The Chivalrous Way of Combat (Stefan).

[Tobias]

♅ 64th Ash, Year 121, A.O.S ♅
Company: Richard and Stefan| Thoughts: Oh god, the smell sweat...| Mood: Vigilant

---

Tobias had been working for the Order of Reconciliation for about three weeks now; yet Richard decided to bring him to a more brawn environment for training. Richard looked around as he noticed the military soldiers weightlifting in the gym. The smell of sweat permeated the air as he looks over at Tobias "Don't be alarmed... This is your new training area, if your gonna be out there investigating alot, you'll need to be properly equipt" Tobias rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms "Two weeks ago, you said I would never be ready for anything like this and here you are. Why the sudden change?" He asked as he looked at him with an appraising eye for a moment; a tiny squint could be noticed as he tilted his head. "You went from patronising to deeply concerned about my education."

Richard laughed as he crossed his arms "Because I wrong in the first place, don't worry though. Stefan is a great teacher, you'll do just fine with him" Tobias listened intently as he wondered who this Stefan was "Although, he's tends to be rough sometimes, but don't be nervous." Tobias snorted as he lets out a sigh, indicating annoyance that he was being patronised again "I've never been shy a single day in my life, I doubt that would change through a simple form of brutality and barbarism."

Richard laughed as he rolled his eyes "You absolutely shit your pants on our first training session" He pointed out in another patronising way to tease Tobias. He snorted again, before looking back at Richard "May I remind you, who was the one who decided to be cocky, go in straight first and suddenly ends up disarmed with a fencing sword against his throat?" Richard furrowed his eyebrows for a moment as he tilts his head "How did I come across such an intelligent, diligent boy who has grown up into a man of character, I would never know..." He uttered, expressing his affection for his adoptive son. It appears he had come far, but he was yet to go even further.

---

"Tobias Speech"
"Richard Speech"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

The public gym was as it always was, a smattering combination of those who needed the time with the weights for their livelihoods, those who considered it recreation, and those who simply wanted to look good.

Stefan didn't usually spend a lot of time there, dropping by once or twice a month when he needed the challenge of a real person to test his mettle against. Today though he had a specific reason to be there, wrapping his hands and then stretching his arms across his body to ensure flexibility.

Richard Zorrothy, a man Stefan knew because he had occasionally given lectures while Stefan had attended university and had been willing to entertain his questions concerning some trouble mathematical equations, had met run into him at his club a week before. When Mr. Zorrothy had made inquiries about who might be best to train his son informally the other members had directed him to Stefan, who was flattered but also confused that anyone considered him for such things. He supposed he had spent the majority of Searing training hard and bringing his brother, and brother-in-law, in with him to train them.

When Mr. Zorrothy had approached him, Stefan had been willing, once the situation was explained, to offer a few lessons, so long as it was understood that he was not actually a teacher of the martial arts in any legal sense. Thus, here he was, in his workout attire, waiting to meet the younger Mr. Zorrothy. As he glanced around he realized he had never asked how old Tobias Zorrothy actually was. He could be teaching a ten-year-old or a thirty-year-old for all he knew.

Thankfully, it seemed the senior Mr. Zorrothy had felt the need to accompany his son to his first lesson so Stefan was able to identify them as they approached him. His greeting was functional, a nod and a few words to the elder man, an appraising look over the younger, who was in his early twenties. Stefan was glad, he hadn't been looking forward to having to hit a child.

Offering his hand to his new pupil he said, a little formally but trying to be friendly,

"Stefan Dornkirk. How do you do?" It was the same sort of greeting he gave to clients at the Windworks, but, considering he'd never met this person before, he was doing pretty well.

[Tobias]

♅ 64th Ash, Year 121, A.O.S ♅
Company: Richard and Stefan| Thoughts: Oh god, the smell sweat...| Mood: Vigilant

---

A moment of inspection.

Tobias looked over at the other male; before smiling as he took his hand with assertiveness and shook it firmly. His eyes traced down the figure; he seemed notably strong, noble and yet he noticed the confusion on his face "Pleasure to meet you, I assume that you are gonna prepare me for further training, I've heard you deliver a first class service..." He narrowed his eyes; they became feline-like. His lips curled into a innocently devilish smile. Although, it appeared unusual to the other male, it was his way of taking in the view. The inquisitiveness of Tobias was seen as somewhat intimidating; It was the way Tobias conducted himself. There was a certain haughtiness and confidence about him as he remained poised and well balanced.

He did not let the other male intimidate him; infact he was quite the opposite. Already exuberant and filled with joy, he looked over at Richard for a moment "I trust you don't need me here anymore, but if you'd excuse me... I'd have to head back to the Hall of Reconciliation. Another meeting has taken place, I'll leave you to it." Tobias rolled his eyes as he looked over at his father, chuckling before crossing his arms; glancing back at Stefan for a moment before, side-eyeing Richard. "You always worry about work father, maybe you should take a nice holiday in Cathena CIty, that way, you might learn to relax and calm down, it's clear this job is not aging you very well"

Richard laughed as he pats Tobias on the back for a moment; he made eye contact with Tobias and then looked over at Stefan "Do teach him well, I need to head off, but I'll see you later, behave for Mr Dornkirk..." Tobias rolled his eyes again, that patronising nature that Richard delivered upon was meant to tease Tobias; at times, it became tiring for the aspiring reconciliator. He took an inspection of Mr Dornkirk again as he sized up the other man, but it appeared he was much taller than him "So, you're my teacher, you're not gonna do what my father did when I was 15... He decided to give me a heart attack by jumping at me with a fencing sword in the library..." He said with a chuckle as he sighed, rolling his eyes. As harsh as it sounded, it was a way of his father teaching him that surprises often come and go. He remembered the events of his childhood to this day, including his bad decisions and mistakes in his teenaged years.

---

"Tobias Speech"
"Richard Speech"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

Stefan blinked at the little speech. He had helped to train several people, in as much as he knew himself, so the implied expectation to move on to a more seasoned trained made perfect sense. The rest of it... less so. The last thing on his mind was intimidating anyone, in fact, he'd worked rather hard to avoid doing that exact thing in the realm of the gymnasium. It tended to mean no one would spar with you, and, when that was what he was after, worked rather against him.

He nodded and shook his head where appropriate when Richard excused himself, and they shook hands again. Stefan was always quite impressed that the man, who must be in his 90's was not only still getting about, but still working. He could only hope he himself was still thinking, let alone walking and commanding power, at that age. His race had something to do with it, of course, but Stefan knew less about that than perhaps he should.

Actually, he rather hoped he was at home, teaching his great-grandchildren how to make paper airships, but that was neither here nor there at the moment. As the senior Zorrothy made his exit Stefan turned his attention back on the younger. The casual disrespect he showed to his adoptive father made a tiny frown appear, a little lowering between his brows.

The gentle admonishment he gave for his son to 'behave' made the expression turn from one of understated disapproval to understated surprise, but both left him quickly. The next little speech had the frown right back though,

"Certainly not." When he realized he should probably explain his method, though he never had thought to when teaching someone before, he added, "I believe explaining what is to be done, then showing it, then doing it, is how I tend to teach."

His tone was cautious, as though he wasn't sure if he was being made a joke, or being asked to join in a joke he didn't understand. After a pause that was perhaps too long to be socially gracious, he moved to the bench he'd been using and returned with a roll of boxer's tape.

"Do you know how to wrap your hands?" He showed one of his own by way of explanation. "You won't have the time in a dangerous fight, of course, but while we practice there is no point in tearing your hands apart." If Tobias did know he would let him do the work, if he didn't Stefan was more than willing to show him by doing it for him the first time.

[Tobias]

♅ 64th Ash, Year 121, A.O.S ♅
Company: Tobias and Stefan| Thoughts: And here we are, alone...| Mood: Eager to please

---

Tobias did not mean to be rude to his father; it was simply the way he was. He was a man of logical reasoning, always putting together puzzle pieces in his mind. If they didn't quite fit, he would question rather bluntly, like his backfire against his father about the sudden jump scare in the library all those years ago. It was common for the two to jest and have banter with each other; interestingly enough, it was what kept their relationship strong. However, perhaps Richard being a lenient father was what caused Tobias to rebel at one point.

Tobias crossed his arms for a moment as he listened to the other man; he smiled as he shrugged "Pardon my candor, I know I seem quite rude, but my father knows I only jest; I only mean it lightheartedly, after all I have great respect for the man." He smiled as he looked deeply into his eyes, before walking along, wearing nothing but a tightly fitted gymnastics suit. He stretched for a moment as he looked over at the other male "It's always a good idea to warm first, thats what I say; imagine if you get yourself in a real situation later, who knows..." He added with a shrug as he tested his flexibility; stretching and doing the splitz. He stretched his back muscles outwards, so he could touch the tip of his toe. It appeared his body flexibility was impressive; he almost had the ability of a contortionist.

It was then he watched the other man with the roll of boxers tape; he tilted his head for a moment as he had not used such a thing before. His training was mostly within sword fighting, fencing and so forth. However, if he was going to become a reconciliator; there are times where unarmed combat and self defence would prove useful; except for defending yourself against the uses of magic. Tobias looked unsure for a moment as he tilted his head, furrowing his eyebrows within a confused expression "Why, I just would think that you wrap it around your hand, unless theres a certain way of doing it, depends if theres padding underneath the tape" He said, looking curiously at the other man "Why don't you show me how it's done?" He asked; his smile was friendly, less intimidating than his demeanor with his father. He did notice that the other man was cautious, like he had some form of social anxiety. Tobias did not question it; he decided that it was best to let the other man take the reigns.

---

"Tobias Speech"
"Richard Speech"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

Stefan gave a short nod, acknowledging the explanation. He had seen friendly banter nearly constantly since he'd started at the Academy, and while it was rare between parent and child, well, perhaps it was different because Hytori aged so much more slowly. The realization that Tobias and Richard were, now, at basically the same age in terms of life span cause the interaction to make more sense, though it also disturbed Stefan. That Tobias would likely age and die before his father didn't seem natural.

Brushing the distracting thoughts aside he said, 'I respect your father also, he is a good man, a deep thinker." When the younger man walked away from him to begin stretching Stefan didn't object, using the time to take a measure of Tobias' body and flexibility. It looked as though his stamina would be alright, though looks could be deceiving in that department. He was not a large man, but combat wasn't about size unless all combatants were equally matched in skill.

Having warmed up and stretched earlier, he waited, assessing what he could of strength and flexibility in his pupil. When they were standing close again and discussing the tape Stefan shook his head, an gentler denial than before,

"It isn't for padding, you want your hands to grow used to the impact. But hands, and the bones inside them, are surprisingly delicate for things we use constantly. If you strike anything with a closed first enough times the thin membrane over your knuckles will rip, usually alone the seemed, or just scrape apart if you're hitting something rough. The tape is to protect you from the tearing or ripping the of seams." Most people didn't know that the human skin had seams, but it did, places that more easily tore open when pressure was applied.

As he spoke he took one of Tobias' hands in his own larger ones. With a surprisingly careful touch he pointed out the vulnerable places as he described them, then taking the roll of tape he began to wind it around one, and then the other, showing how to get it started without having to hold the end, and how to finish it without knots or the likelihood it would come loose.

"There. Now, make a fist, slowly. If the tape is done correctly you should be able to feel when you're holding your fist correctly too. It's useful for not damaging your hands in other ways by throwing a punch when you aren't holding your fist right. You can put things out of place or even break the bones if you put your weight behind a hit and it's wrong. You'll get used to the way it feels to hold it right and then you'll do it by instinct without the tape."

Letting the second, now wrapped hand go he stepped back a pace. Showed with his own hands the right want to hold a fist, waiting for Tobias to follow along.

[Tobias]

♅ 64th Ash, Year 121, A.O.S ♅
Company: Richard and Stefan| Thoughts: Oh god...| Mood: Vigilant

---

The warmup was complete; his body was flexible enough to withstand some of the combat techniques. He had been in much rougher situations, including the boring organisation of the archive of confiscated magical items. At least, this experience was better than finding a decaying severed finger on the shelf, every now and then. A chance to exercise and increase his stamina in combat situations. He listened, engaging in the act of further inspecting him. He seemed oddly statuesque in his demeanor. He was man of few words; which made Tobias question him more. It was always the quite ones that made Tobias intrigued, as well as cautious and watchful.

As soon as he started to make conversation with him; he smiled, chuckling to himself "Theres no doubt I have great respect for the man, I just wish he wouldnt worry so much, if you know what I mean" He said with a sigh as he remembered talking about the incident; on the day that he found his father yet again. He had been guilty, he opened his mouth to speak as he further sized up his opponent, analysing weaknesses he could exploit, but he seemed quite healthy. There was always a sense of clumsiness in body types like his that it was hard to tell weither or not he was a great fighter.

He watched as he explained the usage of the tape; his eyes trailed downwards to see the other man explaining and pointing to various anatomical structures of his hand. He smiled as he tilts his head "Very clever" He complimented in a friendly manner, it was hard to tell if Tobias was being earnest or sincere to him, his abrupt, bratty tone didn't help either. His strong personality lingered as he watched him wrap the tape. He watched as he saw the attentiveness of the careful wrappings. It was clear that the man he was dealing with was a perfectionist

By the time the second hand had been done, he clenched his fists and nodded; it seemed as if he was good to go, ready to make his strike into the sand "I guess, we start unless theres a few ground rules you'd like to go over, theres plenty of them at the Reconciliator's Office..." He said as he rolled his eyes, knowing how much he hated the position there. He needed his big break; otherwise he would be spending his lifetime in the archive cleaning dessicated fingers and vials of sorcerer's sand that had been leaked by another clumsy Aspirant.

---

"Tobias Speech"
"Richard Speech"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

Stefan had no idea what Tobias meant. Mr. Zorrathy seemed to run his business and his family with a comfortable ease that was something entirely different from the rigid control he'd experienced from his parents. They were beginning to loosen the leash, between him excelling at every task and job they had given him, and his recent marriage, it finally felt like they trusted him. At least enough not to need to know his schedule every day.

He imagined what his schedule would look like, and what sorts of things they might add, if they were still meticulously controlling him. The phrase 'Impregnate Wife 4:00-4:30', written in his mother's precise hand came into his mind and he blanched and flushed at the same time. He must look ridiculous. Taking firm hold of himself and berating himself inwardly for not concentrating on the job at hand he returned all his attention to Tobias.

While many people thought his size might make him clumsy or slow, Stefan worked for muscle that worked, quick-twitch, not bulk. His frame bulked some regardless, that was just his breeding, but as far as intention went, he only worked out to a purpose of action. He knew there were those who worked out for the look of it, and he rather despised those men. Hating how their bulk made them slow and cumbersome.

It was not subtle, the way the younger man was sizing him up, but Stefan didn't attempt to conceal anything. He was here to teach, so it was good his student was paying attention. Stefan nodded at the compliment, taking it as sincere, hoping it was, not sure how to react if he wasn't.

Seeing Tobias toll his eyes at the rules and instructions of the Office of Reconciliation the same way he did at his father made Stefan frown again, harder this time. Family relations were one thing; different people made their own family rules and that was fine, within limits. But showing laxity or disdain for the rules that kept society safe from harm as though he were a schoolboy being given annoying maths problems made Stefan's jaw clench. His fists too.

"Come." He said, curtly as he led the man towards the practice area. By the time they got to the ring, he had his anger in check, though not forgotten. Holding the ropes up so Tobias could enter he followed him in shaking out his arms and his neck so he would be fully loose.

"Alright, fists up, let's see your stance." When he was shown he walked around in a circle, explaining why something was right or wrong and then adjusting it with his hands on Tobias' body. There was a way to stand so your body remained relaxed enough to move easily, but tense enough to move quickly. When he thought the stance was right he nodded, sunken into the work enough to let his persona issue with his pupil fade into the background.

"Yes, you have it. Now," He lifted his own wide fists and still a few feet away, "Let's see how you throw a punch."

[Tobias]

♅ 64th Ash, Year 121, A.O.S ♅
Company: Tobias and Stefan| Thoughts: And here we are, alone...| Mood: Eager to please

---

He noticed him frown once more as Tobias narrowed his eyes once more; he knew there was a slight sign of him being judgemental. He did have regard for rules when it came to employment and professionalism, but he found that there were so many. Tobias was the type of man who would try and bend rules for his own gain. There was loopholes in everything, including the simple concept of rules. It was once a great mathematician named Arnold Zborowski who said that rules were made to be broken. His theory was somewhat correct.

If his father was here right now; he would be giving him lectures on how to behave in public constantly. Tobias would be rolling his eyes in complete boredom, trying to sink in the knowledge. Sometimes, it would enter through one orifice and out the other. He could tell the other was angered by his apathetic attitude. He eventually followed Stefan into the ring as he looked around curiously, taking in the site. It was nothing special; an ordinary boxing ring which looked like it has seen better days. He climbed under the rope and stood in the middle of the ring.

He chose to remain silent and listen as he got into combat stance. His fists close to his face for guarded protection, legs apart, with his right leg forward. He watched as the man would adjust him further into position, yet again hinting at his extreme goal of perfection. It was as if the man had obsessive compulsive disorder. He looked at him for a moment with a calculating stare. His eyes narrowed further; a sign that he was trying to intimidate the other man.

Thwack.

He delivered a hook shot to the face of Stefan, wondering if that would suffice his request. He tilted his head for a moment as he looked at him, wondering if he was going to deliver a blow of his own. He knew from his father's teachings that he would try and make it seem like a realistic combat situation. However, he did not know his intentions to strike as he backed away cautiously, giving him time to react in case he decided to throw a blow back at him.

"You asked for me to throw a punch, but didn't explain where." He said with a smirk; he had gotten his smart pants on again, analysing his mistakes first as he continued to mock the other man like a schoolboy would "Perhaps, you should choose your methods of communication more clearly, instead of just telling me to throw a punch; that way I won't accidently throw a punch in the wrong direction." He laughed in a joking manner "Unless, you meant for me to hit that pretty face of yours, which of course I wouldnt damage it any further, it seems like a work of art that would be very hard to replace..." He chuckled as another unpredictable comment, yet it was hard to tell if he meant it sincerely.

---

"Tobias Speech"
"Richard Speech"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

The punch was expected, Stef was ready for it. His instincts told him to swat it away with one strong arm, but he resisted the impulse, only leaning back to make it into a glancing blow against his jaw. The young Zorrathy needed to know what it felt like to hit a real person, it was an important step and one best gotten out of the way immediately. Even so, Stefan wasn't going to go into the Windworks the next day with bruises on his face.

He had asked for the strike without specifying where on purpose. It was a good way to learn a man, asking him to do open-ended things and seeing where he went. Going right for the face showed that Tobias was bold, took chances, wasn't afraid to go for it. These were useful traits when tempered with knowledge and skill. It was better than if he'd been too afraid to hit Stefan at all, that would have required breaking the hold on social etiquette that held him back.

A nod came as the man brought his fists up and got into a fighting stance, "Good, make your target smaller, but try and keep moving."

Stefan just kept teaching, as though the blow hadn't been an issue. He had given an instruction and it had been followed, as far as he could tell, things were going well. When the younger man questioned his methods he thought for a moment before answering at all, still moving around and examining as Tobias tried to keep him in sight,

"I needed to know if you would, and, if you would, how. It didn't matter where you threw it, you wouldn't have damaged me." It wasn't bragging, didn't sound at all like it. In fact, it sounded more like he was trying to reassure Tobias, let him know that he didn't need to be worried for his teacher's safety. Stefan could keep himself from being harmed by so green a student and worrying would only make issues in their training.

"You just give as good as you have and it'll let me know where you need help. Alright?"

The laughter and joking seemed like the normal sort of banter of young men, the kind Stefan neither understood nor could participate in. It had been a long time since such things had easily irritated him.


"Keep those feet moving. I know it doesn't feel natural at first but it will protect you. Look," As he said this he made a punching motion, not a real one, but a good imitation of one, fast and awful looking, but he stopped before it impacted. "No one will commit that kind of force if you're moving, and, if they do, it'll overbalance them and you can strike back easily." He stayed in position, showing how the torque of his body threw it off balance if he punched hard enough.