Training Grounds Introduction

Yona was content today to spend the afternoon hours with Sato, weeding out their special garden, reading a few books together, and generally playing the games children like to play. Sato loved hide and seek. Yona's small eight-year-old brother always burst with pride when he managed to hide in a place where Yona could not find him. The VP had taken him to the training grounds, a large forest really. It was a new place for him to play and Sato was thrilled to find all the new places to hide within it. Of course, Yona had made sure none of the members were around, just in case they would be practicing new spells. It was to be an afternoon of just the two of them: brother and sister like it had been so many years ago now.

Yona was dressed in casual clothing, to make it more fun for Sato given that in her all-white uniform there was no real place to hide. Yona had worn plain black pants and a gray t-shirt with brown boots. She crept around in the brush of the forest, passing by yellow and blue wildflowers and stirring up a small group of white butterflies from their resting places. "I'm going to find you, Sato..." She called out, pausing to listen for the echo of giggles. There was none and she smiled, thinking he was getting better at this game after all. Yona tiptoed around a large tree, letting her hand touch the ground. Using her magic she sensed out exactly where Sato was hiding. With a smirk, she lunged towards a nearby bush, shaking the leaves and brambles with a wild and goofy shout, "Roaaaaarrr!"

Sato howled in delight and covered his eyes. The black-haired boy crawled out of the brush and dusted himself off. His green t-shirt and tan shorts made it easier for him to hide. "That was fun," He chuckled. Suddenly he pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at his sister. He pointed a finger, his voice as grave as she had ever heard him. "Did you use your magic to find me?" Yona licked her lips and shrugged nonchalantly, "Would I do that, little brother?~" He frowned, stamping a foot on the ground. "That's cheating! We have to play again and this time you're not allowed to use your magic." Yona bent down to grab his arms and said, "But Sato, my magic is fun, come on~"

Seeing him pout, she pulled him into a tight hug. "All right, all right, you win. No magic." He perked his head right up with a devious smile, "And you have to count to a hundred..!" Yona looked down at him, arching her brows, "A hundred?" "And you also have to spin around three times with your eyes closed!" Yona started tickling him and then let him go, "You better get out of here and hide, Sato. Don't push your luck with me! I am the MasTer of FinDing LitTle SaTo!" Her sing-song voice sent him scampering off and she let out a sigh. Yona spun around in three circles and counted to herself with her eyes closed, noting that although she made for a good sister, she certainly spoiled him too much to be called a good parent.

@Raviel Rune

Raviel's steps made no sounds as the young prince's padded tabi boots stimp stomped around. The young reaper in training needed to familiarize himself with the surroundings of the West Fiore Trading Company and its spaces within Tolgalen itself. Seeing as Sol was going to be his mentor, as far as his training goes, and also seeing he needed that knowledge to study Lord Mizune and his relation to his siblings knowing the place would surely make all of this easier on him.

And so he was there, walking around the mostly deserted forest said to be training ground for the mages working for Mizune's company. He had to wonder why it was so empty. Did the mages around there not need any practice? Were they all that powerful? That was an interesting thought. Even if so, Raviel knew training was an integral part of what constitute someone's power. Through training, once can keep their senses sharp and their attacks true. By failing to prepare, one prepares to fail. That was one of the many teachings of a few wise souls once walking around in the World of the Living. It would be weird for mages not to follow their kin's own advice.

Perhaps there was a special occasion that kept mages away from the area? He was not feeling any weird or excessively dark presence around, so it was highly unlikely that something else was currently be under siege by something. It was the middle of the afternoon too, so perhaps some new kind of marked opened that required alot of people to man? Possibly. Even then, it would surely not take all of the guild to do a task such as that one either.

The young boy in greish-blue and red armor would have to wander aimlessly for a couple more minutes before something of notice would happen. He heard some sort of giggling, then some scuttling followed by counting. So someone was indeed training. From the sound of it, it seemed more than one person. Possibly two. Maybe three.

Raviel would quickly sidestep and change his current direction, walking closer to the spot where he thought the sound he had just heard was originating. What he found was a pale girl, probably not taller than Aliannah. He could not see her eyes from where he was, but he would take notice of her off hair color. It was not something he had encountered en masse during his time there. That pale green hue was surely due to either artificial coloring or some kind of special ability.

Seeing as the lady was busy counting for some reason, Raviel's unending curiosity over the world of the Living would have the void prince standing there at the far side of the clearing, observing what would happen next and if the other would take notice of his presence or not. Part of him wondered if the stip stepping he heard was also her fault or not.

"52... 53.... 54," Yona called out, taking short breaths in-between numbers. She didn't dare use her magic or open her eyes, on the chance that Sato was observing her from his hiding place. He might enact more challenging rules or she might owe him some sort of reward for the "cheating" he proclaimed the magic to be during a game of hide and go seek. She went on and on counting, perfectly still and relaxed in the training grounds. She had been sure that nobody was going to be training for at least another half hour and given its location, there was no place she felt so safe to let down her guard in this way. Not even for Sato would she let her guard down at her own small home. Though, she had spent more hours in the office and out of town on missions than in her humble abode lately. There were many new faces in the guild she didn't recognize but too many missions as well to socialize

Sato had run as far as he could and then had backtracked himself sideways until he could hear his sister's counting again. There was safety in her voice and he never desired to be away from moments like these for too long. He was wiser than any child his age should have had to be and Sato knew how precious these games with his sister were. You never knew when tragedy would strike and who might fall forever lost. Once he could hear her counting again, he impishly climbed up into a tree. He was as wild as a beast and had no issues going about it with mild quiet motions. He bear-hugged a thick branch and pulled himself across and into the next tree. From there, he could see everything, including a figure he hadn't known, was in the grounds with him and Yona.

Sato caught sight of a male in stone blue armor and boots, looking like nothing the friends Yona had made nor the guild members he had heard of. He clung to the tree and squinted down, feeling brave and protective of his older sister. In the background, Sato could hear, "71...72...73..." but he was focused on the fellow below. Sato grabbed a clutch of bark sticking out from the tree trunk, whispering an apology to the plant, and then hurled it spear-like down at the male. He declared as the piece of bark fell, "Stop where you are or else!" Sato's voice was full of the false bravado that came with being a young boy. He made himself known by standing up against the tree and putting his hands on his hips. He looked down at the male and listened for Yona, who had always come running when she heard him.

This time was no different. Yona stopped counting when she heard Sato's voice, understanding that he was pretending to be brave. She frowned and the hairs stood up on the back of her neck and arms. How had she missed another person being in the grounds? She let her magic flow to her hands and slid them along the ground, drawing out a long thorn-covered scimitar. Yona made her move quickly, dashing through the vegetation until she reached the place where she thought her brother was and came upon the new fellow as well. She looked him over, finding something oddly familiar and yet distinctly different about him. Her hands tensed on the blades as she recalled learning of how Demi had injured Ruvel, already wondering just who this person was and if they were here for trouble.

*Twink!*

A one handed katana styled sword materialized from black smoke in an instant. Raviel did not even turn towards the incoming attack. He could percieve a small life force hurling at him. Gripping the bony and raven feathered hilt of his blade, he drew his weapon in a flash. The ebony black blade would be swung in a very wide horizontal arc, trailing all the way to Raviel's back and deflecting the stick.

Raviel completed the movement of his swing to dump momentum and bring the blade back at his side by changing its direction into a twirl. Knowing that his supposed attacker was a non threat to him based on his soul force, he kept his differently colored eyes forward, directing his attention towards the large spike in magical power. Sure enough, a young woman would come out of the bushes brandishing a scimtar.

"Is this some kind of training exercise, oh acquantances mine?" He asked, sheathing his weapon. "If so, is it really wise to allow such a young soul inside a training field like this one?"

He did not want to escalate things, but he was ready to defend himself with all he had if he needed to.

Yona held her blade carefully and spoke without looking up at Sato in the tree. "Say nothing, brother." She didn't know who this person was or what danger they represented. She had thought that they were safe and alone. She had thought that she knew most if not all the faces of the guild. So who was this and why were they back here? The green haired woman was working on making an aggressive and accusatory introduction but the male sheathed his own weapon. That took her a bit by surprise and she held her's steady and still, just in case.

"Training exercise?" Yona repeated, thinking it over. Was he really asking this as a question? Had he never heard of playing hide and go seek? Or was he just trying to get her to lower her guard? She breathed in and out on a count of four and focused her self on the male. "I am Yona Hisamori, the VP of West Fiore's Trading Company. You are in the private training grounds of the company. Please identify yourself." It was a stern greeting, but full of the justice it required. Don't rely on your emotions alone was a good way for her to start. Giving her name and rank and the location they were in should settle any confusion or questions the new male had for her. Sato noted that the male put his blade away and took a seat comfortable on the branch above, dangling his little legs over the sides.

"I'm Sato!" He called down, thinking that he was helping or being polite. "We're training hard in here so you better not have come for trouble!" Yona huffed a bit hoping her brother would be quiet as she had already asked him to. She didn't need him getting them into more trouble if there was any to be found. Her green eyes went back to the unknown male and she relaxed her stance and stuck her blade into the ground. It looked less threatening from there and she didn't have another place to put it without simply turning it back into the plant life from which it was derived.

"Oh, well. I the world of the living I'm known as Raviel of WFTC. My full name, however, is Raviel Delthousin. I am Shindara's and Amuul's younger brother, as well as Sol Delthousin's mentee and Oykai's cousin." The young deathless bowed in respect.

"I came here to train, but I see the field is already occupied. Please forgive my interruction of your daily training routine, oh acquaintance mine." He added, turning his head a full 180 degrees towards the younger voice.

"Nice to meet you, oh little one. I hope your training is going well." He greeted little Sato. "I would like to suggest, however, to use a different kind of weapon if you wish to strike unseen with efficiency. I'd vouch for a light throwing knife. I doubt normal sticks can hold up to metal weaponry such as Lady Hisamori's Scimitar."

The names Shindara and Amuul struck no chord of remembrance in Yona, though it should have. She never did know exactly who or how her mind had been brutalized that very first day in Tolgalen. When he announced himself as Raviel of the Company, that she relaxed a great deal more. So he was just a new face then. With a wave her plant-blade became just an ordinary plant by her side and her ears caught the names of Sol and Oykai next. She didn't know Sol's last name but a mentee of his was good enough an example of someone who was a guild member instead of a potential threat. Had he only introduced himself of Oykai's relation, she might not have relaxed so easily. She touched the black corded necklace absently thinking of Oykai and pointed out, "Oykai doesn't exactly share his name with just anyone. I would ask you not use it so lightly. Not to mention being his cousin doesn't mean that you are going to be well received either." She shook her head gently and offered him a genuine light smile, "You're lucky I know better."

"Pleasure to meet you, Raviel. If you want to train, that is fine. We were just about finished anyway." Sato groaned from above, "Aww, Yona..." She glanced up at him and lifted a hand, "We've been here a few hours. Why don't you head home and clean yourself up." The little boy stood up and waved. "Yona won't let me use throwing knives for fun... but it's okay." He offered a huge child's wave, shaking his whole body before turning and climbing down the tree. The scampering of his feet told Yona that he was heading home as she had suggested he do. The green haired mage turned back to Raviel and added, "Sorry for my defensive behavior. Can never be too careful, but I didn't mean to go after you." She looked him up and down, "To make it up to you, perhaps I can train with you? You can hit me as many times as you like, since I kind of deserve it."

The VP laughed, "Well, that is you can try to. Training is still training and I wouldn't go easy on you. Unless you're training is too secretive for me to witness, I can respect your privacy." The woman waited patiently for Raviel to answer. It would be interesting to see what he was capable of, a relation of Oykai, a relation of Demi by extension then. Yona would be wise to learn and visualize as much as she could about the race for preparing for whatever her future had in store for her.

Raviel's gaze hardened just a moment in a more serious frown. Her reaction to Oykai's name was an odd one. She knew better? What did she knew better? Mentioning his name meant he could not be welcomed within the trading company's grounds?

"I...I apologize, oh acquaintance mine, but I would not know about my cousin's actions and whereabouts. Has he wronged you in some way to garner that hostility?" Raviel asked. Now he was super curious. Oykai could have done something against Deathless or Living custom. Knowing about it would be immensly beneficial. "If there's anything I may do to reconcile the situation, please exemplify to me how should I go about it." He added with a bow.

The little guy named Sato would then be sent home, while he was asked if he needed help with training. Raviel would wave back at the little kid before turning around to face Yona. "I would not want to disturb you any more than what I have already done, oh acquaintance mine. I would simply be unacceptable for me to disturb your current plans and waste your time. As far as I can percieve, your magical prowess is way beyon my own. I would not be a good sparring partner."

It was true. As far as Raviel could percieve, she was about on par with Aliannah. Any kind of bout would be heavily weighted in her favor. He would not be able to pose much of an opposition even if he tried his best.

"However, if you would indulge me for a few moments, I would be interested in observing your own training sometimes. There is still much I can learn from the Living." He added.

The odd reply put Yona off balance. She had meant to correct him, to protect Oykai's name and identity as he would have wanted but the bowing and apology were more formal than necessary. She waved a hand after a moment, "The way I was told, names have power. His is important to him so he doesn't just give it out to everyone. You were lucky that I already knew his name was all I had meant to say, and offer you advice on using it with others without Oykai's permission or knowledge." She shrugged, "Maybe he changed his mind about how he feels about it. I wouldn't necessarily know either." Yona ignored the question about if she felt hostile towards Oykai. The VP didn't know exactly how she felt about the man and preferred to avoid talking about her feelings about him in the first place so she didn't say anything or come to any unrealized emotions with a stranger.

Yona laughed then, trying to ease the uncomfortable way she felt. This was an uncanny first meeting, as most of her's were. "Just call me Yona. That's my name. And I don't feel particularly endangered if you use it. And I'm not looking for a sparring partner, really." She gestured to her under dressed self and continued, "I'm never really off duty as a VP, but consider me a friend and not an enemy. I would like to see what you are capable of, since you cannot hurt me anyway, and you should feel no fear considering I know my own strength and I would not hurt you either." She scratched her cheek and mumbled, "No matter what you might have heard..." She hadn't really been the most mature when she had first joined and she had fought multiple times with nearly everyone she had met so far in the guild. Her reputation was more likely that she would go all out, lose control, or poison you if you denied her. The thought of Chef Benvolio made her chuckle. "Or not. I mean, your choice. I don't want to make you do anything at all."

Yona shrugged, "I'll show you something if you show me something. What say you, Raviel?"

"Very well, Lady Yona." Raviel agreed with a bow. "It will be my honor to measure my edge against yours." He stated. "As far as allegations against you go, I have heard none." The young void prince would state, taking a few steps backwards while allowing his acquaintance to prepare.

She was a weird one. Well, weirder than others. He was curious to know just how deep her relation to his cousin went, though she should not press matters too much right then and there. It would be inconsiderate and rude, all things considered. He would not make a bad impression now. Still, the fact she completely glossed over his last question raised quite a few questions none the less.

The young deathless prince flourished his blade and lowered his body into a more stable stance. He locked eyes with Yona, his own aura flaring up dark as night, shimmering of a thousand purples as the Prince of the Void released his own power. "En Garde, Lady Yona. Here I come."