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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 2, 2015 9:38:18 GMT -6
Not visible to the mundanes around, Baptiste has offered more than just his hand. A subtle cool feeling is both radiating and not radiating from where his hand is extended. A cool feeling not unlike the pleasant feeling of feet coming to rest on sturdy wet river rocks unmoving in the stream.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 2, 2015 17:22:56 GMT -6
Express stepped out of the two circles, grasping the old goblin's hand with both of hers after seeing a slight aura emanating off it. "Father Baptiste? I've yet to serve with a priest but I'm certain you're a fine one." She said, looking up at the goblin with a polite smile. Express wasn't a very good socialite, what with having only other silent soldiers and the occasional servant in her household as the only companions she had ever known. Still, she was trying to be polite.
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 3, 2015 2:36:52 GMT -6
Father Baptiste grins at Action, revealing a single thin band of gold around one of his tusks. He pulls action in for a hug, holding her gently against his chest until she pushes backwards. He lets his magic wash over you cool and smooth. He gently tugs the snarls in your aura loose and lets his energy buoy you up where yours is rough or overworn. "Where do you get off talking to me like I was some kind of human, eh?" He says while gently ruffling Action's hair. "We are all one stone, child. One tree, one sky, one souldier. Where one stands, we all stand, where one falls, we all have lost. Now come on, let's get you over to play with those toys you've been drooling over."
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 3, 2015 4:19:18 GMT -6
Baptiste leads Action over to where the weapons are racked and grabs one at random. "Here, try this." He says, handing Action a mid sized crossbow, which of course makes the crowd of soldiers who haven't broken off to do their own morning exercises instantly complain, many of them saying that the crossbow is much to large for such a dainty little human girl. Baptiste just steps back and pats Action's shoulder, looking smug. When Baptiste touches your shoulder you feel him leave a hint of something there. On mental examination, it seems to be access to a pool of that deliciously cool energy.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 3, 2015 4:28:12 GMT -6
Express's eyes widened as she grabbed the weapon, grinning delightedly as she felt the weapon's grip. She aimed the weapon into the trees before deciding to try and cock the weapon, keyword being 'try'. "Huppp... grr... RAAAAH! Dammit... I can't pull it." Express pouted, glancing at one of the boys nearby. Despite having a new reserve of energy, she still had trouble pulling the crossbow string back.
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 5, 2015 9:09:38 GMT -6
A tall woman in white robes with delicate hands and a pristine white blindfold take a crossbow out of the stack, walks through the crowd of people arguing and takes the first crossbow from Action, placing the second, slightly smaller cross bow into actions hands at the right angle, she pulls a tool out of the side of the crossbow and points the tool at the string. "Pull there, with this." she says the local language with the clearly enunciated tones that marks her as someone with a university education. She reaches behind Action with a hand and says to Baptiste, "And don't you go distracting her." As she waves her hand the distracting buzzings in your magic clear out. A quick inspection proves that the well is still there, just all the... 'humidity' or 'steam' if you will from having an open source nearby has been cleared.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 5, 2015 9:22:56 GMT -6
Express was silent as she obeyed the instructions, pulling the string back and loading a bolt into it, taking aim at the ground. "Any proper targets, Father?" She asked, skipping Baptiste as she was eager to fire the rifle-like weapon in her hand.
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 5, 2015 17:00:10 GMT -6
The tall brown skinned goblin drops his face into his palm with an audible smack. "Minions!" be barks at full parade ground volume. "Targets!" Full half of the crowd breaks off and goes back to setting up the practice field, most of which seems to involve rolling targets out onto the field at this point. An assortment of acceptable targets are supplied, at incrementally larger distances, and equally smaller sizes. Most of the rest of the crowd wanders off and stands on their own lines, calling as they begin their own drills. Leaving only a small handful of people on hand.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 5, 2015 17:19:46 GMT -6
Express waited till everyone had cleared out, breathing slowly to focus on a target, her arms relaxed just a bit right before stiffening up and keeping the lock as she pulled the trigger. The bolt flew pretty slowly for a crossbow bolt, landing in the target's lower half without much 'oomph'. "Hmm, looks a little low." Express mumbled, reloading the crossbow.
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 6, 2015 6:31:25 GMT -6
When you lift the crossbow again the tall brown commander gently taps your shoulder, then nudges your elbows and feet until you move into a better shooting stance. "Keep going until you can hit the targets with your eyes closed with and without your powers, or until the army runs out of bolts. Then try a different weapon. If you need me, I'll be doing the boring stuff." He says with a twinkle in his eyes before turning away, "Sargent, stay with her, make sure she's safe." That could refer to you if you wanted it too. "You two, come with me." The officers and the mages leave the scene.
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Post by bitingback on Jul 6, 2015 12:45:49 GMT -6
The Sargent, as it turns out the woman in white is titled, nods politely at the Commander, a subtle twinkle in her eyes. "As you wish," she says agreeably. Turning her face towards Action again, her expression turns more serious. "As you heard, I'm to keep you safe. You're now my special project." A hint of a twinkle in her eyes belies the seriousness of her tone. "On the plus side, should you fail to be as safe as I'd wish, I have the ability to help you heal - though that is not recommended. Field healing is rarely pleasant." Having finished the pleasantries, she introduces herself properly, while continuing to guide Action through the proper steps and positions for shooting a crossbow safely and accurately. "My students tend to call me Sgt. Strictly when they don't think I'm listening, and Sgt. Ma'am to my face. My name is often difficult to pronounce." With that she enunciates a long series of sounds which almost sound like a name. "I'm another not-from-around-here." She chuckles lightly. Eventually, once she is reasonably certain Action isn't about to shoot herself by accident, or another on purpose, she heads off for a bit to bark directions at others doing their own training exercises. Before leaving, she calls back over her shoulder, "We eat at dark-thirty, so try not to get lost between now and then. Also, being this late, if you missed a meal earlier, there's a fella that-a-way who handles snacks." She nods again and heads off.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 6, 2015 17:16:54 GMT -6
Express blinked, her crossbow still pointed downrange after the little introduction by the Sergeant. "Well, I guess I'll just call her 'Ma'am' then." She thought before pulling the trigger, the crossbow's string having been fully-cocked this time to send a more accurate shot, slamming in the center of a target by dumb luck. She reloaded the weapon and took aim at another target, aiming a little higher since the weapon was a little weaker than the military one. She took a breath and let it out slowly to focus and fire on the target, the bolt actually hitting the circle.
"Yay!" Express cheered, grinning. Normally, she wasn't that good with these weapons, mostly because she was raised on swords and blades.
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 6, 2015 21:23:45 GMT -6
Baptiste takes that as his cue and steps forward, he helps Action not only shoot correctly, but shoot while distracted. He also gives the standard weapon safety lecture. And starts working with Action on getting the magic to go where it's directed on command, instead of just when it wants to until lunch time. ((OOC Guns should always be taken seriously, even in role play. But posting this is still shorter than me trying to fumble through the gun ethics portion of gun safety, where in I expound on how you shouldn't point at anything you're not willing to lose. 1. Always Keep The Muzzle Pointed In A Safe Direction 2. Firearms Should Be Unloaded When Not Actually In Use 3. Don't Rely On Your Gun's "Safety" 4. Be Sure Of Your Target And What's Beyond It 5. Use Correct Ammunition 6. If Your Gun Fails To Fire When The Trigger Is Pulled, Handle With Care! 7. Always Wear Eye And Ear Protection When Shooting 8. Be Sure The Barrel Is Clear Of Obstructions Before Shooting 9. Don't Alter Or Modify Your Gun, And Have Guns Serviced Regularly 10. Learn The Mechanical And Handling Characteristics Of The Firearm You Are Using Safety lecture/ooc))
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 6, 2015 21:29:42 GMT -6
Express listened and learned, following Father Baptiste's instructions to the letter. "So I charge it after I pull the trigger?" She asked, a little unclear on how her magic worked on crossbows, and other weapons.
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Post by bitingback on Jul 7, 2015 8:23:04 GMT -6
Speaking from directly behind Action, where she'd silently positioned herself at some point, Sgt Ma'am replies, "Only if you're trying to make your magic chase the bolt." She smiles a dry smile after watching for reactions. "Before. You charge it after it's ready to be fired, before firing, to ensure that you know - magically and organically - exactly where the blinker is located at the exact moment." She holds out one hand for the crossbow. "Allow me," she continues in her dry tones.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 7, 2015 8:56:42 GMT -6
Express nodded and focused, deciding to experiment with her magic against the commander's current orders, slowing her breathing and charging the bolt in the spring clip. A gentle orange glow enveloped the metal bolt and part of the string as Express took aim, firing when she lined everything up. The magically charged bolt zipped through the air, embedding all but the tip of the projectile into the target board. "Oh wow..."
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 7, 2015 15:18:13 GMT -6
Baptiste smacks Action upside the head and tips his head at the Sergeant's hand.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 8, 2015 18:41:02 GMT -6
"Owww! What was that for?" Express asked, rubbing the sore spot on her head. She reloaded the weapon, taking aim at the target downrange and firing without charging the bolt up with her magic. The bolt landing at an odd angle since she had to aim a lot higher than usual, "How's that? No magic and a bullseye." She remarked, looking at Baptiste.
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Post by bitingback on Jul 9, 2015 16:20:45 GMT -6
QItV|eLr1-201-20
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Post by bitingback on Jul 9, 2015 16:21:42 GMT -6
Sgt. Ma'am gives Baptiste a small look, one eyebrow raised. Baptiste gives her a small nod in return and takes half a step backwards. The healer then steps forward and rests one hand lightly on Actions' shoulder. "Your ears aren't working," she tells the woman softly. With those words, the Sgt. releases a small burst of magic and Actions' world goes blank.
Hours later, based upon the angle of the sunlight seen through the flap of the tent door, Action awakens on a cot. Given the looks of the items around the tent, this seems to be the field infirmary. A rustling noise can be heard from one side, where the healer is sitting, doing paperwork. After a moment, alerted perhaps by the change in the sound of Actions' breathing, she set down her stylus and turns on her stool. "Oh good. I see you're awake again." Sgt. Ma'am gives a small dry smile. "I've already personally cleaned out your ears. I imagine you'll noticed the improvement in your hearing during the next few days."
Standing, the healer approaches the cot. "When you are asked something by a commanding officer, it is generally accepted behavior to do as asked, not completely ignore the request, however gently phrased." Her voice is cool and her eyes hard as she looks at Action. "This is especially important when the person making the request is the healer in charge of you."
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 9, 2015 16:28:47 GMT -6
((OOC it should be noted that the roll was for the tiny, tiny percent chance that Action would spot that Srg. Ma'am was about to pull aggressive magic on her and somehow manage to miraculously dodge all effects of the spell. She almost spotted it.))
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 10, 2015 19:58:29 GMT -6
((I wasn't warned about this becoming dice based.))
Express groaned, looking around and regaining her senses. "S-sorry. I guess I got too caught up in that." She said as she sat up in the cot, looking at Sergeant and the healer. "Is someone outside? Sounds like footsteps." She asked, turning her head left and right to pinpoint the somewhat faint source of the noise.
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 11, 2015 18:12:26 GMT -6
((I said I'd flip coins. I meant figuratively. I decided that your character actually had a chance in heck of flinching back at the exact right second, despite Sergeant ma'am having something like ten levels and five ranks on you. The mana drain as your magic channels open back up however meant that you didn't have a chance in heck of resisting a sleep spell. Your character should know where the edge of her magic is now, though. I hope you enjoy watching them expand like the beach at low tide. *grins*))
There comes a slapping at the door flap that as somebody politely 'knocks' on the 'door' before coming in. "Pardon us ma'ams." The familiar face of one of the guards sticks into the tent. "May I come in?" Seeming to take some cue of acceptance from Sergeant Ma'am not burning his face off for the audacity of poking it into her tent uninvited he comes into the tent. "I've a message from her ladyship, Ma'ams. She says that you're invited to dinner in her tent at your convenience. Assuming of course that the new girl is awake and well, and if it pleases, uhm... The sergeant. She'll see you both in her quarters at five minutes after the dinner bugle." The guard somehow manages to nod politely at both ladies, despite having a neck so think that it looks like it shouldn't allow it, and beats a hasty retreat.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 11, 2015 18:28:05 GMT -6
Express blinked, looking at the two ladies with her. "Who's her ladyship?" She asked, looking from the door and at her commander. She swung her legs off the bed and was readying to stand up, though she remained seated out of politeness.
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Post by bitingback on Jul 13, 2015 10:45:11 GMT -6
Ok, the only two people in the tent, once that guard pulls his head out are the pair of us, Danny. Also, no animosity towards the player for what I have to act out next. You incurred the wrath of a Drill Sgt. Duck and cover, m'lad. Sgt Ma'am gives Action Express a disbelieving look. "Really? Well now, numb-nuts, evidently you also lost your memory during your little nap." She strides over, moving to stand directly in front of Action, preventing her from standing, until such time as the Sgt. steps back again. The heat of the Sgt.s' leg can be felt through her robes. "Let me give you a small reminder. About half a tents' worth of rocks, all moving under their own power, tusks out to here," she says dryly, one hand in front of her face. "Oh, and she's the one who made the decision to let you train with us, rather than just have you put down like a dog." Giving only a bare moment for Action to react, Sgt. Ma'am begins to let loose. "Now that you've had a memory booster, let me tell you a few things. I don't know what sort of panty-waisted, copper-bottomed, gutter-licking, do whatever-the-bleep you feel like doing outfit you came from, with your supposed growing up in a "Military" unit," she says, making air quotes around military. "But in this outfit, little newbies like yourself best learn fast how to follow orders, and to pay attention when given directions. You need to learn right now, what you want comes last in the chain of command. Goddess herself tells us what she wants done, the higher ups decide how we're going to get it done, orders are passed down, and at the end of the chain is You, doing what you are told, how you are told, when you are told, and not whatever the blink you feel like doing. IS THAT CLEAR!" The last bit is said barely an inch away from Action's face. "You are barely more than the scum we drain from ponds at this point. It is up to ME and MINE to ensure you become something resembling useful. If you want to live to gain enough ranks to be allowed to breath under your own command, you will Listen. You will Learn. You will Do What You Are Told, until instructed otherwise. "Your ears have been personally cleaned by my Own hands. You have No Further Excuse for Not Listening. If there is a repeat of today's performance, you will find out just how much of a Hell ON Earth we can make your time here. When I cough, you best be jumping to see if I was giving instructions. If I breathe heavily in your direction, you need to be prepared to take action. I am not up here to look pretty. I am NOT here to twiddle my thumbs and let you do anything you want. I am HERE TO KEEP YOU ALIVE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?! "Now, to find out if you're worth wasting my time on any further, you will do the following, or don't bother doing anything else but pick your grave site: You WILL find the bath tent. You WILL get yourself scrubbed. You WILL ensure your hair and face is Presentable. You WILL find the tailors tent and ensure you are in a properly pressed uniform before dinner tonight. You WILL be at the Lady's tent at a respectable time BEFORE dinner time for inspection by ME. IF you are unable to follow these directions, then I will assume that you are willfully disobedient and not worth MY time any more. ARE WE CLEAR?! Taking a half step back - not quite enough to let Action rise, Sgt. Ma'am drops her voice back to a reasonable volume. "In addition, this one time, and this one time only, I have covered for your foul-up. Rather than let the others know that you were so foolish as to ignore me, I informed them that your magic had gotten the better of you on this occasion and that you simply needed another day to recover. Do Not make me Regret giving you this chance." Only then does she step back properly, allowing Action to take action again. "You have two hours," she says briskly then turns towards her desk and the waiting paperwork again.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 13, 2015 19:31:36 GMT -6
Action Express remained frozen still, a little bit of a defensive mechanism from a childhood of having her father yell orders at her when she played war games with her brother and broke the rules. "Y-yes ma'am." Express stammered out before rushing out of the tent, looking just very slightly paler than usual. She took a while to find the bath tent, being slightly cautious and more on-edge after the earlier yelling, looking around before washing her face in a basin and washing up quickly. She stripped down to her skin and reused the basin's water, splashing it down her body and using a rough rag to scrape off the dirt that had gathered on her for the past week.
After drying off and getting re-dressed, she headed down to the Lady's tent straight after, remembering that the healer mentioned 'before dinner'. "Well it is before lunch anyways. Good enough." She thought, approaching the head's tent.
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 14, 2015 8:51:49 GMT -6
An excited voice rings out from near the wash tent. "Hey, it's the new guy!" A young washer woman is pointing at Action, when one side of the yoke tries to slip off of her shoulder. The bottom of the bucket on that side starts to glow and the woman quickly re-stabilizes the yoke. In about the time it takes her to rebalance under her burden about a half a dozen heads have poked out of tents like odd mushrooms. A chorus of cheerful voices sound out, "Hey guys, it's the new girl!" "Hey, check it out, the goblins are letting their new pet wander." "The new girl is here." "It's the new mage!" Action is confronted with nearly a dozen friendly helpful faces. "Come on, let us help you out. We'll get you all clean and pressed so that you don't have to go to dinner looking like a civi again." The crowd of humans is bundled back into the tent where tokens are offered and the entrance to a full (Goblin) sized soaking tub is unbarred after no small amount of cajoling about how Action is the goblin's pet and obviously needs to use the goblin facilities. Obviously. One of the humans pats Action on the the shoulder. "Don't worry kiddo. Once you're all clean we'll take you down to procurement and get your chits sorted out. And then you'll be able to get your own dinner, instead of needing somebody to grab it for you. Not to mention your ID." Beyond a set of steps is a little 'room' paneled off by discreet dividers inside of what seems to be the wash wagon judging from the give in the floor and the sounds of washing coming from near by. A full scale stone tub, the skin of the stone is so smooth and even that it could only have been magically created. The two foot wide deck all the way around the tub has a simple pattern of repeating river rocks smoothed to be an even layer across the top. More detail than that is hard to make out because of the clouds of steam swirling up around the tub.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 14, 2015 9:04:02 GMT -6
Express froze, trying to stammer that she had just washed up, though she was a little terrified to do so. "I... uh..." She managed to get out but let the people take her back to the bath house anyways. "Well, one basin probably isn't enough for the healer anyways..." She though, not wanting another lecture from the healer.
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Post by Gabby Silver on Jul 14, 2015 9:23:22 GMT -6
((We'll skip the bath scene, this isn't one of 'those' rpg's.)) -a few minutes later- A knock comes at the door. A quiet voice comes through the door. "Miss Action? I've got a spare uniform here for you. It should be about the right size, I think. May I come in?" On the other side of the door is the young washerwoman. She's got a stack of things in her arms, a big fluffy towel, a spare uniform, and a personal grooming kit with the little tools to shave and keep your nails clean and what not. I know what it's like to be the new girl. I don't know what it's going to take to make you feel at home here, so all I can tell you is what the boss told me when I got here. 'We run a tight ship here. And we don't pander to any nonsense. So whatever else happens out there, in here. You're safe.' Don't you mind the guys. They are just excited to have a new person around. They don't mean any harm." She offers a small smile and leaves the bundle with Action.
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Post by dannylamb456 on Jul 14, 2015 9:51:31 GMT -6
((I figured that much. Besides, I don't think it's that kind of army with zero self-control.)) "Sure... things seem a lot more than what I thought would be here. Towels? A tub? I expected worse after listening to my father's stories." Express said, "No offense meant, really. Come on in and hand me the nail pick." She added, unlocking the door and opening it for the girl.
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