{training yard} A gentle giant and a quiet one. ( banir)

[Ximal]

15th Autumn 512AV

Stood in the training yard, Xi began practising his forms simple motions fo his stance sood like stone, his right arm brought up and across his body to protect his chin, th his head tilted down his left hand positioned out but not stretched, in a direct line with his left shoulder his right one rolled back and in-line with his feet, his knees slightly bent and his weight positioned over the ball of his left foot. Allowing him better pivoting motion and faster punches with his dominant right hand but his left snapped out faster still granting him a good a good chance to feint and deliver a powerful strike. Now began the motions opening his right palm flat and brought it round infront of him in a wide arc whilst driving his left hand simultaneously beneath it, a redirection and a counter in the same move, this would allow his opponent to use their own momentum in tandem with his and deliver a blow with twice the normal force. Returning to his static stance he prepared his next move. Flicking his right forearm out and then snapping it forwards. Almost like knocking a persons arm out of it's normal path and then driving his open hand into their throat. Simultaneously his right leg snaps forwards taking a step, to position for the next part of the technique, sweeping his right leg back almost as if knocking someone off balance and then driving their neck and skull down into the ground with his hand on their throat. On the next reset to a static stance Xi took an evasive lean to the left as if dodging an imaginary punch, whilst taking a step forwards with his right leg again. Then driving his right fist into the air before but much lower aiming at what would be the ribs, sharply afterwards driving his right arm up and swiping his right leg back. Smiling at his own work and knowledge he fell back to his default stance before dropping it and nsnapping into it at least twice.

[Banir Ironwood]

Heavy foot falls with the clattering of metal rang as Banir walked towards the training yard. Clad within his usual concealing clothing with the hardy, and heavy armour that was on his person. His armoured right arm and the bladed claw atop his fingers opened and closed slowly. A little habit he had unintentionally developed when he felt the urge to sit and carve something. It had been a rather good day so far though, however devoid of work and friends he found himself growing bored and alone. Thoughts of past events weighing upon his mind as he tried to clear the haze that surrounded his mind. Today it was difficult though, his hooded head and scarfed face could only protect him from the outside. The ever present rage within him was blistering inside as his own mind turned against him. His eyes reflecting his inner emotions, showing the blood red of his hate; though flickers of yellow dared to touch the edges of his eyes. A heated burn raced across the scars entrenched upon his face. As the old pain returned he needed something to take his thoughts.

Soon arriving at the training yard he spotted a man, he was tall and had muscle. From his stance and the way the man was fighting Banir could tell he was a trained warrior. Probably better than him even, from what he could tell the man looked human. Perhaps a Kelvic but he had been around them for quite a while. They where more, fierce, when it came to fighting. The man he saw had no ferocity, but he had skill and lots of it. Perhaps a small spar could get his mind out of its rut, or at least if he could learn something from watching. He was becoming a skilled brawler himself, if he could add something more to his way of fighting. Then he could become stronger for it, and if that went as a possibility why not take it.

He slowly studied each movement, watching as the man leaned to the left. Advancing with his right and punching for the ribs. It was strange watching someone practice fighting without a partner. He soon realized what he looked like when he did so his first time. Snapping out of his thoughts to see the man revert back to a stance he blinked. Though his rage had not yet subsided within him, he felt a little more calm now that he could think of other things. When he thought the man looked his way for a moment he attempted a wave. Though he had a feeling he was unsuccessful.

[Ximal]

Xi reset his positioning one more time before stopping and listening...The treading foot steps of a heavy person coupled with the light clanking of armour...This was no beast stalking him but a man. Xi snapped his head around and stared straight at the other man. XI's eyes cold and frigid. Almost emanating an air of chill from him. But as Xi stared the man down he noticed something strange. The man's eyes began to flicker with their colouring. Another mage? Xi turned his whole massive frame to face the man. Xi's hair long as it was had been bundled and tied together in a single braided length across his back, his hair now reaching the small of his back, his beard light stubbly for a change. Still he stood wondering what the man had come here for... "Excuse me. But were you just watching me ? " Xi knew he might have sounded slightly rude with his statement but that was a chance he was willing to take to see what exactly the other man was doing there.

[Banir Ironwood]

Now that the man was utterly focused on him, he was able to size him up better. He had quite a bit of muscle on him, it was more than his own. Now he was sure the man was human, the way he spoke and his behavior gave it away. Though he was far from being any expert on other species, he knew enough of humans and kelvics. What he also found was the man looked older than himself, though looks meant little. He had been on Mizahar for thirty seven years by his knowledge, but he looked still younger than the man before him. The man was clearly a better fighter than him, he also had a bit more muscle. It wouldn't be a good idea to fight him, but it'd be hard at least for the man to take him down. His bones and muscle where tougher than most, he'd take a beating a good one too. But It would be a very long time before he would fall. Soon he realized he was being talked to, it took a moments delay but he gave another wave with his armoured hand. With only his eyes revealed under his hood and behind his scarf. He was grateful his embarrassed face wasn't revealed.

But with only his eyes to convey his expressions, the pure red in his eyes showing his rage. Turning slowly and ever so slightly into a curious orange, he cleared throat and groaned as he parted his lips. His graveled voice felt a little better now, he may actually get a full conversation today. "Just watching, how you fight. Interesting, I prefer, more freedom, but you really, know your stuff." He took a small break making sure his throat was rested for the next sentence. The last thing he wanted was more pain when talking with a stranger. "My name, is Banir, Ironwood. Sorry if I, was disturbing, you. Where did, you learn, to fight like, that?" He was taking a few breaths to regain himself, though he wasn't much better than a mercenary. He always hated fighting and harming others, but he didn't deny it was important to know if you wish to defend. Maybe he could learn a thing or two from this man.

[Ximal]

listening to this man before him was something of a challenge. The quietness of is voice was staggering it was almost as if he barely spoke at all. Xi brought himself a step closer to see if that would allow him to hear better, and it did though only marginally. He was watching how he fought ? More freedom in fighting ? This man was a fighter too but apparently one with more freedom...Xi' style had a lot of freedom just t looked very composed and restrained until one of his other methods kicked in. "I'm afraid i don't know much when it comes to fighting ...Only what i've watched. I've seen a lot of violence in my time so i've had a lot to blend in. Xi lifted his arms and folded them across his chest, tilting his head to the side he took stock of the man before him. Armoured, clearly a fighter of sorts, colour changing eyes, either a form of magic or a very odd ability indeed. Well built , strong. Then the man spoke again, introducing himself this time as Banir...then began to ask where he learned to fight how he did, not n easy question to answer without lying so for a change Xi thought he'd try the truth. "i've never formally learned to fight, this is my own style of my own creation. I've taken bits and pieces from other styles and blended them with my own base form of fighting to create what you've seen. t's nothing special but...It works.

[Banir Ironwood]

He felt a little let down as he learned that he man had learned only by watching others. A hope had dawned within him that he may have been a little more professional but he supposed that was fine. From what he could tell from the description it was similar to how he brawled. Though he took the bits and pieces and used the most effective way possible. It wasn't hard either, the only thing that posed a challenge was remembering the right moves. But that was unimportant, what trumpeted that was the here and now. Focusing once more on the conversation he prepared himself to speak again. His damaged throat growing sturdy as he began to speak in his voice graveled voice. "I see, you learned, from those, around you. Still your, very good, from what I, can see. Maybe you can, teach me a, thing or two. If you, are willing."

A light groan came from him, reaching under his scarf to gently rub his throat. A bit of pain was flaring up, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. Besides the conversation was getting a little more interesting now. If he could even learn one thing from this man, or even just spar for a little while. He could grow better for it, stronger, faster, more knowledgeable. He may even have a little fun with it, he hated the idea of fighting. But sparing and testing ones limits and strength, that was okay once in a while. He started to let his mind wander and looked at the man a little more intently. Preparing himself again to speak he shifted his footing, the plating on his boots clinking lightly. "I forgot, to ask for, your name. And that, it was a, pleasure to, meet you." Though Banir was by all appearances an utter simple minded brute, and he was on occasion what his appearance showed. However that didn't stop his mind from really thinking about what happened around him. And since he had learned about manners, it was only proper that he used them. Besides he wasn't exactly going to win over anyone with his face hidden and his ruined voice.

Silently he awaited the mans answer, his eyes remaining their curious orange. Red however was slowly showing on the outer rim, rage was not so easily forgotten. So long as he was in control it mattered little to him how much rage flowed in his veins. Though he wasn't a skilled fighter, going berserk was still a force to be reckoned with. Someone who couldn't feel pain, only able to attack at all costs without relent. He needed to be free of these thoughts, focusing his attention back on the man before him. Did he just miss a few words?

[Ximal]

Would he be willing to teach the man about his fighting style ? Sure , why not Xi was growing bored of learning his muscle memory and decided a spar might help him develop himself even more and possibly even faster. Xi tightened his arms before letting them fall to his sides again almost as if stretching. "I don't see a problem to teaching you, after all i need the practice of my own style, being surrounded by monkeys all the time it's kind of difficult to find a chance to get a fair spar against someone who you can actually stand a chance of damaging. So the answer to teaching you a little is yes so long as you show me what you can do at the same time." Listening to his man was more of a task then anything else, his voice was so quiet and his manner rather...reserved. Even the scarf around his face held everything back but after hearing him Xi decided to do two things when he next spoke. "My name is Ximal, call me Xi. And if w spar i take it that you'd like me to avoid your throat, because you appear to have a difficulty talking, i can hear it in your voice when you speak. That and before we begin could i ask, hats the issue with your eyes ? They've been changing colour frequently as we've spoke, sometimes orange sometimes yellow but mostly red. Still if you choose not to answer i understand. And i allow you to have the first move." With that Xi dropped into his fighting stance awaiting his new sparring partner's first and opening gambit.

[Banir Ironwood]

Show him what he had? Shouldn't be too hard, though he was mostly here to learn. Moving to stand before Xi he began to undo the straps that held the cold iron to his body. Taking the heavy iron and setting it down a little ways away, next removing the armour on his right arm and the bladed claw that covered his fingers. There was no need for anyone to get hurt, this was just a spar and slight training session. He tossed the deadly armour with the rest of his belongings. The weight lifted from his body he felt almost twice as light as before. Though it was only two guard braces, a gauntlet with bladed fingers, vambrace, and a rerebrace. He had made sure that when they where forged they where twice as thick as normal. The weight kept him strong, protected him, it was the last thing he had forged with his father. He kept his greaves on, letting the metal clink lightly on his mud covered boots. Without his armour his muscles became defined under his light coat, lines clear on his person where leather had earlier entrenched upon his body.Though the advantage was clearly in Xi's favor now, he only had his natural density for any real armour and speed with him. And though it was impressive, nothing could hold fast forever.

When Xi had asked his questions he thought them over in his mind carefully. The man had seemed nice enough, little rough, but polite. As he lowered into a relaxed fighting stance, feet spread apart arms up, hands partially closed ready to make a fist or a flat palm. Clearing his throat for a moment he prepared to answer the first question. "If you, could be so, kind as to, do so. Hard to, talk as, it is. Any more, damage I, may never, be able to, talk." He needed a moment to regain his breath his eyes shifting to a calm grey that had red flaring around it. The next question wouldn't be so easy to answer. Though the option to not talk about it was available, he was beginning to appreciate Xi. The last human he had met was, a lot more forceful in deriving information from someone. Carefully mulling it over in his mind he figured he'd give him a hint.

"In the north, are the, Vantha. Their eyes are, akin to my, own. They reflect, the emotion, in oneself. As for the, first hit, I think it, best that the, teacher starts, off first." Silently Banir wondered if Xi had a mind behind his muscle much like himself, if he could pick up the hint he had left down. Also curious if he knew that only a fool makes the first move in a fight. He'd been through enough scrapes to know its better to react than act in a fight. Defense would be a far more wise choice when dealing with a better opponent. And since there was little size difference besides their weight, it would be best to focus on taking a stance that would allow for counter-attacks and blocking. Slowly he began to reflect his choice, legs tensing ready to dodge one or kick ; slightly forward one, backward. His right arm slowly tightening while his left remained sturdy but free. Hand open and loose but ready to become an immediate offense in a moments notice.

[Ximal]

Good, that was actually a better thought xi unlaced the fastening around his neck and let the heavy cloak around his shoulder fall revealing the fast that he too was hard and lean, not much was going to stand between them, the only thing which was really in Xi's favour was his height, which was both a blessing and a curse, he had longer reach but at the cost of being an easier target. Taking his axes and tossing them atop his cloak Xi fell back into stance, leaving the eight of his vambraces atop his hands, of course this meant his punches were slightly slower but he still had a hell of a lot of power behind them. And as he had suspected there was a problem with the man's throat. hard to breath and hard to talk. This would be interesting, though whilst Xi was listening to the him take his time whilst peaking, he'd begun measuring banir's strength, from only what he could see, though if he really needed it xi had his own secret weapon hidden behind him. Though that was reserved for a dire situation. And this was a friendly spar. though to Xi's surprise banir spoke about a race of people whose eyes changed with theri emotions. Xi was now grateful to not have any of their blood in his veins or people would see his constant temperament. Which he was sure the man before him shared, the one all fihgters did but only few could keep it completely in check. " Your angry...The red in your eyes i'm willing to bet it's anger. Like all of us fighters, something hounds you, and makes you angry, i wont pry ass to what but that's your fuel, it may not give you strength but it gives you determination...And it;s nice to have a partner at this who dosen't just blindly take the first strike." Shooting a small smile Xi sprung forwards faster than banir might believe a man of his size capable of. Drawing in close, xi took the arm from his right hand side in a wide arc knowing full well this would be easily dodged, but he bought his wrist around with force, trying to use his wrist as the striking point. Still he planned for this to miss. If this connected though it would level a world of hurt. Still he readied his secondary point of attack his left arm snapping out with full one-eighty rotation aimed right at banir's chest. If both of these were blocked xi had another move from his right arm and a defence from his left. Taking a slow and consistent breaths xi was also conditioning his internal organs should he take a hit. He didn't know the power of his opponent nor the speed, so this was all blind however, he could still plan.

[Banir Ironwood]

Banir chose not to answer Xi's statement on rage. He did concede that the redness of his eyes was, in point of fact, that of hate. However his hatred didn't drive him, it was his last resort. A thing he wished to be rid of one day, though he couldn't deny the strength it gave. When he went berserk though, nothing was safe, it was nothing but blind uncontrollable rage. It forced his body to go beyond its limits and ignore any pain for the duration of his anger. But he wasn't here for talking and thinking. His entire body wanted to cringe and prepare to be hit. He knew better though, his muscles flexed instead.

The punch to the chest was obvious, he was worried about the free arm though. This fighter probably had a back up plan, but all he needed was to react right now. Something that seemed to scare him was the attack he was doing was basic. Banir stepped inward towards Xi's assault bringing his fist closer. Moving his arm across his his chest he forced Xi's hand away from his chest, using his his wrist to help push it downwards a little. Moving in a bit more he launched his right arm aiming for the less muscled side, right where the kidney was. Aiming to use both the force from the significant muscles in his right arm, his sudden step in, and Xi's forward momentum to make a more powerful punch. The momentum of Xi's attack which he had only moved away from himself. What he was doing was a rather basic move, he had no doubt Xi knew what he was doing. He also had a damn good feeling that he was going to get hit with a good and hard counter. Regardless of how this went he'd at least impress Xi in one of two ways; how hard he was able to hit or that it'd take a lot to knock him on his down.

In the back of his mind Banir could only hope he didn't pull his punches by accident. Though they had only met for a little while Xi seemed like a good man, perhaps a potential friend. Something that was utterly fundamental in Banir was to not harm a good person. But as a fighter, he hopped not to disrespect this man by showing weakness.