Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline pauses a moment. "I'm... not sure what you're asking?"

[Carver Amell]

"I mean, what's different about different styles and all?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Well... for instance, I follow the same style as my mentor- what's often called 'sword and board.' Longsword and a heavy shield, specifically. It's very defensive, as is the rest of my combat style. Lots of patience, of being a wall, a, well, shield, that locks up attacks to prevent them from attacking anyone else. I also made a study of disarming my opponents, given that most of the time I'm fighting someone that's drunk or upset, not someone that's fighting with lethal intent." Aveline clears her throat, wishing she hadn't given him the water. "I don't dodge much, instead relying on my shield, my armour and Vangal's grace to protect me. Even more than most paladins or Vangalites, I utilize my shield, even more than my armour. On the other hand, Andy seems to have finally settled on a spear and chainmail. A lot more dodging, a focus on range and trips. He's a lot more mobile than me, but less... durable, I suppose."

[Carver Amell]

Carver, on the other hand, takes the opportunity given by her speech to chug some of the water himself. "Okay. What should I learn?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Well... the best way to figure that out..." She gestures at the sparring mat. "Is to try each weapon group. That takes time, however. At least an hour for each type and more than once at that. Enough time that I won't be able to do it myself. And from what I hear, you've... had some issues with making it to training already."

[Carver Amell]

He winces. "Recruit Dufrane hates me," he mutter. "Good riddance to him."

[Tethras Clan]

"Private za'Frane actually. Got his promotion last week," Aveline says with some pride, though she's frowning at the rest of Carver's reply. "I... did notice that he seemed upset recently, shorting after I asked him to speak with you about your training. He said you had declined assistance and then went quiet on the matter. I gather there's more to it than that?"

[Carver Amell]

He shakes his head in frustration. "That's the worst of it. Demons burn down my whole town, kill my sister, and I'm supposed to, I don't know, just be fine with demonbloods? Just ignore the fact that he's unnatural and maybe even evil and too damn pretty to be a man?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Yes," Aveline says bluntly. "Demons burnt down your town. My-" She inhales sharply. "A human killed my fiance. Should I get to hate all humanbloods because of it?"

[Carver Amell]

"If humans were literally made of evil, maybe."

[Tethras Clan]

"Really? Even his parents? Even myself? Even newborns and saints? I should hate every humanblood because of what some of them do?" Aveline's eyes narrow. "Andy has a soul. He's not 'made of evil' or anything like that."

[Carver Amell]

"How do you come from evil and not be evil yourself?" he asks, sighing. 

[Tethras Clan]

"But he didn't come from evil. He was raised in a Ciren orphanage, here in Nyra. He's actually a devout Astean," Aveline replies cooly. "Whatever his blood, he was raised well and took the chance that gave him to lead a good life, much to his credit."

[Carver Amell]

"I guess." Carver doesn't sound sure, not at all, but as he toys with the strap on the water bottle, he seems unwilling to talk further about it.

[Tethras Clan]

"How much do you know about tieflings?" Aveline asks, evidently not caring that he wants to change the topic.