Ice Cold Fight (Darren)

[Stitch]

4th of Spring, 511 A.V. He started by running. It was a routine he had started in Syliras, and he was hoping to continue here. After he finished with his lessons with the Icewatch, he made sure to wish each and all of them goodbye, and then he went running. He knew it might be taxing his body a little too hard. He woke up, went to the Icewatch, taught all day, and then went running and working out before heading to see Malia. All of this jogging and bodybuilding, it was so that he could tone his body. He needed to increase his power, and he needed to do it fast. Who knew what would come next? He had been warned at the end of the Game, but he hadn't taken the warnings seriously. Now, he was aware of what could happen to him, and those he loved. He didn't know why he was getting caught up in the middle of all this... but he was. And he had to protect the only thing he had left, his friend Malia. The thought made his legs churn faster. He ducked his head down low and turned it up a notch, feeling the familiar burning sensation beginning its path through his muscles. It would only start out as a really minor stinging sensation, but he knew it would get worse. He had to pace himself. Checking to make sure his breathing was even and steady, he lowered his speed a bit, attempting to keep it at a jog. Churn your arms and churn your legs, but keep them at a comfortable pace. Don't push yourself. Once you become completely comfortable at one pace, then move it up to the next. That is what he had heard, back when he had asked a group of runners in Syliras. He followed those instructions, ignoring the dull throbbing in his legs. The blind man ran on, threading through Avanthal. He had started at the front of the Icewatch, and would soon head back. Bodybuilding was still on the list, and perhaps a bit of Flux practice, if he had the time. He wasn't so sure how many hours were left in the day. It was cold and slowly dimming out, and it had been for quite a bit now. The icy wind was a boon on his quickly heating skin, but he knew it wouldn't last for long. Soon, his body heat would rise to a point where the cold air didn't even matter. Well, then again, this was the Frozen North. Stitch was tall and slim, looking like a fairly normal young man. He was wearing two long sleeved shirts and a pair of baggy britches with long johns underneath, and some simple boots on his pumping feet. There were also bandages around his eyes that were a bit weird, as they signaled that he was quite blind. At least, that was the most common thing that it should signal. But why, or how, was a blind man running around like he could see everything? Eventually, Stitch stopped, finally back in front of the Icewatch Barracks. Standing there, he rested for a minute, panting. After the minute of stretching and resting, Stitch dropped into push-ups. He did the exercises at a steady pace, now focusing on bodybuilding. His muscles were still lightly burning, but the rest had done wonders.

[Darren]

Darren was making his way around the area when he took a look at the barracks. He sighed the guards there were for the most part fine people and all but they can really be boorish people when given the chance. He remembered he watched then once at a bar completely out of control, piss drunk and completely ruining the mood for some of the tavern regulars he confronted them saying that they might have had enough. However, it seemed that they were the angry drunk types also as they spent the next minute or so shouting and bawling at him before he finally snapped and punched one of them before he stormed out of the tavern.

Sigh* I wasn't in the right that time either... he thought regretfully looking at the barracks again. Hmm, days off are meant for either relaxing or bettering one's self he said aloud. He was more of the latter type so he picked up his bag and made his way towards the keep. Maybe if he were to see what type of duties and responsibilities a guard he could probably understand why they needed to get that intoxicated soon after their shift was over.

[Stitch]

Stitch quickly worked his tired muscles, slowly pumping his body up and down. He used the palms of his hands as support, letting the rough digits spread wide within the firm snow. As he bent himself down and back up, he slowly realized what the problem was going to be with this particular workout. While push-ups were coming easier to him, the fact that he was going to have to do them in the cold snow was a bit of a downer. He could pump his body up and down as much as he wanted, his biceps struggling to support his upper body weight... and while he did this, all of the working muscles would of course generate heat... but a small amount of body heat did nothing in the face of Avanthal weather. After about a dozen push-ups, Stitch came to terms with the fact that he wasn't going to be able to handle the cold. Biting his lower lip, he shot up off the ground, and quickly stuffed his hands into his armpits, shivering as a gentle wind whipped around him. "Petch." Letting out a little whining sound, he hopped from foot to foot, doing a kind of improvised jumping-jack on the spot. It was a very simple work-out, one that just involved him hopping from one leg to the other, working each group of muscles at a time. He wanted to maintain his body heat. It was a key component in keeping him comfortable in this icy world. Suddenly, a new Aura sparked into view. Blinking, Stitch slowed his jumping jacks, bending a little bit more at the knee in order to sink lower, and jump higher. While continuing to do this slow crouch-jump routine, Stitch shouted out at the newcomer, the Aura being one he didn't recognize. "Hello, milord! Cold day, isn't it?" Ah, darn. Great way to start it off, Stitch. It is always cold here. The thought struck him immediately, but he just beamed a wide smile at the unfamiliar face. It might be a bit odd for Darren to meet Stitch. Currently, the blind man was hopping up and down in the snow, for no apparent reason.

[Darren]

Darren was just walking around the barracks for a bit, not finding anything to interesting. The guards weren't in the mood for small talk as they moved and switched off around him. Hmm looks like things are pretty lax around here he thought as he moved around the courtyard. He entered the nearby watch tower door. He came to find himself with a room with a door to the left or a spiral staircase to the top of the tower.

Hmph he said as he reached to the top of the tower. The snowy landscape around him captivated him for a few moments, he was reminded again of his dream to be capable enough to venture into the wilds indefinably. He walked along the barrack walls from the watch tower and walked into the main building from the second floor.

From there he found himself in the sleeping quarters. A few of the guards inside looked with curiosity at the stranger looking around their quarters. He was starting to feel a bit uneasy, true it may be an open area but they didn't really didn't want him there. Excuse me... he said as he started out.

He went out still heading around the barracks, but he visited almost area by then. I really don't want to visit the armory he thought. He wasn't really interested too much in weaponry to be honest, smaller weapons like knives and daggers were fine but other then that he really found them repulsive. Hmph, weaklings who hide behind their weapons he muttered to himself as he recalled the basis of the martial arts form.

"Hello, milord! Cold day, isn't it?"

He turned to see a perculiar man hopping up and down. Hey there... he replied glaring at the man. He stood out compared to the other guards. He was rather tall compared to them, and the most noticeable thing was the things covering his eyes. Oh he must be a guard captain or something he thought watching the man do his little hops. After replying back he continued walking to out.

Sigh* what a show off he thought as he took a sweeping look around the barracks. The people in the sleeping barracks were starting to file out and occupy the area they were in. Oh...must be practice time he said aloud, moving towards the front. As he finally reached the front he approached the bandaged man. Darren he said offering his hand, I have come from the WhiteVine hold to watch and possibly join in the practice he said proudly.

[Stitch]

Stitch finally paused in his jumping, breathing a bit hard, letting his pumping legs come to a rest. Trying to build muscle was a bit hard in this icy land, probably just because the cold easily got to the blind man. He had only jogged for a little bit, and done a few work-outs... and already he was feeling a bit of pain in his chest. His heart was beating rapidly, and his muscles were aching. Gingerly, he called upon his Flux, and tried to redirect some energy away from the pained areas. He had no idea if it would help or not. He just focused for the moment, with the Icewatch streaming out around him and the newcomer approaching him... and just sucked away at the energy within. He started out by gently trickling a bit of Djed back into his core, pulling a light amount of it from all pained areas of his body. The amount of moving energy lowered, slowing signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Those particular areas would soon go into a slightly more peaceful state hopefully, and begin to rest his tired muscles. It helped him ignore the cold too. He deeply focused, turning his Auristic eye inward upon his own body. He stared at his own Flux flow, and watched his streams of energy quite closely, making sure that everything was working as it should be. Even when he was simply slowing down the flow of energy through his body, he kept a close eye on it. He watched as the bright blue veins coursing through his body slowed their frantic pace, the entirity of his Aura soothing along with them. The freezing cold soon became a distant bother, and instead, he was totally focused within his own body. The newcomer greeted him, and Stitch snapped out of his stupor, shaking is head and cocking his head to focus blind eyes upon the built man. "Practice time?" He glanced around, just now noticing everyone around him. Abruptly, he once again realized how cold it was, and quickly snapped his arms around his body. Shivers suddenly attacked him, and he tried to ignore them by studying his surroundings. The Icewatch members were few, but they were all coming out to practice exercises he had taught them. He had said that they should work out in their human bodies just as much as they worked within their animal bodies. Discipline and strength. They needed that in both aspects of their life. Even if they were animals who happened to have a human form, it didn't mean they couldn't be a little more... formally trained. In any case, he was happy to see them trying to apply exercises he had taught. The newcomer stretched out his hand, and Stitch quickly reached out to give it a firm handshake, making sure he gave it a good grip. "Hello, milord. This one is called Stitch, and it is a pleasure to meet you." Stitch motioned back to the group with his other hand, still shaking with his dominant. "You are welcome to join. They are just practicing some basic bodybuilding exercises. What is it you are looking to try out today? You are a guest, so this one would be happy to help with whatever you may wish to do." Stitch offered the man a smile, and just stood there, waiting.

[Darren]

"Stitch hmm? Pleasure to meet you," Darren said half distracted by the random simultaneous movements by his hands. He watched as the Kelvic followed his commands as they moved into a somewhat straight formation. "Are they going to be animals or humans for this exercise?" he asked with challenging look in his eyes. His eyes went down the line as he saw all the varying Kelvics. hmm how can you tell if they are Kelvic he wondered as he turned back to address Stitch.

"Something that will work us to the core" he said in a joking way. "Us mountain dwellers aren't the type to get intimated by a little chill! Right guys?!?!" he said to the Kelvics. He took off his leather jacket and threw it at Stitch before heading to join the group. He had a challenging grin on his face as he looked at the Kelvic near him. "Hey Mr. Happy go ahead and use my coat if your cold. Let's get started!!!" he shouted with a very hyped up tone.

[Stitch]

Interesting. Confidence flooding from the man like lava erupting from a volcano. His Aura was alight in the bright emotion, which permeated every single ounce of his being. His Aura was one that was extremely alive with energy and happiness, one that was extremely carefree... and one that was incredibly cocky. He resembled an older version of Damien, a young boy he had watched over when he used to be an Orphanage Owner in Syliras. If he had to guess, then this Darren fellow was likely quite a hit with the ladies as well. Or, to put it a bit more correctly, he probably thought he was quite a hit with the ladies. Stitch tried to hide a smile at the amusing thought, unable to help himself from liking the man. It was a personality trait that Stitch had never been able to get rid of. No matter what an Aura showed him, he almost always found something to like about it. When the handshake was returned, he also noted that the man had a bit of muscle to him. Interesting. The man barked out his question, and Stitch quickly answered, a small smile on his blind face. "Human. This one wishes for them to tone their human figures. This one understands that if they work out in animal form, it also keeps their human form fit... But this one would like them to learn discipline in both areas. It is a mental exercise, as much as a physical one." Darren next stated what kind of exercise he planned on doing, and also tossed his jacket to Stitch. The blind man reacted quickly, snatching the leather coat out of midair, draping it over his shoulder to keep it away from the snow. He didn't seem fazed by the fact that the man was a little rude. Instead, he just seem amused, that small smile on his face at all times. The Kelvics that Darren went to join just chuckled and nodded at him as he addressed them, also waiting for Stitch to call out the exercise. Stitch blushed a bit as he realized he was the forefront of attention. He often had the Kelvics come out to join him for a work-out, but there wasn't usually this many... nor did he usually directly command them. Sighing, Stitch shrugged, his smile widening a bit. He kept a close eye on Darren, wanting to see how the emotions in his Aura would develop. "Jumping jacks, just to warm up. Quick reps to get those muscles burning. Make sure to bend down and touch the ground inbetween each jump. Work those leg muscles a little more than normal, and make sure the new guy doesn't show you up."

[Darren]

Darren grudgingly started the with the jumping jacks his heart starting race from the aerobic excercise. He turned to see the Kelvic around him pump furiously as they stole occasional glances to make sure they weren't going any slower then him. "Heh alright, alright. Don't worry. I won't go all out until something strenuous... then you'd better watch out" he grinned as he resumed his steady pace. The ...improvised jumping jacks proved a decent warm up Darren's body slowly reaching a heart rate of almost 160 beats per second. The feeling of very light endorphins rushing all around his body as he started to feel the heat enveloping over his body.

Looking forward he saw Stitch still wearing the bandages over his head. He looked at them a bit curiously before he spoke to the Kelvic closest to him in an almost inaudible whisper. "Pst what's with the outsider and his bandages?" he asked finishing up rest of the warm up exercise.

[Stitch]

The Icewatch member didn't slow his exercise. He continued on, just as fast as all of the others. About every single person in the courtyard was extremely in-shape, and many of them didn't look like they were even being slightly bothered by such a mundane exercise. Some of them had a bored look to their eyes, even. But this was the man who was supposed to train them, by orders of the leader herself. Even Senari had growled support for the man and what he wanted to teach. For a moment, the Icewatch member was silent, and it looked as if he was contemplating actually giving the man an answer. Finally, he cocked his head to the side, and gave his answer in a whisper. "He is blind."

Up and down. Stitch hurriedly worked his muscles, making sure to try and keep up with the rest of the Icewatch. Physically, he wasn't a match for the rest of them. He held slim muscle definition, but there wasn't actually any bulk to his figure. These kinds of exercise were vital to his growth, but also important to help the Icewatch keep their stunning figure. He wanted that figure. He wanted that muscle definition and that muscle tone, and he knew he would have to work hard to get it. He just worked his body. That would be all he could do. He jumped and jumped, moving his arms in time, crouching down to the ground only to shoot himself back up. He seemed to be having the hardest time of everyone here, but oddly enough, he was the one leading them. On and on he went, jumping up and down in the snow, letting his body work itself. His feet bounced in the snow, and his muscles flexed, and eventually, he had worked up an incredible sweat. Slowly, he decreased the pace of the jumping, the rest of the Watch slowing down with him. After a bit, he paused, and then fully stopped. "Alright, that should be enough to get the blood flowing. Pick your sparring partners. Milord, would you like to be mine?" Stitch cocked his head right towards Damen. The man would feel a gaze on him, and then realize what was happening. The blind man was asking him to fight.

[Darren]

Darren was sort of taking the kelvic's words with a dash of salt. "Really? He's blind? And he's leading you guys up here in Icewatch?" He said having a confused look on his face.The Kelvic had a serious face throughout his answer. Blind? There is no way... he thought as he looked at Stitch. He had a lanky tone and seemed able enough sure. But Blind? There is no way someone like that would get anywhere anytime soon unless it was something really close, like wrestling. He continued the rest of the exercise his blood warming until he heard it was time to spar.

"Alrighty...lesse if I can find a bear Kel-" "Milord, would you like to be mine?" Darren cocked his eyebrow as he turned to Stitch still looking very chipper, holding a gaze at where Darren was. Or...where he thought Darren was... "You talking to me? You know I ain't going to feel to good about hittin a blind man now." He said slowly getting a bit annoyed at the thought. He slowly circled Stitch before he took a defensive stance lead hand however pointing down on the ground. Without another word Darren threw a bit of snow at Stitch, waiting to see the reaction.