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Does anyone know a better way to convince people that monsters and demons are real than by summoning a giant fly and scaring somebody nearly to death? I feel a little bad for him, but I don't want him to really be hurt, and better something that listens to me than something that will actually attack.

[Under his breath:] Maybe I should have tried Lilim. ...That'd be scary in a different way. [He shrugs and moves on.]

My name is Aleph, if we haven't met. I'll add my services as a swordplay and gun instructor to the list of people offering. I have pretty good credentials. I'm also willing to spar with anyone who wants to keep in practice, especially if they'd prefer to fight a group.

What else did I want to say for this... oh.

Why orange?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Simpler? Like what? I said I'd be fine. I used to fight and get covered in blood all the time. I just haven't done it in a while is all.

How long ago is a while?

Um... at least a decade? Maybe two? Probably more. [Oh, silly nations and their weird relationship with the passage of time...]

[Aleph works with demons, he's used to it.] All right, not too long. Are you ready?

Wait, what do you mean "not too long?" You're human, aren't you? A decade is a long time for a human. Let me just say this right off the bat- I'm not human. I'm a nation. I represent [represent-ED, whatever] the nation of Prussia back home. So... I've got a few centuries under my belt.

I work with demons, and most of them have been around for a much longer time than humans, so I'm not surprised. Besides, almost everyone is older than me. [Shrug.] Are nation-people common where you're from?

Oh, that makes sense. Now, I wouldn't say they're common... but most countries have at least one. There's at least one I can think of that has two.

Seems strange, but some gods have multiple kinds of demons to them, so I shouldn't judge.

It's all kind of strange. No one knows how we came to be. Now... [He adjusts his fighting stance.] Are you still up for sparring?

Of course. [Sword drawn, Aleph grins.] Come at me.

Here goes nothing! [With a mighty yell, Gilbert charges towards Aleph, sword ready to strike.]

[Block with his own sword. For the moment, Aleph is on the defensive, learning Prussia's attacking patterns.]

[Gilbert slashes again, keeping on the attack. Aggressive is how he's used to fighting.]

[Block. After a little while of this, Aleph suddenly goes in for a swipe at Gilbert's knees.]

[Gilbert manages to just barely jump away in time. He goes in for another charge-slash.]

[That scrapes Aleph's armor, and doesn't draw any blood. Aleph has the advantage in that.

Aleph takes a swing at Gilbert's side.]

[It's a hit! Sort of! Gilbert doesn't have time to gloat, though, as there's another swing coming. He manages to dodge it just barely in time and match Aleph's swing with one of his own. He's still agile, but it's clear that he's a little rusty...]

[This swing again misses. Aleph has more recent experience, if less of it.]

You have been out of practice.

[Here Gilbert hesitates, though he doesn't let down his guard.]

...Yeah. I have been. Is it really that bad?

I can tell you have training and you know the motions, but you're rusty. You'll get better again with practice.

So it is that bad, huh? Well, you're willing to help me get better again, aren't you?

Of course. I wouldn't have offered otherwise.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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