Blood, Sweat Where are the Tears (open)

MADE BY MIZO

Maia really was just minding her own business. Kalidas had told her to build strength, and that is what she would try and do in order to advance further and become an instrument for the guild. At the very least this meant that she would be able to protect humans much easier, rather than be worried about an earth magi throwing her into a boulder and it hurting. This core training would allow her to take much less damage in the long run. Plus it gave her an excuse to not be at home.

Maia would pause as she was stretching as Ikigaian came out of the other teenager. It was odd to have the words of her native come out in this accursed country. It would merit a glance from the foreign teenager, and a pause before answering the other teen in her native language, “This country merits being curt. None of you have any manners, and Kalidas forbid any of you to make an effort to advance your ai programs in order to auto-translate to cross the language barrier.” Okay maybe she was still miffed about that, well, that and the fact that her supposed father refused to learn her language at all. Maia had just stopped attempting to speak Ethean at this point unless it was absolutely necessary. Minimal communication was more than she needed with her father. All the time she was thinking about her father her face would be adorned with a scowl, her frustration simmering inside, and her general muscles tense.

It was only when the voice turned friendlier that Maia would turn again to see the teenager that had spoken in Ikigaian. Oh yes, she had looked familiar, that was certain. Maia would allow a slight smile to come up to face of hers as she tilted her head. “Ah yes, for the new year. How did you enjoy the meal?” She looked very different than when they had first met, but her same personality would shine through. “Did you enjoy visiting my country?” Sure they hadn’t been in an extremely populated area, but it was still an area with commerce and many people who celebrated the new year. “I hadn’t expected to see you past the night of celebration.” It was true they hadn’t seemed to be the sort for paths to pass again, and so soon.

Maia would tilt her head at the other teenager and give a slight nod, “A student at the academy. My father is a hunter.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about this person being a hunter, but it seemed that they knew somewhat what they were doing. “I’ve been on a few missions, and am slated to get a familiar next week, but I’m only ranked one star.” She still thought the ranking system was odd, but hey, she wasn’t here to hunt magi. She was here to protect humans. “Are you also a student?” There were many classes at the academy, so it would make sense if she hadn’t run into her yet.

When the conversation continued Maia would shrug, “It isn’t often I get the chance to speak Ikigaian, I don’t mind the chance to speak the language again.” At the next offer, Maia would tilt her head in thought, “I’m going to be honest, I know nothing about hand to hand combat. I prefer fighting from a distance, and alas, I am at a large disadvantage if I do not have my bow.” The teen would smile slightly at the thought of her momenta and instrument of protection. “I had thought to use this workout as a base for gaining core strength.” Maia held over her phone for the other teen to see the page she had up and bookmarked. She grinned, feeling much more comfortable with this person than any other she had met in Ethea. The teenager was a lot more talkative when she felt more comfortable, that much would be apparent to all who had interacted with her for even the briefest of moments. She raised her hand to her chin to ponder the thought. “I don’t see how it could hurt though,” She would smile before putting both of her hands on her hips with a grin. “If you would like, I would not mind.”

Hel/Hart This is super late, but here it is! Maia is actually being sociable?

Saying that what she said was an understatement would be well, an understatement. Maia hated that she couldn’t communicate effectively in this country. Granted she couldn’t really communicate effectively back home but she hat least had the option! Here she was useless, give or take the auto translate and how much trouble it got her into. There had been many a time where the stupid thing had picked up words that maybe weren’t the kindest and actually downright crass in Ikigaian the teenager had whispered under her breath. “Yes, it was.” The simple agreement would be echoed in a nod by Maia towards her fellow trainee and student.

Maia would actually smile at the fellow student’s words, “Yes, I miss my lavender fields very much.” That might not have been what the other person meant but that was how Maia took it. The Ikigaian flowed naturally with her, and she would continue “I hope to one day return, but Kalidas has brought me here, to this foreign land, as I am sure, is a test.” Maia would grin and tilt her head, “What brings you to Ethea? You seem to speak many languages.” At least, more than Maia did.

Maia would listen as the other teen explain their reasoning for being here. So it ran in the family, interesting. Maia supposed hunter families were fairly popular in Ethea; it was no surprise that Oliver had enrolled Maia in the Academy as well. It had saved him money and with her language barriers, it made sense. Not that Maia appreciated or wanted it. The only good thing about the academy was the zoo, the practice rooms, and the shooting ranges. She hadn’t found anything else that she liked yet, and didn’t expect to, “The rankings are odd yes, and I think all students who excel are given one star?” It was interesting to note, but Maia didn’t really care.

Maia would nod, and actually grin for once, “I never took to language class, I was much for suited for the Archery Range, or Physical Education.” She tilted her head in thought, “I really don’t relish learning Ethean either, not if I am to go back to Ikigai after graduation and turning eighteen.” She wished the time would come sooner but shrugged at the other teenager, “Though, there isn’t much there for me other than the Lavender Fields.” Was she actually opening up to this foreigner? Maybe. She was at the very least being much more polite, towards the Ethean. At the mention of the knives Maia’s eyes would narrow just a little before returning back to her original state, intent on the teenager as they would converse.

“I prefer range myself, given I’m well, a teenager and a girl. The odds are stacked against me on this one. The good thing is that I’m small and lithe, I can dodge… somewhat. The goal is to take down the target before they even know I’m here though. Preferably non-lethally, given that dangerous targets, more Magi than not lately, need to be held accountable in a court of law.” There was an actual chuckle from the girl, and a ‘pfft’ sound would come out at the end, “At least here at the Hunter Academy we aren’t punished for training and improving out hunting skills.” It wasn’t needed in Ikigai, and her home government was far too lean on magi. “Both seem to be good a skill to have, but my bow is my best skill.” She would nod at the mention of the close quarters combat and the medium ranged glaive.

As the girl looked at her workout she would nod in response, “My sensei told me I was too flabby and in order to take a hit I had to strengthen myself.” She grinned as she thought of her teacher, and the advice she had been given. “I’ve got the arms covered, its more my abs, and my legs.” Much of the graduating class was perfection in the physical form. Especially those who had been taught personally by her sensei. “We could always shadow spar? Give each other pointers? I normally have my bow on me, but given the intent I left it locked in my locker.” The girl would shrug and tilt her head, “It pays to be paranoid here.” Maia’s eyes would flash, thinking of the bullying she had received in her past schooling. It was always good to be cautious, especially around things that were different.

At the mention of the team Maia’s eyes would widen in surprise. Wait, this girl actually wanted to be her partner? What? That didn’t make any sense whatsoever, and she didn’t understand why. They had only just met and she had suggested it? What? Maia’s normally cold face would shift into a mouth slightly open surprised look, before she would catch herself. This was weird. No one wanted to be with her, and this random stranger second time meeting suggested teaming up. What in Kalidas name was going on? The Ikigaian teenager would narrow her eyes at the other teenager and bite her lip, thinking about the option. “I think I would need to see your skills before we could team up for a mission, we haven’t fought together yet in combat, so I don’t know your particular skillset. Though…” Maia would look the girl up and down and smirk. “I guess it depends on if you could protect me properly.” Was that a challenge? Yup.

Walking over to the cabinet in the corner she would beckon over the other teen as she opened it to reveal a stash of hunter standard weapons. She would take the bow from the cabinet and smirk as she motioned forward, indicating for the other teen to choose. “Pick one, and we’ll see how this goes.”

If the girl took up her offer, Maia would move towards the door and press a button the empty except for them practice room. “Kali activate student program TZ-Level 4” The Ethean would sound broken as she activated the school's training program, but it was something she had been working on. This particular program was one that ever since her trip to Camlorn Maia had been working on in order to better herself. Training against Holo-Zombies, level 4. It was the hardest level, but she wanted to see if her new potential friend could keep up. “I got your back if you can protect me.” Stretching her arm back, she would draw the string as a hollow arrow would appear notched if the teen agreed to the program.

Hel/Hart Okay so this is super late, but wanna hunt some virtual zombies with me?