bravenewworld | Warmups

[Video]

With war almost upon us, we must all do our best to become the absolute strongest that we can. Unfortunately, I have not been able to train as much as I would like, on account of my strength makes it difficult to spar with someone without the risk of serious injury if I don't carefully hold back.

It never seemed terribly pressing when we were more or less at peace, but now I need to ask. Are there any of you who want to train with me who are tougher than an ordinary human?

[Action]

A few days before the operation to save Sanctuary began, Morgiana has done a crash course to help get herself back in shape. She wasn't ever exactly OUT of shape, but her months spent in Union have left her slightly less hard bitten and deadly than she had been as a servitor. All that friendship and understanding and regular meals really takes the edge off of a warrior.

And so, after making her offer/challenge to the warp band network, she spent her afternoon in a small dirt field not far beyond the walls that she frequently used for training in relative privacy, waiting for would be opponents. While she waited, she practiced punches, aided by the massive stone weights strapped around her wrists. Gultas, her Pangoro friend and ally, stood by her and matched her motions. Though the pokemon was easily two or three times the size of the fanalis, he was probably the weaker of the two.

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Yes!

[It's always good to see her friend, but her initial cheerful reaction is dampened by harsh realities.]

But...I could hurt you if I'm not careful. You know how hard I can hit.

That's what these guys are here for.

[Chie jerks a thumb toward Gow the Gogoat and Onnazumo the Miltank.]

They both know Milk Drink, so if I take a bad hit, all I have to do is drink some nice healthy milk and I'll be right back on my feet again.

You'd do that for the sake of training?

Not just for any partner, but, uh...

[Hey look at that, she's blushing again.]

...well, I always feel stronger when I'm fighting beside you.

[Even Morgiana was starting to notice that Chie acted a little different around her than she did around most other people.

But that was a riddle to unravel another day. Today the order of business was TRAINING.]

If that's the case then...okay. Just let me take these weights off.

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I don't think I could handle more than one hit from one of those.

[Chie lets out an embarrassed little laugh as eyes up the huge weights, though she's still as enthusiastic as ever. She sits down on the ground, starting to take her shoes and socks off. Even when Morgiana wasn't here, she trained this way, since emulating Morgiana's style is how she was able to evolve. And while she was away on her journey, it was a small way of remembering her dear friend.]

Okay... ready!

[She untied the ropes around her wrists, letting the stones fall to the ground with loud thuds.]

Alright. I won't go easy on you.

[She slid into a fighter's crouch. Hers was not a terribly scientific fighting style, relying more on speed and ferocity than anything else. Also despite her words, she had every intention of at least initially going easy on Chie. Even if they said they're okay with it, breaking your friend's arm is something you generally try to avoid.]

Bring it on!

[Chie's style is a bit more polished, but she's completely self-taught too. Still, she had something to model it on with her Hitmonlee, so her stance resembles that of the Kicking Pokemon - like a coiled spring ready to release all that energy at once.]

[Morgiana moved first, starting with a few punches that were quick but not very hard. More probing Chie's defenses than anything else at this point.]

[Chie's practiced enough to be able to defend against punches like that. She brings her forearms up to block, pushing Morgiana's fists out of the way and stepping back to give herself room for a counter kick. Chie's style has always been focused more on the power of her legs.]

[Morgiana's real strength is her legs as well. In much the same way that Chie deflected Morgiana's punches with her forearm, Morgiana blocked Chie's kick by pulling her leg up so they impacted shin to shin. There was an audible crack as their legs impacted from the sound of bone thwacking on bone with minimal padding from softer tissues.]

[Chie staggers for a moment just from the sheer impact of Morgiana's block, briefly favoring her other leg. But she's determined not to give up with just that, and decides to go for a low sweep as long as she's crouching to recover her strength.]

[She lifted her foot to let the kick pass under her before stepping back forwards to strike once more...

and so forth, as they went back and forth, blow and counterblow, Morgiana's tempo steadily increasing as long as Chie seemed able to keep up.]

[Plucky and determined though Chie is, she is no God of War, and certainly no Fanalis. There comes a certain point in the exchange that the battle becomes too pitched, she takes one too many hits, and finally reaches the point where she can't get back to her feet after being knocked to the ground. She's taken some lumps to be sure, but it's all done with a smile on her face, even as she lays there exhausted.]

W-whew...

[It was certainly a workout for Morgiana, as well. She might not have bruises tomorrow, but Chie had some good moves that she had needed to think quickly to be able to counter. She wiped some sweat off her forehead.]

You are a skilled fighter, Chie.

Haha... thanks.

[Chie laughs a little as she catches her breath, wincing slightly at how it makes her ribs hurt.]

It's 'cause I have a strong training partner.

[Yup, definitely a big smile. After a few seconds, Onnazumo comes walking over with a bottle of milk for Chie.]

Oh yeah, right. Thanks, Onnazumo.

[She takes the bottle, gulping it down and slowly sitting up in place. Just one drink won't bring her back to full power, but she's already starting to feel less sore.]

[She does look a little distressed at Chie's obvious discomfort.]

Ah, are you okay?

Yeah! Never better!

[It's not strictly true, but she didn't push herself so hard that she won't be up and at 'em like usual once mission time rolls around.]

All I need is some more milk from these guys, a nice soak in the hot spring, maybe a massage at the spa, and a good night's sleep, and I'll be as good as new.

[That's quite a list of things there, Chie.]

That sounds like a good way to spend our last night in Union.

[Chie blinks back at her.]

Our...? You want to come too?

I have been sparring with various people all day. Some of them were very strong. So I'm pretty tired too.

[Because we'll pretend that chronologically this is not the first thread that happened.]

Oh... yeah, that makes sense! We can relax together, then.

[Chie's got a big bright smile on her face. Thank goodness her Ice typing isn't letting as much of that blush show through as it otherwise would.]

It should be fun. I think they call it a "girls' night out"?

Right! Yeah! You've never had one before, right? So I'll have to show you a good time.

[Chie's head is already spinning.]

Warmups

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