caughtinanetwork

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Um, excuse me, would anyone here mind a spar with me? I don't want to hurt anyone but ...I think it's been a while since I last fought someone. I'm a Crystal Eren so that means I'm not a physical fighter...

[After a couple of seconds, Shirley thought about it some more]

Actually, I want to ask, would anyone mind teaching me how to fight using your fists? I think I might need some help training... [And you know, getting ready for the Fishlympics]

I'll promise that I'll teach you about Crystal Erens in return!

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But...

I don't want to be a burden for you. [While she knew how Walter died, she still felt like he was willing to die for her sake. She didn't mind that he was willing to protect her (again) but not learning how to fight without her eres? She didn't want to depend on him.]

[On the other hand, Walter desired -- no, was dying to have her depend on him. To him, need and want were the one and the same. It was his mission, after all, and she should not have to harbor such uncertainties.

He would erase them.]

It is my duty to ensure you are unharmed.

[His tone was a tad softer and less rigid. She had denied his aid in the past, albeit subtly, but he needed her to realize that she was no burden; no dead weight on his shoulders.

. . . Fighting using fists, hm? ]

Are you certain that this is what you want?

[There was a nod. She noticed his voice was a little bit softer than before which made her relax a bit.]

Mhmm, I am. I can promise you that I won't waste it either.

[He didn't need her to promise him that. He trusted her. Regardless, Walter observed her carefully before reaching a quiet answer.]

. . . if that is what the Merines desires . . .

[It would only be as a last resort, anyway. But he didn't say it aloud. He may teach her the basics later, may, though he was not too eager to give her more ways to throw herself into imminent danger. He could not, however, deny her so simply. Still, he was making no promises.]

I don't recommend falling straight on it should the situation appear bleak.

[With him around, he would ensure that the situation never became bleak.]

I won't, I know better than that. [She said with a smile before looking straight at her quill. It was until recently that Shirley stopped the habit of telling lies when things were going wrong. However, she wouldn't dare lie to Walter.]

Um, should we start now?

Here?

[It was sudden for him, but given that she had been in Vatheon for some time now, taking more to "settle in" would be an outdated suggestion. So he dropped the slight surprise after the one word. He was more uneasy about doing the exercise in the park, where so many people passed by.]

It may be better to begin indoors . . .

All right, where should we go?

[She wanted to question why since there would be more space but she wasn't going to disagree with Walter. Right now, he was being agreeable and she hopes to keep it that way[

[Anywhere but here. There weren't looking to do anything particularly strenuous or outlandish, so space was hardly a problem. Somewhere not intrusive . . . ]

Perhaps to one of our places . . .

[He knew his, at least, had plenty of room due to the lack of personal touch. He couldn't say the same for her.

That he was suggesting going over to a woman's place failed to register that way in his mind.

But then -- ]

For somewhere outdoors, the Forest Quadrant should suffice.

That seems fine by me. Shall we go?

[And with that, she went off but she was looking back at Walter to see if was walking with her]

[Forest Quadrant, then. While he preferred indoors, there should be just as well -- not as many people dropped by, and it was large enough that they could avoid unnecessary interaction.

Nodding, he followed suit closely to watch her back. She seemed to know the way, and this arrangement was better for fulfilling his duty.]

[After a couple of minutes, it seemed that they were here! So now what? Shirley never really fought hand to hand combat before and this was Walter she was going to be taking on...]

Um...tell me when you're ready a-and I'll start!

[ . . .

No. No, it was not going to happen like this.]

You should warm up first, Merines. Basic stretches should do.

Oh...um... [oops]

[With that she began doing a couple of stretches. Her stretches seem pretty similar to what Senel use to do]

[It only made sense that something like that would stand out. There was a stark difference between their styles. Senel leaned toward his fists and upper body strength with a solid foundation -- Shirley's stretches as of now reflected such focuses, and Walter found his fingers curling in to his palm.

He gave her five minutes.]

That should be enough. Are you ready now?

[it was then that after she was done her stretches that she realized what she did.

It might be a little bit too late now but...]

Mhmm, now I am. Um...what should we work on first?

Punches. Those seem like they'd come to you easiest.

[Then he fell silent, waiting for her to do just that. With all that exposure to Senel, she must have an idea of how to curl her hands, at least.]

[With that, she did what she was told and formed a fist with her right hand. Her left arm was in front of her body to protect her if anything happened. Then she made a light punch]

[Walter observed her with crossed arms. The idea of giving her a lesson on fisticuffs still did not sit well with him, but it was just the one today.]

Don't be afraid to give it your all. One hard punch can make all the difference.

[He stepped closer, glancing down at her feet.]

Form can be a deciding factor between weak and strong. Your body should twist with the motion.

Oh right!

[And she tried to mimic the stance that Senel has done in the past by putting some distance between her two feet. With that, she tried her best to punch the air in front of her] Like that?

Much better.

[But it reeked of Senel.

. . . ]

Merines. What happened in the Wings of Light?

[Well, she knew that they would have this talk sooner or later. Might as well start now]

...Walter, I never killed the Orerines. I thought it might be better that instead of killing, we...we should work together to close that gap. [Gulp] Not only that, Nerifes seems to agree too.

. . . What?

[He tensed the second she uttered "never," feeling his heart palpitating more at the thought of Orerines still roaming their world -- his face burning up, his arms at his side and hands curling into tight fists. It was a familiar feeling that had mellowed somewhat in his dull stay at Vatheon.

He was angry. Angry at -- ]

What did Senel say to you?

[The words came out harshly as he spat out the name in utter disdain.

Logic was not the first thing on his mind right now.]

[She had been expecting this too but it still doesn't change the fact that she was starting to get a little bit nervous.]

...Senel said that he trusted me, that's all. [She honestly didn't want to disappoint him or want him to think that she betrayed her people.]

Walter, I want to believe that there is a way we can save our people without having to kill anyone. If we can just learn from one another...!

[He blamed Senel.

He was confused. There had to be more than that. Why would Senel's words have even mattered in her reborn state?

But his brows only creased more intensely the harder his mind tried to sort it out. He stared for a little while, aggravated. He didn't believe there was anything to learn from the Orerines -- anything good.

Nerifes had agreed, supposedly.]

Is this truly the will of Nerifes?

[Because that's all she wanted. She just wanted Senel to trust her after he and Stella knew everything. Even after many months, it hurts to think about it. However, she promised herself that she wouldn't let herself be too caught up from the past.]

Yes, it is. After Senel and the other defeated Nerifes, he wanted to end our suffering and thought this was the better way.

[And there was the whole thing with Schwartz but she'll save that for another time] There was a peace treaty as well and ,as the Merines, I am trying to close that gap.

action;

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action; time to spam your inbox into forever

action; o-oh, merines; you can invade my inbox forever.

action; ....(unsure)

action; c: . . .

action; Sennnyyy I need your haallpppp

action; Senel smells, he can get out.

action; D8