I'd like to say that I'm not the type to frequent bars. I'd like that to be true too, but lately I've discovered that much of my time is spent in one bar or another. If I said that it was necessary in order to actually do my job, perhaps that would sound better" For those of you who've never been to the fights, you'll find that there is a bar at every fighting venue. There's a portion of you that are reading this and saying, It's okay Cory, I'm at the bar all the time too. For those of you who are still disapproving, I'd venture to guess that you are stuck in the waiting room of your dentist, that the woman across from you has taken the only copy of Vogue, or worse, she's letting her three year old color in all the pretty ladies.
I'd also guess that rather than politely asking for it, you've decided it is better to open this article and stare daggers at her. Listen, give the woman a break, it's probably the only peace she's had all day. If you really want that magazine, simply go over, kneel down and start to color with the three year old. Most mothers are picky about knowing the person that's playing with their child. It is entirely likely that she'll give up the book, and take the child to a completely different part of the waiting room. Once there she'll have a discussion with them about talking to strangers, consequently destroying the career of another budding journalist.
For those of you who are not going to do this, rest at ease. I'm not without compassion for your plight. Just read a little longer and you'll see. Please understand, if there is another portal to Twilight Island other than the one at the Red Dragon Inn, I don't know it..
Sabine Gabrielle
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Yes you've seen her face out there on the highways, and so have I. You've seen the name, know what it means and possible already have you're own opinion of the woman. Recent interviews have given me some things to think about where my opinion of someone I've never met before is concerned. As I was trying to say before, I was at the Red Dragon, on my way to the magical duel venue when I spotted that face. The one above that had your husbands stop reading this article until they find the strength to tear their eyes off of it. If you want proof, elbow him. If he's reading along you'll miss. If he's reading ahead, he'll have already told you not to elbow him. If he's stopped reading, you probably bruised his ribs and now he's giving you a dirty look.
It was at that point when I reexamined my intentions about where my night would be spent. Sabine Gabrielle is a name that was on my list. I do have a list, it may not be the kind you're thinking about. I was faced with a choice. Head to the Isle, where there might not be someone near the top of my list, or ask Miss Gabrielle for an interview. The worst case for me would be she'd say no, and I'd head to the Isle anyway. Fortune, it seemed was on my side. I was invited to sit and allowed to record her answers to my questions.
Q: "You've come a long way in a fairly short amount of time. This is your third Barony, and things look to keep going well. I'm curious though, what makes a woman with the advantages you have take up fighting to begin with' When did it start, and why?" I was going to edit this question. Those of you who have followed Sabine already see the issue. I chose not to, because there is meaning in how we react to things. There's a bit of insight to be had from how we inform someone of their mistakes, which Sabine did.
A: "Fourth barony." It was a simple whisper, given with a look of Empathy. This could have gone very badly, It could have tainted the entire interview, or perhaps she could have dotted a few eyes for me. Probably mine. I wouldn't have faulted her, it was exceedingly gratifying that she recognized me, or at least my name. That I had missed a line in my research was obvious. That she forgave me for it, well I'm not sure I know how to say thank you properly, or enough.
"Advantages" Can I ask what you mean by that first, before I answer?" When I first approached Sabine, I'd startled her. I'm not the most imposing of people, so for her to have that reaction is very new to me. That being said, I think I need to work on my approach a little more. Now that I've given you a little insight into what transpired, perhaps you see this response for what it is, a highly developed keenness. Trust has to be earned, she may have read some of my previous articles, but that isn't nearly enough.
"I stand corrected. I'm still delving into the histories. That only solidifies my comment that things seem to be on the rise though."
"I suppose I am on the rise."
Q (restated): "Okay, you've been photographed a lot. You certainly have other options. There are a lot of risks to professional fighting that could hurt those options. Still you took up the sword. I'm wondering what made you choose to do that' When did it happen" Was it something that you were doing before" I ask, Sabine mostly because it isn't something I could see myself doing. If I want to understand, others may too" You know those movies where a famous actor portrays the life of some other famous person. It's questions like these that become the foundation for such things. Origins need to be expressed, or they become subject to the whim of the writer. I don't think I could simply accept that if I were Sabine.
A: "I started dueling first, the brand stuff came later. I started off with a friend in his basement. He, Sal, thought that it would help me. I....have anger issues. Emotional problems. It became a healthy outlet for me. What started off as a way to blow off steam became something bigger. I started and didn't look back I guess. Also, I'm apparently kind of small and adorable, doll-like, so me being a murderous little thing is apparently kind of neat?" Be patient with me here, I have a lot to say and perhaps several points to cover. For now I choose to work in reverse. For the record, yes it is neat. However, this question, started out as a statement and finished as a question.
I have this problem from time to time too. It happens when someone I know has complemented me in some fashion. I hear it, I know it's how they feel, but my own uncertainty of it keeps me from believing. Because of that I am constantly seeking reassurances from people. Even when I don't mean to. For her I wanted to shout out how can you not see it' The thing is that I already know the answer. We see ourselves from within. We know what we feel and think when we say or do anything. We do things, are successful yet sometimes inside we still just feel helpless and flawed and no matter how much we are told that we are great, we just never see it, or can't accept it when we do.
Sabine, if you're reading, admitting you have anger issues so publicly is probably one of the strongest things I've seen done. There is really only one way I can think of that someone will put aside denial about things like this. Acceptance, and whether that came before she began to duel, or after is irrelevant. If it's before, then the duel simply becomes a physical prescription for the symptoms. If it came afterwards, then it was the therapy which brought about the mental change. Either way, she knows that she needs to continue or suffer the consequences. Whatever keeps your anger in check. In her case, I am glad it is the duels, and not bloodletting in the streets .
http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/fss/16cdcde9eccd3e9d916e88f773c21063/Josiah+and+Sabine+1.jpghttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/f6/5c/ca/f65cca340d814efe62cc32347350edfb.jpgWe weren't alone which was a good thing. I may have been calm, but my presence and the reason for it was far from calming. There are times when we all need someone, and for Sabine it came in the form of Josiah Aubrey. He was decent, and attentive, not to me in fact I am not sure we traded more than a few words. His focus was Sabine, though his ministrations were manifested in simply being there and available. It's a role that I'd like to find someone for, one that I'd like to fulfill in turn.
Q: "Has it always been swords" I know you have fought in the IFL, but would it be fair to say that you're love is swords?" Sure, this is a simple rephrasing of a question that has been offered with every interview. You know my reasons by now. Tailoring it this way was for Sabine alone. Evidence of her impressive record in swords is easy to find. Deeper digging would be required to uncover the other aspects. It occurs to me that just because a person is better, or at least has more renown in one art, that doesn't mean it was always their center of attention.
A: "I love fists, it's more personal. I love swords though because it's a time when I feel graceful and....and maybe beautiful" I'm not as clumsy. It's like my body just knows how to move. Being okay at it doesn't hurt."
Sometimes I say things and am completely off. Other times, like now I am able to bring evidence to my words. Sabine is beautiful to everyone except perhaps herself. Trying to convince her otherwise will get you an odd reaction that is brimming with denial, yet has no real words attached to it. It can also set her to playing with that ever present bracelet that she wears. It reads Breathe as though sometimes she needs to remember to do so. I begin to see why it is that she needs the soothing influence of the man at her side, and wonder what she was like before he came along.
Q: "I agree it is important how you feel doing something. You could continue to fight, stay at say warlord level and still manage to alleviate those anger issues. What makes you reach for the titles?" Do you have any of these moments" Those times when you know that you look good" I do, but it is usually when I am behind a camera, I'm not sure what it means to look good if my face is covered. The curse of being average I suppose.
My question here is important. Sabine is twenty and has held four of the seven baronies already. There will be some Negative Nancy's out there that are shouting out that this means she's already lost three of them. To them I put these few words, regardless of time held her name still appears on the record. Where does your's appear"
A: "I'm a finisher I guess. I don't like loose ends. If I start something, I want to complete it. Maybe a little of it is to prove myself, to myself. Knowing where I came from and where I am now" It's so different. It's important for me to really believe that I've earned this and it's where I belong." This universe has plenty of starters, you can see the fruits of their labor in half done stacks of paperwork, feel it in that pile of dust lying on the floor next to an abandoned broom. There is no acclaim in starting, unless you finish. Not just finish of course but in a timely manner. I offer Sabine's record and defy you to say it doesn't prove that she has earned her place. But you see, those arguments will fall short, and here's why. She isn't trying to prove a thing to you, she's trying to prove it to herself and that particular fight is far more difficult.
Q: "Is there anything that could happen which would stop you from fighting, even temporarily?" Some of you may have noticed that I found a new question. It's true and I found it about three seconds before I spoke it. That's just one effect of speaking to Sabine. Her answers, her entire demeanor had me wondering about those brick walls that we run into from time to time. What would stop you? I can think of a lot of things that would stop me, most of them involve serious physical injury though. Emotionally, spiritually, I can't see myself quitting either. Maybe I just haven't had a real crisis yet though.
A: "Stop me" Not that I can think of. I may slow down at times or take breaks. I do plan on traveling. I have a lot of wanderlust, so, I suppose that would put a temporary stop on things. It's always something that I come back to though. And if I'm not dueling in the public eye, then I do occasionally sub with fight rings or sparring. You know, to get the grr out." I have led a wanderer's life for most of my life. I have the luxury of being in a career that not only allows travel, but requires it for the work. I love to travel, but I am unable to empathize with Sabine on this point. Truth is this is the closest I've come to having a real home. One that I go home to for more than a week at a time at least. I want it, want the time it gives for me to think about normal things. I understand slowing down, and the need of time off. Yet, even in those times you will find me with my camera. That's what I think Sabine means, there are some things you love so hard that even when you're nowhere near it, you will find it where you are.
Q: "This isn't a question I was expecting to ask. I recently heard someone say that Duelists act like they are better than everyone else. That their fame causes them to look down on people. How does that make you feel?" It's amazing what you hear when you least expect it. If you've walked into an elevator that's occupied with a man on the phone you know what I mean. Now you may even know where I heard it. One of you readers may even recall the conversation and the stick figure that boarded the elevator on the thirteenth floor. Then again if you're from where I'm staying, it's likely you aren't reading this.
A: "I'm just trying to be better than I was yesterday. I can't really pay attention to what anyone else thinks or does. People will have opinions no matter what, I just do me. You know" If I get caught up in the whole glory and fame thing or worrying about what people think of me, I'd go crazy. Crazier. I guess how I feel is that people can think what they want, it doesn't matter if it's wrong, it's their opinion and they are entitled to it. No one has the right to tell someone else what they feel is wrong." I hear you out there grumbling, calling B.S. and gripeing to the person closest to you. I see you cringing and looking at her answer with doubt. Say whatever you want, say that Sabine gave the easy answer and that she only did it because this was going to be so public. Write it in an email, send me a postcard, do whatever it is you do to get out that opinion. But if and when you do, I think you should know that you can do it with a clear conscience, because Sabine isn't going to pay attention. She shouldn't have to, there's enough other things to pay attention to that are much more fun.
Q: I only have two or three more. These I am asking everyone I talk to in one form or another. I've come to discover that most duelists do not have a particular person they are afraid to fight. Do you have someone that you would prefer to fight or not fight and why?" So, you thought I was going to avoid these perhaps" I'm sorry, I am nothing if not predictable. If it helps then you can stop reading here each week. That will give you a little more time to do something productive, like the dishes.
A: "I'll fight anyone, that's always been my rule. I try hard not to underestimate anyone. I do love fighting the so called greats, even if I lose. I love fighting newer people too because their enthusiasm is a really nice thing to be reminded of. Mostly I like fighting anyone that doesn't hold back. I want to be treated like any other fighter and not have punches pulled because I am a girl or small, you know?" Fearlessness seems to dominate the dueling world. At least as far as opponents is concerned. They are a breed that, for the most part, love what they do. Some of us know how they feel, I love what I do. The vast majority of people don't. It's not difficult to understand why, it could be as simple as feeling trapped in a mundane job because the world runs on money. Maybe more of you should come out on a Fight Night and try your hand. It could be that you too find a thing that you'll love to do.
As to Sabine's wanting to be treated like any other fighter, I admire that. It would be strange to enter a ring and yell out not in the face. She'd have cause of course, those pictures she has taken of her would look quite different with a few cuts and abrasions on her face.
Q: "What fighters do you like to watch when you are not in the ring yourself?" Keep reading, this answer might surprise you. It gave me some things to think about. I'm not sure that was the intention, but it was the end result.
A: "I like watching Sal and Cane. They really go for it which is refreshing to see. Plus I mean, they are pretty easy on the eyes, so that's a plus, especially when they are all bloody and sweaty and...Uhm, I don't really spend a great deal of time watching the duels though, even when I am there. I'm usually wrapped up in something or prepping mentally for my own fights. There was this guy, Tex, I think" He fought with a two-by-four and a six pack of beer, so that was pretty entertaining." An eye opener" It was for me. She hinted at needing to be entertained. Other's have as well. The difference here is that she admits to not watching more often.
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Throughout this interview, Sabine seemed to have trouble staying still. This shouldn't surprise you, it is a trait that you will find in real finishers. They can only basque for so long before they need to go and do something else. If we were not in this modern age, I can easily see Sabine as a hunter, out there in the wild trying to provide for the clan. She would need that hyper vigilance that she displayed, how else would she quickly determine if she should follow the larger game which would take longer but feed more, or go for the rabbit that is a stone's throw away. Yes it would provide less, but it would provide it faster. I'm not sure there is a wrong answer here, but then again I'm not in those times either. Keep it coming Sabine, we're all glad you're here.