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Post by bug on Nov 18, 2011 15:19:12 GMT -5
"387....388.....389..", Lloyd counted out loud as he did two finger push ups. He had completed his morning run early. Even stepping it up to twenty miles instead of fifteen hadn't really made any difference. Class would be starting soon enough. The early morning sun was getting higher and was starting to shine on the center of the court where Lloyd was. "398...399..." on four hundred he pushed really down and bounced up switching to one finger and continued. When he started he had been using his whole hand but slowly taken a finger away every one hundred done. Sweat drops fell on the concrete under his face as Lloyd got into the 430's.
When he had left his house that morning he'd put one of his regular jogging suit. this one was red with white trim and a Shibusen skull on the back like usual. Always good to show school spirit. After his morning run Lloyd had taken off the top and tied it around his waist. His A-line undershirt was soaked with sweat from being under the long sleeve top. "500" With the last of his pushup down he put his full hand down. Letting out a deep breath Lloyd pushed off with his toes and did a hand stand with one arm. Another hundred push ups like this and it'd be time for breakfast. "1..2..3..."
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Post by ghoststalker on Nov 19, 2011 15:20:23 GMT -5
The Celestial Serpent Fold stepped lightly today. For her it was one of those faithful days that brought her one step closer to what she wished for. Her deepest worry laid in the fact that she was a tad too old to attend a school and there was a possibility that there wouldn't be anyone with the soul wavelength that would match her. But after a confusing and tedious wrestle with bureaucracy, she was given a simple sheet of paper with the name of the Meister she was supposed to work with. They gave her very little information on him aside his name, a vague description and where to find him, then sent her on her way. And now she was off to the park to find this mysterious “Lloyd”.
Little sun spots danced over her as she made her way through the park alleys, her gaze softened by the lush greenery of the trees. The familiar sight of the leaves made her feel more at ease, the silhouettes of the students that lounged about and studied under the shade – a lot less threatening. She slowed her tracks for a moment, breathed in the fresh air, then hurried along impatiently.
She had never been to this side of the Park, since she disapproved of training in such controlled environment, but immediately recognized the tall metallic fence of the basketball court. The place looked like it had seen better days, for at some places the pale paint had peeled off the metallic links that formed the framework of the fence and rust could be seen beneath. There was no one in sight but one youth, who appeared to be lost in his personal world of counting vertical push-ups. He did, however, fit the description. Celes narrowed her eyes and decided to observe him for a moment.
She noticed with a nod of approval that he seemed to be in good health. She felt a pang of nostalgia for home, thinking of how he resembled a young stag, his horns still light enough to not furrow his brow, yet full of controlled strength and aiming to tune it finely. Yes, she approved of this one. She hoped he wouldn't be a noisy one. He most certainly seemed dedicated.
The initial intention of Celes was to wait for the boy to finish his push-ups, but his training didn't look anywhere near to an end, so she circled the court in search of the door, then entered gingerly, dreading the moment of introductions. Her shadow fell on him, obscuring the droplets of sweat that had drawn an illegible pattern on the ground. She fumbled with the paper in her hand, not really knowing where to start, then leaned closer and murmured, the Rs heavy in her voicing:
- Are you Lloyd? I am to give you this. Yes.
She held the paper out, not sure whether he can even see her from the vertical hand stand position he was in.
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Post by bug on Nov 21, 2011 6:05:15 GMT -5
"...74...75....76", Lloyd grumbled under his breath almost in a trance as he concentrated on his workout. His corded muscles flexed with each repetition. Like any other day after "75" he always closed his eyes, to get a good relaxing feel of the world before he went about his regular business. It was a truly liberating experience. Without the use of one's eyes the feeling of sound and touch are greatly increased. Lloyd could hear the wind glide gently over the blacktop carrying with it perhaps leaves, food wrappers, or even discarded homework. Slightly off in the distance the conversations and laughs of his fellow students came in almost synchronized rhythm like the sweat falling on Lloyd's callused hand.
" 97....98....99...10-", The hundred dropped off as something different was felt coming near. Lloyd could hear a new sound getting closer, a slow kind of quiet thunder that could only be footsteps. Tensing his arm Lloyd reached out with his soul perception to find out who it was that was interrupting his regular routine. Just a few feet away from him it felt as if there was a vault, a vault with no door and no key. No way in and really no way out, someone that seemed to be slightly reclusive, but on closer look of their soul had a cool blue tint and a simple smile.
A voice called Lloyd back from his soul searching ordeal and with it and opening of his eyes. Where in his mind an indestructible vault was standing waited a frail girl that looked as if the wind itself could make her fall down. She held out a piece of paper in a skinny hand, but Lloyd decided not to take it for now. "Who's asking?"
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Post by ghoststalker on Nov 21, 2011 9:39:57 GMT -5
Celes wrapped one arm around her waist, the tension of the previously anticipated moment of pairing up with a Meister now feeling slightly anti-climactic, yet the lack of ceremonies and official etiquette pleased her. She felt sympathetic to the boy’s choice of a slightly secluded court where few people seemed to come at this time of day, to the simple repetitive training that she knew cleansed the mind like no other task did. She felt like she needed to convey that to him somehow, that that she wanted to learn and become better as a person and as a weapon together with someone like him, but the words fluttered in the confines of her mind, hopelessly caged. She crouched with the purpose of getting a closer look at him. Long black hair rustled on the ground as she leaned to level her eyes with his:
- I am the Celestial Serpent Fold. I have come to tell you that we were assigned to team up. Here.
After this presentation that for her was a feat of loquaciousness, she sat down not very far from him, skeletal arms hugging skeletal knees, the unwavering azure in her gaze fixed on him, the document carefully tucked beneath her bag. The insignia of the Shibusen Academy caught her gaze – she wondered if it was some sort of conformity or he just enjoyed displaying his allegiance.
It occurred to her in a short while, that Meisters maybe didn’t always want weapons – she was a bit vague on the concept, but surely one is capable of refusing your assignment? From where she stood, this Lloyd person may as well be an accomplished fighter by himself – what need has he for a weapon?
Of course there was the alternative – solo weapons existed after all, and were infamous for their deadly skill. Still, Celes dreaded the prospect of having to deal with the Kishin alone. From her point of view, loneliness was in itself an invitation, an opening the madness could exploit. She could never forget the way her parents lingered, like two decrepit straws leaning on each other.
Some people descended into alcohol or violence – and that was somewhat understandable, if a disgrace. However the creeping ruinous silent terror that is loneliness and grief is a struggle few manage to withstand. Celes could never forget the heart-breaking detail of how even when nothing up but dead bodies, her father and mother still held hands. It then dawned upon her that they would have done the horrible deed much sooner had they been on their own. And she feared the fate of the loner.
Celes observed her Meister-to-be for a little longer and then decided that she was invading his privacy. She stood up, placed the papers under a small rock nearby and spoke:
- I disturb you. I shall take my leave.
And then proceeded towards the door, full of uncertainity.
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