Swordstar

"Mmm, it's all in how you frame it. For instance, if you point out that someone refusing to fight him because he's just a kid would insult him, he starts to see why judging someone based on something out of their control could be hurtful. I'm sure it'll take a while for it all to actually sink in, but at least it's a start." He deftly caught the spear and gave it a once over. It would do well enough he supposed. Giving it a twirl, he settled into a combat ready pose and grinned at her. "But enough of that for now. I believe you wanted to bash my head in?"

"Naw, too young for me. Why, jealous? No, I just talked with him. Sometimes you have to just give someone advice from your own life to get them to see things clearly. I wouldn't say infinite but I have some wisdom to share thankfully. Otherwise I'd just be completely useless."

Kerr considered his options and then shrugged with a small chuckle. "Sure, why not? Better than you beating up on some defenseless folks or starting a riot here. Gotta keep things peaceful until we leave. Back to the training area then?"

Waving goodbye to the teen, Kerr wandered back towards the town, hands in pocket, whistling quietly. As he made his way through the town, he spotted Rhian and company, giving them a wave. "I've got an apology via messenger for you. He figured it was better he didn't do it face to face, something about you not wanting to see him. But he did apologize for insulting you and your training. What are you two up to?"

Kerr smiled. "Sometimes you just need to learn to look at things differently. We've all been there at points. It's part of growing up and becoming the person you want to be, not the person society tells you to be. Sometimes those are the same thing, but it needs to be a choice you make, not just the thing you do because it's what everyone has always told you to do." Hmm, that was maybe letting a bit too much of his own past seep in. Either way, the teenager seemed to have gotten the point. "Right then. We're probably good to head back. Your bruises feeling any better?"

"Tsk, no need for sir. I'm Kerr, and I hardly deserve a sir." He contemplated the response for a few moments, before continuing as best he could "Mmm, perhaps incomplete wasn't the right word then. It's not about hitting women or not hitting women. Some people do like that, I'm sure, but they're viewed poorly. Same as anyone who would beat up any person just because they can. But that's not the situation you're in here. Rhian, and the other women in my squad, chose this life. They chose to be warriors, to fight for something. They have their honor just as you have your own. Tell me, if you had asked me to spar and I had refused because 'I don't fight children' or something similar, how would you feel? After all, what honor is there for me in beating up on someone weaker than me?" He tilted his head, looking questioningly at the teenager. "When you refuse to fight a trained warrior in a sparring match because of something that makes up who they are, you're insulting them. Women are just as capable of becoming fighters as men. By dismissing her on the basis of being a woman, you tell her that all her effort and training and years spent becoming the warrior she is are worthless. Is it any wonder that she was insulted by your words?"

Walking along the path with the teenager, Kerr waited until they were a decent pace away before glancing over at him. "She packs a punch, huh?" Pulling out the water skin he had tied to his waist, he offered it to Flynn. "Here, this should help a bit. I, ah, I get the sense that you all do things differently around here. But... Here's the thing. How can I say this best... See, all of us have our own realities. The thing we've always known to be true. And then something comes along that knocks us on our asses because it turns out we were only seeing part of the picture. Sometimes that's literal. Was for you. Sometimes it's less. It doesn't mean that your old reality is wrong exactly. It just means it's incomplete. And who you are as a person determines how you react to that new knowledge. ... I'm not making much sense, am I?"

Kerr frowned. Now that sight was a bit too familiar. He sighed. Fine, time to drop the act for a few minutes. "Rhian, I think he learned the lesson. Here." Walking over to the two, he offered a hand to Flynn. "Mind if we talk for a bit? You should walk for a little if you can. Otherwise you'll end up in a bad state with those bruises you're going to have."

"Ohhhh, don't worry. I wouldn't risk her wrath for interfering." He leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. This would be interesting.

"You're really not getting it, huh? Two things here for you. One, honor doesn't have nearly as much a place on the battlefield as you think. Honor gets good people killed. But second, and more importantly, a woman can belong on the battlefield just as much as a man. And if you can't fight women, you're going to be killed by one some day. Here, Rhian, I'll spar you if the kid's too much of an idiot to see what a fighter you are."

Kerr had arrived at the training ground just in time to hear the last few bits of the exchange between Rhian and Flynn. He smirked, leaning against the wall, slowly shaking his head. "I can't tell if you're an idiot or just oblivious, but you're sticking your foot in your mouth royally right now, kid. She's got a dangerous way about her, and you're liable to find out if you keep insulting her. Though that would be amusing for me so... Keep on doing it actually. This should be fun to watch."

I'll take Earth for Mim to represent the mountains she calls home.

G-8

"Just give me a second and I'll find a potion in here to help you all~"

I-12

Stab Merc 2

"I agree with her! You should attack her too, not just me! Though, if I'm being honest Cer, I think they're not attacking you precisely because you are an armored soldier on a dragon, you know? I look like a much easier target. Though since I'm still standing, clearly they gotta try a bit harder, you know?" Once soldier 2 is dead, M13, vuln self

Kerr casually strolls to N-13 and prepares to DIE

".... Idiot. We're not the ones who attacked you. You'd probably be dead already if we were. Especially given you're half dead already."

O-11, blast the Knight

Q-13

"You're not wrong, Rhian, but looks like we're moving out anyways. First couple of encounters with a new group are always rough. Gotta work out the kinks, yknow?" Kerr casually strolls to S-12

Kerr promotes to Soldier! Pierce (C), Lance (D) +5% to SPD New Personal Skill: Persistant: +5% chance to activate Rend Heaven after taking damage (only applies for that combat)

Q-10, blast the fencer

"Probably some cushy assignment at first. After all, I feel like we're seen more as a show that two places can work together more than an actual fighting force. But who knows, maybe they'll surprise me. Wouldn't complain either way though."