Fate - First Reply Past - Training in Valenntenia

[Klaus]

Before the latest Homecoming, before Klaus began his journey with the Fire Guardian, before he lost his arm in disgrace, and before the loss of both the Fire Stone and its Guardian…

The previous Homecoming had just passed without incident. All the Guardians at that time successfully attended. They sang tales of their journeys through the world.

On one of the following days, Klaus found himself within the Vanguard training grounds. He recently officially retired. All his and his wife’s children were now grown adults with their own lives. Their plan was to settle on a plot of land acquired after decades of service.

Yet, as Klaus told others, he missed the rigor of his days in the Vanguard. And thus, he remained a frequent face on their grounds.

Late in the afternoon, the sun still hung halfway up in the sky. The plain clothed Klaus had broken into a sweat after battering a training dummy. He took a break to get some water, but then his eyes caught a familiar face.

A warm smile followed. Klaus was a familiar figure among the Vanguard, Guardians, and Somners. He had trained some, drank with some, fought with some. Despite his gruff, old appearance, Klaus maintained a friendly, caring demeanor with his brethren.

So long as he did not have to act as the commander in the moment.

“Oh good, you’re here,” Klaus cheerfully told the newcomer as he offered a training sword.

“Have you been keeping up with your training?” Klaus sincerely asked, “You got five moves to show me something.”

An offer to spar.

 

[Villam Regis]

"Five moves? Cocky bastard, aren't you?"

Villam had been hoping to get away from everybody else for a bit. The headache that came with trying to converse with the others was mind-numbing, especially with his old man looking down at him as though he was judging every move. There were things he needed to be doing, things he wanted to be doing. This wasn't one of them.

Seemed old man Klaus had seen him making his exit.

"Of course, it's easy enough to be cocky when you know I don't like these long weapons. Did Solomon put you up to this?"

Not that he was particularly concerned about losing to Klaus. With training blades, maybe the geezer had a chance, but if Villam had all his tools it wouldn't have been a question. Taking nothing away from the Vanguard Veteran, of course-- Vill actually liked Kalus a lot more than he did a lot of the old guard.

Raising his hands, Villam lowered the hood that covered his head and glared sharply at the commander, openly displaying his distaste at being challenged. And at the fact that he was too prideful to turn such a challenge down. Snatching the blade with his gloved hand, he spun it in his fingers for a bit as he circled his sparring partner.

"Five moves then. You're on."

Villam charged-- a cocky, unprotected, easy to counter charge at that.

 

[Klaus]

"I'm gauging on if you're keeping up with your training," Klaus replied to Villaim's initial comments.

As he lifted his own training sword, Klaus added with little inflection, "And Passion's the one that needs training the most of all the Guardians."

Villaim then charged at Klaus. Due to his unprotected attack, Klaus appeared to deflect and counter with little difficulty. As the vertan stepped aside, Klaus's own training sword swung toward Villam's neck before stopping short.

"One," Klaus began a verbal count as he then stepped back from Villam - creating distance.

"You'll not always be affording time or tools," Klaus calmly told Villam, "There'll be a time when all between you and death is just a sword in your hand."

 

[Villam Regis]

Villam was caught by Klaus' deflection, and the collision of their blades rang loud in the sparring yard. The old warrior expertly slid over Regis' own and stopped just short of his neck. If this had been a real fight, that would have been the end of it. Surprisingly novice for somebody with the title of Guardian, not to mention the son of The Absalon.

Villam ground his teeth as his eyes briefly flittered down to the blade at his throat before he shifted his weight back, rolling backwards and back onto his feet again, though the satchel that had been on his waist fell off on the ground between the two men.

"For the love of..." Villam muttered as he noticed the satchel. Where had his luck gone today? No, it didn't matter. He'd let himself get cocky, and he wasn't about to make that mistake a second time. Bringing both hands to grip the hilt of his training sword, the Passion Guardian approached again, stepping over his discared bag as he kept his blade in a defensive position.

"I don't see how my training is your business, Klaus..."

Perhaps it was some attempt at distraction, but Villam stepped forward quickly, swinging at an open spot with a good deal more precision than before. Of course, 'open' with Klaus didn't stay open for long. His stance was every bit that of a veterans.