InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "you're the only chance Ive got"

Adam Alexie (constantguard) wrote in nosuchplace,
@ 2008-03-05 13:02:00

Entry tags:

adam alexie, loki britton-baldere, theora

Thursday, August 23, 2007
Who: Adam and Theora, with a brief appearance by Loki
Where: Combat Gym
When: Mid-Morning
What: Combat practice, a little chat, and interesting news from Theora.

Positioning his staff at a downward angle, his fingers held in a firm grasp around the middle, his eyes focused on his invisible opponent and calculating the movements the other would make in the next flurry of events. His staff came down quickly, striking forward and hooking his opponent in the stomach, before it pulled back and whirled around in his hand, the staff coming down and colliding with the invisible opponent’s staff — brought up just in time to block his weapon. He bounced back, whirling the staff once more, taking it down towards his opponent’s legs and catching it on the wood of other’s staff. Another miss. His next blow came in from the side as a surprise, the end jabbing his opponent in a weak spot, giving him an opportunity. The staff whirled around and spun upward, slamming down on the back of his opponent’s neck and bringing him down to the ground.

Inhaling a breeze of cool air deeply, Adam closed his eyes and let the feeling wash over him. Somewhere nearby, a young man was sword fighting with another, the clangs of their swords ringing out in the combat gym. One of them hollered in excitement at his apparent triumph with each creative strike of his sword. In his ears, though, he heard it — an unsettling hum on the air.

Adam opened his eyes, taking in the sight of the gym floors and the racks of weapons. It was not the air. The disturbance was in his own mind. Constance’s words from yesterday ate away at his consciousness. Are we unsafe? Adam wondered. Not once had the council dealt with a lawbreaker. Not yet. Did that mean it would happen soon, that it was only a matter of time before someone took rules into their own hands and shaped the law to suit their personal desires? Were they in danger, or was Adam’s mind just overreacting to what Constance had said?

I need to clear my mind, Adam thought as his steps led him towards the towel and bottle of water sitting on the bench put there earlier by him. Laying his staff against the wall, he picked up the towel and rested it over his shoulders, dabbing the sweat off of his face with one of the corners. Adam popped open the drink piece on his bottle and squirted water over his head. He drank some of the cool liquid and put his water bottle back down onto the bench, his towel catching the droplets of the water that fell from the curls of his dark hair.

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elunesgrace
2008-03-07 02:37 am UTC (link)

Though the scouting mission had been a success in her eyes, Theora still couldn't help but feel saddened over the loss of Logan's father. Though she did not know the man she admired him for staying alive long enough to keep the orphaned children, as well as his own son, safe. He was a hero in her eyes and hopefully his daughter would prepare a service worthy of his sacrifice.

Still, the mission had left the priestess with tension that was not easily relieved through Theora's usual means of meditation or reverie. And so the Elven female found herself in the combat gym, wanting to immerse herself in the art of staff fighting one that she had practiced for over 400 years. It was good for her to keep up with her skills despite the fact that she rarely had to use them, but Theora was a firm believer of knowing self-defense for if she could not protect herself then how would she be able to assist others?

The gym was not overly crowded which suited the priestess just fine. Though as she was about to step upon one of the large training platforms she noticed that it was already occupied by none other than the ever quiet Adam. Theora stood back and watched him as he went through the motions of his art, lifting and striking an imaginary opponent with precision and grace. She could not help but smile at him even when he finished and moved to the side. Theora quietly approached him from behind, head tilted to the side as she spied him pouring water over his head.

She stepped forward, her own ancient staff held firmly in her grip and spoke. "Do you make a habit of pouring water upon yourself, Adam?" Her voice was calm as she took her staff and tapped him on the shoulder. "If you are sufficiently rested, perhaps you would be kind enough to engage in combat with me?"

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constantguard
2008-03-09 07:20 pm UTC (link)

The intrusion was not unwelcome. After all, it was Theora. Even though Adam did not know her personally, she was a member of the Head Council and a prominent figure presiding over Elysium. Before he could move to face her, however, her staff tapped him on the shoulder to bid him to turn around. Adam smoothed his wet hair backwards over his head as he turned to face her. Lifted part of the towel from his shoulders, he patted his dripping hair with it. Adam realized that, until this moment, he had also never spoken with her personally outside of council meetings or away from Constance's side.

"I do when I'm practicing," he answered her honestly, nodding his head once. "It helps me to cool. Sometimes it gets very hot in the gym." His eyes roamed upwards to the ceiling, wishing briefly that they had fans here like in the practicing gyms back home in Alaska. Most of the time it was cold enough to do without them, but whenever it became hot, the fans could be turned on to circulate the air. In fact, the weather here was far more tepid than what Adam was used to. "But I am well rested," he said, "if you would like to practice together, I am capable."

Adam took another sip from his water and ran the towel over his head to pick up the moisture still there. Water trickling down his face would only be distracting. Then again, practicing with distractions was a good way to become used to distractions in real battle. He put down his towel on the bench and reached over for his staff, which leaned against the wall. He was not as well-trained as Theora, and staff combat was never Adam's best style, but maybe he would not lose out too soon against her. A short fight would not be a very good fight, but afterwards he could ask for for assistance on staff combat. He was sure there was more to be learned about the art.

He led the way out onto the empty area he had just been training in before taking his short break, speaking as he walked. "When you are ready, let me know and we may begin."

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elunesgrace
2008-03-12 01:09 am UTC (link)

From what Theora had seen Adam would be a sufficient sparring partner. His technique was good and his moves precise and accurate, and the only thing that she could see him improving upon would be adding more attack combinations to his repertoire. She followed Adam onto the training area and smiled at him as she held her staff in her right hand. Her staff was unconventional, one made from one of the oldest trees in Elven history and imbued with magical energy. But that energy had nothing to do with the powerful strokes she could deliver with it. That was Theora's skill all alone.

People often looked at Theora oddly when they saw her fighting in her Elven robes, but the priestess was used to it. The robe would move gracefully with her movements, like leaves picked up by a gentle breeze. It danced with her lithe form, revealing every toned curve as the fabric smoothed straight only to hide it once more when it billowed outward.

"I am ready, Adam," she said. Lips curled upward at the corners into a beautiful smile, and her green eyes glittered with excitement. Her staff was held in her right hand as if she were using it as a walking stick. It was an open stance and completely unguarded, or so it would seem to those who were unfamiliar with Theora's fighting skill. But the elf knew that on the battlefield one did not often have the luxury of preparing for an attack. Those who wished to do harm would do so at a moment's notice and all that she could do was defend as quickly as possible.

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constantguard
2008-03-12 06:10 pm UTC (link)

Adam grew used to seeing her in her elven robes and, knowing elves as he did now, Adam realized their robes were fluid and allowed for easy movement. Despite all of the fabric that made up her attire, it was no doubt lightweight, flexible, and filled with slits underneath all of the layers. His own attire was very simple a white t-shirt and a comfortable pair of light gray sweatpants. His staff was more modern and most certainly more conventional with its wood being made from a thick and sturdy oak, a common choice for a staff. The oak staff had no magical energy, just the brute force of Adam's strength behind it. Though Adam was anything but a brute, and he knew how to channel his strength properly in combat.

He nodded his head as she said she was ready. Even though the elven priestess stood still and upright with no indication of fight in her stance, Adam understood that was her way of entering into their practice session. He doubted that Theora would be the type to take a noticeable battle stance. Stillness, as if unaware of the oncoming fight about to happen, seemed to suit her more.

Twirling his staff in his hand, he kept his eyes on her carefully as the wood went around and around in a near silent circle between his fingers. Eventually, his hand caught the wood and stopped it, but a silence continued on the air as Adam stood still across from her. It wasn't until then that he charged forward, whirling around on his feet and aiming his staff straight for her middle with the point of it. At the last moment, though, his whole body circled around in a leap, his staff changing direction with him and the weapon heading for her back as if to collide and knock her forward in a stumble with the impact.

That is, if his blow would land, or would the elven priestess match his speed and have their staffs collide instead?

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elunesgrace
2008-03-14 02:51 am UTC (link)

Theora's strength lay in her reaction time. Stillness, as Adam observed, was Theora's preferred stance. It allowed her to take in each and every movement that Adam made. She saw his muscles contracting as the staff twirled in his hands, she saw the quickness in his legs when he charged forward, but most importantly she saw the determination in his eyes. All of the movements he made were done in order to throw her off-guard, to get her to think that he was going to attack in one direction when in reality he would strike from another. It was a good strategy, one that would have worked against other opponents, but stillness became Theora's greatest asset.

When Adam circled his body around in the leap, Theora quickly spun her body around and shielded his blow with her staff. A loud 'clack' sound reverberated throughout the training area when the staves collided. Theora smiled at Adam and glanced down at the intersection of their weapons. "Very good, Adam. The force in your swing would have surely knocked me forward." Her nimble fingers tightened around her staff and she took a step back from her opponent. She was still smiling when she lifted her staff to be held in both hands. Theora gripped it tightly and then slid her left hand close to her right. She pointed the tip at Adam and then in a swift movement she swung the staff toward Adam's left side.

But the priestess was not done there. As soon as that attack was finished she spun her body counterclockwise and pulled her staff in the opposite direction. She bent her knees mid-spin and brought the staff around to hook Adam right behind his knees. Hopefully it would bring him down onto the mat, but if it didn't Theora would be prepared for Adam's next counter attack.

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constantguard
2008-03-16 04:25 am UTC (link)

Adam knew that it would have thrown her off balance long enough for him to attack once more and deliver a far more direct blow, if only he had deceived her well enough with his feigned moves. However, his plan of attack failed on the elven priestess, and a more forward method might suit him better in his task. Staffs were not his best weapon, and he knew Theora wielded them with a quiet force of long training and elven strength. Elves held defensive tactics in higher regard than brute force, a trait that Adam admired and most definitely appreciated. It was his own preferred way of commencing in battle, which wasn't to say that he refused using brute force if the correct moment called for it.

Instead of commenting with anything in response to her remark on his attack, Adam spun away from Theora and diverted himself out of the elven priestess's range. Despite this, she immediately swung her staff towards his left side — a move that Adam just barely missed and blocked with his own weapon, the crack of wood echoing sharply in the air as the two weapons collided with each other. Having only just blocked this attack by a hairline of being struck with her staff, Adam lost time in reacting to her next move. The whirl of her body and the sweep of her staff behind his legs caught him behind his knees and, while he could not block the staff from pulling his legs out from under him, the elemental exerted forth a bend in his body, flipping backwards through the air behind him and over her staff.

However, his land was not so graceful. His feet hit the ground but his legs caved, causing Adam to fall to the mat with a painful, sideways crash. Adam released his staff in order to break his lopsided fall with his right palm, as his body was leaning to the side, his legs sprawled and bent beneath him. He glanced up at Theora. "You are much quicker than me," Adam said calmly.

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elunesgrace
2008-03-19 04:28 am UTC (link)

Theora had just entered into a crouch, one hand pressed against the floor for balance, when Adam fell to the ground. The priestess turned her face just in time to see his legs give way underneath the momentum of the fall. Her lips parted in a gasp and she rose quickly to approach him. She looked down at him for only a second before she knelt beside him, a slightly worried look drawn upon her features.

"Are you all right?" She asked softly. "I hope I did not apply too much force with my swing..." Her eyes scanned his body searching for any signs of injury. She found none but that did not mean that he was not injured internally. While Theora knew that Adam was an elemental and thereby more resilient than the average person she still could not help the worry that coursed through her veins.

"You are much quicker than me," he said calmly. His statement caused Theora to smile. Elves were naturally quick creatures, most who entered in a battle against them could not match their speed or agility. Theora's advantage lay in that fact, and in the fact that she was well trained in the art of staff fighting. She wondered if it was unfair of her to engage Adam in a friendly spar considering the advantages she possessed. However, she felt that Adam did an excellent job at keeping up with her, something that most others could not accomplish.

"I am only quick because of my long legs." A grin tugged at her lips and she shook her head. It was her attempt at joking, something that she learned about from her students when she worked at the praeternatural school, but she had never really mastered the art of telling a joke. Her speed lay in her entire physiology, inside and out, and not just her legs. Theora did not continue with her joke as she settled onto the mat next to Adam.

"You are very skilled, Adam. Perhaps you will honour me with another spar some other time?" Green eyes stared intently at him before her head tilted to the side. Adam was indeed a very skilled fighter, the type of man and warrior that could handle any situation on his own. Someone like him could protect her while she on the isle... "Adam, I have something I would like to ask you if you do not mind."

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constantguard
2008-03-21 05:34 am UTC (link)

"I am alright," Adam replied with a small smile, grateful for Theora's concern. "It's natural to take a fall every once in while." It wasn't so much that Theora used force, only that her moves were swift and bested his speed. "I think it was your speed more than your force that caught me off-guard," he answered honestly. Moving to sit up properly on the floor, Adam took his staff into one of his hands and set it beside himself to keep it from cluttering the floor.

He patted his legs and moved them back and forth to show that he had not indeed been injured. He laughed softly at her joke. "My legs are not as long, but they are sturdy," he said, patting his knees with both hands. He did not suggest that they stand up once more, as it was comfortable on the floor and they were no longer sparring, so it was not important that they be standing.

Nodding his head towards her, he agreed first without words to her request. "Maybe you could show me how to better myself in the art of staff combat?" he inquired, meeting Theora's gaze. "I haven't used staffs very much. I'm afraid I'm not very good with them, but I could learn more from you."

At her mention of an inquiry for him, Adam looked at her quizzically, wondering what the elven priestess had to ask of him. The elemental shook his head. "I don't mind," he said. "What is it you wish to ask?" Adam waited calmly for her answer, having crossed his legs and rested his forearms in his lap.

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elunesgrace
2008-03-22 02:03 am UTC (link)

Theora loved to spread whatever knowledge she could, so when Adam asked if she could aid him in bettering his skills in staff combat she eagerly accepted. "I would love to assist you in stave fighting," she said with a smile. "I believe that you will be a quick study." Adam seemed to be naturally adept at combat and Theora had no doubt that he would be able to pick up on new techniques quickly.

Theora folded her legs beneath her robes and rested her hands in her lap. Her staff was lying on the ground by her side and she looked completely at ease sitting there with Adam. "I would like to know if you would be willing to accompany me to Tol'hith Isle. I must journey there to commune with Elune and to replenish my spiritual energy." She tilted her head to the side and gazed at her sparring partner as she continued. "I will be very weak and vulnerable during that time, and the isle holds many dangers. I would feel much more at ease if you were to lend me your strength... please?"

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constantguard
2008-03-24 04:49 pm UTC (link)

What she said brought a smile to his face, and he nodded his head in thanks to her. To learn from Theora no doubt held the possibilities of a great experience, and Adam thought her to be a great choice if anyone was to teach him more about staffs and using them in combat. Adam grew so accustomed to battle with bare hands, and he was more familiar with swords and heavy, blunt objects.

Adam had never been to Tol'hith. If he went with Theora, he would be performing his usual duties of protection, something he knew very well. While he was unsure of going so far away from Constance, he felt the trappings of what other might have called an adventure. Theora admitted she would be weak during that time, and Adam didn't want her to get hurt. "I would love to accompany you to Tol'hith," he said with a growing smile. "If you need protection, I will do so gladly. It might also be what others call . . . an adventure, too?"

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elunesgrace
2008-03-25 06:09 am UTC (link)

Theora's eyes showed the excitement and the happiness she felt as Adam agreed to go with her to the island. It would be a trying time for the priestess and she would certainly feel one-hundred percent better if she knew he would be protecting her. "I shall inform Constance then of our arrangement. Or would you rather be the one to do so?"

A few moments passed before Theora spoke again, this time in regards to the island. She let out a small chuckle and then nodded. Though she had not really thought about it, it really was going to be quite an adventure. She nodded and smiled. "You are quite right, it will be an adventure! There are not many people who are allowed to step foot upon the island. I think you might enjoy the chance to see someplace new, am I correct?"

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lokithemuse
2008-03-25 06:57 am UTC (link)

Before any more further conversation between the two could occur, a third voice suddenly rang out as Loki emerged out of what appeared to be nowhere, raising his sword high above his head as a great, big grin shone on his face. "Did I hear adventure?" Loki asked as his eyes sparkled with excitement. Loki detected the words 'adventure' and 'island' and 'someplace new' all being spoken at once by someone who was somewhere in the nearby vicinity, which sounded like an open invitation to the muse! People didn't just go on adventures without him, after all.

"I'm ready for an adventure to an island!" Loki exclaimed, finally sheathing his sword. It was best if he didn't swing it around and accidentally poke someone's eyes out, which might very well be possible by him. He tended to get a bit excited whenever someone said adventure. "I'm a right good sailor, and a fine swordsman, if I may say so meself!"

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elunesgrace
2008-03-26 11:13 pm UTC (link)

Theora heard Loki's voice chime out after she spoke. His excitement was contagious, and he was grinning broadly at the prospect of adventure. She had known Loki for quite some time now and knew that he was indeed a fine swordsman. And while some of the creatures upon the isle were dangerous she had no doubt that Loki could handle it; and Adam would be around to also lend a hand if things became too crazy.

She smiled at him and nodded her head. Loki didn't have to explicitly ask to go, Theora could tell by his words and body language that he wanted to go. "Yes Loki, you may accompany us to the isle. But you must be prepared to leave come Monday morning. Is that understood?" Theora gave him another smile and then smiled at Adam. "Well then, looks like I will have all the protection I need for my journey. It puts my heart as ease knowing that my life is in capable hands."

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Fin.

constantguard
2008-03-27 09:47 pm UTC (link)

Through Zach's friends, Adam had known Loki for a little while now as well. He could also tell that Loki was asking in an inexplicit manner to go with them as he offered up his services in the bluntest way possible. Adam smiled at the muse, thinking the extra company would be nice during the times when Theora would be intertwined with her priestess duties on the isle.

Adam watched as Loki stoutly nodded and said, "Aye, m'lady! Ready by Monday morning, it is!"

The elemental looked back to Theora with a small smile on his face. "I will tell Constance of my departure," Adam told her. A funny face, partly marked with embarrassment, overcame his features. "I'm sure she'll be more than excited to find that I am finally going out somewhere without her."

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