[Imperial Citadel] Order of the Black Rose (Milo)

[Dani]

It was a new Brightening and Dani was ready for an early start. Having done his daily routines of stretching and mild exercise to the muscle groups of his wings, the Dracon had turned his attention to the sparing area of the training hall. All was in order and the room was cleared for him and his expected opponent. Of course anyone read the ledger of who was using the room, would not notice the Regents name, Dani was no fool, and didn’t want a crowd of spectators getting in the way of their workout. It just simply stated Sir Danique and guest.



Tucked in the now converted basement of the Citadel is the Order of the Black Rose meeting and training hall. It is also in this area that you will find the offices of the commanders of the Rose. As you cross the hall a large giant stops you as you try to enter the command section.

"Halt. Only Members of the Rose may enter this section of the hall. State your business?"

[Milo L'Evienne]

It had to be said that the early candlemarks had never been Milo’s favored time of the brightening. Given his druthers, he’d stay abed till mid brightening in a bid to make up for what he didn’t have the darkening before. Add the notion that what lay ahead of him typically consisted of piles of parchments wanting for his signature; and candlemarks of putting out one potential fire after another, and there were times he had to as good as drag himself out of the monster of a bed he and Nell shared. And not with any measurable amount of joviality besides. But this brightening he’d risen early, willingly, and in a far better mood for having made sure Nana kept his calendar free until at least mid-afternoon. He’d dressed in tan breeches tucked into boots softened up with age and wear, a cream linen shirt sans frills and sleeves folded up his forearms, his hair bound back with a leather stay; and after a rosyun with his family, had shoved his hat on his head, given the children a kiss on the cheek, Nellie one on the lips-added a playful smack to her fetching backside, before strolling out of private apartments with Barrett Tierney in his wake.

He’d made way through the palace while the usual entourage fell in behind him-if Rosemen had been mice, then Milo imagined he was the currently designated pied piper-then took a turn for the Citadel where he expected Sir Danique was waiting on him. So entering the Citadel, whose denizens he expected would recognize him well by now, Milo stopped when the giant approached and met him with a crooked grin aimed upwards. ”Good brightening sir. I’m to meet Sir Danique this brightening. I believe he’s expecting me.”

[Dani]

Sergeant Frolic stepped aside as soon as he caught eye as to who was talking to him, although stepping aside for a giant still made the hall seem rather small. “Aye your Excellency, you’ll find Sir Dani in the training hall “he exclaimed pointing a massive finger down the corridor. The Corridor ended with a room on the left, the doors were held open by wooden wedges and an inviting sound of training drew louder as you approached.
Upon entrance one would see a single figure toward the back of the room working quite heavily on a hide bag hanging from the lower rafter. As the bag swung from side to side the figure could be recognized as Sir Danique.
Seeing the Regent enter, Dani stopped an began to approach hesitated for a moment to grab a towel that was draped over a saw horse. “Serale your Excellency” he added as he came closer.

[Milo L'Evienne]

These giants. By now, Milo had met a few of them, both of the full and half-variety and it still seemed strange tilting his head upwards to such an extent in order to carry on a proper conversation. Strange in an amusing way when he took time to ponder it, but of the few he’d met, he’d yet to meet an ill-tempered one. ”Thank you kindly sir,” he said with a smile as he glanced down the corridor in the indicated direction. And so off Milo strolled down the corridor, even Barrett eventually trailing off as he wandered out of the Citadel again and back to the Palace alone.

Once reaching his destination, the Regent paused in the doorway a moment while watching the dracon work away on the hide bag. And only when Danique caught sight of him did Milo wander further into the room to greet him with a grin. ”Good brightening Sir Danique. I got away a little late from the Palace. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting?”

[Dani]

“Not in the least my Lord, the bag offers an excellent opportunity to loosen up if you will.” He said with a brief glance back at the still swinging hide.
“I hope this area is to liking your Excellency” he added pointing to an area with a large padded floor covering.
The pads were of tanned hides fashioned together and tightly stuffed with dried hay. It offered an effective alternative to a hard wood floor. The area in total was approximately 20 feet square, chairs sporadically laced the area and there was a bucket in two of the four corners opposite of each other.
Dani fetched his gloves off of one of the chairs, there were made of thick suede and offered the needed protection for the softer human skin. “I could swift into a human form if you require it.”
This coming from Diantar was indeed highly unusual, but never the less offered.

[Milo L'Evienne]

”Of course,” Milo agreed with a smile in regards to the still swinging bag, a smile in part resulting from the notion that this was a brightening he could escape from the mundane nature of many of his usual duties, and indulge in something that was indeed a far departure from the typical fare of acting as Regent. Of the indicated area, he added a nod while looking it over. ”It will do nicely Sir Danique. I’ll confess my training in Medonia was managed in the yard of the local Ranger Hall, so certainly less organized than this. In fact, warming up consisted of the Master Ranger running me around a dirt track and having me balance on a narrow post for long stretches. Along with the usual exercises of course. It’s been a while though I’ll admit.”

Taking the gloves offered him and sliding them on to fit, his smile quirked into a grin when the offer was made for shifting. Of Dracons, he knew too little to realize fully the nuances between those who typically shifted and those who didn’t, but the offer was one that was appreciated all the same just for being made. A considerate one, considering that compared to himself, the dracon was a large and if certainly not menacing to himself by intent, still a menacing appearing opponent. ”I appreciate the offer Sir Danique, but it’s not at all necessary. I expect I’d prefer you to remain in whatever form you are most comfortable in.” So giving the gloves one last tug he asked, ”You’re in charge Sir Danique. Where do we start?”

[Norin Beldwhig]

A dwarf came walking through the city of Prime in the late spring. He was delivering letters to very specific people. One such letter was adressed to Veleraen, which he had been told could be find at the Imperial Citadel. The dwarf made his way through the city, asking for directions whenever he thought he was lost. He had many letters to deliver and didn't have time to be proud, he couldn't afford spending candlemarks looking for something that he clearly didn't know where was.

Thus it was that during the afternoon of this specific brightening, the dwarf came to the Imperial Citadel. He didn't try to enter, but instead sought a guard that could help him locate Veleraen. "Serale. I'm a messenger from Centripax. I have a letter here to a giant named Veleraen. It's a letter from the Governor of Centripax and the Consul of the Northern Reaches."

The dwarf waited patiently for a reply. He didn't mind standing there, just outside the entrance to the Imperial Citadel, until Veleraen showed up. He didn't mind following the guards either. He only wished to deliver his letter.

[Veleraen]

(OOC: Hey Norin, I'm actually going to create a new thread for us since I totally didn't see the (Milo) at the end of this thread, i'll send ya a new link)

[Dani]

Ah Ranger training, now that was something Danique knew a little about. Having the friend and Master Ranger Tev help him from time to time, yes Dani was quite sure of what Milo was talking about.
"Tis nothing wrong with Ranger training methods, I’ll assure you of that!” he answered.
“I figured we could just free spar if you like, or if there something you have been working on and need a test dummy, well I can accommodate that as well” he added with a smile.

[Milo L'Evienne]

”Indeed, you’re right there Sir Danique,” Milo said with a wide grin and in response to the subject of training methods used by the Empire’s Rangers. ”It’s certainly no indictment of their methods to say that I was made to work hard for it and take my licks for faltering. And I expect I might’ve been pushed just as hard as Regent, as when I was only a newly appointed Prefect still wide eyed and wet behind the ears. As it is, since learning, I’ve had next to no practice in that regard. While the practice of politics surely provides plenty of opportunity for verbal sparring, it hardly ever comes to actual blows,” he added with grin gone crooked. Sometimes though, he wondered if political debate might be worked out all the quicker and to everyone’s mutual satisfaction if folks just got honest and settled things with a good old fashioned brawl. Drinks shared after, a pat on the back, and all would be right again with the world.

Nevertheless, he walked to the middle of the mat while pondering the dracon’s words-then answered with an affirmative nod. ”Free sparring will suit me fine. In truth I’ve not been working on anything in that regard. Most of my arms’ practice has been with my tossing daggers, not unarmed combat. You may find me as unskilled as a complete beginner given my lack of practice. I might like a little time to get back into the swing of things though by practicing a defensive stance and warding off blows.”

[Dani]

OOC: I noticed you put on gloves. Let me just clarify that the gloves were for my hands to protect your skin from the razor sharp talons at the end of each finger. So if you prefer to not wear any that’s fine with me, either way works, I just wanted to clarify why Dani would use them.

IC: Danique listened to Milo’s words and couldn’t help but agree “This young one speaks with much wisdom” he thought as he sized up his soon to be opponent. The Knight has had a few bouts with politics in his time serving the Crown, and felt it better to put two opposing leaders in a ring and the one that lived was the winner. It was certainly better then thousands losing their lives on the battle field for a few more trophies on ones mantle.

Dani continued to listen as Milo entered the makeshift ring “Listen to him, his wisdom speaks of an age far greater then he has yet to achieve, now he has added humility by professing his lack of training, the very fact that he is here proves his strength and willingness to learn. Aye this man shall make a fine Regent and by the Gods perhaps Emperor one day.” These thoughts he pondered as he too entered the sparring area.
Then came the words “I might like a little time to get back into the swing of things though by practicing a defensive stance and warding off blows” With that heard Dani advanced on the Regent with these words to say “Defense it is then”.

The Dracon came at him with a right high area punch to the side of his face, the target being his jaw. His left arm was bent at a 90° angle covering his mid section. The speed of his blow was 100% but the strength was less then half that. Dani didn’t want to use full force until he was certain of the skill level of his opponent, after all this was not the heat of battle and no one needed to get hurt. Control was one thing the Knights has learned over the years and he would apply that this day.

[Milo L'Evienne]

ooc: Ahhh. Yup, missed that bit. Will just put it to rights

”Defense, yes,” Milo repeated while bouncing a bit on his heels to check the give that the practice floor provided. Then tugging at the gloves on his hands, an uncommonly large fit considering they were suited to a dracon that towered over him, he pulled them off and handed them over with a wry grin. ”I expect you need these more than I. Or perhaps it’s I who’ll need them most on your hands.” Of course he was well aware that the Knight would handle him with kid gloves, no pun intended, as he’d no doubt that Sir Danique’s skills likely far surpassed his own and could otherwise turn his face to mush at the least.

And so readied, Milo took up a defensive stance meantime, feet staggered left somewhat behind the right and angled out slightly as a result, knees slightly bent and posture loose rather than rigid. Hands placed as he could recall, the left drawn up aside of his jaw and with elbow tucked in more than stuck out. Right, about chest level and elbow angled in as well. When Sir Danique’s blow came flying, instinct took over as it often did, and Milo weaved away from the blow, left arm swept up to block it. And though he’d only intended defense, he took a quick jab with his right before drawing his hands back into a defensive position. Of course, all depending on whether or not the dracon had already landed him on his backside in the process.

[Shorty]

The Regent bobbed, weaved, and parried Dani's searching punch with his left arm. Milo weaved to the right and swept the dracon's strike aside, though not with much force. Though with some ease, the human still heard the whoosh of air from the fist to keep him from being too cocky. Then, the counter....

Milo let fly a jab that connected in the stomach of Dani. Not hard by any means, but signified the scoring of a hit.

Both recovered to their previous positions.

[Dani]

An excellent block and counter, just what the Knight had hoped for. As the blow came to its target Dani exhaled sharply causing his abdominal muscles to constrict and absorb Milo’s blow. As the two readied for the next encounter the faithful spoke.
“You blocked that well, and there is no doubt that your counter scored, next time try it in threes. It’s a simple technique” he added as he began to circle “Just block and counter with three different attacks, high low high, or low high mid”.
Since the Regent showed reasonable skill, the Knight would come harder in his next advancement. He would wait until Milo spoke then attack, for it much harder to do two things at once. If the Regent spoke Dani would attack with two lunge punches, a right then a quick left both aiming at the solar plexus of the human. Then he would ready for the counter if any came

[Milo L'Evienne]

The interaction passed too quickly and under the influence of instinct to engage in much deep thinking in regards to his success in not only blocking-just barely given a breeze blown by with the dracon’s jab-but in successfully landing a blow of his own. Of course, given the Knight’s bulk and stature, it was likely similar to going up against a brick wall, only with a softer landing. Still, as Milo stepped back and listened to Danique’s words, his grin tilted off kilter, given that considering his lack of recent practice, eras in fact, his success was likely one part remembered skill, and two parts plain old dumb luck.

”In threes,” he repeated given the advise and nodded his head in thanks as a result while stance dropped during the brief respite. But when more advise came, he staggered his feet again in the proper stance, bringing his hands up loosely in position while considering things. And when he had, he uttered a simple ”Ready then,” that hardly passed his lips as Danique struck again, leaving him little time to recover his focus.

When a right jab came his way, Milo’s left arm and hand swept downwards in an attempt to deflect the blow, and if not undone by that one, an attempt to deflect the left lunge was made by sweeping out with his right while pivoting his torso to the right to further attempt to reduce its impact. If not on his backside or regaining his breath by now, second blow deflected, he’d capitalize on the opportunity by taking a jab with his left at the dracon’s jaw, one he didn’t necessarily expect to be successful, but distracting maybe, then two quick jabs with his right at Danique’s solar plexus while bringing his left up in defense again.