Mizu nodded, taking in Lance's information. At least the volunteers were somewhat spread out amongst the captains, except Bronwen, the commander supposed. But, Blake would go along with it, even if she didn't like it. It was what they needed to continue down this course of action, and Blake would come to understand that even if it was frustrating right now.
The commander felt lighter after hearing that none of the volunteers left, even when they knew they had an extra. While it did bother her somewhat that so many people wanted to leave, she appreciated that each of them were ostensibly going for their own experiences and not exclusively on behalf of the army. She couldn't begrudge them their distaste for the uncertainties of war; why not trade them for uncertainties with a goddess?
Exhaling a very slight sigh, the commander turned toward the lieutenant--ah, yes, Lieutenant Holloway--and surveyed him quickly. Somehow, she had the impression that the goddess would appreciate him. He was certainly fit--they all were--and his self-assured demeanor was refreshing in a number of ways. He didn't seem uncomfortable talking with her, and she was grateful for that. Even among the captains, Mizu felt their intimidation.
Mizu nodded subtly again, picking up threads of previous thought. Did she need anything more from this interaction? She wanted to think on what it meant that a soldier had already gone through. Perhaps Evan would be able to contact them with Ponderance's horse. Captain Fujiwara could handle that much, though, and report in. As much as was happening, there was little for the commander to do right this moment, and she certainly did not want to talk strategy with this lieutenant.
Thinking in a different direction, Mizu asked, "What are your thoughts on the ceremony? How did the other volunteers react in hearing about it?" She wanted to hear what news was on the ground on that front. While she trusted Captain Kade's judgment, she also didn't want to try to force an event none of them wanted.
Mizu/Lance
Re: Mizu/Lance
"Well, I think," Lance replied, but it was admittedly a shallow guess, shared before he really thought back on the event. Truthfully, he realized, it had been hard to get a read, given Evan's stumble with Philip mid-speech. He didn't feel like that little detail was especially important to share with the commander, but she likely caught a hesitation in his expression after he'd spoken that called for some elaboration, which he promptly obliged.
"I'm certainly excited for it. I think some of the others had shown up still expecting to leave tonight, so there was a little uncertainty, but I think they'll come around and be glad for it."
Lance paused there, double-checking if that all felt accurate enough. He supposed after a brief reflection that there was one more detail that might be useful to share. "There's maybe some anxiety about coming up with offerings, I suppose."
"I'm certainly excited for it. I think some of the others had shown up still expecting to leave tonight, so there was a little uncertainty, but I think they'll come around and be glad for it."
Lance paused there, double-checking if that all felt accurate enough. He supposed after a brief reflection that there was one more detail that might be useful to share. "There's maybe some anxiety about coming up with offerings, I suppose."
Re: Mizu/Lance
Mizu nodded very slightly once more, understanding the confusion. That was reasonable. And, given that the army itself was bare bones in what it had to offer, asking individuals to come up with their own offerings was a big ask. Granted, the types of offerings Kade and Rutliff had discussed might not need much material substance. Perhaps Captain Kade could do more to help the volunteers with what they could prepare. She would ask him about it.
The commander wanted to ask Lieutenant Holloway if he'd put any thought into what he would offer, but that felt like it might be too personal a question, especially for walking out in the open.
Itching for something to do and not yet ready to go back to the strategy tent, the commander raised one eyebrow slightly as one corner of her mouth lifted. It was an exceedingly subtle expression, but one that the lieutenant would catch if he were looking.
"If that's all you have to report," Mizu said, clasping her hands behind her back and looking forward now, "and if there isn't anything else immediately demanding your attention, would you set your steel against mine?" She delivered it levelly, giving the lieutenant every opportunity to opt out.
The commander wanted to ask Lieutenant Holloway if he'd put any thought into what he would offer, but that felt like it might be too personal a question, especially for walking out in the open.
Itching for something to do and not yet ready to go back to the strategy tent, the commander raised one eyebrow slightly as one corner of her mouth lifted. It was an exceedingly subtle expression, but one that the lieutenant would catch if he were looking.
"If that's all you have to report," Mizu said, clasping her hands behind her back and looking forward now, "and if there isn't anything else immediately demanding your attention, would you set your steel against mine?" She delivered it levelly, giving the lieutenant every opportunity to opt out.
Re: Mizu/Lance
Lance was occasionally looking elsewhere as they walked simply to keep abreast of their surroundings, but he was glad he'd looked back to Mizu to catch her expression subtly shift. He couldn't help the way his own expression mirrored and amplified what he'd caught, his eyebrows both lifting and his grin widening, even before the commander had shared what thought crossed her mind. In fact, Lance reeled in his expression when she lead with prompting him to think on if he had anything else to report or set his attention to, but he didn't get far in that contemplation before she offered to cross swords, and he couldn't have stopped his reply if he'd tried.
"Happily, Commander," he said, his grin returning to full excitement.
"Happily, Commander," he said, his grin returning to full excitement.
Re: Mizu/Lance
The lieutenant's grin was infectious such that Mizu could not help a small smile from escaping her stony composure. Wordlessly directing them off their current path and out toward the sparring field, genuine excitement began to bubble within her, and it was a welcome relief from all the anxiety of previous days. Since the attacks had begun, the commander hadn't had time enough to spar, and her body ached with the inactivity.
Not to mention that Lance hadn't so much as flinched at the idea of sparring with her.
Yes, she, too, occasionally needed to blow off steam.
While there were a few others on the sparring field, they were sparse on account of the deepening color of the sky. That was all right with the commander--they needn't be out long. Enough to get her blood pumping, and she would be satisfied.
Once they were a safe distance from other pairs and most onlookers, the commander stopped to stretch her arms briefly before twisting her spine in one direction and then the other. Then, once she felt prepared, she turned toward Lance and offered a full bow, drawing her foreign-made sword and brandishing its weight with ease in her left hand.
((OOC: I'm imagining they might briefly touch swords before beginning? Idk, not really sure of the etiquette of this and honestly more interested in what's fun.
))
Not to mention that Lance hadn't so much as flinched at the idea of sparring with her.
Yes, she, too, occasionally needed to blow off steam.
While there were a few others on the sparring field, they were sparse on account of the deepening color of the sky. That was all right with the commander--they needn't be out long. Enough to get her blood pumping, and she would be satisfied.
Once they were a safe distance from other pairs and most onlookers, the commander stopped to stretch her arms briefly before twisting her spine in one direction and then the other. Then, once she felt prepared, she turned toward Lance and offered a full bow, drawing her foreign-made sword and brandishing its weight with ease in her left hand.
((OOC: I'm imagining they might briefly touch swords before beginning? Idk, not really sure of the etiquette of this and honestly more interested in what's fun.
))Re: Mizu/Lance
Excitement thumped in Lance's chest as he moved with Commander Miyamoto to find their place on the field. He felt the eyes that spotted them along the way with delight. It was an honor to spar with the commander, and truthfully, he was pleased as punch that he'd get the opportunity before his departure tomorrow. He was glad that he'd have at least some audience for it, even if it was sparse at this hour.
The commander chose their spot of field and stopped to stretch, which Lance fluidly joined in. He didn't necessarily have any notions of besting the commander, but he did want to aim for giving her an earnest match. Once he was satisfied with his muscles' complaisance, Lance stepped into position across from Miyamoto, mirrored her bow, and drew his sword in time with her. He grinned brightly through the encroaching twilight, thrill dancing happily through him. Their swords touched in the ritual to begin, and then Lance giddily made the first move, eager to force the commander to step back with his advance and more specifically, to see how she'd respond.
((OOC: I'm imagining this mostly entails Lance stepping forward and swinging in a way that's perfectly easy for Mizu to block, provided she indeed steps back. But, I'd also imagine that it's possible for her to instead dodge it and come around Lance's side in some way if she feels she can risk less-steady footing right out the gate. I'm also imagining that the overall aim is to tap the blunt side of the sword against your opponent?))
The commander chose their spot of field and stopped to stretch, which Lance fluidly joined in. He didn't necessarily have any notions of besting the commander, but he did want to aim for giving her an earnest match. Once he was satisfied with his muscles' complaisance, Lance stepped into position across from Miyamoto, mirrored her bow, and drew his sword in time with her. He grinned brightly through the encroaching twilight, thrill dancing happily through him. Their swords touched in the ritual to begin, and then Lance giddily made the first move, eager to force the commander to step back with his advance and more specifically, to see how she'd respond.
((OOC: I'm imagining this mostly entails Lance stepping forward and swinging in a way that's perfectly easy for Mizu to block, provided she indeed steps back. But, I'd also imagine that it's possible for her to instead dodge it and come around Lance's side in some way if she feels she can risk less-steady footing right out the gate. I'm also imagining that the overall aim is to tap the blunt side of the sword against your opponent?))
Re: Mizu/Lance
Mizu appreciated the initiating ceremony of the swordfight, quick and subtle though it was. It gave her a moment to quiet her thoughts, to pull all her mind and body back into this moment and the motions necessary to protect herself.
She couldn't help but think how different sparring was from actual battle. There were few other ways to practice, however. And the flow still flooded up from somewhere under her skin during these matches.
The commander had imagined asking Lance more questions during their sparring session, but when their blades touched to initiate the match, Mizu's mind pushed everything out except the positions of their bodies in this moment. If she hadn't, she might have lost this first match early as Lance wasted no time coming in with the first strike. Not having much time to react, the commander took a half step backward and met Lance's blade with her own, blocking and sliding the weight of her sword toward his in an attempt to catch him off balance. If she had, she would kick him squarely in the hip, knocking him to the ground before tapping the tip of her blade to his chest.
It was harder than she wanted to admit not to injure him. The motions of slaughter were so practiced, and with the memory of their battle with the demons and the rest of the king's army so recently in her mind, her body found itself anticipating actual danger.
"Again," the commander said, returning to a starting position.
She couldn't help but think how different sparring was from actual battle. There were few other ways to practice, however. And the flow still flooded up from somewhere under her skin during these matches.
The commander had imagined asking Lance more questions during their sparring session, but when their blades touched to initiate the match, Mizu's mind pushed everything out except the positions of their bodies in this moment. If she hadn't, she might have lost this first match early as Lance wasted no time coming in with the first strike. Not having much time to react, the commander took a half step backward and met Lance's blade with her own, blocking and sliding the weight of her sword toward his in an attempt to catch him off balance. If she had, she would kick him squarely in the hip, knocking him to the ground before tapping the tip of her blade to his chest.
It was harder than she wanted to admit not to injure him. The motions of slaughter were so practiced, and with the memory of their battle with the demons and the rest of the king's army so recently in her mind, her body found itself anticipating actual danger.
"Again," the commander said, returning to a starting position.
Re: Mizu/Lance
Lance was pleased that the starting footwork had gone according to plan, but he hadn't thought much past that, and the commander pushed against his blade with a steady might. Straightforward strength had never been his forte, and a brief jolt of panic pricked at his chest when he realized that he'd have to come up with something else fast to avoid Miyamoto's strength simply overtaking him.
He wasn't fast enough; the commander's push finally forced Lance's stance to slip, and she took the opportunity to kick him squarely in the hip, sending him toppling to the ground with her blade against his chest.
Lance grinned wildly through the feral fear of a sword pointed right at his heart and the subtle flood of embarrassment that always came with a quick defeat--really, any defeat, so he was well-practiced at taking it in stride. Exhilaration toppled both of those emotions, anyhow, at ultimately Lance was deeply pleased that the commander wasn't pulling her punches. Kicking was officially on the table, which was frankly delightful news.
"Again."
The commander returned to her start position, and Lance hopped up with an eager spring in his step. Sure, maybe his hip would be a mite tender from the kick, but he really wasn't one to complain about that.
The lieutenant returned to his own starting position as well, and this time waited a moment after their swords tapped, curious to see if Mizu would lead this match.
He wasn't fast enough; the commander's push finally forced Lance's stance to slip, and she took the opportunity to kick him squarely in the hip, sending him toppling to the ground with her blade against his chest.
Lance grinned wildly through the feral fear of a sword pointed right at his heart and the subtle flood of embarrassment that always came with a quick defeat--really, any defeat, so he was well-practiced at taking it in stride. Exhilaration toppled both of those emotions, anyhow, at ultimately Lance was deeply pleased that the commander wasn't pulling her punches. Kicking was officially on the table, which was frankly delightful news.
"Again."
The commander returned to her start position, and Lance hopped up with an eager spring in his step. Sure, maybe his hip would be a mite tender from the kick, but he really wasn't one to complain about that.
The lieutenant returned to his own starting position as well, and this time waited a moment after their swords tapped, curious to see if Mizu would lead this match.
Re: Mizu/Lance
Mizu watched Lance closely, curious about whether he would feel disrespected by her approach. She couldn't count the number of times she had pulled punches while sparring with her captains--she didn't want them to lose face. But with Lance... he was a lieutenant, a lieutenant who would soon be leaving their ranks, so did his morale really matter?
He didn't seem at all deterred, though, and in fact looked excited to begin anew. Mizu was incredibly grateful that he didn't immediately storm off given a single defeat, and when their blades touched a second time, the commander felt excitement building in her stomach. Perhaps they could continue into the evening like this--her muscles would certainly appreciate the use.
But then Lance didn't make a move for a moment, and Mizu had always felt a little put off by the idea of being on the offensive. One of them needed to be, though, for this to work. Obviously, Mizu knew that. Fine, then.
She took a moment to assess Lance's stance. His balance was good, his sword arm sturdy, his gaze attentive. He would react quickly and eagerly, especially having lost the previous bout.
The commander took several steps back and began to circle the lieutenant clockwise, watching his footwork as he moved and gaging the best place to strike. Abruptly, Mizu took two steps in the opposite direction and struck, aiming soundlessly with the blunt side of her blade for the side of his thigh.
Preoccupied by the match, the commander was only distantly aware of the fact that several people who had been sparring had stopped what they were doing to watch the two of them, a few of them even brave enough to walk a little closer.
He didn't seem at all deterred, though, and in fact looked excited to begin anew. Mizu was incredibly grateful that he didn't immediately storm off given a single defeat, and when their blades touched a second time, the commander felt excitement building in her stomach. Perhaps they could continue into the evening like this--her muscles would certainly appreciate the use.
But then Lance didn't make a move for a moment, and Mizu had always felt a little put off by the idea of being on the offensive. One of them needed to be, though, for this to work. Obviously, Mizu knew that. Fine, then.
She took a moment to assess Lance's stance. His balance was good, his sword arm sturdy, his gaze attentive. He would react quickly and eagerly, especially having lost the previous bout.
The commander took several steps back and began to circle the lieutenant clockwise, watching his footwork as he moved and gaging the best place to strike. Abruptly, Mizu took two steps in the opposite direction and struck, aiming soundlessly with the blunt side of her blade for the side of his thigh.
Preoccupied by the match, the commander was only distantly aware of the fact that several people who had been sparring had stopped what they were doing to watch the two of them, a few of them even brave enough to walk a little closer.
Re: Mizu/Lance
Lance couldn't have helped the gleeful grin spread across his face if he'd tried, and he didn't much care to. When it came to this sort of pleasurable excitement, he saw no need to obfuscate that feeling--though he might have been hiding a small flutter of nervousness beneath it. He certainly didn't want to make a fool of himself before leaving, to their very dignified commander, no less. But, the way to not make a fool of himself was to keep focused and engaged, so he watched Mizu watching him, each of them taking in the other's stance with meticulous attention.
When the commander began to circle Lance, a fresh flutter of nervousness swam through his stomach, but he assured himself that he knew the appropriate response. He moved fluidly with her, keeping his weight carefully centered in his stance as he contemplated how he might strike. That last bit was probably getting a little head of himself, though, and the commander successfully flustered him by abruptly switching directions. She very nearly got his thigh as she attacked amidst his brief fluster, but Lance did just barely dart out of the way, though he had to throw himself far too off-balance in the process to dream of making a counter-attack. Instead, he hastily put an extra pace or two between himself and the commander to earn enough time to reset his footing and recenter his weight, returning with some chagrin to a defensive stance and clicking his tongue in playful frustration as he assessed the commander's response to his dodge.
When the commander began to circle Lance, a fresh flutter of nervousness swam through his stomach, but he assured himself that he knew the appropriate response. He moved fluidly with her, keeping his weight carefully centered in his stance as he contemplated how he might strike. That last bit was probably getting a little head of himself, though, and the commander successfully flustered him by abruptly switching directions. She very nearly got his thigh as she attacked amidst his brief fluster, but Lance did just barely dart out of the way, though he had to throw himself far too off-balance in the process to dream of making a counter-attack. Instead, he hastily put an extra pace or two between himself and the commander to earn enough time to reset his footing and recenter his weight, returning with some chagrin to a defensive stance and clicking his tongue in playful frustration as he assessed the commander's response to his dodge.