Tala was fighting ferociously. She had been doing better today-and Simon had turned up the intensity of training to match. She didn't know how anyone could move that fast..and he never shut up! He just kept talking!
*ding, sprang*
"I'm not breaking a sweat here, sweetie. Stop holding back."
*tang, dang, ka-clang*
"You're fighting too sloppy-no finesse, no skill-just desperation. Like a Prostitute with a knife, almost. Speaking of which..."
*tang, tang, ding*
"Do you really think that boyfriend of yours is going to stick around once he has enough of your body? Honey, he's already got one foot at the door. You cant hold on to a man if you can't give up the goods...and you're not getting any younger."
*ping, dang, dang, ding, clang*
"There's some real anger! It makes you unfocused, though. I could have had you right there. And there. Why am I wasting time on you, again?"
At that point, Tala lost ger temper completely, and tried a desperate overhead stroke-that was easily parried, and her sword was sent flying from her hand a moment later.
Simon grimaced-he used the hilt to knock her down on the ground-a hard lesson. To the untrained, his constant mockery and abuse was a sign of immaturity, but it was in a fact, measured psychological warfare. He used a make or break approach on his trainees, and more than often, those who were strong tended to rise to the top.
He stuck out a hand to help her up, saying.
"You're dead, Alanis. They killed you. All that beauty, all that strength-gone to waste because you lost your temper. The world is a pretty boring place without you, now. Is that what you want?"
In truth, Simon was so tough on her because he feared that exact thing. Like most men who lived through raw passion instead of cold logic, he was attracted to her-a potent combination of that strength and beauty that was so intoxicating to him...even if that Pasha fellow has taken claim of her heart, so it seemed, he could always hope.
He had vowed to himself to train her harder than anyone else he ever had. Partially for himself and his own code of honor-but mostly for her. She needed to be ready for anything.
"We're done for today, Alanis. Same time tomorrow."
Simon had a thought she had never looked more beautiful than she was when bruised, sweating, bleeding...and so very alive.
...
Tala found Pasha on the grounds not a while later. She was a little better ordered-having spent some time trying to pretty herself up for him-but the marks of recent combat were still glaringly visible. Tala tried not to show it, but she was walking a bit slower, breathing a bit harder.
He was sitting on one of the benches. Tala sat down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. Big strapping shoulders, yes. Very good for leaning on, grasping, holding onto for support when they...
"Your Wild Rose has had enough of her petals throughly plucked enough for today, wouldn't you say? Simon certainly doesn't hold back. You shouldn't blame him though, Pasha-It's what I'm paying him for. I want to be strong for you. I hope my beauty has not been so tarnished you mistook me for a overly touchy footpad."
She tried to laugh and breathed sharply as something settled wrong. Ow.
"Mmm, that stings...
Well, you must already know, but you and I need to visit the capital soon-and you'll get to meet the Queen, of course. You were always good with first impressions, but this is a woman I believe is beyond even your romantic skills. But, she'll trust you-or more likely ignore you, as she often does most people.
...and, Yes, we'll have to be more careful in the city...but, that's always made things more exciting between us. Remember that one time-in the barrel...or the confessional booth...the locked chest..."
Tala chuckled sweetly, nuzzling him. It was amazing what Pasha could do in such confined spaces!
"Anyway, business aside...what were you looking for out here? If you were looking for a private spot, I can show you some interesting places...where no one will bother us."
Tala smiled, merely enjoying Pashas presence, and the silence that stretched between her and him, for the moment.
Action: Arrange a meeting with the Queen-introduce Pasha Dolgorouki, my new tactician.
((OOC: That's my last official action for the season, too.))
Author
Topic: You Are King II: Tales of the Storm Coast (Winter 416a) (Read 238803 times)