[center][h1][b]Earlier...[/b][/h1] [h2][b][color=00aeef]Serah[/color] & [color=cyan]Minerva[/color][/b][/h2][/center][hr] Most pilots would be adjusting their room to fit more of their image. A few posters there, some plants of books in the cabinet might be nice but Minerva herself is above such simple pleasures instead favouring the spartan design of the original layout. In the mirror is a white woman with brown roots staring as if the world had just gone on its way to smite. Perhaps they did a long time ago but it doesn't really matter now as she zipped her bag and took a deep breath. It hasn't been that long since her training exercise but the way it ended made her want to push herself a little bit further. She will show it to that old man one day that she is an adequate inheritance but for now she needs to walk the lone road of sharpening herself. Now she needs to consider if she should use the simulators or just focus on her body and considering however that she just came from an intense round of battle. One where she actually died, she is inclined to do the latter. With one last deep breath, she walked out of her room and headed to the gym. After she made her way about halfway there, a thud hit her right in the chest. [color=00aeef]"Ow!"[/color] A little yelp followed soon after, knocking the poor soul who’d bumped into Minerva off-balance and stumbling backwards. Luckily they managed to steady themselves before they fell by putting their hand on the wall. Getting a good look at the figure, it turned out to be Serah, who clearly wasn’t paying too much attention to where she was going. [color=00aeef]”Sorry, my bad- huh? Minerva?"[/color] she’d been quick to apologise. Serah’s gaze shot over to the bag Minerva had with her. [color=00aeef]"What’s with the bag? Were you up to something?"[/color] Minerva would look at the unfortunate child who bumped into her, staring with unimpressed owlish eyes at the sight. She's not even trying to be honest. [b][color=cyan]”My personal tumbler and a change of clothes, I am planning to train a bit more.”[/color][/b] she succinctly answered to Serah as a courtesy before walking once again. [b][color=cyan]“I'll be taking my leave, tell everyone to not expect me at whatever feast they are planning.”[/color][/b] she spoke as moved away. Serah blinked twice as Minerva just brusquely walked past her, telling her off. She spun around and shouted: [color=00aeef]"Hey, don’t ignore me! Wait up!"[/color] and followed after Minerva, walking alongside her down the halls. Serah peeked her head up at Minerva from the side, looking up at her like a curious little bird. [color=00aeef]"Training? I guess you’re still upset over earlier, right? I know Lorenzo got under your skin, but, uh…."[/color] Well, shoot, what [i]could[/i] she say to comfort Minerva? The woman’s got seven layers of solid brick wall around her. As she was trying to find the right words, Serah would recall how fierce Minerva was in battle. She fought like a woman [i]possessed[/i], holding off three enemies by herself. The woman clearly loved to fight… and to train, given her choice of blowing off steam… [color=00aeef]"...wwwwwhy don’t you train with me?"[/color] Serah proposed, thinking she was clever. Great way to get closer to Minerva, right? Minerva tried to ignore her fellow pilot's attempt to get her attention favoring to walk towards her destination. On most situation she would just wordlessly proceed to the gym hoping that silence would be understood as rejection but... [quote]"And you...You possessed the highest aptitude out of all the pilots." He slowly grinned. "Yes...I can see you have the potential for greatness, lassie. You have the eyes..."[/quote] This is the pilot Loranzo singled out for potential and aptitude. She had seen her actions at the mock battle, admittedly they are inspired but nothing out of the norm. [b][color=cyan]What is he seeing that she didn’t.[/color][/b] [b][color=cyan]"Fine you could join me, you might want to prepare your own change of clothes though."[/color][/b] she spoke as she looked at Serah. Serah beamed as Minerva gave a positive response. [color=00aeef]"Sweet! Won’t let you down! I’ll meet you at the gym in a moment!"[/color] With a little wave Serah zoomed off to get her own change of clothes. [hr] When she reached the gym, Minerva would change into her gym clothes and make her own warm-ups. Nothing unusual in her eyes, just some stretching and mild exercises to keep her body moving. She was planning to do only light exercises due to the intense battle but there is a part of her that wonders. [b][color=cyan]How good Serah is in a spar?[/color][/b] And as she thought as much, Serah herself barreled straight into the room, wearing a track suit. [color=00aeef]"Cadet Gene reporting for duty ma’am!"[/color] she yelled with a goofy grin and a salute. [color=00aeef]"Though… I’m not exactly much of a military type myself, ehehe. Our training’s been helping, but I don’t think my stamina’s as good as yours, so… take it easy on me, alright Minerva?"[/color] She ducked into the supply closet for a moment to take out a mat for herself and plonked it down next to Minerva, doing some stretches herself as a warmup. It became readily apparent that Serah’s body was still [i]extremely[/i] sore from the simulation as her entire body screamed in agony, probably not helped by all the running around she was doing. It didn’t seem like her joints creaked and burned as much when she’d been dashing all over the place, but that was probably the copious adrenaline coursing through her veins numbing her to the sensation. [color=00aeef]"You sure are impressive,"[/color] Serah would comment after a little time had passed. [color=00aeef]"I’m still aching all over from the simulation, but you’re here exercising anyway… is there a reason you train so much?"[/color] she’d ask, trying to probe and get to know her squad mate a little better. Minerva did pay a bit of attention to what their classes already knew about that. In fact she believes that she is the most athletic all around person in the program (the literal robot doesn't count and even that is disputable). [b][color=cyan]”Just do what you could do.”[/color][/b] she answered as she started a set of burpees. [b][color=cyan]”I don’t think I train too much, just enough to be better.”[/color][/b] she casually answered to Serah as she withdrew the offer to spar for now seeing how tired her body is. [b][color=cyan]”How about you? What made you start becoming a pilot.”[/color][/b] she probed as well hoping for some puzzle piece that will give her a bit more understanding on what makes her special. Serah paused and leaned back a bit when Minerva bounced the question back to her, taking a moment to really think about it. [color=00aeef]"I dunno if I really started anything… I was drafted more than anything,"[/color] she’d start. Serah then leaned forward again, stretching her upper torso to try and reach her feet. [color=00aeef]"Dunno if I told [i]you[/i] yet, but I’m from an orphanage back on Taivar. Didn’t have much growing up, didn’t even really go to school. I turned 18 not long ago, so the military draft came around and found I was really good with Atty. I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, but even if I did, it’s not like I had anything else lined up for me…"[/color] she mused to Minerva, taking a break to groan and complain as her body wasn’t as stretchy as she’d like it to be. [color=00aeef]"Oh, but I’m not complaining!"[/color] Serah perked right up, realising how dour that must have sounded. [color=00aeef]"Aura’s been really nice to me! And you and Ava are really cool! And Sparks knows so much! I really like everyone a lot… even Bug doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy in the end. I know you said you didn’t want to come to the party, but… I think it’s really nice of him and Arrish to throw one. It’d be nice if everyone was there… you included, y’know?"[/color] [b][color=cyan]”I hate wasting time.”[/color][/b] Minerva replied her thoughts to the party, trying to hide the bit of her pride in her chest at being called amazing. There was a bit of sympathy from her learning that Serah didn't exactly choose her career but… [b][color=cyan]”Part of me is pleased that you're having fun though, don't let me stop you.”[/color][/b] she said as she looked at Serah. Companions are always a good thing to have. The pain of losing them though… It was obvious Minerva was a tough nut to crack, hard to convince once her mind was made up. That didn’t stop Serah from trying though. [color=00aeef]"Mmm… I don’t think its a waste, though,"[/color] she told the older girl, starting on some sit-ups as she talked. [color=00aeef]"You’re part of the squad. The same as all of us. It’ll be easier for everyone to trust you out on the battlefield if they see you at least make the effort to be around,"[/color] she’d tell Minerva. Her body, meanwhile, was screaming in agony- Serah only got a few reps in before collapsing entirely, arms and legs stretched as she looked up to the ceiling. [color=00aeef]”You know… I was kinda worried about you,"[/color] Serah admitted as she vacantly gazed up. [color=00aeef]"You got really angry at the professor… I dunno what happened between you two, but I don’t like it when my friends are upset. I was hoping the party could help cheer you up a little, too."[/color] [b][color=cyan]”Take it easy.”[/color][/b] Minerva advised as she looked at the Serah who was definitely forcing herself at every set taking a moment to stop her own exercise. For a moment she tried to argue Serah’s logic before reluctantly and wordlessly admitting she is up to something with her words. Any thoughts of acquiring would be halted by the young girl's next words. Minerva's face morphs into one of genuine irritation as he recalls the old man once again. [b][color=cyan]”Whatever his problem is, it's between us. You have no need to intervene.”[/color][/b] [color=00aeef]"Don’t I?"[/color] Serah replied as she pulled herself upright, wincing from sharp, sore pains. She turned to Minerva and sat cross-legged, smiling as she always did. [color=00aeef]"I know the professor tossed out that challenge to all of us. And well, ehehe, you kinda remind me of a friend of mine somehow… I figured you were gonna go at it alone to show him what for,"[/color] she sheepishly admitted, scratching the tattoo on her cheek. [color=00aeef]"But I don’t think you’re going to be able to beat him by yourself. Why not take me along? If it’s the two of us, I think we’ll stand a better chance, [i]and[/i] you get to show him up!"[/color] [b][color=cyan]”I could.”[/color][/b] she spoke with finality as if she knew what she was saying about. It could be arrogance or the sheer faith in the talent she had honed for years. Despite that… [b][color=cyan]It is a to shut his mouth if she managed to do it as part of a ‘team’.[/color][/b] Speaking of, she could make use of this. [b][color=cyan]”I won't mind it though but I have a condition.”[/color][/b] she spoke with complete seriousness before it broke into a hungry smile. [b][color=cyan]”I challenge you to a duel, show me the potential they say you have.”[/color][/b] she muttered metaphorically throwing the gauntlet. [color=00aeef]"A duel… is it?"[/color] Serah answered with a pause. A grind soon followed. [color=00aeef]"Nice! You totally get me!"[/color] she gleefully replied with sparkles in her eyes. She forgot about her mission of cheering Minerva up as her fighting spirit was lit on fire [color=00aeef]"After all, if you can’t even beat me, you [i]definitely[/i] wouldn’t stand a chance against the professor, right?!"[/color] Serah sprung up and jumped to her feet, ready to throw down then and there… up until the moment she felt intense cramps all through her body. [color=00aeef]"Owowow…"[/color] she complained for a bit, her grin quickly replaced by a softer, more sheepish smile with her eyes closed. [color=00aeef]"But uhm… maybe not today. I think I might [i]actually[/i] die if I climb back into the pilot seat right now…"[/color] Serah very carefully crouched down to roll up the mat she’d been using, and as she did so, asked a simple question to Minerva: [color=00aeef]"Tomorrow’s fine, right?"[/color] Minerva smiled before speaking. [b][color=cyan]”Take all the time and preparations that you need, you will need it.”[/color][/b] she warned Serah hoping that it would make her take things seriously and make for a greater challenge. Serah snickered when Minerva told her as much, looking back at her with a salute and a wink. [color=00aeef]"Scary, scary… I’ll try my best not to disappoint!"[/color] she cheekily replied. It took a few moments for Serah to get everything stored, but once she had, she made her way back to the still-training Minerva. [color=00aeef]"I’m going back first, alright? Sorry for not being able to keep up, ehehe… the VR really took its toll on me. I’m glad we got to talk a bit!"[/color] Serah told Minerva, her face still lit up like a ray of sunshine. The girl brought her hand to her chin, pretending to be lost in thought as she spoke her next words: [color=00aeef]"Hmmm… just a duel is boring though, don’t you think?"[/color] she asked rhetorically. [color=00aeef]"If I win, I want you to tell me more about yourself, okay? As for what I’ll do when you win… surprise me!"[/color] Serah didn’t leave Minerva any room to protest, quickly skipping over to the exit. [color=00aeef]"Bye bye! I’ll see you at the party! I’ll tell people you’re coming, okay?"[/color] With those final words, Serah left as soon as she’d come, like a hurricane passing through a town and razing everything in its path. Minerva paused for her training for a while as Serah added a stipulation without her input. For a moment she looked at the reflection at the nearby mirror. What is there to tell about her when her entire life is just catching up to legend… Not like she'll win though. Minerva stood up, performed her cooldown exercises earlier than planned and left the gym. It would be annoying if she lost the duel if she overworked herself. And she's hungry, now she heard something about a team dinner earlier, maybe she'll join them.