melodiesoflife | Tranquil as a Forest, But on Fire! ...Just on fire.

WHO: Chrom, his new band of 'Shepherds', OPEN
WHAT: Now that there's a new team working together for the sake of the greater good, their first task is to ~~beat the shit out of each other~~ gather and spar, to better learn the skills, strengths, and weaknesses of their future allies on the battlefield. There may be shenanigans, there may not. But there will definitely be friendships of at least C-Rank by the end of this session.
WHEN: October 18th, 8 a.m.
WHERE: Training Hall
NOTES: Feel free to tag as many (or as few) sparring partners as you like. Chrom will be watching to take note of which people work best together for future reference. If you want him to come by and give feedback after a session, feel free to say so at the end of the spar!

The largest room of the training center had been specially reserved for Chrom and his assembled team. Kulevi was hovering just outside the front doors to direct Heroes to the proper location, advising them to stop by the armory if they needed to pick up any equipment for the training session. There weren't any refreshments, not yet, but Kulevi hinted that there might be sandwiches and punch once they concluded their sparring with one another.

Once everyone had arrived, Chrom greeted them with a smile. "I'm glad so many of you were able to attend. Given the warning we received a few days ago, I plan to have us conclude well before the appointed time if you wish to act upon that anonymous tip. In the meantime, let us begin." He produced a small tin can that rattled in his hand. "Inside are pairs of marbles with matching colors. Draw a marble, and find the person whose marble matches yours. This will be your first sparring partner. After ten minutes, the bell will ring and you will switch to someone new. Please take some time to introduce yourselves, and decide if you wish to spar with real weapons and spells, or if you would rather make use of the blunted and wooden practice weapons.

"We'll take a fifteen-minute break after three rounds. It is my hope that, by the end of our training regimen, we will all have a better understanding and appreciation of one another." He walked down the line, holding out the can to allow each person to draw a marble. When everyone had drawn, Chrom himself took the last one. He was not exempt from this exercise either.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thank you. You're no novice yourself.

[He salutes with his blade before going to retrieve Flynn's, and holds it out to him.]

It's been a long time since I've had an opportunity to match blades with anyone, much less someone who knows what they're doing. Shall we go again?

Really? You managed to finish me off in less than five minutes. Either I've gotten rusty, or your world is leaps and bounds ahead of mine in the art of swordplay.

[Flynn gratefully accepts his blade back.]

I am honored by your words. I would be even more honored if I were given a second chance.

[He takes on a fighting stance.]

I believe I owe it more to the Crystal Knight job rather than raw skill. The Shadow Blade replenishes my strength, the more blows I'm able to land. It adds a great deal to my endurance, and how much punishment I'm able to take.

[As for that second chance? Music to Chrom's ears.]

Gladly. Don't hold back. This armor is a lot sturdier than it looks.

[He, too, raises his blade, and once it's clear that they're both ready, he surges forward to meet Flynn with a renewed clash of steel against steel.]

Crystal Knight, hmm? I'll have to put that on my request list.

[Flynn pays attention to Chrom's movements, and they reveal the joints in his armor. Flynn makes a point to aim for them when openings strike. With any luck, he would be able to make his armor less effective then go after disarming him.]

I admit that I was somewhat leery of the Dark Knight job. I don't think I would have chosen it had I not awoken with it already equipped to my crystal.

[He's starting to struggle a little to keep up with Flynn's swifter strokes, relying on his shield more and more often to block what his blade cannot.]

[Flynn is still somewhat spent from the first fight so his movements slow down after his initial attempted pre-emptive burst of energy.]

Titles aren't everything. It's how you use them, isn't it?

[Flynn attempts to knock Chrom's shield ajar with a forceful swing.]

[There's a flicker of shock that moves across Chrom's features at Flynn's words. Surely he couldn't have known of Chrom's current difficulties, but even so...it hits close to home. Speaking of hits, his momentary stunned reaction gives Flynn the edge he needs to beat aside Chrom's shield, and the way he raises his sword in defense is downright sloppy, even for a beginner.]

[He's forced to take two steps back as he struggles to recompose himself and rearrange his defenses.]

Yes...you speak the truth, friend.

[His furrowed brow betrays his grim thoughts, but after a quick breath, he moves forward, focusing on the fight at hand rather than his personal inadequacies.]

[Flynn lowers his sword. There was no point in taking advantage of Chrom's current weakness, even if this was a practice fight. The talk was distracting, after all, and he wasn't going to let that take away from the fight.]

I didn't mean to bring anything up that you're uncomfortable with. Please, take up your arms and we can begin anew.

[Flynn tried to smile.]

I won't try to claim I understand whatever it is that caused you pause, but... please, know that if you ever need someone to speak with about something on your mind, I'm available.

It's nothing so concerning. It just caught me off guard, is all.

[His answering grin is grateful nonetheless as he takes the moment offered to recompose himself.]

We just ended a long and difficult war with the country to the south, in my own world. I was to become the next Exalt...after the death of my beloved sister. I had imagined that she would continue to rule for many more decades, so as you can imagine...the title does not yet sit well with me.

Nobody expects the death of a loved one, unless they're planning it.

[Flynn nods, shaking his shoulders to loosen up a little.]

The fact that you chose to face it head-on rather than running away from it - that deserves some commendation, I would think. It's fine to have reservations, but it's what you do in spite of the discomfort that defines your character.

[Chrom inclines his head once slowly, thoughtfully. He can think of little to say in response to that, but he does appreciate the understanding and concern.]

Thank you. It's a duty I don't intend to neglect.

[He just wants to make sure he can actually do it well. That's what worries him. He hoists his sword once more and smiles.]

But we came to improve our combat skills, did we not? Shall we go again?

While your humility would say otherwise, I believe your combat senses have been honed to their limit. Anything further would need to be broken in by actual combat with sporadic forces.

As you wish.

[Chrom salutes with his blade raised, which he then drops with a swift swiping gesture.]

Our time is nearly up in any case. I look forward to fighting beside one of your skill, Flynn.

Hopefully it won't be too soon... or too much.

[Of course, that was being optimistic.]

Tranquil as a Forest, But on Fire! ...Just on fire.

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don't give me the shoujo sparkles icon