Training by the Lake (Rivers, Serenity)

[Roxanne]

After thoroughly exploring the entire of Gallows Bane, Roxanne decided that the best place for the training would be by the lake. There was plenty of space, somewhat decent lightning, and a lovely view. The lake was as still as glass and reflected the cavern and crystals around it like a mirror. If someone fell or was knocked back, there was almost a 50/50 chance of them landing in the water instead of on their ass.  Rivers and Serenity had decided today was a good day to work on the sword and magic training. Roxanne had nothing to better to do so she'd agreed. She'd never really trained or taught anyone anything so this was certainly sure to be interesting. Rivers had said something about using fake weapons, so she'd left all hers in her room and was even barefoot.

She'd brought a basket with some canteens of water and food to snack on, not knowing how long they'd be here. She'd dressed in her usual outfit and had her red hair braided in a low ponytail. It was something new at least, since her clothes clearly weren't. It had never really occurred to her or been a problem before but seeing the others with more than just two changes of clothes made her feel slightly self conscious. This also worried her as she couldn't remember the last time she'd been self conscious of anything and she frowned. "Eventually, I'll need to invest in some alternative clothes. For practical reasons of course, who cares what anyone else thinks," she muttered, as she stood waiting for the others to arrive.

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity walked to the lake, as Roxy had directed her too. It was a beautiful day, and Serenity was determined to learn. She was tired of being useless to the people around her, as well as to herself. She had known better than to wear a dress, and was instead dressed in tight black pants she'd purchased some time back, and a similar styled back top, with the sleeves cutting off around her elbows, and the neckline around her breast. Her hair was also practical today, in a high pony tale, curling at the ends. She took a little longer to arrive, as she hadn't known quite where the lake was in terms of going from Haven, but it hadn't been to difficult to find. She hadn't been sure why they all hadn't left together, but kept the questions to herself. She was just happy they were helping.

She remembered to wear both her ice gem infused bracelet, and a similarly done fire gem necklace. Yet, despite those, the also carried a large object, wrapped in a cloth of sorts. It was easy to tell it was a sword, but she had no way to attach it to her side yet, so she kept it folded up and in her arms carefully. Kail had forged it for her a day or so before, and she though what better time to start practicing. She would keep it hidden until asked about it, a little nervous for reasons she didn't quite understand. Perhaps it was because it had been Kail who forged it, and designed it specifically for her, yet she would be asking Rivers to help teach her? Though she'd asked Kail as well, but they hadn't gotten much done.

Serenity walked into view of Roxy and smiled at her. Hello! I hope you weren't waiting to long!

[Rivers]

Rivers steps from a tunnel with a large bag on his back and a variety of wooden implements a wide grin on his face. As he steps out and looks upon the two ladies he says “Oh~ you both went for a bit of an image change huh?”

His eyes pass over both slowly and he grins. “You both look great, but unfortunately today is about training.” He admits with a sight, disappointment obvious in his expression.

He sets down the stuff he was carrying and says “well, I need to get my edge back in combat, Roxanne, would you mind sparring with me? Serenity, you should probably watch a bit, and then try and to turn the water into an ice lance.” Rivers suggests as he takes his coat off revealing a loose woolen shirt and picking up one of the swords. There were a wide variety and numerous small ones.

“I've also got something else to teach you a bit later Serenity so don't wear yourself out too much okay?” He says.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne looked herself over at Rivers's comment. He must be referring to the braid because my clothes are the same as they always are,she thought. "I didn't want my hair to get in the way of anything," she explained simply, shrugging. "Thank you," she added after his compliment and noting his disappointed look.

Refocusing, she nodded as he explained the plans to start with. "I'm a bit rusty myself, honestly. Before I came here, I had closer to a full demon form and I relied on my demon power more than my combat skills. At least for the last few years or so," she explained, making it obvious why she wasn't currently in her alter form. "Also, Serenity asked me to teach her fire magic. Do you think you could help?" she asked him in return.

Stepping forward, Roxanne bent to choose a sword similar in length to her katana. It was about the same weight too which didn't surprise her. She could handle heavier swords if she wanted, her scythe wasn't light after all, but her katana and boot knife both were. She twirled it in a few combative patterns, testing the feel, and nodding to herself. "Alright, ready when you are," she announced, looking at the other two.

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity glanced over as Rivers appeared, then looked down at herself upon his comment. My usual attire would not be suitable today, and my hair, though wondrous, was not practical either. Serenity shrugged and smiled at his dissapointed face. But please, don’t act as though you don’t have every other opportunity to have fun when around one of us. She shook her head.

I shall watch, but I hope you realize I intend to practice as well. Or, well, learn. Serenity unfolded the fabric from around the sabre she held in her arms. Once unveiled, the sword glimmered in the sun, silver in colour. The blade was thin, and the handle complex, with designs carved in and around it. The hilt itself was black, and there were bars that twist around her hand when she held it up.

Kail crafted and designed it specially for me. The weight was just right in her hand and she smiled down at it.

I will watch, and practice the ice magic you had requested, but please, if there is time, teach me this as well. Serenity placed the sword back on its fabric wrapping and sat down by the lake, looking out to the water for a moment, before back at the two.

I will learn whatever you are willing to teach. Both of you.


(Sword: casiberia.com/img/prod/sh1032b.jpg )

[Rivers]

Rivers nods at Roxanne when she mentions the braid. “Yeah I think it's refreshing to see people change this up a bit every now and then.” He admits thought his jovial silliness soon turns to a more serious expression, though when Serenity brings out her sword Rivers tilts his head and looks at it.

Kail sure knows what he's doing, it's a nice blade. However Rivers gaze then falls on Serenity and he decides what she should do next. “Alright, before we begin I am going to show you how to do a proper fencing thrust.” First he shows her how to stand, and then once she mimics him he walks over and physically adjusts her body slightly to work out the small nits in her form. Once she had it right Rivers says. “Alright, your first exercise is to go from a normal standing position into this stance. Keep doing it until you get tired.” he instructs, knowing it would probably only take about 10 minutes to reach that point.

A proper fencing pose had the sword raised and continuously raising and relaxing the sword arm would be tiring for someone who was not used to it, but this was the first and one of the most important things to learn. A good stance was essential to good fighting.

Next Rivers picked up a sword that was somewhere between a long sword and a short sword. He hefted it and nodded to himself. It had been a while since he had used only a single sword in practice, but it felt more natural to him.

“Alright lets start out with normal swordplay, we can add magic into the mix later.” He suggest as he takes his stance to wait for Roxanne to start. Rivers' stance was one with a focus on defense, unsurprising given the bard's temperament.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne didn't really have a comment for Rivers's return comment on her braid except to smile, which she did. Her attention turned to the blade Serenity had shortly after and she whistled. "That's a nice sword. Kail's work, you say? He mentioned that the other day when I ran into him at the gardens," she said, admiring the blade.

She listened as Rivers instructed Serenity and adjusted her stance. It was a good tactic and an important lesson. Learning your stance was key to being a good swordsman, or woman as it were, but it wouldn't take her long to get tired with the switching. Roxanne knew that well from experience as it was a similar tactic her own teacher had used when she was just a little girl.

Turning her attention back to Rivers as he picked out his sword and set the parameters for their match. She nodded, taking a moment to examine his stance and smiling. She took up her own stance, which was decidedly more offensive though easy enough to switch to defensive if she needed. Since he appeared to be waiting on her, Roxanne moved first. Darting forward, she swept her sword up as if to hit his shoulder quickly changing the direction last minute to make a play for his ankles.

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity stood when she was told, looking at what Rivers did carefully. Once she picked up her sword, made her stance and he fixed it, she nodded her head. The task was simple enough, though she knew immediately it wouldn’t take long to tire her out. She wasn’t the most fit of people.

Yeah, I stopped by his workshop the other day as well. After the incident in the springs, I needed to speak with him, and by the end of that he had decided I needed a weapon. His choices are wonderful, I must admit. Though, being from a future version of my home, he probably learnt about the weaponry I’d be familiar with.

She made the motions, one after the other, focusing solely on that, but in the back of her mind she was keeping track of what Roxy and Rivers did. It would come in handy later.

[Rivers]

As Serenity begins working and then mentions Kail's shop Rivers considers her statement, having given his blades to Claire Rivers did not currently have an actual sword of his own. The craftsmanship on Serenity's blade was pretty good “This is a poor idea but do you think he'd make me a sword if I payed him for the commission? I am lacking an actual blade of my own right now.” he admits, if not then he'd need to go find a new one.

Rivers nods after Serenity gets the stance right on her own.

Then the fight with Roxanne began. As she darted forward Rivers was surprised how fast she was, despite using a smaller sword he had to work to bring his blade around to parry the strike, though when it suddenly goes low he hops over the strike and his leg shoots out in a kick towards Roxanne's chest.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne listened to Serenity and Rivers's conversation, though she didn't say anything. She remembered the conversation she'd had with Kail and thought it unlikely he'd be willing to craft anything for Rivers, but she'd be wrong before. People often changed their minds about such things when gold was involved, even she would do almost anything, for the right price. Though, they didn't need to know that.

As expected, Rivers reached to parry her initial higher stroke but she was impressed when he managed to avoid the second, jumping her blade and aiming for her chest with his foot. She twisted away from Rivers, causing his foot to hit her in the back which worked in her favor to propel her further. Roxanne backflipped, quickly adjusting herself back into her stance, once again facing Rivers and grinning. There might be a bruise there later but it wasn't something she was concerned with at the moment.

[Serenity Caine]

Hearing Rivers idea, Serenity stopped moving and stared at him. … You are joking, correct? I do not know the reasons for which he dislikes you, but unless you pay him far more than you should, I highly doubt he’d even consider it… She shook her head and sighed. Men were so petty sometimes, and by men she meant Kail. It seemed as though Rivers didn’t even know why Kail disliked him.

When the two started their battle, Serenity resumed her movements, standing straight, then out the way he’d shown her, then back again. After a few minutes, her arm ached slightly, and her back was beginning to complain, but Serenity ignored it. The dull pain of exercise would be nothing in comparison to actually being hurt if she could not defend herself.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she watched them fight, seeing Rivers land a decent blow to Roxy’s back. They looked oddly beautiful fighting as they were. It was almost like dancing.

[Rivers]

Rivers grimaces at Serenity's comment regarding Kail, he'd been hoping that maybe if he went as a customer and dealt with whatever Kail gave him it might help him vent and act as an olive branch, but maybe he was being too optimistic. “Do you know why he hates me so much? I'm a little bothered by him enmity, but what bugs me most is that I do not know the reason for it.” He admits, this is the last thing he says before the fight begins.

As he lands the unexpected blow in Roxanne's back Rivers presses the attack in an attempt to try and keep her off balance. However, when he notices her stance is reset he takes several long strides towards Roxanne, raising the blade in a defensive posture for another parry in an attempt to help himself close the distance against the longer weapon.

Rivers makes several subtle feints in direction as he moves in showing that he did indeed have experience in this kind of fight even if he was not an expert.

[Roxanne]

Hearing Rivers's question, Roxanne nods. "I asked him about, when I saw him in the garden," she said, pausing. "The basic explanation is that he feels like you've been making a fool of him in front of others, particularly Serenity and then again at the hot springs. Even after, he says, he explained to you his feelings about it before," she summarized, shrugging. It didn't really make sense to her but then what did she know about Kail?

Roxanne narrows her eyes as she watches Rivers's movements. He was no amateur, that much was clear. She easily parried his attack and then proceeded to mirror his movements as he feinted a few times, trying to get a feel for his style. She makes a few jabs for his chest area, putting a little force behind her attacks, then quickly drops low, sweeping her leg around to knock his feet from under him, keeping her sword in a defensive position.

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity didn’t stop moving this time, a dull pain in her arms. He refused to tell me, She paused now for a moment, hearing Roxanne. Me? If anything, Rivers humiliated us both in front of each other. I feel that makes us even, so I don’t know why he is so hung up on it. It’s not as though it meant anything. She shook her head and resumed her movements, glancing at Rivers with a flushed look on her face.

If memory served her correctly, that had been the time that she had first met Rivers. It had also been the time Kail had given her a bracelet made from the dragon he had slain. Rivers had caught on to what was assumed romance, and began prying, singing a song of the “tale” he assumed was to be. He had been incorrect, as Kail felt nothing for her, but it had been embarrassing none the less. Kail had an outburst, as he usually did, and Serenity had been forced to follow him to calm him down, hardly knowing Rivers at the time. A smirk appeared on Serenity’s lips as she remembered how she had turned Rivers down multiple times that day, shaking her head at his feeble attempts to flirt with her. Looking now she saw the joke in it, but she had to look away from the man, lest she blush more.

Serenity stood straight, then out again, straight, and out. Her arm was yelling at her now, but she had to ignore it.

[Rivers]

Rivers seemed unsatisfied, or unhappy with the explanation regarding Kail but does not pursue the issue any farther.

As Roxanne knocks away his blow and begins testing him Rivers brings his weapon back around deflecting several of the attacks. He knew Roxanne was much stronger than him so a direct hit from her in an actual fight would likely have been fatal. His brow furrows in concentration as he continues to defend.

In terms of sword work it was quickly becoming evident which of the two was more skilled. Rivers manages to move away from the sweep, though it clips him and breaks his stance causing him to stumble backwards a bit as he tries to regain his footing.