Take me to the river

-=--=--=--=--=--<* A08: Northern Bridge Over Tornmawr River *>--=--=--=--=--=-

It's Gilday, Aestry 13 11:17:06 1018. The full moon isn't up. The tide is low and slack. Towering white clouds drift slowly through the blue sky. It's hazy and hot, and the glare of the sun seems to drain the color from the landscape.

Yelrona is walking back and forth along the narrow edge of the bridge railing, speeding up as her balance improves. The soaked condition of her hair and clothes suggests she's fallen into the river at least once while doing this. GAME: Yelrona rolls acrobatics: (12)+10: 22

She doesn't fall in!

Coming up on the bridge, Fiore notices that Yelrona is trying to balance herself on the rail of the bridge. Considering the rail is about 3 feet up, it would put Yelrona CLOSE to eye level with Fiore. SO she walks over to the rail and walks behind her, inside of her arm reach, so if yelrona slips, she'll grab her.

And believe me...it looks like she could throw Yelrona....let alone lift her.

Standing 8 feet tall, this is a massive woman with flame colored hair falling down to her mid back. Her red hair has different shades of flame, ranging from blonde in blaces to orange, but is predominantly red. She has large blue eyes and an angular face complete with full, pink lips.

She has a curvy, feminine body, that has darkened skin, as if she had been outside in the harshest of elements. Her body is also toned, from years of work and using her natural born strength. Upon her left shoulder is a tattoo of a lightning bolt framing a maul overlaid by a mountain. The bears the same burn marks upon the inside of both of her forearms, as if intentionally put there. She wears a somewhat tight top, resembling a short tank top, a loose pair of pants and her feet and hands are wrapped heavily for protection.

Yelrona looks over her shoulder as a shadow crosses her and her eyes widen, surprise almost costing her her balance. It's not so much that Fiore is taller than she is -- practically everyone she meets in Alexandria is taller than she is -- as it is that the giantborn is nearly twice her size! Even standing on the railing does not bring them eye-to-eye. Also, there's the fact that the giant is practically breathing down her neck, which is admittedly offputting. She takes a careful step back and asks "Can I help you?"

"More like how can I help you. It looks like you took a bath already." Fiore says as she walks around Yelrona....and grabs her belt as it's obvious she's losing her balance. "Steady now. I don't want you getting hurt, elf....but it does look like you're practicing some balance drills. Am I right?"

Yelrona instinctively attempts to evade Fiore's grip, which causes her to lose her footing... then attempting to regain her footing distracts her from Fiore's grip... with the end result that she topples as the giant catches her. "Ah... yes, I suppose," she agrees. It's strange to think of them as 'drills', as she's never really thought of this as something she's formally training in, but she supposes it's true enough. "And yes, more than once. On a hot day like this, falling has its benefits! But thanks for the hand, regardless. Would you like to join me?"

"it's not hot, it's your imagination." Says Fiore as she lifts her up and puts her back on the railing. "I'll join you, but I've done my drills already. I was going through with a relaxing jog when I saw you." She then looks to the ledge. "The ledge is deceptive. it's wider than you initially think, but not QUTIE as wide as you need. your center of gravity is between your navel and your hips. It's also the biggest part of your body, so move them in the opposite direction that you're falling.' She then rolls her eyes. "Manners. Sorry, I'm Fiore, Acolyte in the order of Righteous Battle."

Yelrona considers hopping off the railing and onto the bridge itself, so she can more fully concentrate on this decidedly odd conversation, which has somehow turned into a class on balance-work. She decides not to, though, as she's tired of having to crane her neck to talk to people, and she doesn't know Fiore well enough for a conversation with her belly-button to seem appropriate. "Yelrona," she replies. "I don't have a title, sorry." She pauses a second and adds "Doesn't _everyone_ consider theirs the order of righteous battle?"

"Thaaaat might be true in some cases, but only one god has a Monastic order that is called that." Fiore says and turns her left arm towards Yelrona, and showing her the tattoo on her left upper arm. The tattoo is literally lightning engulfing a giant hammer. "Angoron." She then smiles.

"Ah!" Yelrona replies with sudden recognition. "Yes, of course. I've read about your tradition, but you're the first actual follower I've met." She nods. "A pleasure."

Fiore bows to Yelrona. "There are a few followers of Angoron. the only mistake they make is that Angoron is only about physical strength. That would be wrong. The strong is not just physically, but mentally as well. There is also dexterity." She says before looking down towards the rail. "Do me a favor....and take off your boots."

Yelrona tilts her head curiously in Fiore's direction and regards her for a moment before deciding that the giant seems unlikely to run off with her boots. She straightens up and breathes evenly a few times before shifting her weight entirely onto one leg, balancing there for a moment before carefully removing her boot, keeping her gaze level. Dropping the boot onto the bridge she repeats the exercise with the other boot, then relaxes a little as she places both feet on the railing again, now bare.

"This is how I was taught by Master Iroh. Your feet are meant to grip the surface that you're walking on. So if you truly want to learn to balance, use your natural senses to do so. Boots only hamper your ability to judge your balance." Fiore says as she watches Yelrona. "Feel what I mean."

Yelrona nods. That much makes sense to her, she's noticed the same thing when climbing walls. A lot of Kalniss' friends would practice barefoot, though it never made too much sense to her, unless they intended to go barefoot in their actual lives as well. "Sure, that's true," she agrees readily. "Though they're a lot more comfortable than being barefoot in the winter," she adds with a grin. She leans forward into what she would call Dancer's Pose had she ever heard of yoga, gripping the railing with her foot... GAME: Yelrona rolls acrobatics: (5)+10: 15 ...and wobbling unsteadily before dropping hastily down into a crouch, grabbing the railing with both hands. "Shows you what I get for showing off," she adds ruefully.

"Practicality first, THEN you can show off your prowess. I imagine you'll be a lot better at this than I will as you gain skill. Most of what I use it for is to get past a person's defense if they can reach further than me." Fiore smiles at that. "Then I hit them as hard as I can."

Yelrona nods sheepishly, stands back up, then nods again as the rest of Fiore's comment filters into her mind. "That's not why I took it up," she acknowledges, "but yes, avoiding being hit in combat is a nice side-benefit. Especially if I'm going to spend as much time as I have been working with the Adventurer's Guild." She purses her lips curiously before adding "You're a fighting monk, then? I saw a tournament fight between two monks -- not of your order, I don't think -- back home once... it was very impressive. I could barely see them move!"

Fiore ponders a bit. "yes, I'm a fighting monk. I know of a couple others in the guild. Believe me, some of them move rather.....strangely, even to me."

Yelrona tilts her head, surprised. "You don't all use the same style, then?" She frowns and continues "I suppose that's kind of a stupid question, isn't it. Armed fighters don't all fight the same way, there's no reason to think unarmed fighters would, right? I just... well, you all seem so... _disciplined_, I suppose I just assumed." She chuckles, as though at a private joke. "So, what else did Master Iroh teach you?" she adds curiously.

Fiore nods. "That's because we are. Or we try to be. Some like to think of themselves as disciplined, but they aren't. And assumptions make an ass of everyone." She then smiles a bit. "Master Iroh taught me a few things."

"One of the monks at that demonstration broke a plank in half with his bare hand," Rona adds excitedly. "Can you do that?"

Fiore tilts her head. "How thick was the plank?" She says bluntly.

Yelrona's forehead wrinkles as she tries to remember. "About this thick, maybe?" she says, holding her hands a bit under a couple of inches apart. "Standard construction lumber."

Fiore shakes her head. "Pff. they were trying to protect their hands." She says as she flexes her fingers. "Try punching through stone."

Yelrona blinks uncertainly. "I... ah... think I'll pass? But I sure would like to see it."

Fiore laughs. "I can. With one finger." She says holding up her index finger when she says. "Then again, I'm a giantborn. I had 'Little Giant' call it the ultimate lockpick."

Yelrona laughs. "That it is, I suppose. Though perhaps a little _too_ ultimate, if you ever want to lock the door again afterwards."

Fiore laughs. "I.....explode the door. So no. there's no chance of it."

Yelrona nods. "So, yes. Effective. But lacks subtlety."

Fiore laughs. "That's true. Exploding a door is a good way to announce your entrance, but it.....announces your presence to the room. If you don't want to do that, I would suggest a rogue to enter quietly."

Kira starts across the bridge over the river. She takes a moment to enjoy the view while she walks, even if the basket she carries in one arm is bulky and the kettle in the other is probably heavy.

Yelrona nods. "We're good at that. And it's helpful, sometimes. Though I suppose you're better equipped to handle whatever opposition there may be to your forced entry," she adds with a grin, then waves carefully to the familiar human woman. "Good afternoon, Kira! Where are you off to?"

Some distance off, in the cool shade of the Highbridge itself and tucked up beneath the stone of the great support pillars, another figure starts to stir. Aldean mutters something, then rolls alfway over, disrupting the pair of birds sitting nearby. The pair flee the scene in a rush of wings, chittering their annoyance.

Fiore says, "Mmmm...depends upon how you look at it. Sometimes a warrior with armor and shield is better equipped." She says before she turns around. 'Greetings kira. Isn't it a lovely day?""

Kira looks to the greetings and shares her smile with the greeters. "Hello. It IS a lovely day, and I'm hoping to make sure that the hungry in the market think it is, too. How are you both?"

Yelrona smiles. "Rather less altruistic than you are, I'm afraid. Fiore here was explaining some of her teachers' techniques for training balance."

Presently, Aldean shakes himself wake, looks up and around, and passes a hand over his eyes. Where are ... oh. They're on the bridge. He peers up, then speaks a word that seems to lilt in the air, and jumps off the ledge, flying up to join the group on the bridge and seating himself casually on the railing, not far from where Yelrona stands.

Fiore says, "I only have natural balance though. Some are able to use their Ki, or spiritual energy, to accomplish some very incredible feats. It tires them out though to do so." She then chuckles as she looks to Aldean. "Greetings Aldean.""

"I'm sure there are many ways to train balance. But if you do fall over, all you have to do it get up and keep going." Kira gives her friend advice on balancing then gives her smile to Aldean. "Good morning! Or afternoon, now."

Yelrona doesn't notice Aldean until the flying man settles on her railing, then she laughs. "_Speaking_ of incredible feats! Of course, while flying is admittedly an effective way to preserve your balance, it feels rather like cheating." She waves a greeting. "Welcome. Aldean, is it? I remember you from Sandy's party, but I didn't catch your name then... you seemed -cough- busy," she adds with a smirk. "I'm Yelrona. A pleasure."

"Aye, that'd be me, lass." Aldean's mobile expression is open, hearty, and relaxed, and he perches perches easily on the railin, his grin wide even if there is still sleep in his eyes. "Flyin' ain't cheatin' when yer enemy's doin' it. Great party, weren't it, lass? Tis a pleasure t'meet ye," he tells Yelrona before looking at the other two. "An' fair winds to all o' ye."

Kira looks between Aldean and Yelrona. "Party?" Then, before she forgets, she adds to Yelrona, "Please try not to fall. What I said about just getting back up again wasn't meant for bridges."

Fiore says, "In some cases, Kira....there's no option to fall down. Like on a cliff ledge." She then rotates one of her shoulders. "Mmmm...I should get back to my jog. Yelrona, if you want a bit of help with 'situational combat awareness', head down to the arena. many Angorites will be there, and will be willing to make anyone 'stronger', even in presence." She then bows to you all."

Ga'Elian comes riding on Erithamiel toward the bridge. Lately (in his time not spent fighting daemons), he has made something of a habit of jumping off this bridge on the back of his griffon, to practice gliding together. As he approaches the bridge today however, and sees a group of familiar folks gathered at its edge, he rides up and mere states, "I bid you all a fine day."

"The party was marvelous," 'rona agrees. "_Recovering_ from the party, less so. My headache _still_ hasn't gone away... I felt better after being mauled by a lion!" To Kira she shrugs. "I've fallen a couple of times today. The dive into the river is harmless enough... even refreshing, in this heat. Which I'm told exists only in my imagination," she adds cheerfully, "but I have an _excellent_ imagination." She nods to Fiore as the giant prepares to leave. "I may do that! A good day to you as well, and thanks for your help."

"Aye, Lady Sandiel's anniversary party the other even," Aldean tells Kira, still grinning, although the grin fades a little as he rocks back and forth a little. "Fair winds to ye, he nods to Ga'Elian as he puts in an appearance, although his eyes are very much on the griffon -- anything else he'd planned to say gets lost in the watching for the magnificent creature.

"Oh. Oh!" The first is from explanation of the party and Yelrona's high diving. The second is from the arrival of Ga'Elian and the griffon. Kira recovers and greets the last two with a warm smile. "Hello. It is a veyr good day." Since she's stopped for a few, she sets down the basket of bread and big iron pot.

Yelrona grins broadly as griffon and rider approach, hopping off the railing to greet Erithamiel effusively. "Yes, who's a good griffon? Who's a good boy? You are! Yes you are!" Eventually she gets around to acknowledging the rider with a less effusive but still friendly wave.

Ga'Elian laughs at Yelrona's attentions to Erthamiel--a cheerful, good natured laugh. He says, "I find it curious indeed how the talk of a party correspondeth with the topic of falling and getting back up."

Yelrona chuckles. "Well, it was that kind of party," she admits. "I made the mistake of sampling -- some might say over-sampling -- the black gin. Which, aaah... tastes better coming up than it did going down," she adds ruefully. "But as far as I know I made it back to the Fernwood on my own two feet... eventually. I don't think Aldean here ever made it back to his own bed, though," she adds with a smirk.

Ga'Elian raises an eyebrow and says, "Well, in that respect, perhaps 'tis not so very different from the revels of the fey held deep in the forests under moonlight." He looks nostalgic and makes a gesture indicating Eluna, as he mentions moonlight.

A wicked twinkle sparks in Aldean's dark eyes. "Her bed were plenty comfortable enough, lass," he admits, and ads an outrangeous wink to the remark. "Far better'n whatever horsepiss the Oxleys were after sellin' ... and they likely swiped what were bein' passed around."

"Oh, my. That must have been a very...exciting party!" Kira imagines aloud, or tries to. She smiles wider to Aldean. "I'm glad that someone was kind enough to give you a place to sleep. It must have been very exhausting."

Yelrona raises the back of her hand to her forehead in mock-tragedy. "Ah, the things I missed out on," she cries dramatically in response to Ga'Ellian, "attending Elunite worship gatherings in my mother's temple! Had I attended the fae gatherings, I might still be an Elunite!" She opens her mouth to respond to Kira, apparently thinks better of it, closes her mouth, then adds "You wouldn't happen to know Myrana, would you?"

Kira thinks a moment and then shakes her head. "No, I'm sorry, I don't think that I do."

Yelrona hops up onto the railing to resume her balance-beam practice, just in time for Kira's reply to catch up with her. The resulting belly-laugh claims her balance as a victim, and she plunges, laughing but apparently safe, into the waters below.