warforged | [ OPEN ] you seem so out of context

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[ OPEN ] you seem so out of context

Who: Asch and You!
What: Asch relearns old skills and practices new ones
Where: Near Silverglen
When: Mid afternoon to early evening
Warnings: None

Fire has never been Asch's strong point. Manipulating Ice always came more natural to him, and swordplay more naturally than that. A unused skill is a wasted skill, though, and Asch despises waste. He's found himself a nice patch of rocky ground not far from Silverglen, something difficult to set ablaze. His skill of choice for today: Dragonbreath.

He's relieved to find he doesn't actually need to breathe fire. The familiar motions of casting artes are much more comfortable for him, and he's using them to end the lives of the scraggly bushes around him. He's found that practice can come in two varieties, this way--for every bush he sets on fire, he switches back to a more familiar arte and calls jagged blades of ice down on the flames. Before long scorched patches of earth and clusters of still melting ice surround him in equal measure.

He practices, and he practices hard. It forces him to take multiple breaks, leaving him increasingly cranky each time he does. Even so, he can tell that he's making good progress and doesn't leave him looking unapproachable--especially not when he finally allows himself to sit down and have a simple dinner.

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Cynder had been perfectly comfortable with breathing fire, but she couldn't do that any longer. She didn't spare it a whole lot of thought, not when she had other skills she needed to master. And right now she's definitely getting a workout. Silverglen is not exactly friendly to black dragons or black dragonsworn, and Cynder was both. Discovering she had two entirely different ways of disappearing from sight or hiding in the shadows - or even in plain sight - was a godsend that had so far kept her scaly hide intact.

She'd found the place sheerly by accident, while determinedly hunting squirrels through the treetops. And then she'd hastily put a bit of distance between herself and the vigilant guards, only to come across Asch instead.

He is now the second human she's ever seen. Or ... no. Human-oid. That's what The Master had said they were, but he hadn't actually BEEN human so maybe this colorful man wasn't either. He's certainly more interesting to observe at least, going through the motion of weaponry and flame and ice in a way that reminded her of the cheetah-folk. It's only when he sets fire to her chosen bush does the little dragon suddenly flee for a lowhanging branch, unwilling to deal with a scorched hide. This normally wouldn't disrupt her Stealth much, save the rapid wingbeats and frantic scrabble of claws as she finds herself a new, non-flaming perch.

Asch has company.

Now that's a new sound, and an unmistakable one at that. Asch pauses, leaving his most recent victim burning for the time being. It's hard for him to track where where the source of the new sounds has gone while whatever it was is still so difficult to spot, but he doesn't think it's managed to get behind him. He tracks his gaze carefully back and forth across the tress in front of him, but he doesn't expect to find his target based on sight alone.

"I know you're here." His voice comes out firm and just a little angry sounding; if he can't see his visitor, maybe he can intimidate her into showing herself.

"Yes, and?" From the trees somewhere, is a young voice of someone maybe in their early teens, female and distinctly wary. She's almost certain he can't actually see her, and if she keeps moving, wings carefully tucked, holding onto branches carefully, he might not be able to find her. "If you're expecting me to come out, after you've been burning bushes and then freezing them all about, you must think I'm pretty stupid."

After all if he can do it to a bush he could probably try it out on her. It's fairly reasonable for such a young sounding voice, but it may not make Asch's brittle temper any better.

Before Cynder speaks, Asch's gaze is fixated somewhere far to her right. After her voice sounds out he manages to zero in a little better, this time setling his gaze somewhere a little to her left instead. She sounds young, whoever she is, which doesn't do much to reassure him. Anise and Arietta are both young, too, and Asch wouldn't want to take either of them in a fight unexpectedly.

"I could just set the whole forest on fire instead." Which he absolutely will not do; Alexstraza would eat him alive, maybe even literally. The important thing is that he doesn't think Cynder knows that. "Or you could prove that you're not here to try to sneak into the Sanctum." The red flight might be open to visitors from the others, but Asch has no intention of leading someone that might not even be Dragonsworn back to his home.

She keeps moving. Staying still is unwise, it gives a fixed position. Nor is her path straight-line enough where it might be easy to guess she's heading left or right. Malefor's teaching hadn't faded with his power, and she still remembered how to avoid being easily tracked. Asch is not going to find her easily.

As he's armed and has significant literal firepower at his disposal, that's probably for the best for Cynder. "Go ahead," is the response, sharp. "There's some people not so far from here who'd love to have an excuse to use all their weapons." She has no idea he's even a dragonsworn, never mind what flight he's beholden to! But she does know there's guards lurking and that they're more than happy to put their weapons to use.

She moves on, cautiously creeping into the welcoming boughs of a towering oak. She could leave, but she's... not going to. What if he was serious about trying to set fire to the forest? She'd have to at least try to stop him.. "And anyway, what Sanctum? Is that where all the purple people keep coming from?"

No those are night elves, that's a different kettle of fish.

Whoever she is, she's both fast and good. Asch can barely keep track of her, pinpointing her previous location just in time for her to speak up from her new one. It's frustrating, but fortunately for both of them it takes up too much of his focus for him to try to vent that frustration.

"The Ruby Sanctum." That's something he probably shouldn't share so readily, but between himself, Luke, and Zelos he's heard so many jokes about his hair color and corresponding flight that his instinct is to head off the inevitable joking query before she has a chance to make it. He's not to worried about her knowing his place of residence, though--especially not when she just said something pretty revealing herself.

"No. Those are the elves from Sin'thalas." Or one of the other cities, perhaps, but Asch isn't about to list them all off. "If you didn't know that you must have only just arrived in this world."

"They don't exactly hand out maps back home."

And home was now a turbulent lava pit. She didn't mind it so much. Did other Flights get maps? She wanted one now, just so she had a better idea of where she was beyond her cautious searching flights. Dodging demons had gotten her lost already once, but luckily she'd stumbled across a hunting party of her own sort and just followed them back to the Obsidian Sanctum. If she did have a map, she'd know they were far indeed from Sin'thalas, and the purple folk likely from Silverglen proper. But she doesn't, and the name is filed away to be investigated later.

But 'Ruby Sanctum' meant red dragonflight. She's certain the blackflight and redflight were not friends. There was a way to reach it nearby, then. That might be worth finding out. She hadn't really had any intention of trying to find the ways to other Sanctums, but maybe it would be useful information sooner or later. "Is everyone from there as violent and fond of destroying random bushes as you are?"

Would reporting the location of a way to get to the Ruby Sanctuary gain some sort of reward? She settles on a limb carefully, thinking hard.

"Tch." Well, at least now he knows for sure she isn't from the Red Flight--which unfortunately does little to narrow things down. He already knows that he's not going back home until he's sure he's lost whoever this is, though. He'll spend the night in Silverglen if he has to.

"Someone from another Flight would have picked a closer target." Asch won't deny that he's violent, but he's gone out of his way to avoid setting anything important on fire. The implication (imagined or otherwise) that he's not being careful rankles just a bit.

"Really? How much do you know about the other Flights?" This time a little to the left, and curious sounding.

She's not going too far. Cynder didn't know if his threat had been genuine, but she was going to make sure it wasn't.. and then possibly see where he might wander off to over time. Probably somewhere burnt to the ground or half frozen given what he'd already done to this place. "I've been told the Redflight all but worships life, and here you are destroying it. Why? Are you trying to pretend to be redsworn, and really belong elsewhere?"

Her tone never slides into accusatory, or even anger. She didn't yet understand what led a being to one group or another, and so far what she'd seen of Asch (bad temper, tendency towards destruction) made it seem like maybe he actually was blacksworn and just pretending otherwise. Why?

Again, Asch swings his gaze over to where he guesses Cynder to be. He's given up on actually hoping to locate her, but he's not about to let her get behind him if he can help it. The question is a good one, and that Asch hasn't really given much thought it. Maybe he should be nicer to the bushes... but ultimately, in his mind, the answer is simple.

"Because if I didn't practice on these I wouldn't be any use in a fight." It's a rather unfair estimation of himself, but he feels like it's valid point. "I can't protect life if I can't even hit a target."

That draws a snort. A little higher up this time.

"You could have decided to practice on a rock, or already cut down logs, or even a stuffed piece of clothing shaped like a person, but you chose live bushes. You don't need to burn or freeze a forest to hit a target. Unless you're planning on fighting shrubs in the future this is kind of pointless killing. It sure won't help against a moving target."

She didn't see a point in destroying things for no real reason, and practice didn't count. There were lots of other things to attack for a good workout! "If you're Blacksworn, I won't tell anyone you're here, but you don't have to pretend."

"I'm not Blacksworn." Asch doesn't sound particularly offended by the implication--just a little aggrieved by the whole situation. Asch doesn't want to talk about himself and pointedly ignores the question of morality when it comes to using poor defenseless bushes as target practice.

"And what about you?" He lifts his gaze up higher, once again making as close of a guess as he can as to Cynder's location. "Unless you're a terrible liar you aren't from Red, but you certainly sound like it."

Spyro, she's almost certain, would try to drive Asch back to wherever he came from before more burning and freezing can happen. Well.. Cynder wasn't about to attack someone with skills she was uncertain of. Even if he was practicing, which suggested he wasn't as good at them as he might want her to think.

"No. I've only met one red dragon before, and he's far, far away." Ignitus would probably not be thrilled about the burning shrubs either. All dragons were guardians, weren't they? "I guess I was just raised better than that." Which is truthfully as bald-faced a lie as one can EVER get, as Cynder was raised by an evil monster dedicated to wiping out all life on the planet, but she's not mentioning that part. Nor is she mentioning that she only cared because she was certain her brother would have. "If all you're interested in is target practice, you should find something else as a target. There's plenty of rocks and I'm sure you can find a fallen over tree or a demon or something."

Asch's shoulders slump just a little--in tired annoyance, not defeat. He's sick of getting hassled by his invisible visitor over a bunch of shrubbery. The thought of just walking away and finding a different patch of ground to terrorize, but he waves it away. He doesn't want to try to retreat until he can be sure he won't get jumped on the way out.

"There are worse targets to use than bushes." He knows a lot of people wouldn't have bothered finding a less flammable part of the forest to practice in, but he doesn't feel like comparing himself to hypothetical somebodies--especially not out loud. "All you're doing is being annoying." He makes a sharp chopping gesture with his hand as he speaks. "If you're not going to show yourself, then go away and bother someone else."

Cause that's... totally going to work.

Attacked as he tries to leave? No. But she probably would follow him. Almost certainly, in fact. If there was trouble, Cynder wanted to know where it was. "And there are better ones," her disembodied voice says crossly. "You should be thinking of improvements, not ways to make things worse. What kind of redsworn are you?"

Maybe he really was a Black! That was okay, but still...

"And I'm not going away. Not while you're busy threatening to burn down a forest. I'm your new invisible friend." She can match annoyance with annoyance very easily. Spyro would want to make sure things stay safe too. She might not really genuinely worry about the woods, but she knew it was something a dragon should be doing. Protect the natural world, keep people from rampaging all over.. right?

[Luke doesn't find him for a while, but he stumbles in before dinner happens.]

Asch!

[He knows Asch has a tendency to wander off by himself, but he was still worried when his other half was gone for so long.]

What are you doing out here?

[ Oh, it's him. Asch looks back to Luke, his expression one of surprisingly mild annoyance. He's too tired to muster anything else. ]

Practicing. [ He drags his arm across his brow as he explains. ] Artes aren't as easy to use here as they were on Auldrant, and the new skills we were given take time to master. [ But, still easier than Exsilium. Small favors and all that. ]

[Practicing, huh? Luke could use some practice too. For the first time, he's uncertain about the idea. He and Asch have different skillsets now, even if the way they learned the sword is the same. He can't use any of his old artes at all.]

Do you want a partner? If anything, I need to practice how to heal, so...

[ What an offer. Asch actually looks amused. ] Better reword that unless you mean self-healing. You sound like you're offering yourself as a target. [ The ugly, bitter part of Asch would really like to take him up on that offer, but in truth the urge is barely there anymore. ]

[Luke's brows furrow.] And you make it sound like I couldn't get a hit on you if I tried.

I don't need Albert style artes to beat you-- I've been training as a paladin. Maybe it's better if I just show you in a fight.

[ There now, that sort of attitude is more to Asch's liking. ] Hmph. I doubt you've been training enough. [ Spoken like Asch hadn't absolutely lost their last fight, of course. ] Come on and show me, then!

[ His smug smirk doesn't fade, nor does it get any more condescending. He actually... sort of looks like he's having fun. ]

[Luke beat him pretty soundly that one time, too. But hooray for Asch not being a jerk about it. The air feels different, more competitive and playful than anything else, even though they're surrounded on all sides by war and pain.

Somehow, Asch is starting to feel like family.

Luke draws his sword, giving a moment's pause to make sure Asch looks ready, and then he charges.

Rather straightforward, but that's to be expected. Try casting with that coming at you, haha.]

[ While it's the smoke that swirls up into the sky overhead that catches her attention, it's the ice that calls her out of hiding. Having witnessed this for a few minutes now, she steps out into the clearing dressed in leather vestments and her hair pulled back. ]

You can use both fire and ice? [ Obviously, but she just has to ask, to ensure that this is what she's been seeing with both of her eyes.

Zelda herself was fortunate enough to have her body attuned upon her arrival and with it a new power bestowed upon her. The blessing of the Blue Dragonflight, of the Spellweaver, and with it the ability to conjure ice. ]

[ Asch hadn't been expecting guests, and he starts a bit when Zelda steps into the clearing. The tension from practice--not dissimilar to the tension of battles--stays in his frame for the span of several heartbeats. Then he relaxes, letting his hands fall to his side. ]

I can. [ Asch pauses before he adds: ] One is a skill from home, and the other I learned here. [ No word as to which is which, however. ]

[ Not that she was expecting answers as to which is which; she was just surprised and reminded of someone back home who could use three different elements. The power of the Goddesses isn't shared here, she's come to discover, but there's no harm in indulging in a bit of nostalgia. ]

That is what I thought.

You were a talented warrior in your world before arriving here, were you not? [ Possibly even a hero? ]

[ What an odd sort of question. Asch blinks at Zelda, confusion plain on his face. ]

I was. [ The admission is out before Asch can think to stop it. Is using more than one element really that rare... wherever it is she's from? ] And you?

[ Yes, it's apparently reserved for final bosses and heroes. ]

Something akin to it, though I mostly stuck to the shadows. [ That much is the truth, but what she doesn't let up is that she wasn't supposed to be fighting. ]

Strange as it is to see someone use magic in this way, it comes as a relief. I wasn't aware the dragons' allies were this powerful.

[ Stuck to the shadows...? Asch immediately regards Zelda with a sharper sort of interest. He's met her type before, knows exactly what that means; it means she's attentive, and therefore potentially dangerous.

Or potentially a strong ally. Only time will tell. Asch isn't the sort of let anyone but himself build up (and subsequently tear down) his ego, but he's pleased to hear the compliment. ]

Save your judgement for until I have to use it against something more dangerous than a bush.

[ Oh she would laugh if she knew. Harming others is something she can't bring herself to do easily, but she carries herself as though she's exactly that type. ]

I'd wish for it to never come to that, yet we are here to engage in a war. It'd be idle wishing and nothing more.

[Zelos is there. When did he get that? Who knows. But he's there, sitting on a large rock nearby. He spent some time watching before finally speaking up]

Are you practicing your breath or just indecisive as to burn the forest down?

[ Asch just can't get any peace today, can he? His irritation is a little worse with Zelos, though still not enough to make him try to snub the other redhead outright. Despite that, he's been aware of Zelos' presence since shortly after he arrived. It's just that Asch had been hoping to ignore him. ]

Hmph. I'm not interested in pissing off the mages. [ Never mind the Aspects--and definitely never mind their Aspect. Burning down the forest is a horrible idea. ]

Aw, but it can be so fun.

[Or at least, mildly irritate. Nevermind they are dragons who know magic. Zelos survival instinct was never said to be high]

[But nope, you get no peace Asch. Especially if it means Zelos can put off his own training.]

Does it help to treat it like an Arte? At least, that's what it looked like you were doing.

You've got a damaged idea of what fun is. [ Not that Asch has even the tiniest amount of room to talk. It's been a long time since he's done something purely for the fun of it.

In fact, his irritation only fades when Zelos switches the subject back to combat techniques. ] Yeah, it does. Makes more sense than a person trying to breathe fire.

Maybe. But I like to think it's better to have a damaged one then none at all. [Yeah Asch. You act like you're 17 going on 80 sheesh]

Hm, right. Not real sure how we're supposed to do the breathing part without burning our throats out, anyway.

[ Zelos gets a sour look for his comment about lacking a sense of humor--though maybe it's hard to tell the difference. ]

You could always find out for yourself. [ Asch turns away again, stepping over one of the ice patches as he goes. ]

And risk ruining my great voice? Too much of a crime!

[And sheesh, so unfriendly. It's not like he named you as having no fun! It was just...implied. Heavily.]

[But for now he's content to see if Asch is gonna start training again or just walk away. It'd be nice to see how far this guy has actually gotten with handling fire magic]

[ Asch pauses when he realizes that Zelos is still lingering about--although honestly he doesn't expect anything else at this point. He's not exactly to continue training with an audience... but maybe with a partner. He turns to glance at Zelos over his shoulder. ]

If you're going to stay, you may as well join in.

[He tilts his head a little]

Hm? You mean with your fire practice?

Of course. [ Asch props a hand on his hip as he speaks. ] This place is dangerous. We need to keep our skills as sharp as possible.

[There's a pause, before he gives a little sigh and slides off his rock]

Fine, alright. I guess doing a little effort now and then never killed anyone.

Should warn you though, I'm a bit more experienced with fire magic than you seem to be.

[ Asch doesn't quite smile, but there's a hint of one there in his expression. ]

That's fine. I won't improve if I only practice against people weaker than me. [ Which might bring the whole 'why bushes' questions into sharper focus, but Asch doesn't worry about that in the slightest. Instead he continues making his way across the clearing, and then turns to face Zelos properly. ] I don't have any training weapons. We'll stick to Artes. [ Or... magic, or whatever they count as here. ]

If you say so.

[Apathetic as he was, Zelos was one who enjoyed a fight. He stretches a little and takes a moment to focus his energies. Then he moves into a fighting stance, with a slight smirk on his face]

Okay, whenever you're ready.

[ A smug and confident redhead that likes to fight. It's like looking in a mirror, which Asch isn't quite self aware enough to catch on to. He's not patient enough to wait, either. As soon as both of them are ready, Asch calls up that new technique of his again, sending a gout of flame rushing towards Zelos. ]

[It's probably for the best Asch lacks that self-awareness, because having Zelos be your mirror is far from a comforting thought.]

[Even so, Zelos is ready for the flame attack. He jumps out of the way of it, and as soon as he lands he's shooting off a couple fireballs in Asch's direction]

[That's quite the show he's putting on there. One that she isn't going to skip out on watching. Part of her almost wants to object but it isn't everyday she gets to watch a human be proficient and focused on their magic. It's better than sitting in the sanctum all day.]

I hear some people build training dummies to use once they get their magic down.

[ And the visitors just keep on coming. This one, at least, is polite and waits before interrupting him. ]

... Yeah. [ It's about as much of an agreement as he ever gives, though his slightly sullen tone suggests he's not too happy about it. ] But shrubbery grows back. I'd destroy the training dummies too quickly with this sort of thing. [ Which is an assumption on his part--he hasn't actually tested this on any of Azeroth's dummies. ]

Edited 2014-06-30 04:29 (UTC)

[Considering everything that's happened lately, she'll take the slightest agreement as opposed to arguments.]

It might depend on who makes it. I've been some very sturdy ones built. I don't know if anyone around here could make them. [She shrugs and takes a look at the ground that'd suffered from his artes.] I suppose it's better to practice than to sit idly.

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[ OPEN ] you seem so out of context

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Sorry for the huge delay, got sick. :(

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