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 Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2020 12:21 pm
"Horrendously cute," Athalia agreed without a shred of embarrassment. "In fact, I teach several of them," he added. He would have been lying to say that he didn't find it to be a fantastic source of entertainment after a particularly trying week. They had such passion and such heart, but with next to no depth perception only the air suffered their wrath.
"I'm sure my parents found it to be one of the best performances their son ever took part in," he raised an eyebrow, a wry smile on his lips at the thought. "Including the all too wonderful nativity shows for Christmas," he pointed out. It was safe to say that after attending a few of those, his parents had most assuredly not been the greatest fans of them in their later years.
...He hadn't yet had the opportunity to endure that particular trial though.
Nevertheless, it wasn't long before she got to the 'point' that she had been dancing around for some time. What that point was, however, was not something that he had been expecting. Perhaps it had been because of the power she did exude - she was an Eternal and by extension she should have experienced a considerable amount to achieve that power... But here she was, requesting that he provide assistance.
"Still a valuable set of skills to have," he remarked. She was the first who had the capacity to fight in a team and even had a semblance of knowledge, proof that at some point in time they had been more organised in some respects. "But it is never a bad thing to learn to defend yourself in the event that you get separated from your companions," he agreed.
He wouldn't pry as to where her friends might be as that wasn't his business.
"I can show you what I know and we can see how much sticks," he concluded. He wasn't one to promise that anyone would become a master at anything, hell she may have no form at all or she might be a natural, but at the very least the basics could be taught and when the time came she could throw her own spin on it... At least that was the theory anyway.
"But I would request that you keep your Eternal strength to a minimum unless I have my shields up for you to smash in to," he added, acknowledging who and what she was at last. "Contrary to common belief I am strong, but I don't have much of a desire to go flying through a wall because someone has worked out the secret to throwing a punch without shattering their fingers," he finished, amusement lacing his tone.
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:47 am
"You do?" The information only delighted her all the more. There was no way to hide the grin behind her hand at that point, nor the laughter at the adorable image in her mind of it all. For a moment, she felt just... normal. Which was lovely in and of itself. Just a normal chat with someone, getting to know someone. It didn't matter that they were senshi and powered up. There was still an aspect of casual, normal conversation that Metis found she missed. She giggled freely, cheeks pushed up and eyes crinkled at the corner from the wide grin on her face beneath her blindfold. "Not sure how they could have kept a straight face, or how you could. I can remember some nativity plays from when I was little, and dance recitals. Pretty sure tiny tiger beats out feather hairpins and sequence one-pieces... though my parents were incredibly patient with my attempts at grasping the concept of rhythm with those tap-shoes all over the house," she winced, recalling some of the earliest memories.
Moments before she lost her sight--her parents had been too overprotective in her childhood to really allow her to explore and try to engage with the rest of the world regularly afterwards, for a number of years.
Still, she couldn't roll down memory lane unrestricted, and there was a purpose to pursue now in the conversation. He didn't have to accept her request, of course. And, sure, maybe it was a bit odd, an Eternal asking a 'newbie' senshi for help on this front, but she was honest with her reasoning--her knowledge of how to fight was limited. Sure, she survived to this point, but she wanted to be better. Needed to be. She didn't have her team to rely on.
So when he said he could show her what he knew, she lit up, fingers tangling in the gold chain hanging from her waist. His request, if worded among some humor, had her nodding her head immediately, cheeks touched by a hint of pink. "Of course! Last thing I'd want is to risk any injury on either side. Besides, why would I be so cruel as to deprive whatever Negas or youma are out there that would want to send you flying, instead?" A smirk flittered across her features as she spoke, a faint tsk, coming on the end of her words. It certainly sounded like he was making himself into a bit of a target, if he was being genuine... "But... really, thank you. I haven't been able to really seek out help for training in... a while, so this really means a great deal."
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 3:11 pm
"I am fairly certain that hairpins and sequins would defeat tiny tigers in the first few months of their training," Athalia conceded. He wouldn't despair, the smallest of them did learn very quickly, but when it came to coordination there were just moments of complete and utter stupidity. That being said, the senshi could acknowledge that in terms of practice the dance recital tap shoes would probably win by default, even before any small children came to blows... After all, very little training ever happened outside of a dojo in regards to his art.
"Actually they may have hairpins beaten on noise while they learn their codes, but after a while they find their form and become somewhat less non-sensical..." he paused and lifted a brow. "I don't imagine tap shoes become any quieter, though perhaps your parents developed a sense of selective hearing after a time. I know mine conceded defeat and pretended they couldn't hear me when my music teachers elected to have every child join the choir."
"Voices of angels, my a**."
Nevertheless, he waved his hand in a dismissive motion at the thanks offered by the Eternal. It was rare that he met anyone, let alone had the opportunity to train with anyone. If someone wanted to learn then he would assist and no thanks would be necessary. Hell, if it ended up with him not being the only one on his radar capable of breaking more than just a nose intentionally, then he'd call that a win.
"Don't thank me just - " His pause had been abrupt, but his gaze had shifted elsewhere and his head had already turned towards something over his shoulder. It wasn't as close as he would have preferred for it to be, but he knew that signature anywhere by now, and he wasn't entirely pleased to see it.
"Yet," he finished and returned his gaze to Metis. "You will have to excuse me for several moments while I attend to other business. When I return we can exchange details," he remarked as he adjusted his bracer. Struct by a thought though, his eyebrow raised and he flicked his gaze back towards her. "Alternatively you are welcome to come with me and then we can get to the final details after," he offered.
She didn't have to come, but she'd be welcome.
...Not everyone enjoyed getting covered in youma dust and she might have been one of those individuals.
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:59 pm
"I'm not convinced the tiny tigers aren't more entertaining," she hummed, though she laughed outright at the idea that anything could be louder than children learning how to tap-dance. That had to be a feat in and of itself. "Oh no, never any quieter, though, in concept, the rhythm starts actually making sense, and actually matches up with the music. So... eventually it'll sound good? Hopefully, anyway. I think my father made part of the basement a practice zone for me--and his gym--just as an excuse to get me into a place that was more soundproof."
The notion that he'd done choir though had her shaking her head, shoulders still shaking with mirth. "Your poor parents! Are you sure your teacher wasn't just being cruel to everyone with that new order? That just sounds like vengeance for something to me." She was having too much fun with this.
Of course, it made her that much more excited to train with someone that she already felt comfortable just... talking with. She felt less judged in such moments. Was far less self-conscious, more just focused on learning and bettering herself. And, sure, enjoying some banter.
But the sickly sensation that radiated from the distance made the hair at the nape of her neck prickle and spine straighten. Metis let out a soft sigh through her nose. She could hear the movement of fabric as he turned, and knew she wasn't alone in catching the energy signature of a youma. Not incredibly close by, but. Close enough.
The civil, albeit brisk, near departure had her blinking slightly--it was... strange, to her. That someone under her rank was taking the lead on removing a threat. Pride bristled slightly, but she shushed it. Especially when he, after a pause, extended the offer for her to join him. It made sense--depending on what they were up against, she could show him something of what she knew, anyway, or at the very least, her magic would give him easy openings to deal with a disorientated opponent.
A smirk danced across her lips as she inclined her head in acceptance, heels clicking on the pavement as she began to round him. "Sure, I'd be more than happy to. Plus..." She couldn't help it. She was having fun. How long had it been since she could say that, genuinely? Over her shoulder, she called a light, a playful, "I'm curious to see if you can keep up~"
Metis didn't use her full speed as an Eternal--where was the fun in that?--but if nothing else, she was set on giving Athalia a good run for his money, so to speak. Somehow, she'd a sense he'd be putting her through paces soon enough, as it were.
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Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2020 6:41 am
Athalia had never intended to be provocative or prickly for any ally he might meet, but when it came to priorities and addressing challenges, he wasn't really the type to wait around either. Given that the youma had a bad habit of going from otherwise calm and tranquil to bloodthirsty the second they found what they were looking for, he preferred to deal with them immediately and then continue about his day.
...It was just better to be proactive to him.
Nevertheless, if he had caused any immediate offence it seemed that this had been otherwise dismissed. No sooner had he extended his offer of company than the Eternal had challenged him and bolted. He afforded a quiet sigh as she leapt ahead of him and took off at a speed he certainly couldn't reach yet. He would be capable of that at some stage in his career, but at this particular point he could do little more than dart after her as quickly as he was able.
Hmph.
Sure she might be faster, but at least he knew how to do other stuff, right?
He'd have the opportunity to display those qualities shortly and she would be able to do much the same. It would be a lie to say he wasn't intrigued but first he had to get to where they needed to be... Then the fun could start!
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