[BATT] How to Flourish (Nahori & Elidae)

[saedusk]

 

[saedusk]

Training with Sarcel felt entirely unnatural at first. It wasn't that Nahori had never done a night's work in her life—she cooked, she cleaned, she tended the garden—but she'd never exercised. It had never been all that important before now. After joining the military, that was obviously no longer the case.

It took some time. It took nights of lifting weights, running, sparring, anything to get her blood pusher really pumping. Eventually, after enough hard work, exercising started to feel almost good.

Nahori could feel the pent up stress melting off as she pedaled the stationary bike. She was alone tonight, so she could pretend the gym was a peaceful path through the plains back home, right up against a line of pleasant, rosy-colored trees. She could imagine the sweet smelling breeze and the sense of freedom.

It was nice, even if she really was just riding in place among the exercise equipment.

blackbird cake

 

[blackbird cake]

It had been a few nights since her bout with Kursha and Elidae had to take some time to recover. She probably shouldn't have forced herself to work out considering some bruises were still healing, but she knew if she didn't any time soon she would be prone to forgetting and losing the ultra nice magnificent military bod she worked her tush off for over the last half a sweep. She found herself entering one of the many gyms, expecting it to be empty at this time of night. However, she could see another body on one of the bikes. Well, Elidae didn't mind sharing the block at all! Perhaps a new friend could be made?

Pulling one of the earbuds from her spongeclots, Elidae approached behind the other troll the the muffled sound of a catchy, upbeat tune and a friendly smile.

"Heeey, mind if I-" Suddenly, an over-exaggerated gasp echoed in the block. Elidae slapped her hands over her cheeks. "Nahoriii?!" Her mouth stayed open in a wide, delightedly surprised smile for a long moment, and then she ran up beside her, tilting her whole body in front of the orangeblood's vision. "Oh my GOSH, its so nice to run into you!"


saedusk

 

[saedusk]

The gasp was what really shattered Nahori's illusionary world, causing her to stop pedaling and nearly jump right out of her skin. Good thing it wasn't an actual bike or she would've fallen over then and there. She turned on the voice, eyes wide, ready to excuse herself and all but run if things got dicey. As soon as she saw who it was, though, a relief tingled in her fingertips.

"Oh, Elidae..." she sighed, setting a hand over her blood pusher. "It's you. You, um, startled me a little." There was teeny hint of a smile on Nahori's face. She wasn't upset about it.

"Good to see you, too... Are you here to train? Maybe we could... do it together. If... if that's okay, I mean."

blackbird cake