[center][h2][color=f7976a]David[/color], [color=9b9b9b]Augie[/color] & [color=darkgoldenrod]Nicola[/color][/h2][/center]
[hr][hr]A collab between [@ZakAttack], [@StrangeRodent] & [@SouffleGirl123]
[b]Location:[/b] Guild Headquarters Training Room.
[b]Date:[/b] 2nd August 2017
[b]Time:[/b] 9:00AM[hr][hr]

Nicola had led David and Augie through the headquarters of the Guild ensuring to take the longest and most draining route of all. Nicola said nothing the whole trip, regardless of any of the pairs’ questions or remarks, if they had any. Instead she just briskly walked down corridors, around corners and up and down stairs, thick dark hair flying around behind her. Eventually the trio reached large double doors at the end of the hallway. Nicola flung them open, revealing a large padded room, duelling squares marked in tape and a couple of weapon racks strewn across the hall. She walked deep into the hall, over to a duelling square before turning on her heel to face at the recruits before her.

[color=darkgoldenrod]”A'right, losers,”[/color] she says gruffly, crossing her leather-clad arms. [color=darkgoldenrod]”Your powers are cool and whatever but magic isn’t always predictable, nothing’s to say there isn’t a magi in the Dark Shadows that can eliminate or hinder your powers, or you won't have to avoid using your powers to protect the surrounding mundane. Even if you never come across those situations you need to be able to defend yourself without magic. We don’t take wusses in the Guild, we’re not gonna start now,”[/color]

David himself followed quietly, though not with any amount of apparent respect. It seemed more he kept quiet for his own purposes. That is to say, making any sort of complaint would no doubt leave him in an unenviable position. No doubt indeed. So instead, he followed, reminiscing on -how- he got into this particular position. One which he did not enjoy being in, nor did he want to be in, but had to be in. Stupid Guild with its regulations. Not only was he awakened and kept from sleeping in late with a text, he also was being forced to train. He saw such training as pointless. His capabilities, with as limiting as they were, offered no capability of growth that he was genuinely interested in. Still, he followed. Once they arrived into the hall, he slowed his pace, following from a distance and allowing the fellow recruit the chance to get closer to Nicola. Who knows? Maybe a miracle would take place and their teacher would forget about him and focus on Augie instead. Then again, hoping for that would probably lead to disappointment.

Upon hearing Nicola’s words, he simply rolled his eyes. He doubted there was one in the Dark Shadows with powers quite like his. Although he conceded her idea came from a well off place, as well, he was in no hurry to participate in a fight. So he continued to remain behind Augie, quietly watching Augie and hoping that he would take most of the attention off himself.

Augie was not happy with the time he had to be up for this. What decent human gets up before 12:00 pm? His sunken eyes followed Nicola’s hair the whole way… being directly behind her had that benefit. Not that he was sweet on her or anything, hair was just kinda hypnotic to him. And this hair was so thick… He caught his thoughts for a moment, but couldn’t hold on to them for long. He was hardly keeping his eyes open. He rubbed his eyes and smacked the side of his head to wake himself up, and thankfully it worked. For all of twenty seconds. [color=9b9b9b]”Uh… there doesn’t happen to be a coffee machine around here anywhere, does there? Or… anything?”[/color], he slurred. Everything he said was a strange Irish slur, but it was only slurred from alcohol on occasion. He thinks it makes him sound cool or something. After he spoke there was a painfully long silence. He considered asking again, but who really gives a fuck.

[color=9b9b9b]”Oh lovely, I get to punch things.”[/color], was all he could think to say. Or rather, slur. He dove into his pocket and pulled out a pair of knuckle dusters, and casual as anything, he wormed his fingers into them. A toothy grin split his face as he looked David and Nicola in the eyes. [color=9b9b9b]”Okay, so you don’t take wimps... I get that… so why haven’t we started yet?”[/color]

Nicola initially just eyed the pair with a steely gaze. Why did she have to be given the recruits. [color=darkgoldenrod]”First off, if you can barely stay awake at 9am, Mr Donovan, how do you even hope to be alive enough to not get yourself killed in early morning battles? They happen, not that uncommonly either so I recommend you get used to it. Or get yourself killed. Makes little difference to me I guess,”[/color] she remarks bluntly. [color=darkgoldenrod]”Secondly, no knuckle dusters, you're not gonna to come out of this unscathed but I know Salem wouldn't appreciate it if David ended up near dead,”[/color]. She continues, watching Augie closely, waiting for him to remove them. Her eyes briefly flew to David, partially to ensure he was still there, somewhat mentally such as physically. The kid was quiet, whether that made him easier to work with or he was just stuck up Nicola was still to find out.

[color=9b9b9b]”Well it’s far too early, what do you expect me to do? Also just call me Augie please. Mr Donovan is reserved for people with their heads so far up their arses they see through their mouth.”[/color]. He addresses the second thing by quietly taking off his knuckle dusters and letting them fall to the floor, by way of showing he wasn’t going to use them. 
[color=9b9b9b]”So… I take it that this means I’m fighting David?”[/color], he asked. He certainly piped up at the suggestion of a fight. There was no sleep left in those eyes. Around them was a different matter… The bags under his eyes had fully encircled them.

David, meanwhile, kept his comments to himself, watching the two. It seemed that Nicola was still at least making sure that his own presence was there. He sighed. No escaping out of this one, and doing so would likely cause a worse situation than the one presented. To be fair, it wasn’t that he wasn’t tired himself. He did manage to let out a small yawn himself, using one of his hands to take off his glasses and the other to rub against his eyes for a moment, making sure he was fully awake so that he could -avoid- Augie once he did get serious about this. He didn’t want to get hit, after all. He did, however, have a question to speak, looking towards Nicola and finally letting his calm, almost numbed voice through.[color=f7976a]”Is this necessary? I sincerely doubt I will see combat, as my ability are not too useful in many situations.”[/color]


Augie blinked. [color=9b9b9b]”I know that question wasn’t directed at me but whatever. Can’t hurt to learn new things, can it? Maybe bruises and such but really, how bad are they?”[/color]

At Augie’s first commented Nicola couldn't help but give a quick chuckle, on that seemed to last as soon as it started. [color=darkgoldenrod] “I guess that’s fair, Augie,” [/color] she replies, her voice returning to its near-monotonous state, sound like something she’d say, if she was honest with herself. [color=darkgoldenrod] “And, yes, you’ll be fighting David, nothing to get the blood pumping like a good whack around and a few bruises,” [/color]

At David’s reply her head whips to him. [color=darkgoldenrod] “The fact they recruited you means they see something in you, every guild member needs to be trained in combat, chances are you will take to the field at some point, I doubt there’s anyone in the Guild who never will, even if you don't you need to be ready, we don't always go to them to attack. With the rise of the Dark Shadows there could easily be more rebellions, more chances of attacks on us, you need to prepare for that. Then we have the greatest reason, Salem said you need to be trained and I recommend not getting on her bad side,”[/color] With that explain Nicola nods to a section on the floor, a rectangle approximately 3mx9m marked out in blue tape that had become scuffed and tattered over the time it had sat on the ground before giving a simple, [color=darkgoldenrod] “Square up,” [/color]

David sighed in an audible volume, before groaning a little under his breath. He was not at all interested in this fight. He still didn’t see the point. If anything the fact that Salem said it was necessary made him all the more on edge. He soon squared up. Well, this would end quickly, at least. He’d take a flow blows, hit the floor, and be convincing enough that they would leave him alone, perhaps. With that in mind, he simply made his way to his side, squaring up and simply staring at Augie quietly, adjusting his jacket ever-so slightly in its middle and moving to slip it off onto the ground nearby, revealing the white undershirt that lied underneath it. Time to get this over with.

Augie heard the sigh, and pivoted immediately, to look David straight in the eye. For a second he considered saying nothing, but no. This lad had an all around shitty attitude. Walking over to grab David by the shirt, he was practically yelling [color=9b9b9b]”David, don’t ruin it for everyone just because you don’t like it. Nobody should have to learn these skills, but when it gets right down to it they could save someone else’s life. Quit it with this shitty cool guy attitude, it’s just gonna fucken hurt people. Take some fucking responsibility.”[/color]. If this didn’t get him to fight, nothing would.

Surprisingly, David simply stared Augie blankly in the eyes as he was grabbed by the shirt, not even a flicker of emotion as the man spoke. His words rung somewhat true, at least. It could save someone’s lives. More magi, at least. He wasn’t so sure about non-magi being saved by this. Though, something did confuse David, as he slowly rose his right eyebrow. What was this about seeming cool? He wasn’t even attempting that in the least. [color=f7976a]“...I never said I wouldn’t fight. But I don’t have to enjoy it. Also, you’re mistaken. I’m not at all trying to be cool. I’m just not at all interested in what’s at stake here. In all likelihood, this’ll all get sorted out on its own.”[/color] He simply stated, his dull, annoyed tone apparent. It was true, he didn’t have a good attitude. But then, he wasn’t required to.

Nicola watched the pair, arms folded. Nothing. They did nothing. David moped and Augie just snapped at him. Nicola groaned, not impressed with David’s attitude particularly. Nicola walked over to the wall of the training room covered in weapons, most unused and more for show nowadays, or the dedicated attachment the Guild had to them. By the rack sat a wooden rod. Nicola picked it up and returned back to the pair. [color=darkgoldenrod]”I didn't bring you two here to gossip. You,”[/color] she gives David a whack in the back with the stick, solid enough for it to be obvious but not quite hard enough to leave a lasting mark. [color=darkgoldenrod]”Stop being a whiny child. We all have to do shit we don't like here but you need to put on your big boy pants and do it anyway because although it may not be what you want to do it’s your duty, what you need to do. And you,”[/color] She turns to Augie, whacking him in the same manner, [color=darkgoldenrod]”You can't stand their provoking him forever. In some cases you need to rush in and this is that case.”[/color] she takes a step back, holding the rod beside her, [color=darkgoldenrod]”Now, go,”[/color]

Augie didn’t like orders, but then again he liked hitting people, so… He punched David. Around the solar plexus area. Punching the head will break your hand. He stepped wide, behind David’s knee, then levered him over his leg, sending David into the ground back first. He looked at Nicola, then said “Like that?”

David winced, letting out a shocked  [color=f7976a]“Augnh!”[/color] as he hit the ground, his back feeling a dull pain whereas his solar plexus felt the sharper pain of the fist delving into it, his body aching as he laid there silently for a moment. He debated on staying down, pretending that he was down and out for the count, but no. He knew this wouldn’t be nearly enough to convince Nicola. He slowly got up, groaning and half-heartedly lifting up his fists in front of chest. He didn’t want to get punched in the stomach again, so he was at least prepared to defend himself to that point. He simply stared at his opponent, waiting for the next blow...this surely would continue on, David only taking as much effort as necessary and protecting himself only slightly, hoping to end the conflict through the visage of his sheer pathetic capability. And no doubt...this would end the conflict sooner than later. And once it finally did, he would head home, happy to done with this. Perhaps then, the would finally learn to leave him alone.