=== Amber & Merrin === --- C --- [Merrin] Amber, I have a question. How does a knight from the kingdom of Brodia train? [Amber] Why do you want to know about that? [Merrin] To be honest, I've always admired Brodian knights, and I'm just curious... [Merrin] Your country is called the kingdom of warriors, so your training methods must be extraordinary. [Amber] We do crank out a lot of strong warriors, but I think that's due to the terrain... [Amber] Most of Brodia is just cliffs and ravines. It's not great for traditional farming, y'know? [Amber] The focus in many villages is on mining and such, so folks tend to grow sturdy and strong. [Merrin] I see! So strength training is just part of daily life, then? [Amber] For most people, yeah! I grew up on an alpaca ranch, so my daily chores were a bit different. [Merrin] Alpacas?! Those rare critters of notoriety?! [Merrin] That's fantastic! I adore critters with all my heart─rare ones especially! [Merrin] If you worked on a ranch, you must know all about them. Please, tell me what you know! [Amber] Well, first off, alpacas are super fluffy... But also? They're really cute. [Amber] There is a lot of spitting, though. You have to watch out for that. [Merrin] Spitting?! Magnificent! I'm sure I wouldn't mind alpaca spit one bit. [Amber] Trust me, you would. It takes forever to get the smell out of your clothes. Or hair. [Amber] I don't mean to brag, but I've become an expert alpaca-spit dodger. [Amber] Hah! Hoowah! That's just a couple of your basic spit-evasion moves... [Amber] Wha─ Ah! AAH! [Amber] Aw, why do rocks always sabotage my cool moves? [Merrin] ... [Merrin] I'd expect nothing less from a Brodian knight! Very impressive. [Amber] Huh? [Merrin] Brodian knights aren't just strong, they're spry enough to pull off a pratfall. Well played! [Merrin] You really must teach me the secret to your strength sometime soon. [Amber] Uh, you enjoyed that? Then...yeah, that was all planned! I am the picture of strength and agility. --- B --- [Merrin] Amber! I was hoping you'd teach me the secret to that Brodian strength of yours. [Amber] It's not much of a secret. Like I said earlier, it was mostly physical labor back on the ranch. [Merrin] Huh... It sounds like building up endurance is important, then? [Amber] Oh, for sure. The higher your endurance, the longer you can train! [Merrin] I see. Very helpful. [Merrin] And to think, one can build up this endurance caring for alpacas. It's a dream come true! [Merrin] I wish we had alpacas in my country. [Amber] Don't worry, Merrin. If you wanna get strong, I can teach you everything I know. [Merrin] You can? You will? [Amber] You bet! Where do you want to start? Running? Maybe some core exercises? [Merrin] Why don't we spar together...just to see how much endurance I have right now. [Amber] Oh, good idea! It'll be nice to have a new sparring partner. [Merrin] I doubt I'll be a match for you. I'll just have to do my best and hope I don't embarrass myself. [Amber] Aw, maaan... [Merrin] I can't believe it. I won so...easily. [Amber] I can't believe I tripped over myself. I wasn't even attacking! I'm so pathetic... [Merrin] Wait...you're lulling me into dropping my guard, aren't you? Distracting me with pratfalls again? [Amber] ... [Amber] Sorry, Merrin, but I'm gonna call it. Lesson's over for today, OK? [Merrin] Oh, OK. Another time, then. --- A --- [Amber] Hey, Merrin. I'm really sorry. [Merrin] Why are you apologizing to me? [Amber] It's about our sparring match the other day. I really did trip, and I really did lose to you. [Merrin] You did? [Amber] It wasn't a covert strategy or a pratfall. I just... fell because I was being careless. [Amber] That happens a lot. I'm actually pretty clumsy. [Amber] I stumble into everything, including my role as a knight of Brodia. It's all dumb luck! [Merrin] I don't believe that. Not for one minute. [Merrin] I'm from a small village too, so I know how hard you must have worked to get where you are. [Merrin] No one is named retainer to a crown prince without a tremendous amount of effort. [Merrin] You may be uncoordinated, but I have no doubt you're an excellent knight, Amber. [Amber] That's...that's very encouraging to hear... Thank you, Merrin. [Amber] I should really be learning from you, y'know? Can we do some more training together? [Merrin] Of course. I'd be honored to train with a knight from the kingdom of Brodia. [Amber] Yes! I can't wait to get started! [Amber] With your help, I'll get rid of my clumsiness and become a respectable knight in no time! [Merrin] It seems to me, the secret to a Brodian's strength is that earnest attitude of yours. [Merrin] Hehe, I think I'm going to learn a thing or two from you, my friend. --- S ---