Combative Arts

[The Watcher]

Jezra waited for her class to begin. She was here already and the class was set up she only had to wait for her students to arrive. The classroom had been transformed into just enough desks for the team members and the rest had been chnged into a training ground sort of thing. They had all been sorted as she saw fit and she smiled thinking about how this class was going to work out really well. She tucked her white hair behind her ears as she waited. She was an expert on all things fighting but this was a different class. One where it would test the students ability to use as well as instruct their own methods. She was eager to see what they would and could do.

She sat on the edge of her desk her pistol, a beretta 9 mm next to her that was normally tucked in her belt. Her sword was a katana it was her blade of choice and it hung on her black leather pants just right. She wondered who would be her first student and who would be her best. She loved these kinds of classes to see the different magic and to see the different styles as well. It was amazing how these kids incorporated both.

[Darian Dumonte]

Darian would be the first to arrive not wearing a mantle just a casual combat outfit for himself. He wore a long-sleeve shirt with a custom-made flak vest over his chest to help protect him. Leather fingerless gloves were on his hands the backs of each glove having a metal plate sewn into them to better protect his hands. Long-slacks were being worn as well made of a tough and durable material as was the shirt. His shoes had been exchanged for full boots with the metal plate in the toes for ball-kicking goodness. His belt was a custom-designed on having pouches a plenty for the ammunition that Darian needed. His custom Forest Raven in it's holster the gleaming gun his weapon of choice in nearly any situation. In it's sheath at the oppisite hip of his main gun was his sword a beautifully crafted weapon in its sheath waiting to be drawn.

Darian had two Glock 19Ls sitting in their holsters begging to be drawn and used against someone. Just begging to be unleashed on an unsuspecting opponent. Each Glock holster was at the back of his belt for a crossdraw should he need it and no doubt he would in this classroom. Darian's final weapon the two Seacamp pistols were hidden on his person being small weapons they were useful for suprise attacks or when he had nothing else to use. He gazed at the teacher for a moment and gave a respectful nod. Striding beside Darian was Orchid his black snow leopard familiar who merely scratched the ground lightly in uninterest. Darian had no intention of using Orchid today but, the company and the backup plan were always nice as he took his seat and folded his arms lightly.

"Good morning professor," he said in that smooth french-accented voice of his.

[Lanji Romano]

Lanji strode towards the room his armor shimmering with the polished sheen as he walked. The knight was fully aware of what this class entailed and looked forward to it today since it would be a fine test of his abilities. Tacet was on his shoulder Fait left behind for now he would be called if it was required for this classroom. Lanji was wearing his full plate once again his armor clinking almost silently so well-taken care of and well made it was. Shimmering plates nearly reflected the light that came his way and even the helmet he was wearing seemed to sheen. His face-guard was pushed up for now revealing a handsome and well-weathered face accustomed to training in the outdoors. Lanji hadn’t a good training session in awhile and this class would present a most interesting opportunity to not only test his abilities of self but, also see the potential that others had. This was after all a classroom so thus the competition here would be friendly something that he would enjoy himself.

This shalt be a glorious morn fair Tacet only marred by the fact that Midori wilt not be part of this class. Still in order to protect the fair maiden we must be of top condition would’st thou agree?

There was only a soft hoot to reply to the knight’s question. Though Lanji had a mental bond with Tacet it was not yet trained enough to where he understood the words that she spoke. Consequently he did not understand the words of Fiat either. Thus he had learned to simply trust in their answers and support something that was tricky in itself but, a worthy endeavor. After all if you could not trust your closest friends in the battlefield then truly would thou be lost in the thick of things. Lanji opened the door seeing the combat professor whom he gave a courtly bow only slightly marred by the creak of his armor. The owl hovered in the air during the bow and landed right again. The lavish cape that hung from his shoulders showed he was not of humble wealth. A handkerchief was worn around his neck something that he promised he would wear for Midori all the time to remind him of her. Though it remained unseen under his neck guard the beautiful embroidery of owl, sword, and initials hanging at his neck.

“Good morrow professor and fellow student.” Lanji declared in a rich voice as he strode to his seat amazingly sitting down without so much as any trouble as he sat his shield beside the desk. His broadsword still he wore and he removed the helmet and gauntlets for now.

[Lucian]

Today was the day of the Combative Arts Class and Lucian was rather excited. He had only fought in a spar or two in the Training Grounds and the only real combat experience he had gotten here at the Academy so far was his mission to seal a rupture in France. Even that mission had gone as smoothly as he would have liked but he had made a combat buddy in the process. He dressed for the class, a black tanktop and a pair of black running shorts. Over which he drapped his customary black robe, that would be lost once the fighting began however.

He made his way down the corridors of the Academy to the designated room for the class. Lucian stepped inside with a emotionally blank face for the most part. Did not want to give anything away too soon, at least not until the fighting started. His vision swept across the room to view the teacher, quite a beauty in her own right, though it was more than likely that underneath her beauty was a fierce fighter. Next he saw what appeared to be a knight, interesting to say the least, but not entirely unexpected the Academy attracted all types. Then the last person in the room was Darian Dumonte, the gunmage who he had not quite gotten along with on the Rupture #444 mission.

Lucian sighed a little, might as well try to see if Dumonte still held a grudge. He stepped across the room with a small smile on his face as he held out his hand to Darian, "Long time no see Dumonte.." he said softly in a thickly-accented Romanian voice.

[madelyn]

It was time. Nervousness? Yes it coursed through her body making her ill in a way. She almost wished this class was a night nor in the afternoon instead of the morning for her nerves mixed with morning sickness were doing a number on her poor thin frame. She had always been a thin girl but now she seemed a bit thinner and more pale due to the fact she ate only as much as she could keep down. This morning had been orange juice, ripe with vitamins and low on substance.

She dressed herself in blue jeans and a button down blue shirt the color of the sky. She wasn't sure what she was going to do today nor where the day would take her. Combatitive Arts. It was something she knew nothing of but strove to learn if to protect the ones she loved. For now as it stood unless she played her flute she was completely defenseless and that was something a mother could never be. Using a hair brush she pulled her hair up and back into the pony tail she wore near everyday. Today she added a small ribbon that was white to her hair, she wasn't sure why but she knew that Jon would like it. He always seemed to like the small and simple things she did differently.

Slipping on her tennis shoes she clipped her flute to her belt just incase and headed out the door. Jon was probably training, for what she wasn't sure but she didn't mind that he kept his routine. She rubbed her stomach trying to calm down the twins as she headed down the main stair case silently towards her class. Swallowing hard as she came to the door she stepped inside and blushed for some reason. There was Lucian the only person she knew in this class and so of course she gravitated right to him.

She wrapped her arms around his right arm and smiled up at him softly. She gave that happy little wave that she had and her violet blue eyes seemed to brighten. At least she wouldn't be completely alone and among strangers here if Lucian was in the class too. She stood there next.. okay.. clinging to Lucian as she eyed the others. A boy with lots of guns.. he was not scary looking but the glint of the metal at his waist sure was. And a knight looking man straight out of some fairy tale was there as well. She was trying to be strong again.

Had to be.

[Roy Atenwood]

((OOC: Roy's appearance: www.gamerankings.com/screens3/21750/1.jpg The red-haired dude, not the orc.))

Roy arrived, wearing his usual Inoan Warrior garb. There really isn't much to say about that, other than he was wishing he had a washing machine. These clothes were clean, but all his others were still in a laundramat in the city.

Suffice it to say, it sucked.

He walked in, slightly miffed, and said "Good morning, Professor.", and ignored the other students as he sat down. He unsheathed his spear from his belt, and messed around with it. Extending it, and retracting it.

Alright....when does this class start, already?

[Fukushuu no Mumei]

~Tenshu and Kyoden were the sixth combatant to walk into the room. Tenshu had his weapons concealed in his blue kimono, as usual, while Kyoden was simply a massive suit of armor; a container of souls. Tenshu walked to one end of the room and examined everyone. Darian, the gunslinger from his Dark Arts class. He only recognized Darian, from his Dark Arts class, and Madelyn, from the balcony. The others, Lanji, Lucian, and Roy, were unknown. Tenshu's opponent was to be someone named Darts. He had not known if he was here or not. He glanced at the professor. She was rather beautiful, grim, and happy about it. Her hair was also white. He noticed that she, too, carried a katana of sorts. Tenshu's weapon of choice? He had his jade katana for regular use and the banish shadows. He had his crystal katana, but not with him. He had obtained a jitte the night before, specifically for the class. Well hidden. Lastly, Tenshu had Kyoden. Without Kyoden, Tenshu would not have half of his magic today. Kyoden was the bearer of all souls he had collected. Tenshu's magic was based on souls rising and binding to bodies, as well as undead bodies without souls, which was a harder concept.

The fights would not begin until two more had arrived. Until then, Tenshu thought of a way to pass the time. "Watch the door, Kyoden," He said, walking towards the professor. "Excuse me. Good morning, professor," Tenshu bowed, "to whom may I have the pleasure of meeting thee?" He rose his body and gave a half-smile. "My name is Tenshu..." He had been fond of Ms. Stone, but she was everyman's woman. This professor, Ms. Zion, he did not know about, but he would find out before the others had. At least, if combat did not get in the way so soon.~

-=}N{=-

[Darts]

Darts walked down the halls of the academy, trying to find his damn class. The academy was very large and very annoying. Darts newfound personality made him very eager to join the class in which he signed up for. This may give him the chance to make some new allies ad show the ones who opposed him the way things would begin to go. Darts continued down the halls until he saw ahead of him, Dusk flew up onto the shoulder of Darts.

I found it.

Good give me the directions and we head over there.

Why do I have to go anyway?

You are not just a pet Dusk. You are a type of weapon I use in battle to help me win. Along with you I can combine better combos to give me a definite edge in combat.

So you treat me just like an object.

You are still my partner and that should be enough. Anyway, when we get there, I want you to keep your opinions to yourself and only speak when spoken to.

Dusk was ready to send a barrage of shouts into the head of Darts but before he had the chance, Darts glared at the bird and told him to give Darts the directions. It was true that he could use Dusk but if it turned out that it would be impossible then that would just be the way it was. This may not make much sense if this was stated to a person but Darts would explain it to Dusk nonetheless.

As Darts walked up to the door, turned the knob, and walked in, he quickly shot a statement into the mind of Dusk.

If for some reason I am not allowed to use you in this class today then you will just have to sit back and watch. Also, if I hear one protest about this starting now, I will severely punish you.

As Darts entered the room he took a brief look at his surroundings. There were seven people in the room, not including Darts, and including the teacher. There were five males. Each male looked relatively normal. But Darts wondered if any of them would be on his pinion of life and the academy. Evil, would be the personality Darts would be looking for if you wanted to be dull.

Angry, atrocious, bad, baneful, beastly, calamitous, corrupt, damnable, depraved, destructive, disastrous, execrable, flagitious, foul, harmful, hateful, heinous, hideous, iniquitous, injurious, loathsome, low, maleficent, malevolent, malicious, malignant, nefarious, no good, obscene, offensive, pernicious, rancorous, reprobate, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sinful, spiteful, unpleasant, unpropitious, vicious, vile, villainous, wicked, wrathful, and wrong were all the things Darts would be looking for today.

But something else caught his eyes. In fact it was two things. The first was the fact that Lexandra wasn’t here yet and that Darts wouldn’t be able to have any fun with her for a couple minuets. Yes, the fact was the when looking at the signup sheet for a second time to see who had joined, Darts saw that Lex had signed up and this gave him even more of a reason to go. The second was the fact that the teacher was freaking hot. Darts got a good look at her, she had white hair...a body...a sword and gun...*Begins to drool in mind* Darts wondered what he could do with someone like that. She kind of looked a little mean and a tad evil. This made Darts wonder. What could he do? Only what he did best, smirk. *<= Corny >*

“Yeah, so I am here now.” Darts said in a tad pissed off tone as he realised he would have to wait for the one last person.

[Lexandra]

Well hell she had to go to a freaking class. Well on the plus side at least it was something she knew about. fighting? Yeah she could fight and kick ass at the same time. That was the pain point but she wanted to get better believe it or not and so she had signed up for this class. Darty boy had run away from their little fight/challenge. He had threatened her and then refused to step up the plate. Chicken him and his stupid bird.

She stepped into the room looking right sexy if you asked anyone with eyes. Tight jeans that hugged her every curve and a demin jacket that was black with the orange accent thread that made her stand out. Black hair with marroon highlights pulled back her three bows and three quivers lay around her body as her heeled boots clicked on the stones. Her eyes scanned the room because it was going to be interesting to see who showed up.

Oh well lookie here. Dartyboy. I hope he's on my team, or my opponent at least, so I can finally kick his butt. She rolled her eyes as she stood over by the knight boy because she sure as hell wasn't standing next to Darty and his twin. She she sighed softly and wondered when this class could start. She was ready to kick some ass. What the hell was with the blonde chick she seemed scared out of her mind clinging to the tattoo guy for dear life. What the heck!? She definatly needed some training. Maybe a bruise or two and she would fight back.

[The Watcher]

It was definatly a mixed breed in the class. Not by class rank standards or even their magical standards but each one was unique and extremely so. Jezra watched as the first boy that was loaded down with pistols came into her class and she grinned.

..Gunmage, Darian Dumonte. Fiance': Shea Donnovan...

Yes he was an easy pick. He was easy to place that was all that mattered the guns easily gave him away and so her first student had arrived. She gave one of those nods in a good morning nature as he greeted her and then waited for the other students to arrive. It wouldn't be much longer when a Knight fresh out of a story book seemed to come gliding in. She raised her brow. Rumors followed this individual.

..Vatican Knight, Lanji Ramano. Dating: Midori...

Interesting match if you asked her. She had plans of course for all the information she had gathered on these people only a few of them would be hard to match with but she would find a way to push their buttons all the same because that was what she was here for was to make them fight. Show them how and make it happen. She grinned as a rather heavily tatttooed boy came in and greeted the class. He seemed to have a fire in his eyes when it came to the gunmage and Jezra didn't miss that. In fact plans already forming in her mind made it more fun.

...Rune mage, Lucian Dragomir. No current fling...

A girl? She came into the class looking sickly and about to puke. No visible weapons on her aside from a small rectangular case that hung off her belt. Jezra raised a brow. What in the world was this delicate flower doing in her class. This was not a class for the faint hearted. You had to step up or get out. She raised her brow further when she saw the young girl attach herself to Lucian. Dating.. no the girls in this class were both with someone. This much be Madelyn for she saw no bows on the girl.

...Song Mage, Madelyn Winters. Husband: Jonathan...

For what she remembered of the girl's file she hadn't spoken in over eleven years. Could but didn't. How odd. Her eyes were taken from the girl when a young man with flowing white hair entered. It was rare for people to have white hair her own was a testiment to her years in battle, fighting, and magical workings. She was well versed in her field and the hair had come on its own but tended to be the envy of others. He had his suit of armor watch the door, for what she was unsure but hey whatever floats your boat. She watched as he came up to her bowed in a rather traditional manner. Her beautiful blue eyes looked over the man and she smiled in return. Respect, now she liked that.

...Dark Summoner and Soul Reaper, Tenshu. No current fling...

"Good morning Master Tenshu. It is a pleasure to welcome you." she said softly as her eyes danced for some reason. Yes, yes he was a nice boy one she could see getting along with rather well. Helped that he had been so polite and respectful.

Her eyes flitted back to the door when a boy and his bird came in. A hawk on his shoulder. Not everyone could deal with a hawk and their personality. Usually they had to find the master with the same personality as them. He seemed to check her out and she winked at him just because she could and because he was standing there gawking.

...Shield Mage, Darts. No current fling...

Missing only one student the girl named Lexandra. Her file had been changed so often recently it was hard to keep up but her love life at least was stationary for now. So when the doors opened again and a rather mad looking girl came in sporting three bows and several quivers Jezra smiled. This girl had spunk she could see it in her very demeanor and she liked a girl that wasn't afraid of saying it like it was.

...Archer mage, Lexandra Giovanni. Boyfriend: Xavier Macallister...

With her class here she looked to the door and it shut. Locking them in for now. Yes the door could be unlocked if she wanted it to be or if that fragile girl had to be rushed to hospital or something. Jezra's element was wind magic and it helped quite often in battle and she was damned strong with it too. She slid off her desk and slid her Beretta 9mm into the belt at the front of her pants she looked at all of her class.

"Good morning to you all." she said in a sweet deep Russian accent that played beautifully on the ears. Her voice was smooth and it seemed to resonate. "My name is Jezra Zion. Please.. call me Jezra, Miss Zion doesn't suit me very well." she smiled.

"Now, you are all here to be trained in the combative arts, no? So then let us begin by telling groups. For your first groups of ze day you vill be as follows... Darts you vill be with Master Tenshu here. Darian you vill be with Lexandra. Lucian you vill partner vith Master Roy and ze young girl Madelyn vith ze knight Lanji." she said in her accented voice.

"For you're first order of business in zis class you vill get to know you're opponent. Yes. Opponent. Because I vant to see your skill before you learn. To see vhat you know and vhat you need to learn. So first assignment. Sit at a desk vith your partner, talk for a moment. Gather information on zer demeanor and so forth. On paper write your thoughts and place it on my desk. Begin."

She moved to her desk again and pulled herself up. Getting out a book she probably threw everyone in the room off as she began reading to let them work.

OOC:
Everyone will post twice, if you don't, you get left behind and well that sucks. Here's the deal. You will post once to ask questions and then answer them. Make sure you but detailed stuff, internal thoughts, personality. So forth. So for instance Darian would post with Lexi asking her questions and generally summing her up. She would answer and ask her own. Then Darian would reply and then write his paper to turn in. Lex then would do the same. Two posts from each team member. I'll be watching. And try to speed it along as best I can when the first papers are turned in. DO NOT use knowlege you have from reading posts out of this thread unless YOUR character specifically was in that thread.

[Roy Atenwood]

Roy was a bit thrown off. Getting to know your opponent? It made sense, actually.

Something logical? In this school, that seemed illogical.

He had to read surface thoughts, things like names, and what they were thinking at the moment, to figure out who Lucian was, but when he did, he walked over, notepad in one hand, pen in the other.

"So, you're Lucian, right? I only have three questions, and I hope they're good enough for Miss Jezra."

Roy wrote his name, and the date on the paper, as you would at a human school, and then asked, "So, where you from, what kind of magic you use, and what's your favorite type of music?"

Those questions should catch him off guard. Psycology 101. Know Thine Enemy.

[Fukushuu no Mumei]

~Tenshu was pleased to receive such a response from someone of commanding status. "Russian, I see." Tenshu smiled.

(((OOC: I'll be speaking a little Russian, but I'll translate it. I don't have the characters package for this computer, so I'll just put syllables.)))

"Iyat virzha, Jezra smna. Tozk perviy n mech vec zarata." (A pleasure to meet you, as well, Jezra. I'll see to it that you'll see only the best of me). Tenshu nodded, and took his seat promtly. Kyoden only stood behind. Tenshu put his hands together by each fingertip, leaning his elbows on the table, and moving his head in slightly. The one who had sat down must be Darts. Tenshu would have had the same questions for everyone. First, his aura showed no threatening signs. Second, this person seemed to have too much character, just by the way he sounded upon entrance, and too much ambition. What would he ask Tenshu? He knew the answer to all of his questions, of course. But, what would Tenshu ask? No one necessarily has to asnwer the right answer. Asking what kind of magic used would be of some help, but not much. Instead, Tenshu simply said to Darts, "You first. Ask."~

(((OOC: Sorry so short, but not everything requires great description, nor is there so much that needs to be described))).

-=}N{=-

[Lanji Romano]

Lanji gave a nod as he saw the girl that was with Lucian having guessed that the meek one was her. The name suited the soft-sounding girl and he assumed the one with the badass attitude was Lexandra. It was a mere deducing of names since Lexandra sounded more like a warrior name and Madelyn the kind of name that you gave to a musician or dancer. One who was associated with art and had a soft heart to them. He shifted and gave a nod at the instructor's instructions finding the pairing odd personally. He saw the determination and knew that he would be teaching Madelyn over fighting against her. It was something he didn't mind if he could help further her goals and learning to protect herself and others. That was probably the only reason why she had signed up.

"Very well then Lady Jezra, then this shalt be a most interesting class learning in the combative arts so that we may perhaps all learn to better defend ourselves and earn a new experiance," Lanji spoke in a deep and articulant voice the voice associated with speaking Latin for a good number of years as he walked calmly to where Madelyn was standing by a man covered in tatoos he gave a small bow and turned his attention to the little girl with the flute case. He wondered briefly what her magic was but, he wasn't going to judge her on what she had. In a class like this it was determination that saw them through a class. Still Lanji gave a smile as he removed his gauntlets and took Madelyn's hand lightly and kissed the back of her hand in a courtly gesture.

"Miss Madelyn it is a pleasure to meet thee, I look forward to our spar where we can perhaps learn from one another. I shalt keep mine questions simple. What does thou wish to learn from this class? For what reason do you learn combative arts? And does thou use thine flute in thine magic?"

[Darian Dumonte]

"Yes ma'am," Darian said to Jezra as he opened his messenger bag and got out a clipboard, notebook, and pen.

Lexy...hahaha...cute....

Darian flipped open a notebook and braced it on a clipboard as he saw Lexandra and gave a small smirk as he walked over to where she was sitting and sat in the seat in front of her kicking his feet onto another chair. Calm and collected and since he wasn't in a formal situation he was going to play off the gaurd that he was the badass that didn't have the bite to back his words. Something to really test the archer with as he dully noted the muscles on her arms and the well-worn sheath of her dagger. Well well well this was an interesting matchup indeed. Bow verse gun the classic matchup of technology against techniques that have long been around. Gun Magic was a recent magical field said to be a spin-off of Bow Magic. something that Darian was going to prove wrong against her.

Let's start this game.

After all you could never tell a Gun Mage that some twanging little string was better then the raw noise that a gun made when it was shot with.

"Lex huh," Darian said with a small smile as he tucked his hair behind his head for a moment.

"Well well the classic matchup of bow and arrow I must say I'll be interested to see how you match the sleakness of my guns with your bows." he said with another smile as he leaned forward for a moment his hazel eyes intent as he planned his moves out carefully. This was one girl he was going to have to be careful around.

"So why'd you choose bows over guns? How do you supplement your arrows with magic? And lastly and my most favorite...how many guys have you sent running with those cute arrows of yours?" he asked with a small grin. His own engagement ring shimmering in the soft light of the classroom.

[madelyn]

Madelyn clung to her best friend, one Lucian Dragomir as she listened to the teacher speak. Her accent was harsh and heavy but it had a beautiful sound to a musician's ear. It sounded like something that would be beautiful in a song finding a way to get that accent to form the words it would be like a special melody written in her accent.

Partners? Oh please oh please oh please let it be Lucian. She clung to his arm just a bit tighter as she closed her eyes. But no she was placed with someone named Lanji. it was a man. And now she was scared. Which one was he. The scary boy with the bird and a mean face? The white headed man that talk to the teachers? The one with the guns? Sword? Who!? But who should step forward but a knight. The symbol of the Vatican across his chest. He couldn't be all that bad if he was from the church right? Honorable right? Trustworthy right?

He leaned down and took her small pale hand in his and kissed the back of it. She grabbed it back quickly. NO! She shook her head. That was something only Jonathan could do. No one.. no one else.. they didn't.. it wasn't thier place. She hid a bit behind Lucian as he asked her those questions. She blinked softly for a moment. Now was the time to be strong. She swallowed heavily and turned from Lucian slowly making her way to the desk. She sat down and silently pulled out her pad and pen.

*click*

Her green clicky pen was ready to go and she thought about his questions. She placed the clicky part of her pen between her lips cutely as she thought about his questions...

What does thou wish to learn from this class?

To defend myself and others. To protect those that have not yet seen the light of day. To be stronger.

For what reason do you learn combative arts?

See above, same answer.

And does thou use thine flute in thine magic?

Yes.

She placed her name, 'Madelyn Winters' at the top of the paper and tore it out of her little pad. She scooted it over to him before she thought about her own questions. She chewed on her lower lip and fidgeted softly as she thought about what she wanted to ask. She rubbed her right eye with her fist and tried to keep her stomach calm but rubbing it softly.

-You are a knight of the church?


How long have you trained?



What do you hold most important in your life?-

She slid that paper to him leaving him blanks in between that he could answer with if he wanted or he could tell her verbally. Either way was fine with her but if you noticed one thing about the girl. She didn't make ANY noise.