Point A (Connor)

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel sat within the lavish extent of his resident behind gated walls and towering gardens. It would appear hidden from the world yet in the sam instant it was surrounded by the hustle and bustle of down town San Francisco. A mansion estate hidden away from the traffic and pollution, noises and havoc but so very close. One had to intermingle with all of life's situations to be enabled to make worthwhile.

He took up residence within the training room. The place was padded white and concealed most objects, most of those had been concealed fighter he'd hired from the streets most trained firmly to fight. And their lives were at stake here. Today was to make the boy's training. Foresight and preface made Gabriel out to be the master, he was to bring a blind man to become a furious warrior, without fear. Without loss or discern.

Earlier that day he'd sent out a black BMW to go pick him up and bring him to the training residence. He wanted to see if Gabriel had made the right choice in choosing an apprentice. It was a deadly maneuver but lineage and preparations formed stronger bonds in times of war and conflict. He'd hone his members to be loyal without question. SOmething Unfettered had done to great yield.

[Connor Dwyre]

A knock came to the door of Suichi's home. He saw the black car, and immediately he was concerned. When he answered, Connor had come out. It was probably a goo thing Bix was away, or there might have been an issue. They had a talk about Gabriel after the meeting, mostly with how she had acted toward Connor. She had been so cold, more than normal, and for Connor, it was hard to understand and harder to deal with. At least, until she had explained.

Connor bowed to his sensei, and told him it would be alright. Suichi let him go, and Connor felt a pang of guilt. He honestly had no idea if this was ok. However, it was too late to pull back now. Past the point of no return. At least, that's how he felt. He sensed that Suichi knew as well, or at least suspected. But, he let his student get in the car, and drive off.

If Gabriel wanted to keep his home a secret, he would probably blindfold any he brought there. With Connor, it was simple. The boy couldn't see, and as they were in a car, he'd never find it on foot. The vibrations in a vehicle threw off his 'sight,' and so Gabriel's home location would, for now, remain a mystery to him.

They arrived shortly thereafter, and Connor was led to the training room where his new teacher was waiting. Once they were left, Connor bowed in greeting. Though he was nervous, and still felt uncomfortable, those feelings were well hidden. "Good afternoon, Gabriel."

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel's eyes turned up from the white yielding room. They met the boy known as Conner, Blind, and certainly one of Gabriel's favorite choices. Not that he was playing choices he simply saw a great yield of strength in the boy. Not a physical strength that intimidated foes but a moral strength that raised hearts and in turn rose armies.

"Conner, Welcome to my humble homestead." Gabriel approached him slowly, "Though it may seem like I'm in a bit of a rush truth is that I am I'd like to get your training started off as quickly as can be managed. Any problems?" Gabriel walked to a table to grab two long ended blades set in their sheaths.

'We'll start with the blade work, to work on your reactions..." Gabriel didn't pay any notice to the fact that the boy was indeed blind he wanted to see Conner live up to the potential, to use foresight and come out on top.

[Connor Dwyre]

Connor had no idea he was one of Gabriel's favorites. He was merely following instruction, as it had yet to conflict with anything on a personal level. So far, he was still unnerved by all of this, he complied with no hesitation. That is what Gabriel wanted, after all. Obedience. As of yet, Connor had no reason not to see this through. He would apply his training with Suichi here, and hopefully he would do well.

Gabriel greeted him, and from what Connor could tell, there was no hostility. His tone was pleasant enough, and Connor was, for the most part, at ease. He wasn't the strongest of the group. Far from it. It was one of the reasons Connor didn't understand why he was chosen. But, maybe that was it. Because he was weaker than the others. He had no idea Gabriel saw his potential, or that his true strength lied within.

He responded to Gabriel, and smiled. His tone was lighthearted. "Thank you. And, no. No problems. I figured that's why I was here. Little reason to start any later then necessary." He could hear the lifting of the objects on the table. From what he could hear, Gabriel held two of the objects, which were similar if not identical. When Gabriel mentioned blade work, Connor nodded.

Though he knew a little, honestly he was limited in his knowledge of how to use them. Suichi taught him basics, but had focused the vast majority of his training on empty hand fighting. Connor knew how to use his cane, which he didn't have with him. He had been led here, and so was without his aid and only weapon. However, the cane was lighter, and not sharp. From what he knew, the sword was merely an extension of oneself. He hoped that would help him.

"I will assume one of those is for me?" The boy had wonderful perception, and it typically threw people off guard. It gave Connor an advantage, though someone like Gabriel would more than likely just accept it rather than be shocked. "I will admit, I know very little about using a blade. But, that's why they call it training, right?"

Connor had an innocence about him. It was a positive thing this day and age, but it was also something that could get him into trouble. not that he wasn't street wise, but just that he still had that inner childlike energy. It was what gave him his charm, and what allowed others to listen to him. But, it also got him involved with unsavory people, such like those that had literally crucified him. He wondered breifly what Gabriel intended to change about him. He supposed wondering did little good. Time would have to reveal that.

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel smiled and laughed lightly over the quick detail, 'So the boy does have some fascinating abilities, you weren't wrong in choosing him.' He thought to himself swiftly acknowledging his own choices. Now that he'd figured a detail about Conner and played it to his own advantage he'd be testing the boy to see his prowess. To develop some skill that lurked beneath the surface somewhere.

Gabriel stood crossing the room and tossed the large kendo blade across the tiled floor till it contacted Conner's feet. He'd want to see Conner manifest his speed and skills. Gabriel would draw the blade with an audible clash. He would charge forth quickly giving the boy little time to react. This lesson would be about ruthless speed and foresight into those matters. Soon enough his teachings would break him down as they would the others. Till the group was a cult like following. Gabriel would proceed with a downward slash only to retreat swiftly reading into the boy's movements.

[Connor Dwyre]

His comment made Gabriel chuckle. Alright... maybe there was nothing to worry about after all. He "saw" the boy move, tossing the blade to him. However, once the object was airborne, Connor lost it. he still couldn't find things in the air. Well, unless it was raining. That was a different story. But, as they were indoors, there was little chance of a downpour.

The blade and sheath came to rest as his feet, and he knelt down to pick it up. As soon as his hands were on it, he could feel Gabriel moving. Connor, just as he always did during a spar, grinned. His ability with vibration gave him an edge few knew about. He may not have normal sight, but his heightened senses allowed for far greater perception of things that gave more away than a good pair of eyes ever could. Then there was his Qi, but that was something he didn't need. Not yet.

He waited as Gabriel came at him, not moving from the ground. He had heard the blade unsheathe. Knew Gabriel was making more noise than he had to with that motion. It wouldn't have mattered... Connor would have heard the blade's release without the added help. He still remained unmoving, not removing the blade until the right moment.

As Gabriel's blade came down, Connor moved swiftly. He used his thumb, proper Japanese drawing technique, and drew the blade in an arc above his head. The blade would contact Gabriel's, and guide it away from Connor, off to his right side. As Gabriel backed up, Connor would stand.

The grin was on his face, and the confidence that was his inner strength shown through. Not cocky, but showed he wasn't one to back down. "I said I didn't know much... I didn't say I knew nothing." It was only a fact, not bragging. Connor threw this comment lightheartedly at him. He was a playful soul after all.

If it was a test of sword against sword, Connor knew little on proper technique, save for drawing. He would be using this just as he used his cane, making sure to keep from placing his hand on the sharp edge of the blade.

Connor would have attacked, save for one problem. His style relied on reaction and counter attacking. Though he could attack freely, his strength was to wait and listen. To read his opponent before striking. As Gabriel clearly had the upper hand with training, Connor had to play it safe. His blade was pointed at Gabriel, the sheath in his left hand. He would be using that to block as well.

Well, I managed to avoid getting slashed. But, he's holding back. He didn't use much power at all in that swing. He's testing me. he waited for Gabriel's next attack.

OOC: Connor is the Batosai! Hiten Mitsurugi style... DO RYU SEN!!!! (Yes, arbitrary Kenshin reference.) No, Connor is not a katana master. He knows basics... and I mean just basics. As stated, he'll be using it like he knows how to use his cane for fighting.

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel laughed again at the boy's confidence. But not only that he had a spark of wit about him that humored Gabriel. That needed to be broken as well. A dark grin. So the boy had other senses that were fairly attuned time now to put those to the test as well. Gabriel moved now quickly to Conner's right not as an attack this time merely something to test his reactions. He'd duck and roll away from any assaulting blows and come across a large stereo system Gabriel had set up in his guest room according to his further plans for the future. With it he cranked the sound up. The bass up high.

"Now Conner lets see how you fare?" Gabriel grinned it was not a way to defeat him merely break his strengths and turn his weaknesses into more strengths.

Gabriel knew of several of the Pillar's Qi's already, Damien's most importantly revolved around sound if he was to manipulate his favorite warrior they'd end up with an advantage. Gabriel walked slow enough to close in on the boy and would fire the blow of his blade across Conner's side, not to strike merely to threaten. Gabriel wanted to see how he'd adapt.

[Connor Dwyre]

Connor faced him as he moved, not taking his blade off Gabriel's center. The boy moved swiftly, and ended up by some object he couldn't recognize. After all, Connor couldn't depict detail without thousands of drops of water. No, he could make out the basic shape, but that was all. But, when the volume was turned up, Connor knew what it was. Also, he knew this was not good.

The sound was painful. Too much loud noise threw his normal detection off. Not only that, but it hurt his sensitive ears. Though it wasn't enough to cripple him, he couldn't help but waiver in his blade's alignment, and the look on his face revealed he was hurting. He hadn't wanted to use his Qi now. It was something he had wanted to save until later. But, Gabriel had a way of manipulating things.

As Gabriel approached, Connor's eyes closed. His shades were discarded. He hoped that the sign of his Qi being activated would throw the boy off a bit. He raised his face, and opened his eyes. There was no color, but a white light emitted from both his eyes. He could see Gabriel's aura, though it was more like a shapeless blob. He could gauge distance, and could make out some movement of the attack.

Connor brought the bade down at his die, avoiding the contact of the metal, but still getting the brunt of the force behind the blow. He would push back, and snap his wrist. He would continue the turn, and attempt to hit Gabriel with the sheath on his open side.

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel flinched quickly not expecting Conner to react so quickly, it was a pleasant surprise above all else. Apparently his own training worked to his advantage as well though there was still to be one trick up Gabriel's sleeve one he didn't want to use quite yet. Shifting backwards Gabriel would stay out of range till Conner thrust the sheath of the blade near his head. With Gabriel's free hand he'd catch it in his palm forming miniscule splinters to drive into his skin with the blunt force that had been applied. The pain was momentary and stung briefly but there was too much work to be done to turn in quite so early. It made him shine within. Now to break down the mind.

Gabriel tugged at Conner's sheath whether he was to hold tight or let go would effect the following. If he were to let go Gabriel would toss it aside into a nearby wall and rush forward to clasp the boy up by his throat shaking him bluntly like a rag doll and then tossing him aside. If he were to hold it tight Gabriel would pull in so that his momentum would fall forward and Gabriel would crouch into an open palm strike while his Qi activated firing not only a powerful strike into his chest but a ray of electric volts through his chest and possibly across the room.

(OOC:Qi active,
Strength: 93
Dexterity: 85
Constitution: 51
Intelligence: 11
Wisdom: 18
Charisma: 46)

[Connor Dwyre]

He could feel he caught Gabriel off a bit, but the boy reacted quickly. He had made contact, but the blow wasn't strong enough to slow his opponent down. Not that he had expected it to, but he had hoped it did something. He felt it had, but regardless Gabriel showed little reaction.

He had caught the sheath, and Connor's grip was tight. He hadn't wanted to give up something he could use as a weapon. The problem with this was Gabriel used that to his advantage. He used the momentum to drive Connor where he wanted, and Connor headed right for Gabriel's attack. Connor's face went to that of pure shock, as Gabriel's own aura grew brighter. His fight with Sara told him what this meant. Gabriel was using his own Qi, though Connor didn't know what his ability was.

He found out first hand, quite literally, as Gabriel's hit rang true. Connor was hit with that electrifying attack, and let out a yell of both surprise and pain as the shot also rang out throughout the room. Connor dropped backward due to the force of both Gabriel's strength and the ability of the attack.

Connor's chest ached, and he felt like his skin was burned. He was breathing hard, though his blade and the sheath were still in his separate hands. He had yet to let them go. "Sara can blast people with a force... you can shock someone... and all I can do is see aura..." he chuckled, then let out a groan of pain.

"Somehow, I think I got ripped off..." He was still lighthearted, even in the face of pain. He managed to struggle to his feet, and again pointed the blade at Gabriel. "You are very strong. Your ability is incredible." He was standing, though he was obviously in pain. Yet, he refused to quit. Not just yet. "You're not going to catch me like that again." He smiled.

One thing about Connor was that he could remember fight patterns. The longer he fought with someone, the easier they were to read. No one had ever been able to use the same attack on him twice. If this had been a real fight, Gabriel would have wished to have ended the fight with that attack. He wouldn't be getting a second shot at it.

[Gabriel Seran]

Good, he liked the kid that much more for not backing down. Far more attributable than the whiners whom sat back and cried when he unleashed hell on them. In fact Gabriel relished this moment enjoying this fight all the more.

"And you, are an impressive student, never belittle your Qi." Gabriel smiled quite impressed, "it gives you a great advantage that others would die for."

Gabriel smiled once more walking at a calm pace before bowing slightly, showing his honor.

"Shall we begin round two?" Gabriel said calmly allowing Conner to start this off.

[Connor Dwyre]

Gabriel's comment and compliment brought a smile to Connor's face, one more genuine that the confident one he had when he fought. "Thank you. Much appreciated." Gabriel asked if her were ready for round two, and Connor nodded. "Even if I wasn't, you've been more than fair, letting me breath for a second. Doubtful I'd have that opportunity in a real fight. But, something tells me you'll test me on that at some point."

He grinned. "Round two it is. As you are my instructor, I will admit that I am used to reacting and not being on the offensive as much. But, I don't think you'll accept that." He knew full well Gabriel wanted to see how Connor would attack right off the bat. Connor would have to change things up, and prove that he could indeed attack.

He took a breath, and watched Gabriel's motion. Or, lack there of anyway. Connor adjusted his weight slightly, and without warning, moved. His speed was swift, and he headed right at Gabriel. What appeared to be a straight stab was actually a feign, as about two steps from Gabriel, Connor shifted to the right, lowered himself a bit, then slid to the left, his blade slashing in an upward diagonal from bottom right, to the top left. He kept the sheath between him and Gabriel, ready to block an oncoming attack.

Once his own was complete, he would take a quick back hop, and prepare for Gabriel's continued onslaught.

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel waited, yes indeed he had expected to see him on the offensive. So for the moment Gabriel was silent and he watched. Waiting, the blood pulsed in his head as the deadly weapon approached getting nearer. The tremors in his veins ticked watching as things appeared to slow he could feel death coming it was reassuring but in the same moment he wasn't ready for it. Not yet. Gabriel waited for the last moment as the blade came into a jab. Hard to defend against but Gabriel left his blade limp and at the wrist ready for when it made contact. And then it shifted. Gabriel dropped back a step feeling the gust behind his strike.

*Clash*

The blades made contact, it was lucky for Gabriel in fact but he pulled it off with a calm face making it look completely planned. He'd follow up by following into Conner's retreat and this time around leaving his sword in the left hand while his right was free. Dropping the blade in a downwards diagonal slash to the lower corner left his left flank open but it also pressed Conner back now the question was did the kid risk pushing into a dangerous situation?

[Connor Dwyre]

Gabriel blocked, which Connor had expected him to. After all, he didn't want to actually cut open his new instructor. He thought Gabriel had been surprised, thought he had felt a twinge off of him, but he quickly dismissed it. Gabriel had to have had prior blade training. Connor doubted there was something he could do that would have caught the boy off guard, though he tried.

Gabriel had countered, and Connor was at least able to twist his body around to take the blow in. A downward slash. Connor moved fast, placing his left hand on the back edge of the sword, his right hand still at the handle. The point of the blade was straight down at the floor. He edge out, Gabriel's blade made contact, the force inducing a few sparks.

CLANG!

Before contact was left, right as Gabriel's blade slid along Connor's, he would lift , using his left hand for leverage. This turned the entire blade from having a forte and foible (strong and weak sections for those reading this and unfamiliar with bladework) to having nothing but forte. The move would hopefully bring Gabriel;'s blade offline, and the point of Connors right at Gabriel's throat.


The follow up would normally and naturally be a stab forward, piercing the throat of a victim. Normally. Connor would do no such thing. He was more then aware of the fight, and was not letting his muscles guide him. He would stop, blade pointing dangerously at Gabriel's neck. That is, if Gabriel had not managed to move out of the way or perform a counter.

Connor would remain their, unmoving for now. In a spar, this would signal the winner. Connor's hope was not to 'win.' He hoped to pass Gabriel's test, and prove he was worth training. Though this situation had at first made him nervous, he still had one goal in mind. To please the leader of their group. To make him know Connor was not weak like most thought, and that he could indeed help. He hoped that this demonstration had brought him one step closer to that.

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel's blade folded under Conner's abilities. Impressive. But it wasn't the only card Gabriel would play this day he couldn't allow for the weak to defeat the strong. In his mind there was none that could defeat him so long as he had a back up plan involved. The blade was flung from his hand and flew off, entering its jagged side deep into a wall with an audible thunk.

In the same motion however Gabriel's right hand reached out closing sharply around the blade. An odd pulse shot through Gabriel's body feeling the exciting tingle rise up into his limb as it surged out onto the blade. At first strike it'd cause voltage damage to strike Conner but that wasn't the entirety of the plan the next process involved him severing the blade from the hilt.

*clink*

The blade would shatter in his grip. A grim grin consorted on his face certainly enjoying the effort despite the conclusion. Draws weren't nearly as rewarding as victories but in the end Gabriel sought to prove to Conner that having plans before hand could save a defeat.

"Good," Gabriel turned about walking towards the couch to sit briefly, "I'm sure you'll make a fine knight to the match I have in store for the future." The smile grew wide.