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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 15, 2012 23:19:03 GMT -5
"Okay, ladies, Lahna is going to demonstrate the move we just learned. Come up here, please Lahna." She waved the shy female up to the front of the training room at SafePlace. Lahna moved slowly through the group, turning a little red in embarrassment. "No worries, female, we're all here to learn. I'm going to come at you with my dagger in my hand and you disarm me using the technique I showed you." She took the wooden dagger in her hand and went slowly for Lahna. The female hesitated, but managed to do the technique perfectly, snapping her hands at the dagger hand, managing to knock it loose without hitting the dagger itself. "Excellent. Now I'm going to come at you at bit faster, no hesitation this time." She picked up the dagger and turned quickly, running the few steps to Lahna, who lifted her hands, knocking the dagger loose quickly, almost like a pro. The determined and focused look on her face clearly said that she would be a victim no more. "Very good, Lahna." She smiled and squeezed Lahna's shoulder reassuringly.
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 15, 2012 23:36:21 GMT -5
She had finished one appointment, and upon checking her schedule again, saw that she had quite a bit of extra time on her hands before the next. Leaving her office, she walked to the training room to see how her daughter's defense classes were going, and maybe sit in and watch.
She slipped in quietly, just as the female disarmed Xhex again but at a realistic speed, and smiled proudly, before going and sitting on a bench at the side of the room. She gave a small wave as Xhex looked over.
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 15, 2012 23:40:46 GMT -5
Seeing Autumn, she smiled and looked back at the class. "Okay, get with your sparring partners and work on this technique for the last fifteen minutes of class. Start slow until you get the hang of it and then get up to faster speeds. Make sure you switch off every few minutes so both partners get a chance to work on this." The ladies moved off with their partners to different parts of the room with their wooden training daggers in hand. Watching for a minute as everyone got started, she headed over to where Autumn sat. "Good eve, Mahmen. Have a rare break in appointments?"
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 15, 2012 23:49:27 GMT -5
She smiled as Xhex walked over. "Yes, enough to watch my daughter...in action, as they say. And perhaps share a meal?"
She watched the paired-off females sparring and nodded toward them. "I can see a change in many of them already." Looked at Xhex and smiled again. "Mayhap one day they will be as strong and quick as their mentor."
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 0:00:23 GMT -5
She followed Autumn's gaze and smiled with pride at her first self defense group. They were far exceeding her expectations, but the desire to live without fear and protect your young was a strong motivator. "That is entirely possible. The Brotherhood may have to start hiring on females for patrols. It would help flesh out the numbers." She shared a "Yeah, right" look with Autumn. The Brotherhood was more relaxed then the race as a whole, but still they were male vampires. They protected their females to the point of radicalism. The couple that did regularly fight only did because they had before they were mated. Though as she knew firsthand, it was still a struggle for the males. "A meal does sound nice. Let me finish them up quick and we can eat together." She smiled at Autumn as she headed back to the group. She threaded her way through the sparring groups, adjusting technique when needed, praising everyone. That was one thing she had learned in the first week. These females were used to being put down and ordered. She was tough, but she made sure to praise constantly. It would help give them a sense of pride and confidence. That was invaluable in self defense.
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 0:15:45 GMT -5
"All right. I'll be here," smiling, and watched in awe as Xhex work with the females, almost able to see their growing trust in her. Watching them change and bloom, as Tohr had put it with her, right before their very eyes.
She chuckled softly at Xhex's comment about the Brotherhood. It would certainly give them the element of surprise. And they could use the numbers, but it was a larger leap than she saw them making anytime soon, though having females fighting at all was definitely progress. They would need to become much more accustomed to the concept before they expanded on it.
But, it was certainly a start, and she certainly saw potential as she watched Xhex with this group.
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 0:21:40 GMT -5
She paused to help the last pair get the technique right. "Bring your hands in further. Snap their wrist with your right hand while you hit the back of their dagger hand with your left. That knock the dagger loose enough to throw them off. Try again." The female with the dagger moved toward the unarmed one and this time the other female deftly dislodged the weapon. "Excellent, good job. Dismissed for the night, ladies. Practice with each other until the next meet. Great job tonight, everyone." The females excitedly left the room, giving her smiles as they left. She could see the growing confidence in them and it made her feel warm inside. Turning to Autumn, she smiled. "Ready for that lunch? I'm starving."
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 0:32:01 GMT -5
She smiled and stood, nodding as she walked over. "Absolutely. I am as well." Held her stomach as it rumbled, and chuckled. "As you can hear. It looks like the class went very well, and you're enjoying it?"
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 0:45:02 GMT -5
As they left the room and went toward the kitchen, she nodded. "Surprisingly so. I wasn't sure how I would feel about teaching mousy females to defend themselves. But they surprise me with their strength and determination. By the time I'm done with them, Scribe Virgin help the male that tries to hurt them again." They entered the kitchen and smiled at the doggen preparing the food for the residents of Safe Place. "Do we want to have what the others are having or should we find something else for ourselves?"
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 1:04:10 GMT -5
Nodded. "Indeed. In a way, it's the...mousy ones, who need it the most, for that very reason. The least threatening can be the most targeted." Looked up at Xhex and smiled. "And thanks to you, that will soon be their advantage over a prospective attacker."
She smiled and nodded at the doggen, and thought about it, then nodded again. "Let's find something for ourselves. What are you hungry for?"
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 1:10:43 GMT -5
Tilting her head, she thought about what she was hungry for. "Hmmm, oddly enough I'm hungry for pizza. I don't know if they have any frozen pizzas in the freezer, but I bet we can find the things to make a homemade one. Though, I'm not sure I can make a crust." She frowned and opened the freezer, hoping a frozen pizza would be in there, but alas, no luck. The dogged didn't tend to go towards frozen foods.
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 1:22:15 GMT -5
She grinned, "No, I don't suppose they keep that in stock. I think there may be a recipe around here, however." She looked around, and soon found them, paging through, then straightening with a smile. "Ah, here it is." She frowned thoughtfully at the topping suggestions. "What toppings do you prefer?"
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 1:34:46 GMT -5
Relieved they'd found a recipe, she smiled. "Sausage and lots of veggies, especially green peppers and mushrooms. What about you? We can do less on there if you don't like all that on your pizza." One doggen stopped doing what they were working on and came over, preparing to pull ingredients out of cupboards for them. Smiling, she stopped them. "Thank you, but we'd like to make this ourselves. If you want, you can get the ingredients out so we're not in your way looking for them, but we'd like to handle the rest." The doggen looked a little stricken, but nodded and started setting bowls and ingredients on the counter.
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 1:51:16 GMT -5
She smiled, "That sounds delicious."
She grinned sympathetically at the poor doggen, but was glad for the acquiescence. Besides hating to be waited on, it would be nice for them to do this together. "Thank you, we won't be any trouble, I assure you."
She looked at the recipe and ingredients, then at Xhex, smiling, "So, daughter, would you like to chop the vegetables or make the dough?"
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 1:56:02 GMT -5
She grinned and thanked the doggen. "I'm much better with a knife than with a measuring spoon. I think I'll handle the chopping." She pulled the cutting board and knife the doggen had set out for her closer and dumped a basket of washed mushrooms on it. Then she started slicing, making them thick just like she liked.
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 2:03:46 GMT -5
She grinned. "Somehow, I thought you might say that." Smiling, pulled the bowl close and filled it with warm water, then added the yeast, waiting the minute before stirring and then adding the rest of the ingredients.
When the dough got thick, she spread some flour and turned out the dough on top of it, kneading it, and oiling the bowl to keep it in until it had risen, moving on to making the tomato sauce.
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 2:10:57 GMT -5
Mushrooms done, she scooped them into a bowl and then pulled green and red peppers to her. "How are you liking working here, mahmen? Its very different from what you had been doing at the mansion, so I'm curious to see how you're adjusting."
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 2:16:39 GMT -5
She tilted her head and thought about that. "Yes, it is very different indeed. More social interaction, as well, to be sure." Nodded, smiling. "I think I like it. 'Tis not always easy, but just as rewarding when I am successful in helping a female move toward a better life, even if it's a small step."
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 2:24:44 GMT -5
She nodded as she chopped peppers. "But you are making a difference. All the good changes I see in them are not just from my training. Its from your counseling." Pushing the cut peppers off the board, she started slicing black olives. "Talking through what happened is vital to healing from it. I fought it, just as they probably do, but I know that it helped in the long run. Even as painful as it was to do, I'm glad that I've discussed what happened to me."
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 2:45:16 GMT -5
She nodded. "Yes...facing one's past head-on, however difficult, is certainly crucial to being able to move past it."
She frowned and looked at Xhex. "Still...I am sorry that anything happened to you." Lifting her chin, "But I am proud of you for facing it, and...not handling it as I did." Continuing working on the sauce, she smiled, thinking about the training. "And for the strength you reveal within these females. They thrive under your tutillage, as they might not under somebody less understanding." Met Xhex's eyes and smiled.
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 3:03:38 GMT -5
She smiled back at Autumn. "Don't feel bad about how you handled what happened to you. We were in different situations with different backgrounds. You were given a permanent reminder of what had happened to you. Its the truth, so please don't argue." She could see that Autumn would. "You were young and knew that your family, the Glymera, who were important to you, would only see that you were not a virgin any longer. They wouldn't care that it was against your will, only that a sympath touched you and left you with a child. You did what you had to and I forgave you for it. I wasn't innocent or young when I was taken. Yes, I struggle with it still, but I don't know if you know, I was prepared to die after I killed Lash. I didn't want to go on and for awhile after I escaped, revenge was the only thing that kept me going. John Matthew changed that for me. And eventually, you did too."
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 3:12:20 GMT -5
She grinned as her protest was cut off before it even started, and listening, smiled softly.
"You know, in a way, you remind me very much of myself. You have a straightforward approach, care little for dressing up the truth, and you call a spade a spade. You are logical, and tell things as you see them." She stirred the spices into the tomato sauce and smiled. "Perhaps some personality traits are hereditary after all.
"And I am glad, that I was able to help you make a positive change. Your life is far too precious to me to have it forfeited."
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 3:27:07 GMT -5
She smiled and shook her head as she started cutting tomatoes. "I'm relieved that you can say that. You have every right to feel differently about me. It makes me happy to know that we can have a relationship now and become close. I'd never thought that would happen."
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 3:38:39 GMT -5
"Much like having you forgive me. I was so prepared for the alternative, and have thanked the blessed Scribe every day that you did, and that I was given another chance for this."
Smiling, she set the sauce down and checked on the dough, preheated the oven, then again spread some flour and placed the dough upon it, rolling it out until it was round and ready to put on the pan.
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 3:46:16 GMT -5
She grabbed the pan and set in next to the rolled out dough. She watched as Autumn carefully put the dough on the pan, pressing it into the sides. The sauce went on next. She picked up the cheese she'd shredded and sprinkled lots of it over the top of the crust. Then she arranged the many vegetables that she liked on pizza around the whole thing. The doggen had preheated the oven, so she slid it in. She turned to Autumn, "How long does it say it needs to bake?"
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 3:53:23 GMT -5
Looked again to make sure, "Twelve to fifteen minutes."
Picking up the timer, finding the chicken shape quirky, twisted it and set it down near a couple chairs that were out of the way. She smiled and looked toward the oven. "I've never made a pizza before, I'm enjoying this."
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 4:00:29 GMT -5
She smiled and shook her head again. "Me too, actually. I usually don't cook, but I didn't want to ask a doggen to make anything special for us. I might request some frozen pizzas around." She laughed and watched the busy kitchen, wondering how everyone knew what to do. "I know you've done some training, but you should come to the self defense classes occasionally. Keep practicing on your skills."
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 4:06:38 GMT -5
She smiled and looked at Xhex again. "You know, I was thinking the same thing. And perhaps learn some new ones. I watched a movie recently, 'twas called...The Karate Kid? It was quite good. Particularly when he was able to fight with only one good leg. I still do not wish to become a warrior, but still, it would be nice to have that ability, should I ever need it."
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Post by Xhex Tehrror on Dec 16, 2012 4:13:11 GMT -5
She nodded. "Its always good to know how to defend yourself, at least until you can get away. Especially in this world now. Things are chaotic and dangerous. I can't see that Tohr would complain too much about you coming to class occasionally."
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Post by Autumn Hharm on Dec 16, 2012 4:23:54 GMT -5
Shook her head, "I don't, either. I think it might help him worry less about me coming here, as well."
After a while, the kitchen was filled with another lovely aroma, and before they knew it, their conversation was interrupted by the timer going off. Standing, she grabbed the oven mitts and went to carefully pull the pie out, inhaling the scent with a smile. "I also think he's going to be jealous of this." Grinned.
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