Solo Take It Deeper

[Septimus]

Autumn 56th, 512AV Septimus had been descending from the top city tier to the final and bottom tier. With the ocean being right next to it for more exercise she decided this would be the best place to train as there was a lacking amount of people down here as most of the live life was on the top. It was early in the morning and the sandy beach and bay was still covered in a very heavy mist from the sea. The sea water put off a smell that most definitely stood out from the rest. One that would never fail to be forgotten. Septimus carried a shield and her broadsword upon her back, along with the new basic practice dummy she had recently purchased held tightly with rope she had tied. Her waterskin was filled and was by her side. The Kelvic left her armor at camp and had only dressed lightly so she could exercise in the ocean like she had seen a few Akalak do in the swift flowing current of the river above. The waves were heavy and the tide was in the process of receding and would require a bit more strength than usual. Luckily, this would mean the fish were receding as well, dragging any other potential harms away. There was a palm tree near the sand and as her shoes made contact with it, she sunk in slightly from the weight upon her back. It was very straining carrying the amount of weight on her back as it would've been a heck of alot easier on her true self. It was one of the many reasons she hated this disguise however, it would've been extremely hard for her to navigate her way down the tiers with this load as she wasn't used to a slope quite like it. Untying the rope upon her back, she loosened her sword first then dropped it on the ground gently. She allowed the shield and the dummy to fall to the ground, creating a clattering sound. Septimus gently sat the waterskin down in the sand, a few yards from where she was training so she wouldn't step on it. Septimus quickly picked up the dummy and with all of her strength, rammed it deep into the sand where it wouldn't move when she hit it. Next, she picked up her shield and sword from the ground and grasped both tightly. The shield on her left and the sword on her right. Then, she performed the same move she had been taught. Septimus got into her triangle stance then angled her shield almost perfectly then sliced at the dummy from underneath. Unfortunately, this blow only grazed the bottom but it had left quite a mark on the new dummy. The Kelvic had a feeling that this dummy would be beaten by the time this training session was over. Once again, she performed the move again but this time more on the upper side and turned her wrist just like she was taught. This cut rather than the alternative hack but the topic had already been discussed and cutting was definitely the way to go. The blow left another mark and this time it was across where a real person's chest would've been. The Kelvic wanted to perfect this to the greatest she could then try new ways to master the art of the broadsword and and shield. Septimus performed the task several more times dealing several more blows, each one getting deadlier and hitting more delicate areas each time. For the most part, she was aiming for organs however, she aimed for the heart when she could. The jolt from the dummy kicked her back quite a few times but after awhile it was to the point where she didn't move back as far when she made the blow. "Bam!" Another hit leaving an intimidating mark on the neck of the dummy. "Bam!" This was repeated several times to the point where she had advanced greatly in a short amount of time. Her attacks were growing more precise and her effort was growing harder. Needless to say, the continuous attacks were making her sweat hard despite the cool mist helping cool her off and she was growing very tired. The sun was rising and the temperatures were doing the same only gradually for both. This disguise definitely didn't have a lot of endurance and that was something she needed to work on. Running later perhaps? The tired and exhausted Kelvic dropped her weapons and walked towards the water's edge where the fog got extremely more heavier. She got on her knees, cupping the saltwater and allowed it to run down her face. She then looked at the waterskin and walked over to it to, drinking a small amount to hydrate her once more but no more. She needed to conserve it as she would need it most definitely later. Septimus sat it back in the shade of a scrub bush where it's contents wouldn't heat up as fast.

[Septimus]

Septimus picked up the borrowed shield and left the sword on the ground. What would happen if her sword was to be flung from her hand and her shield was the only thing left? It was possible and she needed to be prepared if in fact it happened. Looking at the dummy, she stood up then charged it, screening its view like practiced, then kicking the part which would have been a person's legs. If it wouldn't have been for the dummy being sunk down into the ground, it would've been swept off it's feet. "Nice move Septimus." she smirked at the unexpected move she had performed then smiled. She had pretty high confidence that she would be able to survive in such a situation so she practiced with her sword once more. The attacks shook the dummy and with each hit, her accuracy became deadly and had more of an impact. The new dummy looked like it had been used over a long period of time rather than a day. "Bam!" Another successful attack. At this rate she would have it down pat quite sooner than expected. Pretty confident in her skill of this technique she sighed, then looked for any wandering eyes. Despite her being a Kelvic, she didn't want to have to deal with any of the council or law because she needed to shift. Taking her clothes off, she decided the coast was clear and morphed into her true self. She shook her flank and mane then sighed, walking towards the bay's water. Despite the nearby ships, she judged that none would have their course aimed at where she was. After all, she was quite a ways away from the walkways and loading/unloading docks where the ships went. The water was colder than she would've liked it to be, but it was still quite bearable. The sudden shock of the water made her entire body shiver, but she put up with it and plummeted into the churning waves of the sea. Instantly, she could feel the light current attempting to pull her body out to the darker waters. Septimus swam with the current a bit away from the shoreline where it would be somewhat of a hard task getting back. However, the warhorse was smart enough to swim against the current near the shore so incase of a quick escape the shore and sandy coast was right there. Surprisingly, her horse form loved the coast like feel and the cool bay. "Maybe I can stay for a while." she thought. It was quite the pleasure and coming out here to train everyday didn't seem like such a bad idea. It was very enjoyable, probably not during the winter or summer times but she supposed early fall and spring would be very good months to be by water's edge. Her muscles flexed and her blood pulsed through her body. With every ounce of effort she had she kicked at the water, soon wading through it with ease. Though it did require an excessive amount of energy, it was a fun way of exercise. Other than water's predators, it was relatively safe as well if you watched for the ships. Her hooves moved through the water almost like she was running but in a completely different substance. This substance (the saltwater) put up much more of a fight when it came to passing through it and Septimus liked that. Especially as a way of training and if she could learn to control her breathing properly, she could become an exceptional swimmer. While these thoughts corrupted her mind for the time being, she slowed her breathing to save energy as the waves continued rocking her body back and forth. As time went on, it was becoming very tiresome. This is what she needed, an exercise that exhausted the body but also trained it. Septimus realized she was slowing and picked up the pace. She needed to reach shore and get to her starting point before anything. Swimming that far would take a toll on the most experienced swimmer. Soon, the large black mass was moving through the waves and water quickly, her neck and parts of her back and hindquarters bobbing in the water. The shore got closer and closer and she realized the fog was clearing out. When the water got more shallow and the Kelvic could touch more easily, she used what she had left to gallop through the water to the point she was pastern deep in the moving inch high waves. She snorted, tossing her wet mane around and swishing her tail back and forth as the cooler air hit her wet coat. She stepped out of the water then walked near her stuff. It was definitely a job laying down with her big self, but it was possible. She needed to catch her breath and rest a bit before returning to training. Her body was definitely undergoing a trial of its limits.

[Septimus]

The sun was rising high in the sky and it was to the point where most of the fog had disappeared. Shifting would require and large amount of energy and that was energy she didn't have. How the hell was she supposed to get this equipment on her back like this? The Kelvic faced a dilemma here where she wouldn't be using the help of humans or humanoids. She was too independent and her pride would get in the way once more. Just shift, dammit. Giving up hesitantly, she shifted, quickly getting dressed once more. Septimus hated shifting from her true self and putting on this disguise. It sucked... a lot. She sighed, getting her shoes on then grabbing her waterskin, putting it back where she had brought it along. She walked over to the dummy, still in the sand, and quickly pulled it out with a large jerk. Septimus then got into a position like she was going to begin push-ups then tossed the dummy onto her back with one hand and positioned it evenly. Next she placed the shield on top of that and then her sword. With the rope, she spread it out straight beneath her. She tossed one side of the rope over her back and then the other. When they were criss-crossed she did this again, only lower then again and again changing it's area every time she crossed it. Septimus grabbed the two last rope pieces then pulled it hard and tight and stood up completely. She pulled it tighter then tied it securely to the point it wouldn't go anywhere when she walked. The result was a very decent backpack like restraint that held the dummy, the shield, and her sword. Septimus even shook her back a little to make sure it wasn't going anywhere. She sighed, heavily tired, then began marching across the sand to the pathway that led to the top tier. She needed rest and would, if she could, probably return again tomorrow if her body wasn't aching too bad. FINISH

[Gossamer]

. Character: Septimus Experience: Broadsword +1, Shield 2, Swimming +1, Body Building +2 Lore: Weapons Training With Dummies, Salt water feels marvelous to horses, Being in human disguise sucks. Additional Note: Nice little training thread. I wish you would have done more swordwork and shield work, but it was nice to see Septimus getting out and roaming around. I gave you body building for packing the sword, shield and dummy around. .