Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 22, 2010 23:24:26 GMT -5
The sun had only been up for about twenty minutes so far but I was already up and dressed, ready for the tasks of the day. My hair was clean, my uniform neat and my leather boots had been brushed clean of any clinging grass or dirt until I looked exactly as I'd been trained to when training as an officer six years ago. Most people didn't take such care while being in the field, and that was understandable as it was a job that would just have to be repeated into perpetuity. It was just easier for me to feel composed and comfortable enough to start the day if my clothing was exactly as it should have been.
Now that I was prepared and had my weapons strapped to my sides I made my way out of the tent I occupied and started down the row of them. The guards were talking quietly amongst themselves as they kept watch and those on day duty were just starting to wake up while those who were about to be relieved looked ready for the sleep they were due. The system the Captain had set up and I'd fine-tuned ran with very few hitches and needed only minor supervision from the more experienced soldiers- which left me the opportunity to see to other things, and the Captain the ability to focus on nothing but the highest tasks.
If he could be convinced to take care of the more important practical matters first, of course. Captain de Etalon's tent was a bit larger than the others nearby, mostly owing to the fact that it also functioned as a private meeting area for the officers when necessary as well as an extra workroom as it was adjacent to the office tent. Most likely the Captain was still asleep but this was part of the daily ritual in this place and I calmly moved aside the flap to his tent where he was sleeping. "It's dawn, sir," I said in a clear tone that was usually loud enough to rouse him from a steady sleep as I watched to make sure he was actually going to get up.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Dec 22, 2010 23:58:08 GMT -5
Having seen the dawn light starting to shine through my eyelids, I laid there, not wanting to let go of the dream. I knew there was something about this one that I needed to remember., but it never fails. With the dawn light, it always gets chased away, only to come back as the sun sets.
I head Reza enter and tell me it’s time to get up. I head her as if she was on the other side of ravine. I did not need to open my eyes to know that she is standing there, waiting to see if I was going to actually get up this time. I slowly sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of the cot, I opened my eyes finally, and saw her standing right where I thought she would be.
I am not a morning person, and she knows it. “Is there coffee Rez?” I asked, still in a slight sleep haze. Standing, I walked over to the wash basin and mirror and looked. I needed a good shave this morning. Looking at Reza for the first time since getting up, “How are the guards doing? I am guessing it was a quiet night?”
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 23, 2010 0:45:04 GMT -5
After six years of knowing Royal I knew that sleep was an odd experience for him, sometimes leaving him more exhausted than when he'd first laid down. Whether it was the usual dreams that visited him or something more unpleasant that had come along I didn't know but it was how things had been for quite some time. The only way that I could support my friend and Captain was to support him in this and make things a little easier, so that's what I did without hesitation.
Once he swung his legs over the edge of the cot and started to sit up I stepped into the tent, letting the opening close behind me and glancing somewhat sideways in respect as he stood and walked over to the dressing table to one side. "It's brewing now and there should be a carafe being sent to the office," I replied in a steady tone as he washed his face- likely he'd want to shave to day and that would take another few minutes but the Captain could do some things quickly if motivated by the promise of coffee.
"Yes, things were as quiet as usual, the new guard schedule is working out smoothly," I continued as I moved over to the chest of drawers where the Captain kept his uniforms and brought a set the regular wear colors over to his cot, gently setting them down before I went back to my place. I tended to be the more organized person in the outfit so when the Captain needed help with things like laundry I, as second in command, was the one who took care of it. Smiling slightly I glanced back over at him and raised a brow. "Are you going to be shaving now?" My tone indicated that it might have been a good idea for the sake of appearances.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Dec 23, 2010 16:30:37 GMT -5
“Thank you Reza, I could really use some this morning.” I looked back in the mirror, “I think I will do a quick shave. I am looking a little worn. Give me a few moments and Ill be ready to go.” I reached over to the side table, grabbed my blade, and set to shaving. It was a good thing that I was fast at this, one of those necessary things a man must do. I knew as Reza had laid out my clothes, that today was going to be an interesting day.
I finished my shave and walked over to where my clothes were laid out. While getting dressed I looked over at Reza, “So what is it to be today? How many meetings do we have?” I checked my appearance in then moved towards the office to start the day’s business. I knew there would be plenty of things that needed to be signed and taken care of. Reza always made sure that I had gotten it all out of the way.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 23, 2010 17:56:16 GMT -5
It was common knowledge that the Captain slept completely in the nude, which had at first caused some raised eyebrows and a few various lewd suggestions of exactly how I was waking him up, but after some teasing exaggerations from Royal himself, flat denials from me and even a few misguided attempts to catch us at such activities the idea had been dropped. As for me I was unbothered by the situation and kept my own thoughts about it to myself, behaving as respectfully as I believe he would have for me. What went on in my mind was my business and no one elses as far as I was concerned and they were wrong if they thought guessing would reveal anything.
"Difficult night, sir?" I asked in response to his first statement, a bit of carefully schooled concern in my voice as I waited for him to shave, then move over and begin dressing, my gaze respectfully down and away from his figure as I stood to the side to where his actions were only vaguely visible through the corner of my eye. Once he'd finished I looked over at him again, my mind quickly running through the day's agenda. The Captain generally disdained paperwork and other similar administrative tasks but he respected my opinion on when such things needed to be carried out and would do so when properly approached about it.
"Today is a moderately slow day as far as the paperwork and the like is concerned, only a couple things need to be signed and sent off to the General," I told him in a calm, sedate tone as I followed him a step behind and slightly to the right. There was something else, and it drew a faint smile to my face as well as a note of playful irritation to my voice so subtle that someone who hadn't known me for years would be able to pick up on it. "I also heard some of the soldiers discussing which of the two of us would win in a sparring match, no holds barred. Perhaps they're getting bored, sir."
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Dec 24, 2010 21:56:18 GMT -5
"I think that we should give them what they want. Maybe it will help to ease some of the boredom they must be suffering. It has been quiet for the most part as of late."
I walked to where the papers were, figuring that today I would be nice and try to be on top of things. Reza was always so efficient, it was the least that I could do, and the sooner done, the faster we were able to spar.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 24, 2010 22:35:43 GMT -5
"I think they may do better if they learn to appreciate the quiet," I replied in a low, dry tone as the corner of my mouth curled into a grin, belying my words so subtly that anyone else nearby would have thought I was slightly annoyed. My pace was steady as I went into the office area and picked up the papers he would need to sign and set them down before him, then poured out two cups of coffee and set one of those by his hand as well, keeping the other for myself. Everything had been filled out to completion and all that was required was his signature on the forms. "But if you wish to do so it will probably be good for their morale."
He knew it would be great for the troops, and that was why he was agreeing. The other men and women would enjoy the show, the veterans would understand that the place was running as usual even with the recent changes and the newest recruits would stop speculating and probably gain some true respect for the Captain and myself. Right now we were only officers, paper pushers, and if that opinion didn't change before battle they may well get the idea they knew better how to command their peers than Royal did. That was suicide and they were still too young and inexperienced to realize it, I mused as I sipped at the warm beverage in my hands.
And to be honest I enjoyed the spars as well. It seemed that about once every season this same question came around, every time there was a fresh batch of infantry-men, and it was almost something of a comfortable ritual. We were evenly matched enough that it was a good source of exercise as well as a skill-test that wasn't swinging at the training dummies who couldn't fight back. Taking the final sip of my coffee I took the papers as he finished and set them aside to dry. They'd be sent off the next day. "Besides, the odds are three to one in my favor, sir. I expect they plan for me to win."
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Dec 26, 2010 23:52:58 GMT -5
I was lost in thought as I absently signed the papers that Reza placed in front of me. I knew that she would have known what they were all about and if any of them had warranted my immediate attention, she would have said something to me. Accepting the cup of coffee that she placed next to me with a thanks, I thought more about the sparring match.
"It would be good for them to appreciate the silence and down time, but at some point they will be have to deal with a war or something. Best if we keep not only their morale up, but it might spur them into training a little harder, seeing what they have to keep up with."
I stood up and walked over to the opening of the tent. Opening the flap, he just stared at the interaction between the veterans and green recruits. His mind raced, something was on the horizon. If only I would have been able to figure out what it was. I suddenly turned to Reza, a deep purpose in my eyes.
"Set it up. lets do this."
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 27, 2010 1:13:57 GMT -5
All he needed in answer from me was a nod, if that- he knew me well enough to guess my thoughts on this matter and hear my acquiescence in the form of the jesting- and I gave him that simple answer as I put the last of the papers away. My coffee was gone so I picked up the Captain's empty cup and set both of them on a side table where the soldiers on galley duty could pick them up later. The morning's work was quickly done on some days, and while today was easy that didn't mean anything for tomorrow. Perhaps the Captain would make it more difficult himself.
The tent wasn't large and it only took about five steps for Royal to reach the entrance, but for some reason he stopped and I walked to within a pace of him, watching his reactions. Something about the interactions between the soldiers had gotten his attention, and I wasn't exactly sure it was a positive one. A moment later though he'd met my eyes and I saw the determination in his nearly-black, returning it with my own more inward, steadfast brown ones and giving one very firm nod. "I understand sir."
There was something about that tone and the expression that put a certain gravitas on the situation, and a relate-able thrill. He and I were both strong fighters in our own right and the chance to perfect our skills, as well as proving ourselves for our new recruits and perhaps encouraging them, was a very good reason to engage in pleasant activity. My gaze was calm after a moment though and I considered what would have to take place before the sparring session. "We could undertake the match now, Captain. The ring is usually empty at this time of the morning but everyone will be awake and stretching out before their training begins."
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Dec 30, 2010 10:50:25 GMT -5
"I think now is better than later. The betting might get the troops to interact a little more. We will give them a good show, and a good workout for us."
I walked back into my personal tent to prepare for the sparring match. It had not been so long since we had done it. Yet, I knew that I needed the workout. As I grabbed my gear, I thought to myself. I wondered when this silence would be over, I knew there was something coming. You could smell it in the air. The question was when. I hoped to loose as few of these soldiers as I could, but death is not something that could be bargained with. I knew this all too well.
The first battle that Reza and I were in together flashed back through my mind. I was afraid to loose her most of all. I had yet to see a Lt. that had the fire and passion that she did. This was her choice though. She knew what could happen. These were thoughts for later.
Right now it was time to show the troops what we were capable of. I knew they saw us as paper pushers or in my case, figure heads. They thought there was not much more to me than brandy and women. At times that might be true, but when it came to the field and war, well, they would soon see. There were not that many old timers left that had seen Reza and I in battle, with the fire burning through us.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 30, 2010 16:48:48 GMT -5
The walk back to the Captain's tent was a short one and when he went in I waited outside and waited for him, my arms crosssed and my eyes half-closed as I collected my thoughts. The Captain was probably doing the same thing and though he appreciated company I knew without him having to say when he needed solitude. Most thought of him as a socially adept flirt and playboy, and on some level he was- but he was also a person of deep thoughts that sometimes needed the chance to explore them without distraction.
The sun was just above the horizon at this point and the changing of the guard was almost complete; it always happened in shifts so that the entire camp wasn't completely distracted by the process, and some of the soldiers were always awake after their time was up anyway, getting drinks or food before they hit their cots. By staging the fight this early in the morning it would have the largest possible impact and and the companionship wrought by partipating in the show would make the team more cohesive in its own right.
And then there were the other considerations. It set an example to remind the soldiers that we did know our way around the battlefield, that we had the training necessary to make us trustworthy and that the weapons we wore weren't show as they were for other officers. More than that it was a bond of friendship between Royal and myself, proof of trust and companionship, and a reassurance to us both in some manner that we weren't getting soft. I was the Captain's right hand in battle and that meant being his support in the fight as well as keeping my eye on what was happening. He needed to know I could take care of myself and I needed to know that he could do the same.
Besides, it would be good to have the exercise and the simple play of it. With him I didn't have to worry about holding back and I could relax somewhat. There was a sort of fire within the sparring match that made it potent to the audience and it was impossible to participate and be immune to it.
Glancing around I noticed that more and more people were gathering; better now than never, that much was correct. Cocking my head slightly I spoke in a tone just slightly louder than my usual one, sure that he would hear me, "Captain, if you're ready to proceed?"
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Jan 3, 2011 23:15:48 GMT -5
Looking to Reza, all I could do was give a nod. I knew that she would get all ready for the match. It would be a good thing. I knew that. Just as I always knew I did not have to hold back with her. Reza could take what I gave and then some. There was a lot of pent up anger still in her. I always wished that I could have told her that this was a big part of the reason that I even agreed to these things. She needed a way to get it out of her, whether she knew what she was doing or not.
Some of it was my fault, though not per-say directly, none of these recruits understood what went down all those years ago, it was not their business. For them, this was all going to be a show. A way for them to see what the people they chose to follow into the battle fields of the unknown, the chance that they may never come back alive, or whole. These were the things that I thought about when no one was looking. At the same time, these men and women were here for a reason. They may not always be aware of it, but I saw it. I saw a large chuck of the bigger picture. They may never come home again, but no one could say that they were here for any other reason than love, even if it was the love of their contry.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 4, 2011 10:44:06 GMT -5
With the Captain's nod I smiled the faintest bit and then waited for him to step past me, taking my usual spot to his left and a step behind as we walked to the ring. Already some of the soldiers were looking around and watching us, probably wondering if there was going to be an announcement of a move or whether we'd discovered someone to fight. Among the veterans there was a calm kind of tension, the readiness to follow orders if they were given or to relax if they weren't; the newer recruits simply showed eagerness and anticipation as a mask for fear. By now everyone knew that fighting might mean being hurt or dying, and when it came down to it no one wanted to. The strength of them came of the fact they would fight anyway.
Once we were in the ring I glanced at Royal to see if he was going to say anything while I walked to the other side of it and unsheathed my short sword. The more casual this seemed the better. My fighting stance was well-balanced and steady and while my fighting style was much less flourished than that of some fighters it was effective and lethal when necessary. My expression was composed and I was calm but I knew that I was ready for this fight, my mind on the present rather than things that had to be done or who was around me. In a battle you had no choice but to be in the moment and after so many years it was an easy enough thing to keep in the front of your mind.
With the barest hint of anticipation in my eyes I raised my sword before my face in a salute before lowering it to my side again and waiting for him to make the first move. That was the smartest thing to do- he had the longsword, and therefore the greater reach, but I could move under it. Besides, he was the Captain and that was a sign of respect.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Jan 7, 2011 0:07:39 GMT -5
I noticed out of the corner of my eye, as the Lieutenant and I walked to the sparring ring, the expected looks on the troops faces. Did they think that I was going to announce a move or that we were going of to fight, or worse, that we were in a war? All these things were plan in their eyes, even though they tried to hide it behind masks of anticipation and readiness to follow orders. It was never an easy job to command so many. I always felt that I was one of the lucky Captains, these soldiers wanted to be here, they wanted to defend the country that they loved so much.
I knew that the Lieutenant was wondering if I was going to say anything, normally I would have, but today I was just in the mood to spar. No long speeches, no words of inspiration, just a good clean work out. I let that sense of peace and calm come over me. The world around me faded away, the only thing in my sights was my opponent.
I relaxed and held up the long sword I held loosely in my fist. I lifted in salute to return hers. I knew she was waiting for me to make that first move. It was her style and showed the amount of respect she had for me. Yet, this was neither here nor there. Briefly closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I lunged towards her, swinging my sword through the air, waiting for her deflection.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 7, 2011 19:36:06 GMT -5
The fact that he didn't say anything was an indication in itself of how this fight would proceed. Anything after the salute was always an actual part of the combat, it was just how we soldiers compartmentalized ourselves from our surroundings, making things simpler. In the fight there was nothing else, no distractions or thoughts that were not a part of what was keeping you alive, and all outside stimuli were immediately filed into 'threat' or 'something to ignore'. The other soldiers watching weren't yet silent, but I couldn't hear them through the concentration on the matter at hand. It was more than the urge to fight, or even to make a show of things; now there was only two wills about to clash, and mine did not easily submit.
A single deep breath and he closed his eyes, gaining his bearings, and I readied myself for a swing- which came, as predicted. At that point only a portion of my mind was thinking any longer, and it was calculating advantages and techniques as quickly as it could, a habit developed from years of battle. The rest of my mind- it was instinct, intuition and learned response, faster than thought and just as trustworthy.
My short sword was up and batting aside the Captain's blade as I took a step forward, my eyes completely focused on his reactions. Close range was the best for me, it took advantage of my shorter blade and his reach became his detriment. My body was shifted sideways and I swung a kick at his leg to hopefully upset his balance, the force as close to full as I would use with anyone outside of a real fight while still keeping my own balance steady. My mind was completely on the fight and I was completely calm, the tension in my body completely controlled and belying the spark in my eyes.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Jan 11, 2011 1:25:41 GMT -5
Having stumbled after her kick to my legs, I regained my balance in enough time to catch her blade against mine. I spun in the cloud of dust that out feet kicked up. Using the brief cloud to reposition myself.
I swung as the dust settled. Aiming my blade at her shoulders. At the last second, just as it looked as if I had completely committed to the move, I switch angles to aim at her waist.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 11, 2011 10:02:14 GMT -5
He was always able to find his feet- but that was part of a fighter's training, learning to stay grounded and upright. Falling was nearly death in itself, since it left you prone and limited your mobility, and how quickly you could catch your balance and rise again determined your lifespan. Already the dust was starting to be thrown into the air as we moved, though the morning condensation prevented it from being so thick as to prevent me from seeing all of hte Captain's actions. Seeing wasn't always a good indicator of what was to come though..
The blade in his hands was quickly up and I was on guard with my own, watching the movement as he swung high and ready to duck under the blow- but at the last moment his grip changed and came toward my abdomen. Royal's expression never changed, he never gave away his own movements that way, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had something in mind. There was no time to wonder at it though, and I spun sideways from the blow, knocking aside his blade with my own before quickly reversing and bringing my sword up toward his shoulder.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Jan 16, 2011 14:14:06 GMT -5
I should have known and been prepared for her to see my move at the last minute, we had been sparring and fighting together for far too long.
Reacting as fast as possible, I twisted my blade in time for the edge to meet her new angle of attack. As quick as I was able, I moved and twisted to the far side of the field. Thrusting and letting her block the easy blows. Trying to get her into a different spot. I could see that the sun was over the hills and took advantage of it being a clear, cloudless sky.
Moving her right into the sun, I waited to see if the light was going to blind her, even just a touch. Some would have said that this was a cheap move, but when you are in battle for your life, you take any and all advantages that you find.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 16, 2011 14:53:07 GMT -5
There was something almost surprising in how fast he could read an attack and respond to it and even after so many years of fighting side by side or sparring it always took me aback somewhat, how he could so quickly calculate what was going on. His sword was up in time to block me and I stepped back to avoid the blade as it came across, then watched as he strategically retreated to the other side of the field and followed. In a fight like this distance was my enemy because it was his friend and I needed to close the distance to be effective at all.
The next few blows were batted aside easily and I watched carefully, noting the almost casual thought that seemed to run across his face as we continued to move, almost dancing in a deadly, sharp fashion. He attacked, I parried and stepped in, he moved as I did and made his attack again, and all the while he looked nowhere but at our battle and the horizon. There was some plan to this, and not just to wear me down, because it was just as likely to do the same to him. But I was not exactly the planner, I was the one who reacted, and so I continued to follow and try to strike.
It wasn't until the sun came into my vision and I blinked and glanced down and sideways that I realized what had just happened. My vision was my strongest sense and the Captain had used that to his advantage. I was both annoyed at the light and somehow proud of the ruthless move as I looked aside for a brief second and blinked, then used more memory than anything to step closer and swing my sword toward his chest while the motes of light still danced across half of my vision.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Jan 22, 2011 0:42:06 GMT -5
Her movement was almost lost as the sun glinted off of her blade, brief glance to the side. I could tell that the sun was bothering her, but knew that it would not be long before she switched to fighting from memory. She might not have been able to see, but her hearing was always better than most. I knew that I had to act fast. I saw her blade coming at me and reached up to block it. Just as fast as as she regained her stance I was down on the ground. She would get inside my guard, try to make me feel the disadvantage of choosing the long sword. The one thing that she would not have thought of is having to reach down for me.
As I hit the ground I made a fast move to take her legs out from under her. To many it might have been a cheap move, but when in battle you use anything and everything that you can think of. Its about survival and not manners. I knew that this would have us both at a disadvantage, for we would both be on the ground and have to recover as quick as possible.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 22, 2011 11:10:13 GMT -5
From the easy way the blade slid through the air until the last minute I could tell that my aim had been at least somewhat true and switched my momentum to take another swing, my vision still clearing slowly from the bright sunlight that had penetrated my eyes. There was the barest hint of movement and I had a moment of confusion before complete clarity. He'd dropped, taking the low ground, an advantage and disadvantage in one and therefore undertaken by only daring fighters sure of their skill. He was under my attack for now, but once I recalibrated he'd be at a loss with his weight so close to the ground.
The Captain was a smart man though, and of course he'd allowed for every eventuality. He was fighting as though the sparring match were a battle, or the closest to a battle it could be where you only fought an opponent one-on-one. I respected the outlook and it was the same one I took, counting on my skill to hold my blows just slightly and his own skill to keep either of us from being permanently wounded. When his leg swept out I knew I would be falling and rolled my weight so I'd land on my shoulder rather than flat on my back, which would knock the wind out of me. Breathing was even more important than staying on your feet and I'd take the bruise in order to keep the ability to do so and avoid being dazed.
Once on the ground the sun was much less in my eyes, partially blocked by the onlookers and the adrenaline in my blood from the surprise and slight pain cleared my vision almost completely. Now we were both on the ground, even standing in terms of elevation, and I still had my sword in my hand. A corner of my lip turned up into a half-smile as I kicked his own blade clear, leaving him weapon-less until he retrieved it- though far from defenseless, and I rose to a crouch to steady myself against whatever would come next.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Jan 28, 2011 20:34:41 GMT -5
I knew that I was going to be hard pressed being on the ground. I was still in a shock that I lost my sword and managed to let her kick it out of reach. This was a pain, yet at the same time, this was something that could just as easily happen on the battlefield.
I saw her rise on her heels. She would pounce if I gave her any indication of moving. I glanced over to see how far away my blade had landed, too far for a normal reach. I looked back at the Lieutenant and smiled.
I started to roll to the right, as if I was going to go for my sword and at the last second switched to my left. The only way that I was going to manage anything was to get back on my feet. I could fight without my sword if need be, but I was not going to roll around on the ground longer than I needed to.
I got to feet and stepped back/ The dust covered my clothes. Sweat soaking through.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 29, 2011 9:18:55 GMT -5
The battle had changed a bit from the beginning, where both the Captain and I were fairly certain that neither of us would win that phase; now it was the much more tense and yet somehow satisfying kind, where there was actually a chance of making a definite impact. In a real fight I would have heeded it very closely but this was a sparring match and I had no real desire to eviscerate my Captain when he didn't have his sword- which could reasonably happen if a mistake was made. Luckily I almost never made mistakes, and neither did he.
With his smile my eyes narrowed slightly in understanding and concentration, and when he moved right I stood up quickly and stepped toward where he would go to get his sword, only to have him switch left and rise to his feet a couple of paces away. It was a good move he'd made and I turned back around quickly to watch him. I was betwee him and his sword, a strong position if that was what he intended to go after, but Royal was wily. By now my blood was racing, though not in a berserk or intense fashion, and my training and instinct took over, drawing me a step closer to him to aim a careful swing at his side and hopefully send him backwards. Now that he didn't have his greater range distance was my friend, and if he stepped inside my swing I'd be at the disadvantage.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Jan 29, 2011 14:06:40 GMT -5
I saw he move and the blade come at my side. I twisted just enough that it grazed me. With my shirt sliced and a little bit of blood where she it, I stepped in as she was still in motion. Ignoring the sting, I slammed my elbow into he lower back.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 29, 2011 14:23:24 GMT -5
In a daring move Royal decided to take some of the blow, a thin line of red appearing through the slice in his uniform but not deep or damaging enough to really be a weakness. It did give him the opening he was looking for though and I switched my grip to swing again- but not fast enough. His elbow landed in my lower back and I gave a short hiss of pain as the adrenaline in my blood rushed faster, sharpening my senses and my physical acquity. At least I'd twisted enough that the breath wasn't completely driven from my lungs, and that was to my benefit.
My expression of surprise was quickly smoothed away by one of pure determination and I let my body continue with the momentum of his blow, spinning slightly and aiming a blow with the hilt of my sword at his side just below the ribs, looking to daze him somewhat with the blow so I could gain my distance again. Right now I wasn't thinking of the past examples of his skill and speed, only my own ability to defeat an opponent in the sparring ring. Otherwise I may have realized that my attacks were playing into the fact that he, without a weapon, had greater strength than I did even though I had the advantage of a weapon. We were still evenly matched but there was a good chance he had more openings than I realized.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Feb 1, 2011 11:00:13 GMT -5
I locked eyes with her. I wanted to make sure that I could see anything that she was thinking or about to do as I was making my next move. I made a move that could be either the smartest thing I have ever done, or one of the stupidest things that could get me killed without her even meaning it.
I waited until I could see that she was unclear of my next move. At that moment, I moved inside her guard. Right up against her, practically on top of her. I knew that she would not be able to use her weapon if I was there, and that would make us a little more evenly matched right now
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Feb 2, 2011 18:41:58 GMT -5
My blow toward the Captain's side naturally missed as he stepped closer, far too close for me to even bring my sword back between us, much less to swing it without hurting myself as much as him. His eyes were still on mine and I had a feeling he was trying to read my actions more than hide what he was thinking- which was as close to defensive as he ever came in most situations. What that meant I couldn't have said, but it was a change and that was something to be wary of.
When he made no overt action to attack I tossed my sword away- it would do me no good now, and could be a liability- and shifted my weight to allow for the change, dropping to a knee as I grabbed his wrist and twisting to try and put him on the ground. My free leg swept forward to strike his in the calf, hoping to knock him off-balance enough to follow the momentum of the twist so he'd fall.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Feb 11, 2011 21:58:41 GMT -5
I felt her hand wrap around my wrist and smiled. Though she was fast on her feet and quick to think of her next move, there was always this charge that I felt as our skin touched. This was never a good thing.
I felt the kick to my calf before I registered what had just really happened. I instinctively reached for her wrist, again with the shock of skin to skin contact. What was wrong with me? Why was this happening right now?
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Feb 12, 2011 0:10:35 GMT -5
There was a moment of connection as my grab for his wrist landed but I carefully moved it aside, along with the confusion in the Captain's eyes as my kick landed and he started to fall toward the ground. His strong hand clasped around my wrist in turn and there was a moment when I wondered what exactly was going on and my breath caught- but my instinct to battle was stronger than my sense of thought at times and I was focused on my opponent more than anything else. Even my own senses were less important than the objective, the mission or the problem at hand.
As his weight started to shift I twisted my grip on him to both free my wrist and bring him onto his back on the ground, my eyes and expression sparking with the intensity in them. In an instant I was facing him in a crouch again, then knelt across his waist with my knife in my right hand and my left twisting his right wrist to keep him from making another grab. My breathing was still slightly shorter from the earlier blow, my skin was caked in sweat and sand, but I was in a position that would be very hard to turn to his favor. A little later I'd have to figure out just why that had happened and why it had given me such a sudden burst of adrenaline though.
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Post by Royal de Etalon on Feb 15, 2011 0:02:59 GMT -5
I lay there with the Lt. on top of me. I looked into her eyes. I had no idea what was going on. She had me pinned, but not immobile. I brought my chest and head up. Slowly, making sure that there were not many that could see this. I let the tip of my nose graze against her sweat soaked skin, my fingers wrapping around hers. I let my lips follow my nose, tasting the saltiness across her skin. I totally gave my self in to the moment. I let my tongue dart out and make contact.
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