The Bee-Lister (Open) [COMPLETE]

[Gegenji]

"Y-yeah... that's what Papa always said 'bout th' armor he makes," Chachanji admitted, though it didn't cheer him up as much as Warren might've thought. All those statements his father had made had been about Gegenji-crafted gear, and those greaves didn't the have the familiar trademarks inherent in his family's smithing style.

 

In fact, looking at them, it seemed they had been... reforged from something far older. Or perhaps refurbished? Chachanji wasn't entirely certain; he had seen repairs done and even done some himself, and noted some of the basic signs of casual maintenance, but there was something... different lurking deeper within those greaves. Maybe he was just over-thinking it, but his musings definitely helped quell his worries about whether or not he had actually injured Warren.

 

The Highlander's declaration pulled the young Lalafell's mind back from his remembered lectures from home. He looked a bit confused at first, replaying the statement back in his mind to register it. Once that was done, though, he seemed to perk up some more, clambering back to his feet.

 

"O-oh yeah?" he countered, shakily trying to sound heroic as he pounded lightly on his breastplate. "I... I'll face ya anytime, ser Warren!"

 

Just as quickly as he had stared up at the Hyur, he dropped his gaze again towards the ground. Bashfully, he scratched at the back of his head, wondering if he had overdone it. His ego deflated some, he added a much softer: "Y'know... If'n ya don't mind..."

 

 

Sorta cheated and used your Lodestone to see what leg item Warren was wearing. :angel:

 

Didn't help, considering you're wearing Noct Greaves and nothing mentioned what the heck they're made out of... so I had to get creative.

 

... Hope that's okay... :blush:

 

[Warren Castille]

Warren frowned inwardly when his attempt to pick the lalafellan lad's spirits up didn't quite stick. He did seem to perk up at the idea of a rematch, though, so Warren stuck with that.

 

"I've got no problem keeping my skills sharp, too. I'm used to fighting folks that are my size, or bigger, so you might even teach me something or two on the way." He wasn't just trying to puff the guy's ego, either - Warren had seen enough fighting at the Grindstone and some other, seedier fighting tournaments to know what a confident lalafell could do to someone who took them seriously, let alone the messes made when someone underestimated them.

 

"There's a weekly gathering of fighters every week that gets together not too far from here. It's a bit of a rough crowd most nights but the idea is simple enough. We all pair off and beat the hells out of each other until there's only one guy left standing up. No magic, no tricks, just weapons and instinct. I'm not sure if it would be up your alley at all, since some guys go just to see how badly they can hurt someone without killing them, but there's always healers and clerics nearby to patch up anyone who gets hurt."

 

Warren considered his next words carefully, but figured it wouldn't hurt too much, even if it put Chachanji off of attending the Grindstone. "Easiest way to get over a fear of being hurt or dying is to get hurt or come close to dying." He shrugged the idea off casually, as if it wasn't that big of a deal. "Makes the hornets not seem so scary anymore, that's for sure."

 

Yep, I don't glamour anything and usually log in my PVE gear. That's alright, though: IC!Warren wears recolored paladin AF armor so it's still probably on the money as far as assessment goes. Who knows how long they've been keeping that stuff and just reforging it for the next guy?

 

[Gegenji]

"I... I could teach you sumthin'!?" Chachanji seemed much more thrilled about the idea of helping a Paladin out more than anything else. He didn't even bother wondering if that might just be buttering him up or a continued attempt to cheer him up. Just the thought of that made him all giddy inside and that was pretty visible on the little Lalafell's face. That eager, almost-ready-to-bounce-around pose he had used before didn't hurt either.

 

The idea of a big ol' gathering of folks who fight each other sounded really exciting, too... at first. The added comments about guys who hurt people just to hurt them and the need for healers on-hand kind of soured his mood. It also brought back to mind Chachanji's quite recent concerns about having hurt Warren. He was lucky in this case; the Paladin was willingly training him and his armor had deflected the boy's wild attack. Out at this gathering, though, it would be completely different.

 

"That fightin' thing sounds neat 'n all..." he started, poking his index fingers into each other bashfully. "But... I'm still learnin' how ta sword, as ya can rightly tell. I think somethin' like that is a bit outside me reach right now."

 

He gave a nervous chuckle.

 

"I mean... there's th' fact that I could get beat up real bad, too. 'n... 'n there's th' chance I could hurt someone else real bad too. I know ya said there'd be healin's 'n stuff there but... I'd still feel real bad. I want ta beat up bad guys, not jus' people."

 

His expression turned a bit more thoughtful.

 

"Also, I dun want people hurt or dyin'... so shouldn't I be a'feared o' it?" He folded his little arms over his chest. "'n them bugs're just mean."

[Warren Castille]

Warren felt a little bit like he'd just told the guy ghost stories. It was hard to sell the Grindstone; Depending on who you got matched up with determined whether or not you were in for a spar or a real fight, but learning was the real purpose. Warren could give over all the training in the world, but that didn't matter where real combat was concerned. He had trouble thinking of how to bring that point up.

 

"Those are pretty good points. Maybe once you're more comfortable with yourself and that sword. I've managed to not hurt anyone too seriously and have only been hurt a handful of times, and the insight was valuable.

 

"There's no reason you can't teach me something, you know. I don't get to see how many people much smaller than me would attack me, so today was already a learning experience for me. I know to watch out for flying objects next time." He laughed again and shrugged.

 

"There's still plenty of light left in the afternoon. I can help you go over your footwork and how to balance with your sword while swinging and stuff if you've got the time and discipline to work on it. A few good swings makes for good exercise but remember your fundamentals!"

 

His tone was eased but structured. Warren didn't want to lecture the poor kid so he was hoping it wouldn't sound too much like take-home work, even if it was in disguise.

[Gegenji]

The eagerness returned to Chachanji's face.

 

"Y-yeah! That'd be great!" he stated with the nod. "I gotted all'a my errands done fer today, so I have plenty'a time ta learn th' thunder-mentals!"

 

A snort from Gran interrupted his excited thoughts. The little behemoth shot his master a knowing look, then settled his head back down with a snuffle to enjoy this nice chocobo-wrought shade some more.

 

"... Err... jus' as long as we're done a'fore Gran needs his supper."

 

With that clarification made, the Lalafell padded his way over to his discarded shield. Strapping it back on to his arm, he turned back towards the Paladin and got into what he assumed was his basic fighting stance, ready for some pointers.

 

"Akay, so what do?"

 

 

Was the "giving homework" a suggestion on how to wrap this little RP up? If not, it still seems like a good way to do it, if you'd like. Little closing bit as Warren gives Chacha some more instruction, then fade to black? Might be kinda cute. :blush:

 

[Warren Castille]

***

"It was a lot easier with an eager student than I thought it would be. Poor kid kept forgetting what I'd just told him a tick or two prior, but it was good work. Good work."

 

Warren was retelling the story some hours later over a hot meal. He'd just broken a hot dinner roll in two and let the steam rise out of the center while to his left and right sat a pair of listening miqo'te. Sei was uncharacteristically quiet while he told the story but she kept looking at him with amused, knowing looks. Howl, on the other hand, simply listened and hung on every word while Warren made mention of what transpired.

 

It had only been a bell, maybe one and a half, since he'd departed from Chachanji's company. He'd done as he said he would and the two went over proper technique- the thunder mentals- and stance. Warren showed him how to properly put his weight behind his swings and tried to emphasize how he had to make the most of what he'd been given. Warren gave him pointers for how to keep his head tucked under his shield but his vision clear over the edge of it. Visibility was important, he'd harped, and knowing what to look for moreso.

 

He wasn't kidding when he said it helped to have someone eager, either. Chachanji seemed to soak up everything Warren said and then some. He strived to get down every detail perfect which... had the predictable outcome of everything being a little bit off, but Warren just tried to patiently correct him and repeat his instructions. It was a productive few short bells before they finally had to go, and Warren made sure to give him a couple of steps and exercises to memorize.

 

"You can practice these in your inn room before bed, and when you wake up. Just... don't slay any innocent flower vases or tables. Momodi gets mad when we break her decor."

 

Feel free to set a montage to whatever song you feel appropriate.

 

[Gegenji]

OOC

 

And that's a wrap! Thanks to both Warren and Desair for playing along with me and little Chacha! I had a lot of fun, and I hope everyone that participated or just followed along enjoyed it! Now I just have to figger out how to lock this thing (Guidelines says there's a dropdown but I don't see one, what do?), and we'll be all set here.

 

Thanks for reading!