During the long journey to An-Teng, Kiana's desire for training brings her to the Black Marlena, while the ship and crew rest for the evening.

At the moment Antov is cooking a dinner for the crew with Sunden assisting, while Cinna, Brogan and Curran sit in a circle playing some form of card game. Marlena is currently dematerialized, though blind Melusine sits by the bowsprit, humming a calming song for her. Apparently she and Marlena are getting along just fine.

"Hey hun!" hollers Cinna in greeting, then falters a bit when she sees Kiana with Zeru. "Er, I mean, hey Captain... and Captain."

[Private to Kiana White-Fist; Peleps Zeru: It seems unlikely you'd hop from ship to ship while they're moving... well, Zeru could, but Kiana with much less success. Also, sorry for the delay in starting this :( :(]

She still wasn't used to being called that--not at all.  A light blush rushed to her face with Cinna's correction, and Kiana was quick to smile at the red headed woman.  "No no Cinna, there is no need for formalities here.  I would have you act and speak no differently since I am here."

That being said, Kiana turned toward Zeru and gave a small bow.  She had not had much time (at all!) to speak with Zeru since she had joined the Cobalt Alliance, but now that they had all this time in the months ahead, she thought now would be a good time to approach him.

"I hope this evening finds you well Zeru.  If it isn't too bold, I couldn't help but notice what a skilled fighter you are, both within Rakatau and when we emerged to fight the Lintha.  Might I ask what style it is you practice?"

Zeru scratches his head... not used to being complimented on how well he kills people since he was at the House of Ancient Stone. "Eh? It's a bit of my own twist on an old pirates style of fighting." His hand reaches for the chain strapped around his torso. "Most people don't use this with it, and more still will parry the opponent rather than avoid the attack" He grins. "You're a good fighter yourself Kiana. I couldn't help but notice you grinding lintha into dust."

Kiana is interrupted by a loud "MAU!" The small kitten jumps up into her arms, fully expecting to be caught.

"Well in that case, nice to see you aboard Kiana! I'm Cinna Argall, the first mate. These big ol' lugs are Brogan and Curran." Cinna pokes them in the ribs one by one and Kiana (with her keen eyesight) sees her swap some cards while the guys twins to give the Earth Aspect a friendly wave. "We're actually pretty laid back over here, it's really not much different than on the Dryad.. except it's cozier."

"And here, we have me." In a poof of purple smoke, Marlena appears, dressed in her gown of black feathers and wearing two gems around her neck, a large glittering ruby and a smaller onyx gem. Her raven-wing hair sweeps down either of her shapely shoulders, and her crimson eyes stare imperiously down at Kiana before frowning at Zeru. "Again, you're bringing women to my boat? What is the trouble this time?"

"No... wait." Marlena's gaze intensifies as she scrutinizes Kiana closer. "You're one of the Terrestrial Chosen. So you are an Alliance member. And... and you..." The forbidding Goddess of Ravens, Swift Travel and Female Retribution (among other things she will claim, true or not) trails off and lets out an uncharacteristic giggle, seeing Lucky Coral clinging to Kiana's arms. "How cute!!"

Melusine listens to the voices, the giggles and excitement and the sound of someone she hadn't heard in a little while. She gets up from her perch near the bowsprit, feeling her way to an upright position. "...Is there a visitor? It sounds like Miss Kiana."

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OOC: Don't worry, I won't take up space with all the NPCs too long, you're here to train after all. :) just having fun with the peanut gallery.

Kiana looks down as her face lightly blushed at the compliment.  She wasn't used to those!  It was a fairly quick moment, though, before she met Zeru's eyes and nodded.  "Well, thank you very much Zeru.  We have that in common, then.  My choice of Martial Arts is a variation that my Father made of the Immaculate Art.  Most who execute the Earth Dragon Style used the grand gorema-"

Kiana was suddenly surprised as Coral leaped into her arms.  Kiana reacted masterfully, carefully catching Coral with a smile on her face as she immediately began to pet the cat from nose to tail.  "Oh, hello Coral!  It is a pleasure to see you again as well!" 

While still petting the furry good luck charm, Kiana looked back to Zeru.  "That is why I'm here, actually.  The Earth Dragon Style is very...steadfast, you could say."  She said, perhaps a bit coyly.  Arrows had shattered against her skin, and blades had sliced across her throat harmlessly.  To say that she was hardy would be an understatement.  "And I know that my understanding of my particular art has limited me somewhat, especially in terms of, what did you call it?  Avoiding the attack.  Would you honor me with some lessons in this regard?"

Zeru smiles. "Aye Melusine, it's Miss Kiana." Zeru says warmly.

"Yep avoiding the attack." Zeru explains. "There are many kinds of martial arts, and most of them have a focus on defending ones self. So when people clash they often expect you to parry or stop their attack. They will often put more power than they need to into it in order to damage or break your guard. When I go against these people they tend to throw themselves off balance, when they swing their mighty swings they hit nothing but air, and leave themselves wide open for any counter I deem fit."

He tries to use what Kiana mentioned as an example. "You said that many people who use the earth dragon style use the grand goremaul correct?" It was more of a rhetorical question. "If I tried to parry, or block strikes from those masters, I would be hurting myself, because even a glancing blow can cause serious harm. But if I don't let their weapon touch me, I can have my way with the fight."

"If you wish to learn how to be someplace other than where your opponent attacks then I'll be glad to help. I've been trying to teach my crew as well."

"A pleasure to meet you all, Cinna, Brogan, and Curran.  I'm glad to see that you are all well!  And, I kind of figured the atmosphere here would be a bit more casual...after all, Zeru refuses to let me call him 'Captain'."  Kiana said to Cinna with a smile, stroking Coral when suddenly the Matron of the boat appeared.  Kiana bowed instantly to the spirit, though careful to keep Coral nestled against her while she did so, so the little creature wouldn't think it was about to take a spill.  "Yes, Mighty Marlena, I am a daughter of Pasiap, and I bring no trouble upon you or your crew.  I am the Guardian-Captain of Akihiro, the Spirit-Ship you might have noticed that travels now with the Alliance.  I merely come to ask Zeru for his guidance and teachings in a certain matter of combat."  She said, bowing again as she finished her address to the Spirit.

"Yes Melusine, its me.  I was curious as to why I hadn't seen you on Akihiro.  I trust you are well?"  Kiana said as she saw Melusine, her voice warm and gentle.  She had not seen the Nymph since they had set sail from Rakatau, but since Kiana's time with the other Nymphs, she is happy to notice that she recognized Melusine by more than just her voice, and her injured eyes.

With those greetings and exchanges taken care of, with Coral still in her arms (and no doubt purring madly!) Kiana continued to pet the cat lovingly while her eyes were locked on Zeru.  She nodded at his example.  "Very astute comparison."  Then her face brightened as Zeru agreed to train her.  "Oh!  I would be more than happy to train along side your crew in this way, Zeru." She did seem pleased with the idea, though certainly she would no doubt require some personal lessons towards the end of her training, for the more advanced techniques.  "That is, if they will have me." She finished, looking to the crew members she could see.

After Marlena overcomes the brief cuteness overload, her expression is once again serious and a touch stern (in other words, her normal face). She listens carefully to Kiana's respectfully worded explanations.

"Yes, I am aware of Akihiro. He is young and slow-moving, but I am the one built for speed, and he made for strength and endurance. Perhaps later we can come up with suitable tactics to take advantage of our complimentary strengths and weaknesses," she offers, though in a typically grudging voice. She rarely ever lets people think she wants to be helpful. Then adds with a smirk, "As long as I am not on babysitting duties."

After sizing up Kiana a bit longer, watching her interact well with her crew, she nods sharply and states, "You may train here as you wish, Guardian-Captain Kiana. My abode is open to you, so long as Zeru and my crew call you friend." With that Marlena moves off a distance away, back to her perch on the bowsprit. She doesn't yet dematerialize, her shapely legs crossed as she stays to watch the proceeds raptly.

Melusine, on the other hand, is much friendlier and welcoming in tone. "It is good to hear your voice, Kiana. I have been well, and have made much progress attempting to use my other senses to make up for my lack of sight." To exemplify this she rises, and begins to walk toward Kiana and Zeru's position, navigating the deck slowly and carefully. "It is always so lively here, I am never lonely or afraid in the dark."

"We would be happy to train with you," says Brogan to Kiana, while Curran nods emphatically. They remind Kiana of the jokun, in a way: noble, gentle giants. "In fact, we would be honored."

"That's right," adds Cinna proudly. "And I'm sure Antov and Sunden wouldn't have a problem! Though watch for Antov, he's got a pretty foul mouth. As for myself, it makes me happy to see more women kick butt. Fortunately the Alliance is full of that."

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OOC: Hope my lack of response didn't hold stuff up. Anyway feel free to proceed from here, even if the posts here overlap with main plot stuff, that's fine. The training here shouldn't have an impact on the plot. :)

Zeru smiles at his crew's acceptance. "Once Antov and Sunden get back with the food, we can celebrate our new training partner and then get to it eh guys?" He turns back to Kiana. "Unless you would like an early start. The crew knows the warmups and exercises, I can start teaching you now, and then we may break for our meal and then get to the real training."

Kiana smiled brightly at the Nymph and her progress.  "That is very good Melusine!  Hopefully you will not have to adjust too much before we can restore your sight, Dragon's willing."    She said.

"Oh no, that is fine Zeru, I can wait.  Patience is certainly one thing I know very well." Kiana said, still petting Coral, enjoying every moment she was holding the small, lovable (and CUTE) creature.  She would chat as well as she was able and exchange pleasantries and, for that matter, answer any questions the crew might have for her.  After Antov showed up, however, Kiana made it a point to put Coral down (albeit grudgingly) and give the man a final unofficial check-up to make sure he was completely healed.  Kiana was, after all, almost as strong of mind medically as she was militarily.