[Backlog - SCENE] - And why would I lie...

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Who: Van and Luke
Where: Fabre manor
When: Pre-game, about 4-5 years.
Warnings: ...It's Van alone with Luke. That is your warning.


A maid was there to greet Van as soon as he entered the manor's entrance hall. "Good day, Commandant Grants. Master Luke will be here shortly." He simply gave her a polite nod and a thank you before the maid scurried off to bring in the younger master.

It had been a long while since he had last seen "Luke." When he had last visited the Fabre manor, the replica was still learning how to walk without tripping on it's own two feet. But now at the request of Duke Fabre, Van would start its swords training anew. Hopefully the replica would be as eager to learn as its original. He already had little desire to deal with an ignorant student without having to deal with a stubborn desire to keep that ignorance.

If nothing else, he could find a way to make the replica want to learn. It would be easier to handle the next few years that way.

Comments

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

Luke was angry; he slammed the door behind him as he entered the courtyard. He apparently just left a fight with his father; it was always the same thing, worded differently. In any case, he held out his wooden sword and glared at Van. "I take it you're to be my sword instructor?" He pouted. He certainly needed to get rid of that negative energy. "Let's get it over with already."

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

The next few years will certainly be a test of patience if the replica will insist on acting like this throughout it all. Of course, despite his displeasure, Van was still able to fake a small smile.

"Yes, I'll be your swords instructor." He paused, attempting to look disappointed. "Don't you remember me, Luke?"

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

"Not like I remember much else aside from what I've had to learn." Luke crossed his arms. "Always 'you used to do this' or 'why don't you do that anymore' or some crap. I honestly don't care if I knew you in the past or not; I don't know you now, and that will only change if you don't treat me like you knew me before my kidnapping." Luke was frustrated and had quite enough of this. Natalia was going on and on about the fiancee she used to know, his parents were going on and on about the son they used to know, and the servants were going on and on about the master they used to know.

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Van frowned. That certainly wasn't the immediate response he was expecting. However, it was still something he could easily work with, so long as he simply changed his tactic.

Standing tall, he started, "Very well. I am Commandant Van Grants, and you must be Luke fon Fabre." He held out his hand to the replica. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

"..." Luke had to stop for a beat and he just stared at Van's hand for a few seconds, then looked up at him. Was this guy for real? This guy was intimidating, but he was holding out his hand. Sighing, but wary, Luke shook his hand. "... Right. My name is Luke. And you're Commandant Grants." He didn't know exactly which tone to use in this situation, but he at least knew how to shake hands.

Freeing his hand and taking up his wooden aword again, Luke didn't take his eyes off of Van. "I'm ready."

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Van gave Luke's hand a firm handshake before pulling it back, giving him a small smile. Now he knows what the replica would respond to, it would be that much easier.

"Excellent," he said, lifting up his own wooden sword. "Do you wish to start immediately?"

[[ooc; sorry for the greatly belated tag >>]]

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

There was something about Van which was inspired a sense of awe in Luke, one which he couldn't fully comprehend or evaluate in a cohesive manner. But the fact remained that Luke's attitude was changing. Van was treating him like he's never been treated before, which instantly made Luke view him in a different light.

Luke wasn't sure what it was, but... perhaps that was the moment he began idolizing Van.

"Yes, sir..." Luke nodded, taking up any fighting stance he could've from imitation. "... no, Master Van."

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Van couldn't help but smile at the words. Clearly, he was already having an effect on the replica. It would be much easier to deal with him, so long as this continues. Perhaps there will even be little resistance, when the time comes...

Taking a step back, Van took on a defensive stance, one foot behind him as he held his sword to prepare to block any incoming attack. "Excellent. Show me what you already know."

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

Luke did as he was instructed, though it wasn't as if he knew all too much. He was rather frail at the time and had little actual strength, and his form was very mechanical and rough. He found himself wasting a lot of energy with unnecessary movement and strokes, and left several openings in his fighting.

After several minutes, sweat dripping down the side of his face, luke was gasping for breath as he wasn't sure how to approach Van with his next attack. Not that this attack would be much different than the others.

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Blocking each attack was far too easy when someone moved far too predictably. Van frowned slightly; it was a bit disappointing that each wild attack lacked not only form but strength at well. At the very least, he would have expected a bit more.

He passed over the openings, no point in an attack just yet, not until he was sure of how Luke would react to it. Instead, he waited until Luke tired himself out before he asked, "Is that all you know?"

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

Breathing heavily as another bead of sweat dribbled down the side of his face, Luke nodded. He was a little ashamed, but that's what this man was here for, right? To teach him.

"Considering I only started walking a few years ago since my amnesia, sword practice should help me regain my movement better." He commented, standing up and putting up a passive stance. "If none of this is good enough, we can always go over the basics... after all, my last master was fired for a reason."

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Van nodded. The boy was wiser than he had originally thought, especially given his age. Of course, Luke was just a mere replica. Most likely, he was simply parroting something he had heard. Van doubted it was the result of any original thought.

"We'll start at the basics then. After that, we'll move back up to where you were." Van walked behind Luke and set his own training sword down on the ground, freeing his hands to take the replica's wrists into his hands and gently move his arms. "First, we need to adjust your stance and grip." He paused a moment, realizing something.

"Which hand do you write with?"

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

True, Luke simply was just saying the words someone else had said to him.

Ignoring the fact that his handwriting was akin to that of a cheagle's, Luke sighed. "My left." It was a simple statement, but an annoying one; after all, everyone has already been trying to tel him he should be primarily right-handed, since being left-handed brought bad luck or whatever. However, thankfully, they seemed to ignore this aspect in favor of instead having Luke just concentrate on being able to speak and read properly rather than which hand he favored. As a result, his left hand was dominant and stronger than his right.

"Will that be a problem, Master?"

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

How odd. After all the training Van had done with the original, he never seen anything that suggested that Asch was anything but right-handed. Perhaps it was simply an odd outcome of the replication.

No matter. He could still easily work with this.

"Yes, this stance isn't meant for you at all." Van loosened his grip. "In order to better use your strength, you'll need to make sure that your left hand is the one providing the force behind your swing. Switch the positions of your hands and feet, and your swing should improve."

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

"Aa...!" Luke's eyes widened at the prospect, and did as he was told. Taking a step towards the practice dummy, Luke attempted to hit it, and immediately he noticed a difference. Turning back to Van, his expression brightened considerably. "Wow, how did you know that would work?" He ran back to Van beaming. The boy certainly was happy... could it be because rather than forcing Luke to change, Van was working with him as he was?

In either case, Luke was already in the point of no return.

This man was his hero.

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Van chuckled. No wonder he was having so many problems, especially if this problem had extended to other aspects of his life. While he could understand the need people felt to have him be exactly as 'the way he was before,' the result was a disillusioned youth. If he could work past that, show the boy that he had worth...

A lie, of course. But one that would still work for his goals.

"Everyone has a preference for one hand or the other. With a sword, you need to use the hand you best control in order to properly make use of your sword." He gave Luke a smile. "That was likely the cause of your problems. It should be easier for you now."

He took a few steps away, moving so he could better watch Luke. "I want to see you strike the dummy a few more times. Does ten sound reasonable to you?"

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

He simply nodded, and eagerly set off to do as he was asked. He struck the dummy ten more times, feeling a bit rejuvenated from being able to put more power behind his swings.

Wiping some sweat from his brow, Luke faced Van once more.

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Van clapped once Luke finished, giving him a wide smile. "Excellent. Your swings looked much better this time." He bent down to pick up his training sword once more.

"Now I want you to strike at me again. If your attacks are better, we'll be able move to the next step."

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

Luke simply did as he was told; his strikes were better this time around, though obviously the Commandant was still able to parry any and all of his attacks. Still... this was exciting; Luke was able to put everything he was into something, without having to worry about being perfect or being told by someone else; he wanted to be praised by this man.

He certainly wasn't getting any praise from his father.

Continuing, a smile crossed Luke's face as he continued. This was fun.

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

This was much more interesting now. While he could still easily block each strike, it wasn't so simple as to be boring. He could feel the strength behind the attacks now, and while the form still needed work, Van was already thinking of ways to improve it. He could likely do the same he had done with Asch...

"That's enough." Van said, taking a step back. "You already show a great deal of promise."

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

Luke stopped as he was told to, and used the opportunity to catch his breath. Letting his wooden sword drop to his side, Luke awaited further orders from Master Van. At this rate... he could master the sword in no time!

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

It was impressive. Not only had the replica shown an improvement in skill (now that the original problem had been found of course) but his attitude has improved as well. From the way Luke spoke earlier, Van had expected this to end with at least one complaint, but instead it seems that there's only an eagerness to continue.

Perhaps the next seven years would be easier than he originally thought...

Van looked upwards frowned, noticing that the noon sun has long since continued on its way. "You've done very well today," he said, his gaze returning to Luke. "I expect you to practice in preparation for our next lesson." Then he paused.

"That is, if you wish to have another lesson with me."

[scionoflorelei.livejournal.com]

Luke had to pause and think for a second... well, okay, no he didn't. "Yes!" He happily responded, knowing that this was the person who he desperately wanted to continue to see. No, not just see... someone whose attention he desperately wanted, someone who he wanted to accept him no matter what.

"I'll definitely practice!" Luke continued. "Thank you, Master Van!" he had to do a little jump for joy, not aware of Van's ulterior motives for doing this. Still, this encounter gave Luke hope, a purpose, a goal to work toward. And he was savoring every second of it.

[seizeglory.livejournal.com]

Van couldn't help but laugh; it's not often that things are this easy. Of course, he can't allow himself to grow complacent. If he wants things to continue this smoothly, then he must make sure not to give the boy any reason to doubt him.

"Excellent, I expect you to do even better when we next meet." Then he gave Luke a kind smile before he turned to go.

So long as things remain as they are, there won't be anything that could stop him.