training dummy [invite]

[Deleted]

Eyes on fire,

Attendance was mandatory. It was well known within the Plegian Royal Guard that Rowan held a mandatory, once-a-month meeting. There were, of course, other such organized events, but the one that occurred on the final day of each month was the only one that was mandatory beyond a shadow of a doubt. She took tally, she took in suggestions and complaints, and in general, Rowan wanted to ensure all of her men and women were doing fine. So it was to be expected that when someone was absent, she would know. This was especially the case today, as he had been the only person to be gone this time. So here she was, taking each step through the halls with steady eyes - each look towards a face as she could see them fade into appearance. She had questions, he better have answers. It was convenient, in fact, that it was he who was missing... The Heartless. That was what she had heard - through whispered words and stares during training, she had most certainly heard. The blonde furrowed her brows in concern and increased her pace as her thoughts increased in intensity. People spoke as if this man in her guard was some kind of heartless fiend, a demon with a weapon that stole men from their flesh and set them free. If Rowan were to ensure the wellbeing of her charges, she would greatly prefer to do so without anyone as monstrous as that inside the castle... Pausing at what she thought was her man in question, Rowan paused her stride long enough to get a long look before wandering over, arms crossed. "And where were you this morning?"

tell me if this isnt okay ibarra REPETITIVE TEXT IS REPETITIVE

Your spine is ablaze

X

[ibarra]

▼

It might have been by choice or coincidence that the hall's lone occupant had been the redhead man, who leaned against a column between two from a set of five, consecutive stone archs with his arms crossed. The shadows of small, flowering trees gently swaying from the garden outside cast leafy patterns on his form, including his resting eyes that had opened to the captain's voice. His eyes were calm and cool, too perfectly still that it seemed impossible for them to be alive. When he looked at Rowan, it was like being stared by a pair of stone.

Ibarra did not miss the promptness in her tone. She sounded accusatory. He focused his gaze away from her eyes, thinking that perhaps she had more to add beyond a single line of unfriendly message.

“Not even a hello, Captain?” Ibarra responded, his voice slick with the emotionless ice the castle denizens had heard him speak as before – the only thing they had ever hear come from him. “Hm. I suppose it is understandable if you couldn't spare the proper courtesy given your timetable.”

Ibarra knew what the Captain was talking about. He didn't think she would be unhappy about it – he was an absentee one or two times before – but now that Ibarra thought about it, maybe she would be. Not to say that he understood why. If he were in her shoes, he wouldn't have minded.

But still, despite claiming Rowan's bluntness for her busy schedule and knowing that her issue concerned his absence in today's meeting, Ibarra continued to find the wall across the hallway more fascinating than Rowan's presence. Who would want to look at someone so serious?

@rowan

[Deleted]

Eyes on fire,

Naga's breath, that stare was as cold as a gorgan's. Rowan had seen similar eyes in people who were to be left for dead on the fields of battle. No, that wasn't accurate. These eyes lacked even the serenity that death brings, the shock of the final blow, or the acceptance within. This man's eyes seemed to exist as eyes, and that was that. It was unnerving in the slightest of ways. Rowan cast her gaze to the side when he responded about the lack of proper greeting. People who showed up to meetings on time received those, of course. "I managed to spare enough time to wish everyone at the meeting a pleasant morning. That was your opportunity to receive yours, as well." Shifting her weight from one leg to the other, Rowan tried to get a better look at this Heartless man. He seemed every bit like anyone else, save for the general lack of... stuff. Emotions? Excitement? Something. He just seemed to disinterested in her very presence, not even making an attempt to fake it. "I was under the impression that, perhaps, you were so busy with some task this morning that you could not make it? Or did you just skip out on this one, like the others?" With her arms crossed and her eyes focused on his face, Rowan could only wonder if she looked every bit as serious as she meant to appear. She wanted her answers, after all - and this was the first step. "I do hope that it was worth it. Disrespecting my requests makes for a good impression."

shit son ibarra WHATEVS

Your spine is ablaze

X

[ibarra]

▼

The Captain made Ibarra ponder for a moment.

“Nothing particular occupied me this morning,” Ibarra answered. It would have been an admittance, a flatout confession, but it sounded more of a statement as if Ibarra had decided to enlighten the Captain with a fact. “The morning was quieter due to the meeting... On second thought, maybe you should hold meetings more often, Captain. I haven't had time for myself recently.”

It was true and Ibarra realized that just now. 'Recently' might not even the be the word of it. Ever since he enlisted in the army, Ibarra had not always been quite alone. From training, to sleeping, to eating, to fighting; he distinctly remembered getting sick of it. The companionship, he was sure he didn't normally mind, but the routine trying to embed a clock on him was annoying. Would he experience the same displeasure here? Only time would tell.

He hoped not. Ibarra found working in the royal guards a lot easier than having to run around from place to place.

Clearly oblivious from the point the Captain was making, Ibarra's thoughts had moved on as quickly as Rowan – serious and methodical – was forgotten. Without even waiting for her respond, Ibarra pushed himself off the column and walked away without the slightest hesitation. He suddenly remembered the bakery in the city was opening at this time. He better hurry. He was sick of always getting the last Pony Bread on sale...

@rowan