RP:Asraphael Meets Desparrow

Desparrow was here, barefoot and shirtless with three other men in the same attire practicing close combat. Des was a scarred, lean muscled male of distinct elven appearance but perhaps with some drow heritage in him with the paleness of his flesh which he usually covered with illusion. The most outstanding of the scars would be the missing top half of his left ear, the scar running down his temple on the same side of his face, an 'A' crudely carved into his right hip, and underneath the scar of a gash was a large crimson crescent, one point on his left pectoral muscle and the other on his abdomen. He was currently contending with what appeared to be a middle-aged human, while another similarly aged male and a young man with the appearance of a late-teen watched on, both in good physical shape with some growing definition to their physique. Over and over they would trade blows and partners with the end result one side getting slammed into the ground. They had been at this for who knew how long, sand coating their skin and hair while also occasionally assaulted by the sharp salty spray of the sea.

Asrapheal was traveling trying to find his place in this world. His pale blonde hair, short and spikey, easy to take care of when you travel a lot. He had armor on but it was crude and clearly armor he had just scrounged together for some form of protection, made of basic leather nothing special. He had heard the sounds of conflict and followed it to the sight of men combat training. They were men in comparison to him, just a boy. He was just barely of age to be out on his own. His grey hue watched the men, trying to absorb their actions, remembering what moves worked and which ones didn’t and made them eat a face of sand. He remained silent, so that the aggression would not be turn against him. Under the ever changing sky, it was clear he was an elf, and the dark hue of his skin indicated a very strong influence of drow.

Desparrow had stepped out of the one-on-one for a moment, allowing the elders to work with the younger, shy boy while he scanned the horizon. Azure hues as deep as the ocean, much like his mother's, stared out to the sea, into the future, not only his but the future he wished to bring to Cenril. On each of the men aside from Des there was a slowly fading scar of where they had been bit by Des, turned into Lycanthropes and their entire lives changing forever with a wound between the neck and shoulder. Turning around as he wiped a gathering of sweat from his brow he spotted the half-drow watching and simply offered the male a smile. A jerk of his head would indicate the other was welcome to join them, or at least come closer if he so wished while the thud of a body hitting the sand was indication it was his turn to step in again and he was going against the obvious victor the middle-aged victor.

Asrapheal closed his grey eyes and took a deep breath of the salty sea air. This was a fairly new feeling for the half-drow. When they opened they would focus on the man, offering him a smile and gesturing him closer. He knew either the man was being censer or had ill-will planned for him. Either way, he wanted to get closer and absorb more. He wanted to be the best fighter he could. He wanted to be able to step out of his metaphorical chains. The scars were noticed but meant little to the half-drow. His knowledge of lycanthropy was very little, plus that’s not where his thoughts were. They were focused on the sparring. He’d return the smile, while briskly moving forward for a better view of the men. He could feel the excitement growing within him, much like that of a child asked to join the grown-up dining table for the evening. This over took any concern or worry he may have had about the situation. He wanted to learn and was eager to even get the chance to watch. He’d never presume that he’d be allowed to join, due to his growing up.

Desparrow had been learning all morning and in sessions before this the combat training that the Cenrili guard went through (for any that didn't know them personally, the three men were all ex-guardsmen, but this would be impossible to know unless again, they were personally known and recognized), so he was getting used to the moves and managed to block one blow and use the momentum to carry him into his own attack which breached his opponent's defenses and with a quick swipe of his palm to his chin while also sweeping out the back of the legs he carried the man straight onto his back into the sand. A satisfied grin was plastered on his face as held out his hand to assist his defeated opponent in getting up, whom was quickly replaced by the other middle-aged male. A sideways glance to Asrapheal with that smile he gave a nod but it wasn't that he offered words until the bout was over. The older gent had been learning too, adapting to Des not always fluid fighting and after almost a minute of trading blows was able to overcome the alpha and put him to the ground. Getting up, the boy stepped in and Des moved over to the half-drow's side, "Hey there. What's up?"

Asrapheal watched in awe, every blow, every swipe, every placement of their footing. He took this in like a sponge. His smile continued, as he watched the leader take down the first man, and immediately start fighting the next. He winced as Des was overcome, and couldn’t help but blame himself a little. After all if Des hadn’t been giving him a nod maybe he could’ve beat him, right? His eyes followed the man as he walked over to him, then spoke. The words seemed friendly. The tone didn’t him any indication that he was angry or upset. The smile returned to his face, after the few seconds it was gone as he weighed the situation out. “Hello, well the sky is up, but I don’t think that’s what you meant. There is nothing up with me. What about you? That is some amazing sparring, your all doing. You are sparring…., right?” His at the end faded into one of concern.

Desparrow chuckled, the laughter ending with a pat to the other male's back. "Yes. We are indeed sparring. Gotta keep practicing after all, gotta stay fit, got to get better so that we can better protect the innocent people of this city and liberate it from the oppression of lazy leaders and a rising crime rate." he sighed, shoving those thoughts from his mind so that he could train without the burden of impending danger beyond the horizon. "I am doing just fine, you seem however quite interested in what we are doing. Are you a fighter?" As he spoke he happened to also be watching, the younger male take on his elder with less power and practiced precision but more agility and raw talent. It wasn't long until he had been taken down but he was quick to get back up and even try again thinking he could overcome it this time. Being that this was a mostly friendly training match it was fine that he took a second turn.

Asrapheal gave a light laugh as the man patted his back. He was listening to the man, but also continued to watch the men spar. He smiled, “Staying keen, to protect the innocent and those incapable of protecting themselves, from crime and oppression, is a very noble cause. That’s good glad to hear your doing fine. “ He looks down a bit, “I am very interested in what you’re doing. I try to be, but as far as my skill, I haven’t been able to much, other than depend myself, and win a few bar fights.” He returned to watching the sparring. “You guys must be close. I was told that fighting someone is the best way to get to know them. That you can feel their emotions, through the contact you have with them. So by that, you all must be close, like family even. Am I right?” He turned to look at the man with a smile.

Desparrow couldn't help but grin at the questions, his extra teeth showing. "Yes, you could definitely say we are family." when that was said the other men look towards their alpha and just smiled, looking together more brotherly than an actual family would. "Fighting is certainly a way to know someone, as good, if not better a way of expressing oneself as making love is. That is how I feel." he then turned his blue hues on the other, "Do you wish to partake, a bout or two? You are welcome to, maybe you will learn a few new moves, maybe you will teach us some. Either way we are all here to learn and any whom wish for the ability to defend themselves, or others are welcome to come to me. The name is Desparrow. I'm trying to save this city." he held out his hand for a shake.

Asrapheal ’s smile grew, as what he was told was confirmed by this man. Once again the extra teeth would go over the young half-drow’s head. He could see how brotherly and how well they were getting along. His hue lit up like diamonds. He nodded in agreement as the man spoke. His head stopped for a moment at the ‘making love’ commit. It took him by surprise. “I’d love to partake in a bout or two.” He was clearly eager and this most likely made his week if you went by the tone of his voice. “Asrapheal, my name is Asrapheal, or Asra for short. I’m just trying to find my place in this world.” He’d glad shake the man’s hand with enthusiasm.

Desparrow shook with a matched enthusiasm, his grip firm and calloused. "Well then, Asra, step in for me and take on with the gent there. The boy won't mind having a break from his arse put to the dirt yet again." The younger male blushed at this but was smiling knowing it was in good fun the comment was made while the other two laughed. He stepped away and allowed Asrapheal to cut in for him, whom the middle-aged man galdly took a defensive stance, waiting for the half-drow to make the first move.

Asrapheal continued to smile, as he moved into place. His grey hue focused on the man, showing a fierceness that would not be expected from him by the way he acted. He brought his hands up in front of his chest, but didn’t form them into fist, instead left them open. He moved the sand under his feet getting a feel for the terrain. He took in a deep breath and let it out as he launched a feint blow with his right fist, while following it through with the true attack of his right leg, coming in for a mid-body blow. He’d have himself readied to use the shifting sand to his advantage, to avoid most anything coming his way. He hoped he was clever enough to at least throw this seasoned fighter of his game a bit.

Desparrow watched with a growing amusement when Asrapheal finally made his move. The old man went to block the fist only to find that it would never connect and instead felt the blow of the leg on his form which caused him to swivel in order to retain his balance. He would move in close, reaching to loop an arm around the shoulder while going for a single sweep of his leg at the back of his opponent's, disabling him before knocking him down if he could manage it on the other. Des all the meanwhile paid close attention to how both reacted when it came to fighting a style that was perhaps alien to them, making note of all the hesitations, and responses.

Asrapheal watched the man’s movements, and trying to stay fluid to combat the sand. While the man looped his arm around his shoulder. Asra would lean and left his weight against the man to avoid the man’s sweeping leg. If this cause the man to fall, well atleast they’d go down together. He’d prepare for when his feet hit the ground again to use that momentum swing the man off him. He knew this would take strength he wasn’t sure he had but he was going to go for it anyway. He’d let out a yell as he’d try to swing the man.

The man moved with Asrapheal at this point, maintaing his hook on the man's shoulder but side and backstepping to maintain his own balance while making continuous attemtps to trip up the other and bring him down. If it continued at a standstill pace for a while however he may give in and allow the kid a first time victory, but then he wouldn't be teaching him anything really so instead he swung out for the midsection with his free hand, and then would attempt to bring Asra down in defeat.

Asrapheal was starting to get frustrated, as the man moved with him. His frustration started to get the better of him, for this caused him to start making small mistakes, that he had avoided at the beginning. His desire to win however continued to fuel him as the dance to free his shoulder waged on. Asra unable to free himself from the man’s grasp was struck by the man’s blow, causing him to lose his footing in the trick sand and sending him into the sand, in defeat.

Desparrow saw how heated it had been getting seconds before the end and he approached the two, "Now now.. How about we take a break. Just practicing after all." he held out a hand for Asrapheal with another smile on his lips, "He didn't mean anything by it, just something to look for. A real enemy might not have been so patient to go for an unprotected spot so late in the fight." With that he would help Asra up just before brushing himself off from the sand that had accumulated on his skin. "I think we will stop here for now. We got quite a bit in."

Asrapheal took in a breath to calm himself down and took Des’s hand with a returned smile. He’d give a lightly embarrassed laugh, “I know, and I appreciate that fact, cause man did that hurt.” He’d look to the man and offer up a hand to show no hard feelings. He’d then start brushing himself off. After all sand is the bane of armor and gets everywhere. “Thank you for letting me partake in your sparing.” His grey hue still showing signs of excitement.

Desparrow grinned wide then. "Its alright. Though its getting to be early afternoon. I think we best go, get something to eat and find something to do for the rest of the day. You are welcome to come train with us again, even join us out on a run if you'd like. We are after all in the interest of the city. Though for now we must depart!" without even waiting for a response he had turned with his compatriots and set off on a jog.