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RESPITE TRAINING GROUNDS - AFTERNOON
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Fiora stands rather imposingly as she strides up from one of the sparring rings. The Giraffe is back in full form and her full body Plate armor and helm, after some time readjusting to her body, and now feels rather good about her progress. Her axe is slung over her back and her sword is sheathed at her side, and most of the guards have learned to give her a wide bearth, even when the matches between 'Fury' and Brunilda regularly draw crowds. Today, she's on her own however, having just finished going through some basic drills in armor.
Ninell makes his way into the training grounds, decked out in his full armor again, now that the seasons are shifting (however slightly) to something a little cooler than mid-summer, and he's been wanting to get a little more into his training again to make up for time missed due to the heat. He has his halberd propped against his shoulder as he walks, looking around a bit and just observing folks going about their routines.
Fiora spots the Sergal coming, perking up at the strange armor, she heads straight for him, not really thinking about the look of this. It's quite apparently the armored giraffe is heading straight for him, and with an enclosed helmet, her intentions are rather... unknowable.
Ninell rather quickly spots the giraffe making her way over, and he comes to a stop in a spot he feels is out of the way of anyone else that might be trailing after him. His open-faced helmet gives no such concealment on his own reaction to Fiora's approach, and it's with an air of intrigue that he watches with a raised eyebrow, though he waits in silence to see what her intentions actually are.
Fiora approaches, looking down at Ninell through the intentionally ominous looking helmet. The sergal isn't intimidated, so it doesn't even cross her mind that she might seem sorta threatening. She laughs, completely non-threateningly, her voice somewhat muffled within the helmet, though still quite understandable when she leans closer, "Oh! That is so cool! What kind of armor is that? Make it yourself?"
Ninell blinks at the questions, especially at how earnest and curious they sound. Out of all the reactions he was expecting, that was certainly not one of them. He chuckles and shakes his head a bit. "Ah, no. This armor is standard issue in my homeland's military."
Fiora reaches out a hand to tap on one of the armored plates. "Huh! Seems solid construction at least. Your military doesn't screw around. You from somewhere in Orela? Vamas doesn't have a standing military and Sarn armor cleaves like trash, trust me. But that's definitely no snake armor, and the lizards tend to like their thick leather, but I've hardly explored every island down there."
Ninell laughs a bit. "No, I come from a land further to the south than Orela. We call it Eukune, if you happen to be familiar with the name. I may perhaps be a touch biased, but Eukune armor smiths are exceptional at their trade, I feel."
Fiora blinks, "Huh. I have, but only by drunks. 'Eukune' is pretty legendary in pirate circles, but I guess I thought it was just a myth." She reaches up to her helmet, releasing the gorget clasps to collapse the armor around her neck, and removes her helmet next. "I'm Fiora, by the way! Though, I go by Fury in this get-up. So, you military then? You're a long way from home here in Respite."
Ninell hums quietly, listening to Fiora. He nods at the mention of pirates, then again when she asks if he's military. "Yes, our borders were closed for quite a time for the safety of others, as we were fighting a war of unification... that involved every faction in the land. I am not surprised to hear pirates were active during that time." He pauses, then continues, "A pleasure to meet you, Fiora. I am Ninell, a Knight if Eukune... and I am indeed a long way from home, though with good reason."
Fiora cradles her helmet in one arm and hums, "Knight, eh? So fancy military. Hope you can at least fight well enough to be worth that nice armor."
Ninell flashes a grin. "You have quite the ornate set of armor as well. Are you someone of similar stature, by chance?" He chuckles quietly, "And I suppose I should also ask... do I hear a challenge?"
Fiora taps her chest with her free hand, "This was all made by my hands and hammer. I'm a Bounty Hunter, or ah, was, I suppose. Getting more into private security now." She chuckles, "I mean... I don't know if it'd be much of a challenge for me..."
Ninell hums thoughtfully. "A mercenary, then, and a skilled one at that. Interesting..." He takes a moment to look over Fiora's axe and sword, then nods, "Care to test your assertion? I can tell you speak from experience."
Fiora chuckles, "I'm not much for bragging, but I'm still alive. Despite many, many attempts. Now, as for my assertion..." She hums, looking over Ninell with an appraising eye. "You've either not seen much duty, or not seen it in awhile. Hmm... probably not in awhile. You've definitely been in your fair share of battles. You stay sharp regardless, but I don't think you've had to fight for your life too recently. Not saying you're soft or anything. Now that I look, quite the opposite. You're just good at being a 'casual threat'."
Ninell smiles easily at Fiora's assessment, then nods in agreement. "I do not wish to be an unapproachable person by way of intimidation, but I also prefer making it clear what may happen should someone think to test my patience. You have quite the sharp eye to discern these sorts of mannerisms, Fiora."
Fiora grins. "I could still take you on, though. Would be fun."
Ninell chuckles. "Would you prefer sparring weapons, in that case?"
Fiora laughs as well, patting the hilt of her sword, "I only use the axe for killing folks and decapitating training dummies these days, so you'll excuse me if I don't bring her out. Still training with the sword, but if you want to handicap me, we can work something out with that."
Ninell hefts his halberd a bit, just enough to let it bump against his shoulder again. "This is my preferred weapon, but I can spar with a sword as well, if you would rather we fight on even footing. I leave it up to you if you wish to use wood or steel."
Fiora: "Wood never feels right to me... and I don't need you to match my weapon choice unless you want to. Honestly, I tend to prefer a good brawl, no weapons out, but I can adapt to whatever you throw at me."
Ninell blinks, then grins as he goes to set his halberd aside. "Ah, just fists, then? We could certainly do that, and it would give me an opportunity to sharpen my mobility further." He talks as he starts to remove his gauntlets as well, though he doesn't bother with any of his other armor just yet, "So... no weapons. What better way to understand someone than by seeing how they fight unarmed!"
Fiora stretches a bit, already feeling warmed up from her drills, she turns back towards the sparring ring, and motions for Ninell to follow, "Oh, I quite agree. Let's see what we can learn, eh?"
Ninell nods as he finishes divesting himself of any and all weapons (obvious and not), then goes to follow Fiora to the ring. "Gladly. I do wish to see what fighting styles are like beyond the guards of Respite, varied they may be."
Fiora grins as she walks to the ring, reaching up to reattach her helmet, "Oh, me too. Adding 'Eukune'-style to my fighting repetoire is going to be fun!" She doesn't need much teaching, seeing Ninell fight will be a good deal of education on its own.
Ninell hums, now intending to show off just a little so Fiora can see what she wants to see, with regards to his fighting style. Once he's set up at one end of the ring, he dips into a bow at Fiora, then settles into a stance that definitely hints at a high-mobility fighting style. "Then I will do my best to show you a little of everything I know of unarmed fighting. Ready when you are, Fiora!"
Fiora nods, watching Ninell's stance. She doesn't have much of one of her own, although, perhaps like Ninell, she's just very good at hiding her deadliness. She watches Ninell a moment, then shrugs, as waiting for the first move was never her strong suite, and she quickly charges in, showing what she's got as well.