FLY, YOU FOOLS! [David/Open]

[Kyrie Blaze]

Within the Dragon Territory...

'...this is like searching for a needle in a haystack...'

And wasn't terribly fun, as other than her happen-upon a little while ago, she had no idea over David's habits, which made the task of searching for him all the more difficult. Kyrie tilted her head, spinning in a slow circle...and about partway through, came face to blinking face with someone she recognized, but didn't personally know. Annalise.

The Voice of the Storm Dragon.

Royal amethyst eyes stared at the blonde, who blinked crystalline blue eyes back.

For a moment, they stared, and Kyrie was the first to move, turning to face her fully before bowing in the customary way--one Dragon to another.

The gesture was returned.

"You seem to be lost, Apprentice."

"A little," Kyrie conceded, "In my search for the Storm Dragon. Do you have an idea of where I may be more successful in seeking him out? I would be grateful if you could point me in the "

"Behind the Peace Café. Good day, Kiyr."

"You have my gratitude."

Kyrie smiled. She would have to ask, some other time, how Annalise knew she needed a hand, or that she was looking for David. So her journey continued, and eventually she came upon a gym just behind and a little ways away from the café that Anna had directed her to. She made her way inside, quietly, not quite expecting he would be in this building, but at the same time, it made sense if he was.

[David B.]

Strangely, Anna seemed to know where he was at all times, even if David himself had not told her. The girl made it her mission in life to ask if he was alright if he stubbed his toe. This, of course, only after the attack by the barker assassin. So, as Kiyr walked into the gym, she would notice a shirtless David, wearing shorts and thin hand wraps, punching away at a heavy bag, having been knocking on it for an hour or so.

Today was his day off, Sunday, where he spent time on himself and what he wanted. He planned a few things post-workout, but hadnt really gone over in his head how to get it done. So, he kept hitting the bag, breathing deeply. He would pause if the girl came closer, holding the bag and looking in her direction- he could, after all, feel her breathing.

"Ah. Kiyr. What's up?"

He would hit the bag a couple times as he waited.

[Kyrie Blaze]

He was there. And he knew she was there. After he spoke, she inclined her head.

"Aside from the sky, clouds, birds, atmosphere, space..? Nothing much, to be honest." Her head tipped slowly to the side. "I was wondering if I could ask you some questions to better understand our collective strength."

Among other things, at least. David would have he numbers, as would Mathew...but she recognized that she had not only Mathew to form a bond to prove herself with, but David and Leon, too. So she came to David, honest and simple, as she wouldn't dream or think about trying to deceive her way in. And David, being who and how he was, would hopefully give her a better idea than Mathew or Leon.

[David B.]

David stopped, turning to look at het as he continued to breathe heavily. Walking over to the side, he grabbed a water bottle and threw his tank around his shoulders, so it hung there. Taking a long drink, he would couch to rest his legs a bit, groaning.

"Alright, shoot."

He was a little curious as to why she came to him- perhaps because he didnt give evasive answers or try and kid himself or her. He was blunt, and would tell it as he saw it. A little perked at the idea of the question, he waited.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie gave David another moment, collecting her questions into a small bundle. She didn't sit, but didn't pace, either, instead opting to stand in quiet repose.

"What are the Dragon Core numbers..?"

[David B.]

David thought to himself a moment. Their numbers?

"Hard to tell. I would say between one hundred fifty and two hundred fifty. With so many new recruits the numbers clash in my head. We are the largest current Independant army outside Barker and possibly whats left of the US miltary. At least in California, anyway."

[Kyrie Blaze]

She nodded; even if he didn't know exact numbers, a rough estimate was okay.

"How many are above-average in fighting skill? ...and, I realize not everyone has a latent ability, but how many of them do?"

[David B.]

"In talent? Probably fifty or sixty. In physical abilities that are above what I've seen in the average joe? Probably ten, maybe fifteen. But they all have heart, and are trained in the arts and know how to hit someone, where to hit someone. Physical power is simply a result of effort- without skill, your useless."

He tilted his head a little to the left.

"Why the sudden interest?"

[Kyrie Blaze]

Another nod, and Kyrie started to meander, almost pacing if not for the almost leisurely strides.

"I like to have knowledge. I used to study and observe people before moving in to play my role and make it believable to them, and then I could disappear with what I needed to survive. This is less to do with convincing, and more do with the fact knowledge is power. Do you have an idea as to how much Barker's forces outnumber us, if we had a solid number of two hundred?"

[David B.]

David stared at her.

"Too many to count. He has taken over the world, not just this state. His focus is here, because he knows we are the threat. But he could wipe us aside at his choosing. Which is why we must be careful, and not push too hard too soon..."

He would sigh.

"To give a comparison. If each of us were a grain of sand, Barkers men would be considered a Beach. That's the kind of difference I'm talking about."

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kiyr reached up and brushed her hands through her hair. It was a slightly anxious gesture, and she finger-combed her hair over one shoulder before dropping them and crossing her arms behind her back, comfortably holding onto her elbows.

"So what do we do to make a dent in Barker's forces while not jeopardizing our own?"

[Rina Vade]

OOC- Hope you guys don't mind if I jump in

IC-

She had stumbled upon David and the girl quite by accident really. Rina had been looking for a good gym, and she had been told where to go when she started asking around. It was the best, they said.

At least in this part of town.

When she entered the door, the first thing she sensed was a bit of tension, followed by the fact that it wasn't a bad thing. Everyone was tense these days, and with what Barker had been up to, who wouldn't be?

For a moment, Rina paused in the hallway. She had a feeling David could tell that she was here, so there was no point in remaining out of sight and out of earshot. "Hey David. Am I interrupting?" she said in question, pulling the hem of her fingerless gloves up out of habit.

[David B.]

He laughed.

Yeah, laughed.

"We dont try to beat him through force of arms. We bleed him to death with a thousand tiny cuts. No matter how powerful you are, if you lose ten men, twenty, a hundred a day, eventually, it begins to itch. We just need to make him scratch. And we do that by drawing him out. Once we have him alone, we take his life, and like a snake without a head the movement will die."

His eyes caught on Rina as she came in, a small smile and a wave as she noticed them.

"Not at all. We are just...talking."

[Kyrie Blaze]

Sound. Kyrie nodded, then cast cautious blue eyes as someone knew came in. The blonde gave her a polite nod - as she seemed to know David and he knew her - and the slightest edge of a smile. She fell to silence after that, moving along the window, and the wall, but keeping tabs on David and this new woman.

[Rina Vade]

"Oh, good. I was looking for a sparring partner." the raven-haired young woman said with a half-grin, punching the air a few times like a boxer to emphasize her point. She glanced at the other girl and then back at David. "If you two aren't done talking, then I can wait."

She considered asking the girl's name, but decided against it. If she wanted her to know her name, then she'd have introduced herself.