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Sigrun Ljosdottir:
Sigrun, true to her word, turns up at the appointed hour. She's wearing her usual black brigandine armor and bearing her smart looking norse helmet, besides. Her usual round shield has been replaced with a silver-seeming metal one with an inlaid knotwork image of Yggdrasil in what looks to be lapis lazuli. The spear she carries is her boar spear, simple and utilitarian. She pauses once she reaches the training yard, crouching down to check her boot laces and make certain her footing will be secure.
Arthur Phoenix:
The quiet sound of someone singing a tune under their breathe pervaded the air as Artie sat in a chair inspecting the point of a spear. Splayed out in front of him was a simple garment bag and propped against the side of one of the cottages was a second steel pole.
"If you say so..." He crooned, popping a hedgeberry into his mouth.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"Likely," Sigrun suggests on examining both her weapon and Arthur's, "we should consider using practice weapons. I'd hate to accidentally murder you, and I'm pretty sure my Motley wouldn't be super forgiving if I were to walk home without my head on, either. Do you have an objection to using the practice arsenal?"
Arthur Phoenix:
Turning his head, the wizened shakes his head. "No... That's fine. I d-didn't know if we were gonna spar or anything so I just brought all the st-stuff," he replies with a shrug.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"We don't have to spar. I inferred that's what you were asking for when you texted me. If you just want some pointers, I'm happy to give you guidance. Assuming your skills merit them and you aren't already beyond the reach of my teaching." Sigrun leans her own spear against the wall and ducks into the armory, returning with two wooden poles with boffer padding on the end. Yep. Boffer spears. They'll still hurt like the dickens in the right hand, you'll just have to work real hard to murder someone with them. Like. Real hard. She leans them against the wall, too. Just in case. "You a shield guy or nah?"
Arthur Phoenix:
For a moment the amith looks bewildered. Clearly, he had not considered the prospect that someone could outstrip Sigrun's skills.
"N-no. I've never used one before. I made one once but not to use. I like to m-move around a lot usually. I think it's cuz being nimble was better for my first Opponent..." He admits. There is an inflection in his voice with that last word that implies it was Over There.
"But yeah. Both is fine. I-I'm not sure what Mr. Wood wants me to learn but since he said a Huntress, i guess I need hedge work and we fight alike so you or Ianthe seemed best to me."
Petra Fichette:
A little bird had told Petra that there was going to be a sparring demonstration in the Summer hollow and she arrived with a little first aid kit in hand and grinning like mad as she entered the hollow. "Hello?" she called out.
Aurelio Menegi:
The pair's presence at the training ground seemed to have caught the attention of an arrival to the hollow, judging by the sight of Aurelio approaching with a curious look in those ice-blue eyes. Petra zipping up beside him with med kit in hand brought a small smirk to his face along with a nod to the Beast before continuing on. "Bueno sera."
Ash Thursday:
Ash Thursday, sitting in the stands the WHOLE TIME (and no one can prove otherwise), waves at Petra from his ringside seats.
Teagan:
In order to not overwhelm the scene, Teagan will just lurk in Light-Shy and look at their girlfriend's butt like the benevolent stalker they are.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
Sigrun glances over her shoulder when Petra announces her presence. "Ah! Welcome. Artie and I were just about to get stuck in, I think. He wanted some spear pointers. And. I have some pointy spears." Sigrun gestures with her free hand to the boffer spears. "And those ones, too." Her focus turns back to Arthur, "Hedge work. That's more than I'm up to biting off today. I always try to prepare to go on a hunt, unless it's with my Motley. We've got enough collective experience with one another, that I don't sweat it as much. But. If it's just you and me, or me and people I don't know very well, I always plan first." This is less a lesson and more of a Pro Tip. "So let's start with the basics. And see where you're at. Grab the boffer and try to murder me with it." She adjusts her helmet, grabs one of the padded spears, and trudges away several paces to give Artie room to maneuver with. She hangs her shield out before herself and perches the spear over the top, her eyes visible through the rings of her helmet, peering over the shield's rim.
Petra Fichette:
Petra grinned to Aurelio and took his arm, dragging him up to the stands to sit next to Ash. "I am so excited. I haven't gotten to see a proper Summer sparring match in ages. Life's been a cruel, cruel mistress in that regard. Nice to see you guys."
Arthur Phoenix:
Even before Petra calls out, Artie's keen ears have him looking towards the bird and her companion. As they come into view, he lights up, big eyed andvigorously waving. "Hi you two. Oh... There's a lotta watchers. Oh man..." He looks a hair nervous. Exhibitionism was never his strongest suit.
At the instruction though he nods. "O-ok. Just a sec." He says, bending over he unzips the carrier and reveals a hanger with a flak jackett. As he takes it out... There's also a chainmail shirt on the hanger too but he doesn't bother with it.
As he grabs one of the boffer spears he frowns a bit at its weight. "Can I use my magic Ms.... Uh.... How do I say Lajotisdot... Er?" Good lord... Phonetics made it sound so bad huh?
Aurelio Menegi:
The image of Petra tugging along someone a good two feet taller than her was likely rather amusing indeed, following along beside her with a chuckle and giving Ash a nod as they got settled on the stands. "Good seeing you again, both of you."
Ash Thursday:
"I mean, I'm here for the training, but I guess it's also a good view if you're into that kind of thing." Ash laughs. "Besides the lack of fighting, how've you been Petra, Aurelio?"
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"Ljósdóttir." Sigrun makes sure to hammer the correct pronounciation. The accents salute. Though the speaking causes her guard to lower just a touch. "If you're going to conjure an elemental weapon, that sort of goes against the purposes of using the boffers, Artie. If it's not going to actually kill me, though. Sure. I'll do the same, if you're game for it." There's a hint of 'be careful what you wish for' in Sigrun's tone. Not malicious, she simply knows what she's capable of.
Petra Fichette:
"I've been really good- besides the lack of you guys fighting. I don't feel the need to do it myself. But... I admire the physical display as well as have fun patching people up!"
Arthur Phoenix:
He nods, mouthing the name a few times before attempting it. Between his stammer and the foreign nature of the accent to his mouth he wasn't keen to fuck it up before ahe swung weapons at him.
Then he looks confused for a second. "Elemen- oh! Gosh no. I'm a Wizened. I'm best at calling out the m-magic inside of things. I won't make a real weapon here. Too d-dangerous." He explains. "But yeah. I'm fine with magic. I want to learn h-how to be my best, not hamstrung."
"So if that's the case... Just a sec." He says placing his vest back on his chair. His clothes are already the reinforced sort.
From there he puts a hand on his ches t and whispers a little before moving the hand to his practice spear. A subtle glow fills both and sinks into them (Blessing of Perfection both times) and then he mutters to the spear and turns an ear to it seemingly listening to its answer (walls have ears).
He then breathes deep and plucks an ice cube from a bottle beside him and crunches down on it. And when he stands again he seems a little taller and a bit sturdier. (Flames of summer)
Giving it a testing twirl, he seems satisfied. "Alright. Here I come."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Well enough, all told. Working, accompanied Petra and others on a run through the Hedge." Aurelio nodded quietly, looking over the two combatants while they got ready. "Also ran into someone I knew over there, which was...interesting."
Ash Thursday:
"Ah, yeah, I know how that is." Ash grimaces. "Thankfully they just blew through town, but I had to take some time to convince myself I was real after that."
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
For the moment, Sigrun seems content to hold her ground and receive whatever Arthur has in store for her. Sometimes the best way to measure an opponent is to let them try their best to make you look like a fool. This seems to be her approach at the moment. Catch her if you can. Her guard lifts that hair it had fallen and her hand kneads around the wood of her spear shaft. She clacks it atop her shield twice. "Alright. Here I wait."
Petra Fichette:
Petra went still as the fight started, scooting forward to the edge of her seat and watching intently. She winced at just how hard Arthur hit Sigrun. "Well shit, I didn't know he had it in him. Badass Arthur!"
Ash Thursday:
"I mean, he is Summer after all. They've got a rep to keep." Ash seems unfazed.
Arthur Phoenix:
Artie darts forward, both hands on his spear. Making a simple forward thrust, the smith doesnt employ any tricks or flourishes, just sees how the plain and simple goes over.
Then as she lashes out in turn he lets out a grunt and dances back a step. His metallic colored eyes are locked on the valkyrie.
Aurelio Menegi:
"I recall...was at Vertigo when it happened." Aurelio nodded, smirking a touch as Arthur got the first hit in. "He handles himself well."
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
Sigrun hadn't precisely been underestimating Arthur. He is, as Ash pointed out, a Summer. But it's clearly been a dog's age since a page slipped one over her guard and clipped her that hard. More or less everyone can see the white smudge left on her breastplate by the impact, though the armor absorbs the lion share of the impact, she still chuffs out a grunt and adjusts her back foot further back to help collect the force of the blow. She responds by stabbing down over her shield, clipping Arthur's shoulder in response, and then begins to dance back and away, recovering her distance.
And she's grinning.
"Alright. We're doing this." She begins to prowl, her crouch low, her shield presented forward, and steps uncannily quick and light. Preternaturally so.
Petra Fichette:
"I know he's Summer but I try not to stereotype. I mean just because I'm Spring doesn't mean I'm a hedonist who's willing to sleep with everyone in sight," she pointed out. "And not everyone with Wrath in their veins is going to be a physical fighter."
Arthur Phoenix:
"Heck yeah! I think I gotta get fancy..." He answers back, elation in his tone. He might look a little fiercer than normal but he's certainly pleased to play this game.
This time as he comes in, he spins the spear around, aiming to smack against her defense multiple times but then her spear shifts and he loses his grip and the spear clatters to the ground.
"Ah! Dammit... Sorry buddy. Your weight is off." He huffs to... The spear?
Disarmed, he cartwheels, literally, out of range and frowns at the weapon on the ground.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
Sigrun was standing there a moment ago. But when she sees the telltale turn of the hips that bespeaks of an incoming strike, the shield remains but she's about two feet to the left, inviting the battery against the metal aegis. She finishes her spin away, recovers her shield, and swings her spear shaft down hard, smacking the spear from Artie's grip, then concluding it with a jab of the butt of the spear into his stomach. Oomph. She doesn't gloat or demean her opponent, she just claps her spear against her shield, runs her boot over the shaft to spin it her direction, then kicks it up onto her boot to send it flying back towards Artie's waiting grip.
Ash Thursday:
"Mm, well, I suppose, but most Summers I've met have at least some combat skill. Like how most Winter have some skill at lying."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Most, yes. Part of coming to the defense of our fellows. Not all battles are on the field, though."
Arthur Phoenix:
Artie catches the spear and spins the dust of like a kung fu master before leaping in and trying the maneuver over again, this time he connects but he seems disappointed in the soft tap it produces given the soft growl that reverberates out of his throat.
As she flashbangs in his face, he squints and grunts again. "That... Smarts b-but two can play this game!"
Petra Fichette:
"And I'm not a nun," she teased Ash. "And yet... damn I love Summers. You guys can protect me anytime. Also the season itself. I'm really looking forward to it being warmer than it is now. Which I guess is kind of Seasonal heresy but I need to lay a towel out on the roof and just bake for a while."
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
Sigrun just takes the hit, deflecting the worst of it with a push of her shield. She keeps dancing on her feet, hopping back and away in her predatory, nearly goading circle. The flare of her her kith blessing is blinding to the point of being painful, but focused solely on Artie. Apparently she's not keen to render their audience's eyes seared. Once it's done, she continues to circle Arthur as, no doubt, he circles her.
Arthur Phoenix:
Following the light source was definitely not hard but boy was it annoying. But he meant what he'd said.
With an angry sort of holler, those molten hot veins of Arthur's seem a bit more prominent, their orangey glow skyrocketing to a vibrant pale yellow as the fire in him ignites and then he too becomes a glaring sun of staggering brightness.
Petra Fichette:
"Agh! Fucking hell, what was that?! I can't see! Damnit to the depths!" Petra flailed and wobbled on her bench as she too went blind.
Ash Thursday:
"Fuck! God damn it my eyes!" Ash recoils and crouches behind cover out of reflex.
Aurelio Menegi:
Aurelio sat back a bit as the flare of Sigrun's blessing went off...and then promptly regretted still having eyes on the sparring match as Artie followed suit. A burst of rather impolite Italian ensued, reaching out to steady Petra as she flailed.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
Sigrun clearly wasn't expecting Arthur to whip out a contract that would impact the crowd. Didn't see it coming. She backs away, muttering under her breath, lashing out in the only way she can to try and halt matters before they spiral out of her ability to control. Not that anyone else can really tell, but her presence begins leaking into Arthur's psyche, filling it with all the beguiling charm her kind are known for, but he proves up to that challenge, too. "Fuck," she mutters under her breath shortly thereafter.
Arthur Phoenix:
Finally dimming, the sunspot that had been Artie, dashes forward with a twist of his spear and slithers the butt end into her hand and twists, sending the weapon flying.
As it clatters against the earth, Artie growls "No! I won't..."looking supremely determined against... Something, an orange vein apparent in his temple.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
Sigurn once more lashes out with her preternaturally overbearing presence, moreso when she's intending for it to be just that. But, yet again, she's not able to subsume Arthur's psyche. Which is a shame, because that would probably be pretty convenient for her at this point. She's blinking, trying her best to clear her vision, with apparently mixed results. The fact that her spear goes off in a random direction is also decidedly inconvenient. "This is normally where I'd start insulting you until your face melted," Sigrun points out as she holds up her hand, "but I'm not gonna do that. So I yield."
Ash Thursday:
Ash pops back up over the barrier, glaring at Artie. The anger causes a lapse back to a Brooklyn accent. "G'damn flashbang."
Teagan:
Sigrun will not find Teagan appearing to accompany her until later. The Mirrorskin stumbles off under Light-Shy, cursing up a blue streak that no one will hear.
Aurelio Menegi:
"Still need to learn that one..." Aurelio muttered, attempting to blink away the sunspots to little avail. "You two alright?"
Petra Fichette:
Petra was still blinking, eyes still tearing up from the flash of light. "I've been better! That is a brutal little talent. For the record, a little advance warning before something like that would be appreciated!"
Arthur Phoenix:
A wooshing noise stops, Arthur's makeshift spear is in mid motion for a leg sweep when he stops.
"Oh... Ok. Th-thanks. I like my face. It wouldn't look g-good all melty..." He muses as he steps back and stands up the blunted weapon. After a moment he remembers himself and sort of bows a little awkwardly.
"Th-that was fun! Sorry for the thw-thwacks though." He says with a grin rubbing his own stomach. "You got me good that time."
Then he looks at the crowd and blushes sheepishly. "O-oh... I'm sorry guys. A-are you ok?" Concern apparent.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"I got your spear that time," she points out, "which I kicked back to you because attacking an unarmed opponent in a sparring match is bad form." Sigrun rubs at her eyes again, blinking them rapidly. "As is blinding your audience of spectators. You ever pull that in the hedge, you could kill your entire party, Arthur. Seriously. There's two of our contracts you don't use around your friends. That one and Red Revenge. You get high marks for raw potential and pure talent, but docked several points for clear thinking and situational awareness. I use my kith's blessing because I can target it. Precision and control are important, or you're going to be bragging to corpses once the fighting is over." She rubs the heel of her hand into her eye socket, then looks back to the stands, "Yeah! I'm fine. Bit bruised on the tit, but it's a good reminder not to underestimate anyone."
Ash Thursday:
Ash grumbles, but says "I'll be fine, once the spots go away."
Aurelio Menegi:
Aurelio nodded, looking towards Arthur as he got dressed down.
Petra Fichette:
"What does Red Revenge do?" Petra asked Aurelio quietly.
Arthur Phoenix:
Artie's head turns back to Sigrun as she chides him and he looks down, embarrassed. Lucky for everyone, Artie's mantle dims the light around them as his mood tanks.
"S-sorry... I got an-annoyed and excited. I didn't mean to hurt anyone... I w-won't use it again..." He says quietly.
Petra Fichette:
"It was awesome Artie!" Petra called from the stands. "I'm just sad I missed some of the fight! You guys were so cool! That first strike you made was utterly badass!"
Aurelio Menegi:
Aurelio sat quiet for a moment like he was parsing Petra's question before something clicked and he nodded. "It calls upon a great rage that grants power, but the rage does not stop until there is nothing left to attack."
Ash Thursday:
"It's a party stopper for sure." Adds Ash.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"Arthur. I didn't say don't use it again. Use it when it's you on ten. You on twenty. Use it when the last of your friends have fallen and you are their only hope to survive. You did exceptionally well. I have nothing to teach you that you don't already know where this weapon is concerned. Where you need to develop is up here." Sigrun pokes her own noggin with her knuckles. Gonk gonk. "You need to be thinking about everyone in the reach of your weapons, and everyone in the reach of the people within that reach. You need to know when you swing that weapon that that it's striking the enemy you need down. Right now. The one swinging at your friend's back, rather than the easier target that's just running away. I can tell you've rarely fought in a formation. We're going to change that. I think once we get you thinking about your comrades the way you think about felling your enemies, you're going to be just fine."
Sigrun then nods with a hook of the thumb towards Petra, "It was pretty badass."
Arthur Phoenix:
The smith looks at her and blinks. "Oh. B-but... That's when I would use Red Revenge though..." He points out then settles down for a good listen.
His gaze drops a little to stare into the middle distance as he processes her advice. His head slowly nods as it all sinks in. She was right. He wasn't alone anymore or at least, he didn't have to be.
And then the wizened looks a little surprised and awed as he looks towards Petra and back at Sigrun's praise. That signature blush coloring his pallid cheeks. "R-really? Th-thanks..."
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"Honestly, any situation I can think of where I'd want the Red Revenge? I'd rather fire that one off, but I guess it depends on your style." Sigrun gives Arthur a clap on the shoulder and then begins collecting the practice weapons to put them back where they'd come from.
Arthur Phoenix:
"Hmm..." He considered, imagining the scenario in his head. "I guess... No matter how I look at it, tw-twenty people is a lot to try and fight... I'll need to come up with something for that... I d-don't like s-surrender..." The tailor admitted with a furrowed brow.
As Sigrun began the clean up, Artie waved towards the stands beckoning the others to come down. "H-hey Petra! Wanna look at my ouches?"
Aurelio Menegi:
Aurelio moved to stand and headed down from the seating to the main training floor to aid in the tidying up. "Wouldn't mind working with either of you at some point as far as armed combat goes. Have a fair hand, but it could be better."
Petra Fichette:
Petra laughed. "Yeah, c'mere. I'm not going to kiss it better but I'll see what I can do for you."
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
Sigrun leaves her words where they are. And once she's deposited the weapons again, she returns to the practice field and seems keen to address the audience they'd had who. Well. Were blinded by it. "Training is one of my roles in the court, Aurelio. And my day job, as it happens. I'd be happy to work with you, if you'll have someone you just saw disarmed and blinded." She's grinning at the joke. "More seriously, everyone, I want to apologize for that. It's not our standard policy, and I want you all to know we'll make sure it never happens again. If we've upset or offended any of you in any way, please let me make the amends for it. Arthur is my subordinate."
Ash Thursday:
Ash shakes his head. "It was an interesting show to watch before I rove out."
Arthur Phoenix:
As the others get closer, Artie busies himself with taking off his shirt. It has a few buttons here and there to help it remain snug so it takes him a few seconds even on his slim frame but well... He's a clothing expert so it's hardly difficult.
What he reveals is a somewhat surprisingly well defined musculature if on the leaner side. He's no body builder but he could rival a gymnast or a diver in that department. He has a bruise on the left side of his stomach and his left shoulder. His bruising looks odd though like... Dull tarnished gold clotted beneath his skin.
Further those molten veins of his? Much more pronounced on his torso as a mass of warmth and light thuds in his chest and pools in his belly, inspiring the idea of prana.
"I-I'd be willing to help you, Aurelio. Um... What do you wield? Y-you're hands and arms would be good at big weapons if I do say so..." He offers.
Aurelio Menegi:
"No harm no foul." Aurelio waved off the apology, a small smirk on his face at Artie's comment. "I prefer unarmed, grappling in particular, but I can also handle a blade."
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"Have you met Huntress June Desrochers? Tiny little red panda beast. Adorable as she is deadly. She's the grappler around here, if you ask me. I watched her tear open a hedge ghost in a single pounce, all the way from across a football field. She'd been standing next to me a moment earlier." She lowers her voice and asides conspiratorially, "She's the scariest person in Direct Action." Straightening back up she resumes her prior mode of speech, "But anyway, yeah. We can do blades." When Petra begins giving out free advice on dealing with bruises, Sigrun just makes a face at her and points at the white scuff on her otherwise black armor. "Bruised tit." She'll know the pain, no doubt. "Gonna be thinking about this one for a few days."
Petra Fichette:
Petra winced. "Damn that'll be smarting and reminding you to dodge next time. Ice it, wear a compression shirt," she advised. "Or a slightly too-small sports bra?"
Arthur Phoenix:
"Compression... Gear. H-hey Petra. Would it help you healer folks i-if I made some compression stuff to h-help with healing? C-could put a pocket in em for ice packs too." He offers considering the design.
Then he winces at Sigrun. He didnt have a boob but he was pretty sure it hurt to have a bruised one. "S-sorry." He repeats.
Taking a step back he looks at Aurelio a second then looks at the ground til he finds a stone. Picking it up he drops it and juggles it around with his feet like a hacky sack and then he stomps on the ground.
Arthur Phoenix:
When he stomps, a great sword of compacted stone and dirt run through with roots up the center pops out of the ground and he catches it and holds it out to Aurelio.
"Here. Swing this a bit for me? Pl-please?"
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"Oh, I got plenty of sports bras. Our house is like. Sports bras. Just. Every damn place. Me, Teagan, June, Johnny... I feel like all I do is laundry, 90% of which? Sports bras." She knocks the front of her armor with her knuckles and notes, "And with that happy image, I'm going to go ice myself and think about what I've done. It was good seeing you all. You can exit through our gate to ironside, if you don't feel comfortable traveling back by trod. I can give anyone who needs one a ride from there." Sigrun heads to collect her spear and begins heading to the summer barracks to change out of her armor and such for the trip back to the really real world.
Petra Fichette:
She beamed. "Thanks for letting me watch tonight. I had a lot of fun, and it was quite enlightening. If the bruise doesn't subside in a couple days, please don't hesitate to call me and I'll give it a second look."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Don't believe that I have, no." Aurelio shook his head, an eyebrow arching at the description that followed. "Most impressive. Good to see you, Sigrun. Safe travels."
He eyed Artie curiously as he started juggling the rock, blinking as the sword was literally called from the earth below. "Certainly." He took the offered blade and tested the weight of it before getting into a proper stance. A few test swings later showed that he had a decent hand at it all told.
Sigrun Ljosdottir:
"Enlightening," Sigrun says with a chuckle, tapping her nose and pointing to Petra before ducking inside.
Arthur Phoenix:
"Hmm...good. Good." He says analyzing the marble man's moves. "We can def-definitely work with that. Is that comfy? Or d-do you think you'd wanna go smaller? What's like... Y-your fighting goal? Offense? Defense? Or I guess.... What's your weakness. So we c-can fill in the gap?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"Shorter might be better, yes." He nodded, thinking a moment on the questions that followed. "More on defense, perhaps, but improving overall is my goal."
Arthur Phoenix:
"Ok. Cool. We can try out a few things and see what you like and work on making you better. Maybe late this week? Um... W-we can meet here or my house and you can go through some weapons and pick one out to w-work on?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"Sounds good. Take it they are blades you made yourself, yes?"
Arthur Phoenix:
The wizened nods. "Mhm. Blades and non blades. Mostly m-metal stuff."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Look forward to seeing them, then, both as a fighter and a crafter in kind."
Arthur Phoenix:
"Awesome! Ok. Lemme know if you have anyone else th-that needs to cone by." He says with a grin.
"But uh... I guess we should g-get goin'. I h-hope you had a good time."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Will do, and I did. Very...enlightening." He smirked a touch, giving Artie a nod. "Have a good day."
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