Of Beasts and Blades - Cairma

[Jorality Algaranna]

Jorality left the Mistress of Trainees office, a note clutched in hand. She was dressed in the garb of a Tower Guard Trainee, bristling with blades. On her back, in a custom harness that had cost her a pretty pouch of gold, were two short swords, more like scimitars in their weight and shape. Down her spine in a sheath was a long dagger, matching the two in her sleeves, her boots, and her belt. In her redgold hair, two hair sticks concealed sharp stiletto blades, and inside her belt was a soft leather pouch containing her lock picks.

 

Jory found her way through the warders yards, as they were commonly called, towards the training grounds. Archers practiced against straw targets to the barked commands of their teacher, while others sparred in pairs with staffs and swords. "She said she wouldn't be hard to miss..." Jory muttered to herself, looking at each female guard on the grounds. Then her eyes found her target, and she almost swallowed her own tongue.

 

The spritely blonde's blade looked like a steel board with a point on one end, and a hilt on the other. Jory could see the clever design of the harness on her back; a custom job like her own. Curious to see if the woman hacked off her own head or not, Jorality leaned against the fence that separated the yard from the general area, and watched the sword dance from a safe distance.

 

When the woman finished, Jorality sprang lightly over the railing as easily as she sprang over balconies and rooftops, and held up the paper.

 

"Swordlady! I bid you greetings and good health! Might you be the Blade Master called Cairma?" she asked, giving a polite, yet jaunty bow.

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Cairma was starting to find the moments that she could train herself momre and more rare as the time passed on. After assigning a series of activities for Fior to complete as part of his 'training' she decided to put her free time into better use and work more on her balance. Often it was her strength that she continued to build and maintain byt practicing with weighted lathes and other activities, But Balance came with true devotion to her Sword.

 

Beast was a work of beauty, and far larger then what a woman of her size would be able to wield. And she paid every price to learn. And wield she did. Easily slipping into the Spring, she moved slowly through a variety of forms that were ment not only to challenge her balance but her control and strength. Disciplined to perfect her moves, she became her weapon as she moved at the same pace for a few more forms before taking the beat up a pace. It was like a dance that started slow and worked it's way faster through the paces. Beautiful and challenging.

 

Cairma could feel the girls eyes on her before she even came into vision. Piercing and judging. Balancing herself iin her last few forms she folded the fan and took a step towards the girl. young. was the first struck Cairma, but the hint of the weapons on her person todl her that she was no ordinarry Trainee. She had been taught something before coming here.

 

 

"Sword lady?" Cairma's eyebrow raised questioningly, frowning at the girls mild way of dismissing respect. However it was put a little off balance by the girls unusual cheery words but polite demeanor. "I am Cairma, but not a Blade Master. What can I do for you?"

 

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

Tower Guard

 

(Ooc: FYI, i'm training all my mentees to WS 8/9 prior to her Blademaster status to keep timelines from screwing with me. As until ws 8,there isn't as much demand for timeline-based RP's as the later character developement RP's are.. )

 

Sorry so late :)

 

Homework : (yeah, i do that.. ;))

 

1. Go through (http://www.aliciawilkerson.com/warders/?page_id=17) and Read through the different Req's. This technically is ws 0-2 all rolled into one depending,a nd yu already have WS 2. So what i need you to do is a little plotting (since i know your good for that. :P) I need you to tell me what you want to use to get to your WS 3. Obviously we're in the Yard, but i can't take you away without meeting you first. So read through the Electives and tell me if you want to use one of those...

 

2. Post your idea and your progress here (http://www.aliciawilkerson.com/warders/boards/viewforum.php?f=7) This way we can both keep track of where you are and so i can update your WS easier. ;)

 

3. Find a Roomate, and anouther Trainee to Rp with. :)

 

 

 

 

(Oh, and your up, James.. Next post is yours. :D)

[Wayfarer]

It was a strange sight, it got a few looks but those who saw it quickly looked away. A short figure, fairly indistinguishable but nevertheless animated, was shambling across the yards like a man on a mission. Of course, he wasn't exactly shambling, it might have been better described as a determined stagger with a pronounced limp in the midst of a loping gait. The combined effect of which laid somewhere between the bizarre and the grotesque, particularly as the right foot dragged slightly behind him as he followed the path that only he really knew.

 

A path toward a pair of women who stood by a rail.

 

It was the older woman who turned to him first as she saw him over the younger one's shoulder. Gesticulating wildly as he lurched by the younger one to hug the older one, his voice elongating some words while clipping others as he spoke. "Hae coomin heer, Kama! Kama, hae coomin heer naaaw!"

 

Becoming aware that they weren't alone even as the older woman said something that didn't quite reach him, he looked to the younger one as his face was split with a smile of pure pleasure. "Gurrl!" Closing the distance with the manic agility of a one legged monkey, he wrapped his arms around the girl who didn't seem to know what was going on. "Kama gurrl snel loik Susees. Naaa!"

 

Breaking away in alarm, he turned and was hopping away until an older man caught up and grabbed one of his arms. Trying to break away as the man with a burnt face spoke to him in calm tones that were out of place with his own protests, they were joined by a woman who ripped the man's arm away who was even shorter than himself. Taking the chance to make his getaway, he giggled as he backed away and fell over the railing onto the otherside. The argument between the man and woman ceased as they began to chase him as he almost leapt and bound away in a horrid skip that almost defied the range of motion that legs were capable of all while singing a nameless tune off-key.

[Jorality Algaranna]

The grotesque mockery of movement hurtled towards them in a sadly rolling gait, waving his arms and jabbering nigh on incoherently at Cairma. Jory opened her mouth to ask what the creature wanted, when it glomped on to first Cairma, then turned it's awkward affections on her. She went stiff as a board, and to her great relief, the person, whatever he was, hastened away in some sort of alarm. A man with a badly scarred face grabbed his arm, trying to calm him. It didn't seem to be working. Jory looked at Cairma as a petite woman joiend the scarred man, shouting at him angrily.

 

"Lady, I do be thinking that I have come to a place filled with mad people. This shall be much more interesting than Ebou Dar I think." she said sagely.

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Cairma struggled, literally struggled not to laugh at the man's antics. It was although uncharacteristic of him, it was highly amusing and far from surprising. Although, it really made her wonder about him sometimes. Actually, a lot of things about him made her wonder. She shook her head a little with a soft groan in hopes of relieving some of the pressure of laughter that was building up as she watched the man dance away in the arms of his 'handlers'.

 

Oh light...

 

She saw the girl's incredulous look and nearly doubled over before giving her about as straight of a face as possble. Given the circumstances, she was barely holding on, and it was a feat to keep i that way.

 

"Aye, that it is." She pursed her lips to hold in the laughter, but she managed, swallowing she continued. "Now about this "swordlady" business, Don't call me that. Ever. I'm Cairma, and who are you?"

[Jorality Algaranna]

Jory smiled, knowing she would like the woman. "I am Jorality al'Garanna, La-Cairma." she corrected herself. "You may call me Jory if you prefer. I was told to give you this." she added, finally presenting her note to the woman. "I'm not lacking in training, I promise you...though I doubt I'd fare well with my little blades against that beast of yours." she added, admiring the blade.

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Opening the letter her eyes quickly scanned the note. Looked up at Jory, and then read the note a few more times. Refraining from sighing she cursed Ginae a few thousand times over in any language she knew and proceeded to fold up the paper and place it into a pocked in her breeches. Glancing the girl over with a more critical eye she notted the girls arrogance, her pointy blades, and what Cairma would no doubt chalk up as exeperience. But it was far from enough.

 

"I you were not lackign in training you would not be here. Regardless how you hold yourself some that i have only been training for a few months with far better in a spar than you." The warning was not meant t hurt but to but the girl off guard. Someone previously trained by anouther often did not take to new trainers well, regardless of how willing they may be to learn. Different teachers have different teaching styles. It would not surpising that Jory would be any different in that aspect.

 

"But I can teach you to be better. This note," She patted her pocket, "officially places you in my care and thusly officially a trainee of the Yard." Cairma paused. She was never very good at intoductions or with new people. She was getting better but, "I'll have you show me what you can do with those blades, but first, what do you know of the Yard? Did Ginae show you around or did you just sign up and than sent to me?"

 

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

Tower Guard

[Jorality Algaranna]

Jory glanced around. "I do be honest enough to say I know little enough of this place. In Tear, I was taught by my Master to fear Aes Sedai. When I came to Tar Valon, I was told to honor them. I'm here to learn all that I can, from this place, from you, and from anyone else with something to teach me." she stated.

 

"As for sparring...I have skills, Cairma, but not the kind you would find in a sparring yard. Maybe in a tavern brawl...or a carnival." she said, blushing brightly. She leaned away from the woman a little, placing her hands on the rail for a quick getaway. Most people didn't take kindly to thieves, even reformed catburglars.

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

"A touch of Illiander in you as well." Cairma smiled a little softer. "Did a little thievery myself in my younger age. Infact there are few you will find within these walls that didn't pick a purse or two." She smiled inwardly, almost knowingly with a twinkle in her eye that gave away nothing. Motioning forward, Cairma stepped aside and then pointed to a dummy.

 

"Show me what you got. Jory. Lets see what I have to work with."

[Jorality Algaranna]

As Jory stepped up to the Dummy, she was relieved to know she wasn't the only ex-theif in the Yard. "I'm Andoran by blood, but I grew up everywhere. My master, who taught me...my trade...He was Illianer. After seven years, I picked up his mannerisms." she stated, not a trace of the accent. She often affected the ways of different lands, though Martin's ways came easiest. It was a shield, one she suspected she would not need here.

 

She stared at the Dummy. *Show her what I've got, hm?* she thought. The dummy just stood there. It didn't move. Martin had made her steal bells off a dummy just like this one, and gave her a thump for every jingle. Jory easily threw a dagger into the general region of the dummy's eye.

 

Then she turned, and placed her hands on a nearby rail, kicking up into a handstand. From there, she spread her feet for balance, lifted one hand, and threw again. The Dagger punched into the shoulder. As she went down to her feet, she did a backwards walkover, and as she came up, a blade left either hand, striking the groin and the left knee.

 

"It's much easier when they stand still like that...not that they ever do." she wrinkled her nose at Cairma. "I do believe my little blades will not be enough. Perhaps, do you think, I should take up a sword? I've not much power, but I do be quick enough so far." she grinned.

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Ooc: Just to reiterate, you have a ws 2, so thusly you have 'much' room for improvement. Got an idea.

http://www.sapphiresanctuary.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=902

[Jorality Algaranna]

((Bleah, you can tell I'm not used to starting at the bottom of the pile...posted back on SS.))

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Ooc: yeah, i know ..

 

Jayne: "I'll kill a man in a fair fight. Or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight. Or if he bothers me. Or if there's a woman. Or if I'm gettin' paid. Mostly when I'm gettin' paid."

 

IC:

 

 

Cairma watched the girl carefully as the dummy was attacked with the small weapons. The girl had a very high level of pride - almost too high - for the level of her skill would call for. Infact' date=' the whole attack was coragraphic and predicatable. She pondered on this as she watched the girl through the basic movements of what was similiar to a few of the beginners sword forms, but it missed enough of the force of the attack due to the size of the smaller blade.

 

"Honestly, it was pitifully weak and slow. Beautiful if seen onstage as a performer, but as a fighter it lacked the strength to do damage. If you wish to stun people or only disable them we can continue with your small blades, but you would be useless in a real fight." Cairma's word were frank and honest. The girl had talent, but she also had a seemingly over grown ego that would need beating in. Light, Ginae gave the girl the wrong mentor for the brow beating. Cairma was not one for beaing mean, dispite her track record for her temper. Temper and Temperment were two completely different things.

 

"Your speed could also use much improvement as you move for the attack and then attack, leaving yourself open. Your movement and your attack should all be one movement, not two. Something that we will obviously have to work on as well as how you handle your daggers. If you wish to move larger blades, of which i do recomend even if you don't use them as your primary weapon, you will have to break a few bad habits with your forms. You have the basics, but they are sloppy."

 

Her eyebrow raised challengingly, "If you are willing to learn."

 

 

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

TG

[Jorality Algaranna]

Jorality turned to Cairma, wondering what she thought. Martin would have slapped her shoulder, and told her that most foes were faster than a dot on the wall, but that she did well.

 

"Honestly, it was pitifully weak and slow. Beautiful if seen onstage as a performer, but as a fighter it lacked the strength to do damage. If you wish to stun people or only disable them we can continue with your small blades, but you would be useless in a real fight." Cairma's word were frank and honest. They stung. Jory clenched her jaw. She had asked to be here. She would not let this gixie with a big sword bait her temper.

 

"Your speed could also use much improvement as you move for the attack and then attack, leaving yourself open. Your movement and your attack should all be one movement, not two." Jory wanted to roll her eyes. Of course they should be one. Her foe should also be a drunk man with a fat purse, distracted by the sight of some clevage and a bit of ankle. Of course it was not smooth. Jory did not flow if the world did not flow around her. Again, she fumed. "Something that we will obviously have to work on as well as how you handle your daggers. If you wish to move larger blades, of which I do recomend even if you don't use them as your primary weapon, you will have to break a few bad habits with your forms. You have the basics, but they are sloppy." Jory scowled.

 

Cairma's eyebrow raised challengingly, "If you are willing to learn." she said. Jory's wrist twitched, burying a blade in the fence near Cairma's hip. "I'd like to see you cut a purse with that blade of yours, Swordlady. Not all of us are a subtle as a falling tree. I already admitted that I know nothing of the larger blades! Are you ox-dumb to go with ox-strong?" she baited, dropping another blade into her wrist as she pulled her longest fighting blade from the sheath down her spine. She leapt at Cairma, feinting a blow with the shorter blade at her eyes, the longer going for her armored midsection.

 

Her goal was only to show the woman she was not all puff and pomp. Her skills had been her livelihood, and even without some fancy sword forms, she could live and die by the blade as well as any woman.

 

OOC: En Garde, Squishypants!

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

She had expected the girl to respond with blades out. Infact, Cairma didn't even blink as the girl leveled a dagger into the fence not far from her own waistline. She would obviously play the game well, if not better than herself. --She was always horrible with games like that, for which ever reason--

 

Instead of untacking Beast from its sheath and leveling the girl right there, Cairma opted for one of her short swords that rested on her hips. She carried more than one weapon, but fools made the mistake that Beast was the only thing that she used and was proficient with. But it was not just Strength to her, it was all Balance. She fought with the reliance on both her speed and her strength and ability to switch between them both.

 

With very simple movements the girl was unarmed and with the blade at the girls neck, biting into it barely but not enough to draw blood... for a couple more seconds as the blade was fairly thin and extremely sharp. Cairma's eyes leveled at her carefully and as the girl looked lost without the blades in her hands.

 

"I know your kind well, Jorality al'Garanna. You think you know your trade, but you don't, and you will only submit to a Master when they are better than you." In a smooth and swift movement her blade was replaced in her sheath. She smiled, carefully..very carefully. "You have talent, that much I will give you, but you will have to be willing to submit to all forms of training, what I say goes. I will accept nothing less."

 

"If you can not handle it, than Leave. Or find yourself anouther to train under."

It seemed odd for her to not be willing to take on a trainee, but there was somethign about this girl that irked her so, pulled on a chain that fanned a fire that seemed nearly too wild to control. It was possible because she was used to training males, and she had not have to train a female since Coraman - who was doing fine without any major guidence from her - But something.. -Light.- she just could not put her finger on it..

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

TG

[Jorality Algaranna]

"I know your kind well, Jorality al'Garanna. You think you know your trade, but you don't, and you will only submit to a Master when they are better than you." In a smooth and swift movement her blade was replaced in her sheath. She smiled, carefully..very carefully. "You have talent, that much I will give you, but you will have to be willing to submit to all forms of training, what I say goes. I will accept nothing less."

 

"If you can not handle it, than Leave. Or find yourself anouther to train under."

 

Jory thought of Arron, and his juggling blades. She fingered the tiny blade where it was hidden in her belt, she smiled just as carefully as Cairma had. "You teach me how to use a short sword as well as you do, Cairma Vishnu...and I'll learn anything else you care to teach. And who knows? Maybe we can learn from each other, too." she grinned suddenly.

 

"Besides, everyone else is so much taller than me here."

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

"Besides, everyone else is so much taller than me here."

 

 

Cairma could not help but smile carefully at this. Reaching into her back pocket she pulled out a small coin purse that would look more familiar to Jorality than to herself. Aran was always a sneaky bastard and a better thief than any that she knew. Tossing the pouch back at Jory, she tried not to smile in a way that would be deemed inappropriate. Honour amoung thieves, after all.

 

"Trust me Jory. It's not the taller ones you need to worry about." Cairma headed back into the Barracks, turning back to face Jory. "I trust Ginae gave you your room assignment. Normally I would start you in the morning but i have a trainee that I'm already teaching then. You have until the afternoon to meet me here. Bring no weapons. You won't need them." Cairma paused in mid thought. ".. For a while, that is. I will start you on sword training when I feel your ready for it."

 

"Any last questions?"

 

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

TG

 

Ooc: WS 3 achieved. ;) Req's met. yadda yadda.. start plotting! ;)

[Jorality Algaranna]

Jory snatched her purse out of the air, grinning. Maybe she could teach the woman to hang from a rooftop by only her toes.

 

"Then I shall enjoy my afternoon, Cairma. I've got my room assignments...I shall endeavor not to find too much trouble until we meet again." she promised, tucking her purse away. The woman had quick hands. Jory could tell she would enjoy her training already.

 

With a casual salute, Jory leapt lightly over the railing, and headed twoards teh barracks. Mayhap her roommate was already in residence...

 

 

(Now I need to find someone who wants a roommate...)