Teaching or just plain Showing Off? [Lina]

[Robin Hood]

It was early morning among the redwoods, and the fog was just rolling off the soggy ground. High up, twisted in with the branches was a hollow that Josh had made his home in for the night. It was big enough for his sword and bow, if you twisted them in just the right ways, and well hidden enough that no one would be finding it any time soon. Josh knew of the dangers that awaited him on the forest floor, and the almost suicide he would be committing trying to hunt on the Analoya territory, but it was by far, still the best place to go hunting in the entire place. Also with the redwoods, he felt quite at ease and at home. Ruffling out his feathers, Josh used his talons to grab his bow and quiver and soar 50' to the still haze covered ground. Dropping his bow and quiver just shy of 10' away Josh shifted midair and landed softly on the moist ground and caught his bow and quiver just in time. Taking after his namesake, this Robin Hood of the forest was a master archer, and he was off on the hunt.

In all honesty, Josh didn't need to be hunting. He could find plenty of food other ways--this would be to leave in one of the rings as a pleasant surprise. Also he just wanted to play with his bow--it had been a while since he'd been able to use it and not just be shooting at random trees or non-animal targets. He would get to put it to good use today.

Quiver slung across his back, the archer moved forward through the redwoods and stopped near the edge of a clearing. And just as its name might reveal, it was certainly clear, clear of any animals life as well. Josh took this as an opportunity to just have some fun and show off--not like he expected anyone to be watching right now. Drawing back, Josh let the arrow fly straight and stick into a tree across the meadow. Not wanting to specifically split an arrow with no audience around to watch, Josh let the next one off upwards with the goal of it arcing up and then back down to hit the same spot as the other without cracking it. Certainly it was a success. Smiling smugly, the man went back to patrolling the rim of the meadow, making his way around silently, stealthily, to the side he'd aimed for to retrieve his arrows as he waited for some sort of prey to make its presence known.

[Adelina Russovo]

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[bg=ffffff][atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/linatablewhitebg.png] She picked her way through the wilds of the forest with particular ease - she'd been coming here since she'd been old enough to sneak off from her overprotective mother. It was a decently long trip from the Fallen but she didn't have duties for a while due to her recent "maternity" leave, they called it. Reagan was in the hands of her father and grandfather, probably screaming her head off like she'd been doing for the past few weeks. So Adelina had decided to take a break, and to try out the new weapon her father had crafted for her. It was a nice, simple bow and arrow. Something she'd been talking about non-stop lately and had always wanted to have. Her Papa had given it to her as a gift. So Adelina cherished her knew set, a quiver full of finely feathered arrows (made with feathers from various different bird shifters her father had met in the Fulsi, all given willingly of course) and a handsomely carved bow. It had words engraved in Italian, a message that was dear to her heart from her dearest Papa. Needless to say she loved her new hunting gear - the only problem being she had only a basic grasp of how exactly to use it. She thought it would be pretty simple - point 'n shoot. But it had proved to be more difficult and much different to aim than her spear. But she'd been practicing and had gotten better, thinking that if she was presented with live prey instinct would take over and she would be forced to aim and shoot well. It was how it usually worked, so she figured it was worth a shot. That and the forest had always been a beautiful place to visit, and a delightful challenge to her usual hunting routine. So Adelina picked her way stealthily through the forest, quieter even than a mouse - and as she had been born 'n raised in the wilderness she moved with a stealth that would rival that of a primal hunter. She stopped short when she heard the faint whiz of air and the unmistakable thud of an arrow hitting a tree trunk; Adelina stepped from behind a tree and she saw the shooter with his bow drawn and taut, her jaw dropping as he let fly another arrow and it landed exactly atop the last. Damn, he was good. She grabbed her bow and slung the quiver of arrows over her shoulder and nearly bounced forward in her excitement, clearing her throat to alert the man to her presence. "Don't shoot," she said, raising her hands to let him know she came in peace. "You're pretty good with that bow." She nodded to the arrows stuck in the tree, her sharp blue eyes glinting. "I'm Adelina," she grinned a lazy grin and stood with her hip cocked to one side and a hand placed on it. She'd heard of this guy before - the self-proclaimed Prince of Thieves or some bull like that. She'd never had a taste for Rogue's and didn't trust them as far as she could toss an elephant. But that didn't mean she couldn't learn something from one, eh? "I've heard about you before. Think you can teach me a thing or two, Mister Robin Hood?"

[Robin Hood]

ROBIN HOOD

[/color][/font]

In tyranny lies only failure.
Empower every man and you will gain strength.

Josh had made it to his arrows before the girl approached him. He didn't turn to greet her after she spoke, he just took to pulling his arrows from the trunk and fixing their tips efficiently before dropping them back into his quiver. As he pulled the second one out, he addressed the girl, still without turning to her. "You sure you want to learn from a rogue, Miss Adelina?" His voice was smooth and just the slightest bit taunting of her. Before turning around to her, he finished up with the arrow and reached it around to the quiver on his back. He slung his bow across his body as he turned to face the girl. She was Fallen, and he knew that right away, before even looking at her. He also knew plenty about little Miss Lina here, just by being around. He was quite the spy after-all, and made it his business to know what he could find out about anyone in this place. He had barely heard her coming, even with his heightened hearing. She made about as much noise moving through the forest as he did, and he wasn't about to let that go unacknowledged in his mind. He commended her for knowing how to get around this place, and perhaps she had potential with her bow. It was new, and hand carved, as far as he could tell. He noticed the engraved Italian on it, but didn't linger on the words--it was unimportant.

Josh walked forward, across the front of Adelina, grabbing her bow as he did, and inspecting it lightly. It was a fine bow. He turned around almost immediately and handed it back to her, crossing behind her now, taking an arrow from her quiver and looking at it. They were also finely made (couldn't be better crafted, even if Josh had made them himself), beautiful feathers, he could smell the Fulsi scent on them, and the scent of their former leader caught his nose as well. He replaced the arrow in her quiver and finished his little circle around her. Hands crossed in front of him, Josh looked over Lina, and finally removed his own bow and drew an arrow from his quiver and knocked it. "Alright Miss Adelina, let's see what you've got." Josh drew back his bow and aimed for a tree about 25' away. With perfect form, Josh let the arrow fly, his hand staying in the same position until the arrow made contact with the tree and then he released stance and looked over to Lina, leaning slightly, now, against his bow, watching her and waiting. "Get as close to my mark as you can, ideally, you'd hit it spot on, but let's see what you've got."

[/color]

Josh watched her, waiting to see what she would do. He imagined she'd only just received the bow and not been taught any on how to use it. He certainly knew how to handle his weapon, he'd been taught and trained since he was very young, and had never fallen out of practice. The nearly 33 year old could guarantee at least 25 years of good, solid experience with a bow. It would be interesting to see how he passes on his knowledge to this girl.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Adelina Russovo]

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[bg=ffffff][atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/linatablewhitebg.png] Adelina narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched him, suspicious of his comment. "As long as you got somethin' to teach, you could be a god-damned Carna for all I care." She nodded curtly and gave him a smug look as she watched him circle her. When he made to grab for her bow she pulled back, reluctant to let her father's gift to be taken from her hands even for a moment. But his grip was strong and she figured she'd better be a bit more compliant if she wanted this "gracious gentleman" to help her out. So she released it to him though he almost immediately gave it back and was around to her back sorting through her arrows. Adelina huffed a little and when he'd replaced it she swung her quiver around and sorted through the arrows to make sure they were all there. Satisfied that they were she turned back to face him, fixing her gaze to his own. She watched with a mix of admiration and determination as he notched his arrow. Her keen eyes picked up almost every detail of what he was doing, watching which of his muscles tensed and how he stood, knowing that she would have to mimic his stance and movements. He shot the arrow and it landed smack dab on a tree roughly 25' away. Adelina winced inwardly, not wishing to embarrass herself in front of this Rogue. But she'd had a bit of practice and had always had good aim (you had to when you hunted wild boar primarily with a wooden spear) and nodded curtly and stepped up next to him, drawing one of her arrows and notching it to her bow. She let her arrow fly and it landed with surprising force in the same tree as Robin Hood's had, just far, far below it. In fact it was almost at the roots of the tree. She cussed under her breath and turned to face him. "I got a little bit of practice. But not many people in the Fallen know how to shoot one of these things." She turned back to the arrow and nodded. "So, Guru Hood. What've you got to teach me?

[Robin Hood]

ROBIN HOOD

[/color][/font]

In tyranny lies only failure.
Empower every man and you will gain strength.

Josh watched Adelina as she drew back her bow and let the arrow sail through the air and surprisingly plant itself in the same tree as his. That said something at least, the girl had a bit of aiming down. He surveyed her a moment longer after she spoke and finally he turned to face the tree. "Not bad, aiming spears has helped you here, Miss Adelina." Ah yes, he'd certainly seen her out hunting before, and she was a good shot, but spears were different in many ways. "First thing I want you to do is look at your arrow, hold up your forefingers and thumbs together in a triangle shape and look through it at your arrow. Draw that triangle back to your eye. It's important to know which eye is dominant so you know which hand to shoot with." Josh demonstrated as he spoke, bringing the triangle back to his left eye. He was one of the odd ones where his dominant eye and dominant hand were two different sides. It meant he shot better with his left hand over his right.

"Your stance is decent, but watch me. I'm aiming for the center of that knot in the trunk." Josh made sure she was on his left side so she could see how he stood rigid and straight, drawing his arm back slowly after nocking another arrow. There was a certain skill to this, yes, but most of it was just practice. His fingers at the edge of his mouth with the string and elbow back and up, Josh took aim for the knot that was a couple feet above his first arrow and released the string. He held the stance until the arrow hit once more and then released it. "It's important to keep the stance until the arrow makes contact with it's target or you could get into the habit of moving as you release the string and screwing up your aim... Give it another shot, and remember, you can aim almost straight at it, if not just a bit higher, the arrow is lighter than your spear, it's not going to dive as quickly, especially at this short a distance." For his this certainly was a short distance, though it may not look like it to her. He also had a long bow, that was pretty close to the same height as him, and made to shoot at farther distances.

Josh leaned on his bow lightly once more, and waited for Adelina to give it another go, or maybe she had questions, he sort of was jumping a few things at the moment because she already could shoot decently enough, and having a stance to mimic, he thought, would help her, and definitely improve her aim.

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[Adelina Russovo]

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[bg=ffffff][atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/linatablewhitebg.png] She didn't quote know what to think of the fact that he somehow knew she hunted with a spear. It wasn't as if they'd ever met - and though she'd heard of this sword-wielding wildman-esque Rogue who paraded about the Menagerie like some folk hero, she didn't like the fact that he seemed to know so much about her. Her nostriles flared as she drew in his scent, pupils dilating as she ran it through her mind. Not familiar, but it did have a tinge of the desert. A tinge of the Fallen. She held back the snarl of distrust rising in her throat and turned away from him, trying to contain the urge to pin the man down and grill him for information. He was obviously pro at archery and she needed his help. "Don't be such a creeper," she huffed, dusting off her hands on her frilly beige dress. She scudded her tan work-boots on the forest floor, her level of disturbance rising."How in the hell do you know I hunt with a spear? Have you been watching me?" She walked towards him and crowded him, perfectly at ease with getting in his space. She'd beaten the living shit out of men for less and was about to do the same when she pulled sharply away and drew another arrow, determined to get this creeper man to teach her what he knew. She listened to him, for once in her life, and tucked the arrow under her arm and did as she was told. It seemed her right eye was dominant, so she was to shoot with her right hand. Nodding she watched him again and copied his stance, drawing her the bowstring back. She let the arrow fly and made sure to hold her stance all the way through. The arrow landed a fair shot better than before, leveling with the first arrow he'd shot. "Hah," she said triumphantly, eyes glinting. "My aim is still a bit off. You're right, it's different than the spear. Easier on my arm but...different." She heard the rustle of a bird in the tree, spinning on her heel and notching an arrow she let one fly into the tree with a wild shout. All that came down was her arrow amidst a bundle of leaves. She watched it fall and stood for a moment after it landed before lowering her bow and half-turning to him. "...any advice on moving targets?" she said with a wry grin.

[Robin Hood]

ROBIN HOOD

[/color][/font]

In tyranny lies only failure.
Empower every man and you will gain strength.

Josh watched Adelina as she took up her bow, and she did a right good job at copying his stance. He waited a moment thinking of what he wanted to say next when she pulled another arrow out hastily and shot at the bird that had been resting in a tree. He laughed very slightly and shook his head, hearing her ask her question as he did. "Well first of all, don't shout. You know well enough how to be silent in the forest, don't change that when you shoot. Shouting scares away your prey. Also, you need to be good enough to calculate where the target is going to be when your arrow reaches it--this takes plenty of practice, and does take a certain amount of natural ability, but I think you've got it, if you just keep at practicing." Josh was being truthful, about a sincere as you would get from the man at this point in his life. He may be a thief, but he rarely was a liar. It was more fun to tell the truth, especially since no one expected it from him.

"Another thing with a moving target, don't get anxious to shoot quickly, track it as you draw and make a calculated shot. It does no good to wait and nock your arrow messily and forget anything else but letting it fly. I would suggest if your point is to hunt, have your arrow prepped as you move, then all you have to do is track and shoot, at least for the first arrow." As Josh spoke, he was doing just that, nocking a new arrow and moving forward through the trees keep an eye, and mainly an ear, out for a moving target. He spotted a bird, likely the same one, a few trees away. Intentionally making noise to scare it from it's perch, Josh followed it's flight with his arrow and quickly got ahead of it and released, the arrow knocking the bird from the sky. He spoke as he walked to retrieve his catch. "It takes time and practice to be a good archer, but it's well worth it, and you've got skill there--and I don't just say things like that." She had matched the height on his first arrow with her second shot. There was something to this girl. He didn't believe she'd be just as good as he was, that took time, and maybe one day she would rival his skill, but for now she just needed practice. There were things you just had to learn through trial and error, such as how to read the wind and track the path of your target.

"I would suggest that you keep trying to match my mark, learn how far off you shoot so you can adjust your aim to either side of the target, few people can aim right at the target and hit it--I certainly can't. Naturally, if I'm looking right at the target, I hit just below and to the left of it, so I have to compensate for that in where exactly I aim with my eye." Josh by now, had retrieved his arrow from the bird, and was holding it by it's feet out to Lina, he had no use for it--she could bring it back to the Fallen, or eat it herself, he didn't care.

"What else can I help you with Miss Adelina--any more questions on your bow?" Or anything really, he added in his head. He realized that he had completely ignored her question on how he knew she hunted with a spear, intentionally, but yes--he had been watching her. He watched everyone, it was what he did--who he was. He knew just about everything in this place, and he kept most of it to himself.

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[Adelina Russovo]

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[bg=ffffff][atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/linatablewhitebg.png] Adelina listened intently and nodded. Some of it she already knew and had experience in, such as tracking the prey and all that good stuff. But he had a few good tips that she hadn't really thought of or noticed, and would definitely take note of them. If only her father could see her now! Actually listening to someone other than herself? He would be shocked! She couldn't help but smile at the thought of her father, running a hand along the finely carved bow. She didn't know that he listened to all the times she would ramble on about admiring the few people she'd seen with one. Apparently he had been listening, and it left Adelina with a warm, fuzzy feeling. "It takes time and practice to be a good archer, but it's well worth it, and you've got skill there--and I don't just say things like that." Adelina nodded at this and flashed him another smile, a swell of pride filling her chest. "Thanks. And I ain't got nothin' but time," Well, that used to be true. Now with Reagan on her hands it seemed like she had everything but time for herself. And though Adelina loved her baby with all her heart, lately it had all been too much. She hadn't been able to go on patrols, practice with her weapons, or even hunt - all the things she craved and enjoyed. She accepted the bird from him with a nod - it would make a decent meal for the Fallen, although the rumble in her stomach begged to wolf it down herself. But she would've felt guilty, especially since she had been the one getting fed without having to hunt for it, lately. Adelina set the bird down gingerly, before turning back to the tree and fetching her two arrows. She placed one back in her quiver and turned to face him, twirling the arrow between her fingers deftly as she walked in a slow, determined circle about him. "No, no more questions on that, thank you." When she was just out of his peripheral vision she swept her leg under his and whipped around to his front, shoving him down to the forest floor and scrambling to a sitting position on his chest. She tapped his nose with her arrow, leaning close over his face with narrowed eyes and a feral grin. "But you can tell me why you've been watching me." There was really no hostility in her voice or in her actions - she was curious, and intended to have a little fun with her Guru just for the hell of it. ooc; lol, I hope the bit of power-play is okay XD I thought it'd be fun 8D

[Robin Hood]

ROBIN HOOD

[/color][/font]

In tyranny lies only failure.
Empower every man and you will gain strength.

Josh kept an eye on Adelina as she twirled the arrow around, of course, until she knocked him to the ground. He gave a little smirk as she sat on him and hit his nose with the arrow. "Well wouldn't you like to know." He said, devilishly, knowing she wasn't hostile, just a bit playful--for now. He brought himself up, using his arms, getting closer to her face, "Maybe I just think you're cute." Josh raised his eyebrows in a teasing manner and quickly found his bow, using it to knock her off of him and onto her own back in one swift move. Nothing painful, though perhaps startling. She was having some fun with this, so why shouldn't he? Josh didn't sit on her, but did squat over her abdomen for a brief moment, getting his face close to hers, and keeping her down with gentle pressure from his bow on her chest. "Why is it so important, hmmm? Miss Adelina." He lifted his bow from her chest and gave her a little tap on the nose with it before rising and holding a hand out to help her up, though he figured she wouldn't take it.

"Maybe I'm just interested in the ongoings of this place, maybe you seem important in it all, maybe I'm just playing games with you..." Josh smirked and wove in and out of the thickening tree growth as he spoke. "Perhaps I'm just a creepy old man stalking the young, or maybe I saw the talent early on and have been keeping an eye on you, perhaps I just have nothing better to do than stalk anyone who walks through this forest, or wherever I happen to be. Perhaps you're special, perhaps you're not. Is it all really terribly important?" At about the point where he mentioned anyone who walks through the forest, the man stopped appearing , but kept talking, and kept moving, and about the time he had said terribly, he'd shifted into his owl form and silently made his way up the tree and to his little hollow, grabbing his sword along with another he'd found lying around that was in pretty bad shape, but would do. Quickly he kept out of sight and glided back to the ground with his weaponry. He wondered how she would do with a sword. It would certainly make everything more interesting, and in his mind--fun. He always enjoyed some witty banter over a friendly sword fight. Shifting back he reappeared a few trees from where she would have last seen him and was now wearing his belt and his own curved sword, holding the other casually, though it was still slightly hidden behind the tree and bushes around him.

"What's it all worth to you, Miss Adelina?" He smirked, having been absent perhaps a minute at most, wondering if she would be able to catch that he had a could new things, that something was different, even if it was only partially visible. He hoped she was that clever--it would make things all that more fun, and he certainly was one to go for something fun--especially when he's stuck in this place virtually alone all the time--interaction was welcomed.

ooc.. Hope you don't mind mine either. c= It did make things more fun. ^^ And what I did was just about the same as yours, just tossing her lightly into the same position. 8D I like witty Josh [or me trying to be witty for him and failing miserably 8P]

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[Adelina Russovo]

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[bg=ffffff][atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/linatablewhitebg.png] When he pushed his face nearer to hers, she reached out and grabbed it between each of her hands, grinning and lightly squeezing and pinching at his cheeks. "I'd say the same, but I wouldn't want you to get all excited and go and break your hip, Grandpa." She let go of his face and patted his chest, obviously not going to get anywhere with him. He seemed the sneaky, tricky type - a slippery fiend who lurked in the shadows and gathered information on unsuspecting people. Probably to blackmail them later or something along those lines. She had let her thoughts drift, thinking hard on if she'd ever seen him before. The scent was unfamiliar, but it did sort of help to explain why when she hunted she had sometimes felt a sense of...well, being watched. She was always keen and aware, and sometimes on hunts she was in fact hyper-vigilant which often left her exhausted the next day. But sh e had always thought it was just that eerie feeling one gets for no real reason. Turns out, not so much. When he flipped her, she let out a sharp gasp, her hands grasping at his bow and shoving it away from her chest. Usually she would've been pissed but he was off her soon enough and weaving in and out of the trees. She could've easily followed him and pinned him again but she decided against him and just watched him come in and out of sight. She heard the very soft, subtle beat of wings replacing his gentle footsteps and wondered if he'd shifted, or if that was even his shift at all; she lost him in the trees as her eyes scanned the canopy, listening to him talk. She pursed her lips, resisting a grin. "I'll go with Option A - Creepy old man for 100 points." She was trying to figure him out, assuming that he had one of those complexes where he wanted to trick everyone into thinking he was some mysterious apparition, all because he had nothing better to do. There was always much better things to do - like beat up stalkers. Adelina sighed when he finally decided to show himself and as her eyes customarily skimmed over him she noticed that he was now armed with more than just his bow. Her muscles instinctively tensed and her pupils dilated, nostrils flaring as she assessed the situation. Her machetes and spear were in her train car, and she did have her brass knuckles. Her bow was at the next tree and it was useless at such a short range anyhow. However, one slim eyebrow rose and she smirked at what he held - a sword? Well, two swords she assumed. He'd added some kind of belt and what looked like a sheath. "You take this Robin Hood thing way too serious," she said, shaking her head. "What's it all worth to you, Miss Adelina?" Adelina rolled her eyes and gave him a fixed stare, but a smile slowly started to creep on her face as she got the gist. "Why don't you toss me that blade and we'll find out." ooc; 8DD

[Robin Hood]

ROBIN HOOD

[/color][/font]

In tyranny lies only failure.
Empower every man and you will gain strength.

Josh watched her tense up as she noticed his sword, and listened to her semi-mock him before she realized his intent. He smirked and rolled his eyes. "Hey, it's not my fault my parents raised me with all these random lessons." He spoke as he walked toward her and played with the straight sword in his hand. "Now, I don't know if I can trust you with this thing, don't want you to be waving it all willy-nilly, might go and kill someone. This is just a friendly fight, I want to see what you've got there Miss Adelina. No actual injuries should come out of this." Josh circled her as he spoke, coming round front as he finished and handed her the sword. He wasn't sure what he'd be getting himself into with this, but he was up for it. He was certain he was the better fighter here anyway--he was the Robin Hood here, he didn't get that reputation for no reason.

"Now, it's not the greatest of swords, but it's pretty decent. Not too heavy, and quite a bit rusted, but a bit of work and it could shine real pretty. You'll need a good stance now, take up your sword and watch me." Josh drew his own, now two blade lengths away from her and balanced his weight between his feet, but with his right foot leading, much like his stance with a bow, just turned slightly. His sword was held at the ready just at the level of his stomach--right in the middle between his hip and shoulders. He demonstrated the ease that this gave moving forward and backward as needed. Keeping your weight even on both feet gave you the ability to decide and move quickly.

Josh watched in his stance as Adelina tried it out.

"Good, good. Now you've got the thrusts and blocks to deal with, there are specific ones that go with different moves, but I'm not trying to get that specific--you'll learn as you go the best places to block each shot and it becomes automatic. I'm going to thrust and you stay in position and try to block them."

[/b] Josh did just this, moving so he was just barely a sword length away and thrusted 5 times at her, first to her left about thigh height, second mid range on her right, third her left by her ear, fourth calf height on the right, and lastly mid range to her left, and he watched as she blocked each shot, he would go over them again as needed if he felt she could do better, which he imagined she could. He figured this was her first time fighting with something of this size and nature. He could certainly be wrong, and feel like an idiot going through the moves, but he was going off what he knew by seeing her in here, and while he hadn't seen her constantly, he'd seen her since she was a child--Adelina having been born here afterall.

ooc.. Sorry it's so late, left Monday morning for Summer Theatre and been working ever since, preseason stuff so cleaning and fixing and renovating the box office 8P, plus only got internet like thursday...anyway, preseason is pretty chill in general, so let's hope we can get some more posts out nicely before things get super hectic with stuff.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Adelina Russovo]

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[bg=ffffff][atrb=background,http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/sketchedesigns/linatablewhitebg.png] “Aw, but that’s half the fun. There’s no challenge in it unless you draw some blood,” she grinned, that feral edge glinting in her eye. It was true she had a fondness for the physical – not necessarily violence, but the thrill of the fight always left her scintillated, the scent of blood and the rush of pain, the wounds making the conquering of her enemies all the more satisfactory. But she would play nice for the old man. “But, if you insist.” She took the sword from him and ran a finger along the dull edges, letting out a dissatisfied snort. What a lousy blade- she wasn’t any expert on swords but she was quite skilled with keeping her machetes sharp and clean. This old thing was covered in rust and seemed old as hell. But he was right, it wasn’t all that bad. She tested the weight and found it rather easy to handle, though the length was something to get used to. Her machetes were slightly smaller than the blade and didn’t feel quite as heavy in her grip. Adelina grinned and twirled the blade deftly about her, arcing it in a high slash away from him as she tested its weight and showed off a bit of her dexterity. Though she’d never handled a sword, she was quite adept at swinging her own blades in all sorts of showy manners. She knew about stances enough already, though decided she’d listen to him again instead of show him up – he really did seem to know what he was doing, and she was always keen to learn knew fighting material, if it meant having an advantage over an opponent due to some exotic sword fighting knowledge, well then so be it! She would swallow her pride (no easy task, mind you) and listen. She mimicked his stance easily, quite aware that a strong stance was everything, but she was quick on her feet – perhaps quicker even than he since she weighed less and was naturally lithe and fleet footed. Nodding, she prepared herself for his swings and blocked them easily. It was a lot like fighting hand to hand, she noted – just using the sword as an extension of her arm rather than swinging the full length she normally would. On his last thrust she, what was it called, parried? Once again and returned the thrusts he’d given in reverse order with a quickening pace as she learned to deal with the weight of her blade. “You sure know your stuff, Robin.” She said, nodding. It wasn’t often that she handed out such compliments – it was rare to find anyone on her fighting level. Well, her true one at least. When she got into scraps with the Fulsi and Carna she was careless and reckless, enjoying the thrill of the rough and tumble life. But her Father had taught her to fight with more than that. He’d taught her strategy and technique, defensive and offensive. She was quick on her feet and fast in her attacks, and though they weren’t the strongest blows she was known for being able to take down an opponent twice her size without taking a single hit. But that was only when she focused and used her training to its maximum. For the most time she went on instinct and dodged what she could, which probably explained why she ended up with so many injuries. Lina kept trading thrusts and swings and blocks with him till her arm began to ache, the competitive nature rising within her as she struggled to keep up with his superior training in sword fighting. She thought she held up pretty well in comparison to a man who said he’d been trained since he was young in this art. She saw her opening and took it, managing to slip her blade past his and level it with his throat. “But I’m a quick learner.” She dropped her blade and grinned, though she took to rubbing her shoulder as the joint had begun to burn from the exertion and the blows. “So, tell me about yourself Mysterious Mister Hood.” ooc; I hope it's okay, and sorry for the wait. I wasn't sure what else to have her do xD