by Liandra Jake
Panzer was caught between chasing after him and continuing with her run. A third choice presented itself when one of her struggling trainees approached her. "Am I too late?" He asked with a huff. She could tell he had ran from somewhere as fast as he could; both by his heavy breathing and the sweat dripping from his forehead. "I think you seriously misunderstand what's going on here." He frowned. "You can't be 'late' to basic training. You do it or you don't; I don't give much directions when it's simple tasks like this." Panzer explained. She stepped backwards pointed down the track. "Run." He obliged.
Panzer took a moment to herself and sighed before returning to the run. After a short break, they spent the rest of the morning on flexibility and stretches. As noon passed, the rest of the Guild's Trainees gathered for Panzer's mandatory session. She had them start with freestyle sparring as she worked on her notes. Half an hour in, one of her more promising fighters approached her; an aquamarine, female Pog who had already beaten down everyone who dared accept the challenge. No one wanted to try her in a real fight against her Sun and Crystal.
"Hey coach, think ya could help me out? These chumps are too scared to face me." She asked. Her head was only chest-level on Iode, but she had the attitude to face him head-on. Panzer stood. "Well, you don't give them any approach Lene. How do you expect to get anyone to fight if you give them no quarter?" Lene chuckled. "I give them plenty of opportunities, they just don't have the guts. "Or the raw skill to know when to counter." Panzer replied.
Lene produced a small Crystal coin. Panzer brought up two loose hands. The coin pinged as it left Lene's hand, flipping in the winter sun light before landing with a crackle in the half-frozen ground. Panzer pivoted to the left as Lene charged, giving Lene a hard punch with her left hand to Lene's right shoulder. Lene tumbled, recovering quickly with the help of her wings. "Child's play Lene." Panzer said half-heartedly.
Lene replied with a flying roundhouse that caught Panzer's shoulder as she tried to pivot. It only made Panzer's On-a-dime spin-counter that much stronger. Lene groaned as she left the chunk of frozen sod fall out of her mouth. "Damn girl…" Lene spat out the remaining soil. "That's a little too much even for me." Panzer sighed. "Sorry. I'm just a little out of it."
Lene stood up. "So what's up?" Panzer waved a hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter." Lene threw an arm around Panzer's shoulder. "Listen girl, when my sister first told me she was in was into women, I didn't think much of it until I couldn't look her in the eye without wondering what went on when she was sleeping over with friends." Panzer slowly arched an eyebrow. "Is there a point here or…" "My point is…" Lene poked Panzer's chest. "Talk. To. Your. Sister!" Uh huh…" "So what's got ya so knotted up?" "Well… Kyrel's given me an ultimatum. I can either give him an answer, or I can continue to ignore him." Panzer replied, seeing no point trying to dodge Lene the rest of the day.
"Why not just say 'no'- oh. Oh? OH!"? Lene grinned as Panzer's fidgeted. "Ya like the little airhead!" "He's not an 'airhead'." "Oh shut up!" Lene laughed, dragging Panzer back to the picnic table she was at before. "So why haven't ya said anything to him? Too stubborn?" "That's not it. It just-" Panzer held up her hands. "I just can't. I just can't." Lene sighed. "So when will the 'just' stop…" Lene wiggled her hand vaguely.
"Til' midnight." Panzer replied. "What." Panzer jumped. Lene flicked her forehead. "And you're just sitting here talking? Ya blab on and on about fighting honorably for the Guild, to 'put your pride and respect to its defense', and you're telling me ya just can't tell that floaty kid ya dig him? I f you had any respect for him, or yourself, you'll go talk with him. Tell him why ya just can't, and not ignore him for your own pride!"
"Lene-" Lene covered Panzer's mouth with a furry hand. "I have respect for ya Panzer. We all do. You're not as flashy as the others around here, or as nicey-nice to us rookies. You just have to get us ready for Guild life in a Guild that's changed so much, and ya do it like a pro. And right now, ya got someone like me lecturing ya to go and tell some guy ya got the hots for him." Lene stood Panzer up. Go. These guys could use a day off. This here is easy stuff by now." Lene glanced over at the rest of the trainees sparring, who were following each other's moves almost flawlessly. With a heavy sigh, Panzer turned to walk away. "…I'll have to find him first I guess."
Panzer didn't have to look very long. Kronth immediately pointed her in the direction of a gym near the edge of the city. Panzer peeked through the front of the small gym. Nem and Kyrel were exchanging blows. Based on the open-palm techniques, Panzer identified it as the ever popular "open-strike" style that transferred Orenth better than conventional closed-fist punching. What surprised Panzer more than the wild ferocity the two fought with, but how Kyrel continued despite the tremendous difference between him and Nem.
With every clean strike Kyrel made on Nem, Nem made more than a dozen in return at twice the speed and power. Kyrel was getting frustrated and rushed at Nem. Even with speed and form that astounded Panzer, Kyrel failed as Nem hit him three times directly in the face in a successive blur. "Enough Kyrel. We can't get anywhere if you're distracted like this." Nem said. 'That was him distracted?' Panzer thought. Nem tossed Aeel a towel for the blodody nose. With a discontent sigh, Kyrel sat on a bench by the far wall.
Panzer opened the door. Nem glanced briefly her way while he set up a punching bag. The owner, who was repairing a torn mat, only glanced down when Panzer gestured to Kyrel. When Kyrel tilted his head down to look at who was approaching him, Panzer pushed his head back. "Keep that nose up. I don't want you to bleed all over the place." Kyrel glanced sideways at her as she sat next to him. "You don't have to say anything. I know why you're here."
"Do you know what it means that I actually showed up?" Panzer asked softly, staring at her hands. Kyrel replied by placing a hand over hers. Panzer sighed. "You know, I've wanted to do something like this for a long time. It was after that incident with the chocolate that I began to be attracted to you. With two years since, I've had a lot of time to think and worry. Kyrel nodded. "I could tell when you seemed less exasperated when I bothered you."
"So what finally pushed you to the edge?"" Panzer asked. "The recent events have had left me thinking. This whole deal with Celestial Rim has really hardened me, like it has with a lot of people. Everyone just seems to be changing. Arend has pretty much settled in, Corenden's no longer as child-like as he used to be – you've seen him use that sword of his right? The little guy's vicious- Hunter got a boyfriend, never mind it being a Monster, Nate and Janese are finally hooking up; it's all just so much."
Panzer squeezed Kyrel's hand. "We're growing up Kyrel. This Guild is something special for all of us; a place where we can forget the world and have fun, to act like idiots and build friendships, to dream and achieve. But Celestial Rim has broken what a bunch of sentimental kids built; the illusion was broken, and because of it all the other Syndicates actually respect and don't think we're a bunch of ignorant fools anymore."
Kyrel laughed. "Yeah, I think the average age was between 19 and 25." "It still is." Panzer replied with a smile. "We still get these young people who know nothing about how to function in a Guild. With the Greater Den Building, we're turning into something of a specialty university. Of those who pass my 'entrance test', three quarters of them leave to go to other Syndicates. Thankfully, I was smart enough to charge an entrance fee to start the training."
Kyrel tilted his head back down, his nose no longer bleeding. "I bet that's a pretty steady income." He looked to Panzer. "If it's not too much to ask, why were you so against us dating?" Panzer sighed. "I just… I was afraid of ending up like Kronth used to be. She could barely function when she was in a relationship. I knew they were dysfunctional relationships, but…"
Kyrel nodded slowly. "She didn't really set good example of dating within a Guild. She and Arend have been great so far, but even he can't clear up all her baggage." Kyrel slid closer to Panzer and wrapped his arm around her. He rested his head against hers. Panzer's face immediat
ely flushed red. "Kyrel…" "You're not Kronth Panzer. I don't expect you to be as comfortable as he is with a relationship, but you need to know I don't mind that, just as long as you don't mind me continually trying to get closer to you despite that."
Panzer let her head relax against Kyrel for a moment before pulling away. Kyrel removed his own, taking her hand like he had before. This she didn't shirk away from. Kyrel chuckled. "It's going t be a long time until we can cuddle comfortably isn't it?" "I didn't know you were the cuddling type." Panzer replied with a raised eyebrow. "Hey! Don't you go dissin' cuddling! It's just nice is all." Panzer laughed, squeezing his hand. "Don't worry. We'll get there."
- |-|-| - Breaking The Shell - |-|-| -
Eric was excited when Janese and Nate had shown him what they came up with. Nate had taken a wetsuit and cut the most of the top off to create a pair of tights that stopped just past Eric's navel. From the waist up was rings of pure Grey Adamtinium; its sole purpose was to prevent the spread of the Orenth toxin to the rest of his body. The constant drain on him would lead to slight fatigue.
A 65% grey Adamtinium alloy was used as outer cables that connected to a bulky Matrix that could sit in his lap when he was in his wheelchair. Mesh pads of 75% Grey Adamtinium were suspended in a thin stabilizing gel across key points on Eric that had frequent natural Orenth spikes.
As Janese eased Eric into the pale green modified suit, Nate explained its design. "The Grey Adamtinium will hopefully slowly pull out the Orenth toxin in your legs. The rings on the waist and above aren't connected to anything except a sensor that will alert to the Toxin spreading past your waist. We can only stop the spread if we know about it in the early stages. You'll feel slight discomfort and fatigue as your body tries to balance your Orenth."
"Ooh!" Eric exclaimed as Janese turned the Orenth pump on. "I can feel tingles!" Janese smiled. She let one hand brush his knee, cloaked in a small amount of her Orenth. Eric immediately looked to his knee, then slowly up to Janese. "…I think I felt that."All three were suddenly grinning. "Woo!" Eric exclaimed as Janese and Nate hugged each other. Eric quickly looked away as the two kissed.
Janese began speaking quickly. "I'll have to sit with him for the 24 hours we'll be leaving it on. After that we've only got to analyze the results and-" Nate cut her off by placing a hand over her mouth. She replied by licking his palm. "Ugh!" Nate wiped off the salvia on to his pants. "Go ahead and return to Dragon's Den for your work. I need to catch some sleep before I watch Eric tonight. I'll need everything I've got." Janese said. Nate gave her a final kiss before walking out the door.
[X]
When Nate opened the door to the floor of Dragon's Den he had claimed, he was met with someone in a suit looking through his computer. A video of him and Janese trying to ice skate was on the screen, with Kronth and Arend laughing in the background. It was paused just as he and Janese kissed, sitting on the ice. His father turned around with a disapproving frown. "I see someone's finally found the mother they always wanted."
Nate bristled. "Shut up." Come on son! She's like 35! She was a teenager when you were in elementary school!" "You don't know a damn thing about her Lewis-" "I am your father and I will be addressed as such!" Lewis barked. "I'M 24, OLD MAN." Nate shouted in reply, grabbing his father by the collar. "I don't give a damn what Exo-Suit company you work for, I won't let a weasel like you bad mouth my girlfriend. NOT IN MY OWN GUILD." Lewis sneered, forcing out a weak laugh. "I'm the CEO now." Nate pushed him towards the door. "Get out before I make you."
Lewis yanked the door open. "You'll regret that." He shut the door with a slam, fixing his tie. He looked up to a startled Flake and Hunter, hands slightly twisted and clamped together. They were planning on using the ladders instead of the busy and cramped elevator. Lewis grimaced at the two. "So it's not that my son's just fucked in the head… but the whole of Dragon's Den gets off on these immoral relationships." Lewis brushed past them to the floor below. Flake and Hunter moved to investigate.
Nate's head snapped to them as they opened the doo. The skin of his knuckles was scratched and bleeding. The armor on a nearby mecha had a noticeable red stain. "Not in the mood you two." He growled. They shut the door with a concerned look to each other.
[X]
Kronth was excited for Dragon's Den's first Guild vs. Guild tournament. It was a chance to finally show the other Syndicates that they weren't some nothing Guild that would fade in time. They could have a maximum of 3 teams of four, and she was hard at work coming up with the first team. She was interrupted when a man in a charcoal suit burst into her office. "You have some serious problems in your Guild!"
Kronth propped herself up with an elbow, prompting Lewis too continue with a roll of her hand. "… So you're the one letting Monsters screw humans and my son do the same with an old maid!?" "No one knows if Flake does the screwing or now. And Nate's business is his own Mr. Coberman." Kronth replied. Kronth's secretary peeked around the corner with a surprised look at the calm Kronth. "It's disgusting and immoral! Do you really expect respect if you let these sins against humanity continue!? As far as I know, you could have your 'little' wolf friend have at you." Kronth's secretary curled under his desk and covered his ears, preparing for a scream that never came. He could hear Kronth speak, and while she was royally pissed, she didn't raise her voice.
Kronth had to stand up to look Lewis in the eye. "Dragon's Den is a Guild built around mutual trust and companionship. It's a place where anyone and everyone will always be welcome with open arms. We're hypocritically against those who believe otherwise, but I believe just as our Guild is growing up, so must we. It's the one reason you're not being throw out by me personally. Regardless, you're not to come back without an appointment or to ever see Nate without my permission. If you truly must fix this 'problem', talk to the Alliance."
Lewis curled his lip before turning away. "Trust me, I will." Kronth's secretary emerged as Lewis left. He looked in on Kronth, who was leaning back in her chair. "What?" She asked, glancing over at him. "I just… How did you not kill him?" He asked. "Or at the very least leave him broken into tiny pieces?" Kronth shrugged. "I can't really do that anymore." "But what he said about Oragè…" Kronth laughed. "You think he's got enough to handle me?" Her secretary stopped. His brain was completely thoughtless for a moment before it reset itself. "Don't ask." Kronth said as he opened his mouth. "It'll kill the joke." He blinked, shaking his head as he returned to work.
[X]
Arend was enjoying a moment to himself on the roof of Dragon's Den, looking up at the night sky. Kronth had just left after fully venting about Lewis Coberman, a man Arend would have to have a few words with. Arend no longer found himself alone when King's head replaced the sky. "Hey Arend, can we talk?" He asked quietly. Arend sat up with a frown. "Of course; we've yet to really talk since our first encounter. It's about time to."
"It's about Gliese." King said immediately. Arend grinned, raising a single eyebrow. "You don't need to ask for some 'alone time' King." King shook his head. "Not just 'alone time.' I want to spend all my time with her." "Oh." Arend said disappointedly. "I take it you found a way to 'redeem' yourself?" King nodded. "I've got too much to lose now." Arend took off his ring and held it out. "Just make sure you visit now and again. I want to know what Pendragon puppies are like."
"Keep it." King replied with a noticeable smile. "It's not like you can't ask for help if you ever need it." "But, there's no reason to keep it this on you." Arend said as he began to unbuckle King's saddle. "It's almost a shame that all the work that went into it is now wasted." "It is rather comfortable for an occasional use, but long term it's really itchy." King replied.
Arend looked over the Dragon Drive sitting in it's sheathe. ""You know, something's still a little off about it." Arend held it up. "The balance is right, the blade cuts perfectly, but I still think there's a small detail I'm missing. Not worth a Mark III, but rather a Mark II+…" He detached the sheathe from the saddle, placing it near his feet as he
pulled the saddle off King. "It's only a matter of time till you figure it out." King replied as he sat next to Arend and looked up at the sky.
[X]
Janese woke up with her face buried in a rolled up coat. She rolled over to look at Nate. He was as tired as she felt. "Time's up. It's been 24 hours." Eric waved from his chair, fatigued more by his "suit" than sleeping on an examination table. Janese stood up from the floor. "…Oookaaay Eric." She helped Nate to his feet. "Let's get that off you."
After a brief struggle with crimped cables, they pulled the modified wetsuit off. Janese immediately began poking and prodding. "It's definitely cut down on the amount of Orenth inside you…" "But I can't feel that." Eric said sadly. He yelped as Nate stuck him with a sewing needle. "Nate! What the hell-" Nate pinned him a gain, this time slowly and methodically, returning to the point just to the outside of his left knee. "Did you feel that?" Nate asked with a grin.
Eric grabbed them both into a hug, tears streaming down his face. "You two-!" "I can't believe this!" Janese exclaimed. "It's a miracle!" Eric released them. "I propose we go out to eat! I'm tired of hospital food." Nate held up a bandaged hand. "We've got to sleep first. Neither of us got much of it." Eric nodded. "So dinner, not lunch?" Nate nodded back.