"Like Obi???" she but her hands on her hi[s and tried to look hurt, but she only ended up laughing

"Morning eleven" she smiled, but lost her smile at the question "Yes, we just got a message from him. He says what we should go tomorrow night, apparently the advisor will be away and the guards who are with him on duty are nott he best ones i believe. We'll be taking the back entryway" she added

Even Obi, who now stirred, turned to look a Stanley with an expression that seemed huffy. Stanley found himself laughing as well, quite amused.

"I see... tomorrow night..." she added. "Well, there's two ways we could spend this time. We can either prepare and train our butts off... or relax and enjoy ourselves. And... oooh. Yikes, Stanley you look awful." She added, shaking her head. "We don't have until tomorrow night, so you should go ahead and sleep."

"You two are terrible," he teased, shaking his head. "But yes indeed, what would you two like to do with this time?" he asked then.

"why don't we combine the two, first we train our buts off and then we relax" Yumi suggested, she didn't want the last moments befor tomorrow night be spoiled by only training, but they did have ot be fit and ready

Stanley nodded. "That certainly sounds reasonable," he replied. "Now then, I am feeling a slight bit better myself so perhaps we can try some combat training. Just in case," he added.

Eleven nodded to this. "You sure?" she asked Stanley, who laughed.

"Oh come now, I wish to be in shape too. besides, we're all in this together. In return, I'll rest as well afterwards."

"Thats a promise you will keep!" Yumi said sternly. "Well your the combat expert aren't you, mr. big-and-scary knight" she said jokingly, she suddenly felt very high spirited. She looked outside and saw that it was a beautiful day, almost treachorously beautiful

Stanley blinked a moment, smiling a slight then. "Yes Mam!" he replied. He knew he had a tendency not to take care of himself. He was far harder on himself too than he had any right to be. And he supposed a bit of rest certainly would not kill him.

At her joke he laughed. "Oh I wish! Lately you two girls could kick my butt in battle!" he said.

Eleven giggled at this too, glad they could all laugh on a day like this.

"Now then, armor up and we'll head outside," he told them with a nod, as he went to get his own armor out once more.

Yumi got her armour and put it on as quickly as she could, which wasn't that quick since it was big and she was small, but she managed.

When she got outside she felt the sun burning, it was pleasant after the gloomy feeling from earlier, she felt renewed, full of energy, the flowers were also starting to come back. She touched a little sprout of green, half expecting it do crumble with her touch, but it felt soft and a bit wet of dew, it actually felt quite pleasant. "Soon everything will renew itself like this, and new life will begin to sprout, life int he forms of muses" she told herself, more in hope than in a statement

Eleven wasn't too quick either, at least, simply because she was unused to the armor even with how light and well-fitted it was. But oddly enough, Eleven was the second one outside. She took in a deep breath, eyes to the sky as the sun radiated down.

Just in time to catch Yumi's statement. "It will," she agreed. "Pretty soon too. Starting in a few days... everything can start anew..."

"Indeed," Stanley replied, coming outside in his darker armor. "Are we set then?" He was running over mentally what he would teach them about, show them. And he hoped, he prayed, that it would be enough.

Yumi jumped when she hear Eleven's voice, she hadn't heard her coming at all. she nodded at Eleven's comment.

"I'm ready" Yumi said in hope ot sound more comfident than she was, she had come tohate fighting and it's high price. But one can't always choose it's destiny and this was hers, and it was a good destiny, to be destined to try and save your country was the best destiny she could wish for.

'Are you ready my littel friend?' she asked the muse 'yes' came a voice, a very feint voice "Stanley!" she called out with excitement "Stnaley, it talked!"

Stanley's usual light smile broadened into a wide grin at the news. "Yumi, that's wonderful!" he exclaimed. Because he knew... it was a huge step. He wished, after all, for one day muses to be best friends with humans. And talking was the first step. He wished for Yumi and her bonds to be as close as he and Obi were. And he also knew that every step after this one would be easier for the pair. It was a warming thought.

"You know, I'm really happy for the both of you," he added, as Obi gave a nod on his shoulder to say he was too.

"That's awesome Yumi!" Eleven added, quite pleased too. Her own muse agreed too, although unlike Obi could not be seen but rather felt.

((Time skip past the training sessions? *tilts head*))

Yumi beamed with happyness, the muse hadn't said anything else, but it was a beginning and it felt good, really good. "so what will the training be?" she asked Stanley curiously, she had renewed energy and wasn't afraid to spill it. It seemed that some moments the trees were speaking to her, giving her energy, like the intire forest was encouraging them to go on with this and to give it their best.

she put a hand on a tree qand whispered "Thank you", she knew it was silly and she hoped the others hadn't noticed it, because it felt really dumb now, as if the trees would listen, but somehow it also felt like a good thing
((that... would be a great ides :] we need some more action action= good))

Eleven had noticed, but didn't mention it. Everyone, after all, had their own habits and whatnot. Perhaps that was just Yumi's.

"Ah, these are training activities for endurance," he replied with a nod. "You may encounter perhaps a few of the.. harsher muses," he told them. "I want you to be ready. I do not know, after all, just how many are under the castle's control. Some, perhaps, may be designed to wear you out, or perhaps as a distraction.

"It is also, a test for myself as well," he added, nodding a slight. After all, he knew there was no way he should be going on this journey if he could not withstand this. "I want you both to come at me, with everything you have. One at a time, I shall have Obi to protect you but I will certainly let you know when a hit scores," he told them, smiling lightly.

"Remember the weakspots I showed you as well," he added. "Pretend I am a guard you will come up against. Are you ready?" he asked. Obi glanced towards him, but gave a nod of understanding. as he vanished completely into Stanley, rather being upon his shoulder.

Stanley stood ready with his blade in hand. He... he did knew a few of the more terrible muses that awaited them. After all, many had been used against him during that time he had been held prisoner. But But he also knew what would be needed to counter them.

Yumi embraced the powers of her muse, but she only asked for the sword, letting the summons out might be too dangerous, since they might see Stanley as an actualy enemy.

"Are you ready?" she asked but didn't wait for an answer and charged, but stopped 2 meters away from him. she took in his stance and how he held his sword. It told her which way he would aim first, what side is his least prepareed side.

then she charged toward his right side, going for just under the ribs, she knew he would block and if he did she would try to gp for his upper sword-arm, but she wasn't sure if ir would work, it was worth sa try. but she made sure to be careful not to really hurt him

Of course he was, his own hands gripped upon the hilt of his blade. It was still strange to Eleven, seeing Stanley decked out in such dark armor, or armor at all for that matter. She watched with her full attention the fight before her, wanting to learn everything she could before it was her turn.

Stanley tended, of course, to favor his left side. Which tended to throw most off, and he noted with a small nod of satisfaction that wasn't the case here. His broadsword met her blade, and with a speed only Obi could help produce, he took a step back and blocked the second blow.

He wanted to see if she would learn hat every muse had their limits, and the key to victory was learning what those were. With Obi, he could only use the rapid speed three times in succession before having to wait. So if she struck at him more than three times in a row, it just might work. But he wanted her to find this out, it was important...

Yumi wasn't surprised to see the first blow blocked, but when Stanley rapidly jumped back she felt like like that one coul've worked, since the muse took action, it gave her a bit more confidence.

she jumped back again, once again taking his posision in and looking for weak spots. She decided to go for his left shoulder this time, and she planned a second charge to his under sword-arm.

She lept foreward with this in mind, making sure the first charge was well blockable, the second one was what mattered

'She's good...' Stanley thought, quite pleased. She already had a plan of battle. He met her charge with her blade, twisting to change his position. She was surprisingly quick however, compared to his normal speed. After all, he had rather heavy armor and without Obi's speed his default speed was slightly slow. Especially compared to her being light and agile.

The second one almost hit actually, and once more Obi intervened to help bring his blade to meet hers. 'Two...' Stanley thought, smiling to himself lightly. One more, he had only one more chance to block with Oni's help. And then... it would be interesting to see what she would do with the knowledge...

She got more and more courage to go on now, but she expected the same move wouldn't work again, so she planned something different this time. the grass was wet so she could be able to do a little spin, she thought about it. She was sure stanley was expecting another 2 move charge, but wiht the right rotation and angle. Worht a try.

She once again charged, going for his sword-arm. but the way herright foot landed she was planning on doing a quick turn as his blade met hers and go for his other arm instead, using the element of surprise

And he was, really. He was patient, and most people who attacked had a routine. He would have to explain about this later he supposed. And that was when she changed her tactics. He had met her first attack, but the second, came as a surprise and landed. He smiled, giving a nod as he took a step back.

"Point," he said, a wide grin on his face. "Excellent! In battle, almost every person will fall into a routine. Or at least, during a prolonged battle. But if you vary it first and throw them off guard, the results can be surprising. Well done, let's keep going," he told Yumi, smiling still.

"I want to show you something. Muses, in long battles, have their limits. That's the only hint m giving you though," he added. Three consecutive hits he would block with Obi. If she could strike four times, she'd have this lessoned learned too. And then, be well on her way. He was proud they had come so far... even though it was sad too in a way.

((Sorry this is so late, Ive been out sick x-x))

Once again she jumped back right after her charge. she beamed when she was complimented my Stanley and listened to every word he said. then she prepared for the next strike, she knew she couldn't spin again, allowing yourself a certain routine was the worst she could do in her own eyes, routines could be read and taken advantage of.

This time she planned a fake charge, she had observed Stanley and his way of blocking. It felt like a dance, you observe and react to eachother. She grinned 'a very deadly dance then' she thought as she charged, going for his right shoulder, but just she she was about to strike she changed coarse to the left, and ancient trick



((thats's okay hope you get better soon ^^))

She learned faster than he expected really. And he knew without looking over Eleven as well was learning too. Both girls really were quite sharp. Since this was a teaching lesson, of course, he was holding back a slight. But then, still, he knew even in a battle with a well-trained guard or even a knight that Yumi would do well. No doubt in his mind at all.

He was prepared to dodge to the right, when he realized a split second after she was going to the left. Obi's power surged through then, as he brought up his blade to dodge in just the nick of time. 'Keep going...' he thought. 'Keep attacking and we're almost there...'

But it said a lot that he had to use Obi's power to block that! Keep the attacks coming like a real battle, and she would definitely get a good hit in. Meanwhile, he himself was getting good practice as well. How long had it been for him since he had been in an actual battle? Quite some time...

((Thanks :3 Oh I have a strong immune system so after a good sleep tonight Ill be good as new I assure ya ;) ))

'What can I use now?' she thought of a good attack combination that would work again. She decided to try and land a third attack, after teh second, she hoped this would work because she was getting tired, and some of the adrenaline built up was slowly sipping away.

she charged for his right upper-arm, and planned to go to his left elbow and then to his left side. she prayed this would work and mentally she was creating a list with attacks that workeed on Stanley and might work to whoever she faced next. she charged silently, stepping lightly on the grass as she raised the sword with her right hand, light as it was for her, and charged, for an expected block. she was fully prepared for the charges after that, and knew where aproxomately he would block her sword.


((haha thats good, same here, as long as youll get better i dont like sick people, alwways feel bad to be healthy XD))

He blocked the blow to his left side using Obi, but the elbow, her blade hit with a resounding CLANK against metal. Had he been but a fraction...

"Okay, okay," he said, taking a few steps back and sheathing his weapon. "Great! Yumi you really are quick learner. Now then, do you know why I could not use Obi's help for that fourth block?" he asked, then nodded.

"Every muse has a limit on how many times their power can be used in a row. Obi's is three before things need to recharge a slight. Every muse has a weakness, remember this alright and protect your own as well." He looked towards Yumi then, and gave a light bow, a bright smile upon his face. "You did wonderful," he told her. "A match well fought."

((Did ya see my reply in bubbles? Ya might have missed it a bit further up the page :3 I wasnt sure so figured Id ask *laughs*))

Yumi grimaced when the hit landed "I'm so sorry" she muttered, the steel had held it, but still. When he mentioned the limit of Obi shi nodded. she walked back to Eleven "How did i do" she asked with a smile. she elt the sword vanish and returned to her own powers with the muse burried deep inside of her

((oh then i have, im sorry ill check it right away^^ and sorry for posting so little, i couldn't think of anything to post ^^'))

Eleven grinned. "You did wonderful!" the girl replied. "Oh man, and now I have to go right after you? After that show its hardly fair," Eleven added. Stanley laughed, taking a moment to walk over by the girls.

"I'm sure you will do fine as well. You two... you two have come quite far you know," he said, then smiled lightly. "Quite far indeed. I, by the way, am just resting a moment. Anything you two would like to do before our fight? Perhaps, before we rest and after we train, soemthing fun?" he asked, arching a brow.

He knew after all, the poor gals really had not had much of a chance to have a fun time during all of this. Even soemthing small might do wonders...

((No worries :3 ))

"thank you" Yumi miled at Eleven. "I can't really think of anything" she answered to Stanley. She let herslef fall down on the grass it smelled wonderfull and the sun was warm. Everything felt so perfect, too perfect to be true really. "To be honest, that fight actually was a lot of fun" she let all her muscles relax as she lied there and closed her eyes. she felt she began to dooze off

((okay ^^ hihi now i miss the sun >cries< ))