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WHO: Shalem and Zagreus
WHERE: ??? Somewhere in the outskirts of Stygia I guess.
WHEN: Just before the event
WHAT: Shalem did promise to share his skills with the shield, and Zagreus is insistent on getting that done immediately.
WARNINGS: The potential for Shalem to turn unhinged.

[shalem eyes the dagger in his hand, which hasn't been pulled from its sheath since he first bought it. he'd prefer it that way-- in fact, he'd prefer not to have it at all, because if he were to let his imagination run wild, he can imagine the blade whispering to him about what he could use it for. he wrenches his eyes from it and drops his hand back to hang at his side. better for zagreus to come with his makeshift shields, and then he can conveniently forget that he loaned the man the blade.

his tail flicks as he spies that familiar face in the distance, and he waves a hand with his newly-bought gloves.]

Hello stranger. I will exchange you one of those shields for this dagger, if you're amenable?

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[zagreus is not supposed to praise him for... for that!! shalem flushes deeply as he helps haul zagreus up.]

Ah, that-- [perhaps it would be too much to ask that zagreus forgets it ever happened.]

As long as you're not hurt. [then his gaze sharpens after his initial shame, and he looks his student over with a critical eye.] You are unhurt, right?

I am, I am. [Look at him, folding arms and legs and wrists and rolling shoulders to show how uninjured he is. Zagreus is made out of stronger stuff than most, Shalem. He has nothing to worry about.] I sort of let it flow to see how much I can take it. I can take much more than that, don't worry.

[shalem can breathe easier now, with the lack of lasting damage.]

As long as you're well, that's all I care for. It's not my intent to truly hurt...

[he looks down at his hand, at the weak little shield, and wishes he had his own. it helps him regulate his power, but in a way, not having his shield keeps him from being too reckless for fear of making himself ill. well, more ill than he already is.]

Are you willing to continue?

[He shakes his head, hoping to be as reassuring as possible.] That's quite alright; I do believe I can take more of what you gave me so far.

[He may not be so tall, but he's sturdy, and is slightly (understatement) used to pain.] I am. Shall we?

[if shalem didn't know better, he would have said that zagreus is probably asking for shalem to do more... what a troublesome godling.]

One more round of sparring before we end this session, all right?

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but we still need to rest, and you need time to think about what you've learned and how to apply it better.

[That's because he is. He's had people spar with him to the death, Shalem, don't be a coward.]

Alright, that does make a proper training session. [He's a good pupil and does what he's told.] You've done this before, haven't you? It seems like it comes very naturally to you.

[was it that obvious, he wonders. is he even any good, he wonders. shalem never really thought he was exemplary in such things, just adequate-- or a fine enough teacher that his peers won't falter when it's time to fight.]

I have... been asked to take shifts in the training rooms before, helping other defenders refine their techniques.

You are the first I've worked with from nearly the ground up.

That makes sense. I'm really enjoying this. I've only ever learned about attacking with a shield, not defending.

[He rolls his wrists and shoulders, ready for the next session.] I have to thank you for this. I really needed to unwind, too.

[shalem shrugs sheepishly with a flush, unused to this specific praise because he never considered himself an actual teacher.]

I shall teach you how to properly attack with a shield next time. Perhaps... if you find a better shield to use, because I have no doubt that these will fall apart with the first strike.

[rhodes island's defenders go hard, okay.]

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