middaeg | Septeril Quest and Catch-All Log [OPEN]

Who: Shu and you!
When: Throughout Septeril
Where: Throughout Aefenglom
What: Quests and things!
Warnings: None so far

[ 1. Under New Management ]

[ Shu's time most often these days has been split between keeping the slums safe and helping out around the orphanage. It's not exactly a glamorous job, but it's necessary. Besides, he really doesn't mind giving the kids an outlet in the form of training.

This evening, however, he has the less than pleasant task of getting the kids ready for bed. They're far too wound up to just settle down, so it's going to take a bit of trickery. ]

Hm, well, if you don't get ready for bed, I guess I don't have anyone to tell these stories to. [ He hears another volunteer nearby and turns towards them with a knowing smile. ] But if you're tired of my stories, surely this one has something new for you to hear.

[ Did you just get roped into this scheme of his? Yes...Sorry, but he needs the help. ]

[ 2. Out of the City ]

[ The outer city is no strange place to Shu. It's become more home to him over the past couple of months than the rest of the city. He's chosen to live in the slums and take up the task of protecting it (his bond with Eileen helped with both of those decisions).

Shades are a constant threat to those who can't fight them off, so Shu has taken it upon himself to deal with them. He may be a witch, but he isn't reliant on his magic whatsoever. Swift kicks and sharp blows drive away the threats with grace and ease.

There's a moment's reprieve, allowing him to greet the person he heard approach. ]

Are you here to help? I'd be honored to have you fight alongside me.

[ 3. Training ]

[ Aside from his other pursuits, Shu keeps his skills sharp by training almost religiously. It's not a solitary task, though, as he doesn't mind either teaching others some of the techniques of his Nanto Hakuroken, nor does he mind sparring partners. Training with others is a much better way of keeping his skills sharp.

So of course he's going to call someone who's been watching him out. ]

You're welcome to watch me as long as you like. You're also welcome to join me, if you're interested in a spar.

[ 4. Wildcard ]

[ Have an idea? Did we plot something out? Drop me a starter or PM me here or on discord glitzkrieg#0673 and we can work something out! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Petra wasn't sure how long she'd been in Aefenglom but she'd long ago lost track. She was fully transformed, her legs gone and replaced by a long snake tail with purple-black tinted scales, fangs, claws and slitted pupils. The body had taken some time to get used to but she was as proficient with it now as if she'd been born with it.

She hadn't meant to stare but the man's technique was completely foreign to her.]

Oh! Have my apology. I was not meaning to give you disturbance. [Petra doesn't have an accent but her grammar suggests that she's used to speaking a different language.] I... I am having uncertainty. I am not having familiarity with fighting techniques without weapons.

[ He could tell she was a monster, at least -- no human made sounds like that when they moved. This doesn't bother him at all, though, he simply gives Petra a warm smile. ]

Knowing how to fight without a weapon will help. Think if you're ever disarmed. You don't want to be left without a means to defend yourself, do you?

[ None of this is said to shame her nor anything like it. ]

Means you have all the more reason to join me, doesn't it? [ He laughs. ] I've never had the chance to train against...A naga, is that right?

[ It becomes clear rather quickly in that moment that Shu is blind, yet it doesn't seem to hinder him in any way when he fights. ]

Disarmed? But... that is why people are keeping daggers on them. I have also been using my shield or elbows before. But I would not be calling them techniques... Not like brawling.

[She smiles softly when he insists.]

Yes, naga. I am not having the ability to kick anymore. But I am having claws and fangs now. [And venom. And a body that can constrict and crush a person.

Any way she looks at this offer to spar, it doesn't exactly seem fair. Not to mention, the man appears to be blind.]

Daggers can only get you so far, you know. Say you're caught without one or you can't get it to.

[ He can sense her hesitation, but he doesn't get hostile about it. Instead, he continues to smile. ]

Are you hesitant because I'm blind? You've learned to adapt to your new state -- so have I.

Because you are-? [It takes her a moment to remember what 'blind' means but then it clicks and she shakes her head.] No... no, it is not your lack of sight, but that is also making a fight have less fairness.

This body has great power and quickness. I am not meaning to give you insult, but I do not want to hurt you if I make a mistake...

Maybe... Maybe if we are starting with slowness?

If that's what you want. Appearances can be deceiving -- I'm not taking you lightly and I appreciate your concern, but...You'll see.

[ Shu smiles, his words quite friendly and pleasant. ]

My name is Shu, by the way.

Be deceiving...? Yes, I am in agreement. But I am not... having trust in myself. Yet. I am not... used to this body. I hope I am giving you understanding.

[At least, he doesn't appear to be too frustrated or angry with her.]

My name is Petra and you have my thanks for the practice.

[She rolls her shoulders a bit but still feels a little strange not having any weapon at all. In Fodlan, they trained fighters to disarm opponents, using your shield or armor, or use spare weapons which was all well and good. In Brigid, things were less formal, spare weapons, or, well, anything, rocks, sand, a branch, were all fine to grab and use, winning the fight was what was important. For now, she would err on the side of what she'd been told was the more 'honorable' way to fight.]

Are you having readiness, Shu?

I understand, Petra. Getting used to what you've been given is important, don't you agree? I can take anything you can throw at me.

[ Shu typically fought against armed opponents back home -- the soldiers of the Holy Emperor weren't versed in any school of martial arts. The unarmed opponents were far more dangerous, trained in either Nanto Seiken or, much more rarely, Hokuto Shinken.

He steps back, his weight on his back foot, as he extends his hand, motioning for Petra to come at him. ]

I'm ready. Come at me!

You are having great confidence. I'm impressed.

[She says with a soft, genuine smile. She can respect an attitude like that, as she tries to keep a fiery, self-assured attitude herself, even if Aefenglom and her current transformation had shaken her a bit.

Right, so, if she were in this situation for real and needed to attack this man, what would she do?

Keeping her hands loosely fisted so she doesn't rake her talon-like nails across his skin by mistake, she surges forward and takes a few swipes at him, curious to see how he will defend himself.]

[ There's barely a moment of delay before he deflects the strikes with his forearms. His reflexes are finely honed, almost effortless with how he responds. Shu seems quite pleased by her attempt, smiling broadly as he strikes out at her with a quick, low kick. Normally, it would be good for messing with his opponent's footing -- not exactly effective against someone with no legs. ]

Very good!

[She coils back quickly from the kick with a hiss, which instantly makes her pause to clamp a hand over her mouth, cheeks flushing an embarrassed, deep red.

Trying not to feel mortified, she clenches her teeth and resumes some semblance of a fighting stance, body coiled back in a tight 'S'.

A little uncertainly, she tries her best to lunge forward quickly enough to wrap her muscular body around him. In theory, she knew she should be able to constrict an enemy but she'd never tried it.]

[ That hiss is cute, really. Shu can't fight the grin that spreads across his face when he hears it. It's not like monsters can help their instinctual reactions. No sense in calling attention to it, though.

Shu jumps to the side, mostly dodging her lunge. His footing is just a little unsure, though, and h stumbles. It's enough of an opening for her to seize on him. ]

[Petra absolutely hates some of her more animalistic qualities. The hissing is an embarrassment. Worse yet is her forked tongue, despite how incredibly useful the new, powerful sense is, she's never used it when other people were around to see. She'd worked hard to adapt to 'civilized' life when she'd been a child taken away from her home as a political prisoner and reverting back to being seen as some kind of beast is not happening.

She notices the slight stumble, but can't quite bring herself to take advantage of it. She's not sure when she'd gotten so soft but her instinct is to pause and let him regain his balance. She does, however, clearly see the opening she'd had.]

If you were an enemy, I would have been biting you... or giving it try- [She pauses, correcting herself.] A try.

[ Shu expects her to seize on the opening and to find himself knocked on his ass. That moment never comes. How strange. He stops and cocks his head. ]

Why did you hesitate? You had an opening...Even in a friendly fight, you should capitalize on what your opponent gives you, you know.

Septeril Quest and Catch-All Log [OPEN]

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