Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 29, 2010 18:28:55 GMT -6
Scratching the back of her neck oddly as she watched him go off on his own, to be alone. Once he was far enough away from her view, she too, turned around and proceeded to get on with the day. There was much she had to do, as she soon found out with a soldier coming up quickly from behind. Marle turned to face him, as he handed her a listing of provisions from the quartermaster, on what they had left since the bandit attack. Apparently, some of the things had been taken, but nothing really all that important from the looks of it.
Chuckling, she went inside of her tent, and scribbled her signature in flowing script as she had been taught to do in school. The rest of her afternoon was spent about checking on soldiers, especially the wounded ones, to make sure they were better taken care of. The healers had a lot of work they had to do apparently.
Afterwards, she went back to her tent, and spent the remainder inside, brushing her hair, and reading her book.
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By the time that Gabbiano actually came back, she was sitting around a camp fire on that same log as before, but only this time surrounded by soldiers decked in armor with weapons in hand. Some looked up as they noticed Gabbiano, but kept quiet until he piped up himself. With a startled jump, she looked to him curiously. She was going to get used to this eventually, that's for sure.
"Ah, yeah, it is. My day was busy, as usual, but had a few hours to myself thankfully, did some personal things, but otherwise, it was a good day of rest. We were just talking about how lovely this country is. So, whats up?"
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 29, 2010 19:38:25 GMT -6
Gabbiano was startled. "Why, me? Oh, nothing I suppose. Wandering the plains is all. Ah, and I was thinking about looking for my brother - if he exists - once this is over. Hell, I don't know where I'll go after this..." He sat down on a log and kicked a stone with his foot. "For all I know, I'll be going back to Ilia and living off ends meat." He smiled at the ground, hoping that he was kidding himself.
He uneasily shifted position. "I haven't had a place to go in a while, so I suppose one may call me homeless. Not that that bothers me, I guess..." He averted her eyes, continuing to stare at the ground. "So... enough about that. Besides it all, my life is fairly boring." He slowly met her gaze.
"It's late, my friend. I need rest. I'll return to my hill. Sweet dreams, Marle." He stood, not letting her respond, and walked towards the hill using the stars as light.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 29, 2010 20:11:15 GMT -6
"After this is all done, huh?"
Sliding a hand into her pocket, Marle slowly began to stand up, nodding to the group as she turned her back on them to keep the conversation a bit more private, but unbeknownst to her, that the soldiers began to break away from the campfire all together. Peeking back over her shoulder seeing the last leave, she then went and looked back at Gabbiano, all the while listening close.
"For one, I hope you find your brother. I'm an only child, unless my parents have had another child while I've been gone that I don't know about...but I wouldn't want to be alone in this world under those circumstances...but don't go back to Ilia to live like that, go someplace warmer..."
Nodding a bit to him, Marle licked her lips, and tapped her feet against the soft grass under them. Gabbiano seemed so recluse as of late, but she couldn't do much as far as leeway. She couldn't go with him to search for this missing sibling, she had her own responsibilities.
"Um, goodnight then, Gab."
She muttered to herself, since she wasn't able to respond. Shrugging her shoulders, Marle turned back towards her own tent, and once inside, proceeded to seat herself on the comfortable ground under the tent's floor, sitting cross legged as she pulled her lance into her lap, and began to sharpen the tip with a sharpening stone.
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 29, 2010 20:18:08 GMT -6
Gabbiano, once atop the hill, looked back at the camp as a sharp wind blew through him. He felt bad for being so reclusive with her, and he knew it to be so, however... he was difficult when showing his emotions. And he didn't need more people seeing emotional sides of him, he felt it awkward. He hated that about himself, but there was not much to do now.
He continued up the hill, watching the night sky of Sacae. He chose a random spot on the hill and unchained his cloak, laying down on it. He closed his eyes slowly, enjoying the wind yet again.
Soon, he was asleep, but lacking dreams. He sleep was restless, and he tossed and turned on the hill uncomfortably.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 29, 2010 20:42:49 GMT -6
Looking over her now sharpened blade, she slowly got up and investigated it a little before moving outside. The wind was so sharp and cold, a little odd in such a warm territory of Elibe. This cold wind probably came from the Ilian mountainside. Smirking, she wandered a little outside, until she reached a clear patch, a long stretch of a clear patch. Still armor-less up top, and arm in a sling, Marle weighed the lance in her hand. The weapon felt like what a sword would be for most mercenaries...it felt proper, this weight.
Slowly, she began to remove the sling on her arm. It stung to move her shoulder, but that was mostly from not moving it at all since it was placed on. Now was the time to work it out. Marle began to move into forms and stances, thrusting, retreat, block, slash. Her moves were fluid and precise. She smiled a bit as she danced with her lance.
Marle loved to fight, or possibly more the style of the fighting. Without armor, she was more graceful in her movements. The moon was up and it was almost like the land was in twilight. it was bright despite being dark, thanks to the white light the moon gave off. Taking a break, she stopped for a moment and looked south towards where her destination reached.
"Richter...I know you haven't forsaken us.."
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 29, 2010 20:58:51 GMT -6
Without any other movement, Gabbiano, who was widely awake for whatever reason, groaned and opened his eyes to the Sacaen night sky. Beautiful it was, though strangely, Gabbiano was actually cold. He wrapped his cloak around around him, chained it, and stood up, still a bit dazed.
He was unaware of the time, but doubted he'd get any sleep. He sighed to himself, ruffling his hair, and started to walk. The camp was dark, and not a soldier seemed to be out. Gabbiano groaned again, wishing he'd packed a tent of some sort. His cloak only helped him so much.
While walking aimlessly, his ears perked up and he raised his head. His eyes darted, seeing a figure in the dark, wielding a lance gracefully. He smiled a bit, tilting his head and watching this strange figure. He slowly approached, keeping absolute quiet like he knew how, and took a seat on the ground in the dark. This show of dexterity from this figure was quite amusing to him.
Gabbiano squinted a bit, and recognized the style of fighting. Was it Marle he was watching? He considered it a dream for a few seconds, then realized it was reality. Tonight was a strange night. And even stranger, this knight was practicing out in the dark, after midnight. Nonetheless, he watched her, and he was amazed. Gabbiano wished he had such swordsmanship, but all he had down was graceful and fluid movements. He was a bit lacking about knowing when and where to strike... He could learn much from her.
In the dark, he approached, remaining a silhouette of shadow. Quietly, as if not to disturb sleeping soldiers hundreds of feet back, he called out to her. "Marle?"
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 29, 2010 21:27:24 GMT -6
Turning her head a bit slowly at first, she made out Gabbiano, despite the browns and greens he wore in the dark, and especially the black he wore. Running a guantleted hand through her long hair, she nodded to the thief as he slipped into line of sight. Her eyes were well adjusted for the night, so it wasn't that hard for her to spot him.
"Oh hey, what are you doing out here?"
Marle rose her lance overhead, and spun it on her hand, letting it come to rest beside her upright, and slowly she allowed herself to lean into the weapon. She frowned a little at him, wondering what exactly brought him here, and how exactly he found her, unless he had much better night vision than she did, which was very much quite possible, since hers wasn't so great.
"What's got you up so late? Spying on a young woman? How perverted."
Marle gave a laugh as she winked, but with the darkness, though it was still well illuminated at night, he may not see the gesture.
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 29, 2010 22:04:11 GMT -6
Gabbiano laughed, shifted his weight, and put his arms behind his head. "Yeah, I do it a lot." In the darkness, he only hoped she saw his smile insinuating a joke. He approached her.
"No, I can't sleep. My brain's a bit overloaded, and I'm simply cold." He sidestepped and turned sideways, shifting his foot. He drew his blade, letting it slide off of two fingers allowing it to spin twice in the air, and he caught it with his other hand. "But I could use a good spar." he joked. "Haven't practiced swordsmanship in so long... I'm probably as rusty as ever. But anyways..." He sheathed his blade behind his waist. "Why are you out here so late? You, my friend, have a tent, so don't tell me you were as cold as I was." He laughed a bit. "Is something on your mind, or did you really just come out to train?"
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 29, 2010 22:30:58 GMT -6
Marle only smirked as she picked up on his hinted joke. She was enjoying the cool breeze as it ran through her hair and over her face. Her arms crossed infront of her chest, letting the lance freely rest on her shoulder now, and gave Gabbiano a once over. her eyes lingered on that short blade of his, and sort of judged the blade on it's size. it would be very useful if he got in nice and close, but otherwise, it would be a hard blade to use. She provided the greatest challenge for him, being a soldier who uses a lance.
"When I fight, I'm more level headed, so as strange as it sounds, while I train, I am sorting out issues dealing with myself. I'm much more focused, but I guess it may also be dangerous to split that focus on other things. All in all, I train to have fun..."
Uncrossing her arms, she took a few steps back, and brandished her eight-foot long lance, and brought it down in a one handed combat style she was rather proficient in. Waving to Gabbiano, she started kicking in her feet to the grass, now hitting dirt.
"As for a spar...I could use one...this restlessness is sort of getting to me...and I need to relax a little...just because to not strike wounds, I'll do the same, but put your effort into the blade as well. Mean to strike me, or else you may be beaten easily. If I get wounded, well, that's my own damn fault."
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 30, 2010 5:53:52 GMT -6
Gabbiano bellowed. "Haha, I see. That's understandable my friend." He stepped back, turning his body, and making a t-shape with his feet.
"Sparring you is a fool's game, Marle. But I digress..." He swiftly reached behind him, drawing his blade from behind his waist. He enjoyed having it there as opposed to on his side, because that position hid the blade from sight a bit more.
Gabbiano brandished his weapon, then flipped it up skillfully. He caught it wonderfully, and then aimed its tip at Marle. He tilted his head and smiled. "Shall we begin? Take the first move." He winked at her in the dark.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 30, 2010 11:47:40 GMT -6
Marle watched again as Gabbiano flipped the blade, and then hook her head. he was good at that, but she wondered how well he could handle the blade while it was in is hand instead of in the air. As soon as the man signaled that he was ready with that cheeky wink, Marle rushed, leaping, and using the reach of her lance to cover the rest of the distance.
"A fools game? Hah! Shouldn't make suggestions to activities then, joke or not."
The bladed end of the lance came around from the side, as Marle was holding it by the very back of the handgrip to gain maximum distance. The attack was fast, but sloppy in a way. it was easily parried, and she knew this well, but still, this spar was more of a test to feel out how Gabbiano would respond. The motion of the swing was arcing from left to right horizontally towards his chest.
"The hardest thing for anything of that little blade, is to overcome a weapon with superior distance on it. Once you can defeat that, you'll be well on your way."
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 30, 2010 12:12:59 GMT -6
Gabbiano grinned widely, as this spar excited him. He was happy to show a high-ranking comrade his skill. Or, lack thereof... They would both soon see.
Gabbiano noted that her incoming attack had been too aggressive, and was easily dodged. He rolled back, barely escaping the massive weapon's wide arc.
"Phew," He sighed, laughing a bit. "I'm certainly glad that I've never had to fight an opponent with a lance. It would be my grave, that day." He smiled again, standing up slowly. He took his blade and whirled it, and it glimmered once in the night.
That is when he took his playful chance. He quickly dashed up, being quick on his feet, and feinted left. Upon the deceiving move, he just as swiftly came up, and jokingly tapped Marle on the neck with the butt of his blade. He laughed during this whole process, and lept back afterwards.
A showoff, Gabbiano was. He flipped his weapon behind him, catching it almost neatly in his other hand, then transfered it again with a turn. The blade cut through the air, making audible noise. "For me to fight you with armor on would be suicide, my friend. I'm glad that I caught you out here short of it." He smiled again, lifting his head and his blade. "Come!"
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 30, 2010 12:38:21 GMT -6
Feeling the butt of the blade against her neck, she grinned and watched as he backed off. Marle withdrew her weapon with a simple yank backwards, and caught the lance about half way up. She stood resolute, and the fact that Gabbiano got in close was a matter of her fault, she wanted to see how ell he could move and now that she had, a general idea of his agility was now in her mind.
"Without my armor? yes, yes, you would...but think about this. I'm slower in my armor, and I am not wearing seventy pounds of armor on me right now..."
As fast as Gabbiano was, she too was, devoid of her heavy armor. She moved freely, and enjoyed the freedom of no armor, despite it's defensive benefits. Keeping her lance pointed downwards at her side, as the base of the lance ran up along her arm as if it was a part of it. She moved deftly, Seeing Gabbiano closer, but well out of reach of his two foot blade, she made a rapid succession of two thrusts, and began to walk backwards, lance pulling up, ready to defend.
"I promise you, you won't get that close to me again, not easily, anyhow."
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 30, 2010 13:08:08 GMT -6
Gabbiano laughed, moving his hand over his eyes, and groaned. "Oh man, you're not going easy on me." He smiled at her again, shaking his head. "You're already better than me, with and without armor. I suppose I'll either have to fix that or deal with it." he finished, jokingly.
His eyes widened as the lance came, jabbing twice. It tore a piece of his clothing, allowing cloth to fall to the ground. He sighed with relief, and as she retreated the lance, he took the opportune moment.
Gabbiano dashed forward quickly, taking full advantage of his speed, and his blade collided with her lance in a lock of metal. He winked at her jokingly in the lock, then feinted right and rolled left. At this moment, he brought his blade centimeters away from her lower back and abruptly stopped it, laughing. When she took notice, he rolled backwards and took a knee.
"You tire me out, Marle." He laughed. "With armor, only one of those hits would count. And that lance would see to it that I can rarely get that close. Plus..." He looked up, sighing. "I have the nighttime to my advantage." He stood, brushing himself off while out of the lance's range. "Checkmate. Your move, friend."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 30, 2010 13:47:40 GMT -6
Marle could feel the vibrations all the way up along her lance and into her hand as the crash of iron into steel was heard in the night. Marle looked at Gabbiano closely, and as he wheeled to the side, she was caught off guard by quick movements...his feints were deft, and with the night, it was hard to incorporate them into her mind until it was almost too late. However, Marle continued to move with him, and as he went to strike the blade into her back, she had turned, and brought the lance in against her front, and pushed the blade away using the long base, just pushing it away.
Marle breathed a bit deeply, and a little heatedly, this kind of fighting was hard. She had only done it once, that time in the raid on a bandit's camp. She didn't like the night so much since then, but she had to overcome it. Seeing Gabbiano on a knee, she studied him for a bit, but let him rest for the time being.
"You're wasting too much energy flipping and somersaulting around. You have to conserve it, and keep it for later, but perhaps, it's better for you to do that, I know for me, I can't be bothered to waste any, I'd be too tired well before a battle ended.."
Marle began to move a little more cautiously, she briskly walked in, closing the distance. Her lance as usual held in one hand, and struck down at his feet, but aimed between them, hoping to get him moving again. Ripping the lance out from the ground, she struck at his legs again, only this time, it was a sweeping action, aimed to knock them out from under Gabbiano, to trip him, essentially.
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