Tranquil as a Forest, But on Fire! ...Just on fire.

[shepherd_prince]

WHO: Chrom, his new band of 'Shepherds', OPEN
WHAT: Now that there's a new team working together for the sake of the greater good, their first task is to beat the shit out of each other gather and spar, to better learn the skills, strengths, and weaknesses of their future allies on the battlefield. There may be shenanigans, there may not. But there will definitely be friendships of at least C-Rank by the end of this session.
WHEN: October 18th, 8 a.m.
WHERE: Training Hall
NOTES: Feel free to tag as many (or as few) sparring partners as you like. Chrom will be watching to take note of which people work best together for future reference. If you want him to come by and give feedback after a session, feel free to say so at the end of the spar!


The largest room of the training center had been specially reserved for Chrom and his assembled team. Kulevi was hovering just outside the front doors to direct Heroes to the proper location, advising them to stop by the armory if they needed to pick up any equipment for the training session. There weren't any refreshments, not yet, but Kulevi hinted that there might be sandwiches and punch once they concluded their sparring with one another.

Once everyone had arrived, Chrom greeted them with a smile. "I'm glad so many of you were able to attend. Given the warning we received a few days ago, I plan to have us conclude well before the appointed time if you wish to act upon that anonymous tip. In the meantime, let us begin." He produced a small tin can that rattled in his hand. "Inside are pairs of marbles with matching colors. Draw a marble, and find the person whose marble matches yours. This will be your first sparring partner. After ten minutes, the bell will ring and you will switch to someone new. Please take some time to introduce yourselves, and decide if you wish to spar with real weapons and spells, or if you would rather make use of the blunted and wooden practice weapons.

"We'll take a fifteen-minute break after three rounds. It is my hope that, by the end of our training regimen, we will all have a better understanding and appreciation of one another." He walked down the line, holding out the can to allow each person to draw a marble. When everyone had drawn, Chrom himself took the last one. He was not exempt from this exercise either.

Comments

Selphie

[boomchucka]

[Selphie is equipped with her combo of Red Mage and Warrior which has blessed her with some pretty potent magic. She's brought both her sword and her nunchaku for a little variety so she'll take on anyone with either weapon. She may or may not have a surprise for her teachers but they'd have to wait and see.]

[shepherd_prince]

[Chrom and Selphie have sparred a few times before. He knows she has more versatility with her jobs than he does. Most of the skills he's got aren't really suitable for a fight, since he wouldn't dare break out Doom or Death, nor would he try to petrify any one of them. But it's not going to do either of them any good if he holds back too much either. He'll have to test her, and push a little harder when she meets his challenges.]

Are you ready?

[Once she confirms she is, Chrom doesn't mind moving first. His crystal armor flashes as he moves forward, quickly covering the distance between them as his blade lashes out. He's not moving at full strength or speed; he wants to help her warm up first before he really presses her defenses.]

[boomchucka]

As I'll ever be! You better not poke me with that armor while we're at it, Chrom.

[Selphie waits for Chrom to make the first move, bringing sword and shield into a defensive position. If she was lucky, she may be able to parry his first strike and push him off balance with her buckler. She widens her stance to take the blow, grateful she opted her armor that morning. Her teacher looks like he wants to go all out for this sparring session.

Her eyes are observing his movements, looking for an opportunity to strike.]

[shepherd_prince]

[What he wants to do and what he must do are two very different things. He intends to show some measure of strength in his sparring sessions, as he has no intentions of bleeding or bruising his fellow companions. He knows Selphie is still learning and doing her best to master the blade, so he intends to temper his blows accordingly.]

Very well. Let's begin.

[It looks like she wants him to make the first move, perhaps to practice her skills at defending and parrying. He'll oblige, advancing with three quick steps before he swings his sword down straight toward her.]

they're using practice swords, right? o.o

[boomchucka]

[Through her lessons with Chrom, she's grown more accustomed to his attacking style but it makes her want to step back out of attacking range. She swallows that urge quickly as he makes the first move and shifts her weight to her right foot.

She keeps the sabre close to her body and brings the blade quickly to block Chrom's attack, using the buckler as a stabilising force to help her keep her balance. She applies pressure to his blade in an attempt to force him open to an attack.]

Chrom's not!

[shepherd_prince]

[He keeps his movements a little lighter and a little slower, knowing she's still a beginner. Once she's able to keep up with him, he'll speed up and fight more in earnest.]

Good! Don't be afraid to get aggressive. Keep your opponent on his toes. If you seem like you know you've got the advantage, he may believe it as well.

[If she keeps her eyes open and her reflexes sharp, the openings are there. He presents them only for a split second, extending a little further than he should when he swings at her so that it's not quite as easy to recover.]

Oh boy! xD

[boomchucka]

Right!

[If there's one thing Selphie has, it's reflexes. She knows a deliberate opening
when she sees one and takes full advantage of it. She maintains her form and manages to parry the second blow. It feels a little stronger than the first as she steps forward into a riposte. If the riposte lands, Selphie will pivot quickly and attempt a side kick to force Chrom off balance.

Don't forget that you're dealing with a girl with a fair chunk of martial arts skills already under her belt, Chrom!]

[shepherd_prince]

[He seems to be holding his own easily enough when dealing with weapons combat. After all, he's been trained in swordplay for the majority of his life. But he wasn't expecting that kick, and it causes him to stumble backward, shield jerking up defensively almost on instinct to protect himself from any attacks of opportunity made against him as he regains his footing.]

[The surprise registers clearly on his face, followed by a deep and hearty chuckle.]

Good! Very good.

[That means he doesn't need to hold back quite so much. He comes at Selphie again, increasing the speed and power of his blows, turning to hit with the flat of his blade rather than the edge just in case there's any danger that she might not be able to block in time.]

[boomchucka]

[A fire lights in Selphie's eyes as Chrom picks up the pace. However, he has strength and experience on his side as the flat of Falchion almost lands on the top of her head. She pulls the shield up quickly to block the blow.

It's only half successful. The flat of the blade still lands on Selphie's head but most of the force of the blow reverberates through her arms. She stifles a surprised curse before pushing the blade upward and lunging in for a fatal strike.

The move is weak from the strength of the first attack but she's not out yet.]

Not done yet!

[Using her smaller stature, Selphie darts around behind Chrom and attempts to strike the back of his neck with the flat of her blade.]

[shepherd_prince]

[Hopefully she doesn't think so lowly of his skills that she would believe he couldn't manage to turn in time when she starts running around to get behind him. His armor isn't that bulky. Falchion lifts to block the blow and push back.]

Attacking from an unprotected angle is well and good on the battlefield against an unaware opponent. But against someone you're combating one-on-one, conserve your movements, and wait for the opening to come to you instead of trying to force it.

[Clang clang clang.]

You will inevitably face someone who may try to spin in place to deliver a sword stroke. That is the opponent you want to strike, as they must break eye contact with you in that brief moment to complete their spin.

[His shield comes up to push back against another of her strikes, and he smiles.]

Naturally, I would advise you not to perform any spinning attacks as well, no matter how grand or flashy it may appear.

PA PA CHROOOOOM |D

[boomchucka]

[It's closer to the notion that Selphie wanted to show off a trick that she'd been practicing in private but learns from her sound and thorough trouncing that it wasn't such a good trick and best forgotten.]

Right!

[It's taking a lot of Selphie's strength just to defend against the strikes from Chrom but she does end up taking more than a few whaps from the flat of his blade that are going to leave some lovely bruises. She heaves in deep gulps of air and somehow manages to trip over her own feet in the process.

She lets out a startled noise as she lets her sabre fall from her hands as she stumbles and lands on the floor with a sound thud. She laughs sheepishly and waves her hands in front of her in surrender.]

Looks like I need to work on footwork still...

[shepherd_prince]

[Chrom laughs, sheathing his sword and extending a gloved hand to pull Selphie up to her feet.]

But you've improved a great deal since our first lesson. That is something you can be proud about.

[He tips down to pick up her sword and hand it to her.]

Do you have any injuries?

[boomchucka]

[Selphie nods and lets herself be pulled up as she accepts her sword and sheaths it with ease. The notes of improvement are a great thing to bolster her confidence with picking up a new weapon.]

Probably gonna have some bruises that aren't really worth wasting healing magic on.

Unless... we're gonna have a round two?

[Yes Chrom, that is a challenging look you're getting from your student.]

[shepherd_prince]

I appreciate the enthusiasm.

[He glances at the clock, then nods.]

We have some time left before we switch. Very well.

[He only waits long enough for her to take up her weapon before he rushes in. Better make every second count!]

[boomchucka]

[Selphie barely has time to settle into position before Chrom is charging at her. Her eyes widen in surprise before she's grinning impishly.]

Bring it!

[She brings her sword and shield up to block the blow again but moves quicker and more aggressively in forcing an opening.]