Begrudging Acceptance | Sirin & Esmae | Private

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Pulling her head back as the mare raised hers, Esmae leveled eye to eye with her. Raising her brows, she took the thought into consideration before she gave an one shouldered shrug. Heeding her words, she glanced about to the other equines the occupied the room once again. Sure, there were plenty of other suitable candidates but she kept her hooves rooted in place. Unlike others who would’ve wavered and respected her decision, the specialist stood her ground. More so or less. Turning her attention back to the unicorn with determination in her eyes, her lips flicked into a smile as she planted her rump right beside her. Sitting close, she held the quarterstaff to her side as she made herself comfortable.

Ever since she returned from Aodh and back to the Bunker, along with a few slaves they had freed, she had been a bit shaky. More than she would’ve preferred to admit. Of course, with one of the cadets in tow and in the line of caution, she supposed to was understandable to be a bit nerve wracked. It was an effort to bounce back to usual and back into routine. And what better way to do it than to spar for a bit? No better way to work things out than through fighting, she suppressed a snort at the thought. To quote a friend of hers, it was amusing now that she thought about it. Silly. Absorbed in thought, she quickly snapped back to the present as her grip loosened on her staff. She had gotten this far, so might as well follow through with it. Who knows, it actually might make her feel a tad better.

Allowing her presence to loom over the unicorn, Esmae held her gaze after she sat down.
“Hm.” She hummed to herself, tearing her gaze away, she faced ahead to the center of the room. It was cleared away for ones that wished to train while other Vindicators mingled along the wall or near the sides. “I could.” She mused out loud, voicing her thoughts with a cheeky smile. Laying down her quarterstaff on the cool floor at her hooves, she folded her forelegs beneath her as she laid down on her side.
“But I rather not.”

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From all the signs that Sirin expressed to drive her off flew right over her head, some would think Esmae was the blind one. Having settled quite comfortably, she had assumed it would take a bit before the mare would agree. It was a pleasant surprise when it turned out not to be the case.

Perking her ears up at her response, the mare glanced to Sirin out of the corner of her eye with a triumphant smile. Now that wasn’t too hard, wasn’t it? Resisting the urge to tease the mare about taking their fight outside where no one could see, she chuckled under her breath at the thought. With a nod of agreement, Esmae hustled to her hooves and followed after the unicorn. Snatching up her wooden quarterstaff, she quickened her pace. Trotting after her, she slowed her stride once she caught up to the soldier to avoid bumping into her. 

Allowing the silence stretch between them contently, she absentmindedly twirled her staff back and forth to her side. Rolling it back and forth in her grip, Esmae blinked up at the mare in front of her. Should she say something? As they traveled out of the Bunker, her golden eyes couldn’t help but stray. Dipping down, they strayed far more than she intended. Snapping her eyes back up to lock on to the back of the mare’s head, she couldn’t help a few moments later to do a double take.

Despite herself, she felt her cheeks warm ever so slightly. Not that she would ever admit it. Swishing her tail, Esmae gave a small shake of her head and picked up the pace to walk side by side with Sirin. Nudging Sirin’s flank with her hip in a playful manner, she grinned as they came up onto the surface. Starting off into the open area ahead of the soldier, she came to a halt and took in the fresh air. Compared to the open skies, the Bunker seemed cramped in comparison. Probably because it partially was.

It still remained somewhat cool as winter receded to allow spring to take its place and have the life in the forest area bloom once more. There were even small buds of greenery beginning to grow around them. Turning her head back to the unicorn, Esmae chirped, “Alright, where to?”

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Trotting after her into the small clearing, she tilted her head in confusion. Was Sirin that serious about sparring with her that she wouldn’t even speak to her? Not that there wasn’t much to say. Even if they took their time sparring and came back into the Bunker instead of a quick match between them, inquiring looks would be thrown their way. Especially, if they were sweating or bore small details about them that could easily be taken out of context.

Perhaps her thoughts were beginning to stray too often. Esmae raked her gaze around their surroundings, snapping her attention back to the spotted mare at her bark with wide eyes. It was the only warning she was given, if at all.

“Wh-” Unable to raise her staff in time to block the frontal attack, she threw herself to the side to evade the blow.

Shit. As Esmae held her quarterstaff in front of her, her right foreleg stung from the impact with Sirin’s weapon. Swallowing thickly, she narrowed her eyes with focus. Keeping light on her hooves, she danced around the mare, searching for an opening. When her golden eyes found one, she lunged forward with her staff aiming for Sirin’s lower left side. Despite hoping her strike would land true, her blows were much lighter compared to the other mare’s. Maybe not with the force to leave a bruise or mark but certainly enough for Sirin to know.

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Not missing the quick flash of smugness that crossed the horned mare’s features, Esmae muttered briefly under her breath. Sirin was strong, she would give her that. She supposed her muscles weren’t just for show.

Now it was her turn to cast a small smirk once her blow found its mark. However, the twang of satisfaction was short-lived when Sirin struck out and landed a heavy hit on her side. An estranged yell came from Esmae as she did. The impact nearly sent her rolling into the dirt as she stumbled heavily, trying to regain her balance. God damn it.

Mud splattered on her forelegs as she kept her head lowered, placing a fair distance between them. Rising her shoulders, she diverted her attention to her guard. She should’ve seen it coming. Many would’ve thought a girl would learn from the first time after she was hit. Accounting for the fact they are merely sparring.

Perking her ears in her direction, Esmae listened to her words warily. If that woman charged at her, she would surely be crushed. You sure know how to pick them, she mused to herself. She was the one that suggested they spar anyway. What else was she thinking? Then the realization hit her. Widening her eyes, she thought, She's right. In the eyes of Aodh, they were the enemy which gave the chevaliers plenty of reason to cut them down. The thoughts that raced in her head began to slow down as she tried to focus. Hell, she couldn’t even search for a reply to her words.

Keeping her eyes on her torso, she dove forward with renewed vigor. Swinging with her quarterstaff to meet her chest, she rose up on her hind legs and struck out with her forelegs. Attempting to meet her mark on her shoulder, she wasn’t exactly the most stealthy doing so.

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At her remark, Esmae couldn’t help but feel a tinge of pride at her words. Casting a mere smile in her direction, locking her gaze with hers, she stumbled back as the larger mare shoved her away. Swallowing thickly, she pondered her next attack.

Raking her gaze over the other female, she searched for any fair openings. She had to give it to her, the woman knew how to keep her guard and didn’t pull any punches while doing so. Letting a couple moments of silence stretch between them, she made her move. As they circled one another, Esmae broke the tension and feinted to her right.

However, when she threw herself to the side, a gasp escaped her as Esmae lost her footing. Her legs slipping in the muddy terrain, she failed to regain her balance. Sliding down onto the ground, she clutched onto her wooden staff with a tight grip. Scrunching her golden eyes shut and bracing for impact, she managed to come to a stop. Cracking one hesitant eye open, she glanced around her surroundings. By Alya, that was… somewhat startling.

Turning herself around, Esmae braced herself as she faced the horned mare with a bashful smile. Raising her staff slightly, which was held by her warm yellow teke, she murmured.
“I yield..?” Tilting her head at her own words, she gave a small shake of her cropped mane. Glancing down upon herself, her ears swerved back before she held out an offering gesture. “Help me up?” She paused for a moment before adding, “Please.”

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Her eyes lit up as the horned mare accepted her offer, reaching out with her glittering teke. However, at the rough yank on her mane, she let out a pained cry. Scrunching her eyes shut, she flattened her ears back as she attempted to scramble to her hooves.

“Ow, ow, oww!” Once she managed to stand, she tried to loosen her grip by waving her quarterstaff around blindly. Gripping the weapon tight with golden teke, she tried waving off the other mare’s teke. While she did enjoy having her hair pulled occasionally in good fun, this hurt. 

“I’m up, I’m up!” Once Sirin released her, she immediately started patting down her mane and rubbing it soothingly. She was still surprised her hair managed to stay on her head. Cracking open one eye hesitantly, she frowned delicately at the horned mare. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked.

“Ow.” She murmured pointedly. Her dark tail gave a small lash behind her, adding onto her frown. Pointing the top of her quarterstaff to the mare, she waved it around like how a mother might scold a child. 

“I have half a mind to challenge you for that. But... I suppose I don’t want to go sprawling into the mud again, now do I?” At her huffy words, her frown lessened as her tone remained somewhat light-hearted. Leaning her staff back, she directed to Sirin with a muddy hoof.

“Truce?”