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Post by Red Charge on Apr 18, 2014 19:09:33 GMT -5
The griffons were still there, sparring now. Avitus was watching over them, stepping into their circles and even between sparring couples and watched as they fought around him. Though their punches, kicks and deflections were as fierce as ever, not once was he mistakenly hit by any of them. They were able to fight with him in the middle without causing him to as much as flinch, not just because he wasn't the type of griffon to flinch, but because he was never in danger of getting hit.
"I can do this all day and they wouldn't hit me once. They're trained to fight around civilians to keep them unharmed." Avitus explained upon noticing Glide Heart. "You'll get there too, eventually. But only if you persist." He said, it wasn't a scold, but Glide Heart couldn't help but feel she had slightly disappointed the commander. She had set such a high bar for him in the morning just to let him down now at what appeared to have been the last dive. The feeling of shame increased, her muscles had to give way just then? On the last dive?
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Post by Glide Heart on Apr 18, 2014 19:22:30 GMT -5
"I'm I supposed to find a partner sir?" She asked nervously, she didn't want to have to spar with these griffons again. She barley wanted to be around them. She panted slightly still trying to catch her breath from the flight up. She hadn't eaten all day and her stomach growled. She was dizzy and getting cranky without having eaten. She watching in awe as these griffons fought with such force and such control as not to harm Avitus. Being able to do something like that was a crazy idea to her, but of course she had a dumb question. "Sir if these griffons can avoid harming civilians who can they do that against an enemy that isn't trained to do so? Do they have to make up for them?" She sat down which probably wasn't the smartest idea but her muscles where in dire need of a rest.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 18, 2014 19:30:10 GMT -5
"Depending on whether or not they want to play around with their prey, they should be able to take down an opponent on the first few strikes. If that fails, they are more than capable of maneuvering in a way that puts any civilian out of harm's way. Not that it would happen, since they fight on the decks of airships, where they in control, it is likely they will never have to use this skill. But it is an imperative skill nonetheless."
He approached the pony mare, "You seem as though something is wrong. You can speak freely." Glide wasn't sure whether it was a permission or a command.
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Post by Glide Heart on Apr 18, 2014 19:40:54 GMT -5
Against her better judgement Glide opened her mouth and spoke her mind to Avitus. "Besides my throbbing muscles sir, there is one thing. What exactly is this 'brotherhood' your crew has? Why do they get so jealous of me when I do something right or when I get a moment of attention, and why would my marital status get in the way of that?" Her curiosity had gotten the better of her so she had asked. It may not have been a good idea but it had been eating at her all day. Its time some of the fog on the situation be cleared. "They fight like the strongest warriors but behave" she lowered her voice to a whisper "like children to be quiet blunt." She felt bad for being so rude toward these hard working griffons.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 18, 2014 19:42:40 GMT -5
Avitus looked back at the griffons, "I find that a bit hard to answer considering none of them have said a word to you all day. Unless they did so while you were gliding down in the valley?" Avitus asked.
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Post by Glide Heart on Apr 18, 2014 19:48:37 GMT -5
"No sir but actions speak louder than words and some of their actions today have suggested they were jealous when you praised me for the dive." Rubbing the back of her neck she sighed softly. "I'm sorry sir I'm just curious about what is going on around here. Its been bothering me most of the day." Looking back to the crew as they fought she felt a sense of mystery in the air looming around the group. She only ever saw this group fighting training and standing at attention. Never idly chatting with each other like buddies. The relationship between all these griffons was she something she hadn't seen before so her curiosity peaked.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 18, 2014 19:55:32 GMT -5
"What's there to know? We are a fighting unit, but more than that we are a family, we work together for one goal, we have each others' backs and we provide for each other as only a family can. We are fully dedicated to the Griffon Kingdom and have given up many things that most griffons take for granted. You've seen my office, do you think it isn't the same for them? They work hard every day, EVERY day. There are no vacations, no rest days, they wouldn't have it any other way and neither would I. But some things are still needed for every living thing to be able to function properly. Their dedication to the Kingdom and to each other is such that they do not need to go anywhere else to look for them and therefore can stay focused on their missions and their goals. You say you believe they are jealous of you for getting my attention? Perhaps they feel you are undeserving. Perhaps they feel that you earning my praise after doing so little is not fair to them, most of which have had to train for months before ever hearing a single word of praise from me." Avitus explained, "Is it really your place to judge them for it? They have not moved a single talon out of line, it is but your percieved notion of such jealousy that makes you judge them so." This felt more like a scolding.
"As I said before, you are not truly one of us, not unless you take the same commitment as they do upon yourself. You may do so if you wish but keep in mind that as long as you are an outsider, they will always think of you as such. You do not share their burden, nor their sacrifice, you only share their reward."
"You CAN be one of us however." Avitus finally said, "You can become a part of our brotherhood, if you so choose, learn for yourself what true dedication, true loyalty means. I can see the potential in you. If you become one of us you could become a part of something amazing unlike anything you've experienced. But the choice is yours."
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Post by Glide Heart on Apr 18, 2014 20:06:12 GMT -5
She felt awful for ever saying anything. She wasn't trying to upset them or claim their reward or anything like that she just wanted to learn how to fight. Maybe she needed to explain this to the griffons and get to know them better. Seeing as how they spend all their time on training what time was there to get to know any of them?
She was ashamed in herself for all of this, but she was determined to stick around and finish her training. It would look and feel worse if she just quit. she was an outsider and she was probably going to remain that way the duration of her training but so be it. Trying to force her way into their family was the worst thing she could do and exactly what she intended NOT to do. When Avitus continued on to say that she COULD be apart of the family she was intrigued.... What would that mean though with her husband and colt? Glides head was spinning she wanted to join this group on their journeys and become apart of the crew but, she had her family to think about.
"You talk about true loyalty sir, but I'm not sure who to be loyal too.. My family or my country. I may have to sleep on that sir." She was confused and still had a bad feeling in her stomach. It started to ache from a combination of hunger and guilt. She hoped the day was almost over so she could return to the camp to get a good meal and to sleep.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 21, 2014 18:01:03 GMT -5
"Very well," Avitus said, "You may leave now and return to the ship's deck tomorrow. We will be training in high altitude flying maneuvers so I suggest you keep your wings rested. Dismissed." He said, giving her a rare smile and returning to his troops.
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Post by Glide Heart on Apr 21, 2014 18:15:17 GMT -5
Getting dismissed she saluted and decided to walk down then hill too the camp to rest up her wings before training tomorrow. She walked slowly with her mind elsewhere. Loyalty to her family or to Equestria? This was a big choice that left her feeling guilty either way. She either left her husband to join the Griffons and defend Equestria or abandon them and stay with her family. She shook her head as she walked looking at the ground below her hooves. She kicked a tin can as she walked down the road towards the shelter.
Entering the mess hall and getting a plate of food she sat alone and silently chewed her food while continuing to think. Though some of her past co workers eyed her curiously sitting alone and in obvious pain from the day before they let her be. Once her food was finished she put her tray away and silently walked to her cot laying on it and falling asleep in a matter of minutes.
The next morning she woke up earlier then the sun. She grabbed a bite to eat on the way and headed to the cliff. She made it before the sun had risen like she was told ready. She was ready to make her choice. She was rested but in a somber state. Her choice carried consequence, but it was the price she would have to pay. She looked off into the sunrise and took a deep breath while she waited to be addressed by Avitus.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 21, 2014 18:17:24 GMT -5
Avitus and his soldiers appeared several moments after and she caught a smile playing on the edge of his beak. "Very good, you're right on time." He said, releasing his griffons to stretch and warm up.
"You seem like you have something to say." The griffon said after ignoring her for a few moments to let her stretch.
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Post by Glide Heart on Apr 21, 2014 18:23:03 GMT -5
She flapped her wings for one final stretch and nodded politely to Avitus. "I do sir." she said before taking a deep breath. She was going past the point of no return right here and now. "I'm going to join you and your Griffons if you'll have me sir." She looked up to him and stood firm as a rock. She smiled internally but also felt a twinge of guilt roll through her stomach. It was an awkward feeling she had only felt a few times. She usually wished it would be gone soon, but it hardly ever left in a timely manner.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 21, 2014 18:31:13 GMT -5
Avitus seemed unmoved. "I could tell you had it in you from the moment you stepped up to Admiral Tesla. That takes conviction, especially considering you approached your very own Field Marshal on the subject before. There are scarcely enough troops who would approach such a superior in order to find a way to better serve their country. With you I can work, I can make something out of you." He said sincerely, "Now go join the others, we're taking off in a few moments." He patted her once on the back and sent her off.
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Post by Glide Heart on Apr 21, 2014 18:42:26 GMT -5
Glide felt slightly better hearing the words of encouragement from Avitus. It hadn't sunk in to her yet and it probably wouldn't for quiet awhile. Her demeanor changed towards the Griffons she smiled at the Griffons and waved to them. She wished them a good morning and happy flying. Officially she was apart of them, but who says the Griffons would except that yet? Stretching out her muscles a bit more before take off she looks around and took a good eyeful of the ship she would be living on. thinking to herself..Darnit I forgot my bag!
Shrugging it off she took a few deep breaths and prepared herself for high altitude flight training. She loved flying and she hoped her wings would keep up today. She finished off her breakfast and took off her coat. Leaving it on the ground at her feet and enjoying the brisk fall air on her coat. This was the first day of the rest of her life.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 22, 2014 17:33:56 GMT -5
To call the high altitude flying training rough would be so much of an understatement that it would be considered an insult. Avitus told Glide Heart not to participate in the maneuvers, she wasn't ready for that yet. All she needed to do was stay at the same altitude with everyone else. Immediately as they reached the target height Glide felt she was choking. The air was so thin that only one in two breaths seemed to come through for her. If that wasn't enough the winds were blowing hard enough to knock a roc off track and they were also freezing. Glide Heart found her teeth chattering more than once throughout the training. In front of her, she saw the griffons handle it with seemingly no difficulty, performing aerial acrobatics like parakeets at a zoo. The formations they were in were impressive and she could easily understand the use of all of them. Just when Glide felt she was one more wing flap from collapsing, Avitus ordered a dive. Immediately a dive took place, Glide remembering the lessons from yesterday and pulling it off well, landing with the others on the deck of the ship and managing to stick it just a few moments before collapsing in a heap.
The rest of the griffons began walking inside the ship, bringing out what appeared to be karate blocks for breaking. What did Avitus have in store now?
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