Private Duty and Honor | House Renoux

[Raze]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Roxy Renoux | Aito

Justice, Courage, Integrity, Respect, Honesty, Honor, and Loyalty, the tenets every Justicar lived to uphold. While their houses and nobles each held their own code of honor, these principles were the same for all. It made the Justicar more alike to their counterparts in another house than it did the nobles who commanded them. In that regard, killing another was akin to killing a brother or sister. It was not done lightly nor easily. They trained to be the best, because the best survived. Besting another in combat was the ultimate test of skill and strength.

Raze had been tested many times over, and his heart beat on.

He knelt on the stone floor of the outdoor training grounds which were connected to the keep. It had always been something of a morning ritual to arrive before the rest to clear his mind of any distracting thoughts before training. Raze also refused to teach a lesson without first mastering the goal of each session himself.

The mechanical whining of each machine echoed in the cave as the training program came to life. Raze turned his right ear over his shoulder. It would come from behind him first. His white blade came to life with the familiar snap and hiss he had come to embrace as the first bolt was released. He leaped into action, twisting as his blade came into contact with the laser blast. Each successive shot was deflected with great ease as Raze relied on his senses and the force to guide his movements.

His chest rose and fell with each breath as he finished. His blade retreated to the cylindrical hilt where it had previously been contained. Raze took in a deep breath and turned toward the mouth of the cave and regarded those who had arrived for the training session.

“You will each master the course today. Our enemies are changing, evolving. While our masters have chosen peace, the mystery surrounding the death of Lord Draco still remains. The burden of duty falls to us to ensure that our master does not suffer the same fate. We train to survive and to ensure our house does not fall.”

His eyes fell to Rexanne. It was brief, and he held them there briefer still. He could not appear to have a favorite among them, or treat the woman any differently because the blood of their Patriarch ran through her veins. She wanted to be among their number, so he would treat her as such. The others had come to expect her presence, but he knew some still held back when facing her.

That changed today.

“If I get the sense any of you are holding back to make Roxy look good, you’ll be mucking the stables with your dinner fork. Understood?”

When everyone acknowledged, Raze moved on.

“Now, who wants to go first?”

 

[Reggie Rau]

STORM
TRAINING GROUNDS | JAEMUS
TAG: Raze | Aito

ANIMAL I HAVE BECOME​

She'd been able to sneak away.

Not that it was easy. Ressa just didn't want to let her have some peace. Her adoptive sister was far too keen to comings and goings. But she'd finally managed.

And still she was there before the other Justicars.

Shameful.

Not that she minded when she caught sight of Raze running through the training excercise. It was exhilarating to see - especially because she knew withing her bones that she could do it faster, even though she didn't have the majestic jawline to accompany it.

But the magic was broken as the others joined her at the mouth of the cave. Once again, she fixed her face. She was getting quite good with faces that did not mirror her inner thoughts. Yeah, it probably crossed the line of Honesty, but what the hell was she supposed to do? She still remained the daughter of the Duke when masses were concerned. So hide the face.

And put on the helmet.

When the helmet was on, she could pull her face any way she liked.

....The burden of duty falls to us to ensure that our master does not suffer the same fate. We train to survive and to ensure our house does not fall.”

Raze's voice interrupted her inner babble. Luckily it was the most important part that reached her, and that was something she could wholeheartedly agree with. She hated her position - a gilded cage. But she was loyal to her House still. She loved her House. It was a bulwark in a storm - and that didn't mean the structures.

They moved into the cave and around the circle.

And then Raze just had to run his mouth.

He had a point, though. She hated being treated differently by some. She was no less skilled than most of 'em. But the sun of a gun didn't have to do that.

“Now, who wants to go first?”

Allright, cowboy, let's play it your way....
She stepped forward before anyone else could. "Yessir." came the deadpan answer. And just to rub salt in wounds, she added rhetorically, "And I'm guessing my fork can stay clean?" as she unclipped her own hilt. She knew he wouldn't take it easy on her - not after that. She didn't expect him to, either. They had that understanding.

She smirked behind her helm.

Let the games begin...

 

[Aito]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Tags: Raze | Roxy Renoux

Sliding the helmet back, Aito studied himself in the mirror that he had placed in his room. Another training session had been called and one that he knew would be interesting since he expected Lady Rexanne Renoux to appear, she had been fairly determined to train as a Justicar. It was an admirable pursuit, why not chase the dreams that one has, even if it is something that others would consider demeaning. Life was about living without regret, or so he had read in several poems. For him, it was duty and serving the House that raised him with honour. That didn't mean he couldn't wish for others to pursue their dreams and live their best life.

As he walked to the training grounds, there was Lady Rexanne, ready and eager. An early bird for such activities, it was probably a nice contrast to how she pursued other tasks and activities. Aito was smirking under his helmet, it was clear that this was the life she wished to lead, though it also meant that she often fought harder or attempted to look stronger than she was to prove her worth. It was a shame she felt that way, Aito knew adding pressure to a person was never a healthy thing. It was why he sought so much of the arts and life outside of war and fighting, he did not want the pressures of fighting to consume him or consume his soul.

When Raze's gaze brief held Lady Rexanne's, Aito saw something. An attraction? It made sense, the lady was a beautiful and strong woman, it would be hard not to be allured by her. However, he thought that Raze would know better or at least, would not be so foolish to pursue such attractions. Unless it was reciprocated, was it? His eyes darted to Lady Rexanne but she was wearing her helmet so he couldn't tell anything. He was curious but it could explain why the lady was so interested in the Justicar life, not just the pursuit of a warrior's life but time for her to spend with a potential paramour, one that she couldn't express interest publicly in.

Aito would have to keep this in mind.

Watching the lady step forward and demanding to go first, it was impressive determination. Admirable really in his mind. Aito crossed his arms on his chest and watched, curious to see how Raze performed now. Nothing like sparring if a person you hold feelings for to truly test yourself as a warrior.

 

[Raze]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Roxy Renoux | Aito

Roxy, Aito, the others, all of them were under the care of House Renoux despite their position, and the sooner all of them understood that, the sooner Roxy could be accepted publicly. Her brother Romin already trained with them openly as his father wished for his son to excel in the area of combat. Why should his sister not? Perhaps that had been the reason Raze had made an exception where others had not.

He expected the young woman to be the first to volunteer. The others made it easy on her at times, and she still felt as though she had something to prove. With Raze she did not, and he was often concerned that her drive would see her make a mistake. Raze knew better than to tell her to be cautious. A bruise still held some color on the soft part of his shoulder from the last time he suggested it.

"And I am guessing my fork can stay clean…"

Raze smirked. She had never wanted special treatment and she was an ass for acting like she did now. If she wanted to play that game, the woman would learn quickly that Raze was not about to bend.

"Only if you do not lose," came his answer.

She would understand he was serious with one look. Would the Justicar actually make her clear out the stables with her fork? If she did not think he would then she was delusional. Ulysses would allow only to teach her a lesson as to why she should not train with the Justicars.

His eyes shifted to Aito as Roxy took her place. Raze moved to stand next to the dutiful Justicar. He never understood the man's obsession with the arts and poetry, but his indulgence made him one of the most graceful combatants he had seen. Aito could make killing a man look like a work of art to be admired. He was as deadly a Justicar as he was a passionate one.

Raze bumped his shoulder into Aito's

"You will make sure she loses, at least once. Beat her time."

He looked to Roxy, the activated the machines.

"Whenever you are ready."

 

[Reggie Rau]

STORM
TRAINING GROUNDS | JAEMUS
TAG: Raze | Aito

ANIMAL I HAVE BECOME​

"Only if you do not lose,"

And there it was. He wasn't kidding.

You bet your nice, armoured ass I won't lose.
But out loud another word came.
"Deal."

Not that she minded mucking the stables. It was calming in a way. And kept her away from the Keep, so it was really a win. How the men managed to get manure and straw in their hair, was above her.

Standing in the middle of the circle, she kept Raze in her peripheral without moving. He stopped briefly at Aito and exchanged brief words and that was when she knew he was buying this match.
Coward. You'll pay for that.

Though all that meant was that she would try even harder right now. And kick his hide somewhere more private later.

She centred herself, breathing slowly and drawing on the Force just like she was trained all those years ago - senses open. And then the whine of the machines charging up had all thoughts out of her head.

The argent blade burst to life to catch the first bolt coming from behind her without turning. As the blade came around, it caught the bolt diagonally to the right of her.

Then she moved, her sterling blade dancing like a hummingbird's wings, the bolts getting deflected back to most of the machines, narrowly missing them to hit the walls of the cave right next to them.

When the last bolt came from above, Roxy deflected it straight into the ground right at Raze's feet while on one knee. She stayed like that for a heartbeat while the machines died down, drawing two deep breaths before getting to her feet. Removing her helmet and shaking free her auburn hair to allow the cool air in the cave to dry the sweat beading on her forehead.

Passing her commanding officer to rejoin the ranks of her colleagues, she spared him one glance.
"Thank you, Sir." she said aloud. Now play your hidden hand, you cheat...

She'd probably end up cleaning the stables if it really was Aito set up against her. If what she suspected was right.

He was too damn good for his own good, after all.

 

[Aito]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Tags: Roxy Renoux | Raze

As Roxy stepped up ready to face the droids, Raze stepped towards Aito and informed him that he would be next to ensure that the lady failed. It was a deep sigh in his chest, seemed that Raze was not taking Rexanne in her challenge. A shame, it would have been amusing to see them spar but Aito was not going to argue with the man many saw as the successor to the role as Prime Justicar. Rolling his shoulders, Aito nodded his head, "if you really wanted to train the lady as an equal, you would have her face one of us in a sparring match. Have her face all of us at once even. Droid training gets predictable, builds confidence in skills that do not translate to real war."

While there might be peace talks, real war was always brewing between the Houses from what Aito could tell. While his words might seem cold or callous, it was more wanting to see the lady given a difficult task, forced to fight as a true Justicar would, forced to feel the pain of failure. Not the bitterness of defeat in timed competitions. That would never help her win a fight against Aito, and he figured that she should fight then she should get the chance to learn how to beat him.

Once her time was done, Aito did not clap, he did not offer her support in her efforts. He nodded his head to Raze then stepped forward. Pulling his Lightsaber hilt from the belt it was clipped to. Aito felt himself connect to the great cosmos that was the Force. The sea that interlinked all life. The bonds that tethered everyone together while it also offered a select few strengths. Strengths that one might think were god-like. As Aito connected to it all, his bond to his body grew stronger, understanding the limitations and the strengths in great detail. He connected to the power described to him as Force Valour, for him it was to ensure he could move with the expert practice that a skilled fighter could.

Igniting the silvery white blade, Aito took a neutral stance. Letting the droids circle around him, sensing their locations. Hearing the whirls of their cogs, the shifts and moves. Sensing everything about each one as he held his stance. Aito was prepared and ready to attack, just as one droid fired, Aito let the bolt get within an inch of him before dodging. The bolt hitting the droid directly behind him. From there, everything was child's play. His Lightsaber danced around him, flowing and looking fluid in motion but every strike and block held strong with great purpose. He was not moving unnecessarily.

Once he finished, his Lightsaber switched off and returned to his hip, he had taken each droid down in an artful, swift manner that one could see almost dance like in his movements. He hadn't even broken a sweat during the encounter, for him this was nothing more than a warm up. "Apologies for winning so soundly my lady, I am sure next time will be a much closer fight." It was a slight tease in a taunt but there was also a desire in seeing her do better, to be better. Aito was a warrior with few counterparts, Raze being one of them, to have another in Lady Rexanne would be exciting and possibly bring back some interest in fighting once more.

 

[Raze]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Roxy Renoux | Aito

Nothing about what Raze was doing was fair, nor was it designed to make it easy for Rexanne. They both misunderstood what he was doing, and that was fine. Raze did not need them to understand his motives for his plan to succeed. He just needed their obedience. They complied. Aito not wishing to argue, and Rexanne trying to prove a point. Aito did offer his perspective, to which Raze had a short answer.

"I have every training sequence memorized."

Would that only further Aito's point? Raze was not sure, but it was as close to an explanation he would offer the Justicar. Their day would not end with the end of the training exercise, or the remote droids which shot laser bolts at them.

Raze chuckled slightly when Aito teased the young noble woman. He could not help but to allow the smirk to linger on the corner of his lips. He clapped his hands as he moved toward the center hoping for their attention.

"Good. Aito has the time to beat. Once everyone has cycled though, Lady Rexanne gets another shot."

He nodded to the person lined up next and moved out of the way so they could take their place. This time he stopped next to Roxy, and as he had done with Aito he bumped his shoulder into hers.

"Watch them all. Learn the way they move. The exercise is not about winning or losing, but about what you observe and how you use it in battle later."

Perhaps he would say more at a later time when he did not need to wear the mask of indifference. Roxy was his one weakness, one that he would never admit to. His duty and loyalty was to the house above all else, and training her went beyond his oath. In fact, it was to some a direct violation of it. Ulysses had yet to stop it, but Raze had never been bold enough to train her openly before.

Would Aito tell? Would the others?

These were the thoughts which filled his mind as the others ran through the gauntlet. One by one they pushed though, and one by one they failed to beat Aito's time. All eyes were now on Roxy. Would she do it?

"Now you know what you have to do. Beat it."

 

[Reggie Rau]

STORM
TRAINING GROUNDS | JAEMUS
TAG: Raze | Aito

DANE​

"Apologies for winning so soundly my lady, I am sure next time will be a much closer fight."

Ass...
She just flicked her hair at him and gave a smirk.
"Of course. And congratulations." she said simply. Do not show shame or weakness. Ever. Her father had taught her at least that much.

Then Raze had to open his mouth.

She'd lost. Why the hell does she deserve to go again? Her stormy eyes narrowed ever so slightly while she looked straight ahead. She never asked for second chances. Why the hell did he have to do that for?

As the next contender walked up to go through the gauntlet, Raze came to stand next to her.

"Watch them all. Learn the way they move. The exercise is not about winning or losing, but about what you observe and how you use it in battle later."

His pauldron was still against hers where he had bumped her, but she pushed his closeness out of her mind as her jaw clenched at his words. She knew what he said was truth, but that still did not sit right with her to get a second chance.
"Yessir." Simple. To others, respectful. To him, cold.

Yet, she still watched the others. Like he said. But she did more than watch. Her mind saw the geometric attack lines and tactics were taking shape. They all fell short - some even of her own time. She wouldn't fall short again. As the last person stepped up, Roxy pulled up her hair and put on her helmet once more.

After she had put her helmet on, she did chance a glance at Raze and saw the shadow of thought in the usual sky-blue of his eyes. Was she really such a burden? So much was unspoken between the two of them, yet she didn't know if ever needed airing.

Mentally shaking herself, she instead cleared her mind as the last person finished.

"Now you know what you have to do. Beat it."

"Just start it." she said as she lifted her chin like the noble she actually is, and walked onto the training floor as the droids whined to life again.

Like water...

As the first bolt came at her again, she moved with it, the argent blade snapping to vivid life within the movement. But as she ran through the movements, she allowed the Force to flow through her, allowing it to enhance her movements, her speed, her accuracy. Transcending above water to air, she floated through the gauntlet with much more ease, one with her blade. The sound of bolt hitting plasma was barely audible in the speed with which it was sent back to its owner.

Too soon, the programme was through, however, Roxy didn't care if she beat the time or not. If she did, great, if not, she had achieved much more by having her blade become an extension of her soul.

The men could make of that what they wished.

Wordlessly, she took off her helmet and took her place in the ranks wordlessly, thunder in her grey-green eyes.

Pride would be the end of her someday, but it would not be soon.

 

[Raze]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Roxy Renoux | Aito

Was the lesson Raze offered deceptive, certainly. Should Roxy have gotten a second chance with all things being equal? In this case Raze thought so. It was not about favorites but rather a lesson the rest of the Justicars had been taught a thousand times over. You could learn as much about victory by observing your competition as beating them senseless. Roxy was a force, a hurricane on a calm day. Aito was different. He flowed with natural movements of the environment around him. Neither were wrong, but Roxy would only challenge herself by learning what Aito had mastered.

This time as she approached the course it was with a clearer picture. Her movements were different. Everything seemed more intentional than before. The way her blade was angled to the pivoting of her hips to reduce the number of times she had to move her entire body, or change positions to deflect the bolts. What had once been an exercise or competition was now a masterpiece of precision and execution.

She beat Aito's score by one tenth of a second.

Raze smiled as her blade retreated to its casing. His eyes moved to Aito as if to remind the Justicar to trust his methods. One thing was proven now. Roxy and Aito in this regard were equals. Now it was time for Aito's suggestion.

"So what did we learn here," he questioned before moving on from the exercise.

His blue eyes fell to Rexanne, prompting her to answer. They lingered a moment, seeing if she would. Locked with her own eyes, Raze allowed his gaze to communicate his admiration for a job well done. In a more private setting he may have vocalized it, but in front of the others she was still the daughter of Duke Renoux, and such things could be misconstrued.

 

[Aito]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Tag: Raze | Roxy Renoux

Raze had given Lady Rexanne another chance. Aito could only shake his head, if this was not a clear display of his favouritism then there was at least little doubt in his mind that there was an attraction and wanting to have the lady in good favour. Aito was not going to be given another chance, the slowest Justicar was not going to be given another chance. It was a disappointing sigh. He was not pleased with Raze's decision but made no attempts to make comments or put out ideas of favouritism. The Justicars had to be united and they had to loyal to one another. If he felt there was an issue, which he was beginning to have an inkling of one, then he would bring it up privately with Raze. Handle this personally and away from wandering eyes and eavesdroppers.

Lady Rexanne beating his score, it was a hollow victory in his mind. She won through having the most attempts to win. By initially failing to give it her best and having a second attempt to do better. While some might think it is fair to allow everyone a chance to do their best, if a person isn't doing their best first time and then that failure needs to linger with them. Aito would have personally let the Lady fail, so that next time she would never had given a performance like her first one, but improve for the next time.

Aito could have given a decent time just using the Force alone, the droids had revealed their predictable pattern from his observations. He was not going to allow his sourness to Raze's decisions cloud his appraisal of Lady Rexanne's skills though. She had come far in training, that he was sure of. Giving the loudest of the group, an applause to the lady. He did not want her thinking that he perceived her attempts or actions as anything less than good. She was skilled and that skill deserved recognition and respect.

It was just unfortunate that the future Prime Justicar had lost some respect in Aito's mind. Hopefully that could be returned when he gave his grievances to the man privately.

 

[Reggie Rau]

STORM
TRAINING GROUNDS | JAEMUS
TAG: Raze | Aito

DANE​

"So what did we learn here,"

Her eyes met his briefly and she saw what he couldn't say. But she couldn't risk anything, so she took everything in stride as what befitted a soldier that had learnt a lesson.
"Observation." she said. "Learning from your betters." It was stated simply. They were all comrades. She didn't see them as subjects. For that, she let the truth be heard.

She just hoped that the guys would see it the same way - a learning curve for her and not a play at favouritism. She had thought that before she had taken the floor for the second time. Now she saw what it was that Raze had tried to teach her.

Elegance in brutality.

She stood her ground within the ranks, awaiting their next instruction or order, even though she should probably sneak back to court for her lessons in some statecraft or other.

She knew she was playing with fire by being here, but it was worth it.

As long as the men kept their mouths shut.

 

[Raze]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Roxy Renoux | Aito

Raze nodded. Rexanne had learned the exact lesson he was teaching. The point was not trying to win a timed race, but rather learning from what one could observe. She had moved differently after watching the others, especially Aito. The harder part of the lesson was next, but her answer showed the Justicar she was ready for it.

"Correct. When we are in combat we have to adapt to our enemy. It is the warrior that can find the weakness in their enemy first which will win. The same skill of observing and adapting happens while we fight, not just training exercises."

He motioned to Aito, then he pointed at Roxy.

"The deeper lesson is whether you can do this in battle."

His eyes fell on Aito.

"By all rights he is better than you. He has trained longer and harder. Combat is an art form to him. His movements are so fluid that he easily masks his intentions."

Raze turned his eyes back to Roxy.

"You will fight him."

Raze stepped to the sidelines and waited for them to take the center of the circle. A smile spread across his face. He knew he would pay for this later, but no one else needed to know that.