Nephriel

Vampire Academy

As Gunner came at her Anna was ready. She dodged his first few attacks, using her faster speed and lighter steps to dance around him. It wasn't easy, he was skilled and he'd gotten much better at stringing his attacks together and he was keeping her on the defensive... Not giving her the chance to attack.

After a moment, once she'd gotten into his pace and picked up on some of the new things he was throwing at her and shook off some of the rust from her downtime over their break the real fight began as she finally broke out of her all defensive style and started throwing a few attacks of her own. As another of his punches came at her she ducked under it, dropping nearly to the floor to sweep her leg under his, keeping her hands up in case of an attempt to connect his knee with her face which would be a logical way to abort her attack before she managed it. All the while, she remained alert... prepared for him to counter. She knew better than to let him grab her though, he was stronger than her and despite her speed, if he got his hands on her or managed to box her in closer to the wall (which was where their station was) it would be hard to get away again.

Though her mind was completely focused a determined grim smile curved her lips, he might yet beat her again. There was no banter from her this time... all her breath was being saved for the fight because Gunner had gotten faster and she was barely managing to avoid him. He'd connected a few times with her blocking and so her arms and legs were going to be bruised, her palms stinging from it later.

~*~

Aleksander watched his students as he made his rounds and occasionally shouted corrections, "Andrew... Keep your hands up.... Markus don't extend your arm so much when you throw your punches, it leaves you open and it takes away from your control."

His eyes landed on Serena and Kseniya, they seemed to still be feeling each other out but their actions were practiced and skillful... purposeful. He nodded and turned his attention to Gunner and Anna, they were fully engaged in their fight, treating each other as opponents rather than best friends which was something he admired. They were both serious when it came to their training... as it seemed Serena and Kseniya were also. He had seen Niya's record as well as Serena's and he was expecting great things from both of them... and was eager to see it for himself.

Anna seemed to be a little unpolished in comparison to the way Gunner made his attacks flow but as usual her more chaotic style worked for her... but Gunner was more in practice than Anna from the time he'd spent at the Academy while she'd been gone. The only thing saving her was the fact that she was slightly faster and was able to learn quickly... Actually, she was learning FROM Gunner as they fought. Her improvising and his skill, along with their ability to set aside personal relations would make them a good team if they ever had the same ward.

~*~

Sebastian was used to being ignored, as the other students got into their groups Sebastian went up front to join Ms. Matila. He wondered what it was she'd have in store for him, perhaps grading the papers? "You called," he asked lazily as his eyes remained on the others in the room watching them practice with a bit of secret envy. Why couldn't he have specialized in something useful rather than something that would drive him insane if used... Sure, he could do some amazing things. Healing people and dragging people back from death... bringing back strigoi... all impressive... all things he would never do because it came at a cost he wasn't willing to pay... At least, not when he could stop himself. Sometimes the magic took over and he'd find himself drawn to dying animals or wounded ones and before he could think twice his hand was on them and they were better... and he was not.

Vampire Academy

Sebastian rolled his eyes and moved to Anya's old seat. After setting down he sighed and considered sleeping through class... He couldn't use Spirit as an attack, not unless he wanted to suffer a severe migraine later, compulsion as an attack wasn't a fun thing and sometimes when you actively called on the darkness of it it was hard to put it away again. He considered the fact that he had some ability over the elements but not enough for any real useful attacks... As a distraction maybe. A little fire in the face of a Strigoi would be enough to throw it off a moment and buy some time but going head to head with compulsion against a strigoi... spirit user or not... he was pretty sure he'd lose. Strigoi were powerful compulsion users... far more powerful than Moroi who were forbidden to use it in most normal cases.

He heard Rae talking to Gabby again about bringing a friend and snorted dryly, "You must not be talking about any of HER friends... I don't recall any of the Dhampirs actually enjoying her company and they're the only 'busty' beings in this school... And everyone wonders why I prefer them."

Oh yeah, he could be a vulgar ass when he wanted to be and blending was sadly the only way to survive within Moroi Royal Society. He hated it, hated the games, but he was good at them when he aimed to be... He just usually stayed out of it all but hell... Where was the fun when you weren't pissing the prudes off?

~*~

Aleksander nodded as he watched his students run through their warm ups, he'd have them work on agility training later... jumps, balancing, etc... for now though...

"Now we will run through what you all remember from the previous year... While you are sparring remember that I am judging you, I will be separating you all into five groups and each of the groups will be ranked differently and will be working on different things. If I think you are excellent and ready to proceed to further training without the review you will be in group one... If I think you have forgotten everything you have been taught or are not taking this class seriously... You will be in group five... Group five will not only be reviewing what they learned the previous year but they will also be taking extra classes with other Guardians in their free time." There were groans and Alex looked unamused, "This is to save your life or the life of your future ward... take it seriously."

~*~

Anna watched Aleksander and arched a brow, "He's really intense this year, I guess because he knows that we're going to be out in the world after this... It's his last chance to prepare us. I don't know why anyone would disregard that..."

She shook her head then turned back to Gunner, "Ready Pretty Boy?"

The nickname was one she'd given him in freshman year when she'd left a scrawny kid behind and come back to a muscled and skilled fighter, he'd been so proud of his new frame that she'd teasingly given him a hard time. Now though, she used it as a term of endearment... kinda... it was still a jibe.

Anna wiped her sweating palms on her black pants and slipped into a defensive stance, one she knew she'd need at the beginning of this since... as usual... Gunner would be ahead of her in practice. She had changed into her sparring outfit (think Rose's outfit from the VA movie) the moment she'd hit the locker rooms before entering the Gym... She'd been ahead of everyone so she'd had time... barely.

"Remember... no holding back," she winked and held up her hands defensively before giving him the 'bring it' gesture her face and posture going all business. She'd need to focus to pick up on what he'd learned while she'd been away.

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

She laughed a little knowing that she had confused him because he didn't fire another witty quip at her over her little love bite. As Anna's feet finally touched the ground again she stretched boredly. "I agree with Anya... No more mentioning snogging, my empty love life can't take the reminder." She bounced over to Anna and linked her arm through hers. "I shall escort you like a proper Dhampir Guardian... Novice or not... Mostly because YOU have to tell me how you got Sebastian to heal your booboo. He refuses to heal mine when Gunner beats me up," she pouted.

Sebastian laughed, "That's because you ask for your beatings, so take it like a dhampir and suck it up." He mussed her hair and she glowered at him.

"Yeah yeah... what about that time I twisted by ankle? You refused to heal me then too," she teased.

Sebastian again smiled wryly, "A) You never asked... and B) What were you doing dancing on that table anyway?"

Anna went a little red, "Erm... It was a dare. Jaxon Blake said I never did anything crazy because I was a goody two-shoes wanna be Guardian who was just trying to cover her blood-whore past by joining the Academy." Her eyes flashed angrily at the memory, "Then, I told him to dare me something... anything. He said was a chicken and dared me to do something against the rules in the middle of the lunchroom...I proved him wrong, simple as that."

Seb shook his head, "And got detention and a twisted ankle in the process... Good job Anna."

She punched him in the arm lightly, pulling her punch unlike the way she usually hit Gunner. Sebastian laughed and rubbed at his arm, "That kinda tickled."

She stuck her tongue out at him, "I can't actually hurt you, Gunner would tackle me first and I don't feel like twisting my ankle again."

She glanced at Gunner, "See ya at lunch later... Come on Anya! Let's hit your dorm first."

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

She laughed at his accusation and as he caught hold of her wrists she glowered at the back of his head before smiling mischievously, "Somehow I'm so good that even my punishments come out as rewards... Oh yeah."

As she again smiled devilishly she decided to get Gunner back for flustering her all day today. She leaned forward and bit his ear!

Sebastian sighed, "And now the biting and hair pulling begins?" He blinked, "You know... that could go either way... a kiddy fight or...." He wiggled his eyebrows at them knowing it would make them both uncomfortable and enjoying that fact.

He glanced over at Anya before continuing teasingly, "Obviously they were off snogging somewhere."

He was expecting something to be thrown at him by Anna at any moment or for Gunner to give him one of those killer looks. Either way, his mood was dramatically improved.

Vampire Academy

Aleksander was already in the classroom as the students started pouring in. He spotted Anna and Gunner as well as a few other familiar faces and then took in the transfer students... He considered for a moment before he spoke up in Russian.

"Добро пожаловать это приятно видеть так много от нашей родины... Если есть что-то вы не понимаете в английском заказы будет перевести. Делайте все возможное."

((Welcome, it is good to see so many from our homeland... If there is anything you do not understand in the English orders I will translate. Do your best.))

In the typical Guardian stance he looked them all over, "Most of you already know your sparring partners from the year before but I will go through the line up..."

He looked at a paper and began, "Gunner Marks and Angelina Ross, Serena Abatangelo and Kseniya Zyomin, ...." The list went on and on until everyone had a partner. "At the end of class you will all report to me to receive the names of your Wards for the school year. For now, do your warm ups and then we will be working on basic attack skills. We will start off with the basics for the beginning of the year and work our way up to actual stakes... For now, get your practice stakes from the tables." He indicated the tables on either side of him.

"I will be watching all of you and giving you pointers as you go... Start your warm ups. I will tell you when to begin sparring."

~*~

Anna sighed as she tugged the tie off her wrist that she always kept there. She tugged her hair up into a loose ponytail and then into a messy bun. She spotted Serena and Kseniya and waved at them happily before beginning her stretches. This part was so boring, when in the history of ever would a Strigoi pause and request that you both do your warm ups before fighting? Still, she knew better than to argue with Guardian Belikov, he'd run her ragged in her freshman year for talking back... lap after lap... all while Gunner dutifully did his warm ups without complaint. They'd both come out of his personal lessons bruised beyond belief but better for it.

She glanced at Gunner, he was already sliding into Robot mode... For now she was quiet, it wasn't until they started sparring that she gave him a hard time. Where she was rough around the edges and always improvising he was polished and purposeful... the only problem was that did often make his attacks predictable... When she got him to loosen up so did his fighting style and he became much much harder to beat... Plus, it was just fun to annoy him when he was so business-like.

She glanced up at him as she was stretching out one of her legs and winked at him playfully knowing it would get to him a little whether he showed it or not... maybe even get him to crack a shadow of a smile. "I think all this stretching has made me more limber than a professional contortionist sometimes..." she sighed.

~*~

As Sebastian entered the attack class he glanced around for faces he recognized... Rae was there and so was Gabby and Basil, none of whom he ever really talked to. He leaned against the wall instead of taking a seat and his eyes strayed to the empty seat by the window... Anya's old seat.

Vampire Academy

That makes sense Wriggle and I like that plan, it gives an interesting twist, unless you want to erase him?

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

XD -Nom nom-

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

Anna eyed him as her cheeks heated, "I swear you are trying to turn me into a fire engine." As he caught her arm and pulled her onto his back she laughed light heartedly. "Hi-ho silver," she teased and then blinked. "Eegh... Don't even say that, I think I'd be scarred for weeks. Seeing Anya and Sebastian falling all over each other with those sad eyes already kills me. It's like watching one of those lifetime movies with the star-crossed lovers who can never be together..." She sighed, "I do wish Seb would get over it though... Anya would be good for him and he'd be good for her if they'd just move past this.... thing they have going on."

As Gunner carried her down the hall Anna purposely made it difficult by covering his eyes with her hands and shouting weird directions at him. They almost ran into the door of the cafeteria when they entered and Anna was laughing maniacally. She'd probably caused him to stub his toe about six times on the way here. "Hey Seb, hey Anya... You guys ready to get unpacked?"

~*~

"Oh, I have no delusions about actually winning against a Strigoi without ample Guardian help... but being able to maybe last for a little while if there are more than one... or helping distract them so my Guardian doesn't get killed... That would be nice."

He smiled warmly, "I don't think you give yourself enough credit... I've seen you wielding your magic. You're really skilled and that could be useful in a fight."

As she paused to find Gunner and Anna he snorted, "They've probably managed to get lost in this place somewhere..."

Just as he said it though the two came through the door, "I swear you two are still five years old sometimes," Seb teased.

Vampire Academy

"See you later Niya..." she watched the other girl go.

Anna laughed at Gunner as he spoke, "Well, don't forget you said that because it might just happen one of these days..."

As Serena asked her question Anna shrugged, "Well, it's more expected of the Moroi to wear the uniforms... It's not really practical for the Dhampirs. What qualifies as a uniform for us is our warm up clothes in class."

She noticed how nervous Serena looked and frowned, "Hey... are you okay? I mean, I really don't think anyone is going to expect you to wear the uniform... They don't even issue them to Dhampirs unless we ask. Skirts and letterman jackets aren't very practical when it comes to killing Strigoi."

She glanced at Gunner just as the bell rang, "Woo! Time for fun," she said as she grabbed her tray and headed over to the trashcans to unload it. Then, she headed for the lunchroom door and waited for the other two to catch up. "Come on slow pokes!"

~*~

Alex chuckled, "Looks don't really matter so much, I would rather it be someone I can talk to easily... Someone interesting." He shrugged, "Like you, you are interesting, quirky... funny. A woman can be as beautiful as she'd like but without personality it's just a show..."

He smiled again with some amusement, "Besides... long lanky blondes are not my type. They tend to be many and all very much the same."

As the bell rang he sighed and let his rigid posture drop at last, "Classes will be starting now, I would invite you to observe but you have Moroi to teach yes?" He held up the bag, "And I have these to eat. Thank you again, I would be starving by the end of class without your help."

Vampire Academy

I'm back. Sorry about that, I passed out. I can't stay up like I used to lol. Also, I is a lady though the name is pretty unisex. XD .... posting!

Oh, also...

I think Gunner and Gabby would be a good match, which leaves Basil and Anna which I also think would be a good match. ^^

As for the Dhampir guy Paul Baylor, if he's not gonna make it through the year then just give him some no name ward npc. Oh... but there is one thing I was confused about. Both his parents are Dhampir? I remember from the books that that can't happen, Dhampirs can't have kids with Dhampirs... only Moroi. That's why Rose couldn't give Dimitri kids and why Dimitri had been honestly considering Tasha because he wanted kids and she needed a Guardian. I could be wrong though, it's been a while since I read the entire books... I go back and read my fav parts. XD Maybe one of them is a step-parent?