Something New [Narrative][Finished]

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

[Takes place after Out and About]

It had been a while since Zeshin's last meeting with Peteo, and he was very eager to inform his friend on recent events. Hurrying to the tree on the hill, Zeshin was nearly out of breath when he arrived at his destination, having ran nearly the entire distance to the outskirts of town. Sitting sown to catch his breath, he turned to the sky to watch the blazing trail of flames coming from Slepnir's feet and tail, as Peteo grabbed the reigns of the beast when they landed on the ground, bringing the creature to a halt.

"Zeshin my friend, don't tell me you came here to sit and look exhausted, we have training to do." Peteo said as he dismounted his steed, walking over to Zeshin. Extending his hand in a friendly gesture, Peteo and Zeshin performed their customary greeting of hand to forearms. Taking his sword off his waist, Peteo smiled as the bright sun gleamed of the edge of his polished weapon, "Are you ready? Peteo asked.

"As ever!" Zeshin exclaimed, revealing a new, lustrous blade from his old tattered sheath, holding it with both hands as he assumed his training stance, readying himself combat.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Zeshin stood still as a gentle breeze blew through the field, the leaves of the lone tree wafting in the wind as he remained steadfast, still assuming his stance from before, having yet to make a move.

"Hmm... what do you have up your sleeve Zeshin, you usually run right at me." Peteo said, standing in a fencing position, hoping to goad Zeshin in to fighting.

"I thought I'd try something new today." Zeshin said, remaining still, his hands clenched around the handle of his blade.

"So be it then." Peteo said before switching his stance to accommodate the charge he began at Zeshin, his feet carrying him with great speed. Zeshin prepared himself to brace for the impact of Peteo sword until Peteo seemingly disappeared from his frontal view, appearing right behind him. In a moment of happenstance, Zeshin heard the soft crunch of Peteo's boots on the soft grass to his rear, attempting to turn and face him while parrying the attack with his sword.

The brunt of Peteo's initial attack was too fierce, as it sent Zeshin stumbling backwards, only barely being able to deflect the attack before Peteo lunged forward with another attack. Letting go off the sword with one hand, Zeshin was able to regain his ground as the previous impact of the clashed sword swung the arm that held it away from Zeshin's position, Zeshin firmly planting his feet into the ground as he spun with the momentum of the blade to grab his sword wih two hands.

Now seeing an opening in Peteo's defenses with his arm still extended from the lunge, Zeshin swung his firmly held blade against Peteo's extended one, hoping to knock him off balance this time, as Zeshin ran in before he could resume his fencing stance again. "You've gotten faster Zeshin, I am impressed." Peteo said as he successfully countered Zeshin's incoming attack, clashing his blade against Zeshin's while pushing him back. There the two of them stood in thier respective stances, both waiting to engage the other again.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Panting, Zeshin smiled at the acknowledgment of his progression, "Thanks Peteo." Zeshin said waiting for Peteo's attack. Peteo took in several shallow breaths before changing into Zeshin, using his sword to redirect Zeshin's blade, Peteo made several volleys with the dull side of his blade in the direction of Zeshin's side.

Reeling back, Zeshin became overwhelmed by Peteo's barrage, losing his footing and finally falling over. "It's over Zeshin." Peteo said plunging his blade into the ground by Zeshin's face, extending his hand to help his friend stand to his feet. "Tell me Zeshin, when did you get so fast, you weren't fast enough to dodge or intercept any of my attacks before today." Peteo said, looking at Zeshin.

Standing to his feet, and dusting of his rear, Zeshin scratched his head in confusion, "I don't know, I didn't notice anything different, you still won." Zeshin said inspecting his blade of scratches before returning it to it's sheath. Unaware of the change in his physical being, Zeshin decided to remain silent on the events of the scuffle that resulted in half the bar being scorched and a man burned alive.

"Winning isn't the point of our training, I have to make you aware of your progression otherwise the training is fruitless, but take my word, you are faster." Peteo said inspecting his own sword, noticing several small dents in the blade. "And stronger I might add." Peteo noted, looking at Zeshin inquisitively.

"What's up with the looks?' Zeshin asked walking over to Peteo. "Hey, how is Puck doing, I haven't seen him since he gave that recipe for Chimera Patties." Zeshin said as huge smile spread across his face, thinking about seeing Merab again.

Sighing as he became aware of the source of Zeshin's glee. Peteo signaled to Slepnir with the conch shaped whistle to call the beast to their location. "Come then, it's been a while since you've been to the palace, and Puck has been asking about." Peteo said as he place his sword back in it's sheath, and back at its side, proceeding mounted his fiery steed. Slepnir looked at Zeshin and bucked, crying out loudly.

"Shut you stupid horse, I don't like you either." Zeshin said, placing his blade back in its hilt and on his back as he reached up to mount Slepnir.

"Were did you get your new blade from Zeshin." Peteo asked before pulling on Slepnir's reigns, signaling for the horse to begin it's journey home.

"From the old man in my village..." Zeshin said startled at the speed of which Slepnir took off.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

As the Slepnir came to the grounds of the Regent of Terra's dwelling, Zeshin let out a sharp sigh of relief that the hellishly fast ride was over with, taking the opportunity to jump off the beast at the first chance on the ground. Zeshin had not been to Peteo's home in quite sometime, so he took the time to bask in the marvelous features of his friends dwellings. The pillars and high terraces, the beautify crystal glass of the doors, Zeshin smiled as he walked up the stairs of the front of the large house.

A servant came from the rear of the house to address Peteo, "Sir, you father has ordered me to make you aware of him requiring your presence when you returned to the grounds Young Master." the servant said, bowing gracefully.

"Thank you Edgar, that will be all." Peteo said, dismissing the elderly manservant while rubbing Slepnir's head. Dismounting, Peteo looked into the beasts eyes, "I shall call for you when I need you friend." Peteo said as he signaled to the horse to roam freely for the time being. Neighing in acknowledgment, Slepnir trotted off. "Come Zeshin, were off to see my father." Peteo said as Zeshin turned around nodding in agreement.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Peteo and Zeshin walked down the long corridors that comprised the manor of Terra, Peteo's families ancestral home. Regal in all its splendor, the house was as large as it were beautiful, with various frescoes of Peteo's relatives in various scenes on its wall, the various beautiful draperies and polished wooden furniture, and all the while several servants scurrying about to accomplish their daily tasks. Stopping in front of his father chamber, Peteo knocked and was told to enter by a stern voice. nodding to Zeshin to follow, the two young men entered the duke's chambers.

Standing near a window by his personal chair and bookshelf, Peteo's father Leto, stood tall and proud, a refined man who could pass for a larger, bearded version of his son. "Zeshin, good to see you in good health lad, you've grown much since I last saw you." Leto said turning near the two young men in his office.

"Thank you sir, I hope all has been well for you too." Zeshin said nervously, standing straight as a razors edge s he addressed the duke.

A smile crept on the duke's face as Zeshin responded to him, "Just as your father, nervous while addressing authority, oh well, such things cannot be helped. Zeshin, if you will excuse me, I need to discuss a matter of importance with my son, privately." Leto said, walking to his desk. "Feel free to roam the grounds lad." Leto said to Zeshin as he took a seat, signaling for Peteo to do the same across from him.

"Yes sir. Peteo, we'll catch up when your done, I'll go see Puck, so look for me around the kitchen." Zeshin said to Peteo who nodded in agreement as Zeshin left the room. Feeling a small bit of jealousy, Zeshin envied Peteo above all for one reason, thinking to himself as he explored the house as he had done many times before. It wasn't his wealth, or his battle prowess that Zeshin craved although he admire them, it was the love Peteo's father had for his son, something Zeshin had not known in his short years, being raised by his mother, not knowing the man whom everyone spoke of so tenderly, all within the range of not trying yo offend Zeshin.

Swatting away such thoughts of envy Zeshin entered the kitchen to find a small, round bodied man hard at work kneading dough for what looked to be bread for tonight's dinner. "Use your knuckles Puck, like you tell me all the time." Zeshin said loudly as he entered the kictchen.

"So the student becomes the teacher I see." Puck said with a smile on his round, reddened face, looking up at the blue haired young man. "How have you been my pupil?" Puck asked as he place the bread in a bowl, covering it with a damp towel to allow it to rise before baking it.

"I've been ok I guess." Zeshin said, his sword on his back knocking a bowl off the counter as he passed. Acting quickly Zeshin, reached down to catch th bowl before it shattered on the ground, his speed uncannily aiding him in its midair capture as he placed it back onto the coutner. "Whew, that was close." Zeshin said before a large wooden spoon found its way to the top of his head. With a soft thud, Puck struck Zeshin with the spoon. "What did you do that for!" Zeshin said rubbing his newly made lump.

"Because, you lecture without looking, clumsy boy." Puck said, placing the spoon on the counter.

"Dad, leave Zeshin alone." a soft and sweet voice said from the front of the kitchen. There she stood, he raven hair tied neatly in ponytail to prevent her hair from getting in her beautiful face as she cooked. Her brown eyes, pouty pink lips curled in a smile, as she walked toward her father and Zeshin, carrying the smell of vanilla as she walked. The sight of her reduced Zeshin to a visual mess, his nose open, cheeks red, eyes dreamy. Bearly standing, Zeshin forced himself to say something, "He...he... hello Merab." Zeshin finally spat out.

"Hello Zeshin, dad I'm going to get potatoes for the roast." Merab said, smiling at Zeshin as she left the kitchen for more vegetables from the garden.

As she walked past, Zeshin's enjoyment of her sweet fragrance was cut short by Puck's wooden spoon crashing down on his head again. "Keep your mind on the present boy, I have a task for you." Puck said pointing to the cutting board, smiling at the damage he caused on Zeshin's tender scalp. "Show me you cutting prowess, I want see if you've been practicing." Puck said, retrieving a slab of meat from the icebox.

Rubbing his battered head, Zeshin sighed at his mentor and washed his hands before removing a knife from the cooks counter. "Ok old man, but if you hit me again this meat ain't gonna be the only thing cut around here." Zeshin mockingly threatened as he began to trim the meat. Starting with the fat, Zeshin removed the white, stubborn attachment from the cut without much waste, commencing to trim around the bone carefully not to remove it. Finishing he turned to Puck who inspected the meat meticulosly, with a slight look of disappointment on his face.

"Why have you left the bone in?" Puck asked Zeshin blankly.

"Umm... because the heat of the fire on the bone will help cook the meat faster and leave the cut juicy." Zeshin answered.

"Very good. You have done well now season it and prepared it to be cooked." Puck said as he watched Zeshin do as instructed. After he finished and washed his hands again, Zeshin and Puck bowed to eachother, "I hope these recipes will come to some use lad, also bid your mother well for me." Puck said to Zeshin as the boy left the kitchen.

"Thank a million Puck, bye." Zeshin said as he left the kitchen and the chef. Walking over to a window, Zeshin watched as Merab was in the garden, procuring vegetables for the meal tonight. Zeshin then heard footsteps from at least 50 feet behind him, distinguishing them from the rest of those he heard because of the sound metal grieves make when the hit the floor. Turning around he saw Peteo with a melancholic look on his face. Walking towards him Zeshin stopped in front of him, "Peteo what's wrong, how did the talk with your dad go?" Zeshin asked.

"Come with me outside Zeshin, we have to talk." Peteo said blankly, his expression not changing.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Standing outside in the pomegranate groves of the Terran Estate, Zeshin stood with his friend Peteo, watching the sun creep into the horizon, preparing to set for the day. The various oranges, reds, and ambers painted the dusky sky as the two young watched in awe. "My father wants me to begin my military career, starting on his next campaign. I am to accompany him." Peteo said without an inkling of passion in his voice.

"That's great Peteo, your father is Duke, so when your done you'll succeed him." Zeshin said said enthusiastically, turning to see his friend did not share the same sentiment. Puzzle, Zeshin began to scratch his head. "Why the long face, you don't want to go or something?' Zeshin asked curiously, unaware to the source of his friends angst.

"It's not that Zeshin. My father... he expects so much out of me... what if... what if I fail him?"
Peteo asked, showing the fear of disappointing his father. This wasn't the first time Peteo betrayed his calm demeanor, but it was nonetheless a rare occurrence.

"You'll do fine, don't worry about it. Your dad seems proud of you, just do what he says, he's a good man." Zeshin said, unsure of how to comfort his friend in this situation, a field in which he had no expertise.

"That is easy for you to say, you don't know what it's like to disappoint..." Peteo said catching himself as he looked at Zeshin, the half of the sentence he uttered piercing through Zeshin like a sword. "Zeshin I... I grown insolent in my words, I apologize, that last comment was too much." Peteo said apologetically.

"Its okay..." Zeshin said, still reeling from the shock of his friends words. "When do you leave?" Zeshin asked, now turning to face his friend.

"By the end of this month, I will depart for Ghedi with my father to quell the rebellion at the foot of the mountains in the outland." Peteo said.

"What do you say we have one last spar at the end of the month, you know before you leave?" Zeshin asked, changing the mood and tone of the conversation.

"We shall meet under the tree at the height of noon, train hard before then." Peteo said, extending his hand to Zeshin.

Taking his friends hand, the two young men clasped hand in a gesture of goodwill and fierce competitiveness, "You'll see, I beat you this time." Zeshin said, he exhuberence return to him as they ended their embrace. Walking off into the sunset, Zeshin turned on last time to wave goodbye to his friend, whom he would not see for several weeks, until the last time they would see each other for who knew when. Zeshin promised himself to return stronger, to give his friend a trainer a proper send off.