A Place Only the Gifted May Reach

[a_monetized_mind]

[1]

"-Is that all you've got?"

It's an odd thing for Jen to say as she staggers up to her feet. She's been doing an almost non-stop battery of "practice" bouts in the gym against anyone who will let her. Against those with supernatural powers, she goes it solo. Against normal people, she practically demands they gang up on her, or use weapons. The results are...predictable. Even though she can still stand, Jen's body is covered in bruises; even as she readies her stance again, she has to take a moment to spit blood on the mats. And while Jen's technique is improving, there's the unmistakable sensation of watching someone try to fit a square peg into a round hole.
[2]

Late that night, Jen is lying down atop one of the rooftops at Alhambra. She stretches one arm up to the stars, looking along it-both at the heavens, and at the platinum ring on her left hand, a dark red diamond set into it. Somewhere, off in the skies above, a Balmarian fleet is regrouping-meeting with an even larger group of reinforcements.

"...Ten years, huh..."
She sits up, rubbing the back of her head. "...If we even get that long. I hope Sielje doesn't mind me being selfish, with that time..."

Comments

2

[stupidhonor]

Jen, so this is where you went.

[The knight can be heard a distance away before she appears in the field of vision.]

I heard of what you were doing. I... am not sure if that is the right way...

Re: 2

[a_monetized_mind]

-Ah! Sielje!

[Even if the knight can be heard before she's seen, the intrusion is unexpected.]

Ahah, yeah, I might have been kind of overdoing it...a couple other people said that, too.

[Jen's brand-new ring glitters in the moonlight.]

[stupidhonor]

If you wish, I may talk to you about this. After all... I made mistakes of the past. I do not want anyone to repeat them.

[Sielje comes in closer and sits down.]

Jen? What do you have there?

[a_monetized_mind]

...Yeah. There's another thing, I wanted to talk to you about, actually...

Oh, this? It's a ring, I just made it.
[She searches around in her pocket, taking out another-its exact duplicate.]

Here, this one's for you...ah, though I guess I should have asked you what kind you like...we can make different ones for the wedding, so...

[stupidhonor]

No, do not worry! It is beautiful.

[Sielje accepts the ring.]

I wish you to accept something of mine in fact. I should have done so earlier but... I could not find an opportune moment.

[a_monetized_mind]

I'm glad you like it.

And sure-what is it?

[stupidhonor]

On Ankaia, there is a custom. If you have a pair of something, and give one of them to another, it is a proof of bond between the two of you.

[Sielje fiddles with an armlet she wears, one that came with Kimhone's dress. She removes it, and hands over to Jen.]

The same custom exists on Earth, or at least a similar one, I think.

[a_monetized_mind]

Something like that, yeah.

[Bam! Spiffy new armlet get.]

...You wanted to talk about what I've been up to today, right? Let's hear it.

[stupidhonor]

Ah. Yes.

[Sielje seemed at ease for a moment, but now she turns serious again, though she glances at the ring on her finger a few times.]

When I was young, and desperate, and angry, I was trying hard to learn how to fight. I had to, to avenge everyone I lost. I was working my hands bloody, but when I met Ynya...

He told me I was doing it all wrong. And I did not want to listen, but - but he was right.

... Admitting it feels bad, even now. Do you know why?

[a_monetized_mind]

..Because, even then you had pride in your skills, right?

[stupidhonor]

[Sielje shakes her head.]

I was... weak, I knew that. Ynya said that even if you are weak, but work hard to change that, you can take pride in your hard work.

But there is only so much hard work you can do in a day. There is only so much you can change in a day. I felt like I had to work ten, twenty times as hard. But it does not mean you get stronger twenty times faster. It only means you end up hurting yourself.

Ynya tried to tell me that the only way to strength is to train, get better little by little, every day. But that would take so much time.

Time I thought I did not have.

[Sielje sighs. Her hand moves to Jen's, while her gaze is turned sideways as if she was embarassed at the gesture.]

And... it felt unfair, did it not? He was strong, and getting better too. That meant I would never reach him.

[a_monetized_mind]

I know, learning takes time, and...I know all that.

[Jen rests her other hand on top of Sielje's. Her voice starts off softly, but gains conviction as she speaks.]

...But I want to reach that place. I want to pass her by, just to show that I can...to grind it in her face, to be better than her.

[stupidhonor]

Then you know how I felt so many times.

But Jen, you are resourceful. You have potential. I know you will be able to do it.

Just... not like this.

[a_monetized_mind]

I...you're right.

[Jen sighs, nodding slowly. Her hand squeezes Sielje's tightly.]


You're right.

[stupidhonor]

It is hard to admit, even for myself. Jen, I... I do not want to see you like this...

[What can she do in a situation like this? For some reason it doesn't feel like she helped anyone at all. Sielje frantically considers her options.]

...

[And awkwardly moves in closer, hugging Jen in a tight embrace.]

1

[fourth_rider]

...

[Instead of actually participating, Fyra has been watching from the sidelines with a worried look after stumbling on this scene.

It is only when one of Jen's opponents finally leaves that the Rider speaks up.]

What are you hoping to achieve?

Re: 1

[a_monetized_mind]

[Jen slumps in a corner, exhausted.]

Urgh...Apogee. I want to be able to beat her. Not just with everyone's help, but on my own.

[fourth_rider]

That is understandable. You are improving, little by little.

But at this pace, you may expire even before fighting her again.

[a_monetized_mind]

Incurable illness aside I'm not someone who-who dies easy. Not anymore.

...You've got something else you want to say though, don't you.

[fourth_rider]

There is one here you care about more than others.

Do not make her worry.

[a_monetized_mind]

[Jen's shoulders slump, and she shakes her head.]

...That's not something I could do even if I tried.

[fourth_rider]

Then, at least help to ease it.

1

[actuallyselfish]

"Whoah, whoah!" Dido says, rushing forward to help Jen find her footing. "Even if you've got heal-ly nano machines, getting beat to crap won't help a damn..."

Re: 1

[a_monetized_mind]

Well, then, what the hell will!

You don't get to the top by taking it easy!

Re: 1

[actuallyselfish]

"Ever heard of Progressive Overload? Periodization? Freaking Leg Days?" Dido says archly. "All I'm saying is, optimize your training! Figure out what you need to become to surpass that ninja girl!"

Dido's face darkens. She rubs at her cheek. "I wanna see her taken down too, you know..."

1

[majestic_keiki]

...What are you doing?

Re: 1

[a_monetized_mind]

Apogee has...a lot more experience than me, fighting people.

I want to surpass her. That's what all this is for.

Re: 1

[majestic_keiki]

I'm not sure just trying to push yourself like that will change much. Learning takes time and varied scenarios.

Re: 1

[a_monetized_mind]

Time is the one thing I don't have.

If I can't find some shortcut to more skill I'm just not going to be better than her, come the next battle.

Re: 1

[majestic_keiki]

You won't be alone, we can support you out there.

Re: 1

[a_monetized_mind]

Yeah, I know, but that's not much help if I just want to be better on my own, now is it?

Re: 1

[majestic_keiki]

No, but having no time to absorb what you're learning and recover from fatigue isn't going to do it either. Even if the nanomachines mean that your body can take this.

1

[pulledplug]

Well no, duh, but I mean... look at you!

[Roy, being the Roybot that he is, was kinda cool at doing this at first, but he's losing the heart for it the more Jen gets beat up.]

You can't get any better at this if you're carried away in a bucket!

Re: 1

[a_monetized_mind]

...It'd take a lot more than this...to do that.

[pulledplug]

Yeah but if we keep at it we're gonna be gettin' there really quick.

Like come on... at least take a breather or somethin'.

[in_over_his_head]

Depends on how you're going to be selfish I guess. But with how she is... I think she wouldn't mind you living things up how you want to.

[Calvin's carefully making his way over with some coffee, offering her a cup.]

... Might want to try be a bit more confident with how much time you got though.

[a_monetized_mind]

Ah, thanks.

[Jen sips at the coffee.]

...I already almost died once. That time Julia pierced Nemain's cockpit, if she was a couple inches further up my head would have been crushed. Then there's so many other near-misses we've had fighting whatever random demon-gods come along...I've been lucky so far, but...

...Unless I quit or something, I don't think that luck's gonna hold.

[in_over_his_head]

Statistically speaking I think pretty much everyone would've died at least two dozen times over... more or less. But honestly that's not here or there anymore at this point... you two are still here, so... go a little crazy.

[Calvin shrugs as he takes a sip of his own, glancing contemplatively at the sky.]

Get the lady a ring, throw a party, wreck a hotel... make a lot of good memories for the road. If things happen, they'll happen... so make the time between then and now something that'll keep the nights warm for the both of you.

[a_monetized_mind]

Sielje still gets embarrassed when we hold hands sometimes. I'm not going to pressure her into the kinds of parties Doomstar or I enjoy.

...Besides, I don't really want to give up working here. Even if it's risky.