Taliya was forcing training upon these kids for their own good. As they were they'd be snatched up or killed by even the most half-decent Magi the Church had, never mind if one of their more lethal hunters showed up. If they were aiming to hurt the Church in any way possible then it was in her best interest to make sure they could stay safe, the less power those bastards had the better. And, if the kids were ever to join her at least she'd know they were somewhat competent when they came in. With more than enough reason to receive training she was surprised that Amuné was so against the notion of learning how to fight. Her excuses and alternatives would almost have made Taliya laugh if she wasn't giving the Ydran such an incredulous, disbelieving look already. Did she sincerely think any of that would be enough? As a snide smile crossed her lips the Muran folded her arms and scoffed, arching an eyebrow at the little girl before her.

"And what's going to happen if you get attacked? Are you going to bake them cookies and hope they stop? Or will you offer to wash their underpants, maybe they're just mean because there's a shit streak running down the middle? Wake up kid and face the world you're in, you have to fight. And that cute little sling of yours isn't going to do much either, not against anyone who's a decent fighter. If you give two shits about your friends you'll learn to actually use a real weapon. And don't you think it's unfair, putting it on your pet kitty there to fight for you? What if he gets hurt then huh? What do you do?" The fact these kids had been attacked several times now and Amuné still thought something so small would be enough was outrageous really. Taliya shook her head and walked across the room to a wide cabinet along the wall, prying open the doors and retrieving a crossbow from within. "Something like this is easy to use, even for a kid like you. Gage can teach you to use this thing in his sleep and your ass doesn't have to be anywhere near the enemy to fight with it. It's like your pissy little slingshot, only it might ACTUALLY do some damage."

Ethan bit his lip as Taliya went about shooting down Amuné's suggestions and further pushed for her to learn to fight. Whether the woman was right or not wasn't really the point, the fact was Amuné most likely wouldn't be fighting at all. If she was far enough to use a bow then she was far enough not to even be in the fight in the first place, right? Maybe there was something to making Wyth fight for her even if Ethan knew the moorcat did so willingly but even then that was a guilt trip at best. "She's been safe so far with us, why would she have to fight now?" he asked as he smiled uncertainly. Taliya gave him a perturbed glance and he backed down slightly, swallowing before continuing. "I mean... If we all get trained then we'll be able to keep her safe no problem right?"

"And when you're not there who's going to help, huh? Just going to leave it up to the cat to do all the fighting again?" Taliya asked with a sneer, "Or are mommy and daddy going to fight? Until the Church is dealt with those fuckers aren't going to let any Magi rest easy, not unless they're one of their dogs. And they know she's traveling with other Magi by now thanks to you lot, she needs to know how to fight. And she's going to learn, it's not like I'm sending her out to fight, she'll shoot at some fucking targets or something, that's all. What's the problem with that?"

There was none, and while Nymira could sympathize somewhat with Ethan's point Taliya also wasn't wrong either. "We can't always be there to keep her safe, knowing how to fight may well mean the difference between life and death some day," the Dimuran agreed with a nod, "And it cannot hurt to learn how to fight. If nothing else it means she could hunt on her own and protect herself if we ever get separated again. I say you should do it, Amuné." Really children in her clan and others knew how to fight even younger than Amuné so knowing the Ydran was all but defenseless save a sling, a child's toy in essence, was surprising. 

"Good, then it's settled. Gage you'll handle weapons training for the runt, Kensen you handle the training for these two. I'll let you guys decide on how to train them, if you need anything let me know. I think that's it... Get them out of here will you? I've got other stuff to do today besides chewing out you brats." There was always so much damn work to do since she took over this place. Taliya was getting used to it but being cooped up in a building and organizing shit all day was really not her idea of a fun time, she needed to find a replacement. Or someone she could dump the work on so she could go out and actually fight, do some field work instead of playing manager to what was mostly a group of misfits. "Oh and send Adrian in on your way out, he and I need to talk. And get Lionel's ass in here too if you see him, I need to smack that bastard for running off yesterday," Taliya grumbled as she sank down into her seat and groaned, folding one leg over the other and reclining, "Moron's always running off..."

Ethan didn't need to be told twice to go, dealing with Taliya was never exactly a fun experience. Smiling awkwardly as she told them to effectively sod off he waved before promptly turning towards the door and ushering Amuné along ahead of him, relieved to be through with their meeting with the boss lady. Passing through the door Ethan exhaled in relief once they were out and stood against the wall, leaning back against it and smiling wearily. "So uh... That's that then, huh? Looks like we're going to be training together." Though he wasn't entirely sure what for if none of them were going to be joining this group. If they continued traveling then maybe there was some use there, but what else? Was he even still going to keep traveling after learning about Cedric?

"I guess it'll be fun though! I can't wait to see what you've got to show us," Ethan continued to Kensen. With a friendly smile he extended a hand towards the Dimuran and ignored Nymira's groan at his display, figuring he might as well try and make friends with the man who would be instructing him. "I'm looking forward to it! You were really impressive against the Vazra, you must know an awful lot!"

"Shit kid, work the balls while you're at it," Gage grumbled as he rolled his eyes, smirking at Ethan's shocked expression. "Quit buttering the guy up its embarrassing. We aren't doing this because we like you or want to be your friends, we're doing it because Taliya told us to. Don't think we're going to be sitting at a tavern throwing back ale together, it's a job, that's it." Honestly teaching a bunch of snot nosed little kids how to fight was about the last thing Gage ever imagined himself doing. He'd instructed people coming into their group when they had still been bandits sure but that was a completely different beast. "Get that girlie? Don't expect me to be all sweet to you while we train, you'll do what I say, when I say it," he continued as he smiled down at Amuné, "But no pressure, it's only life and death if you mess up right?"

"Hey come on now, you could be a bit nicer than that don't you think? She's never really fought before so all of this is new to her." Gage was even worse than Taliya right now and Ethan was beginning to not exactly love the guy for it. More than a head taller than him it was a bit intimidating when the former bandit stood before him though he tried to keep his ground, tensing up as he lifted his chin to look at the face of the man. "Besides... Uh... If she doesn't want to train then Taliya will get mad, right? So uh... You should be nicer, otherwise you might not be able to do your job." Two could play at that game and use leverage. Though immediately after Ethan had spoken he regretted it when Gage's face went dark and his jaw visibly taut, a vein protruding from his thick neck. The fact they were just outside Taliya's room was probably the only thing saving him from getting pummeled right now and he realized that, taking a half step back from the man.

"Let's just focus on our training, I'm sure Taliya will keep her men in line," Nymira spoke up. "When will we begin, Kensen? Do we have some time to rest before then? I think we need a moment to speak among ourselves, if you'll allow it." Having to defer to him, an outsider and a defector was a little humiliating. People like Kensen were generally treated as criminals and those without honor, made into slaves or servants for abandoning the clan. Yet here he was clearly the one with power and she had none, that much she'd recognized.