Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Mar 4, 2013 17:00:48 GMT -5
The two of them had basically arrived in front of Enuyu's home when Diegis let go with his revelation. It stopped her in her tracks. What little she knew of Diegis told her he was a strong man, but the hurt was there in his voice. She knew too well the pain of losing family. Two years on and it still hurt immensely, not as much as when it had happened to be sure; but it was a wound that seemed to threaten to never be any better than raw.
She didn't know what to say or what to do. She wanted to offer him some sort of comfort, but didn't know how. There were no words that came to mind, and it didn't seem appropriate to embrace him. That's what her mother would have done. But she wasn't her mother. It seemed she was fairly useless in this sort of situation. Still, silence certainly wouldn't do.
"I'm sorry. I lost my family two years ago."
It sounded weak to her ears but it was all she had to offer. No, that wasn't all.
"Would you like help trying to find your nephew?"
Ha HA! I kill you with my flaming sword of doom. You die.
He managed a small smile at her without thinking. But, that did not last for very long. The memories took over.
His sister was dead. He had been too late to stop the slavers from killing her. It was his duty to protect her ever since his father and her helpmate had died. Tisia's last words absolved him, but Diegis knew better. He had failed and carrying her dead body back to camp was the hardest thing he had ever done.
He slammed the door tightly shut against those memories before they could overwhelm him. His voice was rough, though, when he spoke.
"...I would appreciate any help, Enuyu. Thank you."
He stopped speaking to stare blindly off into the distance.
"But, I... I fear it will be a longer quest than simply a few weeks. My nephew knows how to live off the land."
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Mar 4, 2013 18:04:43 GMT -5
Enuyu shook her head to try and clear it of the clawing thoughts; the same sort of thing that earlier had her leaving her house in the first place. There was no reason to give those thoughts reign. She was home again and Diegis was with her.
She waved her hand in front of her with a little bit of a flourish intending to take in and indicate the whole of the little chapel that had become her home. It wasn't a bad little place really, and she smiled a bit.
"This is it."
The walls were old and re-pointed in places, but the doors, roof, and windows were new. She unlocked the front door and invited Diegis in behind her.
"There isn't much, but make yourself at home."
Immediately she went to the fire, to build it back up some so she could heat what was left of the stew. Perhaps a warm meal would be some comfort.
Ha HA! I kill you with my flaming sword of doom. You die.
Diegis stopped outside the small building taking in the fresh lumber, roofing and door. She had been busy. It was a small building, and he had not come across anything in quite the same style before now. He glanced behind him at the grounds. She'd cleaned them up as well. He could see the neat line that would be new grass come spring.
"You've been... busy."
Wow, idiot is that all you can say? She has put a lot of work into this place is just a few weeks. He stepped inside and pulled the door closed behind him. She had gone over to the fire. He looked around. The fire made the room glow a pale gold hue.
"It is a lovely place, Enuyu."
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Mar 12, 2013 11:42:27 GMT -5
Enuyu tried not to smile too much at the little compliment. But at the moment it meant the world to her. She wondered if he was simply being kind, but then thought better of it. He was used to the life of a nomad, the yardstick by which he might measure a small home would be different than hers.
She swung the arm the little kettle hung from so it was just next to the fire that was coming back to life; giving it enough heat to warm back up, not cook again. She fiddled with the fire, making sure it would build, but not too much.
"Thank you. It's a work in progress. I'd offer to give you a tour, but you can pretty much see the whole of the inside already. I want to plant a garden out front. It'll get the most sun. There's enough room in back to put in a proper practice circle, but there's still some more growth to take out. I think I want to take care of the cemetery before that though. I can't really restore it, half the markers are obliterated or fallen apart, but it shouldn't be forgotten."
Mentally she frowned at her last statement. Damn, everything was coming back to the dead and lost. Satisfied with the fire she got up and went over to the little table next to the chimney where what passed as her little larder was piled up. She turned back to Diegis. "Weak ale or weak wine? It's all I have right now. There's some bread and cheese when the stew warms up too."
Ha HA! I kill you with my flaming sword of doom. You die.
Diegis stopped studying the newly snug house and turned around to face her. His breath caught. His pulse sped up. She was silhouetted by the fire, a gold halo surrounding her face and upper body. He swallowed the breath roughly and tried to ignore the rush of pleasure seeing her gave him.
*Say something fool.*
"Ale is fine, or even fresh water if you have it. I've been breathing in road dust for the last few hours."
As if to prove his words his hand ran over the top of his head sending dust motes in a spray around him. He coughed once, then twice and gave her a shame-faced look.
"Maybe I should have that water outside. I could wash off my face and hair. Did you say practice circle?"
Was he babbling?
He was genuinely curious as to her training and had been since he'd first seen her walk into the tavern. Her bare handed ability during the battle in the alley only intensified that. Diegis had spent hours in the middle of the most dangerous places in his homeland. Places other people took care to avoid and he often did so with nothing but a simple weapon to protect himself. The fact that Enuyu could do the same with just her hands impressed him.
*The hell with impressed, you lumbering idiot. It entices you, admit it.*
He would have, too. Had he not been talking to himself.
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Mar 19, 2013 15:33:17 GMT -5
Enuyu gave Diegis a lopsided little grin when the dust flew out of his hair. He definitely could have used a proper bath. Unfortunately she didn't have one. She wanted one though. She just couldn't figure how to pull it off. The little side room would make for a perfect private bathing space. But that was a project beyond her means and her mind at the moment. Where to drain the wash water off to? Where to put the tub? Where to drain the tub when it needed drained? Heck, where to get a tub? She banished the musings from her mind for now. It was a problem that could wait.
In the meantime though there was a little basin with some soap and a soft towel in the little side room. The wash water could be tossed out the window. She kept four buckets in a neat row along one of the walls, and two were full. She'd fill the others in the morning.
"You can wash up in the side room. There's clean water in the buckets. Just toss the dirty out the window."
She filled a simple earthenware mug with ale, sliced some bread and cheese, while continuing to talk.
"Yes. I want a formal place to practice my katas in again. And dummies. And I'll absolutely require both if I find students."
Hrm. Students. She had never taught anyone. It was something her father had not imparted to her. Not that anyone would have chosen to learn under her; certainly not. But all she knew of teaching was what she had gleaned from watching her father; and if she wished to pass on the ryu, to keep his legacy alive, she would have to teach.
Ha HA! I kill you with my flaming sword of doom. You die.
Diegis nodded at her and walked into the side room. He saw the buckets she had mentioned and dropped his whole face into one. It felt amazing. There was nothing like fresh water soaked into a face covered with the day's dust. He had intended on finding a bath earlier, except she had come along. Whatever ideas he might have been considering flew away while listening to her in the street.
Now, though, he was rather regretting that. He did not regret seeing her, of course, only the fact that he needed more than his face plunged into water, possibly icy water the longer he remained here. Diegis slicked his hair back with wet hands several times. Maybe that would remove much of the dust. It would have to do for now.
Meanwhile his brain was racing around his skull like a rat trapped in a barrel. Practice dummies where obvious but katas? He had not heard that word before and had no idea what it meant. It was part of her training regime certainly, or she would not have mentioned it when asked. But, in what capacity?
He tossed the dirty water out of the window like Enuyu had suggested. His hands and face were dried with a soft towel. He left his head damp, as usual. His hair needed cutting, but he had no one to ask these days. Diegis returned to the other room still trying to figure out how to ask her about the strange term.
"Katas? I'm not familiar..."
*That works well, fool. Just blurt it out like a confused child.*
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Mar 26, 2013 21:27:49 GMT -5
Enuyu was thoughtful for a moment, trying to deduce the best way to answer what initially seemed a very straightforward question. She understood what a kata was and what it's purpose was on a level that was instinct now. Trying to explain it with words seemed to be escaping her. Huh. Some teacher she was going to be. She did her best to answer anyway.
"Katas are exercises, tools to train your body and mind in the techniques of the school. We repeat them time and again until the movement is perfected and the form is without flaw. They are done until they are remembered not in the mind but in the body, until we can perform movement without thought. But they're also meant to make one think on the techniques, how they can be practically applied, how they will work when the time comes to use them."
She wasn't really sure that was the best explanation, but it was the best she could come up with at the moment.
No. Not true. She could show him.
She checked the stew, it needed a little longer over the heat and wasn't about to burn; so she went to the middle of the space that was the bulk of her home.
"I don't know how good an answer that is. I'll show you. Most of them require a fair amount of space to move in. That's why I want to make the circle. But some of them don't need much area at all."
She stood in a neutral stance, feet slightly apart, shoulders square, her hands at her sides; and took several deep breaths with her eyes closed. When she opened them she lifted one leg and raised her arms as if they were a pair of wings. From there her movements were circular and confusing to watch; until it became evident that was the point. One limb would distract or block while another would strike her invisible opponent. There were some leg position switches, always preceded by a lightning quick snapping kick. Sometimes one hand would appear to be in attack mode only to have the other strike; or to see the strike turn into what would have been some form of lock. The loose fabric of her gi made mostly soft whickering sounds through the form.
Then she leapt straight up, spinning in the air and sweeping her right leg through a vicious arc that would just about take the head off of anyone's shoulders.
When she landed her feet were spread in a wide stance and her hands were held in thin fists, her fingers bent in a line at the second knuckle. Her movements were deliberate, straight, relentless, and powered by every muscle that could be brought to bear. Her invisible opponent was treated to throws and strikes that wormed past narrow gaps in their defenses. The fabric of her gi made swift snapping sounds.
Through it all every motion was precise. Her actions carried her no more than a step from her center. Her feet landed in the same position again and again. It wasn't dance, but it was grace and power; like watching an animal do what it was made to do, a bird flying, or a wolf running.
She ended by returning to the same neutral stance she began with, her heart just beginning to thud and her breathing just a little faster.
Last Edit: Mar 26, 2013 21:30:31 GMT -5 by Enuyu Suhishi
Ha HA! I kill you with my flaming sword of doom. You die.
Diegis nodded at her. He understood practicing so many times that your motions against an enemy became second nature or to have your weapons act as extensions of your body. But, that last bit she mentioned. The part about thinking on the technique. Well, that was new. In the midst of battle he did not - think - he acted. There was no time to think, or so he had always been taught.
There were new techniques introduced during training, naturally. And he would be a very poor warrior indeed if he could not improvise. But to make those thoughts a part of his normal practice routine? It was like the shock of lightning flash to his mind. Then she started moving and his breath was stolen directly from his lungs.
She was beautiful in a way that transcended physical attributes. Stand her among a group of pretty women and she would not be noticed. But, give her a chance to move and she had all the flawless radiance of a raptor in flight. Beauty could be bought, too. The right paints, clothing, and light could make any woman lovely. Enuyu's allure came from knowing what her body could do instead of what could be applied.
His breath blew out in a silent stream. She had leaped into the air and swung her leg around. Diegis had no trouble seeing the advantage of that, either. He had done the same recently, except he had needed his falx to complete the move she did effortlessly and without any help at all.
She had landed where she had started and if she was out of breath it did not show. Again, she reminded him of a bird, one who would swoop down and snatch up her prey and then return to the same branch of a tree. He wanted to ask a thousand questions but said nothing at all. He wasn't sure he could speak, until there was a pop from the fire and the world returned with it.
"If that is what you call exercise? I am surprised you do not have all of Wistvale here watching you."
He was abruptly and fiercely jealous of anyone that might come to watch her. Diegis had no idea how to deal with that emotion either. He rubbed at his face with a hand. He managed to speak after doing so.
"You... that was amazing."
*Fool, what is wrong with you? You have never been short of words around a pretty girl.*
But, he had just finished dissecting why she was above mere prettiness hadn't he?
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Mar 27, 2013 16:17:04 GMT -5
The compliments made Enuyu smile, and she felt a heat in her cheeks that had nothing to do with her exertions. Her voice was reserved and soft when she replied.
"You're too kind. But thank you."
She went back to the kettle and ladled out most of what was left of the stew into a simple wooden bowl. She placed it on a small wooden plate along with the bread, cheese, mug of ale, and utensils; then set the whole lot down at the rustic little table in front of one of the two chairs.
"I'm not a fantastic cook, but it isn't half bad."
All the while she was doing her best to _not_ find an excuse to keep him longer, into the night, where she could offer to let him stay if he wanted instead of hunting down a room. She was also studiously _not_ examining his rugged good looks, or how his still ever so slightly damp skin reflected the light. She was also trying very hard to _not_ think about how he kept making her feel.
Of course, all that trying _not_ to do meant she ended up doing exactly that. The only thing she managed not to do was stare, and that was only just barely.
Ha HA! I kill you with my flaming sword of doom. You die.
Diegis took the opposite chair and sat down at the small table. Within a few moments he had recovered enough sense to speak. Enuyu said the her cooking wasn't fantastic but it was warm and filling. That was good enough for him.
"Who taught you how to fight like that?"
He had stopped eating long enough to take a long swallow of the ale, too, before speaking.
What he really wanted to ask her was if she would teach him. But, honestly, she barely knew him. They had spoken more today than they had at any other time previously. Although, they had spent only a few hours together all told. He could count them on his fingers and have some left over.
Strange. He had been in her presence for less than a day and still it felt as if he had always known her.
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Mar 30, 2013 8:55:07 GMT -5
Enuyu sat and was quiet while her guest ate. Something warm and satisfying wormed its way into her, and she wondered if this was how her mother felt when she had taken care of someone. It felt nice.
Then his question came and her eyes went a little flat, and she couldn't keep the sadness entirely out of her voice or off of her face as she answered.
"My father."
What followed just came out. She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was another catharsis to share part of her story with someone. Maybe she just needed to talk. But whatever the reason it followed.
"He never should have. He wasn't supposed to. But, he'd move heaven and earth for his family, especially his youngest daughter, and I wasn't like other girls. We're supposed to learn to cook and keep house and take care of children, wear dresses and court a man that our family has chosen for us. I demanded pants and a shirt. When my mother wouldn't let me have them I stole them from my older brothers. I ran around in the woods and wanted nothing to do with babies. I wanted to learn to fight like my father. He let me do all of that."
She said nothing of her attraction to both boys and girls. That was still too hard for her to deal with, and as much as she trusted Diegis, she still didn't trust him that much. She took a deep breath to steady herself before she went on.
"You have to understand, where I came from; gender roles and tradition are ingrained. Going against them is a terrible taboo. But my father was Prefect and would have stood against the whole world even if he wasn't. I was still seen as social poison. I was shunned. But I didn't care. Mostly. I had family, and my training. More than that though, what he did was illegal. The Emperor had decreed that the arts and weapons were to be reserved for the warrior caste only. That no one outside of them should have the know how or weapons to fight. Anyone who went against that edict was considered a seditionist and was to be put to death. My father trained me anyway. Me and anyone else who was worthy of learning the ryu."
She had to stop there. Right now she just couldn't talk about what followed, about why he had trained her in secret and how her family was lost. She sniffled a bit, but didn't cry. She'd done enough of that today.
Ha HA! I kill you with my flaming sword of doom. You die.
Diegis hit himself upside the head mentally several times. He recognized that flat expression in her eyes. How could he not? He had used it often enough himself when replying to the multitude of sympathetic overtures after Tisia's death.
He wanted to stop her from talking, hold out his hands, gather her up against his chest and let her cry. But, he did nothing of the kind. Diegis was not at all sure she would have accepted it, either. She had been extraordinarily composed; even stoic, up to this point. He remained silent and watchful while she explained.
He did not know her homeland or culture at all. Still, he had heard and seen this story before in his home. The females of his tribe had plenty of freedom, but they were still expected to behave in a certain fashion. They were not suppose to pick up a spear and go running after their fathers to fight a war.
Diegis sighed silently when her voice came to a halt. His heart hurt for her and he had no idea what to say. What could he say?
"I know nothing of your laws and world, Enuyu. But, I believe your father did what he thought was right. From what you said he could not have done otherwise and stay true to himself. I don't think he would want you to focus on what happened then, but rather go forward stronger."
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Apr 15, 2013 12:40:32 GMT -5
Diegis' words had a dozen thoughts and memories boiling in Enuyu's mind, all of them to do with what she didn't want to think about, each clamoring for attention; but she dared not give them any more than a moment's traction before dismissing them. Anything else and the tears might start again, and she'd really had enough of that today. Still, it had her wishing for the closure she doubted she'd ever find.
"My father was a good man."
Past tense. Was. She knew he had to be dead. She knew it, but she didn't feel it. He'd given his life to buy her time to escape. But she hadn't seen it, and as a consequence part of her simply refused to give up hope.
She sighed, shook her head, and forced the mental effort to pull herself out of the morass of the past. Diegis was right, of course he didn't know how right he was and why; but he was right. Her father would want her going on, stronger.
And maybe part of the why was sitting right in front of her. In total she'd been in his company less than a day's time, but in that short period he'd demonstrated a number of qualities that were honorable and difficult to come by.
"If you'd like, I would teach you the ryu."
Ha HA! I kill you with my flaming sword of doom. You die.