make the choice to choose

[connatural]

WHO: Ashley Magnus
WHERE: South Village, by the water
WHEN: random Mornings throughout the month
OPEN TO: Everyone
WARNINGS: Updated as needed

---

un: magnus

One more day of this normal routine and I'm going to fucking lose it. South Village. By the mill. Sparring partners needed before I go fucking nuts without work. Any morning from dawn until lunchish.

Ashley never thought about how much of her life was spent constantly on the go. Even in her downtime, she realized she wasn't likely to sit around long, coming up with reasons to get out and move. It's a restlessness that she took for granted when she had the Sanctuary work to do, and an entire city to traverse. Not to mention abnormals to contain, especially with the uptick because of the Cabal before this place.

Now if this place is Cabal or not, she doesn't know, but if it is, they already know what she's capable of so there's reason to hide it.

Mornings start with a run, heading out further each day, taking new routes, trying to not only learn this place but learn every path she might need for any reason. Not to mention the creatures, the resources, anything to keep her on her toes and know what she might need no matter what happens.

By the mill she practices with the few weapons she's gathered, using them in various ways so she knows the heft and weight of them in case. Everything is in case, even if here she has no idea in case of what. There's only so much a person can practice alone, so she hopes sending out that message will draw a few people to practice against. Will keep her on point, not to mention meaning she could get a chance to know more of those here. It's already been eye opening, and she's curious what else this place holds.

Comments

[connatural]

That definitely seems like a good answer, though when he shows up, Ashley takes some time looking him over. He reminds her of some of her "god" family. The men and women of Academia that have been part of their family for decades, some that she knew by name and pictures and presents they left for her. In a way he makes her wonder what Watson was like back in the day and if this is what he was like then.

"I will always be looking for anything to keep me on point," she admits, offering him a grin. "I've used swords well enough, though usually a two handed broadswords. Rapiers don't do much in the things where I've needed swords." It didn't cleave a head, for one. "But I'm willing to try. What's the worse that happens? I've bled before."

[cryptoherpetology]

"I'm pretty decent with a longsword, haven't worked as much with the heavier blades. And I tend to use knives more often than not in the field. But honestly? Swords are more fun," he confesses with a hint of a wry smile.

He laughs at her agreeableness. "You'd get along with my sister," he says. "I used to help her bandage her feet after dance competitions." Admittedly, Verity hadn't appreciated that he put the extra effort and money in to getting her the "no-chew" vet wrap to keep the gauze on. In his defense, it had once stopped something from chewing on her ankle, and she'd at least stopped complaining about it after that.

[connatural]

Ashley laughs at that, nodding. "Can't say you're wrong, and I get a few chances to use them in the field myself, but a lot harder to hide than a gun. Sometimes though swords are all that works," she says, shrugging. "Worked with knives, staves, hand to hand. So I'm up for anything, but I don't like not keeping up with my training here."

She feels it would just be dangerous. Her eyes go wide then, staring at him. "What the hell kind of dance does she do that requires bandaging after competing and how do I start? Sounds like my kind of dancing."

And so useful, she could imagine. Also would make her mother happy she is learning a new skill as well.

[cryptoherpetology]

"She focuses on latin ballroom, but she's had a bit of training in everything. She does say her dance and hand-to-hand combat skills complement each other well," Alex answers.

"Despite it technically being an art, dancers are just as much athletes as they are artists. The dance world is, from what Verity's told me, pretty damn brutal at times. And I will say my martial arts skills helped when I had to help her practice."

Which also helped when had to take her to prom. But at least know one knew she was his sister. Just a "friend he met when their small summer science and dance camps shared the same large facilities."

[connatural]

"I didn't know dance could be that dangerous. Maybe I should add it to my training," she says, chuckling though she's not entirely kidding. If it might help, she's willing to take on learning anything.

"Okay, I get that it's brutal and I've seen ballet dancer's feet but... damn, never realized it was that bad." And maybe she'll take it on. She's willing to try. "You don't happen to teach dance as a martial art, do you?"