Nox Fleurets' alphabet

5. Encouragement

Summary: Ravus encourages Stella not to  give up her training. Set pre-game, Brotherhood era. 

Stella fell on the floor of training room, her rapier landing beside her, after she failed to hit the dummy that was her imaginary enemy. Again. For sixth time during the past hour she was training and this was starting to get on her nerves. How she was supposed to become Luna's bodyguard, if she couldn't even hit the dummy? If it would come to real battle she would fail and then Luna-

Stella shook her head interrupting this train of thought. She mustn't think like that. She must train harder so she could protect Luna.

With these thoughts, the ex-princess got up, picked up her weapon and continued to train.

FinalFantasyXV

"Damn it!" the blonde cursed frustrated as she failed to hit the dummy and fell on the floor with her rapier. Again. What she was doing wrong? She saw how Ravus trained with his sword, that was similar to her weapon and tried to do the same but failed each time and this frustrated her. Where she was making a mistake?

"A noble princess such as yourself should not curse," Ravus' voice came from the doorway. Stella turned to face him. "You are still training?" he asked.

"Yeah," the ex-princess nodded. "But haven't made any progress at all."

"I told you before, your idea is ridiculous."

"And I told you before that I want to protect Luna," Stella retorted.

Two days ago, Lunafreya ascended as Oracle at the age of sixteen - much younger than their mother or any Oracle before her, thus making her the youngest Oracle in history - and Stella began to train to become her bodyguard. Her siblings didn't like the idea when she told them about it but unlike Ravus who called it 'ridiculous' Luna supported her little sister.

"Why? I can protect you both. There is no need for you to become Lunafreya's bodyguard."

"I know that," the twelve year old girl said. "But you can't always protect us. Besides, I refuse to sit and watch, if Luna gets in trouble. And I don't want to be damsel in distress by relying on you too much. If I train I will protect Luna and myself if I need to," Stella explained. She looked at the dummy and her face fell. "But...It's looks like I have to give up."

"Why?"

"For the past two days I have been training. But haven't made any progress at all. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. Maybe I should just give up."

Ravus sighed. As much as he disliked the idea of Stella putting herself in danger for Lunafreya's sake, he disliked seeing her sad more. Hated was the right word.

"Stella, look at me," he squatted down in front of his sister and placed his hand on her shoulder; she looked and him as Ravus asked, and their eyes met. "Although, I do not like your decision, I know you can do it. You are only started to train; progress does not come in are matter of days. As you continue your training, your swordsmanship will get better and eventually you will succeed in your goal. So, do not give up."

Stella smiled slightly, feeling after her brother's words of encouragement. He was right. She only started two days ago. She would succeed. She just needs continue her and not give up.

"You're right. Thank you, Ravus."

Ravus gave her smile, that became even rarer after the Tenebrae's fall, and ruffled Stella's hair, which have grown longer for the past four years and young girl giggled.

"You are welcome, little star."