[Action] Have Confiance.

[innocent_royal]

[Around a grassy, unpopulated area in the fantasy city of Fayren, Anastasia was alone, with her sword, named Confiance in her right hand and small, undecorated kite shield in her left hand.

The purpose being was she is bored and wanted to get out and burn off the energy she has. So she was here in this empty spot to shadow fence. There was ample shade and the air was cool in her spot, so being active won't bother her.

A down slash, then up slash, a twirl and another up slash, she was a girl who had instruction before. Even so, her steps were often clumsy and her strokes often missed the target in her mind's eye. She was so caught up in her exercise that she, at one point, started collecting mana that formed visible ribbons to cast her destruction magic. But she stopped, realizing that without a proper target, that would only end badly.

Instead, she rested a bit, then returned to her practice swings. Up, down, thrust, side, right spin slash, left spin shield bash and thrust.

Feel free to join this wannabe Warrior Princess.]

Comments

[tsukihito]

How clumsy...

[So says the four-legged onlooker who just so happened to be passing through the grasslands. Tsukuyomi was returning from a hunt when he noticed the girl swinging that odd looking sword around. He paused in his step to watch her train until suddenly feeling the need to scold her.]

You leave yourself wide open for your enemy to strike.

[Despite how true his critique might be, the giant white fox doesn't take a moment to consider his current appearance. He's large enough to eat the poor girl whole and then some. While he's certainly not large enough to match the grand scale of a dragon, Tsukuyomi is almost the same height as the willowy trees that dot the landscape.]

[innocent_royal]

[As Anastasia uses movements for one of her special skills, which no longer work because she gave up that ability for her sub archway, she heard a voice and startled her. Her loss of concentration caused her to lose her footing and fall.

Upon sitting up, she looks around, and was once more startled when she saw the huge animal. Her insistence to wear long skirts prevents her from getting back onto her feet quickly, so at this moment she was helpless and frightened. All she can really do is hold onto her sword and shield.]

"P-Please, don't eat me..."

[tsukihito]

Eat you?

[The white fox stares down at the girl as if she gone mad.]

Now why would I want to do that after a good hunt? [Tsukuyomi settles down on the soft grass and stretches out his paws a little.] You would ravish my bowels.

[While the joke is a tad crass at best, the fox honestly doesn't mean the child any harm.]

There's been enough talk of humans being devoured by beasts. I do not plan to contribute to such a conversation.

[innocent_royal]

[It talks? And it makes such a disgusting joke? Despite it saying it won't eat her, she was still scared as evident by her trembling.]

"You... You can r-really talk? Do... Do you have a name? And...what are you?"

[tsukihito]

[A tense sign escapes the fox as it lowers its head to the ground. The child is terrified of him and he's almost too exhausted to care. Several days without sleep and several more without any proper food, Tsukuyomi is feeling quite lethargic.]

Do you hear me speaking to you? [He questions grumpily with a slight growl.] Of course, I have a name but are you worthy to know it?

[The twin-tailed fox lets out a huff.]

...You may call me 'Yukimura', if you wish it. As for what I am, I should ask you---what do you think?

[innocent_royal]

[That does little to calm her down. But she was able to compose herself enough to get back to her feet, though she was a bit clumsy in doing so. She didn't know if she was going to run or fight, but as a Princess, she'll stand her ground.

She tries to match Yukimura with whatever creature she knows exist in her world, or at least her snow-covered kingdom. There was only one that came to mind.]

"You...look like...a giant winter wolf."

[tsukihito]

[Tsukuyomi cannot help but groan loudly at being compared to a wolf. It reminds him too much of his sibling and he doesn't wish to think of her.]

...I suppose that's a compliment. [The creature mutters as it places its paws over its face to block the sunlight. He honestly detests the sun and all of its self-righteous glory. One of the reasons why he's in such a particularly foul mood is because it's daybreak.]

Little girl. [The fox peeks at her from underneath his massive paws.] Where do these winter wolves hail from?

[autumnthunder]

[The girl wasn't as alone as she may have thought, as she'd caught the eye of a particular wandering general. He'd taken to have a stroll outside of the busy areas of town when he'd noticed her. Initial thought made him wonder if she were simply a child playing, but the longer he'd watched her, the more he realized she was actually training. So naturally, having been assigned to train cadets in his own world, his curiosity was piqued.]

You may wish to work on your posture. It would make it easier to guide your strikes to your target.

[innocent_royal]

[Her concentration was broken when she heard the voice. She looked over and saw the man watching her. She turned bashful for a moment, but did get to shifting her feet around to find a more sturdy posture.

But now she was so aware of what her mistakes could be that she wasn't even testing out her stance with practice swings.

If any of her past experience in training under the tutelage of a instructor has taught her anything, it's to brace for a scolding here shortly. Even from a complete stranger.]

[autumnthunder]

[He certainly hadn't wished to make her so nervous. He had no intentions of scolding her, as this girl wasn't one of his own students, and her being such a young age would get her a little slack from him. Cadets in their mid-teens would get no such favors. Despite his strict military posture with his arms resting behind his back, he speaks gently to her. Which is something Caelestis doesn't do very often.]

Relax. You'll need a clear mind if you want to concentrate and improve your performance.

[innocent_royal]

"Clear my mind..."

[She attempted to do so the best of her ability, but she was still aware she was being watched. Taking a breath and then release with a sigh, she adjusted her footing again and tried one of her special skills, the very kind she gave up for her sub archway, just to see if it actually worked.

A nicely done down side slash and a quick upward, a whisper on her lips. Nothing occurred.

She relaxed, but still looked rather tense as she looked over at the man, wondering if she did any better with that one.]

[autumnthunder]

[When she looks back at him, he gives her an assuring nod and a small smile. That was certainly much better.]

Precisely. So long as you can keep calm and focused, you can easily gain the upper hand against your opponent.

[He bows then.]

I beg your pardon. I served as a combat instructor for knight cadets in my own world, so you had caught my attention.

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia decided she was going to rest a moment and laid down her sword and shield. She turned to the main and dipped into a well-rehearsed curtsy for a moment before returning upright.]

"As a Princess from my world, I have a deep appreciation for knights and all military men."

[02crusnikabel]

[Abel hasn't been around in Fayren for the weekend, he's out of town for work. He was away on a temp assignment to go to Everglade to help calm the demoralized people over the events that happened in their neighborhood. Once he get paid, and the people are almost calm and collected, he left, as he didn't the neighborhood as much as Fayren.

So Abel showed up, looking for her, send her a message beforehand, and he arrived. He's pretty tired and long-winded from the travelling.]

Hi Anastasia. [He started to call her that.] Sorry, I'm late.

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia stopped training when she heard the familiar voice. She actually wasn't expecting Abel as she hadn't checked her messages in awhile. Regardless, she was happy to see him.]

"Abel, good day to you! Umm... Late for what?"

[02crusnikabel]

[At that, he gotten a little nervous.]

"Um...sorry. My head is not in the right place. I've been to Everglade on an assignment for work, so I was out of town. I think I sent you a message, but then I must have forgot."

[Priest has been super busy working, making money, and he makes quite a sum, though travelling on foot and on his bike took a toll on him. Plus, taking care of Alessandro who should be placed in going to school soon. Grown up responsibilities.]

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia moved over to where a cute bag was laying and pulled out her phone from it. She scrolled through the very few messages she ever gets, quickly finding Abel's stating he's out of town and he'll come find her.]

"Oh. Then I suppose it doesn't matter now, huh?" [A small giggle.]

"So, how are you, Abel? Was there something you wanted to tell me?"

[02crusnikabel]

Honestly, you should check your phone, what if its a desperate call for help? :| Not that Abel need much helping, he could help himself, he's a grown up after all. "Nothing much. I did however picked up something neat when I was in the city and I thought you might enjoy."

And Abel showed her the watermelon. "Look! It's really big, and I bet it's sweet and juicy. Maybe one of your chefs in your kingdom can cut it up for us?"

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia gasped in sight of it. She thought it was a huge bomb at first, but the weird color and markings told her otherwise. Is it a fruit? She hadn't seen one so big before.

Regardless, she smiled.]

"Yes. Shall we bring it to my castle now?"

[proud_knight_king]

[It is a sharp voice that cuts through the air of the glade, commanding yet soft as the woman behind it steps into the clearing.]

Thrust, parry then slash. Keep the shield raised, and use it to deflect oncoming swings. Watch your footing and step light, but firm.

[ Saber had come by simply on her own intent to practice herself, having come to this same spot several times before to practice without intrusion. But watching the young girl before her it wasn't hard for her to want to help.]

You have a good form, but you need more practice. Spend tme working on your footwork and the rest can fall into place.

[innocent_royal]

[For a moment, Anastasia was imagining herself back on her world, before everything happened. The voice she was hearing near by, she thought was in her own head. She was able to follow the instructions precisely for a short while before she realized the voice she was hearing wasn't even male.

She stopped training and looked towards the source. A princess never forgets someone like this, all though the memory is vague. She dipped into a curtsy, unable to do it properly because her hands are full.]

"I remember you. You are King Saber, correct?"

[proud_knight_king]

[Bowing in return, Saber makes her way further into the clearing herself.]

That is correct, however you can just call me Saber. I...have no use for titles in times like this.

[She wasn't even technically a king of anything right now anyway.]

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia settles onto the ground. She wanted to take a short break anyway.]

"I understand. I feel the same way, but some people still call me Princess anyway. What brings you around?"

[It seemed too convenient for someone to show up to give her advice.]

[proud_knight_king]

[Saber gestures to the clearing around her.]

This too is where I come to hone my skills with the blade.

It's a quiet place where I can practice as I will. You are quite welcome to join me in it.

[Perhaps once Anastasia gets skilled enough she can have spars with the princess.]

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia rose to her feet and once more curtsied for Saber.]

"I would not pass up an opportunity to learn from a King, if I, myself, am to one day be Queen of my kingdom."

[She picks up Confiance and her small shield.]

"I accept your invitation to practice, Saber."