Open The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

[Lo'campo]

3rd, Winter, 515 A.V Sunberth Sunset Quarter Orphanage Hello father, It has been years now since I had last seen you. How are you doing? Are you still working as a guard? How is Riverfall doing? I know I have a lot of questions, it's just I haven't seen you or the city since the last I had come to visit. I returned to the city of Sunberth, where I now reside for obvious reasons. I have picked up a job as a guard of an orphanage where I protect the orphans and tenants as well as do general labor for the building. A lot has happened here. There are many gangs all fighting for control of the city. No, I have not joined any of them. I despise them all. I also met my older sister Minerva. I enjoyed the time I spent with her while she was here. Unfortunately, she died a few weeks after arriving at the hands of a gang member. I intend to avenge her death. I must admit that I have started killing again father. Not like I used to, I've changed for the better good in some form. I kill those that deserve to be killed. I still have a few slip ups, but I try not to kill the innocent. I am well known around the orphanage, and the kids just love me. Speaking of, I am about to go and teach them some of the meditation and fighting techniques that you had taught me. I hope that you get this letter, and write back. I wait to here how you are doing. Sincerely your son -Lo'f Folding the paper and sealing it into an envelope, he handed the letter to one of the children to deliver, as he stood up to go outside where a small crowd of people stood waiting for him. There wasn't that many people, most of them consisted of children who thought it would be fun to learn a thing or two about fighting. A few tenants he recognized from the quarter, and then there were those from the street who had found his flyer. "Free Combat Lessons" It read in big letters. Short simple and sweet, straight to the point. Nothing more, nothing less. He stood to the side of the group where he could see them all standing ready to learn something new today. Lo'campo readied himself as well, smoothing out the creases in his robe to make himself look more presentable. He stood for a while practicing the smile he would have on his face, trying different experessions so he would come off nice and kind hearted. He didn't want to scare off his students. Picking up the wooden box filled with knives, he approached the group with a subtle smile on his face. Not to much to seem creepy, but not to less to seem cocky and uninterested. "Hey, how are you all doing today? My name is Lo'campo and I will be teaching you all." He went around shaking everyone's hands making sure to get their names. A first impression was everything. He wished Minerva was here to see him now. Acting all proper and kind, instead of barking and threatning to smash someone's face in. He stood for a few chimes waiting for those who had just made it find a place to stand before things got started.

[Mackenzie Northwind]

The first thought that Mack had when her vision suddenly blacked out was that she had suddenly and inexplicably gone blind this beautiful winters day. Of course, that was absurd and the thought lasted about as long as it took her to peel the flyer that had just hit her in the face off of her eyes. For a moment she didn't even read it. She simply shoved it in her pocked and kept walking, distracted by the prospect of her life without the sense of sight. How much she would miss out on! She'd have to ask everyone to describe it for her, demanding they spoke with the eloquence of a master storyteller whilst they did so. The original issue of the flyer poppe back into her minds eye about 5 short paces later and she opened the scrunched parchment in her hand, smoothing it out best she could.

Someone was giving out free combat lessons. Mack liked the word 'free' a lot (Tight-arses often did). She also liked the idea of learning how to fight beyond the merger talent she had already. She was curious, intrigued, and a little lost because she had just walked the last block and a half without realising she was off track from her original destination, which was home. Straightening up her jacket, Mack made a split decision. She'd go have a gander, and if it looked fishy, she would leave. On her way she pondered her teacher, should this thing be legit. She imagined the typical, mean looking muscle head first. In her imagination, Mack was a lot stronger than she was in reality, so naturally she kicked his backside back to his momma

The orphanage was in sight now. She actually knew where she was going if she managed to devote some of her divided brain activity towards getting around. She kept an eye on everyone, without directly looking at everyone. Mack tended to notice most goings on around her if she tried.

The orphanage was in site, and Mack was one of the last to get in line. Half of the lineup were kids, and she felt a tiny bit out of place for a while. She fretted a little, wondering if this was an invitation only to the orphans, but then she reminded herself that there were other Sunberthians from the streets there. She waited, impatiently fiddling with the sleeve of her shirt and imagining all the things that could potentially happen from this point forward.

It seemed like hours (But was actually about 5 minutes) before their teacher appeared. Her eyes opened a little wider than usual and she exhaled sharply. For a second, just a second, she thought she was staring at Kirtos, which of course was Impossible given that this Akalak was definitely not a ghost. Mack shook her head a little and her expression returned to the default bemused grin. 'Lo'campo introduced himself whilst picking up what she assumed would be the weapons they'd be learning today. She thought about impressing the man with Tukant when he came towards her and asked for her name, but she held onto that secret for now, incase he ever muttered in his mother-tongue, or said something he thought she couldn't understand.

The big blue man got to her place in the line and shook her hand firmly, asking her name "Name's Mack, don't wear it out!" She said confidently in common tongue, jabbing a thumb towards her chest and smiling that big cheesy grin.

[Amilyn]

Amilyn hummed under her breath as she made her way back to her lodgings in the Sunset Quarter, keeping a careful eye out for fellow pickpockets and anyone looking for a fight. It was a nice enough day and, since yesterday had turned out to be extremely productive, she wasn't all that interested in getting into anything today.

...Okay, a little pickpocketing couldn't hurt, but she'd try her luck at a later bell. At the moment, she was content with wandering her way back to her apartment to begin writing this season's letter for her parents and siblings.

Her steps slowed as she came into sight of the orphanage, tilting her head to the side curiously as she spotted the group of people gathered in front of a building. Granted, most of them were children, but there were a few people she recognized from around the Slums and some others that she didn't. The big, blue man who hung around the place like a guard was standing in front of the group, almost like he was planning to give some sort of speech or something to the group.

She hovered at the edge of the street, watching as the blue guard-man picked up a wooden box and approached the restless group with a small smile.

"Hey, how are you all doing today? My name is Lo'campo and I will be teaching you all."

Teaching them what? she thought, thoroughly confused now. Had she missed some sort of announcement or something that would clear all of this up?

Amilyn riffled through her thoughts as Lo'campo went around shaking hands and asking for names, feeling as though there was a niggling memory just out of reach that would explain what was happening here. It was as one confident-sounding person was introducing themselves that she finally recalled the flyer that she'd barely glanced at earlier, proclaiming free combat lessons with a time and a place written out on the bottom. She'd originally scoffed at it, dismissing it quickly since when was anything ever free in Sunberth, unless you had connections or made it free of charge yourself? And combat lessons, in particular? Why would anyone want to give their potential victims a way to defend themselves?

Eyeing the blue guard-man again as he waited patiently for any latecomers, she admitted that a guard giving combat lessons made sense, though she wasn't planning on joining the group just yet. She might not know how to fight well, but it'd probably be a good idea to see if this Lo'campo knew what he was doing, before getting some pointers from the guy. Amilyn leaned against a nearby building and settled in to watch, setting her back against the wall and giving herself a clear view of the group.

"Common" | Grassland Sign | "Nari" | Thoughts | Auristics

[Lo'campo]

Deeming that enough people had showed, or were on time, he stood straight slightly adjusting himself for comfort. The eyes of the group staring at him waiting for him to do something that would prove him a worthy teacher. Yes, it was true that most people in the city were thieves, crooks and murderers alike, but no one really fought in hand to hand combat unless it were things like bar fights. That and nothing in Sunberth was ever free so he could understand the looks, and thoughts that were upon their faces and in their heads. He was about to begin his lesson when another person made their way into the group joining the rank. "Mack, don't wear it out" the woman stated. He didn't know if she were just being friendly or just excited to be here to learn something. A nod given from his head. She was late, but another student to teach wouldn't hurt. Starting the lesson he stepped forward lungs filled with air as he stepped forward. "Today I will be giving a lesson in unarmed combat. If you are already skilled, great. If not then just try to watch and keep up. And yes, these lessons are free of charge." He stated at the end, just in case someone wasn't sure or couldn't read the flyer that he had put out. He didn't mind giving out free lessons in combat. Everyone needed to defend themselves from something, even if it were he himself. Even his own victims needed a fighting chance. Quickly he counted the heads of the people there, noticing that they were short one person for everyone to have a partner."Ok, the person to you're left will be you're sparring partner throughout the lesson. You, will be mine." He pointed to the woman who called herself Mack, motioning for her to break ranks and move to the front of the group. Large blue muscles raised a punching bag and hung it from the limb of a tree with a grunt. "We all know how to throw a punch I hope?" Giving the bag a spin making sure that it wouldn't fall if hit with force. "But for those who don't, a punch is the key factor in combat. A punch determines if you win or lose, live or die. A simple punch can have a lot of influence in even the most skilled combatants battle." Facing the punching bag, he took his stance. Feet shoulder width apart, arms up, body solid. Eyes focused on the slightly swinging bag pinpointing where he would strike. The roll of his shoulder under his robe as his arm shot out with force behind it smacking the bag causing it to swing faster than it was. "But enough of me talking, you can't learn to fight by reading. I can't teach you how to beat you're opponent, I can only show you all the skills and techniques I can. After that, it's up to you to apply yourself and become as skilled as you would like to be." Repeating the words his father had said to him all those years ago. He separated everyone into their own groups of two , setting them all up as if it were a real battle before having them spar with each other. Noticing the other person who had walked up on the group but stood to watch. He would hope that they would join, all were welcome to. "When you move out like that, watch your footing. If you are not careful you would loose you're balance or leave yourself open for your opponent to attack." He told one person before moving to the next group. Assuring that everyone who had a partner were doing things correctly, he moved to his own. The woman, human, stood short by what looked to be a foot and some inches below the Akalak. Her body slim like most women, shoulders hiding under he blonde hair. Mack was it? He hoped that she understood that he would not take it easy on her just because of her gender. If anything he would be harder. "Ok, show me what you got" Holding his hands up ready for her to strike.