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Post by NPC on Jun 10, 2019 16:21:33 GMT -6
This is your own thread, your own room in the gym, where you can work on any of the stats you desire. No more than 2 in each, and no more than 5 total! Good luck!
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Post by Ashe on May 14, 2021 1:09:36 GMT -6
Ashe and Alaska were back at the gym, finally. It had taken Ashe a long time to manage to get here again, out of sheer laziness as well as Fighting Pit Tournaments.... So much had happened, Ashe needed both down time and prep time before he was going to enter her in anything, contest or tournament. So, here they were again. The pool stretched out in front of them, the water still with a few ripples here and there, depending on how the breeze was blowing or where Alaska's tail was when she swept it across. They had a lot of work to do. No time like the present to get started... Ashe had been planning on training Alaska for a while now, and he had been here once before with that intention, but something had changed. There was a new sense of determination, a new sense of, he didn't know, relaxed excitement. Before, he had been dead set on nothing but success - now, he wanted to train her to better her. Less desperation to prove himself. It was a hassle bringing Alaska anywhere, though. He kept her at the Keep, where there was a huge body of water just suited for her, and he did her training there whenever possible. But he couldn't do this kind of training there, he needed the oval endless pool. So he got into position, raised his wrist with the collar of bonding on it, and said the magic word. With a WHOOOSH, she appeared in the water, displacing thousands of gallons of water, soaking Ashe and the imp on his shoulder. It was lucky they weren't knocked down in the blast. Ashe: 0 1/10 Inyala: 0 1/5 Alaska: 0 1/5
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Post by Ashe on May 14, 2021 1:10:53 GMT -6
Inyala coughing water out of her mouth, Ashe wiping soaked strands of hair out of his face, the pair stared in well deserved awe as the Queen of the Sea appeared with a roar. She was well used to these teleportations by now, and knew something fun was going to happen. She submerged, then rose up high toward the sky, letting loose another ear-splitting battle cry, before sinking into the tank to eye level, looking at Ashe.
[What do you want of me?] Her voice was quiet in his mind, through their ribbon, but it vibrated his bones all the same. Pliathor were massive creatures, to the point where they couldn’t hear normal human voices. So their voices… Humans could definitely hear that.
I want to teach you how to last longer in battle, Ashe told her. He gestured to the pool she was in, a huge ring like an Equillion race track, only filled with water. This was the same place they had raced the last time. She glanced around; Ashe could tell because she moved her head slightly, while the white eyes didn’t appear to move much.
Ashe retrieved the saddle, something he had bought from the Supply and Demand, able to be adjusted around her flippers and settle on her back. He beckoned to her, and she obliged, allowing him to place it on her.
Ashe: 0 2/10 Inyala: 0 2/5 Alaska: 0 2/5
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Post by Ashe on May 14, 2021 1:11:29 GMT -6
Strapped on, Ashe climbed up. ”Stay here,” He told Inyala. It would be hard enough for him to hang on, but no hope for Inyala. The imp didn’t look pleased at being separated from him, but she gave a nod. This would be a long ride, and afterward, Ashe might add some speed training.
Ashe took off on his Pliathor. The necklace he wore allowing him to breathe underwater would come in handy now - Alaska dove under the water, then resurfaced, moving her serpentine body down the length of the track. This was going to be a long training session. Building up stamina didn’t come easily, and Alaska already had a lot of stamina to begin with. She could swim for days, it felt like, though Ashe was never in a place where he could test that out and see how far she went.
They rounded the curve and continued down the straight. Ashe held onto the saddle, settling his legs in as comfortable as he could get. He was fine, really, until she went under and the crash of water tried to unseat him. He was in tune enough with her to anticipate when these motions would happen, and he could lean in and brace himself. He was really starting to get the hang of it the fourth time around, and he could relax his tense muscles. Talk between him and the Pliathor was slim to none. She wasn’t chatty like Dracula was, nor as inquiring as Inyala was. She was steadfast and determined, a seasoned warrior that knew what she had to do and would get it done. Ashe had spent so much time with her, she could figure out what he wanted through their ribbon, and she would act accordingly. With Ashe, she had felt powerful, had tasted victory. Whatever he told her to do, she knew it was for the best.
Ashe: 0 3/10 Inyala: 0 3/5 Alaska: 0 3/5
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Post by Ashe on May 14, 2021 1:12:02 GMT -6
They rounded the loop for the tenth time. Ashe’s thighs were starting to get tight and cramp, but he didn’t want to stop the flow while they were going so well. He knew there were times Alaska would rather hang about doing Pliathor things, but there were also times where Alaska was bored with that and would like to do something new and exciting. And this, while boring for him as it was, was nothing to her. Easy work, easy accomplishment, and with the added bonus of getting out and doing something new.
The art of building up stamina would be increasing distance, repetition, increasing. Over and over. If Ashe recalled correctly, Alaska could easily swim around thirty or more times, before starting to tire or slow down. And this track was at least a mile long, he thought.
Could Ashe go that long with her? He was going to try. It was a test of his own stamina, to sit and hang on while the giant sea serpent undulated beneath him. He was cold, his wet clothes sticking to him, but it was a warm day so the sun was doing its best to dry him out before the next drenching.
Ashe: 0 4/10 Inyala: 0 3/5 Alaska: 0 4/5
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Post by Ashe on May 14, 2021 1:12:36 GMT -6
Around twenty-eight times, Ashe lost count. His mind was wandering, daydreaming about when Alaska would be done with her training completely and he might consider actively competing again. But he new he was at least past twenty-five, so he started back from there. Let me know when you’re getting tired, he told her, leaning forward as they dipped under the surface again. He shut his eyes against the water crashing into him, but opened them when he was underwater. It was crystal clear, colored blue because that was what the pool was painted. How cool would this be, in black? When you do feel tired, even almost like you can’t go on at this speed, push on. Two more laps after that point. Try, for me.
Alaska gave a rumble in reply that vibrated his body from the outside. She seemed game to try this, do it for him. It would improve herself, he’d said. She trusted his judgement. But it was still a long time coming before she tired.
But she did tire, finally.
Ashe felt her start to slow down, to falter just a little bit. He squeezed with his legs, and while she was so large that it wouldn’t make a true difference to her, she knew what that meant and she doubled her efforts. She wouldn’t admit she was tired, though, even when Ashe prodded her through their link. He respected that about her; she would remain strong, even in the face of defeat.
Ashe: 0 5/10 Inyala: 0 3/5 Alaska: 1 0/5
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Post by Ashe on May 14, 2021 1:13:20 GMT -6
After that point, they went around three more times, instead of the two Ashe had ordered. But when she really started slowing after that, he ordered her to slow down. He couldn’t have her just stop and sit still, after a swim like that. She had to keep moving, just slowly, letting her own waves sweep her around. When they came back to the dock place, where Ashe had been standing on the platform and where he’d left Inyala, he had her stop to let him off, then he told her to go take a break until he called her again. Alaska ducked under the water and out of sight, though the presence of her remained like a weight in his mind.
Ashe had brought packed lunches for himself and Inyala, and had a box of ice with some chopped tuna pieces for Alaska. He retrieved these things, setting up the picnic for himself and Inyala, then he called to Alaska, Want a snack? Food!
Her head slowly surfaced, first just the fins on her head, then her eyes, then she tilted her head back and opened her mouth. Ashe tossed each piece onto her tongue, and she swallowed. When he was done, she sunk below again and Ashe returned to his Imp.
Ashe: 0 6/10 Inyala: 0 4/5 Alaska: 1 1/5
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Post by Ashe on May 14, 2021 1:13:51 GMT -6
After about an hour and a half of break time, just enough for his body to start stiffening, he called Alaska to him again. She rose after a few moments, and Ashe gathered she had wandered off from the platform, possibly to nap. She reared up in front of him now, and arched her back, stretching. Ashe climbed on, bidding Inyala to stay, and off they went again. Around and around the track they went. Ashe felt her energy thrumming through her body; between the rest and the food, she was ready to go again!
The first five laps, Ashe kept her at the normal pace, but after that, he urged her to go even faster for the next five. She picked up her speed, like a human sprinting the straights and jogging the curves - only, pliathor sized. She did this with ease, and Ashe started alternating, every five. On her speed rounds, Ashe had to hang on extra hard, or else risk being thrown off. The waves caused by her serpentine body rocked against him, or crashed over him. He was thankful that he had the magic necklace on, keeping his lungs working and free of water.
By his count, and he had kept count this time, they were approaching the thirtieth lap now. She slowed her pace as she rounded the bend, with Ashe announcing the start of five slow across their ribbon. She was showing signs of tiring now - but Ashe was pleased! She had done almost the same amount of laps, but with speed bursts thrown in. If that wasn’t proof that her lungs were adapting, and her muscles gaining the stamina she needed, Ashe didn’t know what was.
Ashe: 0 7/10 Inyala: 0 4/5 Alaska: 1 2/5
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Post by Ashe on May 14, 2021 1:14:38 GMT -6
He pushed her on, and on, until she started slowing way down. She still wouldn’t admit it, even when Ashe asked. Between his bond with her and the fact that he was sitting on her actual body itself, he was able to tell. He shifted his weight, though he felt frozen in place what with the cold water soaking him and his muscles being tense from his own physical workout here. Easy, he told her. I think that’s enough for today. We’ll take a break, go back home, train some… and come back.
Can continue, she insisted, stubbornly.
Ashe shook his head. I know you can, but the training is done. I think you did well enough today!
Grudgingly, she arrived back at the platform and let Ashe off. He ran his hand across her face, her nos. His touch was miniscule, but he tried to give her pats and scratches like he would with an equillion anyway. He sent affection through their emotional link - something Alaska tried to ignore altogether. Emotion? Empathy? Her, a Pliathor? Hell no.
When I get home, I’ll summon you. Hang out here until then. She submerged, probably to take a nap until then, and Ashe cleaned up his mess, let Inyala on his shoulder, and headed to the checkout desk. It was nice to be back here, to feel accomplished. Even if it wasn’t much, and he didn’t have anything yet to actually -see- for it.
Ashe: 0 8/10 Inyala: 1 0/5 Alaska: 1 3/5
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