Boots and Blades (Anni Meowlure Bonding)

Those that watched Erhan as a Mewlin probably weren't surprised by where he ended up or that when the eldest Saber or the Pace foretold that some of theirs should venture to the Weyr to sell their fortunes he volunteered to accompany them. From the get-go this Meowlure seemed to have the best interests of the Pace at heart. For him to be named a Zweihander seemed a forgone conclusion and one Erhan has proven worthy of time and again. The embodiment of how a good leader leads from the front and by example, he is always in the forefront of any trouble or concern getting what information he needs to make a good, sound decision and accepting advice from those knowledgeable. Even if the task at hand is unpleasant or something that would otherwise be seen as beneath a creature of his rank typically, Erhan gets his paws dirty and jumps into the trenches with a will. His hope is to inspire others to also be so willing, and understands that as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link a Pace - or a family of Bondeds - is only as strong as the one who refuses to support the whole.

Standing at sixteen inches tall Erhan is mostly white in color with brown on the top of his head, his ears, and his back. His tail starts brown and fades to back at the tip. Along his back is some black brindling. His eyes are green. His boots are brown and lace up the front; he can fold down the otherwise knee-high cuffs or put them up depending on his whim.



Coat pattern

Zweihander

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Maker of Law, Blade, and Boots Female Claymore Meowlure, Fajra

Speech: Bold #db132d

When word spread that a group of Mewlins were to leave the Pace by foresight of a Saber Fajra knew that at least she had to follow along for a time. After all, they needed their blades and boots to be proper Meowlures, and was it not the responsibly of a Claymore more often than not to make them? It's a responsibility that she takes very seriously and that she cherishes. There's little more that Fajra finds satisfying than seeing a young Mewlin take their first steps in new boots or take blade in paw and officially become a Meowlure. A close second is working with the Zweihander and Schlager to keep order in the Pace. So it should come as little surprise that she is a logical felinewith a head for facts and measurements alike.

Never one to be lost in a crowd, her fur is a vivid red with black spots above her blue eyes, lining the edge of her nose and upper mouth, and on the back of her ears. Fajra is among the taller of Meowlure females at sixteen inches tall. Her boots are very customized by her for her role; black leather with plenty of brown adornments and buckles, they also sport small pouches useful for holding everything from measuring tape to pins to chalk and even small metalworking tools for tweaking both boots and blades on the fly.



Coat pattern

Claymore



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Sight Beyond Sight Saber Meowlure

Speech: Bold Italics #8ff28f

From nearly the moment he was born there was every indication that this Mewlin had the gift of a Saber. There was just a distant look in his eyes. As tended to happen he was quickly taken under the wings of the Pace's Claymore (as their Zweihander had yet to take his place at the time) and taught to control his powers. Of all in the Pace who heard the elder Saber speak of Mewlins finding their futures elsewhere he was the least surprised; possibly he saw it himself, and was all but ready to go at once. Though he tends to speak in sing song and answering questions with questions he's a gentle sort, perhaps too mature for his age and with eyes that say he knows far more than he should.

White on his face, throat, belly and legs, the top of his head, back, and his tail are silvery-gray with black whirls and blotches in seemingly random patterns. His yellow-golden eyes at times almost seem to glow with how brightly they reflect light. The boots he received are white, suitable for his coat, with front laces held in place by silver hooks. He typically wears them with the cuffs turned down.

Coat Pattern

Saber



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Wherever I Roam I Always Find Home Rapier Meowlure

Speech: Bold #074707

This Meowlure has a serious case of wanderlust. Not that such a thing is too surprising given the blade that she carries at her hip. Rapiers are known to wander, after all, hunting out the needs of the Pace as they come. She also has a strong drive to see what lay beyond the horizon. It's very hard for her to stay in one place for long without a strong incentive to do so, but never fear! Even should she wander you can always trust that she'll find a place to sleep at night and that eventually she will wander her way back home.

Perhaps her fur pattern might help with camouflage under the right conditions with its calico patches of orange and black with white on her throat, belly, and paws. Tufts on the top of her ears give them a pointed, slightly longer-than-usual look to them and add to the elegant appearance of her green eyes. Suitable to her wandering nature her boots have green side adornments, including leaves, and laces, with golden hooks to hold the laces in place.

Coat Patttern

Rapier


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I'll Stir Myself When it Interests Me To Schlager Male Meowlure

Speech: Italics #0ff

In a Pace it often seems that everyone is active with some purpose or another. Well, this particular Meowlure is one that is always easy to spot out from the crowd:

He'll be the one up a tree or on a soft patch of grass, lounging.

The Schlager rank is known to be something of a lazy sort until the mood suits them to stir themselves and he certainly exemplifies the trait. It can sometimes be annoying, truth be told, especially when you need him to do something productive. However, when the mood hits and he finds something rare, exotic, or otherwise interesting to his curiosity he'll be as determined to find out everything, especially if he can find someone to do all the research for him and let him read over their shoulder. Annoying? Perhaps. Does he mind. Nope! About the only thing that can divert him from his curiosity is the sight of a pretty lady Meowlure, in which case he'll wander of after her waxing poetic and playing compliments until she either responds or rebuffs him, probably firmly as he doesn't always take the hint.

Perhaps there is some credibility to his belief that he is Aeon's gift to Meowlure-kind to look at him. His fur is a unique blend of cream for the base with soft brown and soft gray streaks and patches that give him a marbled appearance. It also makes his amber eyes stand out sharply be comparison. He stands at fifteen inches tall (or long if he should be reclining). By comparison to some of the others his boots are simple, just plain brown with side buckles and turned-down cuffs.

Coat Pattern

Schlager

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A Learned Warrior is Always Ready Female Shinai Meowlure

Speech: Bold #ea9d50

You will rarely find a Meowlure as patient as driven as this one. As Shinai are known to do, she loves learning about anything fascinating that happens to cross her whiskers, and there is no difficulty that will deter her. While some might quit part-way through if they find a book impossible to find, or shy away from certain topics that are deemed too rare to find qualitied information on that just increases the appeal to her. Regardless where she may have to go or whom she must speak with she'll run the subject to ground and make herself an expert on it. Various versions of swordplay obviously are appealing, but anything might intrigue her so be aware that you're likely to be plied for questions if you seem knowledgeable!

Physically she has the classic coloration of a Siamese cat: fawn body and seal colored points, ie face, legs, and tail. Her pale blue eyes stand out vividly in her dark brown face, shining with curiosity. Her boots are quite sensible, simple brown leather with a few decorative folds across the top and leather laces up the side.

Coat Pattern

Shinai



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You Shall Never Best Me Female Épée Meowlure

Speech: Bold #ff00ec

Proud, even smug, this Épée is incredibly confident despite her young age. Even in training her instructors found themselves with their paws full trying to curb her enthusiasm and her desires to push herself beyond what she really was capable of doing. Sadly, even though she did learn how to handle her Épée it hasn't dimmed her somewhat exaggerated belief in her own ability. In her mind she can fail at no challenge, lose no duel, nor should back down from any opponent even if they are several times her size, strength, or skill. Anyone she decides is family will have their hands just as full as her old instructors keeping her out of trouble, but at least you'll always have someone to boost your confidence when you might need it most. En Guard! Is her twin brother and the only creature that she'll admit is maybe her equal in battle.

She is quite a lovely Meowlure who has already turned quite a few Schlager heads. She is dark brown all over with a few golden brown to sandy tan bands here and there, brown-black mask on her face framing near-sapphire blue eyes with a white line up her nose, and white around her neck, chin, and on her paws. Her twin brother is identical, and if they don't speak it can be difficult to tell them apart. Her boots are one of the few, subtle ways to tell her and her brother apart at a glance: she wears her ebony footwear with the cuffs turned down.

Coat Pattern

Epee


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En Garde! Male Foil Meowlure

Speech: Italics #1f8f1f

You Shall Never Best Me's twin brother, this Meowlure is as much a dancer on the battlefield as off. He loves to supplement his bladework with cunning steps as well as flourishes and clever feints and believes that he can – and in some cases must – look good whether he's fighting or standing in court. This also applies to his physical appearance and if he's not showing off he can often be found grooming or making his boots and foil shine. At the very least you can always count on him to ensure you look your best as well and to never give a bad impression on your behalf.

Exactly like his twin sister, he is dark brown all over with a few golden brown to sandy tan bands here and there, brown-black mask on his face framing near-sapphire blue eyes with a white line up his nose, and white around his neck, chin, and on his paws. Quite attractive some might say! If you look at his boots, however, you'll see one clue to which twin is which: he always wears his with the cuffs up.

Coat Pattern

Foil


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Peaceful Until I Need to not be Male Dagger Meowlure

Speech: Italics #69557a

Sometimes a creature is exactly what they seem to be at first glance. Then there are thoselike the Meowlure who are not. Some might think him scared of combat, or of blood, despite the dagger he wears at his hip. Certainly with how quickly he breaks up fights among his family and how cheerfully approachable he is he might give that impression. But to believe such would be a sever mistake. While words might he first weapon of choice to settle disputes the real danger he poses comes from the moment you can't see him. That's what he'll be right behind you, dagger in hand and ready to enact vengeance for whatever wrong was done to those he considers his loved ones. You'll never see him coming.

Quite a rare-appearing Meowlure one might term him a 'Halloween cat!' He is true black all over with orange patches on his throat, body, right front paw and the tio of his tail. Even his eyes and the inside of his ears are orange! Certainly he makes quite a striking image when he steps from the shadows, dagger drawn and ready to make a point. His boots are much like himself in that they are more than they appear at first pass; the dark brown leather looks simple, even plain from a distance, but look closely and you'll see filigree-like embossing all over them.

Coat Pattern

Dagger

Rune

Without looking up Maker of Law answered, Our Mewlins are receiving their blades. Well, not that they can really be 'Mewlins' anymore. She paused to carefully bend a curve in the rapier's hilt, then lifted the blade from the anvil and sighed down its length. Beside the mini forge Wherever I Roam's tail picked up its flicker and her eyes to shine brighter. Finally seeming satisfied the Claymore nodded to herself then reached to the side where an empty sheath waited, sliding the rapier into its new home.

Wield this blade well and with honor, young one. With a careful reverence the younger Meowlure accepted the blade.

I will,she promised, buckling it on before hurrying to join the others. The sparring pair paused their antics and they all clustered around to admire the new weapon. Maker of Law smiled contentedly then turned back to Rune again.

This is our tradition; they received their boots before we left the Pace, and now that they all have their blades they are adult Meowlures. But they were selected to come here after our Saber foresaw a need for it. I accompanied them to ensure they would have their blades; that's my responsibility. She looked the other offer curiously, eyes lingering on the baton as she clearly recognized it as a weapon of some kind. Are you a warrior as well? What role do you fulfill in the Weyr?

Rune

She had turned her attention briefly to the newly-declared Meowlures before Rune replied, then looked back at him, hearing the somber tone. Maker of Law's ears twitched, then she came around her forge to stand in front of him, picking up her Claymore and shouldering it in the process before looking up at Rune with twitching tail.

I heard it once said 'I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.' she said. I feel this is a very accurate statement. You sound like you understand what it means to be a warrior, even if you don't think you are now. When Rune looked away Maker of Law regarded the others in their sparring once more. However the next question had her ears twitching and her head turning to look at Rune, expression surprised before she laughed.

To us, boots are the penultimate of both fashionable and functional footwear. Really, is there anything better? She gestured down at her own black and brown, pouched boots. To finally receive them is a rite of passage for young Mewlins. But as to their blades I think you answered your own question! When they are given, it signifies that a Meowlure not only know how to use them, but to do so responsibly. Until they prove to their elders that thus is so they will not get their blades. Her tone took on more than a hint of pride. But they all have done well, very well. They are ready for whatever the future will hold for them.

Maker of Law paused thoughtfully, seemingly thinking over something, then looked at Rune.

And I believe that I, too, am ready. We were told that their futures lay here, but when I said I would follow our Saber gave me the funniest smile, like he knew something I didn't. I believe I now know what he smiled about... if you would welcome another warrior to your side to help protect those you care about in this world?

Maker of Law, Blade, and Boots Female Claymore Meowlure, Fajra has Bonded to Rune!

((I wasn't intending to have one Bond so fast, but to be honest it was just too perfect a pairing and too perfect an answer not to!))

Once again, Melorius was in Elzathiel's care, the erinyes doing the childcare work that intimidated Aletha beyond her ability (and willingness) to articulate. The Blackguard was in full battle regalia (as stupid as it was to wear armor that would debilitate her on impact; it was still armor), Poetic Justice in its sheathe at her side, where the longsword belonged.

Of course, coming down from the weyrs and taking the path through the Hatching Sands proved...diverting. The Sands themselves were, well, gone. So were the eggs. A brief communion with Truth verified that the eggs were unharmed, just moved elsewhere for the convenience of the plot of the day.

It was going to be one of those days, then.

The area had been at least temporarily renovated with tile floors, whereupon cats wearing boots practiced their swordplay and spoke to some of the various lifeforms that ended up in Haven Weyr. Aletha had long given up on classifying her fellow stranded travelers. They were just non-indigenous fauna, same as she.

The cats, though, they seemed a little more indigenous. And martial. This caught Aletha's interest.

It also made her glad she had brought her old mercenary blade in addition to Poetic Justice. Maybe the cats would be interested in sparring?

Aletha approached the sparring felines. After some careful observation, she pointed out to the one wielding the Foil, "You drop your guard when you attack. A clever opponent could take that to advantage and gut you on riposte."

Then again, maybe they'd be more interested in someone with charm and social grace. Which was not Aletha's forte.

Aletha snorted, and the mercenary longsword was in her hand faster than anyone in the room could have visually tracked. She gave it a few experimental twirls, loosening up her wrist and testing the balance of her dear old friend.

"The issue was never cleverness," she corrected the smug feline. "Speed and ruthless opportunism, on the other hand, are requisite and qualities I have aplenty. Challenge me at your own peril, cat. You can ask my usual sparring partner, Elzathiel. I do not play gently. Although perhaps an exception could be made for an opponent of your...stature."

What she didn't mention was how badly she needed to not get hit if the Meowlure went through with the challenge.

Her armor had been useful once.

On a certain level it still was. It sped her movements up supernaturally, which accounted for how much the chain-and-plate brigandine would have encumbered her, which led to a net gain of only a little added speed (which was not a loss, and that was the important part), gave her perfect darkvision (of which humans were usually not capable). It just also had unfortunately had its other useful qualities stripped from it in favor of a blindness/deafness spell centered on Aletha herself whenever someone landed a successful strike against her, as well as lighting that opponent up in faerie fire, all for a total of three minutes.

The Illogical Field had a nasty sense of humor. But Aletha had (after a number of mishaps, one infamously including defenestration) learned to adapt. The trick was to keep moving, keep her sword actively engaging her opponent's blade, and to freaking dodge instead of relying on armor to catch a blade strike.

It was simpler than it sounded, actually. Years of combat experience made Aletha quite the adept swordsman. Her real concern was going to be not actually harming the cat if he decided to do the crazy stupid dangerous thing and actually follow through on challenging the Weapon Master-Blackguard-lifelong warrior.

Rune

That feeling settled into place as Rune had spoke with Fajra, a sign they had bonded. A smile eased onto his face at that since it seemed there was a good understanding already in place in regards to any fighting.

"It would be my pleasure to have you at my side and protect those around us. I have a feeling your skill with that Claymore is just as formidable as that with your hammer." About this point he saw the two newcomers, one that looked like a larger version of the meowlures and someone who joined in on the sparring. Moving over to join the group he would watch with a trained eye, best to know the other people of Terragaia and how they fought since most of the knowledge he had only gathered by word of mouth.

Of course he would see if Fajra would join him to watch the match first, still very aware of his newly bonded companion. Maybe if the sparring went well he would feel up to a round himself, best not to get rusty.