Chapter 2: Training
The morning went by quietly as Yuna and RIkku went back to bed after having a drink at the bar, Buddy and Gippal went back to the bridge to make sure they would be ready for that day's flight; while Paine stayed with Astron helping her put things away. "How many weapons do you have Astron, this is nuts!" She held up a long steel staff that had the head of a wolf on it, "and what is this?" Smiling the raven beauty looked up, "That love is my black mage staff, very unique, also used as a walking stick when injured." Chuckling as she pointed to a wall where it was to be placed on two hooks, "It goes on the top two hooks hun, then the next size down to the smallest please?" Nodding Paine took all the staff's over and began mounting them. "Babe, you were really looking for me all this time?" She didn't need to look to know the woman was smiling, "Yes Paine all this time, hey when we're done here want to go on deck and train some, bet I can still take you!"
Turning with a wide grin Paine rested against a staff, "Oh woman you really want to get your ass beat today!" Twirling the staff then placing it quickly on the wall she looked around the room, "However you can only have one weapon, like me." Placing a large sword on the mount next to the door Astron nodded, "How about you pick what I use, it's only fair?" She knew giving the woman that option meant she probably could only use her gunblade, which in reality were two weapons anyway. "Ok yeah, the one you beat me with originally, your gunblade, that's your weapon." Paine moved to the blade that resting against the couch, picking it up, "Hmmfp, did this thing get heavier?" Nodding Astron simply smiled watching, Paine after a few minutes got the sword out of its sheath, "That sheath lies, this thing shouldn't even fit in that small binding!" True enough the width of the sword was triple the width of the sheath itself, and the blade was about three and a half feet to four feet in length.
Walking over Astron held her hand out for the gunblade, as Paine gave it to her she flicked a button on the hilt and it became much smaller, and looked more like a long barreled pistol, "It's not hard to use once you know the tricks of it, but I am happy you chose the gunblade, it's my favorite weapon." Paine took one more sweep over the room with her eyes smiling, "Looks like we are done, so wanna go up now and see what you got and what I have learned?" chuckling the woman sheathed the gunblade slinging it onto her back and shouting over her shoulder, "Oui yht ouin duudrbelg tuh'd ryja y lryrla!" Running out the room and up the stairs to the elevator quickly she could hear Paine yelling after her, "Duudrbelg, drec ec hu duudrbelg!" She came running up sword in hand, just in time to watch Astron wave at her as the doors closed, "See ya up there babe!" echoed through the steel doors.
Grumbling Paine was forced to wait, finally a few minutes later the elevator opened and she stepped in, only to be jumped by a mass of yellow hair, "Rikku!" shoving the girl off her and straightening herself up she waited till the elevator started up. "Hey Dr. P why do you have your sword out?" looking down at her sword she smirked, "Training with Astron, that's where I am going right now, she called it a toothpick, I'll show her what this toothpick can do compared to that club she calls a gunblade." Giggling Rikku leant against a wall, "Can I watch? OH before I forget we will be heading to the Thunder Plains, Gippal says there are sphere waves acting up." Nodding Paine kept waiting, "Hey Paine, did you and Astron this morning after we all left…"
"Down to 65 points RIkku." The warrior calmly stated as they reached the deck, chuckling to herself as she stepped out and Rikku muttering 'damn it' under her breath. "How can I earn points back?" She bounded up next to Paine nudging her with her shoulder, then stopped seeing Astron in a routine, her body moving fluidly with the sword, "You are gonna sparr with that?" Rikku points to the very long sword. "Yes I am, and I will let ya know what you can do later to earn back points." Stepping closer to the tall woman Paine gave a small smile, hand gripping her sword tightly as she swung trying to take the other woman off guard, but within a second Astron turned and their swords connected with sparks and a loud clang noise. Rikku's eyes went wide never seeing anyone Paine couldn't sneak up on, this woman sure was good; sitting down on the cool deck floor Rikku got settled ready to see this match up in action.
Paine pushed her blade forward trying to get Astron off balance, but every time she pushed forward the woman would push back gaining momentum, then without delay Astron moved to the side watching as Pain stumbled forward. Patting the silver haired woman on the ass with the flat side of her blade chuckling, "Ever aggressive, Gippal tells me you are the reason YRP wins so many battles, but here am I a distraction love?" Paine set her jaw. Pushing away the tease and the anger that it brought to her, knowing attacking out of anger was just stupid. "Maybe you do, but then again sometimes that can be used at an advantage." They circled each other again, trading blows when one lunged or stabbed, deflecting easily, the sparring match became much more as an hour past. Both women coated in a sheen of sweat as they up'ed the game, striking harder, faster and with different moves than either have used on each other before. The blonde was so engrossed in watching them she didn't notice Yuna walk up and sit beside her, gently taking the blonde's hand and kissing it finally got the blonde's attention. "Oh hey Yunie, look at those two, it's like they are completely in sync." The brunette watched for a few moments, "They do seem to read each other pretty well, but look Astron is playing with Paine. She sees one of Paine's weaknesses but isn't going for it, every time Paine stab's or lunges she always goes to the right. Wonder why Astron won't make the move?"
Noticing it after her girlfriend pointed it out Rikku wondered as well, "Maybe she doesn't want to get the upper hand, maybe she wants Paine to win. I mean she did win in front of a crowd, and to beat her again would give Paine a major blow to that brooding ego of hers." Yuna looked at Rikku shocked, never ever hearing Rikku be so articulate before, "Wow Rikku you might be right, when did you get so damn smart?" Grinning the blonde leant over and kissed Yuna softly, "I've always been smart just never had the need to sound smart." both girls giggling turned back to see both women taking a breath and just looking at each other.
"You have definitely learned a lot since we met." Astron states panting, leaning on her sword, "But you have one small weakness that could be exploited." taking a deep breath she stood up tall again. "Weakness, like what?" Paine wasn't exactly sure what she was talking about, 'is it the side I favor, the sword technique I use, what?' her mind was racing with questions. "When you stab or lunge you favor your right side, mix it up and go to your left as well, if an opponent see's this they will get you." Quickly the blade was turned into its pistol form and aimed right at Paine's head, knowing what was coming next the smaller woman lifted her sword just in time to deflect a bullet. "Hey that's not fair!" Yuna yelled from the sidelines but Paine was quick in reply, "Ed'c vyen! Tuh'd ehdanvana!" Rikku pulled the brunette back down and into her lap, "Paine knows what's happening and I don't think Astron would kill her." saying that they heard three more shots but also heard three more bullets connecting and being deflected by metal. They watched silently as Paine deflected every shot Astron aimed at her, but the tall woman had another idea, "Let's see how fast you are Paine." There was a clicking sound in her gun and without looking she aimed her gun directly at Yuna and Rikku. Both women went wide eyed, but were so shocked they couldn't move, as Astron pulled the trigger Paine was already running to them; within seconds she made it deflecting the bullets but instead of a clanging noise, there was a splat noise. Looking at her blade she saw three small paint dots, "I wouldn't actually shoot them, I am not inhuman." Astron strolled up smiling at the three women, "Paine you have definitely improved and if you ever need backup, well you have these two but if you ever need my help let me know." Leaning down the woman kisses Paine's cheek then heads to the door to go back to her cabin.
In frustration Paine kicked the deck floor, then looking to her friends who were still a bit shocked, "You two are fine, I need a drink." She quickly moves to the door and to the bar. The two women shook their heads, "She shot at us, really shot at us." The blonde was dumb founded; did Gippal let a psycho on the ship? "Rikku they were paintballs, she wouldn't have hurt us, well maybe some small welts but that's it, she wanted to see how fast Paine was, and holy shit she's fast!" Rikku began laughing, "Ya know Yunie, if others would hear that out of you…I think Spira might explode! The high summoner using language like that tsk tsk" giggling Rikku waves a finger in front of Yuna's face, "Oh stop it you, you like it, besides who else is here…no one so I am good." Slowly standing, entwining their hands they walk back inside.
"Have you noticed when Paine is by Astron, she is more talkative, I mean I asked her one question about how they met and I got all the details!" The blonde was excited thinking maybe this will loosen Paine up, the brunette giggled as they entered the bar seeing Astron talking to barkeep with Paine beside her, looking up barkeep smiles. "Hello Mish Yoona, Mish Rikku." Smiling they sat beside the two women, "Hey barkeep, give us our usual please." Yuna stated leaning on the counter, "So Rikku told me on the way down here we are heading for the Thunder Plains, ever been there Astron?" The tall woman's eyes darkened noticeably as she looked into her empty shot glass, "I have been there." She felt a hand rest on her leg, looking down with a smile noticing it was Paine's gloved hand. "Oh what were you there for?" the brunette questioned. "I went for a concert, yours to be exact, after that I had to run, some pretty nasty people were after me." The room grew quiet, barkeep poured everyone another round of shots, downing it Astron got up from her stool, "I need a nap, see you guys later." Leaning over she kisses the warriors cheek whispering, "feel free to come in whenever you want." then quickly made her way to the stairs and to her cabin.
Paine looked at her two best friends as she waved for the barkeep to pour another, she wasn't sure what happened to Astron but she sure wasn't going push it; nor were her friends. "Don't push it Yuna, I know how you are. She'll tell us when she is ready. Oh and Rikku just because I talk while Astron is around doesn't mean I will always talk." She knew she better nip Rikku's excited questions in the butt, she was still mostly a loner, mostly. Nodding that she understood Rikku slumped in her chair watching the silver haired girl leave. "Yunie, I think Paine might become worse." Scooting closer Yuna laid her head on the blonde's shoulder, "Paine is Paine, I am glad we have Astron though. She's tough and I think we will all be good friends, she just needs to get adjusted." Giggling Rikku set down her glass, "Oh yeah and Paine is perfect to get her 'adjusted'" she stated with air quotes, earning a playful slap on her shoulder from her girlfriend, "You are so bad Rikku, if only the others knew how you are when they are not around."
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Paine stood outside of Astron's cabin, knowing she could go right in but very hesitant as she was about to knock on the door she heard footsteps behind her; turning she saw Gippal. "Hey Dr. P, wanting to see your girl?" only nodding Paine didn't say anything as she looked at him. "Well can you give her this from me, a letter I was supposed to give her a long time ago." Paine took the envelope looking at her own hand writing on the envelope, "You never sent it!" Gippal gulped and took off down the hall, "Sorry Dr. P!" Before she could do anything he was gone, gripping the envelope she decided why knock? Opening the door the lights came on immediately and she looked around. Not seeing Astron anywhere she assumed she as in bed, walking to the door she listened but heard nothing so she slowly opened the door; sure enough Astron lay under a black comforter sleeping. She stepped in and closed the door behind her quietly, noticing that the woman's shoulders were bear she wondered if Astron still slept nude. Approaching trying not to make a sound she lifted the comforter, a sly smirk forming on her lips; she still slept nude. Setting the envelope on the night stand, Paine moved to the other side of the bed stripping down to her leather bra and thing, then slid in behind the taller woman. Wrapping an arm around the strong waist and snuggling up behind her; instinctively Astron turned around in her sleep and nuzzled the crook of Paine's neck before settling her head on the smaller woman's shoulder. "Cmaab Famm Ycdnuh." Paine kissed the top of the woman's head as she closed her eyes drifting to sleep.
Alright hope this one was fun (yes I Love fluff this is what it will mostly be) Translations below.
Astron: You and your toothpick don't stand a chance
Paine: Toothpick, this is no toothpick!
Paine: It's Fair! Don't interfere!
Paine: Sleep Well Astron