[open] Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!

[disdainfully]

Who: OPEN!!! Anyone and everyone is welcome here, please drop in!
When: March 15th.
Where: The Thorsson backyard.
What: Sparring! Characters who have no weapons yet but want to try out something, or who want to try out new weapons, are welcome as well!
Warnings: Violence.


Imagine that there was a network post asking for people to come to a afternoon of sparring and training/trying to force echoes. There was a specific emphasis in the post for people to not bring powers or firearms into the mix, only all kinds of short range weapons - swords, axes, knives, maces, halberds, anything really. A part of the idea, as was explained, was not only to provide a place to try out different weapons but also to have multiple people use weapons in a small area, allowing for battle echoes.

So the day has come! The place is the backyard of the Thorsson's downtown store/private buildings, a relatively large areal closed off with buildings belonging to the family on all sides.

There are all kinds of weapons - real ones and some larp weapons as well - on a table in a corner of the backyard that cannot be used for sparring since swings, a sandbox and a bench are located there. Protective gear like chainmail and helmets can be found as well. Some refreshments in form of apples, juice boxes and bananas, all in open boxes, have been placed next to them along with water in bottles.

So those that brought no weapons can borrow those proffered, and those that brought their own ones can try out others as well.


[OOC: Please post your own thread starters and tag each other!]

Comments

Henry

[theboywiththebook]

Henry had managed to get out of the house again, saying he was just going to a friends place to play or something. And he would be playing all right. With swords. So in the back yard with everybody else, Henry's already magick'd up his own sword from just a stick.

Currently he's just kind of swinging it around at some blades of grass. He's almost positive he used one in his old life. Want to comment on the kid's lack of form?

Now that I've compiled/submitted an echo list, let's try this

[proudbraveandtall]

There's a kid here. Why was there a kid here? It's not like what they're doing isn't dangerous - his memories are rougher than any of his family's, but he knows for sure that his past self could fight and that that fighting was not easy nor safe.

Of course, with all the crap that's happening in the city, kids probably need to learn how to defend themselves, too. What a world they're living in, huh?

But Hjalti is fairly protective of children, though he's not one of those people that underestimates them, so he watches Henry for a few moments before walking over himself. At the moment he's only got a very long wooden staff, not quite as tall as he is but still plenty tall considering he comes from a family of giants. The lack of form doesn't get a comment (although it's pretty obvious), but he does have a question for the kid.

"Do your parents know you're here?"

I'm sorry but im not.

[theboywiththebook]

A kid was here because what kid doesn't want to learn how to use a sword or even a bow? The boy was completely oblivious to the man coming up behind him but when the question is asked, Henry turned.

Henry looked to the giant of a man with apathy though. He's heard this question far to often to even care for the good intentions behind it. "Yeah. Do yours?" Yes, he was snarking. Deal with it.

I'm totally not sorry either XD

[proudbraveandtall]

Well, sure, of course any kid wants to learn to fight with dangerous weapons. But that's the key, dangerous, because this doesn't seem to be a controlled environment. Certainly his family isn't going to be going easy on anyone.

That snark gets a raised eyebrow in response but no admonition to be respectful or whatever. Henry's not his kid, and it's actually pretty good to see a kid not being afraid of all of this. As long as he's not being stupid when the going gets rough. "This is my family's place."

No. No, he totally didn't answer that question.

Re: I'm totally not sorry either XD

[theboywiththebook]

"Totally not what I asked," it's grumbled, but audible. Even still Henry's not going to sass too much longer. The last thing he needed was to get thrown out and not even get a stupid echo out of this if there was one to be had.

Moving the sword over his shoulder, Henry looks up to the older man. There was one thing he needed to clear up before he'd even say anything else. "Are you going to tell me kids shouldn't be handling dangerous weapons? And they should be playing tag or something dumb like that?"

[proudbraveandtall]

"That's the answer you're going to get. The older generation hasn't been here for a couple of months anyway." So, no, his parents don't know that their prodigal son has returned. They really wouldn't like it, but Henry doesn't need to know the complicated family backstory.

But the kid's direct, he'll give him that. It's pretty refreshing to see, actually, even though most children are very direct. This boy seems to have some brains in his head at least. "I'm gonna say kids shouldn't go throwing themselves into stupid situations more than they already do, since we know that whatever's against us doesn't care who or what or how old you are if you get in its way." He pauses for a moment - and then continues. "But if a kid wants to know how to protect himself so in case something does happen he'll be okay? That's not a bad idea." Why else would so many parents sign their children up for karate lessons, after all.

[theboywiththebook]

"So, they don't know." It seemed pretty obvious, if they weren't around how would they know, right? But, Henry could've been wrong, honestly he didn't even care if he was right.

Despite that the boy was expecting to be told just that. To go home and do dumb little kid things. As much as he wouldn't want to do that, he probably would in the end if only to avoid an argument. But, that's not what's said. Actually it was the exact same thing Henry had thought. It actually earns a bit of a smile out of the boy.

"That's exactly why I want to learn. I can't depend on the adults all the time if I get stuck." And to go and stop the bad guys, but shoosh he won't say that bit.

[proudbraveandtall]

"If they know, I haven't been told about it. But they don't know all of this stuff either as far as I know." Smart kid. Still didn't need to know the family history, but there's certainly a lot of Numbered people around who weren't telling their families about it all.

"You need to try and depend on the adults for awhile - you're not done growing, you're not as strong as you're gonna be when you are. But you can probably learn stuff that'd still help you, like how to get out of the way if something attacks, and you can probably run rings around most of us since you're small. You'd be a harder target to hit." He's been in enough fights even without the past life business to know more or less how it works, and what strengths and weaknesses each body type has. Henry's definitely going to grow more in the future, but until then he needs techniques that work with what he's got.

[theboywiththebook]

"On the up side they at least can't get in the way of all this." After all, he wasn't going to go telling his foster parents about any of this stuff, no matter how much they asked what was going on.

But the man's words only earn him a distasteful look from Henry. But the look is more than just a child wanting independence. It's colder and in Henry's face he doesn't trust the words.

"I can take care of myself without any dumb adults. Besides I have magic." Or at least as far as transforming objects goes.

[sjokolade]

Meanwhile, Abby wasn't much better when it came to form. After finding out that she got an echo knowing that she used sort of weapon? She might as well start finding out how to better use it right? Of course, said weapon was a violin of sorts but she wanted a better weapon to protect herself with!

That was when she ran into a familiar looking boy when she began swinging around a sword. At first, she was shocked to see him here but then again...was she one to talk?

"Hey...what are you doing here?"

[theboywiththebook]

That voice. That was the voice of a certain nagging teen he knew only too well. Or semi-well. Either way the question makes him cringe. Why of all days did she have to come here?

He turned to her, brow quirked with apathetic look. "I'm baking a cake," The sarcasm was heavy in his voice and was soon followed by him gesturing around. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

[sjokolade]

"Yes, I can totally tell." She snarked right back him as she was trying to hide the small sword from behind her. "I can see that you're baking a wonderful cake for everyone to see."

However, she eventually turned into a sigh. "No seriously, what are you doing here? Especially with that weapon in your hand?" Like she was one to talk.

[theboywiththebook]

He is immune to your snark Abby. He'd continue to snark if he felt like it, but, he really doesn't. It'd probably just turn into an argument and then everyone would see it and kick him out. Honestly, he'd like to stay and learn how to use this sword so he decided to answer her question.

"I'm learning how to use a sword. A lot of people are because, you know, the police would probably be totally okay shooting me in the head." His words sound like he isn't amused but it was honest. He already knew the police wouldn't spare him even if he had every intention on sparring them. But, he needed to learn how to use something.

[sjokolade]

For a moment, Abby wasn't too sure how to respond to that. She did want to tell him off once more but she couldn't could she? He was just ten, he shouldn't be doing anything like this! Eventually, she just settled on the sigh.

He knew that the police were pretty ruthless when it came to the numbers from what she had read up on. She just...wasn't really expecting a kid his age to be so upfront about it.

"...But isn't there any other weapon you could use to protect yourself? Or at least something that the both of us know how to use?" She mumbled to the side.

[theboywiththebook]

"Like what? Swords are what heroes use and I wanna learn how to use a sword." He sounds pretty huffy about it all too. "Besides, why's it matter that I learn how to use something that you can?" He didn't come here to learn a weapon along with her so why be restrained by that.

[sjokolade]

At first, Abby wanted to say something about that. She had no problem admitting that she had no idea how to use a sword. She just wanted to use a cooler weapon than just using a violin. Then again, to admit that to anyone and much less a 10 year old? She bit her lip before finally saying something.

"Who...who said that I knew how to?" She mumbled before turning the other way. "I just thought using a sword would be better but it doesn't mean that it isn't any more dangerous..."

And there goes whatever pride she had left.

[theboywiththebook]

"Isn't that a bit hypocritical?" Yes, he knows big words, Abby. She was telling him not to use a sword but she'd use one anyways? Yeah, that sounded completely unfair. Thankfully, he didn't have to listen to her at all. So, instead he just turns to her raising the sword. "Are you wanting to practice or what? We can even use fake swords if you want," Though his tone sounds a bit patronizing.

[flamberge]

The kid that makes all testicles shudder in fear catches Karl's attention pretty quickly. Rather than instantly commenting on the form, he opts to observe for a few moment. It's obvious the kid needs some instruction and, well, sometimes kicking a guy in the nuts won't be enough to get out of a situation. "You're holding it incorrectly."

[theboywiththebook]

It will when he believes up some steel toed shoes! Henry wasn't as startled this time when another person approached him about his sword work. But, he is sort of surprised it was the same cop that took him back to the Trills that one night. That fades quickly however when Karl remarks on his sword work. "Huh? I am?" He looks down at his own hand, grasping the sword and turns it over a couple of times. He thought he had been holding it pretty well too.

[flamberge]

Karl's eyes trail down to the grip in question. Not that bad a grip, but just not a good one, either. "This grip, though more than sufficient for weaker opponents, will not fare well against anyone with considerable skill and can result in your blade more easily being knocked from your hands." Master of the sword he may not yet be, but this much he does know. Passing down this knowledge to people who need it only seems right.

Hmm... actually, past him did the same thing. Karl's expression turns thoughtful at the sudden memory, though a frown comes close to forming at the fact Lloyd had been the target of the lecture. Not surprising, but not pleasant to remember that Lloyd required as much help as this one. Ah well, teaching his son isn't something Karl particularly minds.

[theboywiththebook]

There's an obvious frown on Henry's face as he turns the sword over. He almost wants to throw this thing on the ground and go do something else. But, as much as he knew that he sucked, giving up would be like losing face. So, he turns to Karl, still holding the sword up. "Can you show me?" Henry asked curiously. The only way he was going to learn was if he got some kind of teacher.

[flamberge]

Someone asking for instruction, with combat or otherwise, is never something which would be given a no to. People need guidance sometimes. Guidance is what can result in learning. Karl nods. "All right. The proper grip..." A nice explanation with Karl demonstrating the right way to hold it follows. Though detailed, it doesn't end up being complicated. One thing is obvious: guy knows how to teach.

[theboywiththebook]

Henry watched and listened as Karl showed him how to hold the handle of the blade. As Henry followed long he seemed to begin to get the hang of it. But, it only took a moment after he figured out how to hold it to regain a memory. Or at the very least the memory of how to use a sword.

With n excited tone he raises his blade saying, "I think I got it!"

[flamberge]

Watching a student not only listen, but put what's been said in action has to be one of the best feeling ever. It makes being a teacher, in a school setting and outside of it, worth it. Watching Henry do so is enough to get a teeny smile from him. Karl observes the boy's grasp and sounds honestly proud upon speaking, "You seem to have. Good work."

[theboywiththebook]

And when Karl congratulates him, Henry turns with a bright smile on his face. Honestly, he didn't think his old self knew how to use one but regardless, he thought he could do better. "Okay, so what's next?"