You Make Me Stronger

@ Alphora
Ember smiled and nodded. "Well we should stock up on a few things just in case. Like a water canteen." she said thinking of something off the top of her head. Ember smiled and walked over to him. She had found it cute that he had been embarrassed for sleeping in so long. She also realized it meant he felt safe in her presence even in his sleep. She had been watching him sleep for a while thinking and had been nearly as embarrassed as he was to be caught watching him. Ember smiled as she took the mask and turned it over and over in her hands. "Thanks." she said and smiled. He had given her a gift even if it was intended to be a tool. She put her mask in her bag with his. "Do you want a bag? I mean I can understand if it would weigh you down to much and you don't want one." she said.

@ Jinx...
When Saber heard her say weigh him down to much he immediately replied,"We're finding the biggest bag this town has ever made right now." He took her words as a challenge, even if she didn't mean for them to be, and began walking out of the room. Once they got to the town and Ember kept picking out thing after thing that they would need to continue Saber grew more and more aware of what the general concept of shopping with a girl was really like. "Uhhhh, Ember?" Saber asked as she turned innocently, "Do we really need every single one of these things?" Saber was clearly too used to traveling with nothing but the clothes on his back, but, to Saber, Ember didn't look like she was having any of that.

@ Alphora
Ember laughed. "You know that was not a challenge." she said playfully following him out. As they walked she was picking up items that they might need. She looked at the items as he said something and she sighed. He was right about some of the things. "Well I guess we could do without rain jackets." she said. "But I am not sleeping on the ground. I need a blanket and you would like one if you just gave it a chance." she said. She hat two sleeping bags, water jugs, some small items of food, water cleaner, and that was mostly it. It was the essentials for a long journey. "But yes we do need these things. Think about it form my perspective." she said softly and smiled waiting for him to see what she saw.

@ Jinx...
Saber stared blankly at the items. He did realize she never traveled like he did and that almost made him feel like an ape-man for a second which made him picture himself wearing a loincloth and beating on his chest. After thinking, he decided to just agree and continue with what she said. Regardless of what she said, he still did decide on the biggest bag he could find and tried to carry just about everything, even some of Ember's stuff, in his bag. "Alright, is there anything else we need to do here?" Saber asked clearly bored with shopping.

@ Alphora
Ember was amused with him finding the biggest bag and carrying a huge load. "You know I could help with that." she said and chuckled at his need to be strong. He was cute and she enjoyed being around him. "Just fill up the canteens and then we can go." she said and smiled at him. He was in a challenging mood right now and it was very amusing. "Saber... You are a very funny guy." she said and blushed feeling like she had never spoken to a guy before and she had just not on a personal level and defiantly not giving out complements.

@ Jinx...
After they filled up they set out towards east. Saber scanned ahead in the air for any nests or other dangerous areas. He came down and explained that he didn't see any so it should be a perfect opportunity. "Alright. Time to get started," Saber said, "You said you had the most trouble with controlling your flames. Right?" After Ember nodded he set his bag down and began looking around. He walked to a tree and looked like he was picking a few things up from the ground. When Saber came back, he had three sticks in his hand. He stuck them in the ground so they were all standing up straight and barely an inch away from each other. "If you mess these ones up there are plenty more around, but this is your first test. You have to light the tips of both the sticks on the ends without getting a single mark or burn on the middle one. And you are only allowed to burn the very tips of these two sticks. You aren't allowed to burn the whole stick," Saber explained as he watched her attempt to try the first time.

@ Alphora
Ember watched Saber as he talked about her task. Training was not going to be easy with him. "Uhh okay." she said and blushed knowing she was not going to do very well. She bit her tongue as it poked out a little. She focused really hard on the sticks and and tried to focus on the two at the ends. She gently put out her hand and watched as the sticks turned to ash. she groaned. "Well i know I have gotten good at turning things to ash!" she took off her bag and tossed it next to his keeping her water bottle seeing the scorch marks forming around the sticks. She took a drink of her water before she went to get ready to try again as Saber set up the sticks again.

@ Jinx...
Saber collected a pretty big pile of sticks and set them down next to Ember. After she looked at him the way she did, he realized that probably made it look like she would mess up a lot. "These are...just in case," Saber said awkwardly, "You never know. Anyways, since we're going to be training as we continue I saw a place that looked like it would be good for me to get some practice in as well. I haven't had much of a chance with all the commotion we've been going through. Come get me if you either get it or want to move forward a little more. If you mess up a lot make sure to take a break or tell me to get a move on. Clearing your head is always the number one thing to do. Getting frustrated and not thinking clearly, whether it be training or actual combat, is the easiest way to lose. I'll be in that direction near the rocky area we passed if you need me. If it gets to be sundown and you haven't quit or didn't want to move forward I will be back." Saber started heading off from the path they were currently on. "Oh, and one more thing. It isn't far from here at all. I will still probably be a stone's throw away so if things do get out of hand I will be over here before you know it," He reassured her making sure she knew he was keeping his promise about keeping her in check.

@ Alphora
Ember frowned as Saber brought over the pile of wood then proceeded to leave her on her own. She looked at the wood and frowned. Would she ever get it? Ember sighed as he told her to clear her mind and not get emotional, or rather frustrated. He then unknowingly issued her a challenge. She would not give up now. Ember was determined to keep practicing until she got it. He stepped away and then said something so sweet it made her heart flutter. "Thanks." she said knowing he was there for her and that brought her courage. Ember pushed the sticks into the ground and then took a deep breath and tried again.
It was late and the sun was starting to set. Ember had burned through all the sticks but had finally had a few of the sticks left standing though mostly burnt they were. She was laying against a tree when Saber returned sleeping. she had just meant to close her eyes for a little but she had fallen asleep. On a second look at all the sticks there were more than the ones Saber had left for her meaning she had picked more of her own sticks as well.

@ Jinx...
Saber saw her laying by the tree and muttered to himself, "And her she was all like 'No we need these sleeping bags' and then goes and falls asleep next to a tree." Saber wasn't bothered at all, he was mostly just teasing her to himself. He enjoyed messing with people, especially the ones he cares about. Saber sorted through his bag and took out the two sleeping bags Ember had bought. It took him at least 10 minutes to figure out how to open and set them up. After he finally figured it out he carried her over to hers and tucked her in. He looked at the pile of burned sticks and realized how many times she must have tried. Saber wanted to take a walk anyway, so he started collecting a lot more for her to use tomorrow. After laying the pile next to her, he also laid a few out spelling 'You can do it' and 'Don't give up' for her to see when she wakes up.

@ Alphora
Ember woke in the morning the sun filtering through the trees and shinning on her face. She groaned and rolled over feeling the sleeping bag move with her. She smiled and sat up looking around for Saber and saw the stick giggling happily. It was so sweet. She wondered what his training had been like. She went to find some food near by. Mostly looking for nuts because she wasn't very good at picking out good berries from bad ones. She sat back down where she had been to eat. She rested her head on her propped up hand. She wanted to see what Saber was up to but she had to clean up camp first and then she could go look for him unless he was still asleep in that sleeping bag.

@ Jinx...
Just as Ember was about to clean up she heard a huge crash in the direction Saber had said he was going to train yesterday. When she rushed to it she saw a ring of at least 15 boulders four times her size. Each boulder had one of the exact same size stacked on top of it making each one look like a small tower. After a moment, a lot of wind picked up from all sides. All she heard was the wind and a familiar voice yelling "Hwwwaaauhhhh!!" as if he was pushing something. The two boulders in front of her lifted into the air. The ones next to it didn't, but the ones next to those did. It was a consecutive pattern. One would lift. One would stay. Each stack lifted perfectly without the top boulder falling or the stacks in between budging an inch. When she looked forward she saw Saber sweating and without a shirt completely focused. He noticed Ember and set down the boulders gently. Saber walked towards her with a few heavy breaths and said, "Hey, Ember. Did you get my message?" He was talking about the sticks but when he saw her face he went on to explain, "Oh, this is similar to your stick training. I have to put a lot of control into it to make one go and one stay, especially with another one on top. Although, it's different because it also adds strength training to it. Especially considering the size of these things. I was surprised to find such a good spot when we were walking by." Saber was talking as if this was second nature to him.

@ Alphora
Panic filled Ember's chest as she ran through the forest into the clearing where Saber had been yesterday. She stopped seeing him and inhaled sharply. She gulped looking him over. Saber was fine... He looked more than fine really. Saber looked hot and made her sides turn with the sight of him. His eyes met hers and she turned red with her thoughts. Ember looked away until she felt him beside her. She looked up at him and smiled as he asked about the sticks. She beamed really and nodded. "Yes thank you." she was barley able to get out. She stopped and listened to him as she looked at the stones her eyes soon returning to him. Ember smiled and nodded. "Surprised..." she giggled at the word though it had nothing to do with the word or what he was saying. Ember smiled. "Well..." she tested out her voice to see if it had returned and smiled when it had. "are you hungry?" she asked wanting to be sure he had eaten before such intensive training. Ember smiled taking him in before he could change.

@ Jinx...
"Hmm..sure," Saber said a little unexpected that Ember was leading him away so fervently. When they sat down to eat he noticed Ember hadn't said much and saw she looked a lot more dazed than usual. "Are you alright, Ember?" He honestly looked concerned as he scooted closer and checked her forehead for a fever. "Well, you're warm but that isn't anything unusual for you," Saber said a little teasingly. He noticed she wasn't going much anywhere with what he was saying and continued with, "So, what do you think we should do? Just keep heading randomly East or try and get information from a nearby town?"

@ Alphora
"Alright?" Ember blushed and nodded. "Yes." she whispered but he was close to her and then he was touching her forehead. She bit her lip inhaling very sporadicly. Ember smiled as he talked and she closed her eyes opening them when he made a joke. She laughed and smiled. "I always thought I was hot." she winked and then leaned back so she wasn't so close to him thinking over his serious question. "Well I still have a lot of training to do but you know I like to have information." she said. Ember ran a hand through her hair and pulled it to the side wishing he would put a shirt on and yet at the same time she was pleading that he wouldn't.

@ Jinx...
Saber nodded as Ember talked about having information. "Then, I guess the best thing to do is keep on moving like we have been. It shouldn't be too hard to find another town close by. We've stayed on a man made path after all so it's probably a delivery route or something between towns," Saber explained as he finished wiping off the sweat and put his shirt and jacket back on. Saber began walking and said, "Also, don't worry about training as much unless we make stops. When we stop you can try again once or twice more, but right now let's prioritize information so we don't have to wander around helplessly." After about a day's worth of moving another town was finally in sight. Approaching the town, it seemed much different from the one they were in previously. It was much more traditional compared to the business and merchant town they stayed in. It was quite smaller but it was still a lot more comforting in a way. The decorations around the houses and other buildings made it clear there was a history here that these people took pride in.

@ Alphora
Ember nodded. "Alright." she said though she still felt determined to practice as much as she could. She walked into the town with Saber looking around wondering what they were celebrating. She smiled as people moved around them singing and some children dancing preparing for a celebration day. Ember loved all the colors and all the excitement in the people. She smiled and walked towards the town center seeing a huge maypole that would be used in their celebration dance. There were at least 40 different colored ribbons connected to the top and on the ground. She beamed looking around. She moved to a small stand were there were dresses. She looked through them touching one and smiling at the feel of it between her fingers. Ember smiled remembering a time in her childhood when life wasn't so difficult but instead pleasant and this town was reminding her of that time.

@ Jinx...
As Ember moved between the different sites Saber couldn't help but smile. It's the happiest he's seen her since they've met. Saber decided to ask around a little while Ember continuously wandered around. When he caught back up with her he told her that there is a huge celebration happening at sunset where everyone in the town comes to the maypole she admired to celebrate. After Ember raced towards it to look again and get more familiar before the big celebration Saber walked towards the dress stand. He noticed everything was incredibly cheap. "Why is everything marked down so heavily? Wouldn't you normally mark up prices for celebrations like this?" Saber asked knowing it was probably a bad idea to say in risk of raising the price that but he was too curious at the time. The old lady shook her head and told him, "This village is much more than riches and gold. We want all of those who stop by and live here alike to be able to enjoy everything we enjoy to the fullest extent. Seeing other people enjoying our beloved culture is payment enough." Saber gave her a heartwarming smile in return and thanked her as he got the dress he saw Ember specifically looking at. When he caught up with Ember he was wearing some traditional clothes with a clear touch of his own personality as he held the dress he got up to her. "Hey Ember, I think you forgot to pick this up before," Saber said as he walked towards her with it.

@ Alphora
Ember smiled and hugged him taking the dress from him. "It's beautiful!" she said and twirled feeling like a small child again. She giggled blushing as she looked at Saber. "Thank you." she said and looked around wondering where she was going to put it on. A nice old woman came over and asked her where she was from. Ember frowned a bit. "A journey away." she said softly and the woman nodded. "Well the hotels are all booked up for the festival. You and you're friend will stay with me and my family tonight." she said and took her hand leading her back towards her little cottage near the woods. "I am Elda and my hometown had been a journey away when I was younger too. But today is a day that everyone can celebrate and be joyous." Ember beamed and walked into the little place with the old woman and Saber. Elda turned to Saber and pointed at him to wait in the kitchen. "Help yourself young man. You should eat more, you are to skinny." She said and took Ember back into another room helping her get dress. Once she was ready for the event Elda let Ember walk out of the room to go see Saber. Ember moved over behind Saber and covered his eyes. "Guess who." she whispered and giggled. She let him go and stepped back. She blushed and looked down as his eyes landed on her. "Is it nice?" she asked softly talking about the dress. Ember peeked up at him.

@ Jinx...
Saber heard Elda's comment and smirked a little at the classic comment every old lady gives him. Just before he took a snack he felt incredibly warm hands, clearly Ember's, and Saber turned surprised. Normally, he wasn't the type to like traditional clothes; as one could easily tell from the way he chose his outfit. However, he couldn't take his eyes off of Ember. "Y-yeah. You look great...," Saber said as his face turned a little red and he looked to the side a little awkwardly. His heart was pounding which made him feel a little odd. His heart usually didn't race like this, even during the many times he had been in danger before. He glanced back at her once more and seeing her eyes beaming up at him with that smile made his heart go even faster. Saber cleared his throat trying to gather his thoughts and asked Elda, "S-so, when is the big celebration? And what goes on during it?"