[VIKING] Extra training... (Ragnvard, Tollak, Jaska)

[Tanakako]

Ragnvard was disappointed. After throwing his own fight he had waited near by until Tollak had gone into his second match. But that was as far as the young male had reached, loosing after an admittedly decent fight of several rounds. But nevertheless, Ragnvard knew the young reaver could do better, far better… It just seemed like he lacked the incentive to push himself.

After spending the night thinking about the problem, he had decided Tollak needed some extra training… something designed to get the young male’s blood up and hopefully encourage him to try harder. Ragnvard would be damned if any of his reavers performed at less than their best, and he knew the younger lion was far more capable than his recent matches suggested.

Lifting his head he looked round for Tollak, having told him earlier to meet on the edge of the forest that boarded their home. It was time/

CaliWolfe

 

[CaliWolfe]

His opponent had won the match fairly although Tollak continued to remind himself that it was hardly a 'real battle'. The rounds were designed so nobody got overly hurt, so that murder didn't accidentally take place and so that even the lowest thralls of all creatures could partake without worry of being injured badly by their fellow thrallians. Still, the grey lion walked with a glum air to him. He was chewing on mint, deeply woven into his thoughts.

It wasn't as if he had wanted to lose his match or anything. Quite the contrary, Tollak was only ever for participating in things if he wanted to win at them. Still, he considered that maybe it was his own subconscious doing that caused him to lose. Maybe he internally felt he just wasn't getting enough of a challenge and decided to give up.

The lion stopped, staring at his captain who was waiting for him on the forest's edge in the distance. Hmm no, he supposed it wasn't that. He wasn't one to just give up because he didn't feel like doing something- if he was that against the idea he just wouldn't have participated at all.

Whatever, he was thinking too much about all this. Tollak took one breath in and then lumbered over to where his captain was, unaware that his posture suggested that he was sulking, or a cub caught in trouble with his ears pinned back like they were.

Tanakako

 

[Tanakako]

Watching the younger male approach, Ragnvard frowned. Tollak was clearly sulking, paws dragging and ears pressed back. Sighing the muscular captain had to remind himself to hold onto his temper. This was not a thrall he could bully into doing what he wanted. He did his best for the younger lions in his care, but sometimes he was rue they were determined to sabotage their own future… Huffing a low grumble he flicked his tail, waiting with only a thin grasp on his patience for the reaver to reach him.

When Tollak drew near he turned and motioned towards the pride’s boarder. “Come, we are going Viking today. You need more practice outside the pride." Without any further words he turned and stalked off, following the pathway through the forest and out into the roguelands. No one else joined them, and it was clear that today it would just be the two fo them, the same as it had been when Ragnvard first took Tollak into his band.

CaliWolfe

 

[CaliWolfe]

Tollak was glad that unlike what his brother thought he did have some shred of common sense. It was helpful because he resisted with every fiber of his being to emit a snort in response to Ragnvard telling him they were going out on a Viking. He imagined his captain would probably slap him for that, after all it was bad enough he was somewhat late already.

He diligently followed the older reaver despite his mood. Tollak had to admit, the thought of finding new adventure and distraction from his recent lost match was sounding promising. Who knew? Maybe this extra training would cheer him up.

Or kill him. He thought silently. Who knew what Ragnvard had in store? He wasn't exactly known for his soft and gentle touch when it came to working his students to improve. Not that this bothered Tollak... Well, it sort of did. But not really? Arugh, now he was overthinking this too!

With a shake of his head to clear away all these confusing thoughts Tollak piped up in attempt to start a conversation. "Er, so, we're going to ambush some rogues today then?" He forced a smile to indicate his already lightening mood.

Tanakako

 

[Tanakako]

Ragnvard walked in silence, keeping up a brisk pace that would make any normal reaver pant a little after a while. It was clear he had a destination in mind and it seemed they had limited time in which to reach it. When the younger male spoke, Ragnvard didn't look back, but after a moment he did reply. "Almost. You will be ambushing a rogue. Iwon't be involved. Though I will be watching. This is to improve your one to one battle tecnique. Fighting as a group is all well and good, but every reaver needs to be able to function solo as well. When we get back to the pride we will go over your fight and assess what needs changing."

It wasn't usual for Ragnvard to explain himself, but this time he wanted Tollak totally focuse don his task, and not worrying about what his Captain was or was not doing.

CaliWolfe

 

[CaliWolfe]

Right... Of course. He was going rogue-thrall-catching. Or whatever you called it. He'd say ambushing like before but was just plain old ambush good enough of a word for this? Solo-fighting was really what it was mainly about. To improve his clearly crummy skills as a solo-fighter.

Tch. He wasn't horrible at solo-fighting. Why if he was horrible he wouldn't have the guts to call himself a true reaver, he just wasn't perfect at it was all. He just had underestimated his opponent in his match because of this imperfection. That's why he lost.

Yet something told Tollak imperfect wasn't good enough in the eyes of his captain and the feeling of his loss started to gnaw at him again...

As he walked Tollak lightly shook his mane to clear it of any bugs that were crawling under all that fur making his skin itchy. "Alright, that's good then." He said as his reply. He was honestly tempted to brag about how well he'd do but bit his tongue and resist lest he risk annoying Ragnvard altogether. "I'll get to picking a fight then with the first person we see." He gave a weak, feeble laugh.

Tanakako

sorry for taking so long with this!

 

[Tanakako]

Rolling his eyes at his protege's remark he didn't stop walking. "No." He replied, keeping in the sigh of frustration that wanted out so bad it made his throat burn. He knew Tollak knew how to catch a thrall, but it seemed the young lion was insisting on treating this like a practice, when in actual fact Ragnvard was deadly serious. They were going out to find a real rogue and catch it. And He wasn't going to help even if Tollak got into difficulties. Not least until it became extremely life threatening. Shaking out his mane he glanced back at the male behind him. Tollak was mroe than capable, if he applied himself. That was the thing that Ragnvard had to sort out in the youngster.

Up ahead a blue shape was just visible, resting in the shade of a sun-blasted baobao tree.

CaliWolfe

Clearly I suck. DX -solate-

 

[CaliWolfe]

Detecting that it was evidently clear how annoyed Ragnvard was becoming Tollak dropped the idea of any further conversation. Which worked quite well actually, because if his eyes were working as well as they always had up ahead was a creature of some sort.

Under any other circumstances Tollak would have grinned at the rise of his new challenge but the only emotions the reaver felt right now were all tied to nervousness. Maybe the weight of the situation had finally sunk in, or he was just worried he'd slip up and say something to make his Captain pissed off enough at him to seriously intend to injure him in some way.

Either way he didn't quite have his normal spunk at the moment. Which was a fact that bothered him more then his nerves.

How was he going to go about this? He wasn't exactly good at the whole talking charade when addressing someone he intended to force into servitude... Maybe he'd sneak up on the potential-thrall! Yes, there was an idea!

Tanakako

 

[Tanakako]

As the blue shape in the distance slowly resolved into the figure of a strange feline, Ragnvard glanced at his protage once more. The uncertain expression on Tollak's face made him roll his eyes again, puffing out a breath as he attempted to retain what patience he still possessed. It wasn't that Tollak was a particularly difficult student, but rather that the young lion showed such promise, if only he could focus and concentate long enough to get the job done. Shaking his great shaggy mane he gave Tollak a direct and pointed stare.

"Go on then..."


Jaska yawned widely as he rose to his paws, giving a lazy shake to rid his azure coat of the fine dust that seemed to constantly cover him any time he settled down to rest. He had found this large baobao tree the day before, and as luck would have it, a brace of desert hares too. Having killed and eaten them he had retreated to the shade of the ancient tree and settled down for the night. Today he planned on exploring this area before moving on. And then later, he would hunt, if there was the oppertunity.

Yawning again he turned and rubbed his flank up against the rugh bark. Damned dust...

CaliWolfe

 

[CaliWolfe]

Tollak slouched closer to the ground as the duo waded closer to a stop. He glanced over his shoulder in time to see Ragnvard staring at him, and give him the single command Tollak had spent the last five seconds dreading.

He still hadn’t come up with “The Best Plan Ever” in order to successfully capture the thrall, which Tollak supposed was okay. It just meant he needed to improvise on the spot, which he was less than good at.

’Whatever’ he thought to himself in an attempt to get back some of his normal uncaring attitude. It… Worked to some extent. He felt better now at any rate, less like a cub about to piss himself and more like the reaver he actually was.

Due to his large size and general clumsiness Tollak ruled out sneaking up on his target as an option almost immediately. Though he still kept his slouching posture in an attempt to get as close as he could without being spotted. When the animal spotted him he straightened up, making confident strides as he neared the other hastily.

Tanakako

'bout time I respond to this one too >>

 

[Tanakako]

Watching Tollak move forwards, the Captain sat down where he stood. After all, he would not be taking part in this capture, not unless Tollak got himself into real difficulties, and this rogue proved to be an exceptional fighter, something Ragnvard seriously doubted considering the foolish thing still wasn't even aware of them, despite how close they were. Shrugging he set about cleaning the dirt from between his paws, this could be a long wait...


Having scratched the itch that constantly plagued him, the hybrid stood up straight and looked around. Something was coming... two somethings actually. One seemed to be keeping still while the other moved. They were too far for Jaska to make out who they were, or what they wanted. Instead he stood and waited as one of them slowly grew larger, coming closer obviously. The one heading towards him weemed to want to meet him, for what he could now see was a grey male lion, was moving at a fast walk. Grinning Jaska curled his tail in a friendly manner.

"Hello there!" He called out in welcome.

CaliWolfe

My turn!
We can make the fight shorter by just rolling for the end result if you like? Jaska doesn't need five posts.

 

[CaliWolfe]

Tollak briefly considered answering the, uh, animal-creature. He had actually made up his mind he wasn’t going to when he opened his mouth to reply. Opps.

“You. You’re coming with me.” He managed to sound convincingly intimidating.

As soon as Tollak got as close as he wanted to be he issued a low growl and broke into a jog, fully intending to pounce on the hybrid as soon as he was able to.

Tanakako

sounds good to me!

 

[Tanakako]

The reply startled him, making him step back, eyes going wide. "What?" He asked, tone somewhat stunned. Jaska wasn't a violent feline by nature, he was typically happy-go-lucky and was always more than pleased to see a new face, for they often brought stories and interesting news. But this one seemed hostile...

As such, when the grey male suddenly sprang forwards, Jaska let out a sharp and very non-preditor-like squeek of shock and backpeddeled as fast as he could. Scrambling around in an effort to move away from the two strangers faster he gasped back over his shoulder. "Why?! What have I done?!"

CaliWolfe

LOL Looks lIke Tollak has himself a thrall. XD

 

[CaliWolfe]

The gray lion snarled, but not with the intent of scaring Jaska, that part was just a bonus. He was mostly snarling because he had thought he was a pouncer then that! Sure he’d have the opportunity to try again in the future no doubt. But during a different day, chasing a different thrall. But he was reminded this wasn’t just some practice lesson, that he wouldn’t get a do-over if the blue creature managed to escape.

With this on his mind, Tollak surged to pursue his prey before it got too far from his reach. He stood and no sooner than he had, he ran three feet and then leaped on top of Jaska with the majority of his weight. He aimed to keep the smaller creature from running.

Tollak paused to actually provide his quarry with an answer. He considered himself being somewhat kind in doing so. He was giving justification, a reason for this otherwise seemingly random attack. Maybe doing such would make his thrall-to-be a little more compliant. “Because this is Stormborn territory now.” He said with the slightest hint of pride in his tone. “Everything in it belongs to me- er, us. Including you.”

Tanakako

Tollak has some interesting thrall-wrangling tactics. xDD

 

[Tanakako]

The sudden and savage snarl made the fur along Jaska's spine stand on end. With yet another undignified squeal he flung himself forwards in a desperate effort to get away form his attacker. But just as he managed to get a good grip on the ground and put on a burst of speed, he was suddenly driven to the ground by the force of something heavy landing bodily atop him. His legs went out under the combined weight and he hit the ground with an explosion of air, the breath driven forcefully from his lungs. Wheezing and gasping he struggled and twisted under the attacking lion, feebly clawing at the dirt in an effort to squirm out from under the stranger.

The explanation very nearly fell on deaf ears, but Jaska still had enough sense left in his head to twist round and stare up at the stranger with a mix of shock and fear. "Wha... me? But.. but! I didn't know that! You can have it, I'll go far far away! I promise!" He wailed, still squirming, even though it was obvious he wasn't going to get free if the lion didn't want him to.

CaliWolfe

God damn gaia! I never got an alert!
XD Tollak is greatly amusing! haha, well, its one way to catch himself a thrall. Not sure what Ragnvard will say about his attempt though. lol
Will Tollak keep Jaska for himself, or take him back to be a pride-thrall?