10th of Fall, 518 A.V.
Midnight Gem, 20th Bell----------------
The last of Syna’s blessed light was fading behind the horizon. Through the window Kynier could see the hues of red, yellow, gold, and orange paint the clouds in the sky. After a moment’s appreciation he returned his focus to strapping on his boots. Kynier was partially excited for the activity planned for the night. The clouds had taken a pause from weeping all over the city. The air was still thick with moisture and the grounds were going to be soggy and wet. But that it wasn’t raining anymore gave them an opportunity to actually do what they intended.
It had been Kelksi’s idea. That they should go out and run through the city at night. The Kelvic had devoted more time to training and strengthening her body. Something that Kynier’s attention had diminished on slightly. While his abdomen did not develop the swelling of an inactive male, the mage had begun to felt his physical qualities slip a little. Muscles had never been his concern, though he didn’t deny the appeal. It was the flexibility and endurance. This was something he needed, and was thankful for the ability to have someone to do it with.
Once his boots were strapped tightly he stood up from the edge of the bed. He took the time to strap on his weapons. The cold iron blade he had taken from Fretrin, and Glister, its more eloquent twin. Kynier wasn’t intending on finding the trouble that would require them. But then, no one ever did. Almost he elected to not carry his two daggers that he kept for dire situations. Then he changed his mind again and slipped the assassin’s dagger into his boot and the mundane dagger to the belt at his back. For the training to be more effective it would be best to dress like he would any other day.
From the wardrobe he removed the new cloak that he had procured from his antics in the city just the day before. It was made of a lighter and finer material than his old one. Llama wool that had been dyed black. Kynier draped it over his shoulders and raised the hood. The lighter weight on his frame was something he was still adjusting to. But the material was smoother to the touch and imbued with magic to make him more comfortable when wearing it. After that he took up his backpack of voiding and went to the kitchen. From the cupboard he removed three of the waterskins before going outside to the water pump in order to fill them. Kynier wasn’t sure how much Kelski intended to pack in regards to supplies. To be safe, he decided to take a few medical wraps from their stores, as well as needle and thread for sutures, and added them to the pack. That should be everything we could need. Kynier slipped the pack on underneath the cloak and made for the Great Room.
A chime later, Kynier was standing at the top of the stairs leading into the Great Room. Though he was partially excited he was also feeling anxiety. Normally this was something he did on his own. Secluded from possible judgment. Kelski had taken to the skies every day and more recently to the few miles around the Midnight Gem to run. It had been a third of a season since last he really ran. Kynier did not like the idea of falling short and somehow disappointing her. Enough of that had been occurring recently.
He did not need to wait for more than a few ticks before Kelski emerged fully prepared from her appearance. Kynier smiled at her for no real reason, other than seeing her. The training she had been doing was showing more each day on her form. Kelski looked stronger and healthier night after night. After his thoughts on appreciating her figure had passed she was standing next to him. “I’m all set to go if you are.” He said. Once she was ready they descended the stairs together. Kynier double checked the inside of his dark green vest to make sure he had the key to let them back into the Midnight Gem later. It was there, safely stowed in a concealed pocket.
Outside the door Kynier turned to Kelski and gestured out to nothing in particular that was in front of them with a hand. “After you,” he said with a smile that indicated how he planned to enjoy this. Kynier would let Kelski set the pace and choose the first piece of their path. Normally he would’ve stretched first to loosen his legs, but that was never available in the fight or flight moments. And he wanted to see what he could do when burdened with his general daily set up. Once Kelski began, he watched her go for a few steps before beginning himself.
Kynier made a small vertical hop, lifting on knee higher than the other. Once his weight reconnected with the ground he sank with the momentum so that his knees bent. With his body coiled up like a spring, he released and took off after Kelski. Though he had the longer stride it still took some several ticks to close the distance that had formed. He did not run parallel with her, but allowed himself to be a half stride behind on her side. Right where she could easily see him while letting her take the lead.
Running was a primal function of all creatures. And yet, there was an art form to it. Kynier did not dig his heels into the ground the way he sometimes did with his normal stride. Being lighter was an objective and landing softly on the soles of the feel. To glide over the ground rather than stamp it down as he went. The wet ground proved useful for that. To listen to the intensities of his foot falls with the amount of squelching that accompanied them. So he listened and judged himself on when he was planting his feet too hard, or not hard enough for an appropriate grip to propel himself efficiently.
They had only just begun; but Kynier glanced over at Kelski and smiled through his breathing. This was a really good idea.
Word Count: 1,045
It had been Kelksi’s idea. That they should go out and run through the city at night. The Kelvic had devoted more time to training and strengthening her body. Something that Kynier’s attention had diminished on slightly. While his abdomen did not develop the swelling of an inactive male, the mage had begun to felt his physical qualities slip a little. Muscles had never been his concern, though he didn’t deny the appeal. It was the flexibility and endurance. This was something he needed, and was thankful for the ability to have someone to do it with.
Once his boots were strapped tightly he stood up from the edge of the bed. He took the time to strap on his weapons. The cold iron blade he had taken from Fretrin, and Glister, its more eloquent twin. Kynier wasn’t intending on finding the trouble that would require them. But then, no one ever did. Almost he elected to not carry his two daggers that he kept for dire situations. Then he changed his mind again and slipped the assassin’s dagger into his boot and the mundane dagger to the belt at his back. For the training to be more effective it would be best to dress like he would any other day.
From the wardrobe he removed the new cloak that he had procured from his antics in the city just the day before. It was made of a lighter and finer material than his old one. Llama wool that had been dyed black. Kynier draped it over his shoulders and raised the hood. The lighter weight on his frame was something he was still adjusting to. But the material was smoother to the touch and imbued with magic to make him more comfortable when wearing it. After that he took up his backpack of voiding and went to the kitchen. From the cupboard he removed three of the waterskins before going outside to the water pump in order to fill them. Kynier wasn’t sure how much Kelski intended to pack in regards to supplies. To be safe, he decided to take a few medical wraps from their stores, as well as needle and thread for sutures, and added them to the pack. That should be everything we could need. Kynier slipped the pack on underneath the cloak and made for the Great Room.
A chime later, Kynier was standing at the top of the stairs leading into the Great Room. Though he was partially excited he was also feeling anxiety. Normally this was something he did on his own. Secluded from possible judgment. Kelski had taken to the skies every day and more recently to the few miles around the Midnight Gem to run. It had been a third of a season since last he really ran. Kynier did not like the idea of falling short and somehow disappointing her. Enough of that had been occurring recently.
He did not need to wait for more than a few ticks before Kelski emerged fully prepared from her appearance. Kynier smiled at her for no real reason, other than seeing her. The training she had been doing was showing more each day on her form. Kelski looked stronger and healthier night after night. After his thoughts on appreciating her figure had passed she was standing next to him. “I’m all set to go if you are.” He said. Once she was ready they descended the stairs together. Kynier double checked the inside of his dark green vest to make sure he had the key to let them back into the Midnight Gem later. It was there, safely stowed in a concealed pocket.
Outside the door Kynier turned to Kelski and gestured out to nothing in particular that was in front of them with a hand. “After you,” he said with a smile that indicated how he planned to enjoy this. Kynier would let Kelski set the pace and choose the first piece of their path. Normally he would’ve stretched first to loosen his legs, but that was never available in the fight or flight moments. And he wanted to see what he could do when burdened with his general daily set up. Once Kelski began, he watched her go for a few steps before beginning himself.
Kynier made a small vertical hop, lifting on knee higher than the other. Once his weight reconnected with the ground he sank with the momentum so that his knees bent. With his body coiled up like a spring, he released and took off after Kelski. Though he had the longer stride it still took some several ticks to close the distance that had formed. He did not run parallel with her, but allowed himself to be a half stride behind on her side. Right where she could easily see him while letting her take the lead.
Running was a primal function of all creatures. And yet, there was an art form to it. Kynier did not dig his heels into the ground the way he sometimes did with his normal stride. Being lighter was an objective and landing softly on the soles of the feel. To glide over the ground rather than stamp it down as he went. The wet ground proved useful for that. To listen to the intensities of his foot falls with the amount of squelching that accompanied them. So he listened and judged himself on when he was planting his feet too hard, or not hard enough for an appropriate grip to propel himself efficiently.
They had only just begun; but Kynier glanced over at Kelski and smiled through his breathing. This was a really good idea.
Word Count: 1,045
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