37th of Fall, AV 512
Elem stepped into the Tuvya ready for training. Over the past few weeks, his whole demeanor was changing. Confidence was beginning to brim from the young man as his body and mind were beginning to find themselves on the same page. He had spent the morning tending to the animals of Sanctuary alongside Aweston, learning about their behaviors and names. Such a big family beyond the humanoids that populated the Within. Soon he would buy his own animal to spend time with. He wasn't sure what he would get just yet, though.
Shoeless, he presented his fee to the man at the desk. He was told that Morkal was busy but another could help him. Elem chose to wait, preferring to work with the same trainer. He found himself a spot near the wall and began to stretch as he had with Vanator the day previous. Next it was the three sets of pushups, his body hungry for the exercise. Elem tried to keep his mind clear, focusing on his posture and position as his thoughts melted away like fat was in the process of doing. Usually it might seem strange to exercise in a lobby, but the Tuvya almost encouraged it.
After the pushups were fisnished, Elem rolled over on his back, beginning the crunches. His focus was on an imagined spot on the ceiling, the shouts and sychronized grunts of the other fighters another focal point for his ears. he could feel the burn again in his abdomen. It felt good. He was mildly concerned about other regions, but suspected that proper exercises would come in time and for now, the core would be the focal point. Just as he was nearing the end of twenty five crunches, Morkal's large blue head occupied the spot previously held by the point in the ceiling. He was smiling down on Elem.
"Working hard before we begin? I might be mistaken about humans, Elem Bree. Are you ready to begin? Or should I wait for your next set to commence?" Elem smiled, no longer taking the jabs personally that Morkal threw verbally. His physical ones were plenty. Quickly standing alongside his trainer, he simply nodded, his breath not prepared to allow for conversation. Following into the usual room, Elem went ahead and removed his tunic. It was hot and needless anyway, especially since he was growing less ashamed of his body. Standing before Morkal, he bowed to him, receiving one in kind from the stout Akalak.
"What did you mean about humans, Morkal?", Elem asked, rolling his neck and stretching and extending his fingers before curling them into fists. Morkal was busy tying his hair into a braid. "Well, Elem Bree, many of your kind seem to lack the discipline that we Akalak rely and thrive on. Maybe it is your short lifespan. I am not sure, really. Anyway, you seem to be more like us in that respect, so I thank you for that." Elem smiled. He couldn't believe Morkal just complimented him.
"Don't wet your trousers, Elem Bree. Find your center."
Just as quickly the smile vanished. Not because Elem was sad, but he knew that it was a brief interlude before Morkal lashed out at him for training. His braid tied and flipped behind his right shoulder, the Akalak stepped forward, his hands on his hips. He was also shirtless and Elem could admire the definition that he was going for. In fact, the younger man was just beginning to see it in his own body. But enough of that, that kind of selfish thinking gets you punched in the face.
Elem stepped into the Tuvya ready for training. Over the past few weeks, his whole demeanor was changing. Confidence was beginning to brim from the young man as his body and mind were beginning to find themselves on the same page. He had spent the morning tending to the animals of Sanctuary alongside Aweston, learning about their behaviors and names. Such a big family beyond the humanoids that populated the Within. Soon he would buy his own animal to spend time with. He wasn't sure what he would get just yet, though.
Shoeless, he presented his fee to the man at the desk. He was told that Morkal was busy but another could help him. Elem chose to wait, preferring to work with the same trainer. He found himself a spot near the wall and began to stretch as he had with Vanator the day previous. Next it was the three sets of pushups, his body hungry for the exercise. Elem tried to keep his mind clear, focusing on his posture and position as his thoughts melted away like fat was in the process of doing. Usually it might seem strange to exercise in a lobby, but the Tuvya almost encouraged it.
After the pushups were fisnished, Elem rolled over on his back, beginning the crunches. His focus was on an imagined spot on the ceiling, the shouts and sychronized grunts of the other fighters another focal point for his ears. he could feel the burn again in his abdomen. It felt good. He was mildly concerned about other regions, but suspected that proper exercises would come in time and for now, the core would be the focal point. Just as he was nearing the end of twenty five crunches, Morkal's large blue head occupied the spot previously held by the point in the ceiling. He was smiling down on Elem.
"Working hard before we begin? I might be mistaken about humans, Elem Bree. Are you ready to begin? Or should I wait for your next set to commence?" Elem smiled, no longer taking the jabs personally that Morkal threw verbally. His physical ones were plenty. Quickly standing alongside his trainer, he simply nodded, his breath not prepared to allow for conversation. Following into the usual room, Elem went ahead and removed his tunic. It was hot and needless anyway, especially since he was growing less ashamed of his body. Standing before Morkal, he bowed to him, receiving one in kind from the stout Akalak.
"What did you mean about humans, Morkal?", Elem asked, rolling his neck and stretching and extending his fingers before curling them into fists. Morkal was busy tying his hair into a braid. "Well, Elem Bree, many of your kind seem to lack the discipline that we Akalak rely and thrive on. Maybe it is your short lifespan. I am not sure, really. Anyway, you seem to be more like us in that respect, so I thank you for that." Elem smiled. He couldn't believe Morkal just complimented him.
"Don't wet your trousers, Elem Bree. Find your center."
Just as quickly the smile vanished. Not because Elem was sad, but he knew that it was a brief interlude before Morkal lashed out at him for training. His braid tied and flipped behind his right shoulder, the Akalak stepped forward, his hands on his hips. He was also shirtless and Elem could admire the definition that he was going for. In fact, the younger man was just beginning to see it in his own body. But enough of that, that kind of selfish thinking gets you punched in the face.
