Raven

[Cloudy]

<sub>Lauren's head snapped around, her hazel eyes burning into Alec. I already have, she growled, rolling her shoulders back and lifting her head proudly. "Good luck, Sabine," she said kindly, smiling.

"Right," Unole said. "Ember, you'll be paired with Jai. Sabine, you'll be with Rathir, Lauren, you're with Ashton. Alec, you're with Peony." He gave her a stern look that clearly said, 'don't try anything.' He turned, nodded at the Schimba, and sat back to watch. Unole was far too experienced to need training, as was Jai; but Jai was young and still wanted to help.</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember nodded, choosing a clear part to spar,"Take it easy on me, big boy."she teased as she dropped into a crouch. Without warning, she sprang. Her muscles tensed in preperation to attack. A grin was on her lips as a growl escaped her lips and she collided against Jai. Her body weight slammed into him, and she felt her hands connect with his shoulders.

Sabine shied away, but nodded. She wasn't a fighter. Not like Ember. She sighed as she looked around the Schimba she was paired up with.

Alec's fury rose, but he nodded nonetheless to his father. It was hard to believe but he respected him. He didn't love him, but at least he respected him.</sub>

[Cloudy]

<sub>[gentle pat]

Rathir turned his odd, yellow eyes on Sabine, smiling gently. "'Ello," he greeted, his soft, lilting accent blaringly British. "'ow are you? Do you know anything about fighting, luv?"

Jai snarled and dropped downward, driving his knees up into Ember's ribs. He rolled her away, hopped onto his feet, and grinned. He was on the defensive of course, simply testing Ember's skills. He eyed her shamelessly, his eyes roving across his mate, the green orbs glowing with intensity. He flashed his teeth, waiting.

[sorry short]</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember rose almost immediately, holding her stomach, she growled, but it was tinted with an unsaid challenge. Her eyes narrowed nd a smirk played on her lips as she dropped into a crouch. She studied her mate for a long time, before she sprang once more. Expect this time she didn't collide against him, instead she landed just infront of him. She was blur as she gave him a few quick jabs to ribs and than danced back just out of reach.

Sabine shook her head, her scarlet locks bouncing slightly,"No, Sir."she replied, her voice soft. She shied away from his gaze. She was a shy thing to the say the least and often could be found either in the kitchen cooking something or tucked away on a couch curled around a book. Sabine was to become a healer, but she didn't like Orenda. The slightly older Schimba terrified her and she didn't want anything to do with her and so she learned from Unole himself, when he wasn't busy with Ember or Alec.</sub>

[Cloudy]

<sub>"Okay," Rathir said, his voice gentle. "I want you to hit me. Go on, punch me right in the face." He grinned and patted his cheek. His blue eyes were gentle, the soft, dirty-blond hair that adorned his head shifting lightly in the breeze. He was fairly attractive, and fairly muscular, with agility and power behind him. He was a good fighter, and was protective of the Schimba.

Jai skidded backwards, shook himself, and lunged. He shot behind Ember in a burst of power, slammed his palm against the centre of her spine, and kicked here legs out from beneath her. As she went down, he pinned her arms against her sides, pinned her legs beneath her, and pinned her to the earth. "Gotcha," he purred.

Lauren's eyes narrowed as she inclined her head, searching for Ashton. Where was he? She was paired with him, wasn't she?</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember grunted as air left her lungs with a whoosh, she sputtered, but slowly a grin crept on to her lips. She arched her back and lifted her head,"Not for long."she whispered in his ear, her warm breath tickled his ear. She didn't even give him time to react, she simply shifted than, into a ginormous elephant, and than she shifted once more back into herself. She landed delicately and tilted her head at Jai,"Bring it."

Sabine stared at him as if he was crazy,"Punch you? In the face? Are you crazy?"her brow furrowed and she took a step back, her eyes searching his for any sign of humor. When she saw he wasn't joking, she closed her eyes and punched him. Right in the middle of his face.</sub>

[Cloudy]

<sub>Jai grinned. "Clever," he said. "But what happens when your enemy attacks you with power?" Without moving, Jai lashed out with his power, a glowing whip of energy striking the ground to the right of Ember. Dirt and soil exploded upwards, showering Ember with moss and leaves and earth.

Spotting Ashton, Lauren sauntered over to the guard. "I was paired with you," she said, stating the obvious. The female crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, watching Ashton carefully for any sign of attack.

Rathir laughed softly as she struck him, staggering a bit. "Good!" he told her, shaking off the pain. "But you shouldn't close your eyes and pray. Your enemy will take advantage of this and strike when you can't see. The Strigoi fight dirty, so you're going to need to abandon any feelings of fighting with honor and whatnot. The Strigoi are going to kick you when you're down; you're gonna need to do the same."</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember's eyes widened in surpise and she dropped to the ground, crying out in pain. As soon as she hit the ground, she curled into a ball, her arms were wrapped tightly around her legs and her brown curls hid her face.

Sabine stared at him like he was a foreign creature,"I can't, Rathir. I'm no fighter.. I am but a servant. I have never fought in my life... And I do not intend too. I can't do this.. I'm a lover not a fighter.""she said, glancing at the ground. Her wet eyelashes dusted her cheekbones and her lip was out in a pout.

Alec stared at Peony, he wouldn't hurt her.</sub>

[Cloudy]

<sub>"You don't have a choice," Rathir pointed out gently. "We need every Schimba to fight for their people. If Unole, or Jai, or Ember falls because they do not have their people protecting their back, you will be next. The Strigoi will not spare you because you do not fight back. They will tear out your heart, drink in your soul, ravage your body and move onto the next." He looked sad to be telling her this, but it was necessary.

Jai's eyes narrowed as his mate cried out in pain, but he had to ignore it; had to. She needed to fight dirty, to prepare herself. And God, Jai would make up for causing her pain now. Like hell he would. Swallowing, Jai lashed out again with his power, though he never once struck her directly. No, he hit the ground next to her, and attacked her mind.</sub>

[Goldie]

Ashton nodded, blue eyes sweeping over her. He nodded once more before taking a defensive position. "Alright, show me whatcha got." He said, a small smirk playing on his lips while his eyes sparked humorously.

(On iPod short)