[center][h1]Aster and Reylan[/h1][/center]
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Aster lead the way to the sparring spot, a space which likely wasn't explicitly intended for such a purpose, but where she and Alisea had practiced unarmed combat before. As they walked, she tried to think of something to say to the archer. "So... Were you wanting to work on unarmed fighting, or just have a target to practice your bow on?" She smiled slightly, trying to show that she was joking.
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Reylan smirked  and laughed nervously at the question, for his answer was none of those "I'm sure you would make a fine target but I had something else in mind..." Without a second's delay he equipped the rapier in his right hand "Alisea loaned this to me and I want to make sure I can use it." He held the sharp-pointed blade around chest height, a weapon given to him on the condition he wasn't allowed to die.
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Aster was a bit startled, though she tried not to show it. "Oh, I see. Well, I suppose that could work. Do you have any points towards swordsmanship?" She held one arm out to her side, feeling the familiar weight of her katana drop into her hand as she summoned it. "It's all right if you don't, but I'm not sure that I really know how to go easy. I mean, I'll try, but..." She hesitated. "You can't get hurt in town, right? I'd hate to take off one of your arms on accident."
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A sheeplish look shone in his eyes at her question "Well no..but I hope doing this will earn me some!" He tried to sound cheerful, whatever the outcome may be he was determined to do this. His eyes widened a little with awe as Aster drew the katana, it was both terrifying and kinda cool knowing that was what he faced "Well you can't die at least, it's a safe-zone. I would prefer it if you didn't hold back, otherwise I won't get stronger." He spoke with a grin on his face, despite the absolute fact he was going to regret such words and his destruction was imminent.
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Aster smiled, a fierce light growing in her eyes. She'd done everything she could to act more calm and composed in this world, but in reality she had a serious competitive streak, and there was nothing like sparring to bring that out in her. "Defend yourself, Reylan!" She raised her blade in a two-handed grip, at almost shoulder level, then launched herself forward, her feet throwing her recklessly towards the white-haired boy.
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Reylan's heart exploded. Wait, no it was still in his chest just thumping heavily as Aster closed in. He knew the basic theory behind using a thrusting weapon but it was another to actually put it to use. His hand raised the light weapon to the same level as the incoming katana, bringing his arm back and bending his knees to build power. A strong push forward and with a single thrust the rapier was sent to meet the blade of the katana, hoping more to deflect the incoming blow then actually land a hit
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Aster was startled by the speed of Reylan's strike, but her instincts kicked in quickly, and she seemed to flow around the strike, pivoting on one foot and striking with the sword's blunt side at Reyln's blade, near the hilt. With all likelihood, she'd either force him backwards or make him drop the nimble weapon.
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Reylan had put too much momentum into his thrust that all he could was watch, jaw dropping, as Aster flowed around its impact like a ocean wave like a force of nature. Dull pain shot through his hands and up his arms as the rapier was ejected from his hands, spinning a few times in the air before stabbing into the ground with the hilt pointing upwards several feet behind him. The first round had gone decidedly to Aster, who continued to surprise him "It appears I have made a graaavvvveee mistake." he chuckled with a light-hearted nature at his defeat holding both his hands up lazily above his head, the outcome was expected after all "So shall we try go again?" he asked eagerly
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Aster was nearly as startled as Reylan, but did her best to keep it from her face, and nodded in agreement. "Again. This time, though, keep a looser grip on your sword. Not too loose, but don't grip it so tight. When you grip it like that it makes it shock your arms too much when I hit. Only tighten your grip upon contact, alright?" With that, she stepped backwards, then swung her blade in a low swipe towards the archer's legs.
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Reylan bent his knees once again and pushed off, swinging his arms up for momentum as he performed a back flip landing next to his implanted rapier. He might not have the necessary sword skills, but his agility was something he had focused on from the start. His hand wrapped around the hilt and with a strong tug freed it from its earthy sheathe "You got it Master." Keep a looser grip, and only tighten upon contact. That should be simple enough. Now it was Aster's turn to to defend. He kicked off the ground and sped towards her. Once in striking distance, he aggressively struck out multiple times using the weapon's light weight and his agility to facilitate those strikes.
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In this fight, Aster had the obvious advantage. She was the swordswoman of the two, and while she would likely have no chance at archery, in this, at least, she was far more talented than Reylan. Even so, the speed with which he attacked caught her entirely off guard. Since when was he so fast? Aster managed to avoid the first strike, but the second she had to deflect, and the third managed to strike her on the shoulder. She hopped nimbly backward, rubbing the spot in surprise. It didn't really hurt... well, maybe a little bit. She could shrug it off easily enough, though. "Very well done. Once more, and then I say we call it a-" Without warning, she launcher herself again at Reylan, swinging her blade towards his chest, then twisting the blade to strike at his waist.
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His thrusts were more about quantity than quality, so when one actually landed he felt a sense of accomplishment in respect to his opponent. Adrenaline pumped freely through his veins but even that wasn't enough to read Aster's next movements. He barely raised got his rapier in position to block, free hand pressing against the shaft for added resistance as Aster's katana connected with it. Once again shock tore through his hands and muscles, but his inexperience could not prevent the second strike. Her blade slammed into his waist freely, his hands unable to move the rapier in time, and for a moment or two the archer was airborne. His back crashed into the hard ground and the rapier rolled out from his hand, eyes closed and his body not making any noticeable movements.
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Aster instinctively unequipped her weapon, dropping it thoughtlessly as it fell, not to the ground, but back into her inventory. "Reylan! Damn it..." She rushed to his side, falling to her knees as she tried to shake him back to consciousness. What the hell was happening? It wasn't supposed to be possible to die in a safe zone, right? And yet, Reylan looked pretty well dead to her... "Get up, Reylan!"
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So that was what pain felt like in this world? Reylan thought as he laid there, feeling like he had just been punched it the gut. He'd take that over being sliced in half. Someone was shaking him, that had to be Aster, right? A mumbled groan left his mouth as his eyes opened up "I...I feel like that kid who got his ass beat for spilling milk on a dude's tacos in high-school..." His vision consisted of the bright sun, blue sky, tiled roofs, and of course Aster looming over him. The pain had quickly subsided and he sat up from his laying down position "Maybe I'll just stick to archery..." he lightheartedly spoke.
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Aster breathed a sigh of relief. Though she did her best not to show any connection to anyone, she was increasingly fond of Reylan, and was relieved that she had not in fact slain him. She had enough on her conscience without being a murderess. How would she keep up a lie like that, along with all her others? "You... what? That's funny. I guess there's a milk taco incident at every school, huh? That happened at my high-school as well." She smiled, thinking back to the event, which had been legendary at her school for weeks after. "Want to call it a day, or would you rather keep at it?"
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Reylan couldn't help but smile at the coincidence, he was inclined to ask where she went to high school at but it didn't seem right to ask about personal info "I guess so." The fight had almost been comical with the quickness in which it started. Reylan weighed the choice before him, he figured he could handle a hour of sparring. He grinned as he stood up, the rapier finding its place back in his hands "One hour couldn't hurt, right?" He spoke semi-sarcastically, it was most certainly going to hurt..especially for him. But as the saying goes: No pain, no gain.
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The hour passed quickly, and by the end of it, Aster was sweating and sore, despite the pain-dulling effects of the game. "All right, Reylan, all right!" She blocked a well-placed blow casually. "I say we call it enough for now. I'm beat, and you've improved plenty today." She smiled, pleased with the progress made. "I'd hate to have my role as the team's sword fighter taken by our archer!" With that, she once again unequipped her blade, choosing not to sheathe it, as the weight at her hip, though comforting, felt... conspicuous.

Aster couldn't help but notice the pair of twins sparring nearby. "Say, Reylan... do you know either of those two? They're kind of boisterous, aren't they?"
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It was through will-power alone that he pushed himself through the entire hour, his body wanting to give up in half that time. Aster had certainly fulfilled his request of not holding back. He stopped right after his last strike was given, exhausted but content that he had made progress "Yeah I can feel it...in my arms, my legs...and my chest too." He casually joked and then smiled back "Then you better not fall behind." The challenge was given, but Reylan knew he couldn't follow through on it and unequipped his gear. It didn't feel natural to have it equipped in town

His gaze turned to the two Aster referred to, a pair of twins by the look of things "Nah, I can't say I remember seeing them earlier. They'd fit right in, right?" A mischievous grin showing before he rushed over "Hey you two! You fight pretty good, I got a question to ask ya!" He called out, being a leader was getting easier once step at a time.