Private Tales Brothels and Broken Things

[Lexi Quinzell]

"Might as well get the bruises out of the way first," Peter stepped up to Cassian with a grin and rubbed the back of his neck. The rest all paired off and spread out in a loose circle around the training ground in their pairs. It would be easy for people to switch from this point on. There was a rack of weapons on the side and a few people went over there now to collect things they wanted to train in specifically. Peter drew his sword, it was the weapon he had used on the weapons and the one he was most confident with.

Once everyone was sorted Kain blew a whistle and the matches across the area began.

Peter was young but it was clear soldiering had been in his blood from a young age and not a recent pursuit. It was the lack of experience on the field more than text book skill that was his weakness. Either way he wouldn't be rolling over for Cassian and he swung his blade up sharply from his right him, aiming for Cassian's left shoulder.

 

[Cassian]

Despite a few years of alcohol abuse, he’d kept himself fit and fast through his jobs and pit fighting, he was just as quick on his feet as he had been as a young lad and much stronger. He bounced on the balls of his feet, readjusting his grip on his sword with a smirk at Peter as he waited for the boy to make his move.

The move came, and Cassian dodged and slapped the blade out of the way with his. He parried, and waited again. “For the kill, lad. Don’t waste time with shoulders. You want me dead.” He nodded, twisting the blade in his hand.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Peter frowned a little as his hit was smacked aside but he nodded to his words; no it was true. He pushed the thoughts aside of them being friends and this time his swing for his stomach which would go through the stomach and up under the ribs was more determined. If he blocked the blow so would the next few strikes, though of course they were all textbook moves and would probably be blocked and dodged well enough by a seasoned soldier.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian blocked and parried, allowing him to continue to throw attack after attack at him. The boy’s training showed, and Cassian smiled, more in approval than in taunt

“Good... Again... fuckin’ kill me already..”

Peter’s last move managed had his blade scrape along Cassian’s side as he dodged a straight hit to the stomach, his hand shot out to grip his sword arm by the elbow and kick his feet away from him to press his blade to the boy’s neck once he was on his back. “Dead.”

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Peter was pleasantly surprised at how well Cassian actually taught fighting. From what he had seen in the pit and on the road the man was a bruiser and he hadn't expected... comradeship like this. His moves improved with each little encouragement and soon he had a good rhythm.

At least, he thought he had until Cassian reminded him exactly how many years of different experience was between them. The blade was close enough to give him a good shave and he laughed a little nervously.

"Well aren't I glad you're on my team," the whistle blew and he waved and moved on. The next was Aelanora. She was small and slim and she had a touch of Other about her. In her hands she twirled a trident.

"Well met, Cassian," her lips curved into a small smile and as the whistle blew she moved with the fluid motions of a stream. She was surprisingly quick for a small woman and as she got closer she threw her trident on the ground then used it to spin herself around like a dancer and aim a kick for his throat.

 

[Cassian]

He grinned down at the boy with a "Good job lad." and reached his hand to give him a hand to his feet and patted his back with a laugh at his words before he moved on. He looked down at the slash at his side, blood trickling from it, but it wasn't deep enough to cause concern.

"Lass." he dipped his chin with a light smile, his brow arching at the curious weapon as he twisted his blade, awaiting her attack. He'd been waiting on the weapon, not the foot, and he'd only managed to start stepping back as her foot caught his jaw and he staggered with a grunt. "Fuck.." he wiggled his jaw and laughed.. "Nice hit.." he complimented, his jaw clicking as he opened and closed it and nodded at her, readying himself for another. "Again." he prompted with a smile.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Aelanora came to the ground with her hand still on the trident which she wrenched now out of the ground, twirled it behind her back and then held it casually. A little flicker of emotion crossed her face, just a small twitch of a nerve in her cheek that might have been a smile on another person. Then she was moving again with speed. She wielded the trident like most would a spear, except it was a spear with three sharp heads. It swirled once over the top of her head in an arc and then came down towards the joint of his shoulder, if he managed to catch the attach they would enter into a series of fast and deadly clashes.

It was very clear why Aelanora was a senior ranking officer.

 

[Cassian]

It was exceptionally clear, and Cassian clearly enjoyed the challenge. He was quicker now that he understood better the ways in which she could use that weapon, though her speed was a difficult one to keep up with. His torso soon glistened with a fine sheen of sweat and he panted heavily as he parried and struck and defended, blow after blow a clash of steel against steel. Fuck me...

He had about half a minute left with her and he shook his head with a smirk, it seemed neither of them were going down. The last move was his, and taking the offensive, he feinted an overhead stab at at the woman's throat, instead, ducked low, aiming the blade instead at the underside of her ribs.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Aelanora was impressed he could match her in all truth. Happily so. Kain had not lied about his potential amongst the White Ravens and his last stroke prove it. It was his smirk rather than his move that gave him away. It was a dangerous bet but she took it and rolled over backwards. The flat of his blade ran over her shirt and gently popped a single button off before her hands were touching the floor sending her hips springing upwards into the motion of a handstand. As such her feet would kick his wrist on its movement up and over until they were back firmly on the ground and she stood up, trident in hand as the whistle blew.

Again a muscle twitch in her cheek that might have been a hint of a smile.

"I think... I shall be keeping an eye on you."

 

[Cassian]

"Fuck.." Cassian growled out as he knelt, staring at his blade a few yards away in the dirt as he puffed and panted trying to draw in a decent breath. He wiped the beads of sweat from his brow and pulled himself to his feet with a laugh at the woman's words.. "Aye..." he breathed "And I you.. lass." he nodded, hands above his knees as he bent over, his gaze lifting to Kain with a shake of his head..He needed a whisky.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Aelanora gave him a bow before moving on to Peter who looked semi horrified at the prospect of his next fight. Cassian, had the pleasure of stepping down a pace with Alec.

"Alright, time to test out the new chest Lexi gave me," he patted over his heart with a boyish grin before spinning his sword in his hand. When Kain blew the whistle it was clear the younger lad was still feeling a little tender from the ordeal as his healing because his hit was a little weaker than it probably would have been, but he was still surprisingly spry with the way he moved.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian dipped his chin to Alec as he picked up his sword "Careful with it lad." he rumbled quietly at him. He was easy on him - he probably shouldn't have been but the boy was too fragile to risk hurting. He let him attack, guiding him as he had with Peter, slapping his attempts away with his blade and parrying to await another attack. Their swords clashed, and Cassian's mind drifted to somewhere dark and distant and he misstepped..

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Alec pushed his advantage when Cassian missed his step and threw his weight into the mans now unbalanced side in order to push him to the floor. Once he was down he would point his sword to the larger mans throat with his head canted to the side.

"Are you alright, Cass?" he withdrew the blade and held out a hand, clear concern in his eyes. He had clearly known Cassian was going easier on him but to miss a step like that.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian landed on his back, his head starting to pound. He held his sword up to yield as the boy's blade pressed to his throat and he huffed and rubbed at his face. "Aye, lad." he took his hand and got to his feet.. "Just sobering up.." he laughed under his breath but his usual grin was gone and the laughter failed to meet his eyes. He was struggling to get the image of the boy's wounds out of his mind, and everything that came with it flooded in..

"Good job." he smirked, ignoring the ringing in his ears, ruffling at Alec's hair and shoving him away.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Alec didn't look convinced even when he had his hair ruffled he wouldn't leave, stayed put for a moment longer and said quietly.

"If you need to talk Cass... you're not on your own anymore," he grimaced a little upon realising how unmanly that sounded but he patted the older guy on the shoulder nevertheless before carrying on to face Aeleanora.

Louise took his place with a slight eyebrow raise, having heard what Alec had said. She was an experienced soldier, could see the look well. Instead of attacking she actually sheathed her blade and wandered over to stand closer so they couldn't be overheard.

"The lad's an idiot on most things but he's right about that. I can see it in your eyes Cassian," her voice was gentle and understanding. That she understood the demons was clear from her face. "Go to Lexi, you need her. I'll wipe the floor with you tomorrow instead," a small smile.

 

[Cassian]

The boy's words were a punch to the gut and he smiled "Aye, I know lad. I'm good." he assured and rubbed at the back of his neck with a frown as Louise sheathed her blade.

He couldn't help but feel slightly defensive about her calling Alec an idiot and his eyes narrowed for a brief moment, but she meant it kindly, he knew that. He was deflecting from the main point of her comment and his brow furrowed. He did need Lexi, he couldn't deny that, but he was a capable soldier and he wasn't about to ditch training because his head was a mess.

"I'm good. Lass. You can wipe the floor with me now." his jaw clenched and he nodded, stepping back to roll his shoulders and ready his blade.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Louise gave him one last look then she nodded and returned to her position. She would respect his decision. Slowly she drew her sword and gave him another nod to indicate she was ready and motioned for him to try and attack her on this occasion.

The woman was a slender thing, nothing like Lexi nor Aeleanora who looked like they worked with a blade day in day out. Louisa looked like she should be on a market stall felling flowers. Even the way she stood was casual as if she weren't entirely sure what to do with the sword. But her eyes told a different story.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian refocused himself, trying to clear his sobering mind of everything normally dulled by a few mugs of ale and whisky. He felt angry, mostly at himself for letting his head cost him in a way he couldn't afford if he was back in the field. He pulled a breath and held it for a moment, trying to settle his thoughts and his breathing before focusing on the task at hand.

He turned and circled, and took off in a a few quick strides toward the woman, blade lifted as he launched himself at her to bring it down toward the crook of her neck, making sure to pull back should the shot not be blocked.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Louise didn't move an inch as he ran at her but a slow smile crept across her face. As he launched the blow towards the crook of his neck she brought her blade up and then side stepped under his blow, using herr blade as a shield to protect her movement. Once she was past she would let her sword drop quickly meaning he would have to be quick to stop himself falling forward and on to his face.

If he recovered he would have to be quick to parry her neck blow which went for the backs of his hamstrings.

 

[Cassian]

He caught himself and turned quickly enough to catch the woman's blade on it's attack at the back of his legs and threw a shoulder into her to push her back, pressing forward her with a few rapid blows and clashes before feinting low at her stomach and parrying quickly again to bring the blade toward her neck.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

A flash of surprise at his speed and his parries. Soon the tables were turned again and Louise found herself on the defensive once more, a sheen of sweat breaking out across her forehead. She managed to keep up with him until the feint right at the end and his blade kissed her throat. She was breathing hard but when he pulled the blow and they stood opposite for a moment her lips twitched into a smile.

"Very good. Now I see why Lexi picked you up off the streets."

 

[Cassian]

He reached a hand to her shoulder as his blade fell, blood and sweat glistening on his skin as he breathed hard and laughed quietly at the woman's words "Aye.. Literally. But, she only picked me up for the cat." he commented, he'd been beat to shit when she had picked him up, and she'd only beat him up a little more.

One more. Then whisky.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Louise laughed at that comment then slid free of his grip and shook her head in mild amusement.

"Good match," she waved as the whistle blew on to her next opponent. Cassian's next one was Tryst. The man was a huge block of solid metal and over his head he wore a full face helmet so only the slits of his eyes showed through. He was a man of little words and he held the axe, which would have probably looked a large thing if anyone else were to hold it, in two hands. He hefted the weight of the head a little up and down as if toying with his decision on where exactly on Cassian to break first.

The stoic man said nothing but when the whistle blew again he lumbered forward two places and swung the axe with force.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian rubbed at his shoulder as he regarded Tryst.. "Fuck me." he muttered quietly, dropping his sword and opting for his axe instead. The man's strength was going to be tough competition, the sword didn't stand a chance. He twisted the weapon in his grip, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he awaited the attack, trying to keep his mind clear. He couldn't afford a misstep with him.

Cassian jumped back and the axe flew past him only inches from his chest. Would he have pulled that shot if he hadn't moved quickly enough? Cassian's jaw clenched and he circled around him with a counter attack, he wasn't holding back either. He aimed to slam the pommel into his opponent's ribs before quickly spinning with a hard swing toward his back.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

The pommel slammed into Tryst's ribs but if it hurt the big guy didn't say a word and turned instead to catch the pommel is it spun for his back. With one meaty fist he gripped it then pulled upwards and shook as if trying to get Cassian dislodged from his weapon entirely. Before he did however he simply, threw the weapon, and probably Cassian if he were still holding on, into the dirt. Once that was complete he swung again down with the aim of hitting him in the shoulder.

A deep rumble came from within the helmet a little like a chuckle.