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Post by Eren on Apr 27, 2014 17:54:59 GMT -6
"Hohoho, well then," Eren chuckled. Get his eyes checked... Heh, that was a new one. This girl had spunk. Much more fun to be around than all of those boring folks.
"Right, Lily. It's a pleasure...whoa." Eren couldn't get over the beauty of the Pegasus, and apparently, neither could Mika, who cautiously approached Serenity and gave a friendly yelp.
"About those arrows. Well, first of all -- I was flying low over the trees. It's quite likely that I blended in with the canopy quite well, with my armor and Mika being black and all. However, I think the more probable answer is that the bandits fired towards you, and I was also flying towards you. Thus... As I approached, I was behind the bandits, and so they couldn't see me."
Eren smiled again, taking notice of the relatively new condition of Lily's lance. "I take it from your appearance and the condition of your gear that you're relatively new to the field of combat, yes? You fought quite well for someone without years of combat experience. Well done."
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Lily
Pegasus Knight
Posts: 25
Profession: Pegasus Knight in Training
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Post by Lily on Apr 27, 2014 18:29:14 GMT -6
Suddenly she was self conscious about her lance. As if his observation were a criticism. She heard the praise, and knew it was a compliment, but still, she didn't like being looked down on when it came to fighting. But... She was very new. She couldn't deny that much. After Eren's words, she wondered if she could mimic his flying style to avoid arrows in the future. But then again, a white horse and blue armor...
"I've had a lot of training. Back home. But to tell you the truth... I never did see combat outside of that. Nothing serious, anyway," she admitted in response to his last question, looking at the ground, "But that... That's why I was told to travel, right? I need that experience. If I ever want to become a full knight..."
She sighed, finally bringing her eyes up to meet his.
"I'll need to learn how to fight, and... And to take a life, when I need to. Like you did, back there. And... Like I couldn't. It's what my people expect of me," she said, conviction in her eyes, "And so... Brigadier General Barrata, I wish to ask a question of you. Or... A favor, rather. You are a man of martial prowess, and a friend to my people, yes? And... I'd like to know if you'd have the room for me to serve alongside you, if not just for a short while. These bandits... If you wish, I'd like to help you handle them. I feel it's the least I could do for you saving me back there."
She looked between Eren and the wyvern, her mind settled. There was a certain fire that lit in her eyes when she held conviction in a plan. She didn't think on what she'd do if he said no, he didn't need the help, or if something else were to come up. But, her instinct told her that she should ask, even if it came out awkwardly formal. Still, her drive showed through in her eyes and her words, and she could only hope he realized that she was serious with this offer.
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Post by Eren on Apr 27, 2014 20:52:27 GMT -6
"I've had a lot of training. Back home. But to tell you the truth... I never did see combat outside of that. Nothing serious, anyway," she admitted in response to his last question, looking at the ground, "But that... That's why I was told to travel, right? I need that experience. If I ever want to become a full knight..."
No... Combat? What?! To Eren, that was... Unthinkable. Hmm. Maybe this girl would make a good apprentice...?
"I'll need to learn how to fight, and... And to take a life, when I need to. Like you did, back there. And... Like I couldn't. It's what my people expect of me,"
So it hadn't been an intentional strike. It was... Mercy. Mercy. A word that Eren had learned was not a gift. Not a favor you bestowed. No, to Eren, mercy was a tool. Mercy could inspire love, or fear, or even hatred. And Eren, in his heart, knew that if it came down to it, dead men couldn't frighten their fellows. And it was always better to be feared.
"And so... Brigadier General Barrata, I wish to ask a question of you. Or... A favor, rather. You are a man of martial prowess, and a friend to my people, yes? And... I'd like to know if you'd have the room for me to serve alongside you, if not just for a short while. These bandits... If you wish, I'd like to help you handle them. I feel it's the least I could do for you saving me back there."
The girl wanted to fight alongside him?
Well, that solved the apprentice question. But... He didn't want to see her hurt, especially not as a result of his taking her under his wing... No. He needed to distance his emotions from this. Rational thinking. That's what would make the best decision.
"Lily... What you're asking is quite the serious undertaking. I'm more than willing to take you as an apprentice of sorts; in fact, I was going to ask you if you'd like that. However, I need to inform you of a couple of caveats, namely, you might die." Eren spoke very deliberately. He didn't want this to be misunderstood. If the girl wasn't serious, this would be enough to scare her.
"I will do everything in my power to teach and instruct you in order to help you grow stronger; in fact, I can reasonably see you one day becoming even more skilled and powerful than I. However... I'll be counting on you to watch my back as well.
Do you think you are prepared?"
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Lily
Pegasus Knight
Posts: 25
Profession: Pegasus Knight in Training
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Post by Lily on Apr 28, 2014 15:25:50 GMT -6
"However, I need to inform you of a couple of caveats, namely, you might die."
She gritted her teeth a bit at those words. Not because they were something she feared. If anything it only reaffirmed her belief. That was a truth she accepted ever since she moved on from training. Would she be prepared for it when the moment came? She didn't know. But to give up on that belief now would be to give up everything she'd worked for.
"Do you think you are prepared?"
She took a minute after that, taking a breath.
"... Honestly? I don't know. But... I do know where my heart is, and I do know that I can't be prepared for much of anything without getting stronger somehow. So if I'm not prepared now, then I aim to change that quickly."
She wasn't expecting him to consider her an apprentice as much as a mercenary, but she was glad for that. Her lack of confidence always held her back with getting hired on, or finding her place anywhere else, but here she felt the need to be honest. At least, what she considered to be honest.
"I'd... I'd watch your back as best as I could. You have my word," she said, as serious as she could be, "My pledge and honor as a knight."
She brought her hand to her heart with a light bow, to show she meant those words fully. What she lacked in confidence, she had in determination.
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Post by Eren on Apr 28, 2014 16:32:34 GMT -6
So she would join him. Very well, this would do. Without an adequate force, anyway, attacking Fort Claw would be risky and the probability of success slim. He'd keep on the lookout. Maybe... Yes. He'd use the survivors of the attack on the bandit HQ to bolster his force and then capture the fort. Excellent. In the meantime, he needed to assist the young Pegasus Knight. This would be a fun break from the stresses of his life.
"Well, then, Lily, I think it's settled. I'll pass on all I can to you."
Smiling broadly, Eren gave a dissonant, two-tone whistle, and Mika hopped over to his side.
"First of all... What's your flying style? If you're more used to a technical flight style, which Mika prefers, you emphasize your mobility and ability to improvise as you engage in aerial combat. Some of my peers, however, used a brute speed approach that brought them a high-force, high-speed trajectory. Both have their merits and downfalls, and the style you prefer will affect the maneuvers that will feel most natural to you."
Eren was in his element now; it had been quite a while since he'd had someone to earnestly train and discuss with. The last rider he ever met... Was that boy, Shugo. Wow. It had indeed been a while.
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Lily
Pegasus Knight
Posts: 25
Profession: Pegasus Knight in Training
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Post by Lily on Apr 28, 2014 17:24:06 GMT -6
In some ways, she was surprised at his acceptance. Even though he said he would've asked her anyway, she still find herself in disbelief that something was actually going her way. She gave Eren a wide smile, quickly going to Serenity and saddling herself once Eren went to Mika.
"My flying style? Um... I guess we favor the technical style, when you put it that way," Lily responded, placing her hand on the reins, "Speed's our best ally. Mobility. Sometimes I wish I could put everything into one blow, but... That's more my brother and sister's style."
She could tell he was used to this role. Leading, that is.
"But like I said, I'm quick. I'd say we could have a race to prove it, but I'm not sure how safe this area is anymore," she said with a quiet laugh, getting over the awkward formality and getting more used to just being her true self, "Maybe when we get where we're going I'll show you. Speaking of... Where should we go now?"
She was excited. Her energy showed it. The start of something new.
(Ending of this thread.)
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