misterbrief | Appointments

Time wasted is worse. And besides, it's not as if I'm physically damaging him. Using energy like that only requires rest and nourishment afterward. Fayt's just got to get his body used to it so he needs less and less to recover.

[And Vegeta isn't going to cut his wing off. Blast him, yes, but not cut his wing off.]

I know. [The stamina to use Symbology was like any other muscle, in a few ways. Practice on a regular basis would strengthen it, but it still had limits like everything else.]

Trust me. I know. Just, keep in mind that he's not a trained fighter like you and me. Sure he's skilled, but that's his tenacity and talent. Overworking him's just gonna make all of this alot longer and alot harder.

Well, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, isn't that right? [But yeah, yeah, he knew Fayt was just an Earthling who wasn't quite like what he was used to.]

Right. Just be careful. He's already moving faster at this than Maria, so let him take a break every now and again.

[Then, knowing that Vegeta was always going to be himself, Cliff quickly added:]

At least until he's back on his feet.

Well, he's already on his feet so I figure he's fine to continue training. I don't want him taking liberties with the time given to him, I know how teenagers work and they're nothing but trouble, even if Fayt seems to be working much harder than your normal high school brat. Trust me, I've dealt with more than enough of them ten times over.

Well, he had no formal training at all when I pulled him off'a that backwater planet, and look how far he's come since then. I know he's still a young guy, but he's got a far better head on his shoulders than I did at his age. He's definitely working as hard as he can...

He'd best be. Though I must give him credit, he can already consciously summon that power of his. He doesn't have good control on it, but he can do it. Now it's just a matter of practice and diligent training.

Yeah. Ain't that just life?

Speaking of-- I was hoping we could get together sometime for another spar, now that there's no Shifts gettin' in the way. It's been way too long.

As you wish. Have you been working on that technique I showed you?

You mean the beam thing? [Headscratch.] Not as much as I should'a been, to be honest. Between being abducted, Shifted, and taking care of everyone I've kinda had my plate full.

[Well, Cliff's got a point there, but still.] Then I'd suggest you make a little more time. At least your power isn't gamebreaking, so it's not exactly a priority. But it might save you one day, so I wouldn't slack any longer if I were you.

[Especially since Cliff's style of fighting would put him in the fray, and that might mean no powers at all on the battlefield. Fayt though, that's a little different. Vegeta figures Fayt could have distance and still be able to take people out...]

[Distance wasn't ever going to be a problem for Fayt and his skills. Cliff knew this intimately, and sincerely hoped that the young man was making headway with all of this vigorous training. There were limits...but they didn't know how much time they had.]

I wasn't planning to. [He set his jokes down along with his meal.] Things are clearing up again. Now's as good a time as any to get back to work, and I don't wanna waste it.

That's the attitude I like to see. I'll fight you sometime, that's fine by me. But don't expect me to go easy on you now. Especially since it's been too long since we had any sort of real combat around here.

Yeah-- I know. Everyone's gotten itchy 'bout that. [Not even he, for all of his jokes and seemingly careless attitude, was exempt from it.] And the last thing I'm expecting from you is an easy fight. That'd be insulting.

[He chuckles softly.]

Then at least you know what to expect. Hopefully you're stronger than you were last time. I'd like a challenge for once.

[Poke poke that ego.]

Hey, [he groaned, clearly taking the bait.] I ain't some punk kid, yanno!

Well, then you can prove it to me. To me you are some punk kid, not even managing to keep up with someone almost old enough to retire.

[Vegeta, retire, yeah right.]

[The look he gives Vegeta makes his ability to believe that quite plain.]

[Groaning, Cliff scratched his head.]

Gah...you don't need to put it like that!

[He shrugs. That reaction was priceless, he'll just enjoy that for a second, don't mind him.]

Well, it is the truth, is it not?

[He sighed, soundly defeated by this man's logic.]

...I'm gonna punch you so hard that you're gonna remember it one day.

[There was neither jest nor anger in his tone, just a statement. It wasn't a bad goal to strive for, in his opinion.]

Sure. If you manage that I might just be impressed. But you might want to get on that, there's no telling when one of us will disappear from here.

[He smirks back, his voice carrying a sly teasing tone.]

Aah-- ain't that the truth?

[There was humor in the grim reality of this world. People never knew how long they had in this world, for better or worse.]

[He shrugs, but doesn't give it much more thought- there's enough on his plate already.]

Yes, it is. You know, I never thought I'd come to hope that I didn't leave this place. Imagine, leaving and returning with no memories- all that work for nothing. Sometimes this place pushes me to the point that I'd like to return home, but...I'd rather stay.

[He also can't imagine Luceti having to deal with a younger incarnation of him, but, he'll keep that to himself.]

I feel ya on that one-- probly for different reasons, but I know what ya mean.

[Although he had only been in this world for just over a year, he didn't want to imagine having to give up the memories and friendships he's made in that time. They were precious to him, each in their own way, and he regretted none of it.

...Besides that, there was his concerns about the nature of how timelines ran. While he had faith in Fayt and his story of the future, Cliff also had his doubts.

When faced with the possibility of deletion or living a life in this chaotic world, he would choose the certainty of a twisted paradise over the unknown.]

Appointments

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