"Alright team, we're going to try something different to train. Each of us will take turns carrying one another bridal style, from here to," He points off into the distance, "That tree." I scoff and say, "There? We're never gonna be able to do it. What do you think we are? Marathon runners? We'll give out on the first mile!" His smile twitches. "We'll just have to see, now won't we?" Yeah, thanks 'leader'... "First up, we carry our partners, reverse order." Oh great. Nicky steps over and mutters, "Look I don't like this either, but we have to at least tolerate one another if we're going to get through this." "Yeah, yeah," I answer and grab her into my arms. She looks at my eyes, and what I see startles me. Complete calm, and trust. As if she doesn't just think I can do it, she knows. There's not a single doubt. It imbues a confidence in me that gets my blood pumping faster, but also makes my heart pound for some reason. I glance over at Harmony in Kale's arms, easily supported by his muscular, brutish body. "Start." He calls, and I start fast-walking. Nicky grips my neck tighter. What a wuss.
I'm almost there, but my strength is fading. I heard something. Was that... Nicky? "Only a half a mile left, Keep on, Sage. If you drop me, you're dead." I'm huffing and puffing, but I manage to say, "Right, what a way to encourage me..." I gulp down my pride, but for a moment. "But, thank you for the support, Nicky." She gives me an easy smile I thought I'd never see on her face. Why she seems so emotionless most of the time, I have no idea. Okay, focus, Sage. Keep on. Only a little further.
Nicky reaches up to kiss my cheek, immediately making me almost stumble over a root poking out of the ground. I curse under my breath and glare at her. She giggles an evil giggle, remarking, "Look where you're going, idiot~" I force myself to look away from her and focus on the idea of soon carrying Harmony... Who is way cuter than Nicky could ever be. Damn it... I can't have a crush on them both, can I?
Setting Nicky on the ground, I flop beside her. "Well... that was..." I inhale sweet, precious air thankfully. "Difficult. Definitely a workout." Harmony jumps up and down and squeals, "Let's do it again!" We all laugh at her eagerness. It's time to carry someone again. "This time, I'll be carrying Nicky and Sage'll be carrying Harmony. Don't forget, tomorrow it's Nicky and Harmony's turn to carry. Let's go." Harmony hops into my arms. She's extremely light, and giggles as I am surprised by the lack of weight on her.
Harmony tucks her head into my neck and whispers, "You can do it. Please keep going." "Ah," I chuckle, "I got this. If you were Nicky, I'd be having some trouble." She giggles again, bringing a smirk to my face because I'm too tired to laugh. I'm put at ease around her. Making people's guards come down may be her semblance. I'd believe it. "Hey, um, Harm, so that was your sister back there?" She giggles and nods, then frowns slightly. "She's... not been that close to me lately. Ever since she graduated Beacon she's been distant. Something happened to her, but when I ask all she does is hang up the phone. I'm tired of trying to fix her problems. Her and my parents are the only ones I actually can't keep peace with. I don't understand it." "Well," I say, "I wasn't that close to my parents either. They sent me off to Beacon believing that my fire could be controlled and tempered to fight Grimm." Harmony adds with another giggle, "There's no controlling a dragon!" I huff a laugh, shaking my head at her teasing. A warm bubbly feeling fills me at the thought of spending more time with her. I've never... had a real friend before. Everyone is always put off by my extremely volatile temper. But, she's different. Very different...
I lean against a tree. Kale looks at me and chuckles, saying, "You went pretty slow, what kept you?" I shrug. "Dunno, I guess I just... was conserving my energy." I grin at Harmony, sharing our happiness at creating a bond through chatting casually while I carry her to a tree. What a day. Honestly? I think training went well.