Don't give up

[historiology]

WHO: Sorey, Open
WHERE: Nonah Training Centre
WHEN: May 2nd
WHAT: Sorey goes to train and hone his skills in armatizing with Mikleo, to spar, and to take swimming lessons.
WARNINGS: n/a, none as far as I know beyond possible mentions of minor injuries from sparring/training?



Sparring:

[Sorey has never actually had any sort of proper training in wielding his sword. He's self-taught. Out of instinct and practice in hunting prickle-boars and sparring with Mikleo while growing up in the peace and safety of Elysia. His swordsmanship has somewhat improved since he left, in needing to defend himself against hellions and the like. But it's obvious he could still refine his technique somewhat, if anyone had any suggestions after seeing him practice, or offer to spar with him? His sword is just a ceremonial one, so it isn't actually that sharp.

Chances are that he can be found sparring with Mikleo, who uses a staff. Though since not everyone can actually see the water seraph, it may potentially just look like Sorey is....attempting to hit air? Why did he wince and seem like he got hit if there's seemingly nothing there.....?]

Armatizing:

[Most probably won't see a difference when Sorey armatizes with Mikleo. But he does, and those that can see his water seraph friend will be able to tell when they do. In this form, he wields a bow and uses water as the 'arrows'. Since Mikleo's element is water, this obviously means there's a near limitless supply. But as a result, he does need more room. So he might be just outside or in a larger room set apart from where most of the crowd is, as he practices. One of them figuring the aiming while the other works on the timing. Come watch, ask what they're doing, why Sorey might look different?]

Swimming:

[Okay, so Sorey has never actually learned how to swim. Not properly. Flailing, bathing, getting dunked by Mikleo's water artes on occasion doesn't really count. Not without a proper large body of water this deep. But that is why he's here, so he eventually climbs down into the water, taking a moment to adjust to the temperature and kind of wading a bit, initially in the shallower end as he waits for Riku, having arranged lessons.

It's probably obvious to anyone he has never actually swam before. Join him, ask if he's not drowning or something. ]

Comments

guess what prompt i chose

[resipiscent]

[Sorey's arrived before him, which isn't surprising, but it is out of the ordinary, from what he's seen from other students. That's fine by him, though. He's braided the majority of his hair, to keep it out of the way. Also, this way, he doesn't get yelled at by the pool staff for getting hair caught in the filter.

He ignores the stairs into the pool, lowering himself in from the edge closest to Sorey, instead. The shallow end is helpful -- it's not so deep that you can't stand up, but you can also swim a little, too. He makes his way over, tilting his head at him.]

What do you think?

I wonder....

[historiology]

[If anything it is a wonder Sorey isn't late. Still, he doesn't just come here for the swimming, now he knows about the place. And he figures the sooner he gets in and tries to adjust to the water, the better.

He turns at the question and gives a wave of sorts once Riku joins him.]

I'm getting used to the temperature. It just feels...I'm not sure if 'heavy' is the word I'm looking for, but it's harder to move around in.

[It's one thing to be used to being quickly doused in water. But this much is another matter entirely to adjust to, outside of a bath or the like.]

[resipiscent]

It's a difference in density. Water's denser than air, which makes it harder to move through, but because of that, it keeps you afloat, too. You know how you kind of have to actively hold your arms down if you want them to keep from floating? The water does that to your whole body if you let it.

[Riku nods, looking thoughtful.]

So, then, I guess first is... I taught everybody else how to float first, so that's what I'll do with you, too.

[historiology]

[Sorey listens, giving a nod. It makes sense that Riku is wanting to start with the basics. Keeping his head above water would take a priority, surely.]

Floating, yeah. Okay....so I just kind of lie down?

[His whole body. Just...think of it as a really wet, moving bed. Or something of the sort. Sorey sinks a little the first couple times but then seems to get the hand of it without entirely letting his stomach and legs sink down more.]

[resipiscent]

Right. Stop trying to do things yourself, and let the water hold you.

[Sorey's the first person to not need him to spell it out for him, though.]

[historiology]

Right.....

[Sorey may yet have to experience the likes of a bellyflop, that pain and seemingly solid initial hit of water, but he is well aware of the differences in water, weight and all, from playing with Mikleo and his friend's water artes growing up some.

So he tries to do as instructed, lifting his feet and attempting to keep them from sinking back down to the ground, the bottom of the pool while not spluttering if his body in general starts to sink and he might swallow some water.]

[resipiscent]

[Riku watches, nodding, since he knows with his ears underwater, Sorey won't be able to hear him. He goes ahead and pulls him upright again, tilting his head just a little.]

Good. What do you think?

[historiology]

It still feels kind of weird....but I think I'll get used to it.

[And this is theoretically the easy part, as far as Sorey can tell. Not needing to actually swim just yet. But it's like anything, practice, one step at a time. It's just a strange feeling, to be lying there on the surface of the water he could stand up in, that deep. He shakes his head a little as if to try dislodge some water from his hair and ears when Riku pulls him back upright.]

[resipiscent]

Yeah. But that makes sense. Now, then -- go the other way. Try doing it on your belly.

[Putting your face in the water always comes off as scary, he's aware, but it's a necessary part of it.]

[historiology]

On my stomach? Upside down?

[Well, he guesses that would make sense. If this is how you are supposed to swim. He'll just have to hold his breath then. Riku is the teacher here, after all. Sorey sure doesn't know how this works. So he takes a deep breath and does as the other tells him to, trying not to splutter or flail too much in the process.]

[resipiscent]

Yeah. Just lay flat.

[Once Sorey's done it for a few seconds, he reaches for his upper arm and hauls him back up again.]

Okay?

[historiology]

[Sorey coughs a bit, having accidentally inhaled some of the water, and rubs at his eyes once Riku helps him resurface again. But he gives a nod all the same. He's fine, all this considered. Sure he'll get used to this.]

Yeah. I just -- What's in this water? Is it supposed to hurt my eyes?

[Evidently, the idea of chlorine isn't necessarily a thing when he's mostly used to Mikleo's water artes or water from the pond or the like. Natural, rather than a swimming pool like this with the chemicals in.]

[resipiscent]

Yeah, sort of. I mean, I don't think they really set out to make it hurt your eyes on purpose, but it's a chemical that kills bacteria in the water. It's a little harsh, so it bothers your eyes. You can get goggles, if you want, or just tough it out. You get used to it.

armatizing;

[circulets]

[ Armatizing is nothing new, but the last thing he wants is for them to get rusty. It always feels weird when they're connected like this, but Mikleo's always enjoyed fighting with Sorey in this way.

When they fire another arrow, Mikleo pauses. ]

Our aim is getting better.

[historiology]

Course it is. Get better at anything with practice, don't you? And besides, I don't want to get rusty, just cause there are no hellions here....

[Considering the war situation, the reason probably doesn't need to be said. That and he doesn't have the option of practicing with any of the others since it's just the two of them here. Sorey has to make do, but he doesn't want to push Mikleo, to tire him either.

He grins as he watches the arrow hit the target.]

Just let me know when you want a break, okay?

[circulets]

We should still be prepared to fight. There's no telling what'll happen here.

[ He agrees with Sorey. Heropa is unpredictable. The last thing either of them needs is to get rusty. ]

That's my line. If you get tired, don't hesitate to separate the armatization.

[historiology]

I know. That's why I came here. To get practice. To be ready if something does happen. Both of us should.

[Regardless of how many times they have fought together back home, armatized, sparring or otherwise alongside each other. They should still do their best to keep at it. There's something to be said for the worry they both have for each other, even with training and not out on the actual battlefield.]

Your line, is it? I've got better about that. I mean, initially I couldn't figure forcing the armatization to stop but I got the hang of it now. I know, Mikleo.

[circulets]

You've always adapted to your powers easily. But, there's always room for improvement.

[ His words may be a bit nitpicky, but Mikleo's never been one to compliment others easily, either. ]

[historiology]

Course there is. But that's why I -- why we're here to practice. To improve. Or...hopefully. But I'd like to think I am. Armatizing with you is pretty...instinctive?

[Is that the word? But then, that probably isn't so surprising that Sorey feels that way. If only because he's known Mikleo since before he can even remember. It's only natural that something like armatizing would come rather easily and naturally as a result. Because they are in tune and know each other so well. Because they've spent years sparring together.]

[circulets]

It always has, hasn't it? I don't think it's just skill that's aiding you when it comes to armatizing with me.

[ They have a rather strong bond. Sorey may or may not be able to hear a smile in Mikleo's voice. Mikleo was the first seraph he was able to take off the armatization with, and... he's sure that it was due to how natural it felt to be connected like that. ]

[historiology]

Well, we've known each other forever. I guess it makes sense that this comes easier with you. Plus, I'd already done it with Lailah. That could be part of it. That what you mean?

[If Mikleo means something else. The fact they've grown up together and all is what comes first to mind for Sorey at least. He readies another arrow as he asks the question, positioning his hand.]

[circulets]

A little. I suppose it's because we know each other as well as we do.

[ Their bond, along with how knowledgeable they are of one another, really. ]

[historiology]

Yeah. Probably. I was just -- I initially didn't want you getting involved. But now, we make a great team!

[They always had. In their sparring and explorations and the like together over the years. This was simply taking it a step further, to it's seemingly natural, inevitable conclusion in a way.]

[circulets]

Don't forget. If I hadn't stepped in then, you would've been in serious trouble.

[ He's just Giving Him a Hard Time about back then... He's already forgiven everything. ]

But, it's true. We aren't half bad together. It's lucky that you're still able to armatize here even without Lailah.

[historiology]

I know, I know. You saved us.

[Which he appreciates. A lot. It turned out having Mikleo follow them helped save their asses when they needed him.]

I'm still not sure how. But I can't complain! We could need this.