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rendoa-blog · 2 days ago

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NewAgeAU Drabble - Relearning old Tricks.

Hey Spot @spotaus !! I am here with the scheme that i got the idea of from our reblogs!

And well :3 I hope i still manage to surprise you :3

Because I am sure you were thinking i meant the like. VERY first training...

But i had a slightly different idea :3 I hope you enjoy <3

*----------------------------*

Nightmare glances out of the secret tunnel as the court yard empties. He is in the servant tunnel right outside right by the training field. It is a nice day today. Not too sunny and a nice breeze. Making things cooler and less bright outside which helps his skull a lot.

But he needs to stop stalling... He watches as the human outside cleans up some weapons and shields before he exists the tunnel. Nightmare watches the other move around. Large male with an dark brown beard. He has scars on his face. He looks intimidating... But he really isn't. Nightmare knows this man very well after all.

Nightmare walks over and waits right by the side of the field near the shed.

The human stops and turns. A small smile tugs at those lips as he gives a deep bow "I am honoured The White Cat is here on a personal visit. How can I be of service sir?"

Nightmare immediantly feels embarrassed. He had been wearing Ccino's mask everywhere. He just felt too exposed without his own mask... and Ccino's mask was nicer. It felt like him. It smelled like him. It was a comfort... That together with his cape he felt safe enough to wander the castle alone again.

He tugs his skull closer to his shoulders as he speaks "Hello Captain..." his voice doesn't hold the weight it used to. It is high pitched and nightmare is still not used to it... He speaks softer and quietly to balance it out a bit.

Rogers immediantly stops smiling as a bit of a worried look covers his face. That is nice about the Captain. He has always been easy to read. Even when Ngihtmare was new to his powers, when he was freshly ascended. There was not a dishonest bone in this human's body. He never hid what he thought or felt. It was nice. it was refreshing. It was safe to be free of lies and tricks.

Captain Rogers frowns at him "Is something amiss my king?" and he waits. His voice softer. his eyes darting around the area. His hand on the sword by his side. Ready to defend.

He is safe.

Nightmare takes a deep breath "I have a request."

The human tilts his head as his shoulders and arm relaxes. His hand moves away from the sword and he smiles again "I am always happy to help you my king."

Now the hard part. "I want you to train me."

Rogers tilts his head again. Confused. He seems to pause for a moment before speaking "It would be a honour... but i am confused. I have already taught you the basics. Would you not prefer to expend on your skills yourself or with your knights?" and he waits.

Nightmare frowns as he tugs on his cloak. feelign the fabric. it is soft as always. freshly washed too. it is warm and cloaks out the cold easily. He raises his skull to look at Rogers again. Rogers is still waiting for him, not a single sign of impatiences or annoyance on his face.

Those things make it a bit easier.

"I know... It is just... I am different. So different now. Stuff feels different. Stuff you taught me... stuff i just knew before. it is all gone and I just... can't remember..." he feels bad. for having somehow forgotten the classes and lessons of before.

When he first ascended. He just had the knowledge. He knew it was possible but hadn't been able to figure out how to move. Rogers, only freshly out of the slightyl advanced training himself. Had helped him, at Nightmare's request. Rogers had spend weeks- no months, training with him. Going through simple moves and the different way to defend himself. Rogers had helped him figure out how to balance with his tentacles and which moves and which reactions had fitted for his new body and his state of balance.

All of that... wasted. Because he is small again.

Rogers crouches down, making himself smaller and makes it so that Nightmare doens't have to look up.

Rogers smiles so gently "I would be honoured to teach you again. You have always been one of my favourite students."

Nightmare feels embarrassed and his face feels warm as he tugs the cloak closer again "Why?"

Rogers smiles "You are willing to learn." he grins a bit more "When would it work for you to start training?"

Nightmare grins "Now." He is ready.

Rogers frowns "Now?"

Nightmare nods as he goes to unclip the cloak.

Rogers hold up a hand "Before we start. We will need to figure out a day and time that works for us both."

Nightmare frowns as he can't help but tug on his cloak "But... but i want to train?"

Rogers gets a smile on his face again "I know. But i need time to prepare training..." he watches him for a moment before his smiles grows a bit more. He has such obvious laugh lines on his face... "How about this. Today we can make a start. We can discuss what you want to gain out of this training and we can make a plan on what to work on to achieve that."

Nightmare feels less sure as he tugs on one of the small strings "I.. euh... just want to train... be strong."

Rogers nods and continues to wait once again.

Nightmare isn't looking at him anymore but the ground. There is sand here. Probably nice to train on? Nightmare can't quite remember how he experienced training indoors vs outdoors... he knows there were reasons for both but he just... can't remember now... it is driving him mad.

He stares down and feels tears start to appear in his sockets "It... it is just... i need to learn." he needs it. He needs it!

Rogers is quiet for a moment "Why do you need to my king?" His voice is calm. quiet. Gentle.

Nightmare feels his hand start to shake as he holds tightly unto his cloak "... It... If i could... If i could fight... back then... Killer wouldn't have been... He wouldn't have been... It is my fault..." Killer had been so close to dying... His soul had gotten hit... He was going to die and all because... all because he had to defend Nightmare...

Ngihtmare feels tears leave his sockets and watches them fall into the sand below him. making dark spots "If i had been... strong and powerful like before. He wouldn't have had to." He wouldn't have had to hide in that closet. Killer wouldn't have been forced to take hits to make sure Nightmare's hiding place wasn't compromised. It is his fault... He needs to be better.

Silence and more drops fall down. The sand's dark spots grow.

Rogers sighs "Kid- I mean... my king... Even if you had still had your past powers. Sir Tiger would still have moved to protect you. He would have still fought to shield you. All of them would have."

Nightmare feels more tears fall "I don't... I don't want them to! To feel like they have to because I am king... If... if i can defend myself they won't need to anymore."

Rogers sighs and chuckles "My king. They didn't protect you because you were the king."

Nightmare stops and stares back up shocked. Rogers is still squating in front of him. A gentle smile on his face. There is not a single lie on his face.

Nightmare's mind blanks "What?"

Rogers chuckles and those laugh lines are so obvious again "Sir Tiger, or any of them, didn't protect you because you are their king. They protected you because you are you."

Ngihtmare... doesn't get it... what... "What?"

Rogers smiles "They care about you because you are you. They care about that little soul that makes you you. Not the title that makes you king."

Nightmare frowns "But... I am just king? That is who I am?" Or not just really. Him being the king is the big thing. THE only thing that matters.

Rogers frowns as he stares up at the clouds "How can I explain this... actually I think Robin said it nicely once."

Robin... Nightmare knows Robin... Robin is the fun head maid. She is funny and wild and always has candy in her pocket... when he was little she would sneak him treats... when he was king she would still sneak him treats... though she would just leave them around him instead of giving them directly....

Rogers smiles at him "What is a soul?"

Nightmare raises a brow but answers instantly "The culmination of our being."

Rogers nods "True that is what people say. But what is that? What makes that up?"

nightmare frowns. He... huh... He was just always told that was it... He thinks for a moment "It is... our magic... our energy... our emotions... our thoughts?" and he waits.

Rogers nods and grins "Yes that is also true... But what makes those things up? What decides those things?"

Ngihtmare frowns and stares at him waiting.

The captain smiles "Our soul, is just us. That is it."

Nightmare frowns as he hugs his sides close "But... I am king... you said king is a title but not who I am... So what... what does my soul say I am?"

Rogers looks downright delighted "As Robin once said... We are a mosaic made of the love we share with others."

Nightmare stops as he just stares.

Rogers luckily seems to understand as he continues "Who we are... we aren't just copies of our parents. We may look like them but that is not what makes us us. What makes us us is what we think. What we feel. What we believe. These things we learn from those around us. those around us who care. Those we care about. We love people and people love us. That is who we are. We reflect and mirror that love back outwards."

A mosaic of the love we share with others...

Nightmare frowns as he remembers Ccino "But... but what if... people aren't nice to you? How can you... be nice?"

Rogers gets a gentle look on his face "It is not just the love we gain that shapes us. It is also the love we give... Sometimes... the kindest people are the most alone... and the reason why they are kind is because they know what it is like to be alone. And they decide to be kind to others so those don't feel that loneliness."

Ngihtmare looks down as he rubs his hand "We... reflect love back?"

Rogers nods "indeed... If i may... You... when you are focused or serious. You get the exact same look on your face as Ccino. When you are doing soemthing mischivious? You have the same grin as Sir Tiger. When you are dealing with the council or overseeing paperwork you strike a very close resemblance of sir Panther. When you are with the cats. The gentle nature of how you used to hold them when you had your godpowers. It is the same gentle and careful hold as Sir Lion." a small smile "You and Cross have the same loyalty in your soul for those around you."

Nightmare feels his soul speed up. He... he looks like his dad? like his brothers? He... his soul... He looks back towards the sand. His face feels warm and he can't stop smiling.

Rogers chuckles "There is more of course... but that is the most obvious... at least to me."

"What I mean to say my king. Even if you train. Even if you are strong enough once again to fight off armies on your own. They will not sit back. They will not let you fight alone. As just like you were shaped by their love, they were also shaped by your love."

Nightmare looks up anxiously "I... really?"

Rogers nods "Indeed. Of course. If you truly wish to train. I am happy to train you."

Nightmare thinks for a moment before nodding.

Rogers smiles "In that case. How about you take a moment to calm down and think over your schedule. It will be private training but if that makes you uneasy. Maybe it could be fun to invite your royal mage?"

Nightmare blinks confused "But he can use magic?"

Rogers nods "i know. however. There are ways magic can be blocked. If you wish... We can make sure Error can defend himself physically as well, just in case he ever needs it." he smiles.

Nightmare thinks for a moment before nodding "Yes. I... I will go to him... invite him along..." it would be... nice... doing something other than just work together... something that is special and... maybe more towards this new... more than friendship thing they have?!

Rogers nods as he gets up "You will know where to find me once you two settled on a date that works for you."

Ngihtmare frowns "What about your schedule."

The captain looks unconcerned "I finished the basic training for the new rookies last month. The only training I have planned are those for extra help one on one to help those who either need to improve, or those who wish to improve. These classes are always up for a schedule change. I will work it out."

Nightmare feels his teeth tug upwards "Thank you... Captain."

Rgoers grins "Happy to serve my king." and he bows.

Nightmare nods back and rushes off to find Error. He needs to talk with him and set up a day for them to try this! It will be fun!

---------

Nightmare watches as the captain moves soft bedding around until there is a large area covered. Ngihtmare is dressed in lose clothes as he sits waiting for his very first class!

Well... it isn't the very first. but the last classes he somehow forgot and lost the skill of so he doens't count them.

Error sits next to him. dressed simularly to Nightmare and nightmare is slightly distracted by the colour of his bones... Nightmare is just used to Error being dressed in his mage robes... this is so different! he looks nice... Error sees him shoot a look and blushes a tiny bit. a pretty dark blue along his face before Error gives him a cheeky grin. Nightmare feels his soul pulse as he grins back.

Rogers walks over to them "Are you two ready for that basics?"

Nightmare nods and he speaks "Yes Captain." a moment of silence and Nightmare nudges Error, carefully making sure it is only the clothed part of him. Error huffs but mutters a sure.

Rogers nods "Very well. Today we will start easy. Which is mostly figuring out what works for both of you. Which is why we will be concentrating on balance. Using this i can determine your so called weak side which we can use to select what type of style we want for you both and which weapon will best compliment you."

Error frowns "Compliment? Like. Looking cool?"

the captain chuckles "I mean. I would be lying if we didn't try to look cool. But in this way I mean in the way of fitting. Sometimes we have certain natural weak spots in our bodies. Weak ankels. a bad shoulder. shorter legs. These are things that will affect which weapon and fighting style fits you."

Ngihtamre is happy to see that Error is more interested now. The way he pays attention with the upmost focus... it is cool.

Rogers continues speaking "Of course this doesn't mean you shouldn't learn to wield other weapons as well. It will just give us a start. Something to learn the basics with."

error raises a brow "So how will you decide it?"

The captain looks amused "We will start with learning how our bdoy reacts and move first. See how stable we are and how balanced we are. Which arms are steadiest. It starts with a few basic exercises."

After which the Captain made them both hold up sticks in both hands. They held them up and Rogers would show different poses to hold them with. One arm up and one down. One rotated outwards the other inwards. Switch the direction of both arms. Balancing on one leg. Balancing on the other. Trying to swing the stick and stay balanced.

Nightmare found out that he sadly is very quick to lose his balance, while Error seems a master at it. At least Nightmare is aware where he keeps the stick, which Error did hit himself with.

Captain Rogers nods as he walks towards the side. A moment later he returns with a... whip. He hands it to Error. "When we first start training this will be your main weapon."

Error looks deeply displeased "This is a whip... That isn't cool."

Rogers looks amused "Really? I thought you would like it. For you can keep people at a distance rather easily. And more importantly." He takes the whip and with an easy flick makes it hit the weapon the training dummy is holding. Making the fake weapon fall to the ground "You can use it to disarm people." He hands the whip make "It is also a rather light weapon which you can use to break other spellcaster's concentration on their spells."

Error actually looks at the whip wiht much more consideration. He tests the material and hums "Kinda like my strings... but very thick."

Rogers smiles "Indeed. With your own mastery of your strings and magic. I hoped that a weapon which would act similarly would fit your needs the best." he shoots him an amused grin "and let me tell you. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing some over confident person standing in front of you wiht a broadsword. and you just flick your wrist and the sword is on the ground and away and they are left standing wiht empty hands."

Error grins as he looks at the whip.

The captain turns to him next and walks over with a... long stick?

He holds out the weapon "A staff for my king."

Nightmare feels... a bit disappointed... He still takes it and looks at his captain. Waiting.

Luckily Rogers explains "It may seem simple but it is a hard weapon to fully master. Anyone can hit someone with a stick." He showcases it by spinning the staff very fast! "Skilled people can use it as a makeshift shield." He stands on one leg and leans backwards and starts to fall!

only for Rogers to... just use the staff to catch himself and remain upright "It is also a very useful tool to help yourself." He stands back straight againa nd hands it back once more. "I am sure i don't need to tell you that your balance is a bit off. The combination of your past injuries most likely the source. That together with your hurt eye and you may not have full depth perception." He points towards the staff "This will give you the ability to still protect yourself fully. You will have both reach and close distance protection. You can use it to defend your bad side while still also supporting your weight. I am sure that with time we can make some combination between a staff and cane. To help you walk but able to extend and be your weapon."

Error looks up excited "I can totally do that! Make your cane able to be a staff! is easy!"

ngihtmare feels excitement as he looks at Rogers. Ready for their first class!

Rogers looks happy hismelf "We will start with easy movements." He grabs a whip and staff for himself and starts to explain how to hold and where to grip the weapon. How to move their hands and arms.

Nightmare knows it is serious and he wants to focus... but he is so hapyp! It is fun! it is fun to just be with error and learn soemthing together. To just!! it is fun!

He can't wait to show off his new skills to his family! His brothers are going to be so proud of him! Dad is going to be proud of him!

#POINTS FINGER #CUTIES #god rogers is so supportive and amazing and lovely where can i sign up /j #i read this #fully without the context of the threads because im still halfway in the door #BUT GOD I NEED TO GET MY HYPERFIXATIONS BACK IN ORDER #I AUGHSHFBAKSNF CUTIESSSSS #imagine me doing grabby hands at these two little guys while making incomprehensible noises #becauyse that IS what im doing

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