WHO Reyna and Natasha WHAT Encounter WHEN: Backdated to Tuesday 15th February WHERE: Woods WARNINGS: Low/None STATUS: Closed/Complete/Match Up
For the most part, Reyna trained with Jason or Percy, and she still spent time training Kenny. But there were days, such as this, when she wanted to work on her form on her own, and simply pay attention to her own body and push it to the limits without throwing someone else into the mix.
For this, she’d found an empty meadow away from the obstacle course to get some privacy. Snow was still thick on the ground, but that was okay: Reyna could use the challenge. Monsters didn’t always wait for good weather to attack.
She was in the middle of some spear exercises when she sensed a presence. There was no sound, no crunch of footsteps on snow to announce that someone else was near, and most people wouldn’t have caught it. But a Daughter of Bellona was bred for war, and she had permanent battle-ready senses. She whipped around, spear pointed.
***
Natasha liked to spend time at the obstacle course and had hoped that it would be quiet today, snow tended to put people off but apparently not today. It had been busier than she would have liked so she went off in search of a quieter spot to run through some moves.
As usual she moved with the natural stealth she’d been trained for and found herself confronted by a spear toting woman, impressive. She held her hands up, “Didn’t mean to startle you” she apologised.
***
Reyna pulled back and set her spear down, letting the rush of adrenaline die down. She remained alert, though; someone who could move so soundlessly and gracefully no doubt had impressive skills of her own.
“No, my apologies,” she said. “I’m still not used to having other people around when I train. I’ve been trying to find a quiet spot, but the woods are popular.”
***
“Don’t worry, I have the same problem. It seems there are a lot of people around who prefer training in the woodland” Natasha said, “I use the obstacle course but it’s really busy today. Which is why I was looking for a quieter place. Unusual weapon” she added more conversationally with a nod to the spear, “At least where I’m from anyway”
***
“It’s not unusual where I’m from,” Reyna said. It was a simple statement of fact, rather than any attempt at superiority. As a daughter of Bellona, Reyna could appreciate all weaponry. She just happened to be more trained with the spear and the gladius. “Where is it that you’re from?”
*** Natasha nodded, there were people from all kinds of places here so it wasn’t surprising to hear. “A place not too different from this, most recently New York City” Natasha said, “I’m lucky that this wasn’t too much of a change” At least location wise anyway.
***
Reyna nodded. “I’ve been to New York. I didn’t spend much time there, though.”
She and her sister had been intent on reaching the west coast, where there were groups that would help shield them from the monsters that preyed on demigods. “What did you do in New York?”
The woman had the look of a warrior, even if she didn’t seem to be used to seeing a spear being wielded.
***
“I work as part of a team who do what they can to protect the world” Natasha said, “We’ve dealt with aliens, brainwashing and government conspiracies so far” She didn’t have any special powers but that didn’t stop her from doing what she could.
“How about you?” she asked, because Natasha had to admit she was intrigued now the girl had mentioned knowing New York, she’d assumed the woman came from somewhere otherworldly.
***
She might as well been, from the answer she gave. “I was - am - the Praetor of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata of the Roman Empire,” Reyna said. She straightened as she spoke, and her respect and pride for her position were clear.
“Caesar’s legion didn’t fall when Rome did,” she added, because that always seemed to confuse people. “It just moved. I am one of the Praetors who lead it to protect the Empire’s legacy from the monsters who would destroy it.”
*** “Oh” Natasha said as she explained, well that made a lot more sense then since she’d been even more confused when she’d said she was a roman, “That’s pretty fascinating. It must be weird for you here, with history being so different I mean?”
***
Reyna shook her head. “History’s not that different. It’s just that Camp Jupiter doesn’t exist here. But since we kept out of the way of human history and focused on the monster threats, I think our histories are similar.”
Her hand move down the spear for better balance. “Do you use any weapons?” Maybe this woman would be up for some sparring at one point.
*** “Oh I see. Like a hidden community” Natasha said, she got that, after all SHIELD had been like that for a long time. It was interesting though, nonetheless. And she wondered how many variations of the same world existed.
“Of course. I’m best with guns but proficient in most weaponry. I guess the closest to a spear would be a staff, which I have to admit I am a bit rusty with” But maybe she’d need to start training with it more now.
***
“I've never worked with guns,” Reyna admitted. “Mostly because monsters - the ones I know - are impervious to bullets.”
At least normal bullets. Reyna hadn't heard of anyone trying to put imperial gold or celestial bronze into bullet form.
“If you want to try your staff again, let me know,” she offered.
***
“Thankfully the things I’ve gone up against were taken down by bullets pretty well” Natasha said with a smile, which was a good job since they were definitely her strongest weapon.
“I will, thanks. It makes sense to practice more, especially with someone who knows what they’re doing” she said indicating Reyna.
***
Reyna acknowledged that without boastfulness or false modesty. She did know what she was doing; that was a fact.
“I have some staffs back home I can lend you,” she said. “And I'm out here almost every morning.”
*** “Thanks” Natasha said with a nod, “I’ll be sure to come find you” It would be good to start training with a different weapon and with somebody new. Natasha was never one to turn down a chance to improve her skills.