What it Means to Live as a Warrior
#1
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Adelle took her training seriously. She worked hard to improve, each day rising early to go running. She easily lapped around the border before turning back in to hunt for something to eat. Finished in her secui form Adelle would shift into optime, and stretch. Heading for the armory Adelle would go through what weapons she wanted to practice with. Her metal gloves were always on the list, carefully stacked on, with the options of a practice sword, ax, and spear added.


Carrying the practice sword out Adelle reached the sparring ring. She placed her pile to the side and stepped in. First she would warm up without any weapons. Taking a deep breath Adelle centered herself. The pattern that Isa had taught her to help work through her punches rolled through her mind. Swiftly Adelle moved to block, finishing each one with a punch. She moved forwards, continuing her punches before she hit the end and spun, blocking again. The routine was repeated for a while before she slowed, preparing to practice her kicks.


Out of character


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#2
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ooc here

Word Count → 340


When Coeus had left the courthouse, he departed to watch the pack train. He had not confronted anyone on training him, frankly, the weapons intimidated him. However, he hoped watching them spar would somehow get him into the spirit of combat. Toting a book in hand, he strolled into the yard and found his eyes drawn to a young female. Though he had wholly intended to read the old tomb about some dignitary that had solved some mystery condition, the sparring was much more interesting. Every day he watched, he wore a one handed practice blade awkwardly on his hip and the way she handled the weapons made him almost made him want to hang his up for good. For several minutes, he sat there absorbing her techniques and admiring her skill.


In the end, he rose from his soft, grassy seat to approach her. "You have quite the skill," he praised lightly, "I have been quite, ah, cursed with the use of the weapons. Mind giving a few tips?" He posed an smirk of chagrin, the look of the canine was one of many months younger than him. She was certainly very skilled and had more energy then he could even think about possessing. He would have preferred to read than get the fluff beaten out him, but he had to start sooner or later.


Meekly, he grabbed the sword from belt, fumbling slightly to pull it from its sheath. As he yanked it out, he nearly dropped it. Flushing with embarrassment, he grabbed the wooden sword from the ground and clenched it in his paws. "Uh, yeah, I do need a bit of work." Many animals had the natural instinct with handling weapons, but Coeus had none of that. To him, it was like wielding a large block of wood. Tooth and claw were his weapons of choice, but in a situation when others had swords and axes, teeth were just not going to cut it.


Code by the Mentors; photo courtesy to Astrid Walter

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#3
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Adelle turned sharply at the sound of someone approaching. Completely in training mode her stance was defensive, balanced forwards for quick movement. Eyes scanned over his body, finding weaknesses so she could attack. His voice filtered through last, praise of her skill. The giant female stood still for a moment, looking every bit the warrior she wished to be, fangs bared. Understanding what he was saying Adelle relaxed, her tail swaying behind her. The warrior disappeared, replaced by an oversized ball of fur.


Tongue lolling from her mouth Adelle nodded enthusiastically. Sure! Working with someone much more fun. Come in. Turning Adelle trotted over to where her pile of weapons sat, picking up the large practice sword she'd claimed as her own. Her mouth hung open with amusement as she watched him struggle to grip the weapon. Slow draw. Curve your reach. She straightened up, and lunged forwards with her sword, a simple easy strike for his chest.


Out of character


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#4
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ooc here

Word Count → 000


Surprised by her assault he could hardly lift his weapon to deflect it. The strike thrust the air from his lungs in a long huff. He was certainly thankful they were wooden swords that they spared with and not live steel ones. Though, a potential bruise was probably already forming on his chest from the strike. Coeus grimaced and lifted up his sword felt the weight of it, watching her carefully. From watching her he could see that she was a much better fighter than himself, and felt the urge to learn grow.


However, as his fingers shifted on the hilt, he grew frustrated. "How do I hold this thing?" Clenching and releasing his hand, the weapon just felt awkward and unbalanced. He had often prized himself on being quick and agile but in the ring he felt as if had a wooden leg. If somehow he could utilize his lean frame and actually strike out he would be more successful. Gripping his weapon in all his awkwardness, he took a leap towards Adelle, hoping to strike her with the flat of his blade. His charge was unbalanced though, and his stance too wide. And as he moved forward, he leaned into the attack just a bit too far. He shared a likeness with a waddling duck as he approached the younger canine.


Code by the Mentors; photo courtesy to Astrid Walter

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#5
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The wooden weapon Adelle had expected Coeus as an adult to wield with ease struggled to move and meet her own basic strike. To her surprise Adelle struck him flat in the chest, knocking the air from him. Coeus stumbled a couple steps back, Adelle looking with some curiosity between her blade and his chest. Looked like she was a lot stronger than she had thought she was. She watched him struggle with the sword for a few moments, unsure of what to do. He was older, after all, and should be the one to know what was needed.


A leap sent him towards the young warrior. Immediately Adelle twisted to the side. She might not be the quickest of warriors, but her movements did have a form of grace to them. His stance was completely unbalanced, even worse than her own when she had first started, a stranger to two legs. It was easy to reach out with her blade, tapping him on the back to completely knock his balance off, bemused by his clumsiness.


Out of character


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#6
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Sorry for the late reply!

Word Count → 300+


Coeus couldn't believe it. He had been bested by one twice his age and had seemed to embarrass himself more than he had planned to. The timber wolf had lived wild nearly his entire life and he had hardly the need for two legs until he entered the pack. Even riding was dealt primarily on all fours. With a grunt, he straightened his posture and dropped the wooden sword at his side. Even though they has just begun a look of defeat was written across his features. A pout even seemed to be forming on his darkly colored face. "I'm a horrid fighter." He blurted out, slumping over to pick up the blade he had dropped. "You can say it too, I don't even know how to hold it."


It had not been a competition but Coeus felt as if he had lost when he should have been boasting a victory. The young male was a sore loser and every thing in his posture emphasized it. He almost threw his sword down again but maintained his loose grip. He found himself staring at the sword and glancing back at Adelle. He had read books. It was the only experience he could claim to with a sword. He had read inspiring novels of fights and conquests. Once, he had even chanced upon a detailed documentation of a blade's forging and crafting. While he remembered the information, he could not seem to grasp the elegance of a blade, even one made of heavy wood.


He lifted it, examining the contour of the shape. It could cut through the air with ease and batter at foes mercilessly. As he found the ease in it's movement, he loosened his grip and did not give it the same white knuckle grasp he had before. Coeus breathed before he looked back up at the young warrior. "Let's try again."


Code by the Mentors; photo courtesy to Astrid Walter

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#7
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Adelle stared in surprise as the sword slumped down. Was he pouting? Adelle wasn't too sure how to deal with it, as she herself had thrown giant tantrums. Most of them involved going to sleep when she was supposed to though, or an argument that she'd had when drunk. Adelle didn't remember that, thankfully. Her body straightened up, trying to think about what others had done when she had done such a thing. Being reasonable was the key, she was fairly sure. Yes, you're a lousy fighter. You should be better for your age. Adelle was fairly confident that everyone in the world had warrior training. Meeting someone who didn't was odd.


You practice though. Every day. I get up and come here and move through, making sure I do everything I know how to. I spar with others. Do the same, and I'm sure you'll catch up. That was logical, yes? Adelle thought she sounded reasonable. Practice was a huge part of being good at something. If she stopped practicing, she would cease being a good warrior. Adelle nodded her head at his words, gripping her sword. Again she came forwards with the attack, bracing for his defense.


Out of character


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