Aya's POV
Due to the heated argument that the Elder had with Jin over what had transpired, Mako needed bed rest for the rest of the day and was allowed no visitors.
I opened up my long window and sat cross-legged upon the mats. Today I was wearing the bright red kimono shirt and hakama pants; the color of a 'novice'. I had something planned. Digging deep into my mind as I have done on and off since I set foot in this land; I reached deep into my mind-link with Diamon. ~You awake yet? Come on Diamon it's almost nine in the morning!~
I could almost hear her groan through the link. Even in the link she sounded like a kid. ~Aww.. Do I have to get up now? I mean, is it really that time?~
~Definitely!~ Grinning from ear to ear, I reached out and picked up the two swords of mine I'd laid on the table earlier. Standing up, I carried them out onto the training field outside my window.
I can't help but wonder if she grumbles in the link on purpose or not. ~Come on, Diamon. The deal was, you help train me in the swords, and I'll help you learn more about what's really going on in this place.~
~I know, I know.. Just give me a boost to your eyes. I need to see who's good.~ Slowly I allowed her access to my sight as I visually took in the training field.
I was about to sit down when she started talking all excitedly. ~Oh Gods! Oh God's! Keep watching the man in black. Who is he, do you know? Damn, he's fast. Good too. Also kinda cute!~ I know I heard a giggle after that one.
Feeling very much out of my depth, I approached the men that had made a large circle around the two combatants. In the red, I stuck out quite a bit and the trainees started to talk behind their hands. The man in black stopped the match for a moment and walked over to me bowing deeply in a show of respect; then rose back up. "I am Master Liu. May I ask why you are here, Aya?"
I smiled at him warmly, "It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Master Liu. The Good Father has said many kind things about you over the years. Ah.. To answer your query, this may seem a bit strange, but I came to your circle here in the hope of training. I wish to learn the art of the sword, among other things."
As some of the male trainees began to laugh, Master Liu was having none of it. "All of you.. Go to the other training circles NOW!" He yelled at them all in disgust. Turning back to me he apologized "..they know better." Quickly sheathing his sword, he asked about what weapons I have actually used, the most relevant being a dagger.
"We will start you in sword training tomorrow. By the way, how fast do you learn, and how fast can you move compared to other vampires" There was no guile in his brown eyes.
"I learn extremely fast. What you can teach a student over their lifetime I can pick up on in just a handful of years, give or take a year or two. My speed.. I prefer to keep that private for now, if you don't mind."
~Damn Aya! Go for it! Dang, he can Master me anytime! I like him. Gentleman persona!~ I swear I heard her laughter ringing out loudly. I cut off her link to my sight. ~Aww.. Did I ever tell you about my first sword, Aya? It was sooo thick, I-..~ Giggling like crazy inside, I shut down the whole mind-link. While on the outside appearing calm and relaxed.
"So, staff weapons, throwing knives, daggers.. How is your accuracy with those short blades?" Suddenly he coughed and looked down. "Forgive me my curiosity, I mean you no offense, Aya. This may sound like an excuse, but.. You may or may not be the last of your generation. I feel an honest need to learn from you, all that I can."
Blushing profusely, I look down from him and see three small sheaths with throwing knives hanging from his belt. Faster than the human eye I picked them out one at a time, holding them near the tip of the blade and threw them over my other arm and into a tree trunk hard. "Come, let's go and I can tell you if my aim has improved. It has been about sixty years since I last threw."
Master Liu stood beside me in shock, barely making out my words at first. "Um.. uh.. Yeah, let's go." He followed behind me with his hand over the sheaths on his right side. His brow furrowed as his curiosity was piqued.
The three throwing knives were buried to the hilt, one right above the other. I looked at them in frustration. "Dang. About two millimeters off."
Master Liu looked at me with raised brows in surprise. "That's better than I have ever done. How many years have you worked with them?" Reaching out, he tried to pull the knives from the tree, but they were buried in too deep. "I may have to cut them out. They are really good throwing knives."
Gently I moved his hands away, and pulled the knives from the tree trunk with ease; speaking softly with pure modesty, my cheeks slightly turning pink. "I have worked with knives since they first came into existence." I paused as I passed the knives to his waiting hands. Smiling brightly as I raised my black eyes to his. "Of course.. before that, it was sticks and stones so the accuracy point is debatable." I said with a laugh.
Placing the knives into their sheaths, Master Liu laughed with me and then grinned. "I can see why Mako loves you so. I think you and I will be good friends. I like your humor."
Together we walked back out to the training field and when we stopped, Master Liu asked me with a grin, "How about learning how to use the bow and arrow, Aya?"
My eyes lit up and I smiled brightly. "I always wanted to learn that one. Let's do it!" I exclaimed with an infectious laugh.
And off we went to the weapons room at a light jog; beneath the trainee lodgings.
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Author's Note:
Please keep the Follows, comments, and votes coming! 😊❤😊❤
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