Unleash the power of the sun!

[not_a_prize]

[1]

[Not long after the mission into the mountains involving the humongous worms and the Shatterhand, Peola had decided to stay a little longer on Earth. As to her reasons you would find the Regalis Filia out in an open area at Alhambra going through a rapid and complex set of martial arts maneuvers with and without its sword... yet despite the movements there was something off about them. Every so often the punches and kicks would drag a little. The sword would dip or have a little too much weight put into it. Then for a moment it flared blue as it thrust out its fist and suddenly convulsed and twitched wildly.]

Tch!

[Eventually she'd stop and exit her machine, looking extremely worn out as she wiped the sweat away from her forehead. It didn't help that she was also supremely irritated by the reappearance of Xun and the appearance of Cennetig. She grit her teeth and did her best to force away the bitter feelings. Giving her machine a somewhat unhappy and anxious look.]

[2]

[Peola's taken her practice out of her machine and onto the roof of one of the buildings at Sakihama in the afternoon. Apparently she practices better out in the sun, and for some reason it shows. She seems to be gaining speed with each movement and attack she makes and for a moment anyone - not just people attuned to ki - could spot a faint blue glow radiating off of her. Several makeshift  interlocking obstacles and numerous dummies were all but danced past and pulverized respectively. As she reached the last dummy left standing she delivered a single blow to it before walking away.]

Phew.... Guess I haven't lost it then...

[She looked at one of her hands as she carefully clenched and unclenched it into a fist. The dummy she struck at the last shattered to pieces not long after she picked up a juicebox she left in the shade before she stuck the straw in it and took a sip. Letting out a happy sigh right after.]

You want one too? I have a couple more with me.

Comments

2

[actuallyselfish]

"They just keep coming, don't they?" Dido remarks, pulling up to Peola's training space in a green tracksuit, jogging in place. "Each more ridiculous than the–Ooh! I'd love a juice box!"

[not_a_prize]

[Peola tosses one to Dido with a sigh, taking another sip from her own.]

It was a lot more messier back home, believe me. I just get the feeling its going to get even worse even if I warned off most of them with that message Major Kagura told me to send.

[actuallyselfish]

"Message?" Dido asks, blinking in confusion. "Some kind of horrible threat?"

[not_a_prize]

Pretty much. We said with everything going on here they'd pretty much die horribly, and since I'm working with you guys a lot of people might shoot first and not ask questions later.

[She shrugs.]

Either way it keeps the crowds of idiots off my back. Can't complain.

[actuallyselfish]

*Slurrrrrrrrrrrrp*

Dido sighs in relief. "These things got me through university...yeah, I'd have to agree with Kagura on this one."

She clenches her fist, crushing the juice box in her hand. "If you're polite to idiots like those, they'll think they still have a chance. Be harsh. Shut them down ruthlessly. Send them back to their mothers screaming!"

She frowns. "Or to their Brotherhoods, as the case may be. What exactly is that Brotherhood that Honor-Freak came from?"

[not_a_prize]

Honestly I just tune out everything that guy or anyone from that little club of his says after a while. It usually all the same, honor this, tradition that, brotherhood brotherhood blah blah blah...

There's also something about a great leader somewhere there too but I can't be sure. Kha-something. Or was it Ka-something?

Eh. Can't be important.

[actuallyselfish]

"The way things are going," Dido grumbles, "their 'Great Leader' will probably turn into a giant Kaiju and try to kidnap you."

[not_a_prize]

[Needless to say that earned a rather choked noise and a shudder from the bluenette. The image was unpleasant indeed.]

By the Sun I hope not. I have to deal with enough already with people my own size.

[actuallyselfish]

"I'm not saying you aren't gonna kick his glow-y, blue-blooded ass!" Dido adds hastily. "I'm just saying, don't discount anyone as pointless. Odds are, they'll pop up in front of you when you least expect it."

(Likes your mother.)

She nods at Peola's wrecked dummy. "See you've been putting your Ki to good use. Does that come naturally to your species, or do you have to train for it like Earthlings?"

[not_a_prize]

Makes sense... as weird as that sounds.

[Peola shrugs before kicking at the busted dummy.]

And... I guess a little of both? Back in Magnolys' really early days we had to learn to use our ki to survive our home because of all the things there.

Now its just so dug into us that not using ki is just weird. We still train, but everyone just knows how to tug onto it.

[actuallyselfish]

"So your planet developed Ki manipulation around the same time as the use of tools?" Dido blinks. "That explains your technology, I guess."

She shudders. "You have had some nasty predators back in your prehistory....how long ago was your prehistory, for that matter?"

[not_a_prize]

[Dido's answer is a weak shrug.]

Just really far back. We've never pinned a proper number because the noble families all have their own historical accounts. The royal archives go back about four... maybe five millennia tops, and there's probably things missing.

The fish back home can get pretty big. I'd say the worst of what we still have to deal with are all in the water.

[whats_a_good_end]

Lost what?

[And she looks at the juicebox and nods.]

And sure, count me in for one.

[not_a_prize]

[Peola tosses a juicebox to Ana in a light underhand.]

Just something... Dido mentioned I might not be able to use my Ki properly in Regalis Filia because something's got me worried.

I figured if I trained hard enough out here I could pick it out for myself... but so far I'm okay.

[She shrugs.]

[whats_a_good_end]

Well that's a relief. With suitors everywhere I wouldn't blame you for having things bothering you. Had a few moments of that on my end too.

[In goes the straw and Ana takes a nice long sip of it.]

... Ah, and this takes me back.

[not_a_prize]

To where?

[Peola sounded genuinely curious, as far as she remembers Ana never really talked much about the past to her... aside from that Kitchen incident.]

[whats_a_good_end]

Well, back in the early days of the academy and training to be a test pilot, I didn't have a lot of money. My parents cut me off because of disagreements.

So back then, it was a lot of instant noodles, microwaveable soup, and juice boxes. A lot of them.

[not_a_prize]

But... your family had servants and all right? Wouldn't that have meant taking care of yourself on your own like that...

[She trailed off a little, unsure how to word it.]

Wouldn't it have been a little hard?

[whats_a_good_end]

They did, yeah. They were actually pretty rich as far as military families went. Problem is... they didn't take kindly to me wanting to be a test pilot. Felt I was taking the coward's way out and not fighting directly for the ESUN.

[She snorts a little. Funny how that turned out.]

I had to support myself after that. It wasn't easy, let me tell you that.

[not_a_prize]

I didn't really understand it that much until I came to Earth...

[Peola shakes her head.]

And I can understand family not caring for what you want. I'm just surprised that they haven't said anything to you now because of... well... everything.

[whats_a_good_end]

Oh, they have. I've just not wanted anything to do to them.

"Hey Ana, great to see you're finally risking your life for country and all that!" A lot of letters like that, and even an invitation to be with them this year for Christmas.

Threw that right in the dumpster.

[not_a_prize]

Right... Christmas.

[She still has no idea what that is. Still, it sounds kinda important... right?]

Considering they've only bothered talking to you now instead of any other time I'd say good riddance. Here's hoping they don't decide to drop by thinking you didn't get those letters.

[whats_a_good_end]

Me not responding was response enough for them.

[Another deep drink from the juicebox, before it winds up just gurgling. It's coming up on empty.]

... Got another one of these?

[not_a_prize]

A couple more. I was planning to spend most of the day up here anyway.

[She pulls out a small pack full of the things.]

[whats_a_good_end]

Great.

[She picks another one out and puts the straw in. She goes to sip, but pasues and looks back over at Peola.]

Last one, I swear.

[not_a_prize]

Its fine. I don't mind losing a few since the company's good.

[Peola gently brushes some hair away from her face and gives Ana a small smile.]