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Post by Cedric Vyrrson on Jan 17, 2014 4:53:38 GMT
"Yes sir, sorry sir. I will try to remember that when I'm fighting for my life in close quarters."
"Yes sir, sorry sir?" His eyebrow raised with the question. "Try to remember?"
He brought the practice blade back, lightly tapping on her throat.
"Do you know how long it takes for you to die after your throat is cut?"
Cedric stepped in closer to her, eyebrow still raised.
"Certainly not long enough for you to say 'yes sir, sorry sir.'"
One of the most interesting aspects of the Vetr's personality had to be his ability to quickly switch from completely lighthearted and trivial to dark and foreboding in a way that not only kept people on their toes, but even managed to scare many of those who'd been unlucky enough to witness a transformation.
"Very few realize how truly vital the neck is," he elaborated. With his free hand, he reached up, tapping lightly in the areas he was indicating.
"In the back, we have the spinal cord. Even impact to this area can cause paralysis or death. The front has your windpipe, which when cut will quickly sever your air supply. To the left, we have your carotid artery, which has a lot of blood will squirt out very quickly--it can also get almost a hand-length into the air and about thirty centimeters to the side, as I've discovered with... personal experience. On your right is the jugular vein, which will cause blood to be sucked into the bloodstream, killing you in a matter of minutes. Of course, you could also just cut the entire head off."
The Vetr smiled brightly. "All wonderfully enjoyable ways to die, I'm sure you'll agree!"
He glanced over at Puck, and the drake looked back at him warily. With a caution that the mischievous beast did not normally possess, the drake swept his tail across the deck, sending Arnleif's blade rolling her way.
"Righto, on your feet." He once more assumed his fencing pose. "Whenever you're ready, m'dear."
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Post by Zsasilda the Solitary on Jan 20, 2014 23:27:08 GMT
- - Masquerade, a mask of steel; winding life onto the reel - - My goodness, does he think we haven't studied? I know about the damn spinal cord! Jugular too.
The bit about personal experience, mistress? Weren't you intending to study him?
Of course, Uri. Keep that somewhere. Arrange what we know about him, and transmit the data when you feel we have a sufficient quantity.
Of course, mistress.
He seems a lot more violent than we'd previously assumed. That's probably worthy of note as well.
He's tapping around your neck, mistress. But I am confident there is no present intent to harm.
"What the hell? I said I was sorry, didn't I?" Zsasilda protested. "I mean, I doubt I'll make the same mistake twice."
"All wonderfully enjoyable ways to die, I'm sure you'll agree!"
The Promethaen backed away slightly as Cedric Vyrrson concluded. She'd already known much of what he'd said aloud, but she'd been able to learn quite a bit about him from subtleties of phrasing and body language. A little while longer, and Uri would hopefully be able to transmit some useful information on an important member of the Drakonrhedi back to her people.
Important was a relative phrase, of course. Humans were important as a case study, but as little more, she sometimes felt. Although they did do a remarkable job of fighting the Behemoths, when they weren't busy getting killed by said monstrosities.
Puck pushed her sword towards her, and Zsasilda bent to retrieve it, not taking her eyes off the Vetr as she did so. Allowing Uri to make the necessary calculations, she assumed her fighting stance and circled her blade slowly in the air before her.
"Okay, let's do this again then."
Tags: Cedric Vyrrson Inspiration: I DON'T KNOW. My brother was blabbering on about Mass Effect, so maybe that contributed, but I doubt it very much. =P Notes: Table made by Opal.
- - And playing back now, the scenes that you looked away from - -
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Post by Cedric Vyrrson on Jan 21, 2014 3:54:06 GMT
"What the hell? I said I was sorry, didn't I? I mean, I doubt I'll make the same mistake twice."
Cedric chuckled slightly. "Even if you do, I doubt you will have the time to make it thrice."
His eyes followed her, brows arched, as she retrieved her blade, keeping her eyes on him.
The Vetr smiled in response to this, the edges of his eyes crinkling in a measure of the kindness that he normally displayed. "I wouldn't be so worried. The point of this exercise is to teach you, not thrash you into the ground. I'd be more concerned with the drake's mischief at this point."
It was true, as much as Arnleif might like to think otherwise. He was trying to protect her for when it was actually her turn to take the field. Even though he might seem out to scare her sometimes or be completely merciless when her guard was down, it was to ensure that once she was in a real combat situation, she was fully equipped to not only handle it, but come out on top with as little damage as possible.
"Okay, let's do this again then."
"Very well. En garde."
He lunged forward, striking towards her outside, before slipping his blade over to the other side of her line at the last moment.
As he struck, he spoke. It couldn't hurt to quiz her--she would learn faster, and she would learn to multitask that way.
"Tell me, what is the purpose of the Drakonrhedi as a whole?"
It was a question that many got wrong.
He pulled out, readying himself for her offensive attack.
| Tags: Zsasilda the SolitaryInspiration: PLAYLIST OF EPIC WOOT WOOT Notes: These two are kind of enjoyable together. I really don't know how Ced's going to react to Zsasi if she ever transforms. |
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Post by Zsasilda the Solitary on Jan 22, 2014 23:15:46 GMT
- - Masquerade, a mask of steel; winding life onto the reel - - With Uri's input, Zsasilda was able to block the strike. It wasn't exactly the most graceful block, and her opposite hand probably flailed a little too much; but it got the job zone. She winced and shot disapproving thoughts Uri's way.
Geez Uri, you're not usually this jumpy! Once will suffice, you know. You don't need to shout the same thing five times.
My apologies, mistress. I suppose all this training has worn my patience a little thin. Swordsmanship is not something I am accustomed to, as an OAI of the Promethaen.
Tell me about it.
"Tell me, what is the purpose of the Drakonrhedi as a whole?"
Zsasilda only now realised that a few seconds had passed since he'd said this- the Exemplar had been too busy with Uri- and decided it would probably be a good idea to respond accordingly.
"To protect humanity, of course," she said.
Zsasilda feinted left, then lunged for a gap between some right ribs but then, at the last moment, twisted to shift the focus of the attack towards his throat. She would not hit him in the event that he did not manage to dodge, but she felt fairly confident that he would, from what she had so far observed of this "Vetr". And observing had served her well, she reminded herself, as she found that she was getting all too caught up in the game. It was time to sit back, resume letting Uri tell her what to do, and just observe.
It will be my pleasure, mistress.
But no more shouting please, Uri.
Tags: Cedric Vyrrson Inspiration: Who knows? Notes: She's totally just going to pretend it's an alternate animal form if she does, Opal. =P Table made by Opal.
- - And playing back now, the scenes that you looked away from - -
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Post by Cedric Vyrrson on Jan 24, 2014 5:38:45 GMT
There was a pause. For thought, perhaps? Either way, the Vetr didn't really mind. As of now, she was only a Tiro, and would learn multitasking with time.
"To protect humanity, of course."
She struck, a rather elaborate three-way feint. He disengaged, taking a quick step backwards out of her range.
"Not a bad attack. However, that is a common misconception: the Drakonrhedi also are working to drive the behemoths to extinction entirely and we keep the clans in check. We are a very multifunctional force, and you will have to learn to fulfill all of the many required roles."
That was the true test of a Drakonrhedi, in Cedric's opinion: one's ability to handle the idiocy of the common folk, thrown at them all too often in humanity's bumbling manner.
"Tell me the clans and describe their flagships."
It was fairly commonplace knowledge, but she needed to be able to distinguish one clan's airships from the other at a glance. She might already have the skill, but there was no harm in double checking.
At the same time, he struck, going for a quick feint towards her stomach before redirecting his blade towards her knee.
Knees and legs were important things, after all.
A small part of the Vetr became briefly concerned. How long have I been here, anyway? I'm certain there's some stupid thing that's come up that I have to attend to. Can't spend all day doing unimportant things like ensuring the future of humanity, you know. Got to make sure that some drunkard doesn't bash in another's brains or whatever garbage they're up to.
Whatever. If they really needed him, they'd come and get him. It wasn't like he didn't have a giant drake asleep next to him and was waving a long pointy metal object and a Tiro or anything. He was fairly certain that he was fairly conspicuous.
| Tags: Zsasilda the SolitaryInspiration: PLAYLIST OF AWESOME gosh i love itunes Notes: Tell me if this roleplay is getting monotonous--we can change it up or finish and move on. |
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Post by Zsasilda the Solitary on Jan 25, 2014 3:30:46 GMT
- - Masquerade, a mask of steel; winding life onto the reel - - "Not a bad attack."
Look at that, Uri. A compliment!
"However, that is a common misconception: the Drakonrhedi also are working to drive the behemoths to extinction entirely and we keep the clans in check. We are a very multifunctional force, and you will have to learn to fulfill all of the many required roles."
Hmmm. Keeping the clans in check also?
He has backed off, mistress. Presumably to lecture us.
What if the behemoths are driven extinct? What then? Do they turn on the clans?
I must confess mistress, I am not altogether sure they would be that bloodthirsty.
Well, maybe not all of them.
"Tell me the clans and describe their flagships."
Zsasilda halted her observations, and felt Uri (who was currently multitasking between scanning for signs of attack and analysing the small details of Cedric Vyrrson's demeanor) do the same. What was this? This wasn't their area of expertise. She and Uri were primarily studying the Drakonrhedi!
"Well, the clans are Hrafnung, Armfastrung, Wulfing, Bjornung and,"
Lennarting. Block this strike, mistress. To the knee!
She blocked it with relative ease for someone so preoccupied, which surprised her immensely.
"Lennarting."
Zsasilda was fairly confident that the very slight pause between her fourth and fifth answers would simply have appeared as though she was trying to recall a minor detail which had slipped her mind. However, now came the tricky part.
Uri we didn't study this.
The flagships, mistress?
Quick, contact someone. Anyone you think will know.
"Their flagships are..."
Ferocity, flagship of the Bjornung. Zeppelin, painted with scenes of white bears fighting.
"The flagship of the Bjornung is...ferocity; a zeppelin painted with battling white bears," she said.
Frostfang, flagship of the Lennarting...
They went through in this manner, Zsasilda repeating what Uri said one or two ships at a time, thankful that the speed of "thought" was so much faster than speaking aloud, hopefully making her pauses less glaring than they would otherwise be.
After completing this task she realised that she had not attacked, and that Cedric hadn't attacked her, and she blinked and frowned.
"Are we done here, then?"
It wasn't exactly that she was sick of this, though of course all this conversation could wear at one who bore the title "Solitary". Rather, it just seemed very much as if not much else was going to happen. Perhaps he had seen enough, finding her ability at multitasking accurate? If only he knew to what degree she was really multitasking: but, of course, he would never know of Uri's presence; or of how much willpower it could take at times to maintain this form when really it would just be so much more satisfying to transform back into a Promethaen and have them worship her as they had others in days long gone.
Tags: Cedric Vyrrson Inspiration: I dunno but I enjoyed writing her "phone-a-friend" bit. =P Notes: Yeah no I relied heavily on the "Basics of Life" thread for this one. I would have completely forgot Bjornung otherwise. Table made by Opal.
- - And playing back now, the scenes that you looked away from - -
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Post by Cedric Vyrrson on Jan 25, 2014 5:56:14 GMT
"Well, the clans are Hrafnung, Armfastrung, Wulfing, Bjornung and... Lennarting."
Cedric nodded. Although it appeared as if she were slightly forgetful, the fact was that she could get the names quickly enough. The more well-versed she became in the world, the better she'd remember them, and such experience would come throughout her training.
She continued to list off the flagships, and to each correct answer the Vetr gave a short, sharp nod of affirmation.
"You'll learn many of the individual ships in time," he added after she had finished. "After all, you'll be interacting with them on a fairly regular basis."
She appeared to have ceased fighting in favor of chatting. That was alright, although she could've done better, she had already performed well today in multiple regards. As far as he was concerned, she was on the right track.
"Are we done here, then?"
"Unless you have a burning desire to continue fencing, yes. You've made progress."
It was nearly a compliment. You ought to watch yourself, Cedric. That's almost two today.
"I also probably have something to attend to."
Almost immediately after, a Tiro popped up from the steering platform above them. "Vetr Vyrrson! Iduneus Brofhafson needs your assistance."
Cedric sighed irritably. "What, did the dolt get stuck in a hole again?" he snapped. "I'm not at his beck and call."
"Sir, he needs help calibrating an... aetheric compass, I think?"
"Well, he can figure it out himself. I'm already far too busy."
Although it might be construed as a lie, it was actually a prediction. It was rare that his afternoons, even one so nice as this one, were free for him to devote to actual enjoyable pursuits.
The Vetr lowered his blade with a bit of a strained smile. "Well, run along, Arnleif. I'll see you sometime in the near future, when my schedule allows. Probably tomorrow."
| Tags: Zsasilda the SolitaryInspiration: playlist of ahmazing Notes: I find the clans easy to remember in alphabetical order. I can't remember their flagships, though. xD ALSO THE PHONE A FRIEND WAS GREAT |
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Post by Zsasilda the Solitary on Jan 25, 2014 6:50:54 GMT
- - Masquerade, a mask of steel; winding life onto the reel - -
"I'll see you later then, Vetr."
Her muscles aching not unpleasantly, Zsasilda left her mentor and made her way across the deck of the Drakonborg. She had a lot to think about, information to help Uri sort and send off. Speak of the devil; she could feel a vague sense of amusement from within her mind even then.
What is it? She asked.
Cedric Vyrrson doesn't seem to think especially highly of others.
This strikes me as more of an impartial fact than something humorous, Uri.
Well...with all due respect, mistress, you yourself hold this attitude towards the humans.
Still not seeing the humour.
I apologise, mistress. But perhaps it is an interesting sign when even the humans hold contempt for their own species.
If that's the case, I wonder why he is a Drakonrhedi, then?
I am sure we'll work it out.
Zsasilda found the stairs and descended below deck, making her way towards the dorm she shared with other Tiro. Tomorrow was a new day. For now, it was time to relax and ponder what she had learned today. In spite of all the distractions, she had confidence that her study had proven itself fruitful.
Tags: Cedric Vyrrson Inspiration: Thanks for letting him be her mentor! Notes: Lame little Zsasi concluding piece woo. Table made by Opal.
- - And playing back now, the scenes that you looked away from - -
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