last been to the training grounds. Other duties had kept her busy and thus she hadn't been able to train with her weapons. Today however, she wanted to change that. How else was she going to become a full fledged knight otherwise? Even her patron was getting slightly concerned at how long it took her squire to be ready for her knighting quest.

With her longsword on her hip, shield on her back and greatsword resting on her shoulder, she made her way over to the training grounds. People were mostly used to her black plate armor nowadays. Though she rarely wore the helmet. It limited her vision and people seemed to be a bit on guard when she did wear it. While she didn't mind it, it would be a detriment to her performing her duties later.

When she entered the training grounds, she wanted to put her stuff to the side first, before she'd start whacking a few training dummies. However, she saw a rather comical sight. Some kind of squire, or at least she thought it was a squire, was bowing and apologizing. She couldn't help but laugh. Equipment here was made to take a beating, so if you damaged something... it'd just get replaced. How else were you going to improve?

She called out to the kid, still almost laughing. "Hey kid, why're you apologizing?", the woman asked. "I mean it's not like stuff here is made to last forever. I've broken a few dummies myself, 'coz I ain't holding back. I wanna improve at all times. Holding back won't allow me to get better." She spoke her true feelings there and as if to strengthen those words, she gripped the greatsword resting on her shoulder.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

Alex’s gaze rose to see the person he’d bumped lightly laughing off the apologies almost. Though it was odd to see someone in almost as much weaponry and armour as he was. The great sword in his hand screeched lightly against the stone work as he Hauled it up to stand on it’s point next too him. She had a point, what was the point of holding back if it only narrowed down your skill set? Alex smiled and nodded beneath his help. Giving it a small tug at the front with his left hand he lifted it off to look her in the eye. The silver green of her eyes met the stark emerald jade green of his. A small smile on his face honest and contrite. A small flash of the silver teeth at the right hand side of his jaw. The two molars that had been replaced. Only then did it really hit him that she was carrying a great sword as well.

“Excuse me miss?” A half pause partially to get her name and then he’d follow on to ask his question. “Do you know how to use a great sword? I’ve been trying to learn myself for a while now…It’s a lot more difficult than I first thought. Perhaps I could ask for a few pointers?” The small smile of honesty held as he realized much to his own detriment he hadn’t given his own name yet. “I’m so sorry. I should have introduced myself before I started asking things. My name Is Alexander. Alexander Faircroft, squire to Ser Greyheart.” A small salute followed the finishing of his introduction.

Alex kicked the base of his sword lightly and using the momentum rolled it up ono his shoulder in a pose mirroring Revy’s own. Except instead of his hand on the handle he’d placed his wrist over it once getting it up there. Despite his lacking years he was relaxed and when he stood to full height was a good three inches taller than her. He probably should have dropped all of his gear off before he started to practice but he wasn’t going to be able to just drop it in combat so why not practice with it on. Something about him as always presented an air of calm. He didn’t seem nor even attempt to be intimidating, rather the opposite like he tried to diffuse any tension as best he could.

[Revy Hiroe]

The woman had a wide grin on her face as the guy started to turn around to face her. He was big, that much she gave him. It was unusual for a guy to be bigger then her, or at least remain that way when they dealth with her. The silver teeth didn't escape her observation in the slightest. Apparently this guy didn't really take care of his own hygiene, or hadn't done so for a long enough period. Besides that she did admit that he was not bad looking. Weapons was something he didn't lack either. Would this guy be up for a fight or something?

Well.. she wasn't exactly well-versed with her greatsword yet either, so she couldn't exactly give him any pointers. If it was about a longsword, she could help him, but not with those chunks of metal. "I'm Revy Hiroe. Used to be a merc till somewhere round last year? Not exactly sure. I never really kept track of time.", she replied. [b"Also, I can't exactly give you pointers on this thing. Still working on my own skill with it. I mean I'm not bad with it, but good enough to give pointers is a whole 'nother case. Never really used anythin' but me longsword to be fair with ya."[/b]

There was one thing she could tell him outright though. "Lemme give you one tip when you are terrible with your weapon though. Don't wear all the other crap on ya. You'll only get terrible habits. When you get good with a weapon, that's when you should start training with baggage." Her old teacher taught her this in the short time she had been with him, but that memory had managed to survive through her near constant drunken state those past fifteen years.

Only then did she realize that she hadn't told the guy who her patron was. Maybe she should. Yes, it would be a better choice to just tell him. That way he wouldn't get the wrong idea and possibly cause her issues. "Ah, my patron is Sera Theresa Stalinsa, sergeant knight. I keep forgetting what unit she's in." She could always have a good conversation with her patron. It was just that whenever she went into patron mode that Revy got annoyed with the woman. She always managed to push her into doing things she did not like in the least.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

Revy Hiroe. Just his luck. He had to run into the most feared of the squires for her temper if nothing else. Stories lurked around the squire barracks. Though at present they seemed unwarranted. She was quite a soft sight for the eyes. And she used to be a mercenary? So she was a seasoned fighter. Unlike him, Alex was a seasoned archer. Placing arrows in almost everything he could take aim at. She never really kept track of time? Alex sighed lightly upon hearing the rest of her statement. She couldn’t help him too much with the great sword. However she could sue her longsword well? Alex was getting better with his Bastard sword but still he was a long way from saying he was good with it.

Her main tip was to train without all the other gear? Alex gave her a quizzical look. A hard one that held with a moment of confusion. And then he spoke. Possibly not what she’d want to hear but in all honesty what he’d been told. “Sorry but, I was told by my teachers that I should train at all times with what I intend to use. Else I won’t be used enough to it to adapt when I need to.” Alex was above all a practical person and whilst he could see the merits in what she was saying it make sense to him to train in everything he needed to use. “Also I pray you’ll forgive my slightly reserved nature. There are rumours about your fiery temperament swirling around the barracks…I don’t wish to ignite any form of resentment. But perhaps if you’re not busy you’d permit me to train with you using this…Lumbering hunk of steel?” A small honesty to the soothing tones of his voice. Calming and rolling, almost inviting in its nature. If he’d been better with his manner of speech or way of persuading Perhaps his words could even be construed as disarming.

Alex placed his helmet to the side and held a hopeful look. Perhaps he’d prove those rumours wrong and see that in fact she wasn’t as violent and angry as all made her seem. Then again he could be completely wrong and be asking to get beaten into a mushy mess. Either way it went, it’d be a good learning experience and the first real practice he’d get against another greats word user. He’d wait for a reply from her before taking any form of aggressive or offensive motion primarily as he sincerely had no interest in offending her.

[Revy Hiroe]

Was this guy an idiot? Or did he just not understand her? Either way it seemed he was talking back at her. Something the woman wasn't really fond of. Another thing that really irked her was his way of speech. It was too formal. She almost proved almost all of the rumors as she gripped her greatsword even tighter. She had patience, but it was limited, even more so around men. Something she might never get rid of.

The knights knew a lot, that much was certain, but maybe they didn't realize the importance of a proper stance. "Well.. first just talk normal with me. None of that fancy language of yours. It kinda irks me. Second, your superiors aren't wrong. But if you are just starting out with a weapon, all you want to be worrying about at first is a proper stance. And when I say get rid of all your equipment, I mean weaponry. Just use what you are training with. If you have to worry about your other weapons gettin' in the way, you can't maintain a proper posture.", she replied. "Once you got a proper posture and maintain that automatically that's when you can start worrying about carrying your weapons. If you don't have a proper posture, you won't be properly balanced, which will lead to openings in your defense. And stuff like that leads to an untimely death, so.. just take it from me and train without all those extras."

His idea of a light spar, well if she could keep it that way, was a nice one. [b]"A spar sounds good. I never really turn down a fight, so make sure you give it your all." A wide grin appeared on her face when she put the greatsword down. "Gimme a tick, gonna drop me longsword an' shield.", she said as she pulled out her longsword in a quick and fluid motion. She placed it against the wall and did the same with the shield on her back.

After picking up her greatsword again, she motioned towards the middle of the arena. "Let's have a bit of room to play around with.", the woman said. The very few squires that had come in for training could see what was going to happen. Two of the three had already fought the woman in the black plate and recognized the look in her eyes. They mentioned the third not to get mixed in as he might get hurt. "So what'ya say, Alex. Wanna mix it up with me?"

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

Apparently his way of speaking wasn’t quite sitting well with her. Perhaps he was being too formal. But again his superiors weren’t wrong? So it was good for him to do what they suggested if he had a base to build on. If he had to worry about the other things getting in the way it would throw him? Perhaps she had a point, but then again he’d managed to fight off yukmen and several bandits like this so maybe his stance and ground work was solid enough for him to hold a firm footing irrespective of the weight or other baggage? Still though he thought on her advice. Following her advice he took a moment to follow her lead and drop his gear. Unlatching several buckles that held his menagerie of blades to him he placed the myriad on a bench to the side.

She was willing to take him on. Alright then perhaps he’d find out where he was lacking with his sword from this. Almost half his weight now removed from him including the bow that he had slung over his shoulders he felt much swifter. Bouncing on each foot a little he let her take the time to move to the centre of the arena. Alex in the meantime took stock of where they were. Sand to the right, stone beneath them and mud to the left. Trees behind him and indoor environments behind her. If he needed a quick change of setting he could simply shift terrain for an advantage. A bit of room to play? Alex whirled the sword around his body lightly feeling the balanced weight of the blade in his hands. “Alright then. Let’s see what happens.” A soft smile on his features and a strange calm rolled off of him. Less of a soothing effect more of an unnerving one. Something just felt off about him.

Alex stepped up opposite her and slid his right foot slightly forwards, holding his blade with the tip pointing to the ground along in front of him. His hands raised to be level with his head his body shifted sideways and his legs bent. A fully functional stance, and a readily available to attack from stance. He had range of movement and range of attack. His eyes focused on her, looking at her waiting for a stance from her, a posture to attack from something to let him know that she was going to give this as much as he was. His back hand loose he allowed her to get into stance. “Well since I initiated the challenge it only makes sense that the challenged gets the first strike.” He offered with a calm and disquieting tone. Almost as if attempting to unnerve her a little through lack of ferocity.

[Revy Hiroe]

Apparently she was going to go first. Well that wouldn't really be an issue. After all, the one who got the first strike always had the upper hand. More then often did she not have the upper hand by not being able to be the one to take the first strike. She still remembered those bandits that managed to capture her. Not with great fondness.

She had to plan her attack out, as not going all out right away would be nothing but an insult. "Myri, grand me the speed and strength to beat my opponent for this fight is in your honor.", she whispered as she felt the power of her mark flow through her body. "A quick overhand strike, or a sideway sweep. The sideway sweep allows for a follow up with a kick. Maybe try to slam that sword out of the way, or attack his wrists. The wrist is definitely the most dangerous one.", she thought. Then decided on the sideway sweep followed up by a kick.

She closed her eyes for a split second as she controlled hear breathing, before releasing her intimidating aura and fierce glare. Revy didn't really seem to have a stance. She just had her greatsword resting on the ground right of her, pointing towards her back. "Then I shall take that first blow. Hope you're ready." Then without much of a hint, she suddenly dashed forward. As fast as someone without any armor. Her mark driving her.

Just before she came within striking distance, she swung that greatsword out, aiming at Alex's midriff. With her momentum, the blade would strike him about halfway up the blade. Unless she missed, she'd follow it up by twisting her torso a bit more, allowing for a perfect back kick to his stomache. While it wouldn't hurt him. The aim was to get him off balance. That way she could then perform a quick thrust for kidney. Probably she wasn't gonna hit the gap, but it would surely send a chill down his spine. When she fought, she fought with the intention of killing.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

It was strange but not unnatural. In Alex’s history of facing people, more often than not when he’d given the first strike he’d won. In the first few brief moments they let something slip that they couldn’t hide again. A character flaw, a personality trait. Something. A little hint that let him know how to go about acting against them to force a mistake. As he watched her he began to think she didn’t have a stance for her weapon. The moments ticked by as he watched a simple passage of time. She was planning her attack. She was easily more seasoned at this than Alex was, but Alex had three advantages. His adaptability, his technique, and his archer eyes.

Rhythmic breathing, the sound of calm breath changing into one controlled and even. Then it hit, washing over him like a blaze a wall of fire pushing over him pouring forth from her glare. Alex instinctively took a half step back but retained his composure. He held himself steady as best he could. She probably sued that sheer ferocity to unnerve her opponents before they could close in on her. Now he understood where she got her reputation for her ferocity from. With a near blur she moved, something about her wasn’t natural. Shye closed the gap between them in mere heartbeats, meaning that Alex’s chance to block the strike vanished with each beat of hesitation. She was acting on instinct, on pure experience and learnings. Alex had to learn and formulate on the spot.

As she closed in Alex shifted his grip on his blade flipping one of his arms around to put his full body weight into shifting the great sword to take the brunt of the impact. Only just fast enough taking the brunt of the impact just off the edge of the blade. He watched her then continue to twist her torso and before he could react he felt the boot hit his gut. If not for his low stance he would have fallen. Instead his rear left leg acted as a spring and absorbed most of the impact. He coughed involuntarily from the feeling of the air rushing out of his lungs at the impact.

Instead of following along the momentum of the battle and let her have it, he paused the briefest of moments. The full killing intent hit him. A feeling of pure murder in the air and instead of fear, instead of terror or want to flee, he found himself hardening his posture. Like the blaze of fiery fury that rolled off of her, a wave of calm rippled from him. Washing out and stifling those flames. Almost unnatural in its origin. Alex turned his foot in front of him grounding his stance and using her now off balance position swung his great sword forwards in the closed gap twisting his torso to put his full body weight into the swing. Aiming to reciprocate her opening strike with a similar one of his own.

However half way through the strike he twisted the blade and went to strike with the flat of the blade. He wasn’t pulling punches, instead he was going to use that potentially if it worked to stab into the joint in the stone work behind her and anchor himself for a hard knee to her own abdomen. Leaving her hanging in the air as he did so. Even if his strike connected or failed magnanimously he showed one thing. Resolve. A willingness to not run away but to stand and fight, and more importantly he’d shown he was willing to give as good as he got.

[Revy Hiroe]

The woman had expected her opponent to at least lose balance. However, because he actually had a proper stance he managed to stay upright. She had to react quickly, as right now she was vulnerable to a counter attack. First things first, she had to create distance and fast. A way to do that would be to just drop her leg and push off with that, jumping backwards. Another thing she could do was drag her greatsword behind her as she'd dive to her left, trying to get on the flank of this guy.

Twisting away wasn't gonna happen, she realized. The woman didn't have the position for it. The decision was made in the short period that her opponent froze up. She didn't care what made him stop, but used that to push herself off to her left side. She couldn't use her greatsword right now. And her quick thinking payed off as she saw Alex react to her being off balance.

If she was going to finish this quickly, she'd have to hit him in the knees. Take away a bit of his mobility. So as she got to his side, with her second step, she used her right leg to drop her heel in the back of his knee. It didn't matter if it succeeded or not, but she immediately took a few more steps away from him, so she'd face his back, or front should he choose to turn around.

There she had the chance to regain her stance. She had the weapon resting on the ground on her right side. Her left foot forward, her torso hunching over as if she were a spring ready to jump. Almost as if her presence was even more oppressing, she stared down her opponent. The few squires watching broke out in cold sweat, as if they were facing this woman down. Most of the squires in the order didn't have a lot of practical experience and if they'd face someone like Revy, they'd definitely be unnerved.