Chapter 5
Nodding, Rean stepped out of her immediate space, sheathing his Tachi. Bokkens were NOT used on the battlefield, well… not traditionally, he had seen people with no skill use them as clubs basically and that was effective enough. The fact that she didn't want to use the lesser weapon, he respected that, having heard her tone and knew it wasn't contempt so much as she wanted to wield her own and become its master.
"With formal training, you will be a formidable force." He informed her once she had regained her breath, his own steady and normal, though a faint sheen of sweat on his face indicated he had put in his fair share of effort.
Slowly, she rose to her feet with a nod of appreciation, sheathing her Cutlass and grabbed her towel to dab at her neck and face. "I'm pleased to see the Divine Blade lives up to his name. You're definitely not all hype and seeing the Eight Leaves One Blade swordsmanship in action, firsthand, is an honor." It was one of the most prestigious swordsmanship techniques in Erebonia, along with the Arseid. Rean extended her a water and she accepted it, taking a small pull because downing it would only do more harm than good. "And I could tell you were holding back, Rean. You don't have to sugarcoat anything with me; I know I need A LOT of work and training. And I'd appreciate your honest opinion – I want to know the areas I need work on and I need to hear your criticism too."
"I was holding back because you wouldn't have gotten any practice in if I treated you as a fully trained opponent. Nor would I have been able to assess anything." He said with a slight smile, his fuchsia eyes twinkling good-naturedly. Stepping back, he sipped his own water with his now sheathed Tachi at his side before reaching down and peeling off his slightly damp t-shirt with one hand, using it to mop what little sweat was on his face away. "You should take dancing lessons." He said after a moment. "It would help you with your footwork." Most men thought it was a joke, learning to dance, but the best in their craft had grace, skill, and the ability to move on the battlefield without tripping on their own two feet.
This man was chiseled out of stone and had muscles rippling for days. Melyssa noticed the scar on his chest, but didn't say anything and instead focused on her water, on anything except the bare chest of her Instructor. She was in a simple white short-sleeved tunic and black leggings, her usual training clothes.
"Is there a dance club I could join then?" Why wasn't she surprised at his nod? "Dancing, huh…" Granted, Melyssa would have never thought to join a club like that or to even entertain the notion of it. He was right, however, it would help with her footwork. "I was trying to find a club that could help me hone my skills and if you say dancing will do it, I'm willing to try." The worst she could do was fail at it and find something else.
Rean smiled down at her, nodding his head. "There are other countries who incorporate sword dancing, or even spear, as part of their military exercises. The different styles were used to focus on things such as speed and strength," He draped his shirt over his bare shoulder, unaware she was purposefully avoiding looking at his bare chest as he took a step towards her. "Other styles were meant to improve agility and flexibility, and focus is incorporated into everything." Learning how to hone those abilities and then apply the knowledge in the heat of a moment was something they also tried teaching, but until one was in a position of life or death… that was something all the training in the world couldn't necessarily prepare for.
Why did he have to move closer to her? She could smell the sweat and his own scent wafting through the air mixing with her own. Melyssa smiled back at him genuinely, appreciating all the advice he gave. "I understand…Rean. Thank you for taking the time to spar with me and teach me today." He must have had so many other things going on or to do being an Instructor and whatnot, even if it was a free day. "And don't worry about Crow." Now there was a slight twinkle in her teal eyes while his brow arched in question. "He was a perfect gentleman last night and didn't do anything unsavory."
Ash, on the other hand…lewd comments or not, he was very intense, even more so than Rean. Melyssa would be steering clear of him as much as she could, which would be difficult considering they were in the same class together. Honestly, he should have been more concerned about Ash than Crow.
"I don't worry about Crow." Rean said quietly. "He's loud and can be obnoxious but he knows when to stop." Crow had proven many times that he was a loyal friend and even he knew when to back off from a lady. "And I'm sure if he did do something… unsavory," His lips twitched into his own smile. "You would be able to handle him, you don't seem as lost as you were yesterday." In fact, she seemed more at ease and he was noticing she had a sense of humor. "Did you have any problems acclimatizing last night?"
Then why did he show up last night at their dorm if he wasn't concerned about Crow, someone he actually KNEW? This man made no sense in what he did and if he was worried about HER enough to do a dorm check…Melyssa immediately dismissed the thought and chalked it up to Rean checking on all of his students. "Not really, no. And I was overwhelmed yesterday because…well…" Her eyes lowered from his, which was a mistake because now they were locked on those tight, muscular abs. "I didn't think I'd be in your class out of them all." She looked back up at him, their eyes locking. "It was overwhelming becoming a student of the Divine Blade of Eight Leaves." Then, Crow being in the same class threw her for an even bigger loop. That was something she couldn't tell Rean, however. "I know it has something to do with being a match for the ARCUS II unit." She remembered being tested for it during registration, like all the others. "Just didn't expect it to happen, so I apologize if I was…quiet or standoffish yesterday, sir." Oh Aidios, if he didn't like being called Instructor, would he have a problem with that term as well?
Rean had shown up last night because being told one had the wrong roommate and were actually rooming with someone of the opposite gender… well, that could throw anyone for a loop. Factor in she had seemed a bit overwhelmed yesterday, checking in on her had seemed like the right thing to do. "You showed exemplary aptitude with the ARCUS II, Melyssa, which was why you were accepted and placed in Class VII: Special Operations." Which was both an honor and a compliment to the student's abilities. His cheeks flushed a bit, realizing what she had said and smiled awkwardly, a hand moving back to rub his neck. "I'm not… I- it's not that big a deal, really." It sounded lame even to him, but there it was.
"You really need to learn how to take a compliment, Rean. It IS a big deal to some nobody commoner like me from Jurai, who came to Thors, HOPING to hone my skills well enough to be half a decent swordswoman. You should be proud of your accolades and what you've accomplished and done for Erebonia as a whole. And that's all I'll say on the matter." Finishing her water, she tossed it in the nearby trashcan and picked up her bag, shouldering it. "I think it's time I check out that dance club you recommended. Go enjoy your free day and hopefully, we can spar again sometime." Saluting him, Melyssa left the training room and pulled her guidebook out to figure out where exactly the dance club would be located on campus.
"Hey, Melyssa, wait," Rean took off after her, gently catching her by the elbow and stopped her from getting too far. "You might, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way, want to take a shower first." They hadn't exactly gone light and she had given it her all, she was a beautiful mess. Not that he would say that outside of his head, he had already shown how awkward he could be. "If you haven't eaten breakfast yet, you probably should." Now his brows drew together in concern, the 'helping' thing coming out in force. "I'm heading to the kitchens now, if you'd like to join me?"
As if on cue, almost as if he was a mind reader, her stomach rumbled with life, reminding her she had not eaten yet today. "Okay, but…don't take this the wrong way either, you really should put your shirt back on." The last thing she needed was rumors starting about her and the Ashen Chevalier. "N-Not that you're ugly to look at or anything…I mean that's not what…" Oh Goddess, she was babbling now and her cheeks were flaming red. "Never mind, lead the way and I'll shower after we eat."
Hopefully, the walk down to the cafeteria would give her ample time to make her cheeks return to normal and Rean would put his shirt back on. It took Rean a moment to realize his scar was probably bothering her. It was a bit on the unsightly side, but he was so used to it by now that it didn't generally garner his notice unless someone else drew attention to it. Without a word, he pulled the shirt back on, keeping his strides short so she wasn't running to keep up with him.
"My apologies." He said after a moment. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." If he had been Crow, he would have jumped all over that 'not that you're ugly to look at' comment. He wasn't Crow, he figured she was saying it to save him face.
"You didn't, but I just don't want the school getting the wrong impression, that's all. I mean, you ARE my Instructor and being shirtless with your student…do you understand what I'm saying?"
The realization dawned on his face and she simply smiled, hoping he understood it had NOTHING to do with how he looked or the scar on his chest. If anything, that scar made him sexier and she immediately dismissed that thought out of her head. This was her Instructor! They walked inside the cafeteria, grabbed their food and chose a table in the far back, both sitting in front of each other. Her tray consisted of a bagel with freshly cut up fruit and a couple slices of bacon with eggs.
Eggs, fish and toast were on the menu for him today, along with a cup of tea and a glass of juice. To be honest, he hadn't given any consideration to how it would look, him walking alongside of her being shirtless. Given that men and women were now being roomed together, if people were going to gossip about him being in a training room with a young woman -sans a shirt- then this program was doomed already. Rean sat opposite of Melyssa, focusing on his tray, wondering idly what the regulations involving students and instructors were. He had probably been told them, or told of them, he just couldn't remember off the top of his head.
New question: WHY was he wondering about them?
It'd been two weeks since the sparring session with Instructor Rean. Melyssa had also followed his advice and joined the dance club. They met three times a week, for two hours, including free days, and it was hard at first because Melyssa had ZERO rhythm. However, with a little guidance from the dance teacher, everything began falling into place. All the classes had been doing was homework and learning the ways of the Empire, what they wanted the students to know and learn. There were a few quizzes and a test would be next week, but Instructor Rean assured everyone they would start Combat Link training after their test next week. That was something to look forward to since there was little action so far in the academy.
Melyssa kept up with her training, always getting a few hours in the early morning hours and a few hours at night, which followed with a hot bath. She also practiced her dance steps in the dorm when Crow wasn't around and tonight was no exception. With her back turned, Melyssa began practicing after doing an hour of studying, her training already done for the evening as well. Mentally, she counted 1-2-3 in her head and shut her eyes, focusing only on her footing while breathing in and out evenly.
The Combat Link training was not something Crow was overly looking forward too, though he also knew it was necessary. It was one of the ARCUS II functions, allowing for partners to link up for attacks and it boosted said attack. There was talk of bonds between people having an effect on it. A Link Buddy… could be fun though no one in their right mind would want to have to suffer his inappropriate sense of humor in times of battle. He walked into the room he shared with Melyssa, a deck of cards in hand and came to a halt, his jaw dropping. She was… dancing. With her eyes closed. He pocketed the deck and silently approached her after closing the door quietly behind him. She was mouthing numbers, counting and after a second, he swept in to take her hand in his, speaking the numbers out loud as he easily fell into step with her.
Her eyes snapped open as soon as she felt a presence in front of her and a hand take her own, shocked teal locked on deep crimson. Crow was…dancing with her. This was the first time he'd caught her practicing dancing and, instead of announcing himself in some obnoxious way, he was helping her. Hesitantly, she placed her free hand on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her closer as they continued moving around the dorm room, no music, and the counting had trailed off, leaving only silence.
"Didn't peg you for the dancing type. You're good at it." Melyssa commented, breaking the silence between them and remembered what Rean told her.
It helped with the footwork of a skilled swordsman/woman. Still, this was CROW and the last thing she ever expected was for him to know how to dance. Now technically, Crow wasn't purposefully trying to help, he would never. That was all Rean's shtick. Deep down, he also knew that wasn't true, he was prone to being useful and helping out when the mood took him, but he wasn't one to admit it or toss the fact around freely. His best friend had the market obsessively cornered on 'helpful'. He had heard, through said best friend, that Melyssa had joined the dancing club to help with her footwork for swordsmanship -such as it was. Smart idea, of course he knew Rean had probably suggested it, but Rean was too modest to say so.
"I had to take lessons." Very, very briefly. Duke Cayenne had been more interested in using him as a tool than as adopted kin. Of course, at the time, Crow hadn't cared about being 'used', his motives had been sort of aligned with the Duke's.