Ran watched the flying feet and fists and flailing limbs, impressed at the speed with which both fighters moved. Damaris was fluid and sleek; Amir moved with fiery energy and efficiency. He was happy to watch them although he knew it would be his turn again soon. To that end, he wrapped his arm around his ribs and leaned over sideways as if still hurt, even though he could tell things would be fine within minutes. He wanted more of a breather, thank you very much.
"Does Mara know she has a pink bike with streamers and a bell?" He asked, adding a pretty convincing grimace at the end of the question.
"Zip it, child," Amir shot back.
Ran grinned. This was going to be fun. Between his Islander's Greeting and Mara's new pink bicycle he was starting to regret never having come here sooner.
Exploring the Home Base (attn: Damaris)
Ran was being totally nosy. He knew it and he owned it. He was new - that was his excuse. If he was going to learn every bit of the Manor he had to explore it. In his defense, he had thus far stayed out of anyone's room. He couldn't imagine that going over well with anyone.
He'd found a library, a gym with an indoor pool, a huge dining room, a study or two, and what seemed like an endless line of fascinating rooms. Outside there were gardens, lots of them. Some had flowers, some had fruits and vegetables, some were sand and rock. Beyond those, a vast acreage that just begged to be run through or flown over... he'd take care of that soon. There were some buildings to explore down the hill though.
One of those was a stable, which brought a smile to his face. Ever the thrill-seeker, Ran had ridden quite enthusiastically when horses were the 'in' thing. He was usually at the front of any race, and he recalled several occasions during which he'd decided to test the ground on the other side of a fence... with differing results. Regenerating your spinal cord sucked, particularly at that half-healed stage when things started randomly twitching around.
Visiting with the horses, Ran offered a few of them an affectionate pat on the nose. There were a couple of Friesians at the end of the barn, big beautiful creatures. Ran wondered whose they were. They were all friendly.
"No carrots, sorry," he said, displaying his empty hands to a questing muzzle.
After the stable he found a larger exercise building, a dojo or a training area, whatever you wanted to call it. He knew without a doubt that he was going to end up here with Amir. In fact, he was surprised he hadn't been summoned yet so his Creator could see whether or not he'd been slacking - which he hadn't. Ran might be irresponsible at times but some lessons were just important, and Amir's tended to hit home.
Like a fist to the kidney, they hit home.
Ran could hear noises inside the building which wasn't surprising. He was sure many people came here to work out. Obviously it was important to the members of the Hunt to keep in shape but a lot of his own Order needed to know how to defend themselves, as did the Rose, and, well, anyone who wanted to live a centuries-long and fulfilling life.
There was only one person inside at the time, though, a woman with very dark hair. Ran watched her for a few moments but then turned is attention away to study the layout of the place, the location of the practice weapons, things he'd need to know when Amir finally did catch him. Ran supposed it was because Elder Jin had immediately had a job for him when he'd arrived that Amir hadn't tested him yet, but as sure as the sun rose in the East Ran knew it was coming.
((ooc: Ran is wearing knee-high clunky boots, black with purple laces on one side and electric blue on the other. He has on a kilt, not a plaid one but a utili-kilt sort of thing, black with neon green accents. He's wearing a bright purple t-shirt with the phrase "bulletproof" across the chest in red. Over that is a vintage-looking blazer in dark blue. He has spools in his ears and hoops through the spools. His contacts today are solid colored, but bright green. His hair is, as per usual, spiky and long in front, dyed as mentioned in the bio, and he has all of his piercings in including a few new ones in his left eyebrow.))
Ran Iyala
11 years ago
Amir
11 years ago
Amir flashed Damaris a grin. "This particular one is lucky he didn't get left out in the sunlight to tan."
"Hey!" Ran protested from the mats.
"It's the truth," Amir said. "Now quit faking it and sit up straight, it's your turn next."
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ran huff a sigh and roll his eyes heavenward as if praying. Also a ruse, as Ran believed religion of pretty much any kind was pointless and annoying. After a moment Ran sat up and pulled his arm away from his torso, shrugging and relaxing back with a very small wince that was far more genuine.
Damaris had actually backed off while he'd had his exchange with Ran, something she hadn't had to do and shouldn't have done. In a real fight no one would pause to let Amir have a little chuckle.
Instead of circling politely or testing or playing, Amir launched a full-out assault upon his sparring partner, battering her with hands, fists, feet, elbows, any part of his anatomy he could. His balance and timing were impeccable, the moves as easily accomplished as only a seasoned fighter of two-thousand-plus years could manage. With his own ability, that resilience that made him able to withstand more punishment than usual, he registered that Damaris was certainly landing blows on him. He couldn't block every single one, although he was difficult to hit and he knew it, but no matter how hard she hit they simply didn't have the same effect as they would on another vampire.
"Let me know when you're tired of it and I'll go push Ran around some," he offered, his casual tone of voice completely at odds with the fury of the attack he was maintaining upon the younger Huntswoman.
While it wasn't entirely one-sided, Amir had too much experience to lose this battle. It was his.
"Hey!" Ran protested from the mats.
"It's the truth," Amir said. "Now quit faking it and sit up straight, it's your turn next."
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ran huff a sigh and roll his eyes heavenward as if praying. Also a ruse, as Ran believed religion of pretty much any kind was pointless and annoying. After a moment Ran sat up and pulled his arm away from his torso, shrugging and relaxing back with a very small wince that was far more genuine.
Damaris had actually backed off while he'd had his exchange with Ran, something she hadn't had to do and shouldn't have done. In a real fight no one would pause to let Amir have a little chuckle.
Instead of circling politely or testing or playing, Amir launched a full-out assault upon his sparring partner, battering her with hands, fists, feet, elbows, any part of his anatomy he could. His balance and timing were impeccable, the moves as easily accomplished as only a seasoned fighter of two-thousand-plus years could manage. With his own ability, that resilience that made him able to withstand more punishment than usual, he registered that Damaris was certainly landing blows on him. He couldn't block every single one, although he was difficult to hit and he knew it, but no matter how hard she hit they simply didn't have the same effect as they would on another vampire.
"Let me know when you're tired of it and I'll go push Ran around some," he offered, his casual tone of voice completely at odds with the fury of the attack he was maintaining upon the younger Huntswoman.
While it wasn't entirely one-sided, Amir had too much experience to lose this battle. It was his.
Damaris
11 years ago
Ran seemed to be a mouthy little thing, he'd given that indication before they'd started sparing the fact that he kept it up with his creator only reinforced that impression. She gave a bit of an amused snort.
"There is one in every family. He might grow out of it though."
She joked, but she also kept a bit of an eye on Ran hoping she hadn't done -too- much damage. She would have been disappointed if she hadn't done any but she had promised not to break him, or at least to put him back together.
And this is what she got for being nice, she thought as Amir ratcheted up his efforts. She responded as best she was able and it didn't feel like a completely hopeless match, just mostly impossible. She was hitting him, connecting more than once but he was doing a better job. Not to mention she was having to put considerably more force behind anything to get it to registrar. Damned she wished she had coat of arms. That and a hot bath, this rather hurt.
"Any time you want to throw in the towel I'm happy to accept your surrender."
She still spoke with a certain joviality, but unlike Amir's casual tone Damaris was breathing a bit hard. She was just too stubborn to give up entirely, although right now she was doing more dodging and avoiding than attacking.
Damned it this hurt, but she hated to retreat. It was stupidly reckless, but she put everything she had left in a furious assault hoping, no doubt futility, that she could catch him off guard or cow him into backing down. It would probably wind up with something broken and bloody, but that went with the territory didn't it?
"There is one in every family. He might grow out of it though."
She joked, but she also kept a bit of an eye on Ran hoping she hadn't done -too- much damage. She would have been disappointed if she hadn't done any but she had promised not to break him, or at least to put him back together.
And this is what she got for being nice, she thought as Amir ratcheted up his efforts. She responded as best she was able and it didn't feel like a completely hopeless match, just mostly impossible. She was hitting him, connecting more than once but he was doing a better job. Not to mention she was having to put considerably more force behind anything to get it to registrar. Damned she wished she had coat of arms. That and a hot bath, this rather hurt.
"Any time you want to throw in the towel I'm happy to accept your surrender."
She still spoke with a certain joviality, but unlike Amir's casual tone Damaris was breathing a bit hard. She was just too stubborn to give up entirely, although right now she was doing more dodging and avoiding than attacking.
Damned it this hurt, but she hated to retreat. It was stupidly reckless, but she put everything she had left in a furious assault hoping, no doubt futility, that she could catch him off guard or cow him into backing down. It would probably wind up with something broken and bloody, but that went with the territory didn't it?
Amir
11 years ago
Amir, not even winded yet, gave a soft sigh and shook his head at Damaris. It was rare to see a vampire so worn out that they dropped but he was perfectly capable of keeping this pace up for quite some time. He didn't even bother to evade her furious attack - he blocked and parried with arms and legs while cranking his own efforts up.
He debated between disabling her and simply wearing her out. The latter won him over - this was way too much fun to end by crippling her. Besides, she was a fantastic fighter. He enjoyed sparring with Bao and Mara both, but they were limited. Even Mara, who had been with him for sixteen hundred years and was certainly no slouch, didn't have the passion in her for a fight such as this. Skill, yes, he'd made sure of that, but she wouldn't throw herself into it with such ferocity.
He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye and laughed softly. "Really, Ran," he chided.
Yes, that was his vampire, rolling to his knees and lashing out with his foot, hoping to catch his own Creator off guard. Amir had definitely fought more than one opponent before and he was just fine with that.
"Bring it on, Kudzu. But I'm not going to go easy on you."
He debated between disabling her and simply wearing her out. The latter won him over - this was way too much fun to end by crippling her. Besides, she was a fantastic fighter. He enjoyed sparring with Bao and Mara both, but they were limited. Even Mara, who had been with him for sixteen hundred years and was certainly no slouch, didn't have the passion in her for a fight such as this. Skill, yes, he'd made sure of that, but she wouldn't throw herself into it with such ferocity.
He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye and laughed softly. "Really, Ran," he chided.
Yes, that was his vampire, rolling to his knees and lashing out with his foot, hoping to catch his own Creator off guard. Amir had definitely fought more than one opponent before and he was just fine with that.
"Bring it on, Kudzu. But I'm not going to go easy on you."
Ran Iyala
11 years ago
Normally Ran's loyalty was unswerving - normally. But this was the practice arena. All loyalties were suspended, especially in light of the fact that Amir had pretty much promised to kick his ass next. So, feeling that his ribs were just fine, Ran threw his lot in with the black-haired vision of ferocity that was wailing away at his Creator.
"Well let's face it, Amir, you weren't offering to spar naked with me," Ran said with a cheeky grin and a shrug as he aimed a kick at his Creator's ankle. "And even if you were, you're pretty but you're just not my type."
Amir scowled at him; he might poke fun at Ran's cheerful, talkative nature but Ran knew how to gouge back. Amir was adorable - he looked all of sixteen unless he was trying hard for an older appearance, and he had a youthful, slender frame that didn't seem able to land such vicious kicks. Add to that, Ran had seen him with his hair long before and he was positively feminine if the light caught him just right.
Sadly, however, Amir was far too competent to be shaken by a tease or two, so while he shot a look of disgust at Ran he also shot a punch his way that Ran simply couldn't avoid. It sent him skidding along the mats on his back, watching stars dance overhead for a few moments.
"Crap," he said, laughing and rubbing his jaw. Still, he rolled to his feet and hopped back into the fray. "You even punch like a girl, sweetheart. My Amir would have knocked me senseless for a comment like that."
"Well let's face it, Amir, you weren't offering to spar naked with me," Ran said with a cheeky grin and a shrug as he aimed a kick at his Creator's ankle. "And even if you were, you're pretty but you're just not my type."
Amir scowled at him; he might poke fun at Ran's cheerful, talkative nature but Ran knew how to gouge back. Amir was adorable - he looked all of sixteen unless he was trying hard for an older appearance, and he had a youthful, slender frame that didn't seem able to land such vicious kicks. Add to that, Ran had seen him with his hair long before and he was positively feminine if the light caught him just right.
Sadly, however, Amir was far too competent to be shaken by a tease or two, so while he shot a look of disgust at Ran he also shot a punch his way that Ran simply couldn't avoid. It sent him skidding along the mats on his back, watching stars dance overhead for a few moments.
"Crap," he said, laughing and rubbing his jaw. Still, he rolled to his feet and hopped back into the fray. "You even punch like a girl, sweetheart. My Amir would have knocked me senseless for a comment like that."
Damaris
11 years ago
The move was unexpected, but Damaris did see Ran moving to join in the fun. She was rather surprised.
"Naked buys loyalty? Who knew?"
That was unexpected. Ran had touched on a nerve, at least it looked like he had. One had to assume that skidding across the mats wasn't just a love tap. Still she smiled as it happened, this was a very good thing, it was the best work out she'd had since arriving in Nachton
Letting Ran distract Amir for a second she got as much of her wind back as possible, she wasn't exhausted yet but she had been practicing before Ran appeared, then taken on Ran and then Amir and wasn't in the habit of holding back so she wasn't fresh. It wasn't much of a rest, maybe two breaths, but this time she didn't cut Amir any slack while Ran was needling him. Nope, if Ran was going to go this route she was going to take advantage like you were supposed to.
She fought dirty too, she might as well he was damned hard to phase let alone hurt. Kick to the knee, elbow to the throat, slam him into the mat and pin him. At least, that was the plan.
"Naked buys loyalty? Who knew?"
That was unexpected. Ran had touched on a nerve, at least it looked like he had. One had to assume that skidding across the mats wasn't just a love tap. Still she smiled as it happened, this was a very good thing, it was the best work out she'd had since arriving in Nachton
Letting Ran distract Amir for a second she got as much of her wind back as possible, she wasn't exhausted yet but she had been practicing before Ran appeared, then taken on Ran and then Amir and wasn't in the habit of holding back so she wasn't fresh. It wasn't much of a rest, maybe two breaths, but this time she didn't cut Amir any slack while Ran was needling him. Nope, if Ran was going to go this route she was going to take advantage like you were supposed to.
She fought dirty too, she might as well he was damned hard to phase let alone hurt. Kick to the knee, elbow to the throat, slam him into the mat and pin him. At least, that was the plan.
Amir
11 years ago
Amir snorted at Ran. Poor bastard needed to stop thinking with his cock. Of course, if he did then he wouldn't be Ran, would he. The blue-haired vampire went skidding across the mats but was back up, running his mouth again like usual. Amir had to give him credit, like usual. Ran just didn't know when to quit.
And he wasn't the only one, apparently. The assault of both vampires at least had his blood pumping a bit. Damaris was clearly winded but wasn't giving in although her movements weren't quite as sharp as they had been.
Ran's mouth got him in trouble so Amir spared a moment to truly lay him out. Without a word in retaliation he simply whirled, stepped into Ran's heavy punch, and clocked him hard enough that he simply folded. Delightful sight. And blessed silence.
Amir then turned his attention back to Damaris, who attempted to go for street brawling. Amir was fine with that, too. Not everything was mixed martial arts. He rolled smoothly beneath her kick, spun, and came up jus behind her elbow as it passed overhead. Grabbing it, he moved forward with her, using her momentum to swing her over and down. He put no small amount of force behind the throw, pounding her onto the mats.
Then, in a stunning display of poetic justice, he cranked her arm up, wrenched her shoulders down, and sat on her back in a similar manner to how she'd been sitting on Ran when he'd arrived. Only, Amir knew how she'd try to get out of it. And she wasn't going anywhere.
"So who was going to surrender?"
And he wasn't the only one, apparently. The assault of both vampires at least had his blood pumping a bit. Damaris was clearly winded but wasn't giving in although her movements weren't quite as sharp as they had been.
Ran's mouth got him in trouble so Amir spared a moment to truly lay him out. Without a word in retaliation he simply whirled, stepped into Ran's heavy punch, and clocked him hard enough that he simply folded. Delightful sight. And blessed silence.
Amir then turned his attention back to Damaris, who attempted to go for street brawling. Amir was fine with that, too. Not everything was mixed martial arts. He rolled smoothly beneath her kick, spun, and came up jus behind her elbow as it passed overhead. Grabbing it, he moved forward with her, using her momentum to swing her over and down. He put no small amount of force behind the throw, pounding her onto the mats.
Then, in a stunning display of poetic justice, he cranked her arm up, wrenched her shoulders down, and sat on her back in a similar manner to how she'd been sitting on Ran when he'd arrived. Only, Amir knew how she'd try to get out of it. And she wasn't going anywhere.
"So who was going to surrender?"
Ran Iyala
11 years ago
Ran didn't last more than a few minutes against Amir when he was in full force like this. The little bastard was quick like a weasel, clever like a fox, and hit like a mack truck. On top of that he could take repeated poundings and not show any signs of wear. Fucking Energizer vampire.
Ran's distraction worked for about a minute. Maybe less. Then, in cool retaliation for Ran's jibes, Amir simply walked into his fist and laid him out. The last thing Ran remembered thinking was that, thank goodness, he couldn't spar with Amir when he was out cold. Maybe it would last a good long time.
He was still lying on his back when his foggy brain slowly came to. He heard someone say something about surrender, and that sounded like a fantastic idea.
"I surrender," he croaked. "Me. I do."
He heard a snort from several feet away. "Your mouth is awake before your brain. Why am I not surprised? You're soft, Ran. We're going to be doing some extra training every night."
Ran wanted to protest; he was actually better than he used to be but Amir was the elite of the elite. How was Ran supposed to maintain a Huntsman's standard doing a Nightsman's job?
And, really, he knew Amir didn't expect him to succeed - but Amir wanted his family to survive. He always had. And because he did, he trained them relentlessly. He always did.
Slowly, Ran lifted his head. Two Amirs sat on top of two Damarises, spinning slowly around. "Was that a left hook? It felt more like your right. You've been practicing with it! How come nothing's broken though? Who's getting soft?"
Inwardly he groaned; some people were born with filters that told their mouths when to shut up. Where had his gone?
Ran's distraction worked for about a minute. Maybe less. Then, in cool retaliation for Ran's jibes, Amir simply walked into his fist and laid him out. The last thing Ran remembered thinking was that, thank goodness, he couldn't spar with Amir when he was out cold. Maybe it would last a good long time.
He was still lying on his back when his foggy brain slowly came to. He heard someone say something about surrender, and that sounded like a fantastic idea.
"I surrender," he croaked. "Me. I do."
He heard a snort from several feet away. "Your mouth is awake before your brain. Why am I not surprised? You're soft, Ran. We're going to be doing some extra training every night."
Ran wanted to protest; he was actually better than he used to be but Amir was the elite of the elite. How was Ran supposed to maintain a Huntsman's standard doing a Nightsman's job?
And, really, he knew Amir didn't expect him to succeed - but Amir wanted his family to survive. He always had. And because he did, he trained them relentlessly. He always did.
Slowly, Ran lifted his head. Two Amirs sat on top of two Damarises, spinning slowly around. "Was that a left hook? It felt more like your right. You've been practicing with it! How come nothing's broken though? Who's getting soft?"
Inwardly he groaned; some people were born with filters that told their mouths when to shut up. Where had his gone?
Damaris
11 years ago
Surprise attacks just didn't work against other members of the hunt. She knew it, but in all fairness she'd been a bit desperate. Damaris added that to her list of things to remember with Rashid. She did, however, feel better about herself for having taken advantage, even if she had failed.
She snorted at Ran, who apparently was not dead, even as she stretched a bit both trying to find a weak spot and because it actually felt rather good. Her muscles were loose, warm and supple.
"You give up too easy."
She chided Ran, although her voice was a bit muffled given her present position. Damaris wasn't quite the 'never give up never surrender' type but if you could still move and still mouth off, you still had some fight in you. Use it.
It did, however, get her off the hook from having to surrender or make a brash comment she couldn't back up. Especially when he got even mouthier. She could see why Rashid had said this child had been lucky to survive. That kind of snark would try the patience of a saint, and she doubted Rashid was a saint.
In an effort to keep Ran from getting his ass throughly kicked Damaris made an attempt to distract the small, but -very- strong vampire who had her pinned. Realistically she should have hoped that Rashid would respond to the taunt, let her up and they try to rescue Ran, but one good turn deserved another she supposed and Ran had tried to help her.
"Actually if you wanted to get my other arm too, I have a bit of a cramp under my shoulder..."
It wasn't her best bit of sass, but that also wasn't her usual style. No matter what happened it was better than shadow boxing.
She snorted at Ran, who apparently was not dead, even as she stretched a bit both trying to find a weak spot and because it actually felt rather good. Her muscles were loose, warm and supple.
"You give up too easy."
She chided Ran, although her voice was a bit muffled given her present position. Damaris wasn't quite the 'never give up never surrender' type but if you could still move and still mouth off, you still had some fight in you. Use it.
It did, however, get her off the hook from having to surrender or make a brash comment she couldn't back up. Especially when he got even mouthier. She could see why Rashid had said this child had been lucky to survive. That kind of snark would try the patience of a saint, and she doubted Rashid was a saint.
In an effort to keep Ran from getting his ass throughly kicked Damaris made an attempt to distract the small, but -very- strong vampire who had her pinned. Realistically she should have hoped that Rashid would respond to the taunt, let her up and they try to rescue Ran, but one good turn deserved another she supposed and Ran had tried to help her.
"Actually if you wanted to get my other arm too, I have a bit of a cramp under my shoulder..."
It wasn't her best bit of sass, but that also wasn't her usual style. No matter what happened it was better than shadow boxing.
Amir
11 years ago
Amir chuckled as Damaris accused Ran of giving up too easily. He couldn't help defending Ran just a little. "Really you do have to give him a little credit for fortitude," he said. "Five hundred years of repeated beatings and he keeps coming back for more."
When Damaris mouthed off from the mats he snorted in laughter again. "Please do not start hanging around with him. One loudmouth is enough."
Nevertheless he actually stood, his foot on Damaris' back, her hands in his, and gently pulled her arms, stretching them both back until he heard a pop. Even vampires got cramps on occasion. Of course, they went away pretty much immediately, but a cramp was a cramp.
"Now get your ass up, Ran."
He turned to his progeny but didn't ignore Damaris. If she wasn't ready to quit, she wasn't going to quit. He wasn't facing her but he certainly was paying attention to her even so.
When Damaris mouthed off from the mats he snorted in laughter again. "Please do not start hanging around with him. One loudmouth is enough."
Nevertheless he actually stood, his foot on Damaris' back, her hands in his, and gently pulled her arms, stretching them both back until he heard a pop. Even vampires got cramps on occasion. Of course, they went away pretty much immediately, but a cramp was a cramp.
"Now get your ass up, Ran."
He turned to his progeny but didn't ignore Damaris. If she wasn't ready to quit, she wasn't going to quit. He wasn't facing her but he certainly was paying attention to her even so.
Ran Iyala
11 years ago
Ran raised his head and looked at Amir. "I only count as one loudmouth? I'm going to have to work harder."
He watched as Amir obliged Damaris and tugged at her arms. "While you're being all helpful and stuff, I sure could use a massage. I have a screaming headache."
Amir rolled his eyes at him but Ran could see the amusement on his Creator's face. This was just how they rolled, he and Amir. It was odd; Ran had seen Amir display zero patience with people, but Ran somehow never seemed to quite strike his last nerve. He was still looking for it, though he'd admit he didn't really want to find it.
Amir told him to get up and his body responded even while his head whined. Amir, however, only took an easy stance and beckoned him. Ran, somewhat gratefully disbelieving, went through all the motions of punching and kicking as Amir schooled him carefully. Correcting a form here, a position there, Amir simply watched him, countered him, and let him counter. As if he were newly Created all over again. Sometimes Ran forgot that Amir had taught all of his own vampires with a patience Subira had never possessed.
Granted, Amir had run him through. Twice. But, Ran reasoned, at least one of those occasions was his own fault. When actually instructing, Amir's methods were nowhere near as harsh as Subira's. Ran glanced at Damaris now and then to see what she was doing. He actually had enjoyed bantering with her. He would totally not be averse to naked wrestling. Of a different sort, even. But then, he wasn't usually ever averse to that.
Amir's palm smacked his face. "Pay attention, Kudzu."
Ran didn't even bother blushing, he just grinned and shrugged his shoulders.
He watched as Amir obliged Damaris and tugged at her arms. "While you're being all helpful and stuff, I sure could use a massage. I have a screaming headache."
Amir rolled his eyes at him but Ran could see the amusement on his Creator's face. This was just how they rolled, he and Amir. It was odd; Ran had seen Amir display zero patience with people, but Ran somehow never seemed to quite strike his last nerve. He was still looking for it, though he'd admit he didn't really want to find it.
Amir told him to get up and his body responded even while his head whined. Amir, however, only took an easy stance and beckoned him. Ran, somewhat gratefully disbelieving, went through all the motions of punching and kicking as Amir schooled him carefully. Correcting a form here, a position there, Amir simply watched him, countered him, and let him counter. As if he were newly Created all over again. Sometimes Ran forgot that Amir had taught all of his own vampires with a patience Subira had never possessed.
Granted, Amir had run him through. Twice. But, Ran reasoned, at least one of those occasions was his own fault. When actually instructing, Amir's methods were nowhere near as harsh as Subira's. Ran glanced at Damaris now and then to see what she was doing. He actually had enjoyed bantering with her. He would totally not be averse to naked wrestling. Of a different sort, even. But then, he wasn't usually ever averse to that.
Amir's palm smacked his face. "Pay attention, Kudzu."
Ran didn't even bother blushing, he just grinned and shrugged his shoulders.
Damaris
11 years ago
Damaris just half laughed at Rashid's comment. And refrained from pointing out that such voluntary abuse could require therapy or anything like that. She had been knowing to make the occasional snarky comment, sometimes she was downright pithy but it wasn't her usual MO.
"Don't work too much harder, you'll get hurt."
She advised Ran as Rashid worked the cramp out.
"Damned... thank you."
Once released, and grateful that she had not technically surrendered, Damaris rolled to her feet and got out of the way. She wasn't so rude as to intrude on what had become a lesson. With the exception of Ambrose, for obvious reasons, she'd taught her own off spring hand to hand skills. Not everything they'd ever need and only one could even come close to holding his own with her, but she'd always known who to send them to to get what they needed. As such she considered it unique to watch Rashid work with his own off spring with this much detail.
Finding a towel she had wiped her face and arms and settled into stretch some, avoiding any additional cramps. Really it was just an excuse to eaves drop on the lesson. The day she grew too cocky or jaded to learn something new from or too foolish to listen when a good source was giving advice was the day she really did die. But she kept out of the way not wanting to intrude or distract. That and she did want to catch Rashid an arrange for another match.
"Don't work too much harder, you'll get hurt."
She advised Ran as Rashid worked the cramp out.
"Damned... thank you."
Once released, and grateful that she had not technically surrendered, Damaris rolled to her feet and got out of the way. She wasn't so rude as to intrude on what had become a lesson. With the exception of Ambrose, for obvious reasons, she'd taught her own off spring hand to hand skills. Not everything they'd ever need and only one could even come close to holding his own with her, but she'd always known who to send them to to get what they needed. As such she considered it unique to watch Rashid work with his own off spring with this much detail.
Finding a towel she had wiped her face and arms and settled into stretch some, avoiding any additional cramps. Really it was just an excuse to eaves drop on the lesson. The day she grew too cocky or jaded to learn something new from or too foolish to listen when a good source was giving advice was the day she really did die. But she kept out of the way not wanting to intrude or distract. That and she did want to catch Rashid an arrange for another match.
Ran Iyala
11 years ago
"I never work too hard. Just hard enough. Smart-assing, though, that's a hobby."
Ran dragged his attention away from Damaris, but Amir was mercifully brief with him. Although the punch from before had not actually hurt him (nothing lasting anyway although he wasn't going to say that out loud - Amir would disagree and say something about brain damage) it was true that his head was spinning.
His Creator let him off the hook after fifteen minutes or so, with a shove toward the changing rooms. Ran went quite willingly, putting his clothing back on and thinking of the indoor pool he'd discovered. Assuming it was kept at a tolerable temperature, it was just what he would like to relax. Then a warm shower and a drink and a nap... in that order.
Re-emerging from the changing room he watched his Creator move fluidly through a series of forms from different styles. Amir went from one to the other gracefully and fluidly. Ran recognized some but not others. He moved over to Damaris and, his eyes still on Amir, said, "Another night, maybe? We can try this again. I believe I have a phone number to get."
He raised an eyebrow at her. She could give it to him if she liked, or he could wow her with his awesome Nightsman skills and find it his way. From the mats Amir snorted again, which was totally at odds with the peaceful fluidity of his movements.
"New technique, Ran? Let her beat the shit out of you then get the pity number?"
Ran scoffed back at his Creator. "That's not new, Amir. It works all the time."
Ran dragged his attention away from Damaris, but Amir was mercifully brief with him. Although the punch from before had not actually hurt him (nothing lasting anyway although he wasn't going to say that out loud - Amir would disagree and say something about brain damage) it was true that his head was spinning.
His Creator let him off the hook after fifteen minutes or so, with a shove toward the changing rooms. Ran went quite willingly, putting his clothing back on and thinking of the indoor pool he'd discovered. Assuming it was kept at a tolerable temperature, it was just what he would like to relax. Then a warm shower and a drink and a nap... in that order.
Re-emerging from the changing room he watched his Creator move fluidly through a series of forms from different styles. Amir went from one to the other gracefully and fluidly. Ran recognized some but not others. He moved over to Damaris and, his eyes still on Amir, said, "Another night, maybe? We can try this again. I believe I have a phone number to get."
He raised an eyebrow at her. She could give it to him if she liked, or he could wow her with his awesome Nightsman skills and find it his way. From the mats Amir snorted again, which was totally at odds with the peaceful fluidity of his movements.
"New technique, Ran? Let her beat the shit out of you then get the pity number?"
Ran scoffed back at his Creator. "That's not new, Amir. It works all the time."
Damaris
11 years ago
Damaris moved through her stretches easily, relaxing, and even debating going out yet tonight. Dawn was a few hours away yet there was no reason she should stay hidden on clan grounds. Maybe she'd go dig up Ambrose, he'd mentioned something about playing tonight. She probably ought to call home as well to see what was going on with her academy. No news tended to be good news but she didn't like to be an absentee owner.
Ran was apparently dismissed and disappeared for a bit. She didn't follow him, instead she let her thoughts continue to wander a bit as she concentrated on her own movements. It was a little surprising that he'd stop and followed up with her, but Damaris had to admit she was a bit pleased.
She gave him a rather wry grin and nodded.
"I wouldn't mind trying again. Give me a call when you have some time."
She left the ball in his court and acknowledged the phone number challenge; nope she wasn't going to just give it to him, he'd have to earn it. Never mind that she'd gotten his name in a rather random manner and hadn't earned it. The same was true of him.
Damaris just laughed at the idea that she'd give someone her number out of pity. OK she might.
"It is a disgustingly reliable ply Rashid. Sometimes it even works when you know you're being scammed."
Damaris cheerfully rolled her eyes at Ran. She didn't honestly think he'd been trying to scam her, he'd just been in the right place at the right time and willing to let her kick him about a bit. Hell this didn't even really count as flirting, at least she didn't thin it did. Although if he wanted to flirt and try that naked sparking she would be OK with it.
Ran was apparently dismissed and disappeared for a bit. She didn't follow him, instead she let her thoughts continue to wander a bit as she concentrated on her own movements. It was a little surprising that he'd stop and followed up with her, but Damaris had to admit she was a bit pleased.
She gave him a rather wry grin and nodded.
"I wouldn't mind trying again. Give me a call when you have some time."
She left the ball in his court and acknowledged the phone number challenge; nope she wasn't going to just give it to him, he'd have to earn it. Never mind that she'd gotten his name in a rather random manner and hadn't earned it. The same was true of him.
Damaris just laughed at the idea that she'd give someone her number out of pity. OK she might.
"It is a disgustingly reliable ply Rashid. Sometimes it even works when you know you're being scammed."
Damaris cheerfully rolled her eyes at Ran. She didn't honestly think he'd been trying to scam her, he'd just been in the right place at the right time and willing to let her kick him about a bit. Hell this didn't even really count as flirting, at least she didn't thin it did. Although if he wanted to flirt and try that naked sparking she would be OK with it.
Damaris
11 years ago
Damaris moved through her stretches easily, relaxing, and even debating going out yet tonight. Dawn was a few hours away yet there was no reason she should stay hidden on clan grounds. Maybe she'd go dig up Ambrose, he'd mentioned something about playing tonight. She probably ought to call home as well to see what was going on with her academy. No news tended to be good news but she didn't like to be an absentee owner.
Ran was apparently dismissed and disappeared for a bit. She didn't follow him, instead she let her thoughts continue to wander a bit as she concentrated on her own movements. It was a little surprising that he'd stop and followed up with her, but Damaris had to admit she was a bit pleased.
She gave him a rather wry grin and nodded.
"I wouldn't mind trying again. Give me a call when you have some time."
She left the ball in his court and acknowledged the phone number challenge; nope she wasn't going to just give it to him, he'd have to earn it. Never mind that she'd gotten his name in a rather random manner and hadn't earned it. The same was true of him.
Damaris just laughed at the idea that she'd give someone her number out of pity. OK she might.
"It is a disgustingly reliable ply Rashid. Sometimes it even works when you know you're being scammed."
Damaris cheerfully rolled her eyes at Ran. She didn't honestly think he'd been trying to scam her, he'd just been in the right place at the right time and willing to let her kick him about a bit. Hell this didn't even really count as flirting, at least she didn't thin it did. Although if he wanted to flirt and try that naked sparking she would be OK with it.
Ran was apparently dismissed and disappeared for a bit. She didn't follow him, instead she let her thoughts continue to wander a bit as she concentrated on her own movements. It was a little surprising that he'd stop and followed up with her, but Damaris had to admit she was a bit pleased.
She gave him a rather wry grin and nodded.
"I wouldn't mind trying again. Give me a call when you have some time."
She left the ball in his court and acknowledged the phone number challenge; nope she wasn't going to just give it to him, he'd have to earn it. Never mind that she'd gotten his name in a rather random manner and hadn't earned it. The same was true of him.
Damaris just laughed at the idea that she'd give someone her number out of pity. OK she might.
"It is a disgustingly reliable ply Rashid. Sometimes it even works when you know you're being scammed."
Damaris cheerfully rolled her eyes at Ran. She didn't honestly think he'd been trying to scam her, he'd just been in the right place at the right time and willing to let her kick him about a bit. Hell this didn't even really count as flirting, at least she didn't thin it did. Although if he wanted to flirt and try that naked sparking she would be OK with it.
Ran Iyala
11 years ago
Ran beamed at Damaris. Excellent. She was cute, she was deadly, what more could he want in a fling? And, she was a Clanmate which was even better. Ran knew some people eschewed the notion of having a brief relationship with members of their own Clan or even their own kind but Ran preferred it. He found vampires tended to be far more open-minded and understanding of the no-strings-attached relationship.
"I'll be calling you soon, then," he said. Very soon.
Laughing at Damaris's words to Amir Ran shot at his Creator, "You'd know what worked if you could pull your face out of your work long enough to bother dating anyone."
Amir snorted again. "Not suffering in that department," he said.
"Maybe not now," Ran pointed out, "but you've made the monks I've known look debauched by comparison."
He rolled his neon eyes at Damaris. "He's all work work work," he complained. Of course he was willing to acknowledge the change in Amir that he noticed even in the short time he'd been in Nachton so far but that didn't mean he wasn't going to tease him for five hundred years (and more, but Ran hadn't been around then) of narrow-mindedness.
Shaking his head at Amir, who was still focused on his workout, Ran turned back to Damaris. "It was a pleasure having my ass kicked by someone prettier than Amir. I look forward to the next round."
Then with a cheerful wave, he took himself off to find his swim trunks and introduce himself to the lovely pool at the Manor.
((ooc: Ran and Amir out))
"I'll be calling you soon, then," he said. Very soon.
Laughing at Damaris's words to Amir Ran shot at his Creator, "You'd know what worked if you could pull your face out of your work long enough to bother dating anyone."
Amir snorted again. "Not suffering in that department," he said.
"Maybe not now," Ran pointed out, "but you've made the monks I've known look debauched by comparison."
He rolled his neon eyes at Damaris. "He's all work work work," he complained. Of course he was willing to acknowledge the change in Amir that he noticed even in the short time he'd been in Nachton so far but that didn't mean he wasn't going to tease him for five hundred years (and more, but Ran hadn't been around then) of narrow-mindedness.
Shaking his head at Amir, who was still focused on his workout, Ran turned back to Damaris. "It was a pleasure having my ass kicked by someone prettier than Amir. I look forward to the next round."
Then with a cheerful wave, he took himself off to find his swim trunks and introduce himself to the lovely pool at the Manor.
((ooc: Ran and Amir out))
Damaris
11 years ago
"Promises, promises."
Damaris teased, or was it flirted. She never claimed to be good at flirting she hadn't spent a lot of time in courts when she was alive or when that was fashionable. It was an art she'd never mastered. Granted she wasn't hopeless, she just hadn't elevated it to an art form. Ran didn't seem to mind and he was attractive and amusing, and he moved well. She wasn't looking for a 'soul-mate' but a bit of wrestling wouldn't be a bad thing.
Not knowing Rashid well enough to comment on his lack of amorous activities she just grinned and shrugged. It happened to them all from time to time, you just got wrapped up in work for a few days or decades and forgot to have any fun.
"Any time I'm sure. But I wouldn't claim to be better looking."
Out of respect for a fellow member of the hunt and one who had just kicked her ass at that Damaris deliberately didn't use the word 'pretty'. There were some buttons she wasn't willing to push and that was one.
With Ran gone she did take a second to speak to Rashid about practicing together again. But she had no real need to stick around. She'd done more than she'd set out to this evening and deserved a little play time. Damaris quietly excused herself to her rooms to lean up and change.
((OOC... Damaris out too))
Damaris teased, or was it flirted. She never claimed to be good at flirting she hadn't spent a lot of time in courts when she was alive or when that was fashionable. It was an art she'd never mastered. Granted she wasn't hopeless, she just hadn't elevated it to an art form. Ran didn't seem to mind and he was attractive and amusing, and he moved well. She wasn't looking for a 'soul-mate' but a bit of wrestling wouldn't be a bad thing.
Not knowing Rashid well enough to comment on his lack of amorous activities she just grinned and shrugged. It happened to them all from time to time, you just got wrapped up in work for a few days or decades and forgot to have any fun.
"Any time I'm sure. But I wouldn't claim to be better looking."
Out of respect for a fellow member of the hunt and one who had just kicked her ass at that Damaris deliberately didn't use the word 'pretty'. There were some buttons she wasn't willing to push and that was one.
With Ran gone she did take a second to speak to Rashid about practicing together again. But she had no real need to stick around. She'd done more than she'd set out to this evening and deserved a little play time. Damaris quietly excused herself to her rooms to lean up and change.
((OOC... Damaris out too))