earthen_hope

[He glances down briefly, in acknowledgment of her concerns. He shares them to a greater or lesser degree. His worry for Lyle is more closely anchored to Stellaris's anxiety, but he'd still see the man returned safely.]

I don't think there's anyone in this place who isn't thinking the same thoughts. They go to dark places sometimes. I know.

[A grin, if a scant one, slants his mouth.]

I'm well enough, thanks. Still... working out some things, but I think I have my feet by now. But maybe we can talk about that after we've tried to hit each other some, no?

[Krile nods. Her thoughts seem to have been going those places more and more often. But her concern now is more for him... dying and returning to life can be very difficult.]

Mm, it can be tough to know where to put your feet here. [She grins back.] Let's just make sure you really do have them back.

[And she takes up a ready stance with her spear, ready to fight.]

Of course. How else am I to be sure?

[He tugs on the ties of the narrow leather hood that covers the tip of his spear, to make sure that it's well in place. He trusts both his skill and hers enough to spar with live steel, but it's a slight reassurance if he fails to pull a blow in time.

[With a quick nod, he drops the spear to his side, then steps back and swings it towards her in a broad downward arc. They test and circle and duck for a moment, neither quite serious yet, but Hawk expects to sport a few bruises and cuts at the end of the bout.

It really wouldn't serve its purpose if either of them got off too easy.]

[Krile does sometimes fight the training dummies, but they're rather pale compared to a living opponent, especially one as skilled as Hawk. But that's a good thing, of course. Her own spear is similarly covered; she doesn't want to get him by mistake either.

When they start sparring in earnest, Krile has to be as quick as she's capable of, slipping and dodging and trying to find some opening under his arms, trying to take advantage of her lesser height by targeting his legs.

It doesn't save her from all his strikes, though. She'll have some cuts and colorful bruises of her own, courtesy of Hawk.]

[Hawk is almost glad that even when they begin clashing properly, there's a clear undertone that this is practice, not a true fight. There are others he spars with who keep him on his toes, for the slightest slip means a real risk of injury. He appreciates the workout, but more than that, this is also a too-rare chance for them to see each other.

[So, he barely catches a downward stab of her spear with the haft of his, wrenching her weapon harmlessly to the side, and then disengages with a quick step back. He's breathing hard and his left hip smarts something fierce, though the deep bruise may be the worst of his injuries this time.]

Will--will that do for now? I know neither's knocked the other down yet, but... break for a moment?

[Krile straightens up, brushing some loose hair out of her face and rubbing her ribcage. For her own part, she'll have a colorful souvenir of not-dodging-quickly-enough over the next few days.

She takes a moment to catch her breath before answering, though she nods definite agreement.]

Break, yes. [She smiles.] Well, you certainly haven't lost any of your fighting skill.

[She starts for one of the benches, taking a swig of water from her canteen.]

[No, he thinks, just some other things. But he doesn't voice the thought. Sooner or later, it will be apparent. The dragon's mark on his cheek is becoming paler by the day, fading from its dark hue.

He follows her, slumps down to sit on the bench and digs out his own water flask.]

I could say the same to you. And that's a good thing, too. Something that you can still trust in.

[He could speak lightly. At some point, it becomes too much of a pretense, and he trusts Krile too much to entirely skirt the concerns that hover over this meeting of friends.]

Mm. [She leans back on the bench--not on Hawk yet, too hot and sweaty--as she finds herself mulling over his choice of words.]

Things in Edensphere are changing so much... it's hard to find things to trust in.

[No, she's not intending to skirt much at all. This and her constant worry about her friends has been weighing more and more heavily on her, although she hasn't taken much note of the mark yet.]

[He tugs the scarf from his head, his dark sandy hair matted with sweat, and uses a still-dry corner to wipe his face. His words are quiet, but they come easily, with conviction.]

I know Lyle is missing--can't help noticing every time I see Stellaris--but you still have us, Krile. And you have your own strength. Which is a damn sight greater than you'd ever guess, looking at you.

[Honestly, part of the reason that Krile is so worried about Lyle is more than that he's missing--what if Fugue's decided that he's a "threat" to his attempts to woo Bastet? They're very close friends, after all.

But a corner of her mouth quirks up, regardless of anxiety. What he says is true, even if 'us' has changed a lot during her time here.]

That's a funny compliment. I guess you're right, though. I try not worry all the time... [She traces in the dust with the toe of her boot.] It is easier with you guys around, even if it's hard to remember sometimes.

Hey now, I was quite serious. [He knuckles her shoulder fondly, a smile finding its way onto his mouth, if not quite his eyes.]

An emperor's not much without his generals, or a captain without his men. But a shield wall is only as strong as each arm holding them up. You're more together with others, but strength begins within you. If I may say so.

That's poetic. [She says it as a compliment, but the knuckling earns him a poke in the arm.] In that case I think my arm has been feeling a little tired lately, but I'm not about to drop it.

[It's an appropriate metaphor, too. Krile has always felt that she needs to be strong for others and protect them from unhappiness as much as danger. To need that herself feels wrong, though she's reassured by Hawk's opinion.]

But what about you? [He's going to get checked up on too.]

That's what I wanted to hear. [He does tilt his head to look her in the eye. He doesn't truly think she would lie about it, but Krile will always try to shoulder burdens to the utmost of her strength; he wishes to be sure she can mean what she says.

Her question elicits a breathy noise from him. He could try and thwart her. If he expects her to lower her facade of strength, he owes her the same.]

I'm... working on it. I worked out what I lost, at least, when I died. It's a reassurance of sorts, strange as that may sound. To know for certain.

[She's able to meet his gaze clearly. Krile doesn't think her friends would really let her try to do face it all alone anyway, even if she wanted to.

But her look is one of concern when he begins to speak of himself. She isn't sure what he means and she's hesitant to ask more, but....]

What--what was it? [She almost asks if it's anything serious, but of course it's going to be serious.]

[He chuckles, airily, but there's no true merriment in the sound.]

Remember how I broke my leg? Or lost my fingers? [Without thinking, he flexes his left hand, now whole again.] I don't... heal that quickly or well anymore. All right, of course, but no better than anyone else.

I'm fine. But less inclined to get careless, for sure.

[Krile nods, both of them incidents that she would call impossible to forget if they were anywhere but Edensphere.

And although what Hawk describes might sound like he's only being brought down to the level of most humans in Edensphere, a look of concern passes over her face. A healing ability is something that's immensely reassuring. There have been numerous times where she would have died or needed rescue if she didn't have that herself.]

So you lost that ability... is that the only thing you can't do anymore?

[He sighs, dropping his hands into his lap. He'd rather thwart her gentle queries, but she's long since worked her way inside his defences. Honesty and trust come with that, then.]

It's all going, piece by piece. I... Everything you've seen me do, it's something that was given to me. Lent for a task, if you will. One that's over now.

[Krile winces, almost regretting that she pried. It strikes her suddenly what Hawk's gem had reminded her of, when he uses that word, lent. It makes her think of Grandpa, almost, passing on his skills to her through the tree.]

...I think I know what you mean by that.

[By outward appearance, he seems all right--weary, but all right. Not as distraught or lost like she would be. Still, she gives him a little poke in the arm. Despite the teasing gesture, her tone is gently optimistic rather than smart] It can't be all of it. What about that fight we just had?

[Although that would be a touchy question for her, it's easier to think that Hawk had some native skill with arms before being set on whatever task he had.]

Edited 2011-09-21 04:30 (UTC)

[That earns her a genuine laugh, even if something sombre still lurks in his eyes.]

You know what I mean. I know how to fight. Or ride a horse, or build a house, or maybe even thwart a friend too smart for her own good.

But there was something I had to do, a... quest, I suppose, if you want to get romantic about it. So I borrowed strength to see it done, and now it is. Seems only fair, when you think of things that way.

[She grins in response, particularly at "friend too smart for her own good." Still, she doesn't miss the look in his eye.

And it sounds even more familiar now--powers lent for some sort of quest, contained in a gem. Still... she wouldn't want to lose that herself.]

I guess so. Maybe it feels nice that you've accomplished whatever you were set to do.

There is that. I'll tell you the story some day, hm? But it's definitely the sort that wants for a cup of tea and a late night and a fire in the hearth.

[Or perhaps a cup of good wine, but that doesn't seem entirely a thing Krile would indulge in. For now, the pleasant strain of the spar, the sunlight, and the company of a good friend are plenty to keep him content for the moment.]

Edited 2011-10-12 14:30 (UTC)

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quicklog (we can skip the sparring if you don't feel like writing elaborate action tags...)

quicklog (blow-by-blow ones bog me down for some reason :< )

quicklog (brief description it is, then!)

quicklog - gratuitous use of this icon

quicklog - ahah, awww

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quicklog - we can wrap this up soon, y/n? fresher threads to write and all that.

quicklog - sounds good also ohgod sorry for the hideous late

quicklog <3