NationStates Jolt Archive

Mr. Miyagi sat on his grass mat in a huge open room. The walls were bamboo and the windows were rice paper, letting in soft light from the sun outside. Along the western wall were many racks filled with weapons. Katanas, staffs, nunchucks, shurikens, knives, small daggers, energy swords, bayonets, claws, several lengths of cord, just to name a few. The ancient Xiscapian was in his prime, about 80 years old. His ears, tail, and hair were pure white, with maybe a hint of light gray. He wore loose green robes, and sat with his back to the rice paper and wood door. He could sense the students drawing ever closer.

Chris walked to a door he stopped and bowed in front of Mr. Miyagi and placed his shoes in a corner and walked into the Huge room and said

Hi My Name is Chris which is my Government Name my real name is Gwindor Lossëhelin which in your language translate to SKY Im very interested and studying your martial arts said Chris

Indigo and Kai arrived next, both of them taking off their footwear as they entered. They crossed to stand before, but not too close to Sensei Miyagi, bowing deeply, respectfully, to the ancient Xiscapian. They then made lesser bows to the other student who had arrived before them.

They did not speak as they had over heard a bit of the conversation and it would be rude to interupt. Novan's had every bit of respect for 'privacy when no privacy was to be had 'that their ancestors had.

Stars walks in with her two drones K1 and K6 hovering next to her and takes a seat near the back and rest her Rifle next the desk as she sits

Dominic walked in, wearing tabi. He bowed towards the teacher, then nodded to the other students. He sat down and looked at Star's drones. Why she even had drones in a CQC class...

OOC note to all it's three class in one thread we may not been in the room at the same time ?
IC
Star place her shinsakuto forg Knife on the desk along side her shinsakuto forg Bayonet
before pulling out a Snack bar

Nika (http://bree.blogzoom.fr/images/mn/1182419925.jpg) walked into the room quietly, she went in front of the class, and took a small bow. Nika Sat at an empty desk away from the people. She had her eye the drones.

Pat walked into the room and removed his shoes. Noting what the female student in front of him had done he walked up to Mr. Miyagi and bowed. He then walked to take a seat in the rear of the classroom.

Cavourna walked into classroom and bowed respectfully to Mr. Miyagi before giving the traditional Alversian salute

"Ian Cavourna reporting Sir!"

Star looks about and goes back to reading a PDA as her Drones land on the desk
"power down K1 and K6"she say to them

Indigo and Kai, had ignored the desks, this was a combat class, and as Sensei Miyagi was sitting of the mats, therefore they too sat on the mats. Indigo winced imperceptably at each person entering who had not taken their shoes off and bowed to the sensie.. To her it was the height of rudness, but it wasw certainly not her place to say anything. If the sensei chose, those he felt had insulted him would learn a most pointed lesson. She also knew that other cultures were not as formal as Novan culture was.

Indigo had gracefully folded herself into seiza posture and laid her sword, still scabbarded before her. Kai knelt slightly behind her and to her right side as Indigo was left handed.

Star looks up at Indigo and Kai from the PDA and then looks back at it
"huh Battle of Thoth"said Star then gets up and kneels on one knee lowers her head

"Without Knowledge, Skill cannot be focused. Without Skill, Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength, Knowledge may not be applied."

Noting the other students posture Pat changed from his cross legged sitting position to a kneeling position.

Gerrak looked over his cord-Hand to Hand and the Way of the Sword, taught by a Mr. Miyagi. Stooping as he entered, he saw the other students were gathered and kneeling before the instructor. Bowing, he took up a kneeling position identical to the others', and placed his combat training gloves before him for inspection. It would not do to slay another student with claw or fang-and the gloves would ensure that. They would pad his claws, but did wear down with use. Doubtless Mr. Miyagi would inform him if he required a new pair.
Idly, he scanned the weapons on display, keeping his attention primarily on the instructor. Trolls preferred flails and lariat, but these sharp swords were, according to Bobbo, the ultimate melee weapons, much superior to the spears he was most familiar with.
He noted the presence of the small one with her spirit guard, and flashed his teeth in a friendly manner as these creatures did, giving a slight incline of his head as acknowledgement.
*In battle, be as water* he reminded himself*Lap and flow with the moment, and follow the path of least resistance-the flesh of your foe will be yours if you are wise*

Nika sat in her desk, in the class of Hand-to-Hand combat and waited for the teacher to speak, she wanted to make sure she passed this class, the only class that she would have ever passed since school.

Only now did Mr. Miyagi finally open his eyes and look at every student, staring at each in turn. He stood briefly and gave a slight bow before sitting down again. When he spoke his voice was soft but somehow musical. "For those of you who have not already, please remove your footwear and sit on a mat on the floor. I am Sensi Miyagi, and I am here to teach all of you the way of the Sword and the art of close combat." He stopped speaking for a moment, the only sound the soft splashing of a fountain on the corner and the shuffling of the students. He raised a arm and pointed to Star and Indigo in turn. "Mrs. Star, Mrs. Indigo, please come to the front of the room." Once they had done so he spoke again. "What do you know of combat?"

Indigo stood gracefully, having taken her sheathed sword in her right hand. and moved to the front of the room as requested. Bowing to the Sensei Indigo replied in a respectful, straightforward manner. Her voice was soft but carried clearly throughout the room, it was the projected voice of a trained vocalist.

"Sensei Miyagi, I have been taught much of the philosphy of combat, but I have never been in a battle. I know only intellectually. I have had daily sword practise since I was four, but I can not say if it was with the intensity of true combat" She had never been allowed to oberve a battle, much less take part in one.

Mr. Miyagi nodded and smiled. "Actual battle and war is not something you want to experience. Indeed," he said, his gaze sweeping across the room "my teachings are only to be used in defense, never attack. Of course, sometimes attack is nesiccary in order to save a life, but I strongly discourage it. And you," and said, turning to Star, "girl dressed and prepared for war, what do you know of combat?"

"i've killed Z'mos and their aillies before Mandalore fall to them ,i've seen and done what most fifteen years old would not seen or done Sensei"said Star who was now sixteen

"And what exactly have you done that others would not dare do?"

"when did i say not dare do, i said not seen or done "said Star then mutters under her breath in werewolf

The hairs on the back of Pat's neck stood on end. He had not survived three wars and a revolution by not being able to sense danger. If history proved its self redundant what was about to happen is what always happened when arrogance met true skill.

"when did i say not dare do, i said not seen or done "said Star then mutters under her breath in werewolf
While the exact meaning was unclear, the intent was sensed. "You are avoiding the question. I ask again: What have you seen and done that most fifteen years old would not have seen or done?"

While the exact meaning was unclear, the intent was sensed. "You are avoiding the question. I ask again: What have you seen and done that most fifteen years old would not have seen or done?"

"i'am not avoiding it when you know the answer"said Star

Realizing that Nika Had her footwear still on she went and took them off. She sat on the floor Listening to what the Senci Miyagi, and the other two people that he had called opon to come up.

"i'am not avoiding it when you know the answer"said Star
"I know the answers to many things, yet there is a few in particular I seek. I am asking you to be more percise in your telling of your exploits, if you will."

"so you when i said i've killed you find that normal for a fifteen years old to do "

Yes I have experenced a horrible war were my whole city was killed except a few before we had to kneel to other forces Said Chris

"so you when i said i've killed you find that normal "
Mr. Miyagi shook his head. "It is not normal or right for anyone to kill another being, even in self-defense. But I am more interested in your morals and what you think of war." He looked at Indigo. "Both of you." When Chris spoke Mr. Miyagi looked at him for a long time. "I am sorry for your loss." he said finally. "I am here to prevent such things from happening, by training all of you in the ways of peace and self-defense. Not killing someone can avert a war as easily as killing someone can start one."

"if you must kill in self-defense as there is not other way to avoid it then it must be done and War is an evil that will all ways be there"Star said as she looks at a photo she pulled out a pocket

Though interested, Mr. Miyagi did not inquire as to the picture. "Thank you. That is all I needed to hear. You may both go side down now." He turned his attention back to the class. "Today we will be learning some basic CQC. Please find a partner and stand facing each other."

a Single tear falls to the floor as Star sit as the photo she was looking at was her boyfriend who was killed along with a number of cadets by beheading after they surrender after a long fight

Kai had not moved, but he too had inwardly readied himself for impending trouble.

Indigo closed her eyes for a long second and her voice was even softer when she spoke. "Killing is not right, but you must balance the weight upon your soul, and stand ready to bear the karma, if needs must. Her eyes were sad but unflinching as she looked at Sensei Miyagi "Sometimes war cannot be avoided."

Then she looked at Star and her voice was very gentle. "And your hatred, and anger, are as visible as a blood stain on white cloth. Hate and anger both weaken one."

OOC:: Nova Are you playing two characters??

Nika Looked around the room woundering who too choose, not really knowing she stood up, andd woundered.

Chris walked to Nika and Said Would you like to be my partner

Kai had not moved, but he too had inwardly readied himself for impending trouble.

Indigo closed her eyes for a long second and her voice was even softer when she spoke. "Killing is not right, but you must balance the weight upon your soul, and stand ready to bear the karma, if needs must. Her eyes were sad but unflinching as she looked at Sensei Miyagi "Sometimes war cannot be avoided."

Then she looked at Star and her voice was very gentle. "And your hatred, and anger, are as visible as a blood stain on white cloth. Hate and anger both weaken one."


"this is way i'am here away from all "said Star

OOC Kinkara yes Nova Nippon is

OOC:: Nova Are you playing two characters??

Nika Looked around the room woundering who too choose, not really knowing she stood up, andd woundered.

OOC: Yes I am
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indigo looked at Star with deepest sympathy. "Would you be my partner?" She asked softly, her heart going out to Star. "Perhaps we can help one another"

Kai looked over at Gerrak, and gave a half bow. "Would you care to be my partner?" He asked

Chris walked to Nika and Said Would you like to be my partner
OOC Sorry for long reply.

SHe looked at him
"Sure..." Nika said sorta faint.

OOC Sorry for long reply.

SHe looked at him
"Sure..." Nika said sorta faint.

OCC: Its Straight

Alright so whats your name

OOC: Yes I am
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indigo looked at Star with deepest sympathy. "Would you be my partner?" She asked softly, her heart going out to Star. "Perhaps we can help one another"

Kai looked over at Gerrak, and gave a half bow. "Would you care to be my partner?" He asked

"they have no Honour" said Star before looking at Indigo and bows her head
"i would like that"

OCC: Its Straight

Alright so whats your name

"My name is, Nika" She looked at him
"And yours is?" She asked with a normal toned voice.

Gerrak bowed, and nodded. "Wonz the zenzee cheks the gluvz, I hoap tu honnur yu."
He rather doubted the kami would require him to wear the gloves for sparring-he rather doubted even laying a claw on the kami would be possible, but trolls had fought spirits since the Godwar, and being tossed around by Kai would teach him more than any other opponent here.
Testing a theory, he addressed Kai in Shadowspeech. "Have you ever faced the Muri before, revered one?"

Mr. Miyagi spoke. "When you are ready, have your partner come at you. Attacker, you are attempting to bring your oppenent down with a minimul hit count. Defender, you are trying to take your attacker out with a crippling blow that will leave them on the floor. You may begin as you see fit."

Pat walked up to Dominic "Partners?" he asked

"Sure. I'll defend."

Pat bowed deeply to Dominic, straightened and settles into the preferred stance of Commando Krav Maga. With out warning pat struck using a Savate style kick.

The kick hit Dominic in the arm, causing him to wince slightly, then he dropped into a Hapkido style and threw a number of punches at his opponent.

The punches caught Pat in an uncomfortable position so the first one got through hitting Pat in the face. Recomposing himself Pat was able to dodge or block the rest of the punches. Ducking underneath Dominic's punches Pat decided to go for the close game. He clinched with Dominic and began throwing knees aimed at Dominic's stomach.

A knee caught Dominic in the stomach, winding him temporarily. He stumbled backwards slightly, then threw a sucker punch at Pat's head, bringing a knee up at the same time to attempt to block his attacks.

OOC: Dynamic Revolution, check your TG's.

With one leg in the air Pat thought he had Dominic. All he had to do was put his leg that was on the ground behind Dominics only ground placed foot and push Dominic over. But just as he was about to do this Dominic caught him with a surprise punch to the head. Disorientated and dizzy Pat stumbled back several steps before regaining composure. Pat decided to change styles. He went into the Hoodlum fighting style. Jumping up and down Pat shook his head to clear it and thumbed his nose before settling into a very relaxed stance and saying "Come get some"

"I'm defending, buddy." With this, he stepped quickly towards Pat, making his fingers into a point. He jabbed at Pat's collar bone, then kicked at his right leg, trying to sweep his feet put from under him.

"Have you ever faced the Muri before, revered one?"

"I have faced Oni, which I think are distant kin to you, but no, never a Muri. It will be good to learn from you. Please, friend, let us speak as fellow warriors, and I think neither of us needs gloves." Kai responded in the same language. "I'm willing to bet that neither of us has had a good workout in many a day"

With that he moved unexpectedly and lightning quick, a fist full of suddenly there claws that feinted towards the Muri's right, but which at last second turned in to a powerful leg sweep that came in from the left.

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

"I am sorry that your enemy has no honor. When I was young my tutors, so that I had a good foundation, spoke only of honorabl things, honorable combat. I remember how shocked and disgusted I was when I learned of beings that had no honour." Indigo said compassionately. "Why don't you be the attacker first and I'll defend."

"Hes fast" Pat thought as he saw Dominic coming for the collar bone hook. Taking two steps back he dodged the sweep then he grabbed Dominic's arm and twisted it forcing Dominic to bend at the waste. Using a side kick he hammered into Dominic's ribs. "Come on Dom...Im not stupid. You'll never get me like that! I know your holding back, let it out...I promise i wont cry." Mocked Pat. His Hoodlum master had taught him all about psychology in warfare. Pat hoped that the mocking combined with his Hoodlum style would be enough to anger Dominic into making a mistake. He settled back into the hoodlum stance loosening his muscles by shaking them. Then after blowing the blood out of his nose he attacked. Pat fainted to the left then went for the heel stomp to the top of Dominic's head.

Dominic grimaced as the kick impacted. He brought his hand up and pushed Pat's foot, moving it to the side away from his head and into his shoulder instead where it would do less damage. He then retaliated with a flurry of kicks and punches, combined with jabs at pressure points.

"I am sorry that your enemy has no honor. When I was young my tutors, so that I had a good foundation, spoke only of honorabl things, honorable combat. I remember how shocked and disgusted I was when I learned of beings that had no honour." Indigo said compassionately. "Why don't you be the attacker first and I'll defend."

"the ones who killed boyfriend and who are no longer ally to enemy are the ones with no honor"said Star then bows ,then cames at Indigo with a Mawashi geri move

Pat was expecting the deflected kick but what he wasn't expecting was the ferocity of the counter attack that followed. Punches kicks pressure points Pat blocked some but there were far too many to block all of them. Dominic landed a damaging shot that caused Pat to feel a couple of his ribs break. Pat could feel it happening but was powerless to stop it teetering on his back foot Pat slipped and fell.

Dominic stopped, still in fighting pose, out of the range of a leg sweep.
"You give up?"

Indigo had never seen that move before but tried to avoid it with a flowing half step to the side, a move that allowed her to grasp Nage Star's wrist as the girl's hand came within her space. Irimi creating the proper spacing Indigo turned, pivoting on the ball of her left foot. Then, with no hesitation - the move was of one piece, flowing seamlessly like water down a well worn path -two steps, and she brought the grasped wrist downwards sharply, using Star's own momentum as additional impulse to over balance the girl and take her feet off her feet Tori in a Irimi Tori Nage, a throw done purely with Aikido.

If Star had encountered such a wrist throw before she could turn the momentum into a forward shoulder roll or tumbleing move and come quickly back to her feet, as Indigo had not tried for any sort of a pinning move.

Indigo had never seen that move before but tried to avoid it with a flowing half step to the side, a move that allowed her to grasp Nage Star's wrist as the girl's hand came within her space. Irimi creating the proper spacing Indigo turned, pivoting on the ball of her left foot. Then, with no hesitation - the move was of one piece, flowing seamlessly like water down a well worn path -two steps, and she brought the grasped wrist downwards sharply, using Star's own momentum as additional impulse to over balance the girl and take her feet off her feet Tori in a Irimi Tori Nage, a throw done purely with Aikido.

If Star had encountered such a wrist throw before she could turn the momentum into a forward shoulder roll or tumbleing move and come quickly back to her feet, as Indigo had not tried for any sort of a pinning move.

Star hands where not things that was moving but her right leg aim at the back of Indigo right leg

[QUOTE=Nova Nippon;13123737]"Have you ever faced the Muri before, revered one?"

"I have faced Oni, which I think are distant kin to you, but no, never a Muri. It will be good to learn from you. Please, friend, let us speak as fellow warriors, and I think neither of us needs gloves." Kai responded in the same language. "I'm willing to bet that neither of us has had a good workout in many a day"

With that he moved unexpectedly and lightning quick, a fist full of suddenly there claws that feinted towards the Muri's right, but which at last second turned in to a powerful leg sweep that came in from the left.

Gerrak was pleased the kami spoke Shadowspeech-Xiscapian came so awkwardly to him-and even more pleased the attack was so sudden-like his Zorak Zoran warmaster. Using the style of Wind and Water, he flowed with the leg sweep, leaping and using it's momentum to carry him forward and up, where he was poised for the Avalanche-either the kami would try to withstand the Avanlanche and have the troll crouching on his chest, or he would sidestep, and the resulting shockwave would unsteady the footing of everyone in the room-Gerrak was gambling that the kami would not endanger his charge, or that the spirit would have it's own tricks. This class would indeed be a learning experience.

OOC to Isa - please describe what your moves are, don't just give their names, as it's impossible to respond adequately without knowing what the move is. And Star would have had to close with Indigo to throw a kick at her. You generally don't start a match in attack range.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indigo had no chance to catpure Star's wrist, given that the blow was a kick at the back of her right leg,

However to do this Star had had to move past Indigo to target the back of Indigo's leg -

but before Stars blow could land Indigo was pivoting on through the maneuver she had started - she'd taken a half step to put her out of the line of attack -
letting her right leg come up -avoiding the blow at the back of her leg-

as the pivot became a spin with the ball of her right foot -flashing above Star's leg - to target Star's midriff...

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

Kai grinned as Gerrak lept over the fast moving, low sweep and went up. Kai continued the spin but as he did so one elbow came in and to the ready. When the Muri landed he would find Kai slamming down into his back, with the elbow going hard for where he estimated the kidneys to be. He'd be airborn, off his feet coming down at the time of the shockwave, and so would be unaffected by it. and dealing with the effects of nearly a ton of Muri power diving into the ground would be good training for Indigo. He was indeed her Guardian, but he would be a poor one if he didn't train her as much as possible to handle the unexpected on her own. Indigo wasn't a soldier, but she was the daughter of countless generations of warriors.

Nor would Gerrak thank him for pulling his blow. He recconed that the Muri trained as hard as they fought.

"Hahaha. No not by a long shot. By my count we still have two more matches." Pat didn't bother to tell him that as they spoke his "Enhanced" regenerative capabilities were fixing the broken bones and cartilage, and repairing all the secondary damage done by Dominic's brutal combination. All Dynamic Revolutionary QSF soldiers were enhanced in some way. Each squad had a regenerator (usually the driver), enhanced strength (heavy weapons), speed (medic), sight (scout/sniper), hearing/smell (point man). Pat had excelled in driving the HMMVV so he had been given the repairing nano-bots. Unfortunetly they had some drawbacks. They could only repair the first couple of wounds received before they lost power and shut down. Next after each repair a new batch had to be injected to replenish them. Last and most devastating they could be used to molecularly kill who ever had them inside of him. At the time the army had seen this as an added bonus and seeing the possibility of this info getting out had made a 273 bit encryption process to encode the signal lest it be intercepted.

Standing up Pat fell into his Sevate style stance. "Its your turn to attack." said Pat preparing for a brutal fight.

OOC: Go ahead and finish him off if you'd like or you can make it go another round after this one its up to you. Its apparent Dominic is the better hand to hand combat specialist.

OOC to Isa - please describe what your moves are, don't just give their names, as it's impossible to respond adequately without knowing what the move is. And Star would have had to close with Indigo to throw a kick at her. You generally don't start a match in attack range.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indigo had no chance to catpure Star's wrist, given that the blow was a kick at the back of her right leg,

However to do this Star had had to move past Indigo to target the back of Indigo's leg -

but before Stars blow could land Indigo was pivoting on through the maneuver she had started - she'd taken a half step to put her out of the line of attack -
letting her right leg come up -avoiding the blow at the back of her leg-

as the pivot became a spin with the ball of her right foot -flashing above Star's leg - to target Star's midriff...
OOC not really CQC and Hand to hand more knives and close firer fights then fist and swords
i'll try use this as a guide
http://www.karate.mrpc.net/renshukai/terms.htm
IC

Star saw ,change and aim for the feet

*Such a clever foe-and damnably quick*Gerrak thought as his darksense registered the kami's plan. He rolled as soon as he landed, hoping to avoid the kami landing on him, and let the shockwave bounce him upright, where he entered into the Centimani Typhoon-a rapid flurry of feints and blows designed to drive an opponent back.
(OOC:Fans of the old Street Fighter and sumo viewers will have seen this maneuver performed on occasion-I'm trying to buy time to try and outthink Kai-wish me luck)

Mr. Miyagi stoatically watched. He noted Indigo and Gerrak as most proficent fighters. He waited for a point where he could step in to correct a mistake, but so far he had seen few, and while they were not serious, even a slight miscalculation could throw you to the ground and quite possibly kill you.

OOC: Isa, I know the difference between CQC, and HTH - I know military and I lived and trained in a dojo for a time... I'm treating this as pure HTH

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indigo felt the blow land on her foot a split second before her foot struck against Star's waist, the shockwave that bounced through the dojo causing her to hop back wards to keep her footing, but the blow, while hard, had not been crippling.

Indeed several weapons fell to the floor mats, jarred loose by the impressive shockwave that Gerrak unleashed

She moved further back out of range another step or two and contemplated going airborn and decided against it for the moment.

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

Kai was pleased by Gerraks quick thining and accute observation. He hovered in mid air for the fraction of a heart beat the it took Gerrak to take advantage of the energies of his shockwave, then he rolled over the Muri's back as Gerrak came back up, so that he was now on the Trolls right side.

He let the windstorm of blows keep him back, dodging,weaving and twisting as fluidly as living water -wanting to see just how long Gerrak could exert himself that way before slowing. Knowing that such an attack was more tiring than defending against it. That was were it's weakness lay.

OOC: Isa, I know the difference between CQC, and HTH - I know military and I lived and trained in a dojo for a time... I'm treating this as pure HTH

OOC Hand to Hand more knives then fist and feet
which why i bring up why is CQC in this as it not HTH or Sword
IC

Star steps back

"no this is not hand to hand i know how to fight there are no knives in it and why would CQC be part of this Class i see no Buildings here" she said

*Sweet Kyger Litor, the kami was fast* Gerrak used the hroon, a sonic scan to heighten his darksense and pinpoint the kami's nervous system, then leaped backwards, landing in the stance of Wind and Water, claws spread before him. He hoped the hroon had worked, and he now knew where to strike for optimum effect. He had to dodge or deflect what came and hope for an opening now...
(OOC:hrooning is sensory only-he basically gave Kai an ultrasound, hoping the Centimani Typhoon covered it, and that such an exam while Kai was furiously dodging would pinpoint a weak spot or nerve bundle he could exploit. Kai doubtless picked up on the subsonic Gerrak emitted to use the hroon-he has the sensory range-but whether he realizes it's significance or not is a matter for Nova Nippon to determine)

OOC Hand to Hand more knives then fist and feet
which why i bring up why is CQC in this as it not HTH or Sword
IC

Star steps back

"no this is not hand to hand i know how to fight there are no knives in it and why would CQC be part of this Class i see no Buildings here" she said

OOC: Wrong. Why do you think it's called hand to hand combat? CQC is all about knives, swords, shurikens, ect. Hand to hand is martial arts, boxing, that kind of thing. We are in a hand to hand combat class right now, later comes CQC and Way of the Sword.

Dominic sighed.
"Your loss." He feinted a leg sweep, then feinted a punch to the head again, then kicked, hard, at Pat's chest. All Marsh folk had excellent power in their legs, due to their need to swim short distances and climb trees in the Fire Swamps.

.

OOC dam you MISS the point i was talking about my Nation to Nova Nippon
where HTH is more knives then fist and feet like RL and other NS nations
there is the odd female shape shifter fight claws and that
so you don't forget Stars in HTH and CQC only

OOC: No need to get hot Isa - HTH is the term many RP systems use for gaming purposes to notate the wide variety of martial ats - from Aikido, to Damber, to Jailhouse Rock, to Krav Maga, to Savate, Thai Kick boxing, to Wing Chun etc.... What I am seing here is the Martial Art HTH useage- perhaps we might want to relabel it as MA

Close Quarters Combat is what is also called CQB - close quarters battle - can be used to describe an up-close military hand-to-hand fighting system, also known as combatives. It is also a term used for fighting an enemy at close range while armed.CQC teaches a person to use any part of their body as a weapon in any environment and how to use any modern day weapon as a tool of self defense. snipped from the wiki... In my expereince most of my military friends when the talk about cqc ignore the HTH, and speak almost totally about the armed part of cqc - flashbangs, dynamic entry, room clearing, hostage vs tango, etc - the classic sceen from the movie Navy Seals

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indigo never took her attention off of Star, though Star was backing off and clearly unhappy. ""Star does it make so much difference wether you are fighting with or without a knife? What would happen if your knife broke, or was taken away from you? Would you stop fighting and expect you foe to find one for you?" She questioned softly, unsure as to why the teenager was so upset. "Isn't adaptability one of a warrior's greatest weapons?"

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

Kai felt the faint resonence of the Muri's scan as it affected his current physical form, but he was unsure of the Troll's reason for it. It had not harmed him in any way, save for a sensation close to a frisson sweeping through him that nearly tickled.

He laughted lightly "Now what was that for?" He asked Gerrak while leaping agilely up to avoid a stamping blow from the Troll's talloned feet. He then did something few cared to do, given a Muri's strength, claws and formidible ability to absorb damage. He leapt towards the Troll, but made no effort to stay on his feet, rather he was diving between the trolls legs.

Gerrak's haroon would produce an image that seemed nothing other than human, except for the sudden brief flash of these ghostly imagae over laid, or perhaps arrayed beyond the human form...Bright shadows more real than the form Kai wears, but far less real what what he really was (http://www.atddm.com/bsw1.jpg)

"both side are too use to the dance of the blade and so for both side have yet to break a military Void blade and as for taken away there a little trick having of nonoblade in the skin"said Star to Indigo

Gerrak dropped to his knees, landing on the kami's back-while he didn't really want to hurt anyone, neither did he wish his foe to deprive the Muri of his genetics, and trollish priorities were always on reproduction or food. Reaching behind him, he tickled the area near Kai's carotid with the pads of his foreclaws.
--This is not an advantageous position to continue combat, revered one--he sent in Shadowspeech--Should I yield that we may begin anew? My hroon was merely to discover your major organs. There is a saying among my people-"If you must stab a man, first learn where his heart is"--

The Wraith ooffed as the eight hundred pounds of Muri landed on his chest. Then took a deep breath just to show he could.

Kai laughed, and agreed in Shadowspeech "A wise saying indeed. And what did you discover? In this form I have a very mortal heart, but it is not this form a true foe would have to deal with" He slapped the floor, tapping out with good grace. "No I yield, for both of our positions have advantages and disadvantages. And threatening a male's generally most prized equipment isn't for honorable combat, but making him think it is threatened has laid many low."

"Perhaps later in a place where there is really room to fiught I'll assume the form of my oldest enemies and we can train with out the restraints of frail ones about" His tone was in no way condescending towards those about the two, but mere matter of fact that he and Gerrag were in a place not truly suited for the sort of combat the two could unleash.

The hardness in Indigo's voice had him looking that way his brow furrowed in a frown. He had already taken a mild dislike to Star from earlier classes and this just sealed the feeling. Shaking his head he turned back into Gerrak with an almost inaduible mutter "Some day, and sooner rather than later, someone will show that young pup the error of her assumptions. I just hope it doesn't get any oneelse injured in her learning of the lesson"

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

Indio's eyes went shuttered and she merely shrugged. She was tired of the teenagers arrogance. "Any one can lose their blade, the fates tend to humble those who grow too arrogant. And any blade can be broken, nothing is unbreakable. But believe that you are perfection as you will" She said almost indifferently, shrugging Star's attitude off but had one last thing to mention.

"My aunt, the Shogun's heir, is a fully fledged Kinsai. She has had her sword end up elsewhere than in her hands, has lost matches, and been wounded in duels. If such as she experiences all those things I hardly expect you, little more than a child to be any greater a master." Her tone was not spiteful or angry, but simply contemplative.

"i must go"said Star as she walks over to her things picks them up
"beam up" then was gone

Overhearing Indigo's little speech, Mr. Miyagi walked up as Star dissapeared. "That one is blinded by her arrogance. She has not yet been shown a true test. She has never had to fight for her life, otherwise she would have had more respect. As one of my students put it "If you already know everything, why are you here?" Indeed, all things come to pass, and Star's problems will too, with time. I only hope she does not injure herself too much in the process." He stared off into space.
He turned to Wraith and Gerrak. He bowed to Wraith his whithered old face breaking into a smile. "There is very little I could possibly teach you, as you are a true fighter. I am glad to see you restrain yourself, as this room would take some time to reconstruct." He bowed his head for a moment. "That is enough for today, I think. Now we will begin basic blade combat." A table that was not there moments ago suddenly is, displaying a variety of knives. From knives big and long enough to be swords to the notorious "finger blade", a cutting edge so small it fits like a ring on any finger and can be driven into an opponets eyes or throat. "Choose your knife wisely, as they are all uniqe. The blades are dulled, but when swung with sufficent force can still do damage, so please be mindful. Choose a different partner and begin, you are attempting to stab the other person, but not fataly, just enough to make them reconsider fighting you."

OOC so you know where she went
IC
"Star never seen the true face of war or battle"said a Man stepping out of a shadow
"so you know she on my ship right now with her family looking at her new brother and seeing i'am the one paying for the schooling i be dropping this class from her list"
the Man bows and steps back into the shadow

The Wraith ooffed as the eight hundred pounds of Muri landed on his chest. Then took a deep breath just to show he could.

Kai laughed, and agreed in Shadowspeech "A wise saying indeed. And what did you discover? In this form I have a very mortal heart, but it is not this form a true foe would have to deal with" He slapped the floor, tapping out with good grace. "No I yield, for both of our positions have advantages and disadvantages. And threatening a male's generally most prized equipment isn't for honorable combat, but making him think it is threatened has laid many low."

"Perhaps later in a place where there is really room to fight I'll assume the form of my oldest enemies and we can train with out the restraints of frail ones about" His tone was in no way condescending towards those about the two, but mere matter of fact that he and Gerrak were in a place not truly suited for the sort of combat the two could unleash.

The hardness in Indigo's voice had him looking that way his brow furrowed in a frown. He had already taken a mild dislike to Star from earlier classes and this just sealed the feeling. Shaking his head he turned back into Gerrak with an almost inaudiable mutter "Some day, and sooner rather than later, someone will show that young pup the error of her assumptions. I just hope it doesn't get any one else injured in her learning of the lesson."
Gerrak pitched his response high enough only he and the kami could hear it.--Revered One, she only seems an ignorant brat. Her contempt is palpable, proving her problem is not ignorance, but knowledge. She knows she is worthless, and must bring down all she comes in contact with to believe herself on a par with all she meets. She has no respect:not for teachers, not for friends, and not for herself. She is to be pitied in that, not held in revulsion--
"Gud mach, Kai-Me thank yu fur de lezzon." He spoke aloud for the benefit of the room, rising off his opponent and helping him up. "Me find dis boddy like mask-worn fur uz, not fur yu-so it no important."

He turned to Wraith and Gerrak. He bowed to Wraith his withered old face breaking into a smile. "There is very little I could possibly teach you, as you are a true fighter. I am glad to see you restrain yourself, as this room would take some time to reconstruct." He bowed his head for a moment. "That is enough for today, I think. Now we will begin basic blade combat." A table that was not there moments ago suddenly is, displaying a variety of knives. From knives big and long enough to be swords to the notorious "finger blade", a cutting edge so small it fits like a ring on any finger and can be driven into an opponents eyes or throat. "Choose your knife wisely, as they are all unique. The blades are dulled, but when swung with sufficient force can still do damage, so please be mindful. Choose a different partner and begin, you are attempting to stab the other person, but not fatally, just enough to make them reconsider fighting you."
Gerrak studied the knives arrayed, hoping to find one big enough for him, but balanced as he was used to. He really didn't like the idea of practicing with even dulled blades-the risk of injury was far too great. He resolved to acquire some pain-blades for Mister Miyagi-their handles were balanced for training and while more painful than an actual stab or slash, did no damage beyond the stimulation of the nerves where the energy matrice of the blade contacted flesh. The Ordo Zorak Zorani used them for training for that reason.
Selecting one curved as the spider fang he preferred for skinning prey, he gingerly tested the blade, then spun it in his claw to test the balance and tried a couple of practice swipes and stabs. "Wun knif or tu?" He asked.

OOC so you know where she went
IC
"Star never seen the true face of war or battle"said a Man stepping out of a shadow
"so you know she on my ship right now with her family looking at her new brother and seeing i'am the one paying for the schooling i be dropping this class from her list"
the Man bows and steps back into the shadow
Mr. Miyagi did not even look at the man. "As you wish."
In response to Gerrak's question, Mr. Miyagi shook his head. "We'll start with one blade, for know. Incidentally, do you know where I can get my hands on some pain-blades?"
OOC: Is post 79 directed at me or Wraith?

OOC:post 79 was pitched in tones only Kai(the Wraith) and Gerrak should hear, as stated. It would be rude not to respond to Kai's comment, and Gerrak would not want to offend Star, who is a female. I posted my response before reading on, so quoted what I was responding to as I saw multiple posts lay ahead of the ones in which I was involved.
IC:Gerrak raised an ear. "Odro Argan Argari sell-giff speks. Me write Death Lord Korth-Ordo Zorak Zorani uze fer train. Dunno got zord blade, but troll niyf zize of zord, zo kan mayk."

Mr. Miyagi nodded. "I see. Thank you for that."

Me find dis boddy like mask-worn fur uz, not fur yu-so it no important."

"Agreed " Kai replied to Gerraks comment about Star. "But maybe some day it will be important, one never knows " Kai grinned as he moved away from Gerrak to inspect the table of knives.

Indigo was already there and looking for a blade that resembled the small companion blade to her Honor Blade. She finally selected a somewhat longer than normal tanto. Then she looked up at Gerrak and smiled "I saw how fast you move. I think I wouldn't be able to get inside your guard at all. Might I ask, is it special training or is where the Muri dwell a dangerous place, or both?"

She was going to ask Pat or Dominic if they'd be her partner for this part of the training, for she knew she was totally over classed by Gerrak. And while she wouldn't do less than her best, her pride wanted have some chance of holding her own. However she had also caught glimpses of Pat's and Dominick's sparring. Both wouold be very tough opponents, both were dangerous whirlwinds of ability.

Gerrak nodded at Indigo. "Bodd-Pamaltela mostlee jungel, sum swamp-big bugz dere, mukade roam free-make yu fast or make yu food. Me Ordo Zorak Zorani-train wid pain-blades make yu no want stab-mor den stab make yu no want stab. Me show--"
He spun his blade, tossing it to his other hand and spinning it again before tossing it back."Knife zmall-not bite hard-keep knife move, confuse foe-bite mush gud az bite deep-no uze zame hand to ztrike all time-let foe dink you confuse tu, zlap cupple times, den bite wid blade, but keep blade move or foe follow-dat bad. Hoo-man need eyez-bite brow, blud run in eyez, hoo-man haff trubble. Smak hoo-man hed cupple times, he dink yu no gud, den yu bite.
"Bite here-here--"Gerrak pointed at Indigo's arms, above the elbows. "Hoo-man laff, but be not fast, be not stong no mor. Bite inside thigh-hoo-man run mush blud there-yu bite, yu buy time-hoo-man emptee out."

Pat was glad Mr. Miyagi had ended the fight, it was obvious to him that he was going to lose. Walking over to the table Pat selected a KA-BAR off the table. He had used these knifes before, and in no less then 14 occasions they had saved his life. He tested the balance on the knife and decided it was probably made from tungsten steel instead of the original hardened steel. Pat turned to select his partner, unfortunately he was faced with a lose lose situation. He had no idea what the anatomy of Gerrak was like and if he were to fight him he had no doubt in his mind he would lose. On the other hand there was Indigo. He had killed on the battle field but war had a way of de-humanizing the enemy into just that the enemy. Not men or women. Pat told himself that he would just have to imagine himself on the battle field. Still Pat tried to catch Gerrak's eye. Pat thought it would be better for himself to get hurt then to hurt a woman.

Gerrak saw Pat trying to get his attention, and was glad of it. Dominic was a card-player, and they had fast hands-better to learn swords with Dominic, since Gerrak knew nothing of the weapon. Besides, Indigo was a breeding female and hunters will not attack them-otherwise, where would tomorrow's prey come from?
"Hey, Pat-yu want carve pur troll like scrimshaw? Me warn-we tuff. Pinch AND pull hair." Reluctantly, Gerrak lumbered up to face Pat, polishing his blade to a high shine as he did so...

Indigo nodded at what Gerrak had said about human frailities and arrogance. "Yes I suppose we don't pose much danger to you" She said it matter of factly without any upset. She saw Pat trying to catch Gerrak's attention and moved off.

Going over to Dominic she smiled and introduced her self "I'm Indigo. Would you be willing to be my partner for this training? I am no better than minorly skilled with knives however."

She wouldn't be upset if he said no. She'd grown up as the lowest ranked in all the Imperial Court, every one said no to her. The Great Ladies and the other Children of the Divine had despised her, though most were too polite to ever say it to her face. But Indigo was the only one of her generation to be kami born and she was very sensitive to others emotions no matter how well hidden.

Pat was relieved that Gerrak that had seen him and he laughed at what Gerrak had said. Although he thought himself proficient in the use of a combat knife he was wary of Gerrak's immense size and strength. "Be careful Garrek...I tickle" joked Pat

"Make pur troll wet pantz." Gerrak shook his head sadly."Be nize, Pat-speed mor wid knife dan size, strengd. Yu probably cut pur troll up like sushi."

Going over to Dominic she smiled and introduced her self "I'm Indigo. Would you be willing to be my partner for this training? I am no better than minorly skilled with knives however."

Dominic nodded in acknowledgment.
"Sure. I will use my left hand, if you think your not very good with blades." He picked up a small knife, tested its weight for a moment. He smiled slightly, then bowed to Indigo and readied himself.

"Make pur troll wet pantz." Gerrak shook his head sadly."Be nize, Pat-speed mor wid knife dan size, strengd. Yu probably cut pur troll up like sushi."

"Sure it does, I can only dodge for so long, my hope is that I am able to disarm or significantly hurt you enough before you hit me. Besides you're deceptively fast. Allright enough talk we are here to learn how to fight and kill, even though we really cant kill each other right now...Oh well lets go!" Said Pat

Gerrak set up a subsonic purring as he took his stance. Only Kai would register it, but Pat would relax instinctively. Flashing the blades at regular intervals, he wove a pattern before him set where Pat's focus was-at Gerrak's hips, which would tell him where Gerrak's body would go. The spinning blade flashed rhythmically, as Gerrak softly crooned:"Pur Pat...Dom'nik wore yu out...need to calm self...center self..."
The practice of saimenjutsu(OOC: probably spelled it wrong), as the kitsune called it, was a stock knife-fighting technique among the Ordo Zorak Zorani. Gerrak kept up his purr and crooning and watched Pat's face--his darksense would allow him to follow Pat's body.

Pat could find himself relaxing, though he didnt know why. He found this strange as he had, just moments ago, been pumping full of adrenaline. Knowing becoming physicaly relaxed was a problem Pat switched from Standerd Knife Fighting to the Hoodlum stance. He began jumping around, staying on his toes, all the wile turning into Gerrak's strong hand.

"Sure. I will use my left hand, if you think your not very good with blades."

Indigo shook her head and replied "Plese Dominic, how am I to get better unless I face superior opponents? It would be dishonorable for you to do less than your best as the same would for me"

She waited until he switched hands then moved into striking range. Her blade was slightly longer than his and she had quick reflexes. She thought she saw an opening in his stance, his off side seemd more presented to her and she moved in quickly to exploit it, if opening it was. She knew that with her sword she could have made the touch but as she moved in she wasn't sure if she was fast enough with a shorter blade.

Gerrak kept out of blade's-reach and kept up his pattern, his rhythm, and his purr. Pat's switch in tactics was the struggling of a small animal unwilling to admit it was caught. He had a fine military mind, disciplined and strong-willed. Ironically, these same traits made him especially vulnerable to the saimenjutsu. "Zzo tired, Pat...Dom'nik wore pur Pat out...zlowing down now...kniyf heavy...heavy..."

Pat couldnt understand it he was getting more tired and the knife was getting so heavy. Threw the fog he herd his drill sergeant yelling at him "Wake the F*** UP! Are you tired you sack of s***? Because if you are, you can run the live fire obstacle course! Sometime in your future your gonna die because your tired." Pat couldn't fall asleep, he didnt know why he was tired, he probably couldn't figure it out even if he wanted to, but he did know how to become awake. Summoning what little remaining energy he had he attacked Gerrak. Sprinting forward Pat fainted towards Gerrak's weak arm with his left fist, at the last second he rolled right and slashed out with his KA-BAR.

Pat didn't know what was happening, but he was slowing--his feint was obvious, his attack easily sidestepped. "Gud Pat...keep up..gud..."
A little rush would help him a bit, but Gerrak knew better than to push it-best slow and steady, unrelenting. Any quick attack could snap him out, and that would not be best. If he kept struggling, he'd wear himself out--the increased activity would wear him down, and keeping up the confusion/distraction techniques would frazzle his poor nerves. "Gud Pat...yu gud kniyf fight...focuz on foe...stay focuz...keep eye on me..."
He kept up the pattern, watching Pat's eyes as they followed the blade, keeping himself just out of reach. It was a matter of time, but hunters are, by nature, patient.

Acoss the room Indigo stumbled suddenly feeling weak, and wondered why. There was a deep crooning in the back of her thoughts, something she couldn't quite put her finger upon....No my tanto is not heavy...now why am I thinking my blade is ..I am so... what is wrong with me! I am NOT weak! and with that she firmly shut everything out of hter thoughts except the dangerous person she was facing. Time enough for other dangers later.

Kai nooded as he watched Indigo and Dominic. He knew, in general if not specific, what Gerrak was doing and was no little amused. He was glad to se that Indigo had recognised an outside interferance and had pushed it aside before it had compromised her completely.

Dominic sidestepped quickly, avoiding the worst of the blow. The blade pierced his left hand slightly, making him wince. Then he stepped closer, then stabbed with the blade.

Pat couldn't help it, he was soooo tired. His last attack had failed and once again Gerrak was outside his attack range. He was slowly slipping down into unconsciousness. As a last desperate attempt Pat's memory brought forth images from his past. Specifically of his childhood growing up on the farm. He was 9 and walking through the forest. A fox had been eating his families chickens so they had set out bear-traps. He came upon the fox caught in one of the traps, it was apparent to him that the fox had been stuck in the trap for a wile because it was obviously starving. As he was preparing to shoot it when he noticed that the leg that was keeping it in the trap was nearly eaten in two. In an attempt to free its self the fox had eaten through its own leg. Pat couldn't shoot the fox, he couldn't kill something that wanted to live that badly, badly enough to handicap its self. Pat realized that if he didn't act quick he was going to die, Gerrak was going to kill him (OOC: Not really but his mind is cloudy right now so his logic is kinda screwy). Pat looked down at his left arm, using a reservoir of strength he didn't know he had he stabbed the KA-BAR through his ulma and radias of his left arm. Pain shot up his arm and slowly made its way to his brain, where it exploded. The pain woke Pat up and he began to understand the situation better. Turning around Pat began walking over to the weapons, knife still in arm, Pat picked up a Fairbairn-Sykes dagger. He casually looked at his left arm, through a stoke of luck he had barely missed a major artery and so was not bleeding much. *Oh well, nothing some nanos cant fix, ill just have to inject more when i get back*. Now Pat began mentally preparing himself to fight Gerrak. He was not going to lose, he was down but not out, he was going to win. Even if it did mean stabbing himself, he was not going to let his comrades down, he was going to be the victor. He was going to bring honor culture and victories back to Dynamic Revolution, even if it meant losing a little blood.


OOC: Im not quite sure if the pain would awaken him or if the fact that he broke eye contact with Gerrak's swinging motion would do it. However im assuming that if pain wouldn't awaken Pat Gerrak would have already attacked and finished him off.

Indigo blinked in surprize and her movements faltered once again. She simply could not believe that she had managed to hit Dominic at all. And then to her horror she saw blood welling up from where her blade tip had peirced his left hand. A blade tip that indeed was bright with blood. A blade tip that when she had picked it up had been, as Sinsei Miyagi had said, dulled, rounded. Indigo couldn't understand how it came to pierce Dominic's hand.

She barely registered Dominic's attack, or the blow that stabbed keenly in to her right side just under the rib cage, but blood stained her kimono and hakima quickly as she was turning to call for Sensei Miyagi and Kai.

"Kai..."The pain in her side now registered as she twisted to look for the two, bringing a sharp gasp from her "Oh...I'm bleeding " Her tone was more puzzeled than distressed, though the pain was sharp. She'd taken wounds in training before but Dominics knife, like all the others had been a training blade, it's edge dulled, its stabbing tip rounded...it Had been but was no longer...

Kai had been moving as he sensed the distress, puzzzlement and pain that Indigo was radiating. Before Dominic could attack again much less move again the Wraith was between the two blocking the Templarian away from Indigo. Kai's hands flashed out, snatching the blade from Dominic's hand and but a quick glance noted the alteration. Instantly he saw the change in the tanto that Indigo held as well. He was looking up, about to call out a warning to Gerrak and Pat when he observed Pat's actions.

Kai's warning came out even more urgently. He put all the force of command he could muster-etiquette be damned at this point, the safety of others came before such questions as who had the right to call halt in the dojo ...

HOLD

His voice thundered throughout the vast room, the pressure bowing out the shoji walls for a second. He knew that it would hurt Gerrak's sensitive ears, he could but hope that the Muri would understand.

He held the two blades up where they could be seen by all. Practise blades that had been dull -and while yes if used with sufficient force would hurt, but in the manner of bruises or maybe a cracked rib - and now were razor sharp beneath the thin coatings of bright blood.

Dominic looked puzzled for a moment, then regained a worried, confused demeanor. He looked over at Pat and was even more confused. His eyes darted from knife to knife in the class.
"These blades were supposed to be dulled, Sensei. Who sharpened them?" He also looked worriedly at Pat and Indigo. They were both bleeding. Gerrak seemed to be unharmed.

Kai looked at Dominic with concerned eyes and angry eyes. Thou he was not in any way angry with the young man - but angry on his behalf for being made one of the victims of the evil.. "When could have some one sharpened them is perhaps a more pertinent question. Or perhaps how? Even the blade I saw Indigo select, and keep in her hands the entire time is now as sharp as if a Novan balde singer attended to it for hours. As is yours, and pats and the one Garrak holds " He named off those who's blade he could easily see. "and I know the neither your or Indigo sharpened the blades...or Pat or Gerrak"

He would heal the three wounded in seconds but first he wanted to make sure that Sensei Miyagi saw the wounds and the blades. Had he been in the Imperia he would have used his abilities to seal off the area and search for a Tengu or Oni. They were powerful and malicious and this would have been the sort of nasty prank they loved best. But he was just unsure of himself here that he would refrain until he had consulted with Sensei Miyagi.

Dominic nodded slowly, noting Kai's eyes. "It wouldn't be a Sheogoran Shadow, would it? They tend to do things like this."

Gerrak dropped his dagger as Pat cut himself, and rushed to inspect his friend's wound. Tiny bugs in Pat's body were weaving new flesh as he watched, so a tourniquet was probably unnecessary, but Gerrak applied pressure to reduce bloodflow anyway, and carefully drew the blade out at the rate the tiny bugs could heal, keeping the blade in the wound to stem blood loss.
"Dat not wot shud happen'." Gerrak muttered. "Me zorree-shud have jus' fell 'zleep, not ztab zelf. No do dat 'gin, Pat-me promize." He switched to Shadowspeech--Someone is playing very unpleasant games here, Kai. Our blades are sharp, the saimenjutsu doesn't work this way. This indicates the spirits are at work, and I am no shaman. What do you suggest? Salt the room?--

"No, no, no, no. Hold on Gerrak let the nano's do their work. Dont pull out the blade just yet. It'll bleed more. Just let it go little longer." Then with that Gerrak pulled the KA-BAR out of Pat's arm. "So Gerrak were you making so tired? Because if so that was a darn good attack!" Laughed Pat, looking down he could tell the nano's had already nearly finished closing his self inflicted wound. "I guess my plan worked, sort of." Thats, when Pat looked at his classmates "What the Hell" muttered Pat. He rushed over to Indigo whos wound was far worse then his own. Glancing at the wound he realized that the blade might have pierced her lung.

(OOC:Now, DR, I stated I was withdrawing the knife at a slow enough rate to let the "bugs"-how Gerrak sees the nanobots-do their work, and was restricting bloodflow to keep you going plus keeping the blade in place to staunch bloodflow-by having me pull it out so rapidly, you may have endangered yourself, which Gerrak wouldn't do-he sees you as a huntbrother, which is a very intense relationship to trolls-"We few, we band of brothers...." Gerrak is very protective of you, and wouldn't act in a way to hurt you-but he is a troll, and they're weird maneaters, but it's rather like having the cat fall in love with you-you're the one who gets to wake up face-to-face with the dead rat it left in affection. That said, since you're the only person you endangered...)
IC:Seeing Pat was OK was a relief, but his concern-was he reading human expression right?-alarmed Gerrak. He turned to Kai--Is she well? Troll healing will age the subject the time it would take to naturally heal-we trolls don't notice after maturing, but...--he left it out there-Kai was a kami and knew best.

OOC: I guess i should of said that Pat was saying this wile Gerrak is pulling it out. He still isnt quite sure whats going, he's confused as to why he stabbed himself and is a little shook up. That being said, Pat dosent doubt Gerrak's abilities as a healer, he's just naturaly concerned about losing the function of his left arm (a major nerve runs in between the Ulma and Radius).

Kai nodded, the blade had gone deep into Indigo's side, but the blade was supernally sharp and it had been only when she had twisted her torso that Indigo had felt any pain- it was often that way with injuries delivered with very sharp blades. He could both hear and feel the struggle that she was beginning to have breathing. However he could also feel something probing at the edges of the protective field he had instinctively set up

"It didn't hit the lung Pat, but it did rip her diaphragm. Like you she has nanospirits to help her, but she was never given a full course of regenerative protection. She is having trouble breathing because of that...Pat could you help her sit, Gerrak if you could see to her healing, it is worth the cost."

He slowly turned seeking to pin down the force he felt "Dominic, tell me about this 'Sheogoran Shadow'...this is something that does not quite fit what I have faced before" His voice was remote as he concentrated on sussing out what he could about the discorporate entity that had more than likely caused the mischief.

Gerrak crouched over Indigo, passing his arms over her in odd patterns. He spoke in the First Tongue,"Indigo in pain/Give Life, Heal Indigo now/Gerrak Give of Self"
Kai noted neurons flaring as an exchange of bio-energies passed between the two, Indigo's wound sealing up as Gerrak's life-force flowed from him to her. As predicted, she aged to the point where the wound would have healed naturally, and as with natural healing, it left a tiny scar. Gerrak seemed tired from his exertion, but otherwise fine.

Pat was helping Indigo sit up. He couldn't help but realize the skill that Gerrak had in healing. He was better even than the renowned Medics of the Dynamic Armed Forces. Pat realized that the wound was healing faster than a triple shot of Nanobots should have aloud.

Sensi Miyagi was disturbed. He retrived both blades and studied them, holding them up, his orange eyes roving the suddenly sharp points, slick with blood. He ran a whithered finger up one, and it sliced his skin open, letting out a single tear of blood. It ran down his hand as he regarded the blades. Almost absentmindedly, he toutched the cut finger and it healed itself. "Never before in my dojo has any of my students come to harm." he spoke softly. "If either of you had gone for a killing slash or stab, Indigo-san and Pat-san might not be in this world any longer. This is unacceptable. From now on, we will not practice with knives until Gerrak's pain blades arrive. I regret that either of you were injured." The other students, mostly Xiscapians and Alversians, had not known anything had occured until Kai had shouted. Now they listened with rapt attention to Miyagi. "I think we have finished for today. Kai, Pat, Gerrak, Indigo, Dominic, I'd like you all to stay. The rest of you, dissmissed." He waited until all the others had left the room, then turned to the group. "This is most troubling...I will invistigate this fully. I will especially need your help, Kai-san and Gerrak-san. Can I count on all of you? Also, can any of you volunteer ideas as to the origins or purpose of this alteration?"'

"Menny troll no liyk me komm heer ztudy fox wayz-Krag clan no liyk me, but dis beyond dem-tu subtle." Gerrak replied. "Dis zofiz'kated-meant tu hurt, kill, Pat an' Indigo-zharp all blayds big magic-mor den just wizard in corner."

Sensi Miyagi nodded. "Indeed, this is more than just a foolish prank. Someone, or something, is activaly trying to hurt or kill us."

"Me dinkz zcayr, furst." Gerrak added."If want kill, blayd be guided to hart of targit. Den we know hu die, hu's enemy did diz. Diz play-no no targit, no no enemy, no no hu to preteck-or uze az bayt.
"Me dinks targit heer. Hu haz enemiez du dis ding? Kragzez tu stoo-pid, but udder orders..." He shrugged. "Dunno-kood be plot, but not feel right fur troll plot."

"Indeed, this is more than just a foolish prank. Someone, or something, is activaly trying to hurt or kill us."

"Dunno-kood be plot, but not feel right fur troll plot."

"this feels very elusive, I can barely keep a tag on it" Kawi muttered his eyes half closed as he put his full attention on the strangeness he sensed. "I do not think that it is something from the Imperia, directed at Indigo.Nothing sings to me in the aether of malice specifically towards her, but there is malice here, but I think it's range of powers is limited. Perhaps it could only manipulate a smal number or small area."

Thank you Gerrak I am in your debt. I do not know how I can repay you." Indigo said shyly. "And thank you Pat" She made no move to stand, content to sit in the shelter of his arms, accepting his aid. She did not yet have the senses to percieve what Kai did, but she found herself feeling a little afraid. She had never been aware of active malice directed at her. She was very glad that Dominic had not struck harder. She smiled up at him, hoping to let him know that she was alright and did not blame him.

Pat looked up at Dominic. "Dom, on right side of my belt there is a syringe full of nano's, if you want to you can use it." Pat smiled an encouraging smile to his friend.

--Revered One, perhaps we are too busy looking at who we are, when we should be looking at what we are--Gerrak spoke in Shadowspeech to be understood, trusting Kai to translate.--If a student had died, perhaps Miyagi-san would retire, and his job would become open. I do not know the kitsune well enough to rule out this possibility, but perhaps he could. If Pat were to slay me, there would be no reprisals, as trolls accept these things, but if the kitsune cremated my remains, the Orders would come in force and eat all here to avenge my soul for being denied Wonderhome. I do not believe they would, but I shall be mixing gravel in my food, just in case-we are at the outermost layer of the onion here, and should all look at the worst-case scenario should we have died. Someone means to cause chaos here, and if we do present the worst-case, perhaps we can discern a motive--

Sensi Miyagi spoke now. "There's only two purposes for this: Either the IoM has infiltrated the Academy, which I doubt, or this is the work of an assassin. The problem is, I don't believe anyone here is important enough. Perhaps...someone is trying to close the Academy? If a student was killed here, accidantally or not, we would be forced to close, perhaps perminatly. The speed and magic, if that is indeed what it is, points to a kitsune. But who? And why? These things I do not know. However, Gerrak-san, I agree: Whoever did it was in this room."

Pat looked around at the others in the room. They were all important dignitaries from there respected worlds. All of them could have been targets, except himself, he was just a lowly soldier. So instead of looking at the individuals Pat looked at the larger picture. They all were at the Academy, they all were in the same class, they were all under the age of 25 except Kai. Pat wondered if someone had tried to get to Kai by killing Indigo, a possibility, but unlikely. He was a wraith, nobody crossed a wraith and lived to tell. No Pat thought that train of thought was a dead end. Coldly Pat accepted that they would know no more until the next attack. He looked down at Indigo and hoped that the next attack would not be lethal.

Close the Academy because of a single mishap? Gerrak puzzled at that-trolls would just make a joke of the death and continue with their lives, but this Academy was a kitsune institution, and they had peculiar ways."Miyagi-zan, do kitzune hire out as assassins? It poss'bull dat dis wurk fur pay."
Although Mr. Miyagi seemed to believe this was targeted at the Academy, Gerrak couldn't shake the suspicion this was aimed at Indigo, and possibly Kai. He decided to keep an eye on her in his spare time.

Close the Academy because of a single mishap? Gerrak puzzled at that-trolls would just make a joke of the death and continue with their lives, but this Academy was a kitsune institution, and they had peculiar ways."Miyagi-zan, do kitzune hire out as assassins? It poss'bull dat dis wurk fur pay."
Although Mr. Miyagi seemed to believe this was targeted at the Academy, Gerrak couldn't shake the suspicion this was aimed at Indigo, and possibly Kai. He decided to keep an eye on her in his spare time.
OOC: Check TGs, please
IC: "Miyagi-zan, do kitzune hire out as assassins? It poss'bull dat dis wurk fur pay."
Sensi Miyagi nodded solemnly. "Sometimes...it is very rare for an Xiscapian to leave Xiscapia to become involved in the rest of the galaxy. We usually prefer it in our own system, but it is not unheard of. But why a kitsune would go against his or her own kind...here, on Xiscapia, the wages of betrayal of country and people is death. And if indeed this is the case, someone is paying the assassin. That would be our main goal: Find out who is doing this and why, and then take action."

If a student was killed here, accidantally or not, we would be forced to close, perhaps perminatly. The speed and magic, if that is indeed what it is, points to a kitsune. But who? And why? These things I do not know. However, Gerrak-san, I agree: Whoever did it was in this room."

Kai wasn't so sure that the entity was still here, or whomever directed it. He knew it was neither himself or Indigo, and Pat had fallen under Gerraks spell too easily, nor was it Gerrak, and if it had been Dominick he was a far greater master of the Arts than Kai could discern. The elusive contact faded as if it had never been, leaving Kai angry and frustrated. But he'd deal with that later.

He also understood the why behind the Academy having to close. If they had 'allowed' a student to die due to their 'negligence' their honor would have been irreperably stained. But he could see that Gerrak might not understand and in shadowspeech attempted to explain --They have by accepting us as students, made themselves responsible for us. All of us in this room are trained to at least adequately defend ourselves, yes? But their thinking is that we as students shouldn't have to that their obligations to us include seeing to our effective protection. And if tht protection is proved inadequate, then how can anyone else entrust their sons and daughters to them.--

He explained what he had just said to the others. And he watched Pat looking down at Indigo.

--Kai, do you possess psychometry? The blades have been manipulated-perhaps there is a signature there to yield a clue--Gerrak jabbered rapidly in shadowspeech, his mind trying to embrace all possibilities to solve this puzzle. Troll society was a Byzantine labyrinth of petty politics and power plays, so this experience would be good practice. He circled the room, scenting.--It is quite likely our prankster left a bit of himself behind, and I need to track this individual and lecture him soundly-with extreme prejudice--

"Sheogoran Shadow's are the Daedric minions of the deity Sheograth. They enjoy playing tricks, ones that cause pain especially. I remember one once set all the sheep in my village on fire. Their mostly invisible, except when they don't want to be. You can usually feel their presence." He turned to Pat.
"I don't need any Nano's, its fine. I'm hardly hurt. Look after the wounded, not the injured."

Gerrak kept sniffing the room, cataloguing the scents he found-Miyagi, Kai, Indigo, Pat, Dominic, and himself-then turned to Dominic. "Yu zenze wun heer? Wot dey zmell liyk?"

"Like a combination of blood, rotting flesh, fire and for some reason, cheese. We can't go by the smell of blood in the current situation, of course. I don't think one is here..." He sniffed again, then shook his head.
"No. There doesn't seem to be one."

Sensi Miyagi nodded sagely. "This was not a work of any demon or spirit, but a mortal being. Who or why is unknown. As of now we can only guess. All we can do is keep up our guard, serach for clues, and wait for another attack." He frowned briefly, picking up one of the knives. He put his fingers together and plucked a nearly invisable hair from the blade. "Silver." It was not a hair of Indigo's, Kai's, Pat's, Dominic's, or one of his. "This is a kitsune hair. From the tail. Strange. I don't remeber any kitsune students in that period with gray or silver tails." He frowned. "I will meditate on this. In the meantime, keep up your guard. The assassin will try and attack again. I will let you know if I find anything." He stood and bowed to each in turn, then sat down on his mat and turned around, bowing his head.

Gerrak sniffed deeply, not only the hair but the blade it was wrapped around. If it was a tail hair, Gerrak was in luck-foxes had scent glands there, and hopefully kitsune did as well. He had a scent-one he knew he could follow-and that kitsune had been here.
He had him, now-he merely had to trace this scent to it's source. As Sensei had dismissed them, he retrieved his pack and verified his metal sandals were there, then headed out, scenting the ground...

--Kai, do you possess psychometry?

Kai shook his head, frustrated "I do, but the impressions i got were very faint and very strange, I could not sense a wholeness, even though I was the first to touch them after the incident."

"Like a combination of blood, rotting flesh, fire and for some reason, cheese. We can't go by the smell of blood in the current situation, of course. I don't think one is here..."

Kai sniffed carefully "No nothing like that, and what I felt didn't seem to have a scent signature with it either"

I will meditate on this. In the meantime, keep up your guard. The assassin will try and attack again. I will let you know if I find anything."

"Sensei, I will most certainly keep my guard up. I just apologise that I couldn't be of greater use to you." Kai bowed deply and then helped Indigo to her feet carefully "Thank you Pat, and you also Gerrak. I am in your debts" He reiterated.

After she stood, Indigo bowed deeply to Gerrak and said gravely "Gerrak, I owe you a great debt. I do not know how I can repay you, but it is a part of my traditions- and my own wish- that I do so. Please, think on how I may repay you." She hoped he understood how serious she was about repaying him. His healing of her had placed her in a position where had he been another Novan of an equal status (to Gerrak) he could have asked for her as his concubine for a time... However she had no idea what would interest the Muri as repayment. Once she was sure he understood, she turned to the other person she owed a debt to, as she had injured him.

Indigo went over to Dominic and after looking his hand over carefully, looked into his eyes "Please don't blame yourself Dominic, and I am sorry that I injured you. I owe you a debt because of that, and please, let me know how I can repay it"

Gerrak bowed low to Indigo. "Be wunderfly joyous in all dings-me rezpozible fur yu now-mayk de life I give wurd giffin, and loff all knowing it all part of life."
He had the scent-he could differentiate between Dom's blood, Indigo's blood, and even Pat's blood-he would taste Dom and Pat all his life, until he brought their malefactor to heel. It was time to hunt, and he was a Muri...
(OOC:After getting his permission to leave, Gerrak is hunting now-the individual who harmed two of his huntbrothers and his friend Indigo must face troll justice. I know I should be proper and let this wait to develop, but to stay in-character, Gerrak will hunt the SOB down. Xiscapia, TG me if you don't want the assassin found-I have contingencies readied)

"Please don't blame yourself Dominic, and I am sorry that I injured you. I owe you a debt because of that, and please, let me know how I can repay it."

"You owe me nothing. You hardly hurt me. If anything, I owe you." Dominic nodded to Indigo, then left the room.

Pat shrugged. He had never come in contact with anything that could hone blades with magic. Not quite sure what to do he went back and knelt at his mat.

The hunt had begun--the prey was not far. Gerrak scented the hall-there, the prey had gone this way. Gerrak followed, low to the ground, presenting as small a silhouette as he could. Had he been Blue Moon, he would know the art of moving unseen, but he was a hunter, which gave him the skills he needed, and was almost as good. Swift and silent, he ranged the halls, following the trail left. Kitsune were clever, graceful creatures, and the prey did them justice--but Gerrak was a Muri, and had sustained himself off the land since he could walk. The prey would be brought down...

"Be wunderfly joyous in all dings-me rezpozible fur yu now-mayk de life I give wurd giffin, and loff all knowing it all part of life."


"Oh I shall, Gerrak, I shall" Indigo said softly as the Muri left. Her smile brought out her dimples. Kai smiled at the Trolls request, he knew it was one Indigo would cheeryfully take to heart. Gerrak was constantly rising in his estimation. He's make an excellent ruller some day.

"You owe me nothing. You hardly hurt me. If anything, I owe you."

Indigo bowed low to Dominic, honoring his reply, but knowing in her heart she still had a debt to him. She watched him leave.

"Pat thank you for being so concerned for me" Indigo said softly as she as she gave him a small bow. "Your people must be very resolute for you to have resisted Gerraks crooning. Please feel free to stop by our dorm room any time Pat, I'd like to hear about your nation."

"Yes Pat you are very welcome and be careful. You are too strong minded a person to lose!" Kai added as he also gave a small bow.

Both gave Sensei Miyagi a bow colledcted their weapons and shoes and left.

In the shadows two yellow eyes gleamed maliciously out of the darkness. They slowly blinked and were gone. Afternoon began to turn to evening. Soon the assassin would strike again. And this time she would not fail her masters...

Night was falling, and the Academy bedding down. Good, thought Gerrak.Less to distract me.
The assassin had played a good game, but she was a kitsune, and Gerrak was a troll. Night was HIS time, and he did not rely on sight to find his quarry. He tracked her so far, followed her and watched. Her stealth was admirable-had he relied on sight alone, he doubted he would have kept up with her.
He loaded a sleep dust ball in his sling-he wanted this one alive, and trolls prefer to eat their food in that condition. The ball would burst into a puff of potent narcotics he thought would affect a kitsune as it did other mammals. Knowing this would give away his location, he released then headed upwind, monitoring his prey's heartbeat with his darksense.

"Nice try." A pretty kitsune steps out of the shadows behind Gerrak. "Androids with scent are such fun, don't you think?" She has green hair falling down her back, and cool, mocking yellow eyes. She wears very little, and her only weapon is the sword on her back, sheathed. "Didn't know kitsune can see in the dark? Foolish troll. I'll give you something to be scared of."

Gerrak swung without thinking behind him, hitting her firmly in the jaw with a dustball. As the puff covered her face, he leaped away-this one would not escape him, but she seemed oddly calm and arrogant, which meant she had a trick or two up her sleeve-probably a master magician. He remembered all Master Jinto had taught, and relaxed into Wind and Water, letting himself live only in the moment.
He screeched as loudly as he could in a hypersonic whistle that would carry.--Kai, I have our prey!--Only the kami would hear it, if he were near enough. He had to keep the assassin off-guard, and the Pandarian techniques would be good for it.
"K'mun, baybee-lezz danz."

Pat bowed low, unsure of what to say. His people were war like and valued fighting ability over oratory ability. They believed that talking should be left to the politicians and only when peace talks had been reached. Sensing that Kai would under stand this Pat made a futile gesture then said "Thank you, and, I would love to hear more of your country as well...I'm sorry I can't say anything more profound." Laughed Pat. Now turning towards Kai "It seems careful would be the new watchword, however I doubt I am the target. I feel that it is I who should be saying be careful." Then giving a bow to both Indigo and Kai, Pat walked up to Sensei gave a deep bow then returning to his friends. "I'm sorry that I must leave so soon, but I have to "prepare my nocturnal position" as we say in the army. Leaving Pat looked over his shoulder and called "I mean it, stay safe, I expect to see you guys in classes tomorrow." and with that Pat returned to his room to gather his "bag" and tent. Where shortly there after he left for the woods surrounding the campus.

OOC: OD, stop making me laugh! It's nearly impossible to type when I'm laughing!

.--Kai, I have our prey!--

Kai turned his attention back to the physical world, the call piercing though him like a knife, and with a sharks grin he rose to his feet, letting his human form fall away.

He stroked Indigo's dark hair as she slept innocent and safe in the realm aside from reality. "Sleep, and do not wake till I return!" He murmurred as she flexed his wide shoulders -

Eye of fire gleamed and claws glinted darkly as the figure of the Kami towered nearly eleven feet in the air...and moved with the speed of a striking Mamba...and as lethal...

With the speed of thought the Wraith was there,close to where Gerraks call had originated...and eyes, that saw just as perfectly in the absence of light as in daylight, took in the sceen in a flash...

Gerrak's figure was easily discernable, but the other present...oh they were indeed good..and there was more than one, - the one closest to him cloaked almost completely from normal senses...but not from his, which weren't normal in any way...

Claws swept out and raked deep bloody forrows in the abdomen of the hidden one close to hand -then Kai was gliding away, out of range of any immediate return strike.

(OOC:I do apologize-but it's a troll thing. To make up for it, I'll terrify and disgust you during the questioning phase-provided we get to that)
IC: Gerrak cursed-he'd been gulled as easily as a child. Kai's sudden appearance and dispatch of a strange voice told him he had walked into a trap. He knew about the android-it had no heartbeat and it's electronics and mechanisms were clear to his Darksense, but he had to draw it's master out-but reinforcements? This smacked of an organization, one aimed at the school and not Indigo-he had let his estimation of the kami color his judgement. This was not a new situation-in the jungles of Pamaltela, the hunter often became the hunted-which is why he was prepared to even the odds, if not shift them in his favor.
If he were Blue Moon, he'd set up an SEP field-but that was not his Order. He was Ordo Zorak Zorani, worshippers of War in all it's aspects. He hurled two packets to the ground-one was a tracker-it would blind him for a brief few seconds as it's tiny particles spread, seeking out heat signatures and adhering to them, bringing them into full view to his Darksense-the second was a smoke packet, which would enclose the area in thick roils of smoke, blinding all who relied upon vision, well into the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums. It would last for almost an hour, depending on the treacherous wind, but if Gerrak were to be blind, it was only fair for the others-he knew Kai sighted through a spirit-sense, but Kai was on his side. His other claw drew out his whip, symbol of his station in Doraddi-long and lined with barbed bells, it was designed to raise welts-but he had another purpose for it now.
His thoughts now were only of the female-she must not escape. He sent his whip flying towards her-not at her, but at her weapon-the kitsune prided themselves on their swords, and Gerrak knew by seizing it, she would remain long enough to retrieve it...

As Kai danced away, his claws bloody, the second Android fell into sparking, bleeding pieces. Yet again the hunter's prey was gone. The sword, while genuine-looking, was made of weak iron and dull, of no use to anyone. Suddeny the assassin was on the roof, a mocking smile crossing her lips. "Fast, aren't you?" Just as abruptly she was gone again. With all the silence and stealth of a hunting cat, she appared out of the ground beside Gerrak. Duel laser blasts, strong enough to punch a hole though durastone, were sent directly at him. Around him, dozens of spikes with barbs that measured in feet were scattered should he attempt to roll away. The female dissapeared just as quickly, all actions happening within seconds.

Kai was disgusted at himself, he'd let the registering of an unseen presence trigger an instant attack and had netted him nothing more than an artificial life form. Though it was not much more than so much red ruin after the swipe of his claws...

"Fast, aren't you?"

"Little daughter of misfortune, you have no idea.." He snarled in reply.

Kai however was faster than the Xiscapain Kitsune. When she reappeared up from out the ground, directly before Gerrak, the duall laser blasts, strong enough to punch a hole though durastone, that had been aimed at him instead met Kai's flesh for he had interposed himself between them. Though he had not been fast enough to snag their prey.

"Don't move Gerrak, lets not end up impaling ourselves upon her toys" Kai cautioned. Crouching, carefully he picked up one of the spikes, to keep then with the faintest of concentrations he wiped the others from existance.

Then he made sure that the androids rem,ains would not vanish as their living controller had. Those he wanted for evidence. Their remains could lead investigators back to whomever had manufactured them.

He threw his senses wide but could not find more than fading traces of her. He looked at Gerrack and announced softly but clearly " We've lost her, I think we ought to get this evidence to the school authorities." He wanted that heard but what he sent along mentally to the Muri encompassed much more...

OOC: It's okay - terrify and disgust me? I've worked in animal rescue for years- nuff said..and a TG coming your way OD...

Suddenly lights blared, causing sensitive eyes to shut and become blinded. Two customs patrol ships, painted blue and black, hovered over Gerrak and Kai. There was suddenly some 20 kitsune armed with heavy blaster rifles in body armorsurrounding them, and another 10 or so in grey/silver chest armor securing the area. A loudspeaker shouted. "This is the Xiscapian Police Force, get down on the ground and put your hands behind your head. Failure to comply will result in the use of force."

OOC: We wouldn't have heard them coming?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Shadowspeech Kai spoke to Gerrak "Have faith in me and watch over Indigo" Then the body he was wearing collapsed to the ground, allowed to die -dead from the two massive laser blasts...

In the Realm more real than the one he'd just left, the Imperia Wraith snarled angrily and set about reforming a body. While he was greatly experienced in this, it was still tedious.

Indigo woke with a scream, knowing that ...without bothering to throw a robe over her sleeping kimono she stumbled for the bed and followed as fast as she could the already fading silver cord...not fully conscious of the blade unsheathed in her hand and pulsing with baelfire light. Very, very few had ever seen an Honor blade awake, aware and ready to heed it's weilders commands...and fewer still had lived to tell.

OOC: They're kitsune, remember? Utterly silent. They think the assassin is still in the area and don't know it's a kitsune, so Gerrak's under suspicion. This means Kai isn't dead, just in state of suspended animation, correct?
IC: "What the hell?" The police watched Kai die, suddenly concious of the fact that he had two huge holes in his chest. The entire school flooded with police and SPOF(Special Police Operation Force) troopers.

OOC: but are their patrol craft utterly silent- you can hear a glider moving though air, so even if their motors/ propulsion methods are utterly silent..just a querry...and no that particular body is sincerely, really very dead Jim... Kai got a little over arrogant and didn't have a back up ready to go...so he's going to be no copos copora for a few days.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Indigo's footsteps - barely audible, but still not silent as a Kitsune's would be, announced her arrival - as she t6riede to make her way paswt the numerous troopers "Let me past! Please let me past!" She demanded frantically, unware also fo the tears streaming down her face "Kai! Kai!" She called frantically, her face deathly pale.

White-faced but grimly determined the police kept the girl back. In the center Gerrak had been led out and was now in custody for questioning. Kai's body had been marked and was about to be hauled away when a single voice came though the night.
"Stop."
It wasn't any louder than any other voice, and couldn't have been heard by more than a few people, but instantly everyone stopped. Sensi Miyagi, dressed in dark blue robes and leaning heavily on a wooden cane, limped forward. He waved his hand and the officers standing in Indigos way parted, allowing her though. He stepped in with her and stood over Kai's body, and one could detect tears in his eyes if one looked hard enough.
OOC: TG.

Gerrak allowed himself to be lead-Zong would not give him the prey this night, but there would be others. This assassin was highly financed, with an organization behind her-an organization that had infiltrated the school to place a trap of that magnitude unseen. He really wished Kai hadn't dismantled it-it would have served to expedite belief in his story. He would have to have a word with the kami about that-these kitsune refused to believe in many things apparent to the careful observer, so blatant things had to be left behind.
Then Indigo appeared-Gerrak went to her, and held her. "Doan worree, Indigo-Kai fiyn. Him no dat mazk him wore, enny mor den him de next mazk he wear fur uz-de wun him mayk now wid da zpiritz."
Idly, he realized the kitsune were clubbing him to get him to go where they wished, when Sensei Miyagi stilled them all. Cradling Indigo in his massive foreclaws, he let her work her emotions out, uncaring of the kitsune now. His friend was in pain and he had important matters to attend-the healing of his friend's soul.

"Doan worree, Indigo-Kai fiyn. Him no dat mazk him wore, enny mor den him de next mazk he wear fur uz-de wun him mayk now wid da zpiritz."


Indigo eventually nodded, though tears still flowed. She found herseslf taking great comfort in his gentle strength and was immensely grateful for his presence "Oh thank you Gerrak for being here." She said it under her breath, for his ears alone. She owned him so much...

Taking a deep shuddering breath and wipingat her eyes with the sleeve of her kimono "I know Gerrak, ...but what if something has happened and he can't come back." She knew that it sounded whiney and afraid and was ashamed of herself.

How could she explain that before Kai had come all she had known was her tiny part of the vast walled compound, that until her exile she'd seen far less than a hundred acres of her homeworld, and less than a thousand other Novans. That Kai's presence had become as necessary as air or water. She was ashamed of that weakness though and once again swiped at her eyes needing to find a serene face to hide behind. She was so terribly afraid but she refused to let others see that. She could shiver in terror later, though she devoutely wished she were braver. But Gerrak'd asked her earlier to be joyful, and she would do her best to be joyful, but she hoped he'd settle for thoughtful and observant now.

Looking about she focused on Kai's body and noted the very obvious cause of death as well as something unusual in his hand...

"I seriously doubt that Gerrak had anything to do with the death of my companion. Gerrak doesn't carry lasers and he was hunting an assassin!" She stated firmly to the police "Sensei Miyagi can attest to the incident in the dojo this afternoon, as can others. Also if you will look - there is an odd form of ...spikey...caltrop? or somethinglike that in my companion's hand."

She didn't leave the protective circle of Gerraks claws but turned about taking in the look of the place as best she could past the mostly obscuring bodies of numerous police "And should all these people be trampling over the crime sceen. Are they not distorting and destroying evidence by their very presence?"

Gerrak gently placed a claw on her sternum. "Kai allwayz heer." he said, simply, then placed his claw over his own heart. "And heer. 'Zidez, is not Nippon wurd fur 'kriziz' not zaym az wurd fur 'oppurtoonitee'? Lader, wen dis offer, me get zpirit drumz-tok to Kai."
"Diz dair wurld, Indigo-led dem do az dey wizh-de azzazzin too mush be 'lone-lotz help-lotz in Academy, tu-whole yard filled wid zpikez-diz big nuff, doan zpect no help frum dem."

"Doan worree, Indigo-Kai fiyn. Him no dat mazk him wore, enny mor den him de next mazk he wear fur uz-de wun him mayk now wid da zpiritz."


Indigo eventually nodded, though tears still flowed. She found herseslf taking great comfort in his gentle strength and was immensely grateful for his presence "Oh thank you Gerrak for being here." She said it under her breath, for his ears alone. She owned him so much...

Taking a deep shuddering breath and wipingat her eyes with the sleeve of her kimono "I know Gerrak, ...but what if something has happened and he can't come back." She knew that it sounded whiney and afraid and was ashamed of herself.

How could she explain that before Kai had come all she had known was her tiny part of the vast walled compound, that until her exile she'd seen far less than a hundred acres of her homeworld, and less than a thousand other Novans. That Kai's presence had become as necessary as air or water. She was ashamed of that weakness though and once again swiped at her eyes needing to find a serene face to hide behind. She was so terribly afraid but she refused to let others see that. She could shiver in terror later, though she devoutely wished she were braver. But Gerrak'd asked her earlier to be joyful, and she would do her best to be joyful, but she hoped he'd settle for thoughtful and observant now.

Looking about she focused on Kai's body and noted the very obvious cause of death as well as something unusual in his hand...

"I seriously doubt that Gerrak had anything to do with the death of my companion. Gerrak doesn't carry lasers and he was hunting an assassin!" She stated firmly to the police "Sensei Miyagi can attest to the incident in the dojo this afternoon, as can others. Also if you will look - there is an odd form of ...spikey...caltrop? or somethinglike that in my companion's hand."

She didn't leave the protective circle of Gerraks claws but turned about taking in the look of the place as best she could past the mostly obscuring bodies of numerous police "And should all these people be trampling over the crime sceen. Are they not distorting and destroying evidence by their very presence?"
The caltrop had already been found. The mangled android was found and taken to study. Sensi Miyagi was being questioned, while Gerrak, now deemed innocent, was largely ignored, along with Indigo. The entire campus was being evacuated and there had been an emergency meeting among the Headmaster and teachers to consider closing the campus. Identification could not be made of the assassin from the badly damaged android, so Gerrak was called on. After some hours of using pencils, pens, computerized imagry, holos, and A.I., the police finally hit upon the right description. Gerrak was given a lump of stone, which he chewed into a perfectly detailed replica of the assassin's face. I.D. was being made when there was a slight situation. A evidence dective officer had taken a whip he found and was promptly challenged by Gerrak as to its ownership. A heated agrument insued which ended with the detective being (luckily) knocked out and Gerrak getting his whip back. Kai's body was given to Indigo, as she was the only one who would knwo what to do with it. An embassy created at the school and surronded by police and armed soldiers to protect the students. All classes were indefinitly suspended.

Gerrak would not leave Indigo's side. While the Ritual of Cohabitation was amusing and novel, Indigo noted the troll would allow no one within two sword lengths of her without at least growling menacingly, and he sniffed all her food before allowing her to eat. He initially tried to feed her as well.
Then came the matter of Kai's body."If me dinkz dat Kai, me zing to Wonderhome den eatz. It mazk Kai where zo we know him-juzt eatz?"

Indigo was very touched by the ritual and participated in it with all solemnity. His thoughtfullness eased her worried and unvoiceable fears greatly.

."If me dinkz dat Kai, me zing to Wonderhome den eatz. It mazk Kai where zo we know him-juzt eatz?"

"Maybe your spirit drums would help him find his way back, and yes, I think that eating him would be the best thing to do." She declared after meditating on it for a short time. "I just don't know enough about the Wraiths, no one does I think. They keep themselves very mysterious."

However when they went to look at the body again, for it had been put into a cold storage to prevent decomposition, there ws nothing left save for a heart, as freshly red and warn - dispite the refridgerated room - as if it has just been harvested from a newly dead body. Indigo looked at the organ, steam curling off of it in the cold air, and blood dripping fresh and unclotted, with wide eyes and a paper white face- a flush on her cheek bones standing out like over done make up, then looked up at Gerrak

"Now I am truly at a loss dear friend, but somehow this feels right." She picked up the heart and almost dropped it as it gave a beat. Without hesitation she bit into it, taking a mouthful, then offering it- going up on her toes - to Gerrak "Eat of our friend and remember him. Eat of our friend and let him be a part of you as you are of him. You are of his family now and what is his is yours. Eat of him and become more than your were." She chanted cerimoniously not fully aware of exactly what she said. Power build around the pair, subtle and translucent, but potent.

Gerrak took the heart and solemnly intoned the troll Prayer for the Dead:"Uf Darkness yu lurned/Fur Darkness yu yurned/Untu Darkness ar yu returned" and he partook of Kai's heart. As it settled in his meat stomach, he played the drums and sang the soul to Wonderhome-had there been an eavesdropper, he would have been surprised to hear the troll sing the coordinates to the Well of Creation-provided he spoke the Shadowspeech of the Muri-the central point from which all matter issued long, long ago.
As Kai's heart suffused him, he felt the kami's presence-and that the power flowing about him was not Kai's, but from-Realization struck Gerrak like a thunderbolt. "Yu-Kai's daw-ter?"

"Yu-Kai's daw-ter?"

The power collapsed like a pin stuck balloon. Indigo huddled in upon herself for a second then straightened, and shook her hear negatively. "Oh no I am not so honored. Kami born is just a title" She sounded unsure though, no one had ever really discussed it with her. "My sire was the Divine One, but I am not important enough, not of the proper bloodlines on my mother's side"**

"My mother was only a concubine, not one of the Great Ladies, not a Wife."

She'd seen her sire only a few times, at a distance - at the ceremony where all of the Divine One's Wives, Concubines, and offspring, and aunts and uncles and their offspring as well had been required to attend for the annual ritual. She had never been closer to him than about a fifty feet, as she had passed in review along with the nearly five hundred other children of the Divine one's Court. Though as one of the Divine One's siring she had been in line before the more distant kin, but the Divine One had an unfortunately short attention span, and by the time she was announced, his attention had been diverted elsewhere. She wasn't sure if he'd ever looked up and noted her appearance.

However...She unsheathed the tiny crystal blade that hung at her throat and looked at it with newly curious eyes. Then laying her lips upon the curved crystal blade, the traditional kiss that took the place of spilled blood, she wiped it with a square of pristine white silk and resheathed it. It was only a few inches long but the crystal blade was so sharply edged that whomever it sliced would never feel the cut. It had been her mothers, passed down from her many times great grandmother, from the founding of Nova Nippon..and though it had gone to the Fire still at her mothers throat, it had appeared unscathed a few months later abgout her infant daughters neck.

"This is all I have of my mother, but it is old, old and very special or so I have read" She shook her head once again at her sudden folly, and smiled up at Gerrak. "No I am no one important. What I have is wonderful friends"

Gerrak nodded, but couldn't shake the feeling. He didn't know much about the Novans, other than they worshipped their political leader as a god in some Cult of State. The reverence and faith of their teeming billions flowed into him, giving him a power all his own--but that was different. The gods of the trolls were ancient beings from the Beginning of All-Kiger Litor, who dwelled yet in the Castle of Lead, was older than Creation, and had seen the Elements flow into existence with her own Darksense-other than the Darkness from which she herself sprang. She had interfered in Gerrak's life many more times than other trolls-observing his installation as Lord of Doraddi, then officiating when the Shining Trapezehedron reacted to his touch. She had also appeared as each of the females who claimed Gerrak as husband put in their claims, denouncing each child and dissolving the marriages.
He had also met Zorak Zoran-briefly-during his initiation. That one had been a terror-such power, rage, and hate it dripped off him in waves. Although not so powerful as these, the power in Indigo came from within, not without. It was a fledgling, nascent force, still finding it's way--she would be a goddess someday, Gerrak realized, once she came into her own.
He shrugged. "Dunno-trollz diff'ernt. Track line frum mudder-eezee dat way. When mudder gets wid chile, goes mad-thinkz nuddin but fud. Muri mayd by Moorgarki and Burning God-both mayl, so femayl not come owt riyt. Wen mudder cum frum mountain wid chile, claims husband den, hu proviyd fur mudder an chile 'til chile grown-den mudder tayks dingz and leefz, or gets mor chile wid fadder-dependz. Zum mudderz haff menny menny huzbandz, zum jus' wun. But mudderz du lie-say mayl wid menny dingz fadder so get dingz wen marriage dun. 'Zpoze it eezee lie wen track frum fadder, tu."

But mudderz du lie-say mayl wid menny dingz fadder so get ingz wen marriage dun. 'Zpoze it eezee lie wen track frum fadder, tu."

"It used to be that we followed through the mother's line, but about three thousand years ago, when the Courts were split into three, it changed for the Divine One's Court. Within ordinary families, especially commoners, it does not matter. And we too have the choice of many or one in our personal relationships." Indigo replied. "And yes some women and men seek out those who are wealthy and powerful." She shook her head. "I don't think that is the way it is meant to be, but each person is different."

Indigo didn't understand the need and desire for material things. She had never known want, her needs had been quickly tended to and certainly what items she needed in the way of clothing or educational materials had been to the minimum standards of the Court. She had only recently been introduced to consumerism. Nothing as crass as commercial holovision, or popular media publications - holozines or any sort media that contained advertisements -was allowed within the Divine One's Court. The thought of wanting something just for herself made her feel greedy and uncomfortable. Some one else might need or want it more than she.

Gerrak couldn't belive her thoughts, despite her being female.."Luk at pulz off Liyfe, beyond yu-all dingz oppurtooniztz. Yu want no no tu hunt? Yu want no no tu tayk? Liyft meen want mor-want-tayk-haff-dat Liyf. Dair mor, but onlee fur dem hazz Man Roon. No fur all udders, want-tayk-haff Liyf-dem wid Man Roon muzt zee all elze."

Indigo looked up at him and smiled gently.

"What should I want Gerrak? I have enough to eat, enough clothes to keep warm. Why should I want more? Some one else might go hungry if I wanted more, some one else might shiver in the cold. I like looking at beautiful things, but is it right for me to keep them and let no one else enjoy them? Why not put them in a place where all can come and enjoy them. Should not we put the learning, the knowledge, in a place where all can come and freely learn it? Should we not put use what we learn to work helping others so they can learn too? That way we can all join in the dance together, none left out, all whole and shining"

It was the way she had been rasied, altruism, and selflessness. And it would take more than six months of exile and exposure to a vastly different universe to change her.

"I don't understand why sales people in the shops tell me I am beautiful, but that 'this piece of jewelry or that dress' will make me look even better and think that it will make me buy it. I look the way I look, there is nothing beautiful about me. It seems sad that people are so ...." She gestured helplessly trying to find a word that fit "so shallow that 'looking better' will make people like me more or respect me more? Isn't whats is inside more important than the outside?'

"Well, me want Kai-but muzt akzept facks." Gerrak winked. "Me hunt mush, no wot zee not reel, not tu truzt. Me no zchaman-no see inziyd. Mozt no zee inziyd-dink owtziyd hiyd wot inziyd. Liyk olt Eart zong-prittee fayz can hiyd effil miynd. Klotez zho Ordur-me weyr red an' blak cuz me Ordo Zorak Zorani, but me weyr mor if colt. No liyk blak-look zkrawnee, no gud hunter. Fee-mayl liyk hunter fat, mush meat. Offent god tu attrack fee-mayl bad-zo no du.
"'Ziyds, no attrack, peepul zhow zelvezez, no wot inziyd den. Zlo, but beddur-no wot deelin' wid. Yu wan mayt? Me no tu gud maylz. Pat gud man-zalt of eart. Dom'nik kleffer man-gud konzord fur Emprezz."

"You may think you look like a bad hunter, but you look like a very good hunter to me. I don't think you are scrawny at all." She looked the towering Muri over and laughed "Oh you all but make two of me, and you weight what? Close to a thousand pounds? No you aren't a bad hunter at all Gerrak"

"A mate, oh Gerrak, I've never thought about having a mate, it's not possible. It wouldn't be allowed." She said automatically. It was one of the foundations of her life. To have any one ask for her would be to seal their death warrent. The implied dishonor of reaching so 'high' - even though she was exiled and in disgrace - would see to the deaths of many. And since her mother had been of the Samurai, not the Divines One's Court, none that might be allowed to have her as a concubine would lower themselves to ask for her as such.

"and yes Pat and Dominic are fine men, and I hope they find women that will be fine mates to them. They deserve nothing less.

"Not lowd?" Gerrak thought, then asked: "Wot we do nezzt?"

"I'm not entirely sure Gerrak. Perhaps with the Academy closed you should go home." She didn't have any where else to go. It had been planned that her duena/assistant would find and purchase a suiteable place for Indigo to live on the weekend, but that had never come about.

"They say that this is supposed to be an embassy and those students who stay will be protected. I should stay until Kai returns. I hope this doesn't mean that some sort of civil war is about to break out" She worried aloud.

Mr. Miyagi appeared then. "An Embassy has been set up, in the Emperor's palace. However, it seems only the two of you, and perhaps Pat, have decided to stay. I don't blame the others, it's dangerious here nowadays. The Academy will be closed indefinitly tommorow at midday, so I suggest you pack. We didn't manage to get far at all, did we?" He seemed sad. "We'll move out in the morning. In the meantime, what shall be done with Kai's body?"
OOC: I think we'll use this same thread, no one's posting in it anymore and I don't feel like creating yet another thread.

Gerrak shook his head."Me ztayz-komm tu lurn kitzune wayz, zo ztay 'til no. Pamaltela ztill be dere me want go bakk."

Pat was awakened by the sound of transports taking off. Thinking he was in a war zone Pat jumped out of his tent and yelled "INCOMING!". Realizing it wasn't an air strike Pat looked around sheepishly to make sure no one was watching. Pat reached out and grabbed a passerby, who was hurrying to a waiting helicopter. "What's goin on?" Pat yelled over the various engines. "You didn't hear? They're closing the school. A student was assassinated." and with that he was gone. Pat felt the weight of the promise he had made to his Hunt Brothers crushing him, suffocating him. He hadn't really believed he would have to fulfill that promise. Pat began to sweat. Without thinking twice he went looking for his Hunt Brothers.

"I will pack tonight them, though I don't have much." Indigo replied. "We won't be an impostiion upon the Emperor and his family will we?"

She shared Mister Miyagi's sadness but made herself speak confidently"Kai's body has returned to whence it came, but he will be back and sooner rather than later."

"Perhaps we, Gerrak, Pat and I, could take lessons from you Sensei." Indigo wanted to alieviate the elderly Kitsune's unhappiness and she knew she would value the lessons.

Pat noticed three figures standing off to the side, one of them was obviously Gerrak. Pat let out a sigh of relief as he sprinted over to the group.

"Pat!" Gerrak swept up the young soldier in a bearhug, careful not to crush him. "Pat, glad zee yu-dis Indigo, Grayt Laydee frum Nova Nippon-Indigo, dis Pat, Miytee Waryor frum Dynamic Revolooshun." He snuffled Pat's cheek gently, forgetting it wasn't the proper human greeting.

Pat bear-hugged Gerrak back, completely relieved he was not hurt in any way. "Darn Gerrak you scared the buh-Jesus out of me! Have you seen Dom? I haven't seen him." Pat continued to hug Gerrak ecstatic that he was alive, and happy he wasn't going to have to fulfill his promise. Then remembering his manners "Hello, it's nice to meet you Indigo, I believe we have several classes together." said Pat wile shaking her hand.

"Not zee Dom'nik zinze clazz." Gerrak grumbled. "Wen huntin', but prey in bryer patsh-mush reddee fur hunt-tu reddee."

OOC: DR, we use transports like freighters and such rather than helicopters.
IC: Mr. Miyagi shook his head at Indigo's question. "The Palace is large, and the Emperor's only living family is his Wife, Jade. Being as offworlders need much protection, and there are so few of you, it is logical to allow you to stay in the palace. As to Kai, I am glad to hear he will soon, ah, recover, so to speak. I will be staying in the palace as a special guest of the Emperor's, so as to continue teaching you. I believe Mrs. Rain and Mr. Forworn will be coming also. Pilot Savk and Sgt. Keela, however, have been called away, and may or may not be back."

Gerrak wasn't terribly surprised to hear that-had Sgt. Keela been a troll, which she seemed very much at times, she would not rest with a threat so close and well prepared operating in her range. Idly he wondered if the Emperor enlisted her or simply acknowledged her activities to save time, but soon realized such speculation was pointless.
He would need his spirit drums and fetishes, but everything else he owned was unimportant-replaceable with the right equipment and time. He nuzzled Pat, then whispered so he and Indigo could hear:"Wot proper fur weyr wid Empror? Me weyr Zorak Zorani klotzez or Doraddi klotzez?"

Indigo's dimples showed as she smiled at Pat, though blushing from Gerrak's introduction. "Please Gerrak, I'm no great lady, just Indigo."

"Hello, it's nice to meet you Indigo, I believe we have several classes together."

Indigo squeezed his hand gently in return "I remember, from this afternoon in sword class. I'm sorry that proper introducions didn't get made then. And I do want to thank you for your concern over my wounding." She had felt quite comfortable resting in his arms. ANdf very obviously Kai had approved of him, or the Wraith would never have let the handsom young man near her.

"Pat, I don't know if you over heard but they are closing the Academy. Most all the students are going home. Gerrak and I are staying and they're moving us to the Emperor's Palace tomorrow morning.

She too was interested in the answer to Gerrak's question. She knew how she would act towrds the Divine One, but this was a completely different culture.

"Yes, I heard the news. It saddens me that I will have to leave the academy after such a short period of time. Unfortunetly I believe I will have to accompany you all. I highly doubt my Commanding Officer would send a bus to get me let alone a space fairing frigate." Lowering his voice now, Pat whispered to Gerrrak "Well I will probably have my Class A uniform on, it's the most formal thing that I have right now."

"Me kood drezz yu liyk Prinz of Doraddi-wadder zerpant hiyd an fedder headrezz an' cloak. Me haff olt wuns yur ziyz." Gerrak offered. "Dat meenz me go as Lord of Doraddi, but bedder me dink-Zorak Zoran god of War, Hayt, and R'Venj-probly no gud fur gest uf Empror.
"Wot bigges' an-mal on Xizcapia? Shud be gud gest, bring fud."

"The biggest animal on Xiscapia is the Vomplush (http://cache.kotaku.com/gaming/shadow_of_the_colossus2b.jpg). They are very rare and few in number, but you will know if you see one. They have enough meat for an entire city to feast upon, and it would take a capital ship to drag it's corpse. They are found only on our western contenent, a place of deserts and coastline, called Slipslah. These creatures are peaceful and highly intelligent, but they carry stone clubs bigger than some starships. They won't hesitate to crush you if they feel threatened."
OOC: Yes, it's as big as it looks.

When you say highly intellegent Sensei Miyagi, do you mean as intellegent as we are? Are they sentient?" Indigo asked concernedly. Hunting a sentient being wasn't something she was comfortable seeing Gerrak do. And if they really were that huge, and that intellegent, she didn't want to lose her new friend to one either.

She also wondered aloud how many of them were there. They might be very few in number, and to kill something rare wsn't a good thing either. She was sure though that a hunter as accomplished as Gerrak would also be aware of the needs of conservation and preservation of species.

Another part of her wondered what it would like to stalk and be stalked. Twice she'd won the the drawing to be one of those watching the Ritual Hunt from an aircar, but she had been so far away that she had seen little more than what appeared to be hoards of brightly colored dots moving aimlessly about in the distance. It had been very hard to concentrate on the invocations required but she had managed through closing her eyes and focusing her thoughts solely on the desired outcome.

"I think your regalia as Lord of Doraddi would be perfect Gerrak. I will wear my most formal kimono" she added.

"Formal clothing isn't required, the Emperor was a soldier once, he knows the value of comfortable clothing. You could appear before him naked, if you wished, although this is not advisable. As to the Vomplush, they are sentient, but not really thinkers. They are self-aware, and understand emotions like kindness and anger, but they don't really think. It is said, once every ten thousand years or so, a truely wise Vomplush is born, to guide Xiscapia and kitsune though dark times. I have never seen nor heard of this being true, but I would suppose it is entirely possible. As for hunting them, hunting except for food is banned on Xiscapia. If you were to kill a normal animal, such as a deer, you would be shunned for a while. But to kill a Vomplush is regarded as murder, and would be met with an execution, something that is not often done. There are a very few things you can do on Xiscapia which will warrent an immediate execution, but killing a sentient, excepting for self-defense, is one of them. As large and firce as you are, Gerrak, I would not advise taking one of these on. It will hear you before you get close, although it wouldn't kill you until you actually exibited the intentions of your trying to kill it. Then it would either kill you outright or run away. I know you are only trying to respect the Emperor, but nice clothes and a small gift are the way to go."

"He's a soldier? Thats reassuring. Least I know what to expect. Sensei Miyagi do you think he would appreciate a Non-Com sidearm? Its a traditional pistol given to non-commissioned officers in the Dynamic Revolution Armed Forces. It's a slugthrower and fairly ornate. We are given several, is case we need to give battlefield promotions. I wish I had better to give but for right now that is all I can manage." said Pat


http://www.americaremembers.com/Products/APTP/APP_left.jpg

"BAAH! Mayk all tu hart!" Gerrrak cried. "Giff proo-per gif Man Rune-we fisch. Giff Empror giff zo niezz him kraeyz--we fisch, we fisch."
He grabbed up Pat and Ingigo and carried them to the quarters he shared, picking up the fetishes he adored and kissing all, setting them in place. "Wee mayk Empror zuffer, zcep' owr gif', mayk nuffin' him zep'. Pat, giff me huntbrudder luff-Indigo, giff me Kai luff-" Gerrak pulled out a pure crystal, and began softly beating his drums. He took Kai's bond to Indigo, filtered through his own perceptions, and coupled with his own bonds to Kai, then added his feelings for Pat and Dominic. He prayed to the Emperor, blessing him with bonds as strong as he felt with his huntbrother and his consort. The Emperor would receive feelings of Pure Love as he felt the empathic leavings of this-good luck surpassing that

OOC:....well, i give, u win lol

Mr. Miyagi watched them go with bemusment. Then he limped onward, leaning on his cane, to finish packing.
OOC: How many in favor of my creating a new thread for the Palace Embassy? Yay or Nay?

OOC:Your call, boss-man. If it's more convenient to you, by all means. Otherwise, we seem to be OK using this thread, though the title may be confusing to newcomers-"Why is the Emperor hosting HTH and Way of the Sword?" As long as I can find it, it's all the same to me-BTW, Gerrak's impressing emotion on the crystal, not the Imperial Presence, if that's the post's point-he'll feel the same thing when he's holding the crystal. It's the sort of thing trolls pin to the fridge and forget about, but I'm not hunting some iron-clad behemoth as a proper Guesting gift.

OOC: Thank gods, I really didn't want to RP the death of one of those things, and I really didn't want to try to exacute Gerrak. Understood, I'll edit the post. Check TGs, BTW.

OOC: I'm fine with however is most comfortble for you but a new thread might indeed be less confusng.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indigo found herself giggling as Gerrak picked her and Pat up as if they weighed nothing and trotting to his - well now theirs, for at least the moment - dorm room. She had seen how seriously he took matters regarding his spirit totems and fetishes. She understood his reverance for them very well, for she too had her own such.

Pat, giff me huntbrudder luff-Indigo, giff me Kai luff-"

When he asked she responded willingly letting every thing she felt for Kai and Gerrak pour out.

When he was finished she felt at peace but exhausted. "Gerrak, Pat, if you'll excuse me I really need to get some sleep. I'll pack my things in the morning. There's really not much that needs packing." She gave them both hugs, whispering in Gerraks ear "Thank you. I appreciate you placing your darkness over me earlier, I know I'll sleep safe."

Gerrak began to rummage through his closet, finally fishing out a silver harness and feathered headdress and cloak. "Heer, Pat-me weyr wen liddel, now fur yu. Yu zleep owtsiyd? Zleep under Indigo winda, pleez-me ztand gard heer. Azzazzin ztill owt dair. Me bath now-yu gard, den yu bath me gard, den boat gard-or yu wan bath furst?"

Pat looked down at the cloak in his hands "Wow...Gerrak...I...Thank you!" said Pat, clearly over whelmed. Then Pat nodded, "You can shower first, also, do you want to break the night into two 4 hour periods. If that is the case I'll take the first watch on that one." Thinking for a second Pat began to take random looking items off his webbing. As he began to put them together they began to form into an advanced pistol complete with silencer, and night vision. "I doubt I'll get in trouble for this, considering the current situations." commented Pat as he cocked the weapon.

OOC: not quiet sure how fluent you all are in military terminology so this is what webbing is
http://www.dragonsupplies.co.uk/Site_ProductImages/webbing1.jpg

"Hu dair get trubbel wid?" Gerrak, secure in the knowledge Pat would protect Indigo, drew a hot bath. He scrubbed vigorously, singing in Shadowspeech--That is not dead which can eternal sleeping lie...--
(OOC:Given that Shadowspeech is a series of hoots, clacks, and whistles to the human ear, I'm not going to bother with too much of the song-read the Kitab al-Azif if you want the whole thing)
After, he would pack his totems and fetishes, then set aside his official uniform and pack the rest of his clothes, but for now, luxuriating in hot water was good enough.

OOC:Oooh can we have a discussion of the influence of the King in Yellow on Lovecraft and the Mad Arab? While in the height of civilized luxury, of course, steaming hot baths...mmmmmmmm!

Though she was tired Indigo did not neglect her own sacred rites. The images of R'lyeh wove through her meditations, and time and time again the moons fire eating daughter aided by Finnian's trolls, closed the door on chaos as the road wrote on forever...Her meditations ended inconclusively, but that did not trouble her, she knew that all would be made clear in time.
Her sleep wes deep and peaceful.

Pat was in a state of hyper-alertness, if the assassin could get through Kai then he would have to be extra prepared for them. His senses had adjusted to the sights, sounds, smells, and feeling of the night. Pat waited, hoping it would be a quiet night.

A Xiscapian walked by Pat, not seeing him, whisling quietly, swinging a little chain from his arm. He was about 6,4, rougly 200 pounds, mostly muscle, and looked like a cheerful guy. His long blue hair fell across his pale face as he strolled. He kicked his feet and whipped his tail a little. Suddenly he became aware of a presence. "Who's there?" he asked cationsly, his yellow eyes roving all the dark corners, seeing in the dark.

Director: CUT!
OOC: I am deleting this thread from my list and creating an Embassy thread.