Trust Me Bro, All Natty [Lukas/Meninas]

The figure in question was an increasingly familiar one to those who visited the training area often. There wasn’t a day where Meninas skipped out, having made her daily workout a part of her routine. It was second nature and today, she’d planned on testing out another of Ehefra’s programs, one that was apparently meant to increase one’s strength and vitality. Music to the tall Sternritter’s ears and the pink haired woman was more than just a little excited to get started.

Yet, it appeared that the room was already claimed and there was an awkward moment where Meninas thought that perhaps she’d walked in on something that she shouldn’t. The figure in front of her seemed to be struggling a tough with his own regime, using a more old fashioned form of strength training. Given her method had been lifting cars and hay bales back home though, the six footer certainly approved of the older ways and from the looks of it, his method seemed to be working, brutally so.

In the end, she managed to fight off her anxiousness and enter the room fully, knowing that the only way she’d ever get over her own social struggles was by interacting more with her fellow Quincy. She was improving all the time but there was still that annoying awkwardness around strangers that just wouldn’t leave her alone.

“Are you all right?” She asked, instantly regretting her choice of introduction. It probably just came off as either silly or patronising, which wasn’t her intention at all.

In truth, Meninas was simply relieved that she hadn’t said something stupid and there was a slight relaxing of her broad shoulders as he spoke to her. The Sternritter could quite comfortably fight a more powerful enemy and show barely any fear, yet put her in a room with someone she didn’t know and it was almost a completely different story. It was daft and she was doing her utmost to handle her anxiousness with people but it was a slow process, annoyingly so. Ehefra, Anis and Nanaly were all so chirpy and talkative, which made the more reclusive woman feel almost inadequate at times.

The man before her certainly looked as though he’d seen better days and while Meninas wasn’t the type to make light of such things, it was difficult not to notice. Still, she underestimated noone and assumed that he was more than likely far more formidable than she. After all, Meninas was still a rookie among the Vandenreich and as she’d been taught by Ehefra, there was much still for her to learn. Not every problem could be solved by punching it in the face, unfortunately for the pink haired woman, who kind of wished it could.

When he made an offhand comment regarding training, Meninas felt compelled to answer, her curiosity growing. “If you have any routines or techniques that you’d like to share then I’d appreciate the chance to learn from you. Never know what tricks our enemies are going to pull, after all.” She replied, her Scottish accent as thick as ever. “I’m Meninas, by the way, Meninas McAllon.”

Meninas nodded her head as he introduced himself, not missing the moment of awkwardness he seemed to have due to his missing limb. The Sternritter didn’t comment upon it though, considering it to be rude if she had done so. From his manner and his response to her previous comment, the six foot warrior could take a guess at just what had happened to his arm. He was a regular on the battlefield, that was obvious and Meninas couldn’t actually help but feel rather inspired by that. She had met a few of the Vandenreich so far but he was probably the first to give off…that particular vibe.

Grasping his hand as it was offered, Meninas most definitely felt not only the strength of his grip but the force of his spiritual pressure as well. It was by no means weak and the Sternritter certainly felt the difference between his and her own although that didn’t cause her to become overcome by fear or panic. When it came to fight or flight, she’d had only one of those options embedded into her since she was a child and so, while weaker, her pressure would flare as well.

His gaze was a strange mixture of friendliness and intensity but her expression hardened a touch. When it came to being social, she may have been rather awkward but when faced with a more hostile atmosphere, it was as if she was someone else. He was strong alright but she wasn’t just going to break due to a little pressure.

“You certainly have a strong grip.” She commented simply, her bear paw of a hand still clutched in his. Hardly a witty rebuttal but honest nonetheless.

Meninas loosened up as he did, pleased that she hadn’t embarrassed herself or at least that was the impression she got from him. There was no doubt that she had work to do in order to match his level but the Sternritter wasn’t overly concerned by that. It just meant that she’d need to put in even more work, which she was more than willing to do. She might not have been the brain of the Vandenreich and she’d be the first to admit that but the pink haired woman had come to think that maybe in terms of being rock solid, well, maybe she was up there when it came to that.

“I appreciate your kind words.” Meninas replied with a small smile. “I know that there is a great deal more that I need to do in order to fulfil my potential but I’ll get there in time.”

She’d have had those words be her last to him but what he mentioned as he turned to leave had the tall Quincy turning as he made his way out. “Is there something wrong with the organisation?” It might not have been her place to ask such a question but she felt the need to nonetheless.