[Open]

[cmdreffingshepard]

Who: Shepard and YOU!
What: Various wanderings around Baedal. Specific threads for Kincaid's and the Arena.
Where: VARIOUS PLACES.
When: Various times, sukkardi/shundi.
Notes: All CR is welcome! I'll be putting up a couple of open thread starters but if anyone has ideas, just let me know and we'll get something going!
Warnings: Possible violence of the sparring sort in the arena; I'll update if anything else comes up.

Shepard is the kind of person who prefers a somewhat regimented kind of life - so it's no surprise that she quickly falls into a bit of a routine in Baedal. As long as she's not worrying about the basics - food, shelter and clothing - it's a matter of finding her way around and thinking about higher-order things - like keeping in shape.

Comments

[thedominatrix]

"Yes," Irene agrees. "You have to take stamina into account. Not that I'm gambling, of course."

She sometimes does, but it's not her kind of thrill. Which is what she's here for- excitement. A slightly worrying visceral appreciation for violence. It's almost like voyeurism.

She wonders if the other woman is here for the same reason, but there's something a little less eager about her demeanour; she looks calm, serious, watchful, like she's soaking everything in. Anyway, Shepard's posture and general appearance speaks of something no nonsense and hard.

"That and Yaga-" She nods to the one with the daggers, because she makes a point of knowing everyone she can get her hands on and Yaga has found her way into the private rooms of the Vault with Irene more than once. "-is an incredibly dirty fighter. Just watch- ah."

A cry goes up from the axe-wielder's supporters as Yaga's foot catches him almost as if by accident and he crashes to the ground. There's a visible spark of interest in Irene's eyes, and she stands up a little straighter, smiling widely.

[cmdreffingshepard]

Dirty fighter. Shepard watches Irene's smile and then turns back to the spectacle in front of them. There are various nuances, and dirty rather depends on the person, she's found.

"Some might just call that being observant, knowing your opponents weaknesses and exploiting them," she comments mildly, applauding Yaga's win.

"Then again, I've never fought in a situation where there were rules to follow and spectators watching. I take it Yaga is a friend of yours?"

[thedominatrix]

With her usual confidence in her own opinions no matter what, even in spite of the fact that the woman she's talking to is fairly obviously better-versed in physical fighting than she is, Irene says, "Oh, it counts as dirty--"

She breaks off, and tosses Shepard a quick smile. "But I think people call most things they don't expect dirty, somehow. She's an acquaintance."

Irene, acquaintances do not require safewords.

"When have you fought- or dare I ask?" she inquires. For once, she keeps her questioning tone free from any sense of demand; she sounds wryly interested instead of challenging. She has a bad habit of asking personal questions like she already knows the answer and is just testing her conversational partner's knowledge.

[cmdreffingshepard]

"If you say so," Shepard says, looking vaguely amused. She's never really considered the line between 'clean' and 'dirty' fighting. There's sparring, which is more of a workout routine for two people than an actual fight, and then there's fighting for your life on a battle ground - when you do what you can to survive, and don't really think about whether it conforms to any kind of rule set.

Irene's question earns a raised eyebrow, and then a shrug. "I'm a marine. I've seen a fair amount of action, though I can't say I've ever seen anyone fighting with a... spear, outside of vids." Her eyes followed the people below, preparing for the next match.

[thedominatrix]

Irene gives a low chuckle at the mention of spears, watching the combatants assemble with a curiously thoughtful expression, her hands on her hips and her head to one side. "Oddly enough, me neither."

She glances over and turns that same thoughtful stare on Shepard, before sticking out a hand (black leather gloves). "Irene Adler," she says by way of introduction, with a smile on her features which looks slightly more genuine than the affected mannerisms she usually puts on. (It's not, really, because Irene can't do anything which is genuine).

[cmdreffingshepard]

She takes Irene's hand, giving it a firm shake, as would be expected from a longtime soldier. "Shepard," she says simply, smiling too, but still a little wary of the other woman. Old habits, and all of that.

[thedominatrix]

"Such a pleasure," Irene replies. Her own shake is surprisingly firm, not quite the grip one expects from someone so carefully put-together. "So- here for entertainment? Must be different watching it as someone with actual training and experience in the matter."

--in which Irene paints herself as someone who would be dreadful in a fight. It's not completely true.

[cmdreffingshepard]

Shepard tilts her head slightly. "I'm not exactly here for entertainment - I heard about this place and I was curious about how it works." She glances back down at the arena. "They all seem very experienced. Practice sparring, or fighting in an arena for sport, it's totally different from actually being in a battle. I think most of these people know that difference."