10/06/16
I feel like Scott Cawthon, I set a specific schedule for how I'm going to release this only to decide a few moments later, screw it, here world! Take it! I just...I don't know I love this story so much I just want people to have it and read it. Original plan was 2 chapters on tumblr in 1 day then both chapters on ff and ao3 over 2 days then repeat till done. But now. Just take it. Take it and read it. Patience was never one of my best virtues anyway.
That aside there are A LOT of sparring matches in this story (well...duh) here is hoping they are all at the very least enjoyable to read.
Learning
Another day meant another intense sparring session between Kruse and Elma. Having charged each other the pair now stood with their blades locked in place, each trying to push past the other but gaining nothing. Stressing, Kruse broke away and leapt out of range of Elma's following attack.
She quickly shot at him and struck, watching closely as Kruse blocked her attacks. It was very easy to see that he was improving. He had far fewer openings and the ones that were there, were brief.
Quickly she swung her blade around and went for his leg, he jumped over it and brought his blade down on her back but it was stopped by her second weapon.
Flipping away he landed, Elma faced him and brought her blades up. "Well…you are much more aware of everything that's for sure."
Kruse nodded, keeping his eyes locked on Elma's weapons. As he stood and prepared himself Elma smirked and moved in again. Kruse blocked and reflected her blades near perfectly. He moved in and struck her once before returning to the defensive. All the while repeating "Focus. Focus." In his head.
Just as an opening presented itself he felt a massive blow to his stomach. Stepping back he was defenseless to stop the following strike from hitting the side of his face and throwing him to the ground.
Spitting on the ground he looked over to Elma "Did you just knee me in the gut?"
"Well it was clear you were watching these." She spun her blades around "So you left yourself pretty open to…well, just about anything else."
Kruse shook his head and sat on the ground "Right."
"Kruse. You are doing better, you have to know that."
He sighed "Yeah but every time I think I have you figured out you throw in something new or expose some new opening I didn't even know about, hard to feel like you're progressing when every session ends the same way."
Elma couldn't help but let out a small laugh, causing Kruse to look at her "What?"
"Well Kruse if I may ask, what did you think I'd do? Come at you the same way every time? I'm learning as well, Kruse. Our sessions aren't just helping you, y'know."
Elma sat down in front of him and smiled "Besides, regardless of how our spars end it's very clear to me at least that you are doing an amazing job, alright?"
Kruse watched her for a few moments before looking away, feeling his face burn. Why is it that even after all this time all Elma had to do was get close to him to cause him to feel like a love-struck teenager.
Clearing his throat he spoke "That means a lot…thank you, Elma."
"So. You'll be heading over to Oblivia to meet with the Wrothians in a few days, are you ready for that?"
He looked back at her and nodded "I think so. When I asked Ga Jiarg about training with him or even just the Wrothians he said he wanted to see my drive. He appreciated my interest in their culture but as with many things they truly speak through battle. So whatever this test is…I have to show them that I want this, with everything I have."
Elma held out her hand, Kruse took it expecting her to help him up only for her other hand to cover his. He fell silent as he looked at her "You'll do great Kruse. I know it."
After a long silence he finally mustered up enough courage to ask "I feel I could do better if you were there too."
He looked into Elma's eyes as she thought about this. "Well…I have work that day…"
Immediately, Kruse took his hand from her, stood up and turned away "Right! Right of course! I can't expect you to ignore other set duties for a silly little personal thing. Right! Never mind what I said!"
Elma looked at his back oddly before chuckling and standing "If you're sure."
Kruse looked down. He really wanted her there.
"Let's head back to New LA, it's getting late."
As they walked back to the city, Kruse felt like he should say something else. Ask her something important but his words kept dying in his throat.
She must've noticed because she gave him an odd look "You're never this quiet Kruse. What's wrong?"
As they kept walking he thought of something to say, anything. "I just…I want to thank you, Elma."
They stopped moving as he continued "I want to thank you for sparring with me, training with me…I've learned a lot. You're always so busy, the fact that you take time out of your day to help me with this. It means a lot, it really does."
Elma smiled "You're welcome Kruse. But I didn't just do this to help you…I did it to thank you."
"Thank me?"
"Kruse. You didn't think I didn't notice all the times you asked to join me on my missions no matter what they were right? Or all the times that I came back to the barracks late you made sure I ate and slept. Or all the times I was at my desk filing reports, you were there lending a hand."
Kruse looked down only for Elma to put a hand under his chin and make him face her "The things that you've done for me…they mean more to me than you will ever know. And I truly thank you for that."
He smiled and nodded as she took her hand away. "You're welcome…"
With a smile Elma turned and continued walking back to New LA while Kruse tried to still what felt like crazed beating in his chest.
