Hit the Ground Running

[Clopin]

January 7th | Open to ALL Rogues! This is the first official training session.

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“Bob, do you wanna spend the rest of our time here locked in a dungeon? Cause that’s where you’re headed unless you follow Clopin’s orders and get some damn weapons out here for the rest of the Rogues.” Taylor said, as she heaved a large marble floor vase out into the center of the courtyard. It was a large place filled with trimmed hedges and small fountains, but with plenty of room to hold a training session within.

The king had assigned the two unicorns(and Taylor, by proxy), to help out Dante and Virgil with organizing sparring weapons for one part of their training session today. Sophia didn’t mind, as she conjured a bundle of spears, dropping them directly into the marble vase. Bob groaned, and reluctantly brought forth an array of swords, setting them in the vase next to Sophia’s spears. He felt more like a slave than a soldier, doing all this only to do even more work in the sparring session.

The thought of it was exhausting.

The gypsy king suddenly materialized at his side, which caused the unicorn to flinch. His heart began to pound faster, as he quickly realized that maybe Taylor wasn’t kidding about the dungeons.

Oh no, he knows, now I’m in trouble and there’s nothin’ I can do, oh no no no—

“Those are lovely! A good range of weapons indeed.” Clopin commented, peering out towards the setup that they had put together. He then rested a gloved hand on the unicorn’s shoulder.

“Mon ami, if you wish to avoid the dungeons, I would suggest picking up the pace, as the Rouges will be here soon for their training session.” Clopin whispered, just loud enough for Bob to hear. The unicorn nervously gulped and smiled, and went right back to work.

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“Mes amis! Before you are various weapons for your use against your selected opponents, and armor to protect yourselves. The only rule is that you are not, under any circumstance, allowed to kill your opponent.” Clopin said, his tone turning from cheery to serious. He then paced down the center walkway of the courtyard, past his soldiers standing in a neat line before the twelve marble vases and armor. His violet mink cloak brushed the granite stones that made up the floor of the courtyard, as he reached the end of the line.

“Allons-y!” Clopin exclaimed, as he shot a ball of purple magic into the sky. It crackled like a gunshot, and then fizzled out, raining bits of sparkling magic onto the Rogues below.

[Esmeralda]

Esmeralda twirled a battle staff idly. No forms or attacks. Just a simple spin as if it were an overly large baton. She was looking at the gathered Rogues and their weapon choices. She had a basic proficiency with most weapons, but she was most comfortable with a staff, followed by a glaive. Growing up Romany, where there was more than a little persecution, self-defense had been one of their biggest lessons.

Esmeralda had assisted Sophia, Bob, and Taylor with bringing some of the weapons, but then switched over to warming up with the staff while they finished setting up. She wanted to limber up. Her clothes were simple. Loose trousers that were tied just below her knees, and a simple shift over that. It was loose enough to keep her movement free, but not so baggy that it would get in the way and catch while sparring. For safety she had removed all her jewelry and tied her hair back into a loose bun low on her neck.

[Jenn]

Jenn and Hades both sat off to the side of where the many shadowkeepers had gathered. Hades had no intent on joining in the training, he was merely there because Clopin told him that, as second in command, it would have a better impression if they were both present.
Jenn was also there for a similar reason, since all the shadowkeepers were requested to show up for training. Neither of them really felt the need to join in however, since both had skills that far surpassed many of those present, and fighting would just seem... unnecessary.

Feeling bored, Jenn waved her hand, summoning her blade and twirling it absentmindedly in her hand as she watched the other shadowkeepers look around for others to spar against.
"Thinking of going up against someone?" Hades chuckled, glancing down at the blade.
She cast a sideward glance up at him, a smirk tugging at her lips,
"No, that wouldn't really be fair for any of them, would it?"

[Shanty]

Glittering magic rained down on thick ropes of blonde hair, and Shanty couldn’t help but chuckle slightly. This was not her natural habitat, no. She belonged in the sky, amongst crew, seeking fortune and uncharted lands. This rag-tag team of vigilante fighters were nothing like she would prefer, but she did have a warm spot for their King, Clopin, and his tendencies towards the extravagant. He was fun and just a little chaotic, and often reminded her of home.

It was enough to keep her from going too stir-crazy.

But when no one seems to budge when prompted, a singe eye rolls, and Shanty pops her hand to her hip, “Oi, don’t everyone shove off at once... You two!” Luminescent gaze passes over the Advisor and his Shadowkeeper companion, “You’re not allowed to kill anyone, why not start some fun? Or do you have so little restraint? Too dangerous, maybe? Or maybe you think us all as lesser?”

Her tone is obviously poking fun, but in the sort of way a cub bothers its mother into playing along. There’s certainly no offense meant, she’s trying to rile some folks up.

“What do you say, my dear? Two mortals, two IM-mortals. I’ve slain dragons before, do you think we can drop a god? Death couldn’t hold me the first time, I think we could do it.” Ruby lips curl playfully as she then turns to Esmerelda, “Or maybe we should even the odds? Pick a partner? We could really make a party out of it, then.”

[Esmeralda]

Esmeralda chuckled in amusement as Shanty challenged Hades and Jenn. She could appreciate confidence, and good fun.

She pulled out of her latest lazy spin, planting the staff against the dirt and leaning against it. The assassin put on a lop sided smile looking between the three of them; Shanty, Jenn, and Hades.

"I'm not one to walk away from a fight," Esmeralda responded to Shanty, "But if either Jenn or Hades are going to fight, then I would love to watch, front row and center."

She wasn't afraid of facing them, their immortal powers were formidable, but Esmeralda had confidence in her adaptability and resourcefulness... it also helped that they weren't allowed to kill her. But given a chance Esmeralda liked to observe her opponents before engaging them. 

[Taylor]

“Huh. So who are we supposed to go up against?” Taylor said, leaning on Bob for support as she fixed her shoelaces. The unicorn rolled his shoulders forward in a shrug.

“I dunno y’all. Looks like Esme and that blonde lady are challengin’ Hades and Jenn.”

“Oh boy…they’re gonna be in for a hard sparring session.”

Bob nodded, turning his head to look towards Taylor, but he was met with a different face—Clopin. The unicorn’s eyes went wide, and he hopped back, nearly knocking Taylor over. He’d forgotten she was on the oppositeside.

“Bob what the fu—Clopin?!” Taylor yelped, as she caught sight of the king. Clopin smiled mischievously, handing Taylor a rolled up piece of parchment.

“Aren’t we supposed to be sparring, not reading?” Taylor asked, raising a brow as she unfurled the paper.

“You’re not reading, dear girl. It’s a riddle.” Clopin said, stepping closer to Bob and Taylor.

“You see, none of you were supposed to spar today. The real training is a scavenger hunt for a very important item.” Clopin declared, as he wagged his index finger.

“You’ve gotta be fuckin’ kidding me. So you made me, Sophia and Bob get up super early, put up all that stuff and drag those heavy ass pots for nothing?” Taylor said. But before she could even get an answer, Clopin had disappeared, quicker than she could ask where the hell he thought he was going.

“Man, if I wasn’t in the same army as him I’d slice his neck.” Taylor mumbled.

“Mes amis!” Clopin exclaimed, as he stood perched on one of the various stone sculptures in the courtyard.

“Today, our training is not to test your fighting ability! It is to test your resourcefulness and ability to think on your toes. The real training is a scavenger hunt for a very important item. It’s hidden somewhere within this city, and I need your help finding it. That very item could be the key to helping us in the war.” Clopin announced.

“The weapons and armor are for your use. Should you run into any trouble, feel free to use them.”

[Shanty]

Shanty gives an idle shrug at Esme’s response, but glances towards Taylor and Bob when a commotion starts up. It seems the King’s gone about making a scene again, going on about...

A scavenger hunt?

“Ah. I admit, I was hoping for a brawl...~” she hums, turning to give Jenn and Hades a wink and a shrug, “Maybe later, aye? I’ll find a partner, we’ll make it a date. But for now...”

She glances back towards Clopin, now on his perch, with an amused grin, “I do love a good show... Any hints or tips, Dear?”

[Esmeralda]

"Oh darn, it looks like we did do all that work for nothing," Esmeralda pressed her forefinger to her cheek and blinked innocently at Taylor. She had assisted them in carrying things. But she hadn't worked as thoroughly as they had. She had been putting on a show to sell Clopin's prank. Sibling games, "Darn that king!"

Esmeralda shook her fist at nothing in particular, then fully dropped the charade by grinning what could only be described as a 'shit eating grin'.

The gypsy girl then shifted closer to Shanty and stage whispered, "That was one of the reasons I wasn't keen on fighting them," and then dropped to a true whisper, "That and I really would like to see what they're capable of before I try taking on immortals."

"For what it's worth, I don't know what we're scavenging for, or any answers to the clues!" she raised her hand up and laughed, "So at least I'll be honestly training with you guys on this scavenger hunt! I'm going in just as blind as the rest of you."

[Cheata]

Cheata was hanging back. He thought of himself as a showman, not a fighter. He’d really only shown up to watch; he had to know his product if he was going to sell it. If he was impressed, he’d at least have some material when he went on recruiting ventures. Then again, given his liking of sequin-covered clothing, it wasn’t difficult to spot his suit sparkling off in the distance.

Black-tipped ears perked once the words “important item” hit them. A pointy-toothed grin appeared as the feline twirled his whiskers around a finger. This seemed more up his alley. Cheata was interested in finding out what this item was, under the assumption it was valuable. The dollar signs were almost visible in his eyes.

He cleared the distance in no time, popping up behind Taylor, but clearly most interested in the scroll, announcing himself with a:

“Howdy.”