Training Day

[knowledgeordeath]

Who: Kolivan and YOU
Broadcast: Nope
Action: On the Iskaulit
When: Today!

[Kolivan has been getting more familiar with locations here but one thing is clear...he needs to keep up with his own personal training. This may be a peaceful time here but he knows there are dangerous people already in this place. People he needs to prepare himself for should they decide to be anything less than peaceful.

So he's either in the gym or the obstacle course when he's not attending to his duties on the ship he was assigned. It means he's not asleep much but then again it's not like he is one to spend much time at rest. Not when he feels that there is a very real danger he needs to be prepared for. Just in case. Because he doesn't ever want to be caught off guard again and overwhelmed. He wants to be able to face his foes head on and not lose.

This also means it's easy enough to come across him and even if he doesn't look your way instantly it seems rather clear that he already knows you're there. Like he sensed your arrival. But it's only when he's finished a series of complex movements (with his sword and legs in the gym or through the more complicated area of the obstacle course) that he actually acknowledges you.]

Do you need something?

[It's gruff but...he's always like this. Don't mind him.]

Comments

[knowledgeordeath]

It isn't meant as an insult. I would say that I am average for my species though.

[He observes Robin as he moves up onto the balance bar. After a moment, he nods.]

Balance and acrobatics are useful in battle. It is important to train yourself with both.

[Walking over, he considers for a moment before pointing to the rest of the obstacle course.]

Run this with me. We will take different routes and your goal will be to keep up.

[And he turns to go to the start. He's honestly just trying to help with Robin's training. This is just how he's used to doing it.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Are any of the other Blades of Marmora taller than you on this ship? [Because that is just frightening]

[Tim will simply hop down again and join Kolivan at whatever starting position he's set out.]

Ready! Set! Go!

[This, this is easy and fun! He may not have Kolivan's lengthy stride or strength but he knows how to move in a chase, how to keep up with getaway cars by being smart, fast and small]

[knowledgeordeath]

No. All of my Blades here are smaller than I am.

[He's the only one easily over eight feet tall. Seriously it's no wonder he struggles with the low ceilings and doorways on their ship.

When the challenge starts, he doesn't hold back. Despite his massive size, he moves quickly and easily, sometimes even skipping obstacles because he's simply managed to jump over them. A glance to his side shows that Robin is keeping up.

He maybe smirks about it. Maybe. You can't prove anything.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[He talks while he runs, and the jumping the obstacles bit is so cheating! despite that he laughs]

Oh thank god, I'm already feel bad for you dealing with space issues. If there were anyone bigger that'd be ridiculous!

[Now he just needs to find a way to get ahead. At the top of the second to the last obstacle, he leaps off and uses Kolivan's own shoulders to launch in front of him.]

[knowledgeordeath]

[His eyes narrow but it's not quite for the reason one might think. After all, he's not a competitive person. However, he doesn't say anything for now.

No, instead he actually intentionally slows down.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim continues to move into a second lap but then notices Kolivan is slowing down so he turns and stops at the top of another obstacle.]

Is something wrong?

[knowledgeordeath]

[He comes to a stop and looks up at Robin.]

What did I say?

[This boy reminds him too much of Keith.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

You didn't say anything, but you slowed down?

[His head tilts to the side; there's no way he is injured. Did he do something wrong?]

[knowledgeordeath]

I said to keep up with me.

[Guess what pushing ahead of him is not. He'll wait for it to sink in.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Oh. Right.

I thought you said that because you didn't expect me to be able to? [He shrugs sheepishly]

[knowledgeordeath]

If you cannot keep up then that is your own fault. I expected you to be able to.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

And I did? And more?

[He sighs]

Is this about listening to instruction properly?

[knowledgeordeath]

Learning to keep up with someone, to match the speed of that person, tests your abilities in ways a race cannot. Not only do you have to focus on your own ability but you have to see if that person who is your partner remains at your side.

[A moment and then...]

I was shown recently that staying with someone or going back for them can change the course of an entire battle. If you practice keeping up with me then you will find yourself looking at the world in a new light, adjusting to challenges in ways you have not before.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

There's another saying from my world that a part of the military has, Semper Fidelis. It literally translates to Always Faithful which means that you're loyal to your squad and you leave no man behind.

[He's still a shame faced for getting this wrong. Apparently that means only slight related facts come out. Like a tickle me Elmo but educational!]

I'm sorry, I misunderstood the exercise. Can we start again?

[knowledgeordeath]

We will begin from where we are. Remember that this is not a race.

[Just like that, he doesn't wait and he starts up again, leaving Robin to have the challenging path to find a way to match his pace.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim doesn't have to wait long before Kolivan is running ahead and he sprints to keep up. He sets a goal for himself to keep a little to Kolivan's left and a couple of paces behind.

He wonders if Kolivan would ever wear a cape.]

What kind of terrain do you normally have to deal with?

[knowledgeordeath]

Every planet has a different terrain to adapt to. We have to be prepared for all of it in order to do our jobs.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Ever had anything give you a lot of trouble? Live volcano? boiling acid? static electricity make your fur all stick out? Hell is there anything you're not good at?

[He could be quiet and not ask questions but meh. If someone is quiet he feels the need to fill the silence with chatter apparently.]

[knowledgeordeath]

Telling you what I am bad at would be a show of weakness. That would be unwise in this setting.

[Look. He's a paranoid space cat, Robin. Give him some time.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

I understand. [And he's a Bat. He must know all strengths, weaknesses and where you sit on a character alignment chart. Neutral Good perhaps?]

So who are your allies on the Fleet? I'd love to see you spar with someone more your size?

[knowledgeordeath]

Not all of my allies are my size. Some of them are quite small. However, the closest to my height is Ulaz.

[And watching them spar could certainly be arranged.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Oh! Ulaz, we haven't met but Kogarasumaru-san has spoken of him briefly. He apparently considered him one of his sons now so I imagine he's someone to be respected.

[I mean Manji is his son too, so maybe not? I mean he can respect Manji for his skill even if he's undecided on him as a person right?]

[knowledgeordeath]

[.................what.]

I...see.

[He'll have to...ask Ulaz about that.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim chuckles, he adds that to the mental tally of times he's surprised Kolivan]

I think you'll like Kogarasumaru-san too actually. He's the living soul of a sword and seems very skilled with it.

[knowledgeordeath]

The soul of a sword.

[How...ironically appropriate.]

I'll speak to Ulaz about it later.