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 Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:07 am
Cobalt was puzzled. "So, you mean to say that the majority of my training...I'll have to do it alone? Figure it out myself? That's unlike any training I've ever heard of. However, that may be why it works...Still, it's odd." Since he had never trained before, he had no knowledge about what was required. Perhaps it was customary to perform the training yourself, at least part of the time. "Anyway, I said I would be glad to learn anything you could teach me...and I hold to my word. I am willing to do whatever it takes, even I do not understand how or why."
"If this is true about Kalonas...then I have already lost the battle in my heart." Cobalt said, smiling sadly. "I have let them do that already, they have already influenced hate in my heart." Cobalt stamped his hoof, an icy determination in his eyes. "But I will not let them do so any longer, not if it prevents me from besting them in battle." Besides, he figured it was about time to let go of that anger and hate...it was self-destructive, and caused him nothing but grief.
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:25 am
"Well yeah." she then said, while titling her head slightly. "I didn't really believe it myself at the time, but fighting is actually very mental in essence. If you aren't prepared mentally, then you shall never prevail. Those that go into fights on brute force can be easily ridiculed out of a fight. That's not to say that brute force isn't important," she then added, while lowering her eyes a bit, "all aspects of fighting are important, so you must hone whatever your weaknesses' is first." From her experience and her father's, the mental was always the hardest part.
"Then they shall influence no more." she added, while shaking out her mane a bit. "If you wish to be free then you must better yourself first. That is what training is all about you know." He was already a strong stallion, but he wasn't seeing that in himself. He needed more confidence, though Iofiel also knew that confidence was the hardest part to the training. "As for me, I liked to double train, since it was harder. Once I got used to my mental training, I would do it while running, swimming, or vigorously exercising in some way. Fighting is both a physical and mental battle, and you have to do both at the same time eventually."
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:25 pm
Cobalt nodded, the icy fires of determination burning in his frigid eyes. "My weakness is definitely my mind...my doubts and worries...even I know that they hold me back. But I am ready. Tell me how to better myself in this regard, and I will do it, no matter what it is. How do you go about honing your mind?" Cobalt had never felt this way before. Energized, infused with strength almost, ready to do anything, no matter how challenging. It astounded him, this confusing new emotion. Perhaps...could it be that hope had sparked in the hopeless stallion?
"Freedom is something I thought I understood...but I still kept my mind in chains of belittlement. If training will help me set myself free, then that is an unexpected joy, as I thought that nothing could free my mind." Cobalt grinned mischievously. "So, where should I start?"
The prospect of training was influencing Cobalt in an incredible way. He had been given hope that he could better himself, and it sparked an insaitable flame in his soul, as hope is wont to do, and, inspired to be more, Cobalt was left wondering how to take the first step. Surely Iofiel had the answers he sought.
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:41 am
"Everyone has doubts in their minds. What many don't realize is, doubts and worries aren't necessarily weaknesses. They remind you of who you really are if you start to lose yourself." Iofiel acknowledged any doubt as a part of herself, and it was something she was taught to do by her brother of course. "Ah yes, your mind." she paused, and let her hooves drift into the moving water on the beach. "What do you think the air sounds like? Do you think the trees are ever talking to you? Have you ever listened to bugs, even ones you can't see?" she brought her dark eyes on the stallion's, and chuckled a bit under her breath.
"There are noises that most cannot hear or understand. To reach a point of true skill, you have to attempt to really see, hear, and feel things. Unfortunately, you'll have to avoid social contact until you hone your skills. It just takes a ton of practice and reflection... do you think you would commit to something like this? I wasn't taught really how to do it, I was just advised to do it. And I can tell you personally that my fighting has become unbelievable because of my new perception on life and nature."
She then flipped her hair out of her eyes before shrugging her wings a bit. "Like I said, the physical practice comes after you get your mind perfected. I am happy to do that sort of training once you get yourself prepared. I just hope this is all making sense for you, I know it may sound strange. I was confused at first when I was taught, but it really begins to unfold once you get your mind moving."
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:33 pm
"No...I haven't done or heard any of those things." Cobalt said, a startled expression on his face. The trees talked? He had never heard them say a word...Confused and conflicted, the only thing that was clear to him was that he had to enhance his senses...and the best way to do that was to train alone...honing his mind.
"I can commit to this...I am alone usually anyway, however, I have never paid such attention to my surroundings...I could use this training, I believe." Cobalt didn't know exactly how, but he would complete this training. And then... "I will find you afterwards...to start the physical training. Do you think I can succeed...with the mental training, that is? I have never done something like this before, and I won't lie, this is all sort of confusing to me. How will I know when I have completed my training?" Full of questions, but also determination and excitement, Cobalt was ready to start training. Perhaps his mind would become stronger...strong enough to face up to his doubts and worries, challenging him to discover who he truly wanted to be.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:01 pm
"Of course you can." she then exclaimed, since she was glad to see he was once again committed to the task. "As long as you completely focus on the task, you will see what I am talking about. There is a concentration that comes with this training that truly is unbelievable, and you will be glad once you begin your training." She paused then, and smiled more genuinely then before. "Leave any doubt or insecurity behind you, and remember that this training will bring a new age, and new days to live by." She couldn't wait to see his progress, and she knew he would get the hang of things quickly. He wanted change so badly, and surely enough change would come!
"You'll know you are done when you feel a great confidence in yourself, a new era forming in your mind. I'll be waiting for you then, and the physical training will be a nice change from your long inner focus. You can do it, and you will be great. I look forward to the next time we meet, of course."
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:19 pm
"So, I will go on a journey of solitude. I'm presuming that this journey begins almost immediately, and I will definitely return to you when I have finished it." He smiled slowly, a great excitement bubbling inside of him. It was the start of a grand adventure, one that would change and mold him, making him who he was supposed to be. Hesitantly, he waited for her to tell him whether or not to head out, as he wasn't exactly sure if she meant for him to leave immediately, or if she had some more words of wisdom to offer him before he left on his journey.
"At any rate,it has truly been a pleasure, meeting you that is. You've challenged me to better myself, and I feel as if I will somehow be different when this is all over."
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:36 am
"Ah, it has been a pleasure meeting you, and I can't wait to see your progress in the future! Never give up hope, and never give in to anybody but yourself." With a confident nod, the mare eyed the stallion one more time before bidding him farewell. "You will be great, Cobalt. I'm glad to have aided you." Plus, she knew he would keep hi promise to himself and truly transform for the better. "Good luck, and I'll see you soon!" and with that, she moved herself so she was walking the opposite direction of Cobalt, though never turned back to eye him once again. This was his journey now, and she would reunite with him soon enough!
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