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Post by corinne on Aug 30, 2011 0:15:31 GMT -5
The first step out of the hotel room door had become something of a ritual for Corinne. In a sense, it was her first time being in a new area. Sure, she had stepped in and out before to get to the room itself, but before she was unpacked and settled in, she didn't feel any more immersed than a common tourist.
She may have only been there as a stop after her visit to the Philippines went horribly wrong, but the area was nice enough to merit settling in. Knocking her bracelets together on her way down the stairs, almost as if to reassure herself that she had them on, she tapped the inside of her bag and made her way toward the lobby. Eating could wait, but if she was going to be in town for more than a week, it was in her best interest to see what the other guests were like.
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Post by Xena Lex Nightfall on Aug 30, 2011 0:35:39 GMT -5
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After an hours worth of target practicing and sword fighting, Xena was the tiredest person in the universe. Gathering up her equipment, she made her way back to the small hotel she was staying at temporarily. There were two tournaments coming up in Wyoming and this was the perfect spot to practice her skills so she can win the grand prize-- not to mention the place was so beautiful and peaceful.
Xena walked through the door and smelled the delicious food that was cooking in the dining hall. She stopped for a moment, tempted to go there and eat, however she remembered the last time she ate at a place with her bow and sword... Lots of people were staring and fainting. Instead she made her way to her room, bumping into someone while doing so.
"Sorry," she muttered, giving an apologetic look.
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Post by corinne on Aug 30, 2011 0:45:03 GMT -5
It seemed like every time she found herself in a new area, she was clumsy enough to bump into someone - Aurora in France, the girl at the diner in Nashville after the concert - she was starting to think she didn't have the same alertness she thought she did. Maybe it was time to see a doctor...
In either case, the girl seemed sorry enough. She tried to smile softly to reassure her- especially since she had just dropped a seemingly-heavy sword, among other things. "It's fine! It was partially my fault- I think." Her eyes shifted, giving her an almost clueless look. "Need any help with that?" She replied, bending down. Her hands hovered for a minute as she looked back; she knew some people didn't like when other people handled their belongings, and she didn't want to intrude.
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Post by Xena Lex Nightfall on Aug 30, 2011 1:06:27 GMT -5
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Xena's mouth started to twitch when the person she bumped into, apologized. Being prone to laughing is something Xena despises since she'll chuckle at the worst moments.
"Just be careful..." Xena started as she had a quick flashback when someone else tried to pick up her sword. "It'll not be my fault if she hurt yourself," something she usually says to those with a weak heart. She eyed the woman as she tried to pick it up. Blonde, pretty, fair, supermodel like, many of which could mean that she's spoiled or annoying, but Xena was willing to give her a chance.
Shifting her weight from foot to foot, Xena was getting uncomfortable. Being mostly secluded and alone, she wasn't used to being with someone else for more than 3 minutes. Stop moving! People will think you're weird and start staring at you again... A voice said in her head and she immediately stopped shifting.
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Post by corinne on Aug 30, 2011 1:17:15 GMT -5
With the new woman's go-ahead, she picked up the weapon, resisting the temptation to flourish it and instead just tapping the flat of the blade gently. "It's no trouble- I've handled swords before. Maybe not anything of this quality, but something that could have been used practically a few centuries back." She rose with it, allowing the woman time to pick up her other belongings. They seemed to be close enough in age, and the presence of a sword already made an interesting impression on her.
With that, she decided to open up. "I'm Corinne, by the way," she added. "It's nice to meet you! I can hold on to this for as long as you like- do you need any help getting to your room?"
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Post by Xena Lex Nightfall on Aug 30, 2011 1:46:04 GMT -5
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Watching the lady handle Xena's sword was like watching an expert handling it. Many people who picked it up, flourished it like a crazed novice. She was very impressed and interested in the woman. Then Xena was more surprised when she answered the woman's introduction.
"Nice to meet you Corinne, I'm Xena or Xen for short," She smiled a bit. "If you wouldn't mind, then that would be great, i feel a little bit sore from practice."
What are you doing? You're so out of your comfort zone. The voice said again, but Xena ignored it. "So how do you know how to handle a sword properly? Most idiots I meet nearly kill themselves when they try." She said as she walked to her room.
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Post by corinne on Aug 30, 2011 2:02:12 GMT -5
She kept up her smile. "I like your name." As honest as the statement was, her curiosity drew her closer to the nature of her schedule. "Practicing? What kind?" She assumed she meant with the weapons, but they didn't seem particularly damaged, if anything else.
"I found someone who taught Spanish swordsmanship after picking up a blade of my own," she explained. "I'm sort of a history nut. I felt the need to at least know something about swordplay." She eyed the length of the curved blade she was holding. "Mine's just an Estoc, though- I'm not sure how it'd hold up to a katana like this," she admitted.
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Post by Xena Lex Nightfall on Aug 30, 2011 2:16:43 GMT -5
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Xena began to like talking to Corinne and the attention she was getting. So this is what happens if u open up a bit... Hmm... She thought. "Target Practicing with my bow and sword fighting with my sword," She explained. "There are two tournaments coming up around here and I intend to win both of them," She said with some ambition.
Corinne's last few words sounded like a challenge to Xena, but everything coming from peoples mouth felt like a challenge to her. "Swords are just swords, what really matters is the handler. With out one then the sword becomes a dangerous stick. But with one who nurtures it and knows how to wield it then the sword will be whatever the wielder wishes it to be," She said. ... I dont remember the last time i spoke that much... weird...
OOC: Italics= thoughts
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Post by corinne on Aug 30, 2011 2:29:34 GMT -5
Her eyes scanned Xena with interest. "They have tournaments like that all the way out here?" She asked. "I never would've guessed... how common are these things?" Corinne appreciated Xena's confidence. She had to accredit some of it to the fact that she had just finished practicing. Most people built confidence after working out, so a training session could have been much different.
"That's a pretty deep outlook." Swords being thought of as more than just tools? She supposed the thought was common, but still intriguing altogether. If this girl was out winning tournaments, she had to have some semblance of a point. "I'd still like to think the quality of a weapon meant something- otherwise, you could probably get by with something less expensive than a katana, am I right?"
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Post by Xena Lex Nightfall on Aug 30, 2011 2:49:49 GMT -5
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Xena looked at Corinne in a slightly confused look, "I get where you're going with sword fighting, which is done with wooden sticks and indoor. However this is Wyoming which is pretty much all wildlife out of the city. This is where some hunting games take place. Many people use guns for the games but i use a bow, more quiet and faster to reload."
"I guess you're right about the sword quality, i despise using wooden sticks for the sword fighting, it's such a bore," Xena ranted a bit. Soon, they were at the front door of her room. "Well... i guess this is where we say bye... unless you want to come in? You're welcome to if you want," Xena smiled slightly. What am I doing? Well... i Like her company so might as well...
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Post by corinne on Aug 30, 2011 11:00:25 GMT -5
"I suppose that would mean an early advantage." She tried to imagine how such a contest would pan out. With a flotilla of hunters dispersing and shooting up an entire forest, noise was an issue- animals would be running. A good marksman could probably hit a moving target, but aiming would take a lot of extra work. Arrows were also reusable most of the time- bullets weren't. She knew what she would rather have on her person for a straight fight, but in a hunting match? A good archer might have been better off.
She only waved a hand to the other comment. "I guess it's not as thrilling," she offered, "but it's not as dangerous, either." A passing thought about fencing foils hit her, but she decided not to bring it up. That would be even more annoying than the wood.
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Post by Xena Lex Nightfall on Aug 31, 2011 0:25:47 GMT -5
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Xena chuckled a bit, "Safer yes, fun? Maybe to wimps." She unlocked her door and stepped into the room. It was a pretty clean, only a pile of bed sheets and clothes near the corner. Her bed was so clean, there was literally nothing on it; no pillows, bed sheets, or a blanket. This is why you don't like company, and why you don't invite others to your place
"So... you want to come in? Or will you be on your way?" Xena asked Corinne. She was half hoping for her to yes since she was starting to like Corinne. She was also half hoping she would say no. It's not my fault i don't like sleeping in human form... Well, it could be...
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Post by corinne on Aug 31, 2011 0:37:29 GMT -5
She didn't say anything more about the swords, but was somewhat curious about the room. The beds being stripped clean might have meant that her bedspread was being cleaned, but it looked deliberate. Heavy pajamas, perhaps? Either way, she was still just as eager to come along. "I'd love to come in!"
It would have been rude to turn her down, wouldn't it? Besides, she needed at least one contact for the week- if she was even here that long. Aside from that, Xena did seem to need a friend; being task-minded was probably good for her, but almost everything was good in moderation.
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Post by Xena Lex Nightfall on Aug 31, 2011 0:57:24 GMT -5
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If Xena could half smile, half frown she would, but she can't so she gave a crooked smile. "Awesome!" She ushered Corinne in. "Sorry about the mess. I'm not much of a... neataholic... if thats even a word in the dictionary."
Xena placed her bow on the table among with everything else she carried. "You can place the katana on the couch or the bed, just somewhere other than the table. Oh... and you might want to watch where you sit... I've misplaced an arrow somewhere..." She awkwardly warned.
Walking to the kitchen, Xena opened the fridge and grabbed an apple out with caramel, sprite, and white frosting. "So... you want anything to eat?"
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Post by corinne on Aug 31, 2011 1:08:17 GMT -5
"Don't worry yourself about it," she replied, waving a hand. "A lot of words aren't in the dictionary anyway." Setting the blade she had carried up on the bed (an interesting first favor, in her opinion), she followed Xena's lead into the kitchen. "Well, if I land on it, at least the arrow will turn up." She grinned softly.
Never one to pass up a good meal, she graciously accepted the offer. "I'll have whatever you're having, thank you." The apple wasn't something she was used to seeing, but it looked promising. People with strange tastes and open minds could find interesting things sometimes.
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