Beneath the Surface (Adventure, slight Gore)

Ician watches the exchange from out of Ruby's line of sight. He grins ever so slightly.

Griff darkly grins "..or do you.." he silently says.

All in one moment, Griff teleports behind Ruby, transforms into sabre-tooth cat form in a second, tackles Ruby and places a claw on her neck. "And then slice and blood comes out." he says, grinning and revealing his sabre teeth.

Ician applauds. "Good show. Though not all of us can transform into a sabre-tooth cat."

A broadsword appears on his neck. "Please take your claw off Ruby. I need her." Divine moaned, still around the gills. "If you want a real opponent, pick me."

"Ah, Divine." Ician bows slightly, but respectfully. "I see you're up and about. For now."

Griff gets off Ruby and transforms back into his unicorn form, picking up the swords along the way. "Ah, Welcome back, Divine." he says. "I thought you were sleeping and couldn't move because of airsickness?"

"Indeed. I heard you sword blows from my room. And whilst it was true I couldn't move before, I'm trying my best to overcome that. Fortunately, I have also run out of things to throw up." She smiled slightly. "Now, I'll show you real sword combat."

Ician looks between the two. "This ought to be interesting."

Griff sheathes his swords and grins. "How about you test it on your companion?" he says. "Seeing as you already saw... well, yeah, pretty much saw my trick.."

"Try me. Please? You sound like a decent fight. Please~?" She purred happily and spun the great sword happily.

"I don't react to cuteness. Probably the main reason mares don't like me." Griff says and sits down on one of the chairs.

"Pleeeeeaasssssseeeee?" She bent over and purred, nuzzling his cheek. "Come onnnnnnn~"

Griff pushes her away. "I don't want to risk being decapitated by someone blind." he says. "during training, that is."

Very slowly, Divine straightened up. "I beg your pardon?"

"Long story short, I am not gonna fight you unless you know a spell to attach limbs back to the body." Griff says and turns to Ician. "Besides, he has to train aswell."

Turning on her hoof, she strode out. As she walked out, she spoke quietly. "That you do not trust me speaks volumes. Do not expect my blade to intervene on your behalf."

"Wait, Divine! I..." Ician's voice trails off as Divine leaves the room. "Damn it, Griff!" He turns on Griff. "I'm sure she knew what she was doing. If she can be a blind swordspony, surely she must have enough talent not to kill you by accident!"

Ruby blinked and turned, picking up her sword. "I'm a terrible teacher. I'm sure Griff will be able to help you." She walked to the door. "I better look after Divine."

Griff sighs. "Oh, trust, what's that again? Something that left me years ago I believe." he says, looking at the ceiling of the room. "I barely trust the chair I'm sitting on right now ... I miss the old days."

"Ugh." Ician gazes at Ruby's retreating form. "What's done is done. Wounds heal, in time. We should leave her be for now. Unless you want to go and apologise?" He looks at Griff and sighs. "I doubt it."

He straightens up and unsheathes his sword. "Perhaps I should get a little practice, while I can."

"Right." Griff says and stands up, pulling out one of his swords. "You do know how to attack, right?"

"Um..." Ician casts an uncertain gaze at his sword. "Pointy end goes in enemy?"

A moment later, he smiles, ever so slightly. "That was a joke. Yes, I know. Cutting, thrusting, parrying... I know the basics." His smile fades. "Just the basics, though."

"Hopefully those will be enough for what we're about to do in the desert." Griff says. "Do you know how to block?"

Divine crashed on her bed and sighed. The door opened behind her and Ruby stepped in. "Divine?" She asked quietly.

Divine jumped and spun. "O- Oh... It's just you Ruby..."

"Does what Griff said bother you that much?"

"No... Not at all... Everyone has their reasons... But what he said reminded me... How useless I am on board this ship..." She shuddered. "How powerless... How weak..."

Ruby cuddled her gently. "But only on board this ship... Nowhere else."

"I... guess?" Ician gives the sword a spin. "Isn't it just about putting the sword between yourself and the attack? To deflect, angle your blade so the enemy blade slides off; to disarm, um..." He pauses. "I don't think I'm nearly strong enough for that."