Post by Mai on Jan 18, 2013 14:17:40 GMT -5
Talon: The where was largely unimportant to the assassin, but the why and the what were very important in the selection of the area in which he now stood, gaze sweeping left and right swiftly. It was a muddy little piece of hell, thick with rain in the wee hours of the morning, the darkest of nights under the driving rain and dense cloud coverage in the sky. But he had come for a reason.
Yes, the terrain was awful, but it was to prepare for such conditions. Yes, the entire place was wreathed in utter blackness, yet it was to acclimatize one for low-light situations. Yes, the driving rain and crashing thunder drowned out most sound in the area, but again, it was for practice. And this night was perhaps the best night that could've been selected. Even the choice of time was taken into consideration, to exhaust the perhaps unwilling pupil to a point where instinct would be forced to take over.
His voice cut through the cacophony like any one of his knives, barely turning his head to shout back at her. "We're here. Disarm, hand to hand combat is our first lesson." His punctuation was destroyed by a peal of thunder, barely illuminating Talon's many weapons as he began tossing them haphazardously into the muck below.
Skylark: Mai was so cold, and confused as she stood with the mud suctioning around her boots. As she stepped up a bit to move, it's suck downward creating a 'pop' when she'd wiggle her foot free and encouraged her to find better ground to stand upon. But there wasn't any. It would be her biggest bane, especially as the rain poured down and soaked her small form to the very core. A light chattering would erupt from her lips, her teeth rapidly tapping together from the chill she felt being here. Her arms were wrapped about her body tightly trying to find the warmth that she wanted badly, but failed to obtain from the motion.
As he said to disarm, she'd look at herself, and back at the man. The only thing she had were her origami, fused with a magic uniquely her own. She didn't pull them out, she simply wouldn't use them during this exercise. It'd ruin them if they were dropped in the mud!
Mai shifted a bit, until she realized she was firmly caught in the mud. She'd grab at the nearest low branch, or root to start prying herself free. Dead or not, whatever, as long as she could somehow gain leverage out of the mud.
Talon: Talon kicked one boot of his own off, and then another, placing them safely off to the side and covering their tops so rain could not enter. And then it was like he wasn't even there, footsteps blending seamlessly into the din of the rain. Within seconds, he was skirting the edges of the clearing, looping around his student with speed unknown to most. He was intent to show her to keep her wits about her every step of her journey.
Skylark: Mai squirmed and pulled until one boot popped free before taking a step. She'd pause as she realized Talon had gone missing, eyebrows lifting, ". . ." She started to fight harder trying to find some solidity to stand on, scooping up a rock in the mud for added protection. It was all she could think to do without using her origami.
Talon: With that, he was upon her, taking the faintest of steps he could to lunge forward and lash his fist toward the center of the woman's back, his body arcing through the air in a subtle but perfectly calculated curve. He had seen her take up the rock. She had already failed in that regard, but her ingenuity was admirable if nothing else.
Skylark: Mai was too deafened by the storm to hear him, and reaching a sense of panic with being stuck in a very bad position having managed to get herself stuck. As her second foot came up, the sensation of pain rocketed through her body from the strike to her back sending her forward and skidding across the mud. As she'd stop, her hands gripped at the mud as she'd try to turn and throw the mud back towards the assassin hoping to if nothing else, blind him. Should she achieve this, she'd scramble away as quickly as possible hoping to escape his grasp.
Talon: Once more his voice cut through the raging storm, projecting very well for someone who was naturally silent. "You've never had to fight with your fists before." The mud thrown at him slopped against his face, marring his pale skin with the murky black and brown earth, though it did not blind him as she had intended, simply wiped clean of his closed eyes within seconds. "A Noxian doesn't flee. They tactically retreat."
His wording was extremely deliberate, hoping that she would know what it was he had attempted to say.
Skylark: She'd scramble to her feet, scooping the mud off the front of her body with a light scowl. "God damnit." She muttered, flicking her hands roughly to send the mud flying away. However at his words, she'd pause and turn to face him directly with a growing frown, "What? I'm not Noxian.. I'm Ionian."
Talon: "No." With the same volume and unnerving speed he possessed every other time, he darted forward, dropping to a single knee and twisting, one leg shooting out in an attempt to sweep hers from under her, one more crash of thunder marking his movement and lighting his face. "You're nothing now."
Skylark: Mai didn't have a chance against the man's incredible skill. She'd be swept off her feet with the kick, and fall back into the mud with the air practically knocked from her lungs. A look of startle on her features, eyes narrowing with a sharp gasp for air. She'd lay there a moment to regain her breath, staring wide eyed up at the shadow that made up Talon's form. "I'm--" coughing, "I'm Ionian."
Talon: Talon shifted his weight to the other foot too lean over her, a flash of steel appearing in his palm, only to rest firmly against the learner's throat. "What's your name, girl?" It was cold, but everyone of his addresses had been cold, the pelting rain and driving gusts doing nothing more but slicing through any clothing to drive his seriousness home. It was as though the world itself was quaking to his designs, bent to his will.
Skylark: Her expression fell all the more when she watched him lean over her, not daring to rise from the cold mud. Her eyes flicking open and closed rapidly from the harsh bombardment of rain overwhelming her and soaking her all the more in its wake. The mud felt chilled, more then it did moments ago with the blade pressing to her neck. His question caused her lips to part, her body wanting to get up but too afraid to move. She was so confused.. "Mai.." She answered, then shouted, "My name is Mai!"
Talon: Talon said nothing, determined to teach this lesson, the hand covering his blade pressing more firmly against her skin, a single nick appearing under his fingers. His gaze tightened. She would learn or she would die, for this was exactly how he had learned.
Skylark: Mai wasn't sure what she was doing. The sensation of it cutting her blade would cause her to press back against the mud. Her hands gripping at the dirt beside her, until she'd reach her hand up to grab the blade trying to push it away from her neck. Her eyes narrowing. Fight or flight mode going into overdrive. One foot would jut up towards his arm trying to kick the blade away from her, her head snapping back hoping to avoid getting cut. If she managed, she'd roll to the right and scramble to her feet.
Talon: Talon reacted unlike most assassins would to a struggling victim, throwing the knife into a nearby dead tree and force his elbow back against her leg, grunting with exertion as force met force. He saw that she was trying to struggle and so shifted his weight once more, throwing a leg over her center of gravity to pin it to the floor and rob her of her mobility. He did not attempt to restrain the woman's arms, knowing that he could react with enough speed to stop her if need be, barring some unknown factor.
"What is your name, girl?" From their proximity, it took no effort for her to hear his words, all but mounting her stomach.
Skylark: Her leg snapped back down with an audible cry from Mai as his elbow intercepted it mid-motion. Her eyes tearing up with her lower lip starting to tremble, "Why are you doing this!?" She questioned, her hands wrapping around his leg as he pressed it into her center mass, trying to force him to move. But she was far too weak in comparison to even budge the firm hold he now had on her, pinning her to the ground effortlessly.
Talon: Talon ignored her pleas for what he could only construe as mercy and sat just above her hips to more effectively pin her down, placing a hand against her neck in a single fluid, strong motion. It idled there for a moment until it turned to grip under her jaw, allowing nothing more than room to speak. From the way his arm was positioned, he was more than capable of snapping her neck with a push. "Answer me girl. What is your name!?" He was more than audible now, barking down at the scared woman in anger.
Skylark: Mai grunted under his weight being likely fairly small in comparison. She'd squirm as much as she could, but ultimately would fall still with a deepening frown. The sensation of his grip did nothing to ease her worry, a sickly sensation rising up in her gut rapidly. "S-Sky--lark.." She choked out with her hands wrapping around his wrist, tears spilling from her eyes.
Talon: As soon as the admission spilled forth, Talon's vice-like grip retreated from her, replaced by the now weakened rain and wind. There was the faintest sparkle of dawn's first light in the sky and Talon's face seemed to reflect its brilliant glory, void of the typical glare of non-caring observation. "Where are you from, Skylark, and to whom do you pledge your allegiance?"
Skylark: The sobs that came would grow stronger as she felt his hand loosen around her neck, her breath unhindered with tears continuing to fall from her eyes. The mud on her body waned with the downpour of rain. As that hint of dawn, the sliver of light touched against the horizon, her frightened visage would become more apparent with her lower lip trembling and her gaze set scared upon his features. "Please..." she pleaded, "..I-I don't.." trailing off.
Talon: "The life you will lead leaves no time for hesitation or fear. Not of me, nor of those you'll be killing. Answer the question." His tone was barbed but still lacked the casual hatred it tended to carry. His arms folded across his chest while he awaited her answer. "You have brought yourself to this place, to this choice. You know far too much and I cannot let you stray. But I will not see the potential you possess wasted as mine so very nearly was in the slums of Noxus."
Skylark: "What? I-I don't want to kill anyone!" She protested, "I'm not a killer! I'm a Sky Pirate!" Something he didn't know most likely. She'd grip at his wrist tighter, her teeth gritting together tightly, "I was born in Ionia! In the skies on a ship. I can't stand the ground! I want to be in the sky!" She'd start to fight again, "I-I-"
Talon: "You are dead. If you leave without my permission, you are dead. To the world, I've killed what you were and who you were to unmake you already." His words carried a strange gravity and were chosen with extreme care. As she began to struggle below him, he shifted his weight lower to quell her thrashing, sitting on her thighs. His hands reached out to catch and pin her wrists in the ever-growing dawn of the world where they fought.
Skylark: "I.. hate you." She said with venom in her voice, her teeth gritting together only tightening her jaw more with the shift of his weight. As her wrists were pinned, she'd feel her cheeks turn red with rage, her eyes growing cold and murderous, "I hate you.." She said with a frozen look lingering on his visage. It held within it such intense hatred towards the man, that it was immeasurable. She'd stop squirming, her body relaxing slowly under his hold.
Talon: "I have freed you from your own birth. You are to make your own choices and find your own strength. You are free to be anyone you wish, to operate without pretense of name or stature." His gaze was as cold and lifeless as hers, leaned forward over her as he was with her arms and hips pinned, albeit only as much as was necessary. The rain held, but had grown light, falling over his back and hood instead of over her, shielded by his torso.
Skylark: Her expression darkened, then turned into confusion as she'd turn her head away to stare towards the sunrise. Was this it? Her fate? Kill or be killed? She'd feel the tears wash away just as he'd lean over her to shield her from the rain. Was it intentional? Her head turned back to him, watching him as he'd linger atop her with that cold, lifeless expression. Eyes squinting, with her expression falling passive. She'd reached a point of giving up. Why fight? What's the point? He clearly had the advantage.
Talon: Talon almost appeared to hesitate for a moment. It was barely there, but it most certainly existed, in the way his breath quietly caught before he spoke. "I want you to come willingly." His eyes darted back and forth between hers, checking her for anything, and sign that there was some growth, some understand that what he had done was the only mercy he could, that he had done all he knew how. All he had even known how to do was kill. He hoped, an alien feeling to him, that this time, he had truly killed for the better.
Skylark: She'd lift her eyebrows softly, the confusion returning again when she noticed the hesitation. She didn't understand what was happening with him, or herself. Then it dawned on her, like the sun rising in the east it slowly began to spread light across the area and show their faces bit by bit more clearly. A sharp inhale came, and went as she'd gaze up at him, lips trembling softly before the words would leave her, "...I don't want to die.." she finally spoke, looking longingly up towards the sky, passed his hood. She wanted freedom.. Would this be all she could have? As those violets met with Talon's, her chest rose and fell a bit quicker, her heart racing, "..okay.." she finally said in agreement. She'd chose to remain.. if for nothing else then to have a chance to keep living.
Talon: "Then you have to learn. You have to be rid of fear, of everything that keeps you from your goals." His gaze down at her was immediately broken into a more calming stature, an utterly neutral expression instead of its practiced sneer. The difference was like night and day, making him appear much younger than his usual expression ever did, almost looking like the scared child he held so deep inside himself. "Everything."
Skylark: "I-I don't know how.." She whispered, her expression remaining confused and generally uncertain. She'd try to shift her legs, feeling his weight growing increasingly uncomfortable as he sat atop her lower hips. The mud had oddly become.. comfortable beneath her. It was like a soft, cold bed made of clay. Eyes flicked between his, "...why me?"
Talon: "It was not my choice, Sky. It was yours." A touch of remorse, the now misting rain keeping them both wet, almost amplifying his meaning. As she shifted below him, he subconsciously moved his weight onto his legs, floating over her now instead. What's more, he release her arms, planting a firm hand in the mud to aid in holding himself up. "I will teach you."
Skylark: "..but you.. you picked me to choose.. why?" She was curious now, especially after his weight was shifted giving her some room to move. After bending her legs slightly, she'd seem to relax a little. But certainly not a lot given the situation, "I've never.. killed a-" She stopped. In fact, she had and she realized it as she'd focus on his eyes. A light frown appearing, guilt flooding her eyes before rage followed. She'd look away quickly with her hands moving down to her sides a little.
Talon: "You had the intelligence to know when to run but the drive to do what you believed in without a moment of doubt. I still do not know what fool's urge compelled you to take a bullet for me, but you did." He didn't know why he hadn't truly moved from his place over her, perched above her whole body, going so far as to have leaned over to shield her, leaving their faces relatively close. Protecting an investment, he convinced himself.
Skylark: "It.. I don't know.." Her breath misted into the air as the rain lingered in just a misty haze with each pounding heartbeat seeming to quicken and slow without warning. She'd lift her hand slowly, muddy from the ground, and drew it up closer to his face. Fingertips touching his cheek if he'd allow, tracing it down to the edge of his lips.
Talon: Talon didn't flinch from the contact, having expected it now from the younger would-be assassin. All he did was stare down at her, brows slightly furrowed. It wasn't entirely clear what had caused it, though it seemed to be concern.
Skylark: She pinched her eyebrows together lightly, feigning off the confusion she felt rumbling up within her yet again. Her hand drifted back a bit leaving a smudge of mud along his cheek where her fingers had trailed briefly. What was this feeling? It was growing the longer she stared into his eyes. A short inhale taken, a shaky exhale given.
Talon: The assassin continued to stare down, blinking every few moments. Words passed his lips unbidden though not unwanted. "First lesson. Take what you want." He didn't move, however, still curious how she would interpret the words, remaining still even as the mud tickled his cheek.
Yes, the terrain was awful, but it was to prepare for such conditions. Yes, the entire place was wreathed in utter blackness, yet it was to acclimatize one for low-light situations. Yes, the driving rain and crashing thunder drowned out most sound in the area, but again, it was for practice. And this night was perhaps the best night that could've been selected. Even the choice of time was taken into consideration, to exhaust the perhaps unwilling pupil to a point where instinct would be forced to take over.
His voice cut through the cacophony like any one of his knives, barely turning his head to shout back at her. "We're here. Disarm, hand to hand combat is our first lesson." His punctuation was destroyed by a peal of thunder, barely illuminating Talon's many weapons as he began tossing them haphazardously into the muck below.
Skylark: Mai was so cold, and confused as she stood with the mud suctioning around her boots. As she stepped up a bit to move, it's suck downward creating a 'pop' when she'd wiggle her foot free and encouraged her to find better ground to stand upon. But there wasn't any. It would be her biggest bane, especially as the rain poured down and soaked her small form to the very core. A light chattering would erupt from her lips, her teeth rapidly tapping together from the chill she felt being here. Her arms were wrapped about her body tightly trying to find the warmth that she wanted badly, but failed to obtain from the motion.
As he said to disarm, she'd look at herself, and back at the man. The only thing she had were her origami, fused with a magic uniquely her own. She didn't pull them out, she simply wouldn't use them during this exercise. It'd ruin them if they were dropped in the mud!
Mai shifted a bit, until she realized she was firmly caught in the mud. She'd grab at the nearest low branch, or root to start prying herself free. Dead or not, whatever, as long as she could somehow gain leverage out of the mud.
Talon: Talon kicked one boot of his own off, and then another, placing them safely off to the side and covering their tops so rain could not enter. And then it was like he wasn't even there, footsteps blending seamlessly into the din of the rain. Within seconds, he was skirting the edges of the clearing, looping around his student with speed unknown to most. He was intent to show her to keep her wits about her every step of her journey.
Skylark: Mai squirmed and pulled until one boot popped free before taking a step. She'd pause as she realized Talon had gone missing, eyebrows lifting, ". . ." She started to fight harder trying to find some solidity to stand on, scooping up a rock in the mud for added protection. It was all she could think to do without using her origami.
Talon: With that, he was upon her, taking the faintest of steps he could to lunge forward and lash his fist toward the center of the woman's back, his body arcing through the air in a subtle but perfectly calculated curve. He had seen her take up the rock. She had already failed in that regard, but her ingenuity was admirable if nothing else.
Skylark: Mai was too deafened by the storm to hear him, and reaching a sense of panic with being stuck in a very bad position having managed to get herself stuck. As her second foot came up, the sensation of pain rocketed through her body from the strike to her back sending her forward and skidding across the mud. As she'd stop, her hands gripped at the mud as she'd try to turn and throw the mud back towards the assassin hoping to if nothing else, blind him. Should she achieve this, she'd scramble away as quickly as possible hoping to escape his grasp.
Talon: Once more his voice cut through the raging storm, projecting very well for someone who was naturally silent. "You've never had to fight with your fists before." The mud thrown at him slopped against his face, marring his pale skin with the murky black and brown earth, though it did not blind him as she had intended, simply wiped clean of his closed eyes within seconds. "A Noxian doesn't flee. They tactically retreat."
His wording was extremely deliberate, hoping that she would know what it was he had attempted to say.
Skylark: She'd scramble to her feet, scooping the mud off the front of her body with a light scowl. "God damnit." She muttered, flicking her hands roughly to send the mud flying away. However at his words, she'd pause and turn to face him directly with a growing frown, "What? I'm not Noxian.. I'm Ionian."
Talon: "No." With the same volume and unnerving speed he possessed every other time, he darted forward, dropping to a single knee and twisting, one leg shooting out in an attempt to sweep hers from under her, one more crash of thunder marking his movement and lighting his face. "You're nothing now."
Skylark: Mai didn't have a chance against the man's incredible skill. She'd be swept off her feet with the kick, and fall back into the mud with the air practically knocked from her lungs. A look of startle on her features, eyes narrowing with a sharp gasp for air. She'd lay there a moment to regain her breath, staring wide eyed up at the shadow that made up Talon's form. "I'm--" coughing, "I'm Ionian."
Talon: Talon shifted his weight to the other foot too lean over her, a flash of steel appearing in his palm, only to rest firmly against the learner's throat. "What's your name, girl?" It was cold, but everyone of his addresses had been cold, the pelting rain and driving gusts doing nothing more but slicing through any clothing to drive his seriousness home. It was as though the world itself was quaking to his designs, bent to his will.
Skylark: Her expression fell all the more when she watched him lean over her, not daring to rise from the cold mud. Her eyes flicking open and closed rapidly from the harsh bombardment of rain overwhelming her and soaking her all the more in its wake. The mud felt chilled, more then it did moments ago with the blade pressing to her neck. His question caused her lips to part, her body wanting to get up but too afraid to move. She was so confused.. "Mai.." She answered, then shouted, "My name is Mai!"
Talon: Talon said nothing, determined to teach this lesson, the hand covering his blade pressing more firmly against her skin, a single nick appearing under his fingers. His gaze tightened. She would learn or she would die, for this was exactly how he had learned.
Skylark: Mai wasn't sure what she was doing. The sensation of it cutting her blade would cause her to press back against the mud. Her hands gripping at the dirt beside her, until she'd reach her hand up to grab the blade trying to push it away from her neck. Her eyes narrowing. Fight or flight mode going into overdrive. One foot would jut up towards his arm trying to kick the blade away from her, her head snapping back hoping to avoid getting cut. If she managed, she'd roll to the right and scramble to her feet.
Talon: Talon reacted unlike most assassins would to a struggling victim, throwing the knife into a nearby dead tree and force his elbow back against her leg, grunting with exertion as force met force. He saw that she was trying to struggle and so shifted his weight once more, throwing a leg over her center of gravity to pin it to the floor and rob her of her mobility. He did not attempt to restrain the woman's arms, knowing that he could react with enough speed to stop her if need be, barring some unknown factor.
"What is your name, girl?" From their proximity, it took no effort for her to hear his words, all but mounting her stomach.
Skylark: Her leg snapped back down with an audible cry from Mai as his elbow intercepted it mid-motion. Her eyes tearing up with her lower lip starting to tremble, "Why are you doing this!?" She questioned, her hands wrapping around his leg as he pressed it into her center mass, trying to force him to move. But she was far too weak in comparison to even budge the firm hold he now had on her, pinning her to the ground effortlessly.
Talon: Talon ignored her pleas for what he could only construe as mercy and sat just above her hips to more effectively pin her down, placing a hand against her neck in a single fluid, strong motion. It idled there for a moment until it turned to grip under her jaw, allowing nothing more than room to speak. From the way his arm was positioned, he was more than capable of snapping her neck with a push. "Answer me girl. What is your name!?" He was more than audible now, barking down at the scared woman in anger.
Skylark: Mai grunted under his weight being likely fairly small in comparison. She'd squirm as much as she could, but ultimately would fall still with a deepening frown. The sensation of his grip did nothing to ease her worry, a sickly sensation rising up in her gut rapidly. "S-Sky--lark.." She choked out with her hands wrapping around his wrist, tears spilling from her eyes.
Talon: As soon as the admission spilled forth, Talon's vice-like grip retreated from her, replaced by the now weakened rain and wind. There was the faintest sparkle of dawn's first light in the sky and Talon's face seemed to reflect its brilliant glory, void of the typical glare of non-caring observation. "Where are you from, Skylark, and to whom do you pledge your allegiance?"
Skylark: The sobs that came would grow stronger as she felt his hand loosen around her neck, her breath unhindered with tears continuing to fall from her eyes. The mud on her body waned with the downpour of rain. As that hint of dawn, the sliver of light touched against the horizon, her frightened visage would become more apparent with her lower lip trembling and her gaze set scared upon his features. "Please..." she pleaded, "..I-I don't.." trailing off.
Talon: "The life you will lead leaves no time for hesitation or fear. Not of me, nor of those you'll be killing. Answer the question." His tone was barbed but still lacked the casual hatred it tended to carry. His arms folded across his chest while he awaited her answer. "You have brought yourself to this place, to this choice. You know far too much and I cannot let you stray. But I will not see the potential you possess wasted as mine so very nearly was in the slums of Noxus."
Skylark: "What? I-I don't want to kill anyone!" She protested, "I'm not a killer! I'm a Sky Pirate!" Something he didn't know most likely. She'd grip at his wrist tighter, her teeth gritting together tightly, "I was born in Ionia! In the skies on a ship. I can't stand the ground! I want to be in the sky!" She'd start to fight again, "I-I-"
Talon: "You are dead. If you leave without my permission, you are dead. To the world, I've killed what you were and who you were to unmake you already." His words carried a strange gravity and were chosen with extreme care. As she began to struggle below him, he shifted his weight lower to quell her thrashing, sitting on her thighs. His hands reached out to catch and pin her wrists in the ever-growing dawn of the world where they fought.
Skylark: "I.. hate you." She said with venom in her voice, her teeth gritting together only tightening her jaw more with the shift of his weight. As her wrists were pinned, she'd feel her cheeks turn red with rage, her eyes growing cold and murderous, "I hate you.." She said with a frozen look lingering on his visage. It held within it such intense hatred towards the man, that it was immeasurable. She'd stop squirming, her body relaxing slowly under his hold.
Talon: "I have freed you from your own birth. You are to make your own choices and find your own strength. You are free to be anyone you wish, to operate without pretense of name or stature." His gaze was as cold and lifeless as hers, leaned forward over her as he was with her arms and hips pinned, albeit only as much as was necessary. The rain held, but had grown light, falling over his back and hood instead of over her, shielded by his torso.
Skylark: Her expression darkened, then turned into confusion as she'd turn her head away to stare towards the sunrise. Was this it? Her fate? Kill or be killed? She'd feel the tears wash away just as he'd lean over her to shield her from the rain. Was it intentional? Her head turned back to him, watching him as he'd linger atop her with that cold, lifeless expression. Eyes squinting, with her expression falling passive. She'd reached a point of giving up. Why fight? What's the point? He clearly had the advantage.
Talon: Talon almost appeared to hesitate for a moment. It was barely there, but it most certainly existed, in the way his breath quietly caught before he spoke. "I want you to come willingly." His eyes darted back and forth between hers, checking her for anything, and sign that there was some growth, some understand that what he had done was the only mercy he could, that he had done all he knew how. All he had even known how to do was kill. He hoped, an alien feeling to him, that this time, he had truly killed for the better.
Skylark: She'd lift her eyebrows softly, the confusion returning again when she noticed the hesitation. She didn't understand what was happening with him, or herself. Then it dawned on her, like the sun rising in the east it slowly began to spread light across the area and show their faces bit by bit more clearly. A sharp inhale came, and went as she'd gaze up at him, lips trembling softly before the words would leave her, "...I don't want to die.." she finally spoke, looking longingly up towards the sky, passed his hood. She wanted freedom.. Would this be all she could have? As those violets met with Talon's, her chest rose and fell a bit quicker, her heart racing, "..okay.." she finally said in agreement. She'd chose to remain.. if for nothing else then to have a chance to keep living.
Talon: "Then you have to learn. You have to be rid of fear, of everything that keeps you from your goals." His gaze down at her was immediately broken into a more calming stature, an utterly neutral expression instead of its practiced sneer. The difference was like night and day, making him appear much younger than his usual expression ever did, almost looking like the scared child he held so deep inside himself. "Everything."
Skylark: "I-I don't know how.." She whispered, her expression remaining confused and generally uncertain. She'd try to shift her legs, feeling his weight growing increasingly uncomfortable as he sat atop her lower hips. The mud had oddly become.. comfortable beneath her. It was like a soft, cold bed made of clay. Eyes flicked between his, "...why me?"
Talon: "It was not my choice, Sky. It was yours." A touch of remorse, the now misting rain keeping them both wet, almost amplifying his meaning. As she shifted below him, he subconsciously moved his weight onto his legs, floating over her now instead. What's more, he release her arms, planting a firm hand in the mud to aid in holding himself up. "I will teach you."
Skylark: "..but you.. you picked me to choose.. why?" She was curious now, especially after his weight was shifted giving her some room to move. After bending her legs slightly, she'd seem to relax a little. But certainly not a lot given the situation, "I've never.. killed a-" She stopped. In fact, she had and she realized it as she'd focus on his eyes. A light frown appearing, guilt flooding her eyes before rage followed. She'd look away quickly with her hands moving down to her sides a little.
Talon: "You had the intelligence to know when to run but the drive to do what you believed in without a moment of doubt. I still do not know what fool's urge compelled you to take a bullet for me, but you did." He didn't know why he hadn't truly moved from his place over her, perched above her whole body, going so far as to have leaned over to shield her, leaving their faces relatively close. Protecting an investment, he convinced himself.
Skylark: "It.. I don't know.." Her breath misted into the air as the rain lingered in just a misty haze with each pounding heartbeat seeming to quicken and slow without warning. She'd lift her hand slowly, muddy from the ground, and drew it up closer to his face. Fingertips touching his cheek if he'd allow, tracing it down to the edge of his lips.
Talon: Talon didn't flinch from the contact, having expected it now from the younger would-be assassin. All he did was stare down at her, brows slightly furrowed. It wasn't entirely clear what had caused it, though it seemed to be concern.
Skylark: She pinched her eyebrows together lightly, feigning off the confusion she felt rumbling up within her yet again. Her hand drifted back a bit leaving a smudge of mud along his cheek where her fingers had trailed briefly. What was this feeling? It was growing the longer she stared into his eyes. A short inhale taken, a shaky exhale given.
Talon: The assassin continued to stare down, blinking every few moments. Words passed his lips unbidden though not unwanted. "First lesson. Take what you want." He didn't move, however, still curious how she would interpret the words, remaining still even as the mud tickled his cheek.
