The Gym, Wednesday Morning

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra had been combing through books on magic and the island itself for days. No solution had presented itself, and it was starting to get on her nerves. So she had decided to pick up her training again so at least she wouldn't be falling behind while she was trapped here.

It was the first time she had realized that her current compliment of clothing - her armor, her linen underclothes and her underwear - were not sufficient if she were to be staying here for longer than a few days. She had left her armor in the room. Out of sheer practicality, upon reaching the gym, she had also stripped off her undershirt. It was not ideal, if simply because it left all but her bust uncovered, but it would have to do.

She strode past the strange machines the use of which she could not divine, and paused only when she reached the dumbbells. Strength training, first. Then she would put her armor back on and go to the salle to practice her swordfighting.

But for now, she would be lifting weights, putting good strain on her muscles. It was the first thing in days that had her feeling she was doing anything productive; it put her in a good mood.

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Comments

[flickofthewrist]

"New face in the gym," Flick commented when he wandered in towards the heavy bag. "Morning."

She looked pretty intent on her workout but he could try and be polite.

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra grunted a reply as a placeholder while she ran through the last of this set of exercises.

She put the dumbbells down. "Good morning," she replied. "This is your training hour?"

[flickofthewrist]

"It's everyone's training hour," he said, reaching for the heavy bag and giving it a light push. "No set schedule here. It's all about the sharing and the caring in this place. I try and come down when I don't have classes."

[seeks_truth]

"'Classes'." Cassandra let out a huff. "Nothing I have seen to this date makes me believe they have any right to the title. But... that is good to know."

[flickofthewrist]

"What's wrong with your classes?" Flick wondered, rubbing his hands a few times before taking a few practice swings at the bag. "You get into a class with the talking pony?"

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra made a disgusted sound that should answer that question quite clearly.

Yes, yes she had.

[flickofthewrist]

Flick snickered because he remembered feeling like that. Very, very vividly.

"What and you didn't enjoy that?" he wondered. "She's so happy! She spreads joy and you look positively optimistic over there."

[seeks_truth]

"She is infantile and ridiculous," Cassandra replied, "and I struggle to understand how anyone could think it responsible to put a pink pony - quite possibly an abomination of some kind - at the head of a class."

[flickofthewrist]

"Abomination?" he repeated, squinting over at her. "Because she's a pony? She's harmless. The only thing she's gonna do is throw you a party. Lighten up."

[seeks_truth]

"I do not know of any creature who looks like that, let alone one who can speak," Cassandra said. He was getting the glare now, yes. "Who is to say it is not the product of a mage possessed? We cannot rule out abomination simply because she might seem pleasant."

[flickofthewrist]

"Wow, you are tightly wound," Flick said, raising an eyebrow. "If you're so concerned, why don't go you talk to her? Investigate the pink pony, who teaches classes about throwing parties and baking cookies, for being some possessed thing. I bet you'll get a lot out of that one."

[seeks_truth]

"It is not my duty to hunt abominations," she said, reaching down to pick up the dumbbells again. "It is to leave this island. But I will keep my eye on her regardless."

[flickofthewrist]

"But you're not leaving," he pointed out in case she hadn't realized. "Seems like your duty isn't getting done."

[seeks_truth]

"Thank you for reminding me," Cassandra snapped, and very briefly considered the merits of throwing a dumbbell at him.

Only briefly, mind you. "It is a complicated matter."

[flickofthewrist]

"Is it?" Flick snickered at getting snapped at and turned his attention to the heavy bag for a few seconds. "Where you trying to get back to?"

[seeks_truth]

"Ferelden, for the time being, though I doubt that name means anything to you," Cassandra said. She began another round of exercises with the dumbbells.

[flickofthewrist]

"Nope, not a thing," he confirmed. "Must be one of those places off all the maps that I've never been. I'm from New York though I doubt that names means anything to you. Word of warning though, you might not be able to get back there. Happened to me."

[seeks_truth]

"Then I am sorry, but it will not happen to me," Cassandra said resolutely, "I will not let it."

[flickofthewrist]

"You think you have a choice?" he asked her. "Sometimes you don't. But, I'd love to see you curse out a portal."

[seeks_truth]

"There is always a choice. One must simply have faith," Cassandra said, lifting one of the dumbbells towards herself. "And the willingness to change what stands in your way."

[flickofthewrist]

Flick stopped punching the heavy bag for a second and eyed her. "You quoting something at me? Something religious?"

[seeks_truth]

"No," Cassandra said. She looked over to him. "But I can quote you something religious, if it would suit your view of me better. 'For she who trusts in the Maker, fire is her water. As the moth sees light and goes toward flame, she should see fire and go towards Light.'"

[flickofthewrist]

"I've got no view of you," he replied with a shake of his head. "I don't even know your name. It just sounded religious, that's all. It was more an observation than an accusation."

[seeks_truth]

"You have been purposefully vexing to me since you arrived," Cassandra noted. "I can only assume you either dislike me, or think little of me."

Not that she sounded particularly fussed about it.

[flickofthewrist]

"I'm more amused by you than anything," Flick told her, shrugging. "I'm Flick, by the way. No dislike or thought involved. I don't know you. Just trying to give you some background on my experience with trying to get out of this place."