Bladed Shade [Closed] (Dated)

[Johan Tercel]

Oct 31, Year 4

Two large griffons stood side by side in a spacious training room located underground. One was a thin, gaunt white griffon, with black specklimg on his neckfeathers. With several leather straps around his body, festooned with several padded pouches, their contents unknown. The other was a shorter, brown griffon, that bristled with muscle, a meter and a half long sword on his back. They awaited the pony they had requested arrive to this training session. With a heavy accent, the white griffon spoke.

"Sir, do not be nervous. She will come to test your, 'weapon', and will do it willingly." The brown griffon turned. Speaking in Griffon Sign, he told his companion;

'It is not her I am worried about. This is the first field test.'

Turning his head again to the doorway, the mute griffon waited silently, inert.

[Shady Silhouette]

A long few moments passed without any indication of the pony who was supposed to make an appearance the the meeting with the two griffons. The door slowly opened up and a thin, black and red pony slowly made her way into the room, carelessly kicking the door shut behind her before continuing on. She gave the two griffons a nod before speaking up.

"Good afternoon gentlegriffons." She said in an emotionless tone, not showing any indication of nervousness, or any other feeling for that matter. She came here to train herself, and that is what she was going to do. "Anything I should know before we begin?"

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander, the brown griffon with the large sword, gave a bow on greeting. His companion on the other hand...

"Who do you think you are! You were summoned by the Centurion Prima for a reason. And here you stand, callously disrespecting his generosity. You are going to prove yourself to him," the griffon stepped forward threateningly. "Or I will make sure you never walk on those legs again." With his heavy Kingdoms accent, it made the "greeting" all the more frightening.

Putting a hand on the white griffons shoulder, Zweihander shook his head. The signal was clear enough to the white griffon. Stepping back, he allowed his friend to go to work. Zweihander gestured the pony to follow him to the far side of the open room.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady took a few steps back as the large white griffon approached her, face unchanging despite her feelings of intimidation. She lowered her head slightly with a slight grin across her muzzle. "My apologies, sir. It won't happen again, sir." She replied, quickly changing back to her neutral expression as her head came back up. With a nod, she turned her attention of the griffon known as Zweihander and followed behind him at a short distance.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander led the pony to what appeared to be a table, with several blades evident. Written on a piece of paper was one simple word.

Choose.

The assortment of blades was fairly all encompassing. There was a triple edged dagger, that would create hard to heal wounds. There was a blade that looked more like a hypodermic needle. There was a jagged, sawtoothed blade. There was even a curved Zebrican Scimitar mixed in. A small, straight edged dagger was nestled to the side.

Putting his claw in a sweeping motion over the jumble, he gestured at the paper.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady slowly made her way over to the table with Zwei, eying every blade that was presented to her closely. Each one had its own uses, but she needed one that was simple and quick to use. "I think I'll pick that one. Simply and silent." She stated simply, pointing at the plain blade with her hoof. She had a small idea of what she was selecting the blade for, but she hadn't been given the full details of what it would be going onto. She was never one to question her superiors when she had an order.

[Johan Tercel]

Nodding his head in answer, Zweihander took the blade in his claws. Balancing it, he tested the weight. He already knew however; this was just for show. Putting the blade back on the table, he reached for some nearby boxes. Opening them, they were filled with many mechanisms, tiny gears, and springs, all obviously griffon made.

Selecting several odds and ends, he clicked his beak in the direction of his companion, the white griffon. Moving to a side room, he came out moments later bearing a mess of leather straps, attached with studs and buckles, which to the leather was affixed a metal brace, that looked like it would fit around the foreleg of a pony, or with a large resizing, the forearm of a griffon.
Taking the leather from the white griffon, Zweihander turned back to his table.

With the skill of a hobbyist, Zweihander began putting together the device. Quick as one could blink, the blade was attached with several springs and mechanisms to the brace, that remained fairly small. Holding it out to the pony, he mimed putting it onto his forearm, and then pointed at her leg.

"He wants to know if he can put it on, and to show you how it works." The white griffon finally piped up after his long period of silence.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady remained silent after making her decision on the blade type she would use for her weapon. Watching the two griffons while they collected the necessary parts and pieces for whatever they were making, she could only think about what her gift could possibly do. She was snapped out of her focus as the white griffon spoke to her, glancing over at Zwei and nodding her head lightly. "Yes please, sir." She replied while lifting her leg up for the griffon.

She was too excited to be impatient with the process of having the weapon placed onto her, even if her emotionless expression hid the feeling perfectly. "It will be an honor to be the first to test this device for you, sir."

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander nodded once in polite acknowledgement, then gave a broad, friendly smile to reassure the pony that he wouldn't eat her. Taking the mess of straps, he affixed it to what he assumed was her dominant leg, the right. With a large pull, it was attached snugly. Going around her shoulders and underbelly, it kept the thin metal brace attached to her foreleg. On the underside of the brace was a small device, that appeared to hold the blade.

Tightening several screws, he appeared satisfied with how the weapon appeared. Smiling proudly, he awaited her reaction.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady nodded at Zwei while waiting patiently for the strange device to be affixed to her. Relaxing her body while the straps wrapped around her foreleg and torso, she didn't fight anything that was being place around her. Once everything was done and attached to her, she took a few steps around to see if it would restrict her movement and gave a small nod when it didn't.

"This is a marvelous device, sir." She said, turning back to Zwei and bowing her head slightly. "I can hardly wait to test this."

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander nodded at his companion. As the white griffons retreated to a back room, Zweihander outstretched his arm. On it was a similar device, but made slightly larger to support a griffon forearm. Kneeling down, he began punching the ground lightly, three times. Holding his left claw up, he extended three talons. Bringing his right arm up, he thrust forward, almost like punch. Fast as lightning, a thin, rapier-like blade was extended. Giving a few swings to show that it would stay out, he lifted his arm into the air, almost in ceremonial salute. Giving a quick rap to the side of the device, the blade collapsed back into the device, safely hidden once more. Gesturing to the mare, he mimed a fencers position, pointing at her.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady hummed to herself as she observed the large griffon's movements, taking them in with focus eyes and with her full attention. She bowed her head once more and did her best to mimic Zweihander's movements, stamping her hoof three times before bringing it up and slashing the air with the newly extended blade before holding her leg up in a similar fashion to how Zwei had held up his arm. She rapped the side of her device to retract the blade after a moment and placed her leg back down on the floor.

"This should be a fine weapon, a real fine weapon indeed." She said with a wide grin on her face. "I thank you, sir."

[Johan Tercel]

Waving his finger in an overly exaggerated fashion, Zweihander clicked his beak loudly. From the doorway that his friend had disappeared into, came the sound of growling...

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady rose a brow at the gesture Zweihander had made. The mare froze in place the second the growling rang up from behind the door. She slowly turned around with shaky movements as her emotionless expression finally broke for the first time since entering the room. "With all due respect, sir. Just what kind of training as doing to happen today?" She asked in a worried tone, keeping her full attention on the door while preparing to use her knife once needed.

[Johan Tercel]

As the mare said this, Zweihander cracked his neck, and his claws. Smiling reassuringly at her, he punched the wall three times, and extended the blade. Getting into a practiced fencers position, he looked up at his companion.

Several scratches marred his white coat, and several straps of his battle harness were torn. Giving Zweihander the evil eye, he talked to the brown griffon.

"Next time you want to teach a filly to fight, don't use a Timberwolf sir." Zweihander merely let out a hollow breath that sounded like a chuckle. Focusing on the mare, he pointed at his blade, pantomiming the action to activate it. As he did this, a pair of glowing yellow eyes could be seen in the confines of the doorway.

[Shady Silhouette]

A timber wolf? Shady had heard about those beasts of the Everfree Forest before, but this would be the first time she would be seeing one with her own eyes. Stamping her hoof three times, she let her blade escape its confines before taking the best fighting stance she could with her inexperience. "Alright. I'm ready, sir." She said, keeping her eyes focused on the two in the doorway while mentally preparing herself for what was going to be happening. She was scared, but she was ready.

[Johan Tercel]

Noticing that Shady was very nervous, Zweihander moved over to Shady, and put a claw on her reassuringly. Moving back into position, he clicked his beak and dragged his rapier on the ground, attempting to goad the beast out.

"Watch Zweihander young filly, and observe how he fights. He created a brand new fighting style for that blade." The white griffon hovered overhead. "You will have your first true kill today."

The Timberwolf fell for the bait. Launching itself at the brown griffon, Zwei opted to take the beast head-on. Propelling himself at the monster, he thrust with the sword...

Only for the monster to hit him in the side with its body. Collapsing in a jumble of limbs, the two creatures proceeded to exchange blows.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady glanced back at Zweihander placed his claw on her shoulder, giving him a nod after the reassurance she was given. Glancing up at the white griffon above her, the mare gave another nod.

"I will do my best, sir." She replied, taking a few steps backwards away from the scene of the battle between griffon and wolf. She kept her eyes trained on Zweihander more than the wolf since she was studying his fighting technique. Quick, short movements... Agility is definitely something needed. And it's something I'm great at. She thought to herself while watching the fight with a grin.

[Johan Tercel]

Kicking the Tomberwolf off his body, Zweihander groggily stood up. Quickly regaining focus, he went into a fencers stance again. This time, when the wolf pounced he sidestepped the beast, and gave it a jab with the rapier. Not piercing the bark too far, it still hurt the beast. Roaring in anger, it gave Zweihander a swipe with its claw quickly. Getting the claws strike firmly on his right leg, he hissed in pain. Giving it a quick slash with the rapier to give him some breathing room, he cocked his head at his companion.

"The Centurion wants you to join now. While he keeps it occupied, go for the base of the skull, on
the neck. It's a quick, clean kill." The white griffon looked at the mare expectantly.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady didn't flinch at the slightest while watching the battle with the wolf, not even when Zweihander received the slashes from the beast. She kept her stance ready for anything while watching the griffon fight, perking up her stance a bit once the gesture was made towards her.

Glancing back at the white griffon while he spoke to her, she gave a quick nod and turned her attention back to the wolf. Waiting for her opening carefully, the pony quickly ran towards the two combatants. She took a quick jab at the wolf's torso in hopes of throwing it off, bringing her hoof up afterwords to stab the blade at the important area she had been instructed to, hoping she would hit her first try, but wasn't too confidant in herself.

[Johan Tercel]

The Timberwolf took the hit to the torso, springing back in alarm. The blade missed just by a hair, leaving a broad cut, but not finishing the beast off. Growling, it turned its attention to the Earth pony. Springing forwards, it opened its fang-filled mouth to clamp upon the mare.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady gained a grin across her muzzle as the sound of her blade sinking into the timber wolf reached her ears. Quickly pulling her leg back once her second strike was completed, the mare was forced to quickly hop to the side in an attempt at dodging the jaws of the beast in front of her. She could feel the wolf's breath as a gauge on just how close she had been to being pierced by the sharp teeth.

Taking a few steps back, she lowered herself slightly while taking a defensive, yet aggressive stance. She kept her eyes focused on the creature in front of her, studying its movements while waiting for an opening.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander stepped back, allowing the mare to fight.

As Shady stepped back, the wolf gave no quarter. Keeping the mare firmly in front, it made several swipes with it's large, razor sharp claws. With it's bark-like hide, it would be unlikely the mare could seize any opening, unless she managed to punch through the tough, frontal hide.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady hopped to the side slightly to avoid the sharp claws that came at her, taking a slight scratch to her left foreleg. Nothing that should slow her down any, even if it was far from painless. Shaking off the slight hit, she quickly jabbed her weapon towards the beast's chest once she found her opening; pulling her leg back and quickly backing up to keep some room between her and the wolf, quickly picking up her own battle style as she improvised.

[Johan Tercel]

The wolf slinked back, wounded. Keeping the mare at a fair distance, it paced, right, then left, then right again, repeating the process over, and over, again. As the tension built, the two griffons present watched with patience.

Zweihander had the look of someone who had found a fellow hobbyist, or one who had made a new friend. His compatriot, however, was far from amused. The look on his face suggested boredom, but one glance at his eyes would tell the viewer exactly what he thought. He wanted to see blood, and he didn't care where the source was, wolf or mare, so long as it wasn't griffon.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady kept her eyes on the timberwolf while lowering herself closer to the ground. She was preparing herself, eying the beast for an opening to could exploit. Without warning, the mare suddenly launched forward on her hooves towards her foe, thrusting her blade towards the animal's shoulder in an attempt to pierce the beast and damage its ability to move around quickly.

Hit or miss, the mare would jump backwards to try to avoid any retaliation, keeping her eyes trained on the wold to see if her attack had been successful.

[Johan Tercel]

Yelping with pain as the blade sunk into its shoulder, the Timberwolf snapped for the mares side with it's jaws. In an attempt to follow the age-old mantra of "eye for an eye", it unknowingly attempted to do the same thing as the mare; hamper movement.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady grinned as she felt her blade sink into the wolf in front of her, jumping away from the revenge strike that came at her, able to feel the beast's breath from the near-miss. The mare quickly bounded back again, keeping her movements fluid and light while she slowly fell into the rhythm of battle.

She continually bobbed her body slightly while in her place, wanting to keep the wolf wary of any coming attacks. Slowly narrowing her eyes, she suddenly shot her body forward again, quickly jabbing her weapon hoof towards the animal yet again.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander saw the Timberwolf attempt to dodge, and saw the mare's strike contact... her aim was immaculate this time. Hitting the monster in the neck, the Timberwolf yelped in grievous pain.

"Finish the beast, mare, and let's be done with it." Zweihanders companion complained. The bored tone in his voice suggested that he had found the whole thing dull. Zweihander knew for a fact, however, that he had watched with keen interest. The weapon had performed marvelously so far; the finished product would be to die for. Well, the wolf was dying for it, anyway.

Nodding his head in agreeance with his companion, Zweihander mimed slitting the throat with a thumb.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady grinned as she slowly pulled the knife from the wolf's throat once it fell to the floor. Glancing towards the griffons upon hearing the words from the much more vocal griffon, she spotted the order she was given by Zwei. She gave them both a quick nod before looking down at the wounded animal, a devilish grin appearing across her muzzle as she lifted up her right leg. Without so much as the sound of a breath, she swung the blade, leaving a deep cup against the wolf's throat like she had been ordered. Unflinching, she retracted her blade and turned towards her advisers before standing up straight to wait for and comments they may have for her.

[Johan Tercel]

"Good job mare. But I don't think the Prima meant literally slit it's throat." the white griffon pointed at the Timberwolf. "You just caused her more pain. Put it out of it's misery... cleanly."

Zweihander stood there pensively. The poison he had been feeding the Timberwolf for the last three days had definitely weakened the monster, and shut down its natural healing. He had no feelings about what he did. It was an animal for training purposes only. And its job was done marvelously.

Zweihander gazed back on the mare and monster, and waited to see what she would do.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady didn't say anything in response to the comment on her taking the sign a bit too literally, turning back towards the timberwolf and stamping her hoof three times to make the blade of her weapon spring out of its resting place one more. Without a single word, she thrust her dagger at the creature's chest with all her strength, making sure to aim for its heart. She held the blade inside the animal for a few moments before slowly pulling it out as it stopped moving. She let her blade retract back before turning to the two griffons once more, giving a nod while remaining silent and stone-faced.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander nodded once in approval, and motioned for the mare to approach. He had something to show her, and the white griffon would clean up the carcass of the monster whilst Zweihander and Shady exited, leaving them to "talk".

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady smirked as she seemed to gain the approval of her leaders, nodding once before approaching Zwei. She remained silent while following the large griffon out of the room, flicking her tail behind her every so often while she walked along, the action subtly revealing her hidden joy of passing the test. She didn't want to reveal such an emotion to her superiors in such a situation after all.

[Johan Tercel]

With soft padding steps, Zweihander plodded on all fours down the well lit hallway. As he led the mare to a side corridor, the griffon glanced back to check if they were being followed. Satisfied by the lack of griffons, he shifted his movement to a door, and swiftly opened it. Revealing a dark room, Zweihander swiftly and firmly attempted to push the mare in. If she was compliant, she would find his push was forceful, but not violent. He merely wanted her to hurry inside.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady was taken off-guard by the shove, but didn't do anything to resist or retaliate as she stumbled into the dark room. "What was that for, may I ask sir?" She asked, straightening out her posture after composing herself, unable to see anything in the room too well and simply keeping her eyes on the griffon in the doorway.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander quickly closed the door behind him, submerging the room in darkness for a brief second. Then with a small "click", the room was bathed in light from no visible source. It appeared they were I some sort of storage room or the like, judging by the crates and chests stacked up as high as possible.Quickly plodding between two very large crates, Zweihander extended a claw to get the mare to stop. He would continue alone from here for a brief while.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady raised a brow once she saw just where they were. She was about to ask Zwei about why they were in a storage room, but quieted herself once the claw was extended. Staying still, she simply yawned and used a hoof to fix her mane that had gotten messy during the fight with the timberwolf,

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander turned a corner, getting out of the mares sight. Satisfied now that he was completely alone, he began searching for the object he came here for.

Blast and damn...where in Tartarus did I put that box... ah! Here we go. Zweihander smiled in triump, and took a small, nondescript metal box from a shelf. It was entirely uniform in color, an unpainted steel gray. It had no visible hinges, and almost nothing marred it's surface except for a single keyhole, tiny as a pinprick. Walking back to the area which Shady stood with the box under his arm, he turned the corner once more.

Reaching the mare, Zweihander held out the box for her to grab.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady let a bored yawn escape her while she impatiently waited for Zwei to return with whatever it was that he was getting, setting her rump down on the floor to give her legs a short rest.Spotting the griffon's form making its return, she quickly stood back up and straightened her posture.

Her boss had a...box. That was what was supposedly so important to rush in here and lock themselves inside. Shaking off the initial confusion, she took the box and gave Zwei a nod. "Thank you sir. But, what in the hay makes this thing so important?" She asked, looking the strange box over.

[Johan Tercel]

Nine gates of Tartarus mare, can't you not be curious while I get this thing open? Zweihander thought sourly. Placing it on a nearby shelf, he palmed a key hidden in his harness a few seconds ago. Opening his beak slightly in concentration and bringing the minute sliver, notched and warped just so in all the right places, up, he put the "key" inside. After several seconds, the box began informing itself like a complex puzzle, revealing, in fact, that it was a collection of interlocked plates so finely pieced together it appeared solid.

What was in the box...was a map. Rolling it up, he turned to the mare, and gave it and the key wordlessly to her.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady watched the griffon with a raised brow, the not-box intriguing her quite a bit. She took the key and map, giving Zwei a light nod before opening up the map to find a spot on it was marked. "...What?" She asked bluntly, looking up at Zwei with a bemused expression. "If you're going to send me on a treasure hunt, can you at least tell me what's there?"

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander sighed at the mare's blunt attitude. It would appear he had to show her what was in the next drop. He mimed the weapon he had tested with her, and extended a talon to signify "1". Then he mimed a sheet, or cloak pulled over his back and head, and extended two talons. Three talons extended, he pointed at the map. Finally, after this game of charades, he pulled out a single gold bit, and extended all 4 talons, signifying that there was a total of 4 objects in the next box. He hoped she understood loud and clear, because he was not doing that again.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady watched the miming act with a slightly dull expression on her face, but nodded once it seemed to be over. "There's four objects waiting for me at the spot marked: a weapon, a cloak, another map, and money?" She asked simply, hoping she got it right so she wouldn't have to sit through another round of charades again. "I will find this location. I don't understand why I have to go hunting for it, but these are your orders, sir."

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander wagged a talon, and held out his claw for her weapon, which was still attached to the mare's foreleg. He had some calibrations left to complete before it was ready, as well as the fact he didn't want it out in the city "just" yet. It was dangerous technology in the wrong hands, to be sure. Luckily, he trusted Shady Silheouette to not get herself killed, or her cover blown. The blade was in safe hooves.

But first he had to get it back...

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady watched the griffon starting to mime again, her attention getting drawn down to the weapon she still wore on her leg. She had gotten used to wearing it and almost forgot it was still there. Giving a nod, she began to undo the straps, letting it fall off her leg before she picked it up and hoofed it over to Zwei. She didn't quite understand why he wanted it back, but she wouldn't deny the orders of her superior.

[Johan Tercel]

Giving a small smile, the brown griffon walked smartly on all fours to the door, giving it a push. Revealing the concrete corridor, he extended an arm to the mare, inviting her to exit the room. He had thrown the weapon and its straps over his shoulder temporarily while he did this; the workshop was only a short walk away, after all.

[Shady Silhouette]

Shady nodded and swiftly trotted after the griffon, grinning lightly as she quietly waited to see where he was going to be taking her next. This day was really starting to be an interesting on; fighting a timberwolf and winning, getting a map to a trove of equipment, and now wherever Zwei was going to be taking her now. Hopefully it would be able to keep up with the pace of the day, she wouldn't like being bored.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander groaned inwardly as the mare passed, closing the door. It would appear that she was still in the mood to wander. Well, he saw no harm in giving her a free meal, and a little walk while he was at it...

Pets need to be exercised, after all! He joked to himself inwardly. Of course, he didn't believe that. This mare was definitely a soldier to him, and soldiers under him stayed alive and were treated as equals. What was the point of the racial separations in his nation? Troops were troops.

Bah, on a tangent again... he thought. It was time to lead the mare to the mess, regardless. Walking down the hallway, he tilted his head for her to follow.

[Shady Silhouette]

Finally, a griffon who doesn't make me want to kill them. Shady thought to herself while following Zwei through the building. She simply opted not to question his intentions, knowing her current boss would show her what to do in time. As a quiet hung in the air around them, she eventually spoke up. "Where are we going now, sir?" She asked, pretending to care about what he had to 'say'.

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