WAOA Arena

[Random berk]

Drayven stood up to his full height, speaking to both Carmen and Hellosh, but focusing his disarming gaze on the less understanding man.

"Perhaps in some cultures, children can be sent out to fight and die against fully grown foes as soon as they can grip a sword." He began calmly. "But if we spend our whole lives in war, and have nothing to protect and hold precious, then why should we fight at all? If there is no hope that any of us can ever have peace, then why should we not just lay down our arms and accept the peace of death?"

Dromaeus roared in pain and went down on one knee as the volts coursed through his muscles of his arms and chest and sent them spasming. He twisted in vain trying to free himself, but as Rex held him fast, he groaned and gritted his teeth. Bracing his legs beneath him, he let adrenaline counteract the pain somewhat before uncoiling his leg muscles and surging upwards, his maw full of serrated teeth gaping wide before clamping firmly on the soft flesh of Rex'es face.

 

[DotSlash]

Rex was taken fully by surprise with Drom biting his face. Regaining compusure, he quickly let go of the sword, staying somewhat calm due to his tolerance for pain, though facebiting was a relatively new thing for him and hurt quite a damn bit. With the damage he had just taken from Drom biting him, the man charged his fists up with now red electricity before wildly wailing of the Argonian, hoping that the barrage would make the lizard unclamp his face.

[hr]

Carmen looked over at Drayven and raised an eyebrow. [color=bb0066] "Perhaps I wasn't clear. I didn't speak of raising an army of war-addicted clones, I merely thought that everyone should have a capacity to defend themselves if the need were to arise. I know I have something that I want to protect..." [/color]

 

[Gearhead mk2]

"Are you saying what I think you're saying? Dude, even if there doesn't seem to be an end, if you're protecting someone you gotta give it your all. You can't stop trying."

 

[Kirke]

Tophat tried to keep its temper as it spoke to Hellosh, though it was difficult.
"The best anyone can hope for is to leave the world a better place than it was when they arrived. Until then, I will not accept death."

 

[DotSlash]

Carmen simply turned toward Hellosh, sighing a bit. [color=bb0066] "By war-addicted clone, that's exactly what I mean. There's a difference between teaching someone how to fight and defending themselves... and turning them into some sort of fanatic like you." [/color]

 

[Random berk]

Drayven shook his head slightly.
"You contradict yourself." He said to Hellosh simply before turning to Laguna and Carmen.

"One culture that I know of does train all of their people to fight. The orcs introduce all of their children to martial discipline at a certain age. There are not very many of them however, and their way of life is far more... primitive in most cases. Their arts are far more focused on their militaristic tendencies, but they also have a terrible reputation among the races of Mer and men, and are almost always ostracised. Even then, there are those who shun that way of life and go to study in more civil professions. There may be something to a mandatory period of military service, but it does not suit everyone. And I would hope never to see a day where everyone is left with no choice but to fight or die against an overwelming foe." Finishing his explanation, he glanced at Hellosh again, his face and voice betraying no emotion.

"I fought for my family above all else, then my liege, and then the people. Do not slight them so casually." He said evenly before turning away again.

Dromeaus tightened his bite, groaning in pain as the fist struck his chest. On the second blow he twisted his head and ripped savagely away, the flesh of Rex'es face giving way before the vicelike strength of the Argonian's jaws. Tearing free he half leapt, half stumbled away, clutching his ribs and wheezing in pain.

 

[DotSlash]

Rex gritted his teeth and put his hand over his face as Drom pulled it off. Blood poured before he took a knee and took a few breaths, not being able to move just yet due to all the pain. As a result, the lightning around the man began to spark white, even more deadly than before. He staggered a bit before starting to growl a bit, charging himself up. [color=000066] "Such. A. Fucking.... PAIN...." [/color]

[hr]

Carmen put a hand to her chin for a moment before nodding. [color=bb0066] "I see... Balance over brute strength is something preferable overall." [/color]

 

[Gearhead mk2]

"Wow... sounds like they got a tough life. And if some of them wanna split off from being warriors, I say go for it."

 

[Random berk]

Dromaeus's thin lips peeled apart, giving Rex a good view of his own warm blood dripping between the triangular teeth. As he did so he fumbled under his heavy fur wrapping for the pouches concealed inside. Drawing out a translucent, pale yellow bottle he bit out the cork and upended it into his mouth. A moment later, the colour faded from his body, his outline became faint, and then he vanished entirely.

"I do believe so. A force made up of professional soldiers dedicated to the protection of a civilian population is a formidable force. And if they do their job well then they will not have to worry about falling short of recruits. Orcs are made hardy by their brutal life. But not as many of their young survive into adulthood as those of my own race, or yours."

 

[DotSlash]

Rex stood up, still clutching his face. He calmly closed his eyes and shifted his headphones down off his ears, allowing him to listen a little more to his surroundings. The white lightning continued to spark around his body as he waited.

[hr]

Carmen sighed a bit. [color=bb0066] "Rule by fear only leads to rebellion. No matter how powerful you may be, you won't be able to withstand an entire nation on your own." [/color]

 

[Kirke]

"If they fear you, you are no good king."
Tophat said to Hellosh, getting up and leaving.
OoC: Off to bed.

 

[Gearhead mk2]

"You'd think these orc guys would have better childcare in place if they wanna have a strong military."

 

[Random berk]

"As I have already told you, my eldest son is in training to fight for our house just as I did before. And when he comes of age, my younger son shall do the same." Drayven replied to Hellosh. "And my mind is a keener weapon than any sword. You on the other hand, hide the edge of your own intellect very well with all your braggart's pride. As for your ways of dealing with your people..." He chuckled dryly.

"A leader loved by his people can command their absolute loyalty, even onto death. I wonder, what would you do when your people fear the enemy's swords more than your whips?" As Laguna voiced his concerns over the Orc children he shrugged.

"However well they take care of their children, they are conditioned to be violent and competetive. The strong survive. Those who suffer from any weakness are usually ground beneath the heels of those stronger, and forgotten by their elders who did not value them so much."

Dromaeus circled around Rex slowly, crouched low and cross-stepping silently. He nocked an arrow and caressed the flight gently, before raising the bow, drawing the string with a swift, smooth motion and loosing it.

 

[DotSlash]

As Drom smoothly shot the arrow, it pegged Rex in the leg. The man seemed not to be bothered by it as he sighed and transmuted his gauntlet into its gun form. He calmly squeezed the trigger as the gun was obviously beginning to charge up. [color=000066] So if it was at that angle... then he was somewhere around.... [/color] He seemed to look around the area Drom had shot the arrow from.

 

[Random berk]

Dromaeus knew better than to stand and fire from one position, and had already rolled to one side. Now he nocked another arrow and drew it back. Raising the bow he drew in a long, deep breath and sighted down the arrow, aiming just below Rex'es jawline.

 

[Gearhead mk2]

"That doesn't really sound like a good idea. Leaving people behind is never a good thing, and you never know what those kids might be capable of."

 

[DotSlash]

With Rex's head turned, he managed to see the arrow as it flew toward his neck. He calmly spun around, grabbing the arrow with his free hand before aiming where the arrow had fired from with his gun and firing a large white beam in that direction. Afterward, he coughed up a bit of blood and started charging another shot.

[hr]

[color=bb0066] "Yet." [/color] Carmen simply replied. [color=bb0066] "Your demeanor suggests you hurt others for your own amusement, but I'll lay that motion to the side for now. The moment you make a small misstep in your judgement of executing people, they'll have your head. And tell me, do you publicly execute these criminals?" [/color]

 

[Random berk]

Drayven nodded, looking rather regetful.

"And this is why I would not see all races assume such a lifestyle. It is too brutal. Why do those born without the physical strength or the aggressive tendencies of his peers deserve to die and be forgotten? It is our artists, our historians, who record our exploits and achievements for future generations. Warriors do not create. If they do not protect those who do, or learn to follow a new path as I did, then all they are capable of is destruction." Hearing Hellosh'es continued boasting and challenges, he exhaled long and slow, the first sign of exasperation he had shown them.

"Your idea of 'improvements' are clearly very different to mine. And I have not saved a country, no. I never would have even if I rose all the way to the top of the Aldmeri chain of command, though I may have destroyed one. I chose a different path because it was the right thing to do."

Dromaeus gasped in shock as Rex grabbed the arrow. When the human spun and raised his gun Dromaeus threw himself on his belly, letting the shot pass over his head. As he scrambled up, his potion wore off and he shimmered back into view. Lunging at Rex he swept his shield out to knock him off balance and deflect his gun barrel before bringing his sword across to slit open his belly.

 

[Gearhead mk2]

"Speaking as an ex-soldier, yeah, it's not always it's own reward. You gotta fight for change, or something you believe in, or to protect someone. Fighting for it's own sake is just slow suicide." Laguna looked at Hellosh. "Hey, I DID save a country, and I ended up ruling it. And I didn't have to make people afraid of me."

 

[DotSlash]

Dropping the arrow and snapping it with a stomp, he noted Drom lunging at him as the lizard reappeared. He quickly backdashed to back out of his shield bash. The lizard's horizontal slash caught his ribs a bit. Grunting, Rex aimed his gun toward Drom's chest and shot again, this time less strong as the one before.

[hr]

Carmen scoffed. [color=bb0066] "Save your people having to see such barbarity, then. As much as I enjoy fighting myself, don't celebrate it by beheading people in front of others. No amount of hospitals or other helpful structures will ever erase the resentment people must feel from seeing people slain before them, no matter how evil or corrupt they may be. Subjects aren't to be made examples of unless absolutely necessary... and even then, they can be dealt with silently." [/color]