Hubert Oswell (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
broadsidewaltz) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thecapitol2014-07-31 10:15 am
broadsidewaltz) wrote in thecapitol2014-07-31 10:15 am
Entry tags:
➵ testing your mettle
WHO| Hubert and you?!
WHAT| Getting in some practice. Or more like, coping with newly arriving here.
WHEN| 7/31
WHERE| The Training Center
WARNINGS| none
The words were still fresh in his mind as he stared at the weapons. A battle to the death... honored to compete... other tributes. Being brought to a new land that was presumably off the charts was decidedly new- although he had been to stranger places. He was still neck-deep in thought as he absently went for the sword, first. It was only suitable he get some training in with every weapon, after all. And since his trademark dual-blade was nowhere to be found, well... it seemed they had brought him without it.
Honestly, it was probably the part where they had taken him unconsciously that actually bothered him the most. After all- he was used to testing his strength at the stadiums in Warrior's Roost back home. Hubert always aspired to new heights, especially in combat training, so this kind of thing wasn't a shock.
Perhaps it was the wording, he mused as he tested the weapon's weight, moving away with it as he peered around the gymnasium. There were some empty targets he immediately made for, brandishing the sword firmly in his hand as he got some swings in first. Tributes. It sounded... strange, especially in this context. Sacrifices? Price to be paid?
Best believe he'd be slashing at that dummy soon enough, careful at first before he started getting more serious. Even if it wouldn't fight back, he would side-step and guard accordingly, trying to keep his instincts sharp and fresh in his mind. After all, these dummies wouldn't compare to the real targets- moving, breathing living people.
He had to make sure he'd survive. After all, the others were waiting for him back home.
WHAT| Getting in some practice. Or more like, coping with newly arriving here.
WHEN| 7/31
WHERE| The Training Center
WARNINGS| none
The words were still fresh in his mind as he stared at the weapons. A battle to the death... honored to compete... other tributes. Being brought to a new land that was presumably off the charts was decidedly new- although he had been to stranger places. He was still neck-deep in thought as he absently went for the sword, first. It was only suitable he get some training in with every weapon, after all. And since his trademark dual-blade was nowhere to be found, well... it seemed they had brought him without it.
Honestly, it was probably the part where they had taken him unconsciously that actually bothered him the most. After all- he was used to testing his strength at the stadiums in Warrior's Roost back home. Hubert always aspired to new heights, especially in combat training, so this kind of thing wasn't a shock.
Perhaps it was the wording, he mused as he tested the weapon's weight, moving away with it as he peered around the gymnasium. There were some empty targets he immediately made for, brandishing the sword firmly in his hand as he got some swings in first. Tributes. It sounded... strange, especially in this context. Sacrifices? Price to be paid?
Best believe he'd be slashing at that dummy soon enough, careful at first before he started getting more serious. Even if it wouldn't fight back, he would side-step and guard accordingly, trying to keep his instincts sharp and fresh in his mind. After all, these dummies wouldn't compare to the real targets- moving, breathing living people.
He had to make sure he'd survive. After all, the others were waiting for him back home.
no subject
"... Oh- I see." A pause, before he'd straighten up completely, adjusting his glasses. "I appreciate the advice."
What else was there to say? He wasn't sure he should be particularly socializing with these people, mainly because he didn't want to make his life any more difficult.
"I suppose it has been awhile since I've used a sword..."
Annnnnd here he is. Doing precisely that.
His brother must be rubbing off on him.no subject
She much preferred the heavy strength of the axe, which always tended to provide a lot more damage. "Really, the best bet is to always try to get your hands on a shield. Weapons are good for most blocks, but the only way you'll ever really get to avoid damage is a strong defense."
no subject
If only the dual-blade was in the ranks of more conventional arms. Hubert mourned the loss.
"-- Yes, a strong defense is advisable, especially in a matter of survival such as this," he admits as well, turning the sword's hilt around in his fingers, rather dexterously. Twisting and swinging and moving fast were his strong points, and he found himself peering past her to the weapons once more. "If you're willing, perhaps we could spar. Training with inanimate targets dulls the senses after awhile."
He wouldn't be too hopeful, but it was always worth a shot. He'd adjust his glasses with his free hand, watching her for an answer.
no subject
But she grins when he asks about sparring, pleased to be able to have someone to practice with. "That sounds good to me. Besides it'd be good for both of us to get used to handling a variety of equipment, huh? From what I hear, you never know what they're gonna throw into the arenas."
no subject
He can see how she can pick information out of it, but somehow, no one here seemed to have any hostile intent. There was something a little... strangely worrying about that. It was too friendly for a battle to the death.
Her agreeing to sparring allows him a little tight-lipped smile, though, something basely pleased in nature. "Definitely. These arenas sound less than forgiving."
He hums, slowly making back for the weapons rack as he examines the rest of them. What now? The sword was basic, and he wasn't going to spend his whole day on that.
no subject
It was a bit strange, but Astrid couldn't help but pick up a very familiar vibe talking to this guy and seeing his mannerisms. He seemed a bit closed off, but in a manner that seemed more natural to him than just placing up a guard for the current circumstances. Almost much like herself, or at least how she used to.
She follows him over to the wall to take a peek at the weapons as well, though it doesn't take long for her to lean in and pull down a spear. It was quite the opposite to what she was used to, long and light-weight compared to her short heavy axes. She had minor experience with these, but not nearly enough to feel extremely comfortable with them.
Leaning up against the wall, she watches as she waits for him to make a choice, eyeing him as she does, her senses of curiosity building up--maybe it was that hair that she couldn't get used to. "I'm Astrid, by the way."
no subject
And because he found it really cool. But that was the little boy in him, not the battle-hardened Lieutenant. Either way, he'd also make for a spear, interrupted by her leaning in and reaching for it. For a moment he considered perhaps going for a different weapon, but hey. He'd go in for it moments after her, either way.
He ran his fingers up the pole of the spear, seemingly getting a feel for it again as he wonders why the air is so amiable around here. After all, wasn't talking to your future opponents more of a tense affair? And yet, he found himself responding with little trouble. Maybe it was how sensible she was. That was probably it.
"And I'm Hubert Oswell. I wouldn't particularly call this a pleasure, given the circumstances, but it's good to make your acquaintance."
He turned to her with a respectful nod of the head, finally brandishing his spear.
"Are you ready?"
me + battle scenes = ??????
Seeing him grab the spear as well, she gives a light chuckle, curious to see how this would result. "Hubert, huh?" She steps away from the wall back towards a more open area as she poses into a battle stance. "Ready as ever."
>"O what's our motto?
nerdypride at the compliment. And there's a strange sense of comfort that he can almost immediately feel settling over him with her pleasant attitude. It's a pity that he has to shake that off in favor of not dulling his senses.And so, he'd pose as well- bending his knees slightly and adjusting his glasses a final time, watching her closely. "Then, don't mind if I do."
Normally he knew he'd probably prefer to guard and counter from there, this was but a sparring match- and definitely not a life-threatening affair. And so, after suddenly side-stepping he'd charge in, offering a heavy broad swing in an attempt to hit her opposite side. Of course, given this was training, he ascertained that if any hit did connect, it would be with the flat side of the weapon.
TO DO OUR BEST oh wait
"Not bad, kid," she gives a laugh, honestly impressed with his start. Most of the teens she trained with back home weren't exactly experts with fighting, after all. Even her own boyfriend could be incredibly useless when it came to sparring.
Using the connect as leverage, she pushes back to enter a backwards flips, swinging her weapon forward for a strike--making sure not to aim for actual damage, of course.
no subject
"You're not so bad yourself."
Legs coiled up like a spring, he'd push their connected weapons up, intending to throw her off balance.
no subject
"Well, I might know a thing or two." She laughs, mainly because she's actually enjoying herself. The location was new, and the circumstances were beyond bizarre, but training gives her a sense of feeling at home again, the thrill of strategy and exercise bringing out that Viking pride.
Going in a circling run, she holds her spear against the ground in an upright position, using it as a hold to fall downwards in a slide and make an attempt at a kick towards his legs.
no subject
Hubert's brows raise at the laugh, not returning it nor a smile, but he looks interestingly amused, telling himself he'd have to ask her what she trained for. Her moves were different from what he imagined, as if she were dealing with a much bigger foe.
His head turns as she circles him, body following half in tandem-- not exactly expecting her to use it to slide down, just barely avoiding her kick... but he was thrown off balance, managing to stumble back. If she could get a move in before he recovered his defensive stance completely...