Someone doesn't want a Jungian adventure

[mindofathief]

Who: Duster and anyone
Where: Hero Training Facility
When: Month of November
What: Not only is Duster anxious about how his Shadow might act, he's also upset at Santa's betrayal during the Night of the Thirteen Moogles. He's not sure what to do apart from sulking alone, but he does have his job at the Hero Training Facility he can't ignore.

The cold wind did not help Duster's mood. It bit at his nose no matter how often he readjusted his red scarf. It covered his ears, increasing the regret of not bringing a hat. Not that he cared about going back home to grab one. Every morning, he felt that the heat of his frustration would fuel enough warmth. Every morning, he realized that it was not to be so.

A man from a warm seaside town will never be used to Aqures Ixen weather.

Thankfully, the building that house the Training Facility was warm, and Duster felt relieved to be in a comfortable place that did not demand self-reflection. No secret side to confront, no former friends to split off from. All that he needed on his mind was tactics. All that he needed to do was to kick things hard and teach people how to kick things hard.

He took up his usual spot at the end of the room, setting up a red punching bag, and warmed up with several easy kicks. The sign outside pointed out to potential students where hand-to-hand combat lessons were being taught.

Self Defense Classes
Learn martial arts from Duster
Taught here all day today.

That old almost-a-haiku was still up.

Comments

[mindofathief]

"Personal...?" His eyes remained locked on the shiny metal atop Donnel's head. "It's not too heavy, is it?"

Certainly no one wore pots on their heads outside of battle. These self-defense lessons were best practiced while wearing everyday outfits.

[pot_head]

Donny is quietly thanking whatever gods exist in his world and this one that Chrom (and no one else from the Shepherds, for that matter) is in the room to see this.

"Uhhh. It's just fine, sir. Been wearin' it for a while now."

[mindofathief]

Even Duster could tell something up up.

"By 'a while'. do you mean you've been wearing that all day, or that you've always been wearing that?"

[pot_head]

"... Kinda of a forever and always sorta deal... D-Does it really matter all that much?"

[mindofathief]

"...Not really, when I think about it." It could be a safety hazard, but if Donnel did this all the time, Duster found no point in arguing.

"We can go ahead with the introductions. I'm Duster, and I've been here for nearly a year." He sure didn't sound enthusiastic about it.

[pot_head]

Phew! Crisis averted. With that over with, he resumes smiling and is overall pleasant.

"Nice ta meetcha, Duster! My name's Donnel, but everyone calls me Donny. I've only been here a couple'a months, but I'm ready to learn!"

[mindofathief]

Donnel was lucky that Duster was a bit of a pushover, unless the situation was dire enough to warrant an aggressive attitude.

"Only a couple? It's a pretty strange world to get used to, I have to admit." Even for one who had been around since January. "So, Donnel...what do you know about fighting?"

[pot_head]

"I learned from experience more than anythin' else. I was raised on a simple country farm, y'see. But then these no good murderin' bandits came to my land and began causin' real trouble. Lord Chrom and his Shepherds came to the rescue, but he encouraged me to fight. So I picked up a spear, and did just that, and I've been on his side ever since!"

[mindofathief]

"Just like that? Were your parents okay with it?" He didn't know how old Donnel was, but he looked young. And everyone had family that would be worried. In Duster's case, his father urged him to go on his quest. In Lucas's case, the family he still had didn't pay attention.

...Duster's smile turned into a flat line. Donnel might not have a family to go home to in the first place.

[pot_head]

But despite it all, Donny kept on smiling.

"It's just me and my Ma now, and it took a bit to convince her, but she finally agreed. Long as I promised to come home. And when I do, I'll make sure she's real proud of me!"

[mindofathief]

Oh Donnel, too good to be true. "You kind of remind me of someone from home," Duster said.

"Anyway, we should probably get started. Start off by showing me some of your moves."

[pot_head]

"... Well, I guess since this is hand to hand stuff, I ought to only use my hands." Which meant no spear. He'd left that against the wall moments ago. He'd always fought with a weapon, so this was going to be unusual. In fact, the entire army back home never fought with their bare hands.

But he tried to imagine his companions in the Shepherds - like the beautiful and strong Libra with his axe - and mimed holding an axe, with fists stacked on top of each other. With that, he charged forward, intending to strike Duster up in the chin.

[mindofathief]

...That certainly was one way to land a hit on a person. Not that it was effective at all. It merely took a quick swerve to dodge.

In addition, throwing his weight into it left Donnel unbalanced. It was easy for Duster to grab hold of him. He did not make a move after that.

[pot_head]

"Whoa!" Captured within seconds, huh? He blinks a bit, trying to understand what just happened.

"...Uh, I'm guessin' this is gunna be a long day for us both."

[mindofathief]

"I have time," Duster sighed. It was better than stewing in frustration all day. "We can start with basic stances and move on from there. Now," he said as he let go of Donnel, "show me how you'd get ready for a fight."

[pot_head]

Amusingly, most Shepherds didn't 'get' ready for a fight, they usually wound up in one by accident or traps. But Duster didn't need to know this.

"Y'mean like exercises?"

[mindofathief]

"...Yeah, exercises." That was another way to start besides working on Donnel's stance.