4 - [Action]

[lunarianlegacy]

[Ceodore's settled into something of a daily routine, even though it surprises him how quickly it seems to have happened. Most of it involves avoiding the house as much as humanly possible. The only deviations to the pattern occur when he's dreaming naughty stuff about Rydia avoiding being skewered by Kain destroying appliances something more

Comments

[Action] Because Ceodore needs more beautiful green-haired women in his life.

[upontheplains]

[This morning, Ceodore will find someone else in the barracks with him. It's a young woman with tied back green hair hurling herself at the dummies like she's trying to destroy them all.

She doesn't seem interested in starting a conversation, but maybe he could try?]

[Action] He does! :D

[lunarianlegacy]

[At first, he's equally occupied with aiming sword thrusts and slashes at the dummies and doesn't notice the woman going at them as well. However, once he does, Ceodore stands back and merely watches her technique with curiosity. Aside from Ursula, most females of his acquaintance are mages not fighters.]

You're quite the warrior, miss.

[Action]

[upontheplains]

[At first, she doesn't seem to have heard his statement. Then she stops her attacking, and turns to give him a little smile.]

Thank you. I really ought to be, by this point.

[Action]

[lunarianlegacy]

Oh?

[He's curious. Maybe she's a Monk like Yang and Ursula.]

[Action]

[upontheplains]

Well I've been training in swordsmanship practically since I could walk.

How about you? You're not doing half bad either.

[Action]

[lunarianlegacy]

[He dips his head modestly and gives it a small shake.]

My father's... he's a well known paladin. Everyone expects me to follow in his footsteps. I've been training since I was big enough to lift a sword.

I don't think I'll ever measure up to him though.

[Action]

[upontheplains]

[She gives her head a little tilt at those words, then shakes it.]

Now that's no good at all.

[Action]

[lunarianlegacy]

Huh?

[Did he say something wrong again? PANIC!]

[Action]

[upontheplains]

I'll admit I don't really understand the situation you're in. I don't even know what a paladin is. But you'll never get anywhere if you don't have any faith in your own abilities.

[Action]

[lunarianlegacy]

[That sobers him immediately. Not once did it ever occur to Ceodore that his own insecurities might be holding him back. At least, he's never heard it put so directly before.]

I- I never thought of that.

[Action]

[upontheplains]

[She gives him a considering look for a moment, then walks a little closer.]

A lot of battle is in the mind. Confidence in yourself can make or break you in combat. That's one of the first things my father taught me during my training.

By the way, I'm Lyn. And what's your name?

[Action] Incidentally, that's my middle name!

[lunarianlegacy]

Ceodore. It's nice to meet you, Miss Lyn.

[He smiles and inclines his head politely forward.]

I will heed your advice, it's sound.

[Action] One of those fun coincidences, that.

[upontheplains]

Good to meet you as well, Ceodore.

[She gives a slight bow.]

Glad to hear it. So, just how good are you with that blade? [She lifts an eyebrow in a clearly challenging manner.]

[Action]

[lunarianlegacy]

[Ah, conflict. On the one hand, he doesn't wish to come across as sub-standard, yet on the other, it isn't honorable in the least to boast. That it's just not in Ceodore's nature to do so either.]

I passed my Knight's Trial. [Barely. But he passed!] I have been working to improve since then.

[Action]

[upontheplains]

What did your trial consist of? [She herself was pretty much thrown straight from close to the end of her training into lots and lots of actual combat... which makes them pretty similar actually.]

[Action]

[lunarianlegacy]

There is a sacred grotto on the Adamant Isle. The Knight's Emblem lies within, guarded by a Sand Worm. One who aspires to knighthood must travel the grotto alone and claim the emblem, and return with it as proof.

[He blushes at the memory of succeeding, only to faceplant when it was over, having far overextended himself in his press to stand alone.

With a sheepish grin in place, he glances over at Lyn, apologetic for the textbook definition.]

It sounds grand, but in reality, it's just fighting monsters for a token. That's how Biggs put it. It's what follows that matters.