Merida appears at his door, unannounced and obviously in bad temper. Aster assesses the situation and says "You've been talking to your mother, haven't you?"

"Yes." And if it had gone well, she wouldn't be at his door.

"Want to spar?"

"Yes."

So they go to the gym, and gear up. Thanks to the practice they've been getting in, Aster is the best at sparring of any weapon in his class. He still can't beat Merida on a good day though.

She takes a swing at him, and as he dodges he can tell that this is not a good day.

"So?" he asks, bracing himself for the explosion.

"She- never listens. She- just- won't- hear what I'm saying." Merida growls, speech accented with every punch or kick. Aster blocks what he can, and the rest doesn't hurt too much.

"I've TOLD her I'm going to finish training at Shibusen. I've told her I want to be a meister, and join the EAT class if I can. And she-still-thinks- I'm- going- home to be the perfect-little-lady that she wants me to be."

She momentarily pauses for breath, and Aster takes advantage of this to use a trip-shove combination that neatly lands her on her rear.

He helps her up. "So why doesn't she want you to be a meister?"

The bout begins again. "Because 'ladies don't fight' and she 'hates to think what kind of manners I'm learning at a school like this'." Merida says. "And I've told her we have diplomacy classes, and study ethics and maths and literature too, but she just- it's like she wants to forget that and focus on the fact that someday I'll be killing criminals."

Merida's hits are more focused and powerful now, so he judges it safe to say. "When you put it like that, I can kind of see why your mum might have a problem with the idea."

She lands a particularly solid blow to his stomach. "And why would that be?"

He counters. "Being a meister is dangerous. And yeah, meisters do kill people- only the people from The List, but there've always been people who don't make that distinction. Maybe she doesn't want you to spend your life fighting, and maybe dying."

"That's ridiculous. I'd be fine. I AM fine." She aims a strike, which he blocks.

"Spoken like a young idiot." he says drily.

"Look, I'm not stupid, I know the risks, I've just- chosen to accept them. I chose a long time ago, and she can't see it."

"Have you explained it to her?"

This time it's a kick, and he barely dodges. "WHAT DO YOU THINK I SPENT THE LAST HOUR TRYING TO DO?"

"You were on the phone for an hour?"

Merida punches him in response.

"Crikey, no wonder you're so worked up about it."

"She's going to drive me mad."

"It's part of her plan. Drive you mad, then drag you home when the meisters won't have you."

Merida makes the gesture to call for a time out. They both take off their helmets, and go for the water bottles. Merida takes a swig from hers and leans against the wall.

"I just... ugh. Dad understands it so well, how come she can't?" she says.

Aster smacks her gently on the head. "Well, she cares enough to stay with you on the phone for an hour. That's somewhere to start."

Merida mutters darkly at her water bottle, then looks up at him. "Thanks for this."

"Anytime."

"We should probably go work on homework."

"Probably."

"Want to meet up in the common hall?"

"Was thinking the cafeteria might be better."

"The chairs aren't as comfortable though."

"Noo, but-" and the argument continues all the way back to the dorms.