|
|
Post by Austin on Mar 17, 2012 15:20:42 GMT
Austin heard the commotion in the Gym and made his way there, seeing Azrael standing in the doorway he leant against the other doorpost to watch, interested in evaluating his team.
|
|
|
|
Post by Damaris Y Blaidd on Mar 20, 2012 16:19:14 GMT
Again aware of movement in the doorway, Damaris looked over. Both Austin and Azrael were watching their sparring match, and Damaris was certain Kunoichi had stopped to observe as well. She nodded slightly in greeting and then turned back to Zin.
"Again," she said simply, raising her sword. "Block," she added, miming a blocking motion. Although Zin didn't speak English, she appeared to understand certain words - mostly, it seemed, words to do with training. Damaris would have put money on it that Zin had spent most of her life in training, although it was obvious she was not comfortable with swords.
She positioned herself in an agressive stance and waited for Zin to be ready.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zin Siripong on Mar 20, 2012 21:50:28 GMT
Block was a familiar word and for a moment, she fumbled slightly, unsure of how to position the blade where it wouldn't interfere with her manoeuvrability before settling herself, making sure to keep her stance and her free hand far out of striking range. She'd seen knife fighters with such sloppy stances with both hands outstretched lose those empty hands when they didn't move quickly enough. She may not have been much of a book and lecture person, but show her something and more often than not she would pick it up startlingly quickly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azrael Jiraco on Mar 21, 2012 21:25:24 GMT
Azrael couldn't help but think that this was all very strange. The Night Watch, a vigilant group of elite protectors etc... Were looking after a small girl.
Something needs to happen soon, Azrael thought to Austin.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azrael Jiraco on Mar 22, 2012 12:06:57 GMT
Azrael turned his gaze back to the training.
Silent in thought, huh? Azrael thought to Austin, allowing himself a slight smile.
You have to teach me how to calm your mind the way you do, so that you can only see the things that really matter. Although I've trained my body to its peak, my mind still feels weak to me… Feels human. Azrael liked confessing to Austin. The only people he really knew were the other members of the Night Watch, and as second in command, showing weakness was not something he could allow himself to do. Austin was the only real person he could confess to. With that in mind, Azrael wondered how Austin could release his burdens with no one to confess to himself.
He thought back to the recent incident with Carla. He thought of how a half demon could look so helpless that other citizens would stand up to protect her, despite what she is and what she is capable of. This behaviour amused him, but most of all it worried him. The stability of the town was the Night Watch's duty, but it was all too obvious that the town craved independence. Like a teenager longing for adulthood.
What was the town like before my time, brother? In the long term, would you say we are progressing or stagnating… Or would you say we are losing our influence? Azrael knew how necessary the Night Watch was. Mostly, they dealt with large influencial groups or companies that normally had genocidal motives. Rino was the most dangerous enemy the Night Watch had to deal with. It was a miracle that they did not lose any of their members.
Despite the Night Watch's acts, Azrael could not help but worry that the town in its entirety would eventually become the liability to its own stability. It may be the case that simply removing a particular group would not be enough to restore the balance. If that was the case, how could they bring back control? Murder half the population? Obviously, that's not an option they can turn to.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austin on Mar 22, 2012 12:21:28 GMT
lots of practice, it's taken me seventy years to get half good at it, the hardest thing to do properly is nothing
Austin replied, considering the second question as his eyes focused unseeing on the sparring match between Zin and Damaris.
To be honest the town hasn't changed a whole lot in the time I've been here - I don't know about our influence but I can't say we're at our most popular
he had to admit to himself that this was troubling him somewhat, tides of popular opinion had slowly begun to turn against the Watch, he could feel things beginning to gently slip away - no thanks to that damned paper.
Society is never very grateful to the people who do what needs to be done
|
|
|
|
Post by Damaris Y Blaidd on Mar 24, 2012 18:08:12 GMT
Damaris was amazed at how quickly Zin had picked up the blocking position. It was a little rough, but it would probably work. She tensed and then jabbed forward with her blade, meaning to catch the girl's hand and, possibly, make her drop the sword. She didn't move as quickly as she could have, but it would have been quick enough to catch a normal human off-guard.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zin Siripong on Mar 25, 2012 18:53:22 GMT
Zin was caught off guard, true she had known she would be attacked but she thought that the older woman would aim for the blade instead of her wrist.
Instinct kicked in as she dropped the blade slightly and then lifted it up in a block, aiming to throw Damaris's strike up even as she ducked her body and lunged forward with a fist aimed directly at the woman's soon to be open stomach and ribs.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azrael Jiraco on Mar 26, 2012 11:03:42 GMT
Interesting, Azrael thought. He had previously suspected that Zin had martial arts training by the way she had presented herself earlier, but he was beginning to see the level of training.
He continued his telepathic conversation with Austin.
I can see layers of pure discipline and training being held back by the girl. She is not trained to use a blade, and she is struggling to not do what she is already trained to do. I'm sure you can see it too, brother. At her age, I imagine that most of her time has been dedicated to strict training. I'm curious as to what she can do…
Azrael waited for Damaris to react to Zin's move, as he did not want to distract her again.
"Ok, that's enough," Azrael called to them, showing the palm of his hand to Zin so she would understand as well.
"Cindy, can you please tell Zin that in this next bout, she can demonstrate her own training as she pleases. Damaris, pass me your sword please. Are you happy to spar without a weapon?" Azrael would have liked Damaris to continue the training herself, but he had not seen her fight often without weapons. He did not know if she would be comfortable being thrown in this situation, so Azrael wanted to give her the option.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austin on Mar 26, 2012 14:39:21 GMT
Austin nodded
Could be interesting to see her spar with Kunoichi if Damaris isn't comfortable with the task
|
|
|
|
Post by Damaris Y Blaidd on Mar 26, 2012 19:46:08 GMT
Damaris nodded in approval as Zin managed to not only keep hold of her sword, but turned the block into a chance to attack as well. She dodged to the side again, and struck Zin's arm with her own sword.
As Azrael spoke, she fell back into a relaxed stance, her sword at her side. She considered his proposal for a few seconds and then nodded, handing her sword to her superior officer. "It's not my method of choice, but then you never know when you might be caught without a weapon. I could learn from Zin." She smiled at the younger wolf. "Besides, I think we're all interested to see what she can do in her own element."
|
|
|
|
Post by Zin Siripong on Mar 28, 2012 22:23:13 GMT
Zin frowned as the angry man from earlier stepped in, tensing up warily as Damaris handed over her sword. She followed suit and set her practice blade to the side.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy Harker on Mar 29, 2012 17:49:03 GMT
Cindy had been watching the fight quietly from the corner, trying her best not to draw attention to herself in case Austin remembered that she should probably be learning some self defence herself. She hated the gym, she hated exercise, and she hated swords, so she was quite happy where she was.
When asked though, she thought she should jump in and do her bit before anybody thought too much about her being there.
"<You may battle as you wish in this exercise, Zin.>" Cindy explained the best she could, in her formal Thai.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azrael Jiraco on Mar 31, 2012 10:03:00 GMT
Azrael dismissed Zin's frown, assuming she was just frustrated about having to stop suddenly.
He walked back to the doorway where Austin was standing.
It's a good thing we have Cindy, he communicated to Austin.
She's bloody useful.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zin Siripong on Mar 31, 2012 11:50:40 GMT
She blinked, looking at the blonde woman, "As in..." she trailed off and lifted a clenched fist, pointing to it with her free hand. "A fight?" she asked, perhaps a little warily.
She was getting the impression she was being put through her paces for a reason and while she'd never turn down a fight, it was feeling like she expected them to check her teeth in a moment.
|
|
