Safe as Houses. [Active | See notes.]

[shieldedvirtue]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Shibusen's Gym, The Clinic, Outside the Clinic.
Rating: PG for violence, and... I think just Violence, Clare doesn't really swear...
Time: Morning (nearing noon), shortly after noon, shortly after Clare gets let out of the clinic because she's a big baby and its only a few bruised ribs. January 9th.
Description: Clare

Comments

Clare and Selendis

[shieldedvirtue]

[justiceisdue]

Selendis stood in her usual position, crouched down with her arms up to block any of Clare's advances. It was probably repetitive and dull for anyone watching, but Selendis could do this all day and Clare needed the consistency. The girl was improving, at least, even if it was slow going. She hadn't expected much from the human, but had left room to be pleasantly surprised by seeing progress.

While she had no intention of truly hurting Clare, Selendis never really pulled her punches when they came. It was a real enough threat that Clare was learning to not let her guard down, and keep honing her reflexes. Still, Selendis kept them to a minimum, and she knew where to aim to make a point.

The feint, while well executed, was easily rebuffed by the alien woman. "The theatrics are unnecessary, and you are leaving yourself open. Do it again."

[shieldedvirtue]

[justiceisdue]

Selendis just waited for Clare to recollect herself and attack again, watching the entire process. Despite the obvious differences, she could almost see something of herself in Clare. Training as a Templar wasn't easy, but Selendis had done it alongside males that were larger and stronger than her. Clare had a long way to go before she impressed Selendis, but everyday she continued their training was a step in the right direction.

As predicted, Selendis blocked the attack, but nodded in approval. That was more like it.

"Again."

Clare was probably getting sick of that word by now.

[shieldedvirtue]

[justiceisdue]

The barrage was unexpected, and Selendis just held her arms out in a cross to keep Clare at bay. So long as the girl stayed focused and didn't overextend herself in one attack, she was showing more promise. The frustration was visible, and Selendis considered training in mediation and control of emotions as well. She doubted it would work - humans just didn't have the patience.

Selendis pushed forward suddenly, arms still up and intending to knock Clare off balance and break her attack. It wasn't rough, but it was quick. Her goal wasn't to kill that optimism, but remind Clare to be a realist as well.

[shieldedvirtue]

[justiceisdue]

Selendis said nothing, simply waiting for Clare to get back on her feet and continue. One upside to training with a protoss was that Clare would never have to suffer verbal insults or jokes made at her expense. Instead she'd just have to hold up under Selendis' flat stare, which may or may not look judgmental

[shieldedvirtue]

[justiceisdue]

Eventually, with enough skill and practice, Clare's theories would become reality. Until then, Selendis was still faster and more precise with her hits. She did have a couple hundred years worth of training on the girl, though. It wasn't like they were an even match to begin with.

Selendis dropped her fist when Clare staggered back and fell to the floor. She waited for her to get back up again, before realizing her body language had completely changed. Crying was a more extreme reaction, wasn't it? A sign of either physical or emotional distress, or probably both. She made no move to assist her, unsure if she could even do anything. Probably not - she could barely help her partner after their battle in Europe.

She hung back, watching Clare for a few moments before speaking. Her tone wasn't unkind, but it was lacking in the sort of compassion most people expected.

"Are you badly injured?"

[shieldedvirtue]

[justiceisdue]

Selendis arced one brow as Clare got to her feet. She was clearly not fine, and even so it was tempting to tell the girl to keep going. It was going to be awhile yet before she felt confident Clare could continue with an injury.

"I believe that is enough for today," she said. "I suggest you visit the clinic, and perhaps speak with Watson. If you require assistance, I will take you."

She knew Watson could patch up just about anything, but she also rarely dealt with anyone there but him. It was a long walk down those stairs though - was Clare up for it?

[shieldedvirtue]

[justiceisdue]

Selendis still didn't look particularly convinced, but if anything, the girl was still determined. She wasn't going to fault her for that.

"Very well," she said, briefly returning the sort-of bow that Clare had tried to give her. "Contact me when you are ready to train again."

She guessed it wasn't going to be tomorrow. Selendis let Clare limp off, but she had every intention of following her via the rooftops to make certain she made it. Whether or not Clare noticed her didn't matter to Selendis, though she was trying to let her preserve her dignity.