New beginnings.

[confidentia]

Who: Ace, OPEN
Where: Hero Training facility
When: The second half of September, but before visiting the Sage
What: Having taken up the position of an instructor of magic at Chrom's school, Ace takes his time adjusting to his new responsibilities. Anyone is welcome to join as either a student (Black Mage, Summoner, Chocobo Knight) or a sparring partner, whether it's before/during/after a practice, or maybe they're just having a lunch break together. Anything goes!
Warnings: None, so far.


Him, a teacher? Ace had never even come close to being a model student during his time at the academy. Most morning lectures had him slumped over his desk as he caught up on lost sleep, which, in hindsight, hadn't been the most... respectful way to go about his lack of interest.

( How he nonetheless managed to achieve near-perfect results on tests was always beyond his classmates' comprehension. )

Maybe he wasn't the most well-suited candidate for the job, but it didn't mean he wouldn't at least make a solid attempt. On top of his time spent in Crystallis, he'd been given the benefit of a thorough military training, so should his experience serve to ease another Hero's concerns, he was willing to do his best. If anything, it granted him an opportunity to keep a closer eye on what the others were up to.

More importantly, though, it helped him take his own mind off certain things.


The cadet’s specialty was magic, but since there was never a shortage of those eager to know more about the Chocobo Knight Job, he often brought Suzaku over for company. He had some doubts, initially - but as it turned out, the gold-feathered bird clearly enjoyed his newfound abilities, spending every moment of downtime on circling the skies over the facility.

On the slower days, he allowed himself a change of his routine. Swapping magical tomes for a training sword and robes for his ordinary uniform, he dedicated an hour or two to pursuing the often neglected - but no less important, now, that he had more offensive skills in his repetitoire - art of swordsmanship. Used to training alone, he usually didn't consider asking anyone for assistance. It was less than ideal without the familiar battle simulations at the ready, but imagination served well enough in filling in blanks. So long as he put his mind to it, he could still make the same leaps and lunge forward with the same ferocity as if the enemy was an actual creature rather than a lifeless mannequin.

And for what it was worth, footwork had always been his strongest suit. Handling heavier weapons, however… less so. While nothing could rival the flexibility of a card deck, it was high time he took upon himself to branch out a little, right?

Comments

[confidentia]

It had completely slipped Ace's mind to make his intentions known before walking into the facility with his feathery companion by his side, so the surprise in Chrom's eyes was met by his own, slightly flustered expression as the boy lowered his weapon. Chocobos weren't exactly considered to be the most suitable indoor pets for reasons nobody had to explain, but this partnership went way back. He trusted the bird to behave accordingly, and was ready to vouch for him if needed-....

Thankfully, that didn't seem to be the case. Encouraged by the sound of laughter, he relaxed his shoulders as he motioned for Suzaku to take his well-deserved break. The Chocobo in question had been busy tackling a rather worn-out dummy with his beak before his movements came to a complete halt.

"... I dare you to convince him to wear one." Truth be told, it hadn't at all been uncommon for the Chocobos of Orience to surpass their riders in terms of heavy gear equipped. It just wasn't a practice the cadet saw fit to continue, given the limitations it imposed upon the animal's skills, not to mention the discomfort. A simple harness usually did the trick just fine.

"Since we haven't been graced with the kindest weather, I've decided to stay indoors. Somehow, Suzaku... ended up tagging along." Unspoken was his weakness for the pleading warks the creature responded with each time they parted, but it was exactly how the Chocobo had wormed his way into today's practice. Since the hall didn't provide enough room for riding, much less flying, he'd settled for a simple synchronisation exercise.

"Of course, I could send him back if it's too much of an issue."

[shepherd_prince]

"No, not at all," Chrom said, though admittedly, his focus was more fixed on the chocobo at the moment. Such ferocity! He hadn't known they could be trained like that. A pity his was more like a ninja than a fighter -- great at stalking and pouncing Chrom, not so much at zeroing in on an enemy. But perhaps Chrom was to blame for that. He hadn't spent much time training the bird since he managed to catch it.

Chrom folded his arms, momentarily silent as he gave the matter some thought. "...The Chocobo Knight is a job that's difficult for many to master, including myself. I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't take the time to properly study it or take proper care of my chocobo. If you'd be interested in teaching a few classes on the subject, I would willingly submit myself as one of your students."

After all, not every problem could be solved with a sword. The number of times he'd been set on fire was evidence enough of this.

[confidentia]

It was something Ace could easily understand. Standing side by side with such majestic creatures, one could only marvel over their beauty and grace... that said, Suzaku was accustomed to such kind of treatment. Any attention thrown his way would be rewarded with a series of happy trills, and this was no exception.

There was even a little bow at the end, a sign of thanks from a bird who knew his manners in between chewing on people's hair. Thankfully, Chrom's was too short to bother. For now.

"Difficult...?" He sounded almost surprised in his question, mostly because he'd never linked that particular Job with effort. Patience, perhaps - short-tempered individuals would have a difficult time adjusting themselves to an entirely different type of companionship - but never a struggle. Looping one arm around the chocobo's neck, as though wanting to learn his own opinion on the matter, the cadet thought on it some more. "I do remember you mentioning it in your letter. Perhaps now that you're back from your trip, you have a better idea of what kind of class could benefit you best."

Another wark.

"... Sure." The boy's lips curled into a smile. "On that note, Cloud at the farm can provide you with the basics, while I could focus on the technical part of the Chocobo Knight itself. I wouldn't want to deprive him of what is essentially his job." He snickered, knowing that his friend took satisfaction in what he did.

"If I may venture a guess, you've caught one of the less orderly ones."

[shepherd_prince]

"Well, I can't complain that my chocobo lacks personality," he admitted with a short chuckle. "Riding them is quite a bit different than the mounts to which I am more accustomed in Ylisse."

Grinning at the chocobo's formal bow, Chrom returned the favor.

"Horses are not quite so intelligent as chocobos either, for that matter. Yours seems as if it knows precisely what we're saying. Nonetheless," he looked back to Ace, "that would be appreciated. I'm no stranger to mounted combat...just the mount." He touched his chin in thought. "I've also heard it told that those with the Santa Claus job may utilize some sort of flying sleigh should they harness four chocobos to it. But I'm not certain it would be prudent to obtain four until I know I can manage at least the one."

[confidentia]

"What about them?" Sure enough, any mention of mounts was bound to get Ace's attention, in case there was some magnificent creatures lurking in other universes that he hadn't yet been made privy of.

Except his face soon fell a little bit upon the sad realisation that the answer had been a quite ordinary one all along. Horses. It's always the horses. "I don't know much about horses, actually, but they do seem to be preferred by many." And then there were those partial to the mechanical means of transportation, whose lives were devoid of any thrill and appreciation for the finer things in life.

Trying to withdraw his arm, the cadet encountered some problems. "... Hey, don't get so comfortable." That one remark was targeted directly at Suzaku, who in response had taken it upon himself to plant his feathery head on top of Ace's without any regard for their weight difference. As playful and brief as it was, it should now become clear that the Chocobo could easily snap a human in half with the force of their affection alone.

"Right... you got really into it last year, didn't you?" He remembered it now, and Chrom's idea made him think for a moment. "Suzaku can already fly, but with the power of that Job, it's possible that any other Chocobo could be given the same ability. Why not give it a try?" He smiled. "If we start now, you'll have ample time to prepare."

[shepherd_prince]

Chrom may not be the most perceptive man around, but even he can spot the disappointment that crosses Ace's face when he mentions horses. "True...riding lessons are rather common in Ylisse..." How can he salvage this? Horses definitely don't seem to hold Ace's interest, and he feels a little bad about that. "There are also pegasus knights," he offered. "They're beautiful animals with great feathered wings much like a bird's, and it takes a skilled hand to tame and train one for combat. I have also seen those adept at riding wyverns and gryphons on the battlefield."

Perhaps that would be exotic enough to lift Ace's spirits. If not, well...he tried. omg does he try. he tries all the time.

At the mention of the Santa Claus job, there was a definite uptick in the red-to-peach ratio of color in Chrom's complexion. "The job did seem to affect me to an unusual degree," he admitted, a mix of chagrin and resentment in his voice. "I'd intended to replace it with another, but the skills attached to it proved strangely useful in that vision of the future, as well as in the evacuation of the inhabitants of Nabila. It was...a humbling lesson in the importance of diversifying my range of abilities, as not all battles can be fought with a blade."

Much to his disappointment.

Still, Ace seemed like he was prepared to lend his support and knowledge, and for that Chrom was grateful. It was enough to prompt a smile from the young lord, and he nodded once. "You're right. When you have the time, I'll fetch my chocobo at once."