Let's Get Down to Business! (Jarven Zexxel)

[Puppet Kyrios]

Asteria paced back in forth in a Naboo-like courtyard on the Libertalia, the huge space station/casino/luxury resort she'd called home since the beginning and end of the Nova-Valhalla Federation and all through the Red Ravens. She had taken on a swordsman apprentice by the name of [member="Jarven Zexxel"], and was most eager to begin training at once, sending him the coordinates of their meeting place and the time she wanted him to meet her.

She now waited patiently for him, wearing an outfit suited for fighting. Asteria looked pregnant now, and hoped the apprentice wouldn't go easy on her just because of that. The last thing she needed was a soft apprentice. Asteria kept pacing and waiting.

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

(OOC: Oops. I didn't get the notification.)

Jarven, being busy with wedding preparations of his own, had accidentally overlooked the message for a tad too long. He finally got to the meeting point, garbed in his normal armor. He was excited to begin learning...until he noticed her belly.

She is with child?...Well, she's the one who decided to take you on as an apprentice AND she's the one who set up the meeting. I think she's okay with you sparring with her...I know...but I can't risk the little one's life. I will have to be extra careful not to harm the child.

Glancing down at her stomach, he looked up, came forth, and addressed his new teacher. "Hello. I don't believe we've met before. I'm Jarven." He extended his hand.

[member="Asteria Starcatcher"]

 

[Puppet Kyrios]

Asteria smiled as she noticed the man that would be her apprentice come in, but her mind was facepalming itself over and over.

Dang it, Asteria! He's noticed!

Asteria silenced her mind and shook Jarven's hand firmly, replying back in a light but serious tone.

"It's nice to meet you, Jarven, I'm Asteria Starcatcher, but just call me Asteria. Since you are finally here we will begin immediately."

Asteria threw Jarven a wooden sword and took a ready stance with her own.

"You have come here to learn swordplay, and swordplay I will teach you. We'll start at a beginner's level to see where you're at then we will go from that level on. Oh, and one more thing."

Asteria patted her belly.

"Don't go easy on me until I figured out how good you already are okay? And now!"

Asteria began attacking Jarven as it he were an actual enemy.

"Defend yourself, Zexxel!"

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

He caught the sword and then she attacked. I can't just---! Her sword came up, after his hesitancy and whacked his helmet. ---Attack her!!!! Jarven got a kick of propulsion out of his jet pack and he flipped over her, landing behind her back. He spun around and, using the wooden sword, he slapped her hard across the back.

Jarven gasped with shock and dropped his sword. What have I done!?! "Oh, frell! I'm so sor---" She immediately turned and went at him like a furious storm. Dodge. Jarven brought his arm plates up at slanted angles, so as to deflect the blows away from his body. He also stepped away multiple times. However, her tirade was unstoppable and Jarven wasn't so adept at the dodging techniques he had recently learned from another master.

Her blows battered his body and he kept going with it until he had finally had enough. He lifted a hand in the air and snared her fist in his larger, stronger hand. He held her hand up and said, "Stop! Just stop! I can't keep doing this! This isn't right! You're PREGNANT! I am NOT risking your child for the sake of training!"

He could tell that she was ticked off, but he knew he was doing the right thing. He'd never EVER do this to Patricia. So the fact that he had just hit someone else's pregnant bride-to-be sickened Jarven. "We don't have to do this kind of training. Surely there are other things that you can teach me about being a Raven."

[member="Asteria Starcatcher"]

 

[Puppet Kyrios]

Asteria stopped as he requested, motioning for him to sit down, looking him hard in the face, then nodded. She understood why he didn't want to hit her, so she took a different approach.

"Well done! I remember my first training; I couldn't even hit the guy and I actually lost consciousness, but you got a hit in there, so you have a slight chance against a master swordsmen. We really need to work on your blocking and dodging."

Asteria smiled at him, her features softening. He needed to work on dodging, but at least he used his technology to his advantage. She kneeled down and grabbed some rocks from the ground.

"There are other ways, and I know what you need to work on, so we can begin again, but you can use your real sword for this exercise. Stand up and take a defensive stance, please."

She hefted one of the rocks in her hand, testing its weight, then looked back at him.

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

Well, at least I won't be abusing a pregnant woman this time.

Jarven did as she said, sliding his sword out and holding it in a defensive position.

[member="Asteria Starcatcher"]