PM to join [Castle Commons] Boo to a Wolf

[Fallon]

Arms were folded, and Fallon turned her gaze away once more. She was not sure what to completely think about him, so easy to slip up on mistakes and put himself into the path of trouble. It was not just him however that it would apply to, it was those he once knew, those ties of the past that could so easily be traced back with the right questions and ground work. It was dangerous - more so to allow one free after continuous failings. Just how much did he know? And if it fell into the wrong hands then there would undoubtedly be blood. She watched the children continue their fighting, a taller one throwing the smaller to the floor with a flail of hands. Part of her did wonder how long it would be before his old associates however would look for him with the aim to eliminate - she suspected it would only be a matter of time. And then it would be a case of kill or be killed.

"Knowledge is power. With knowledge and the use of it, many a man can be exploited and have things used against them with much ease. But it is not just the man it effects, it is those who are associated to the man. Rivals will not just stoop to the single, but will look to cut off as many heads as possible if it means less trouble in the future," she rubbed her throat at that point, the echoing words of others wanting her head on a spike once more. A subtle grimace, her fingers gave a probe and then withdrew. It was too unnerving to say the least, and now with the boy behind her she was beginning to wonder if being around him for too long would be a good idea - he did know some of her names after all.

Lips were licked, a small push off as she glanced to the sun that continued to rise. Tugging at her collar she turned her head to look across the way towards a shadier spot. Lifting her chin she toed the ground, her hands clasping behind her back as she looked on ahead. It was with a final exhale that she forced herself to speak up, "Well, what skills from me would you like to learn? To fight? That is what I am good at. But I feel that is not your forte. Perhaps it is intelligence you seek, to be able to think beyond a simple textbook and be able to analyse people? Or obtain information. Or perhaps something more hands on, to write or be able to begin training an animal... or perhaps something more unique? I am not sure if I can help there. Before that though..." She pushed off, giving a hiss as she stepped into the sunlight. There was the incline of the head to the shadow across the way and the promise of cooler temperatures across the way, "Chasing shade is in order."

There was a broad step into the light, her hand rising to protect her eyes from the glare as she gave a step through the crowd, careful, quick, focused on keeping out the way as much as possible and then slipped back into shadow. A sigh of relief, her back pressed against the wall as she promptly slid down it onto her haunches. There was a breaking of the lips, revealing a slither of white, "So, you do not want to be you anymore? You want to be able to run away from who you are instead of building up from what you already know?" Her head cocked to one side, "You mean to bury yourself, completely and utterly. To forego your name, your identity, the memories that you kept and always have known and the knowledge you maintain?" She paused, "Why not simply... move on? Leave it in the past." Clearing her throat, she let her head press against the cool wall, "Regardless, what is it you would like to learn that I could possibly teach you? Or at least... point you in the direction of someone who can?"

[Koruma]

Koruma's life was filled with one big mess up after another. The scars that riddled his body were a testament to that. Many of them were self inflicted from accidents with knives while training, some had darker roots. Yet he never seemed to stop making mistakes no matter how hard he tried. What's more, Koruma didn't even think about what the gang would say when he failed to return, or how they would react. His Masters had raised him, trained him, and were ready to abandon him. Despite all that they had done to him, it had never crossed his mind that they might try to get rid of him. Koruma wouldn't squeal any of their secrets, or at least the few that he knew. So the idea that they might not see things that way and choose to eliminate him was beyond the scope of his imagination. Ashen eyes blinked as sweat dripped into his eyes and clouded his vision. One hand rose, rubbing fiercely as he tried to blink away the sweat. The heat was oppressive enough to almost drown out the sounds of fighting children, causing their voices to echo as if in the distance. As Koruma struggled, Red Wolf continued her lesson. He had to admit, it was nice to get so much advice for free. Even if half of what she said sounded preachy and reiterated the fact that he was the looser everyone claimed. With his eyes clear again, Koruma chewed on the inside of his cheek as he absorbed what Red Wolf was saying. Knowledge... huh? He did like to read. "I guess that makes sense." Koruma sniffed, shifting his weight as he pushed himself closer to the wall. The shade had shifted and they were in the full weight of the sun. One hand drifted to the scar on his forehead, tracing the line that he knew so well as he thought about what Red Wolf said. Learning to fight was probably not an option. He'd been learning to fight for a while and hadn't managed to absorb a thing. "Maybe not fighting but, I wouldn't mind learning how to use my knife better. So far all I know is to not hurt myself with it... although I'm not always successful." Koruma's hand dropped as the corner of his mouth turned up into an almost cocky smile. "I would like to learn how to get information. Oh! And animals. I wouldn't mind getting a pet. Although..." Koruma blushed as he looked back down at his feet. "I'll accept anything your willing to teach. Ah, please." A quizzical look crossed his face as he glanced back up at Red Wolf who suggested they chased the shade. His mouth opened to speak as she stepped into the crowd. "AH! Wait up." Koruma lurched forward, his hands sliding to his dagger and pockets out of habit as he pushed through the crowd. Grunting, he followed her to the other side and managed to make it into the shade with a sigh or relief. "In case you hadn't noticed, being me is rather pathetic. I'm wimpy and everyone knows it. I can't fight and I don't have anyone. It sucks to be me. I'd rather be you than move on." Koruma kicked at the dirt as his mouth set into hard line as he pouted. But he forced himself to stop as she asked what he wanted to learn. "Anything. I want to learn anything that you can or rather, want to teach me."

[Fallon]

It was from her perch in the shade that Fallon regarded him now, a look of careful thought and understanding growing across her face as he considered his options. If they could even be called that, as far as she could see it was little more than running away from the past and trying not to learn from it. Simply, it went against her calling as a Scar and part of her internally writhed to that. Fingers tugging at her collar she exhaled, her eyes flickering briefly to the world beyond and then back to the target.

"Why do you want to learn how to use a knife better then?" Fallon blinked, and cocked her head to one side, "Fighting is the only training I may be able to assist you with there after all, unless of course you're thinking to use it for something... non-combative?" She scratched at her chin then, pondering slightly, "My skills do not lie there I am afraid. I work to attack or defend, meaning you have to fight to do so..." Fingers relaxed and returned to resting upon her knees, "Animals... I know animals. Canines mainly though." Silence came after that, her mind flickering to Orvin and the condition he may have been in. She had to find out, to know if he was indeed alright and part of her rested heavy on the factor of simply not knowing.

The troubled mindset did not last long however and she moved swiftly on. Her hand waved the thought away, "So, you approve of all the ideas I suggested but do not think up your own. Wonderful. Perhaps you would also like to learn how to balance upon your hands and perform like a monkey?" Gloved fingers laced together, "Show initiative, learn to think without prompting of others. And so on. It will do you good. But remember always the person you are dealing with, a certain... tact is needed in some cases."

"You live, you breath and you show willingness," She gave a frown at that, a moment of thoughtfulness upon her face, "What is pathetic about that? This is a dark world we live in, by simply achieving life much is gained and potential established. It is up to using what is obtained that determine who we are. And I can assure you, you do not want to be me." Her head turned, looking up and down the alleyway once more, "So, intelligence. I know of it, how to gather information. I also know of people who are better than myself at the art too. Come, sit, observe."

Turning her attention to the world around her she tested herself mentally, working and thinking towards an impromptu lesson. Intelligence was an odd thing, she mused silently to herself, there was many ways to understand its principles outside of simply opening a book. Looking, listening, asking the right questions when it arose, knowing what was around oneself too. There was a chew upon her lip, the faint cracking pop of knuckles as she flexed and stretched them, before finally beginning. Clearing her throat, she posed a question to him "Do you know what intelligence is in comparison to knowledge? I ask because before one can learn intelligence they must firstly understand what it is and methods in how to go about it."

[Koruma]

Red Wolf simply wouldn't accept his request, not really. Although she seemed willing enough to answer his questions, she refused to help him change. Koruma wanted to be rid of himself. He hated being weak, scared, and an all around clutz. He was used freely by others and couldn't even find a way to stand up for himself. What's more, the one and only home he knew had been forever cut off from him. So in a way, he was getting somewhat frustrated with her lack of cooperation. Ashen eyes looked at Red Wolf as if she might be stupid when she asked why he wanted to learn to use a knife better. "Because this is Sunberth." He knew how dangerous it was to not know how to defend himself properly. He had a few skills here and there, but none that he could really use if he got into a fight. "I won't make it on my own. I've always had the others to protect me, but... that won't be an option any more. Even if I can't kill anyone, I should at least learn how to not be killed... At least... not when I don't want to be." His Masters had been trying and failing for years to teach him how to properly fight. Perhaps he just needed a different point of view. That, or he really was as hopeless as everyone else claimed. The idea of using a knife in a non-combative form wasn't new to Koruma. He brightened a little but it quickly faded as Red Wolf informed him that she would be no help. "Oh..." he replied meekly. The boy's spirits lifted again when She spoke of animals. Koruma's hands balled into fists and he leaned forward slightly as a glimmer of excitement took hold in his gaze. "I love dogs and wolves and stuff. Maybe, you can teach me how to get along with them?" She had to have gotten her name somehow. Koruma leaned back as Red Wolf waved her hand dismissively. He gave a half shrug as she scolded him about not thinking of his own ideas. "Okay, I can learn to balance on my hands if you can teach me. I'll take anything really." Koruma nodded as she spoke again and a part of him suspected that his lessons with Red Wolf had begun the moment he laid eyes on her. The child began to chew on the inside of his cheek as his thumb traced the scar on his forehead. His eyes watched Red Wolf carefully as he listened to her preach. when she beckoned him forward, Koruma approached obediently. When prompted to answer her question, he could only stare blankly at her. "Ah... knowledge you gain through experience and intelligence you get from someone else?"

[Fallon]

"Because this is Sunberth," she hummed back, eyebrow raised at him and her expression hardening, "Does that mean, by that logic, that all women should learn to spread their legs and whore themselves out - because it is Sunberth?" She shook her head and released a sigh, "Learning to fight is one thing. But there always comes a time where you are faced with the inevitable choice. Of kill or be killed. Or to kill in order to protect one who is precious to you. That is the curse with learning how to fight, the responsibility of the lives of others. and I, right now, cannot be one to protect. Later, then maybe. But now, it is a risk that would do only harm." She shook away the thought of all those that had fallen onto her blade in her time of using it - and those who had suffered because she had not.

The thought almost made her shudder, and with that she simply pushed it aside and focused once more on what before her. A boy looking to learn, and looking to almost suck dry whatever she could offer him. It made her cringe internally, but then again she also made the offer of some simple teaching - how much for this small time slot however she did not know. It did seemed to tick on quickly around her. Places had to be reached, and targets had to be met. She exhaled, listened to the mumbling of words in silence, the gentle glance to the look that was continuing to stem and bubble beneath his features before finally she pushed herself up from the ground. Gloved hands brushed off the dirt.

"Wolves are not like dogs," she frowned, "They are wild creatures based upon instinct, not used to humans and their ways. Dogs are easier to train, to understand, the wildness... they cannot be treated the same." Her gaze turned out to the mouth of an alleyway, "Dogs though... I can give advice. If they're ears are flat and their tails are curled beneath their legs... don't go near them and give them space. They're probably scared for whatever reason." She gave a gentle stretch then, clicking out and rolling her shoulders out, her gaze shifting down to the lad once more, "When like that, you're better off letting them come to you. And a wolf? Well, back away slowly."

She gave a shrug, "You're on the ball with the knowledge and intelligence though. At least, by my definitions. Knowledge is experience. Intelligence is research." Exhaling she continued, "But you can't have one without the other. Animals... animals though..." she patted her chin, "I shall make an agreement with you. Obtain an animal that you wish to learn about. You said dogs, so if you want a dog get a puppy. Young are easier to handle, and to train early..." There was a step away, her hands falling onto her weapon hilts, "Or if it is not an animal, then something you are certain to learn about." She gave a wiry grin at that point, "And if you are serious enough about it, then, you will find me again and I will teach you. Does that sound fair?"

[Koruma]

Koruma's response seemed to be less than ideal as Red Wolf's tone turned somewhat harsh. Ashen eyes fell as she scolded him and he chewed his lips. Why was she scolding him anyways? He was right! Sunberth was a den of thieves and crooks who would just as soon slit someone's throat as they would rob that same person blind. Koruma knew if he didn't learn better fighting skills he wouldn't last long on his own. He never even mentioned anything about men or women, so the intellectual leap she had made was confusing. But rather than risk her wrath, Koruma remained silent and dug his toe into the dirt. Yet his attempts to placate her did little and she denied his request. "Oh... okay," he mumbled as his heart sank. Not like he could use a knife very well to begin with. He had spent years trying to learn and asking her for lessons had been folly. Kourma's hand lifted to his scar again as he traced the line on his forehead with the nail of his thumb. This day was ending in disaster for multiple reasons, none of which he liked. Red wolf stood and Koruma instinctively took a step back as he watched her brush of the dirt that still clung to her clothes. His ashen eyes grew wide as she spoke and a bright smile crept across his face until it was stretching from ear to ear. He inhaled slowly as his shoulders rose and excitement bubbled inside his chest. He listened eagerly to her advice, nodding as he soaked up the information. A hint of pride gleamed in his grey gaze as she praised him. but he was practically jumping up and down as she spoke of teaching him about dogs. Really?! You will?! That's just, Koruma jumped slightly as his hands rolled into fists, shaking as he stopped himself from rushing forward to hug her. "I, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you! As soon as I find one, I'll bring it to you. Or something else. Maybe anything else." Koruma turned around on his heels, walking a few steps before whipping around and returning to his original spot. Koruma tightened his fists before turning his attention back to red wolf. He dropped his arms to his sides, locking them tight to his body before he bowed deep and said in a composed tone, "Thank you."

[Avarice]

Koruma

Skill	Points
Observation	+5
Stealth	+1
Socialization	+5
Animal Husbandry	+1
Intelligence	+1

Lore

Stealth: Rolling One's Feet to Make Steps Silent

Self: The Thought of Killing Makes Me Sick

Self: I am No Killer...I am Weak

Bitzer, Leader of the Scars

Being Lectured By a Target

The Red Wolf is Strong

The Difference Between Strength and Survival

Knowledge is Experience, Intelligence is Research

Self: It Sucks to be Me, I'd Rather be You

Stuff?
Consequences, Injuries, Expenses, and More!

• N/A

Fallon

Skill	Points
Detection	+2
Intimidation	+2
Logic	+1
Teaching	+4
.	.

Lore

Zandelia: My Only Confidant

Always Trust Your Instincts

Koruma: A Young Pup...Who is Very Afraid

Koruma: Is No Killer

Inspiring a Pup to Change Himself

Explaining the Difference between Strength & Survival

Explaining the Difference between Intelligence & Knowledge

True Strength comes from having someone to protect

Teaching life lessons to a Pup

Stuff?
Consequences, Injuries, Expenses, and More!

• N/A

Comments

A wolf and a pup...What a thread, I loved it! If you have any questions concerning this grade, please do not hesitate to shoot me a PM. Furthermore, please edit your post in the request thread to reflect your having received a grade. Thank you!