private A Cultural Exchange 1x1 with DwhitetheGamer

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded slightly at Midnight's response.  He didn't take into account that there were that many ponies in the mountains, letting alone the Zebra and Thestral clans.  

 

When they reached the base of the mountain, Copper looked around.  It was a good place to run around for a bit, but before he did he wanted to take on some stamina training.  So he decided to start with a technique he picked up a couple of weeks ago, called the Spin Jump.  He crouched, then after a good bounce he spun in the air with several spins, good for a stamina increase.  He landed gracefully, and repeated the process for a couple of minutes.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight watched Copper start exercising with an intrigued expression. "That is certainly an interesting exercise, it's not exactly what I expected to be honest." Midnight turned his attention back to his own preparations, beginning with a series of yoga-esque stretches that seemed tailored to his unique body proportions. The stretches limbered his muscles making him less likely to cramp or otherwise injure himself while training.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper heard the words of Midnight and paused his jumping to look at the older colt with a smile while the other was stretching.  "I call it the Spin Jump, Midnight.  It's really complicated to do.  Ever since gaining my Spin Dash talent I didn't know I could jump higher than the average pony until a couple of weeks ago, so I used it to my advantage by using my mobility from the Spin Dash in the air.  It works for a little stamina training.

Edited January 29, 2016 by DwhitetheGamer

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

(Older colt is a bit of an understatement)

 

Midnight shrugged as he rose from his last stretch. "Stamina is a good thing to train, but you seem more like a sprinter to me, you get up to speed quickly but it doesn't last long. I'm an endurance runner, It takes me a bit longer to get up to speed, but I can keep going for a good while at a decent speed." Midnight moved into a starting position, and started to practice a clean race start, getting the most initial speed as quickly as he could. He would launch off the ground, turn a tight circle, then return to his start position.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper saw Midnight take off in initial speed as he pondered about the saying of him being a sprinter.  When Midnight returned to his initial starting point, Copper had a grin on him.

 

"Yeah, I am a sprinter, but I have learned to adapt to endurance races as well, which is partly why I picked up the Spin Jump to train.  Spin Dashing occasionally helps with the stamina too." 

 

He decided to continue Spin Jumping for a while, but not before hearing a bit of chatter going on.  Turning around, he could see a group of ponies heading towards the two, ponies he recognized.

 

"It's Windsurfer and the Children."

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight paused his training to look over at the new comers. "So it is, I wonder what they could want? Well, whatever it is they can come over here to ask. They're not in any hurry so it can't be too important." With that Midnight returned to his training, this time doing a few small circles in each direction per start. For some reason he seemed slightly annoyed. 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper pursed his lips.  He guessed Midnight didn't want to be disturbed in his training, so he trotted over to the group of ponies with a smile on his face.

 

"Hey, guys.  You all can watch us train if you want, but it's best not to disturb Midnight, as I saw he seemed somewhat annoyed."

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

The Order looked at each other before Gari spoke. "We were hoping he could answer some questions about our new memories, as he was present for most of them, and about what exactly Equestria expects of us in regards to the race. It was awfully short notice for them to want us to announce it, and without even asking us directly." She looked about as if pondering something. "I suppose we could watch until he's ready to take a break, we weren't planning on doing anything else today other than recover from yesterday."

Windsurfer seemed simply happy to be there, watching Midnight run was likely going to be the highlight of his day. 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded at Gari before speaking.  "Sounds good.  I'll let him know once he's done training for a bit."

 

He then returned to his training spot and decided to kill off some time.  He started to stretch himself, knowing that, while he was basically a rubber band, he wasn't immune to having cramps.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

The gathered new comers settled in to watch the training.

 

With each successive set of loops Midnight would do one more pair of loops each time before starting again. Slowly building up endurance as well as improving his starting ability. Despite the growing intensity of his training he didn't seem very tired, in fact his odd proportions made it seem as if he were built for running. 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper saw Midnight train like his life depended upon it while he was stretching.  He didn't blame the other pony, after all, all this time of fighting bad ponies gets you in the mindset of training intensely.  He kept stretching for a couple of minutes before getting up and starting to run a few laps himself.  He decided to train at the same level of intensity that Midnight was.  He wouldn't get tired so easily because of the constant training of his Spin Dash and Spin Jump on the weekends and during his breaks had his endurance pretty high already.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Once he was up to fifty laps in each direction Midnight stopped and went over to the bundle he had brought down. He retrieved his helmet and put it on, the eyes glowing red like Sir's. He looked towards the river before putting the helmet back with the bundle. He moved to his start position before taking off towards the river at a moderate pace, his form moving in a fluid motion. He was clearly in his element when he ran.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Once Copper was finished running for thirty laps he took a thirty second break, meditating, breathing peacefully.  Once that was done, he saw Midnight run off at a moderate pace.  He cocked his head, wondering where he was going, but decided to leave him alone for now until he was needed.  He decided to continue Spin Jumping for a few minutes, getting his endurance up some more.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight arrived at the river, he honestly felt great. He hadn't been running like that in a long while, but it felt good to be running again, especially since he wasn't being chased by anything. He looked about the riverbank, an old habit of checking for predators, before lowering his head for a drink. Once he had his fill of water he turned back towards where they had been training, and began making his way back at a bit slower pace. He was in no hurry at this point.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper was finished Spin Jumping for a while.  He was a little tired, also he was thirsty.  It was a good thing he kept some water in...

 

Wait.

 

He didn't bring his water with him in his saddlebag.  He did a face-hoof.  There were times when he forgot his things when doing something, and training was one of them.  He saw Midnight run, at a slower pace, back to his area.  He trotted to him.  "Hey, Midnight.  Where did you go?"

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight looked over at Copper, slightly startled by his sudden speaking. "Huh? Oh, I just ran down to the river for a drink while I took a small break from training. I think I'll do a lap around the mountain for a real test of endurance to finish off my workout for the day."

 

(A lap around Archback mountain is between 80 and 100 km) 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper had noticed the river while he was making way up the mountain on his first day here, but he didn't pay any attention to it.  He nodded at Midnight.  

 

"I'll join you the moment I'm done having my own break in the river, if that's okay."

 

He then took off, heading straight to the river.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

"Alright then,"

 

Midnight took this moment to talk with the Order, answering their questions about their memories as he waited for Copper to return from the river. He shared what he could about what memories they didn't have, a sort of fill-in-the-blanks. They were excited to learn more about their past selves, as well as the opportunity to announce the race. They agreed that Wind Whisper and Fly-By-Night would announce the race as it didn't make sense to have all 12 of them do it.

 

Windsurfer decided he best get back to the village, so took wing and caught a breeze back up the mountain.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper made it to the river.  He looked around to see if there were any ponies around.  He then took a drink of water, then headed back up to where Midnight and the Children were.  He took note that Windsurfer wasn't there, so he assumed that the young Pegasus went back to the village.  He smiled at the group.

 

"Hi.  I'm ready, Midnight.  I take it you gave the Children the answers to their questions?"

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight stood as Copper approached, the Order did as well nodding towards Midnight before heading back towards the village. "I did." He turned to face Copper, "So you think you're ready to lap Archback? I guess we'll see. The trail runs 80 to 90 kilometers, a real test of endurance. There is no shame if you can't go non-stop the whole way, but a great honor if you can." Midnight began to make his way towards the mountain. "This should be a good way to see how we compare before the official race, despite this being a much different course."

 

(If you want we can use this as a practice for the race mechanics, ensure that it all works or if I need to make some adjustments.) 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded at Midnight after he asked about being ready to lap around Archback.  "80 to 90 kilometers?  That doesn't sound too bad.  So I'm guessing we're going through the towns and around the castle, right?"

 

(That sounds like a good idea.  A good practice would do.)

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight clarified the course to Copper before they picked a start and end point. They lined up and began running at an agreed upon signal.

 

The race was pretty much neck and neck for the first half, Midnight was impressed with Copper's start and ability to keep on. Right at about the middle of the race, in the shadow of the mountain, Midnight managed to hit his pace and pull ahead, maintaining a solid lead right till the end where he gave a final burst of speed, surpassing his previous top speed like he saw Copper do earlier in the race.

 

Midnight turned to watch Copper come in, a minute may be a big difference in a short race, but it was an impressively small margin in a long one. Midnight was quite tired at the end but could keep moving. He approached Copper as he finished the race. "You did very well, I am honestly impressed at how quick you are. Tomorrow's race should prove quite interesting."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded at Midnight, as he was clarifying the course before setting up the start and finish.  He took off at the same instant Midnight did at the start.

 

As the race went, Copper kept pace with Midnight throughout.  It wasn't until Midnight started to pull away that Copper realized what he need to do in the real race, keep ahead of him for a while then boost once he feels the larger colt catch up.

 

He looked as Midnight waited for him to finish.  When he did, he was barely breathing heavily.  He smiled at Midnight's compliment.

 

"Thanks.  I'm a competitor, and a classy one at that.  You're as good as I thought you were, and I thought you were amazing.  The race is going to be so much fun."

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight smiled almost mischeviously as he returned to the bundle he had brought earlier. "To be sure, I wont be going easy on you tomorrow, though I suppose you won't be going easy on me either." Midnight started to do some post run stretches to ensure that his legs wouldn't be sore the next day. It was a bit too late to train and still get benefit out of it.

 

(Midnight trained His start and acceleration, giving him a -20% chance to stumble in the race tomorrow, his endurance is increased to 1100 from 1000)

(Copper's endurance increased to 1300 from 1200. What other training benefit do you wish to apply?) 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

(A -15% chance of a stumble the next race will do)

 

Copper had a mischevious smile of his own when Midnight said he wasn't going easy on him.  "Oh, you won't?  Good to know.  I went easy on you myself, just to see what I need to do."

 

Copper then heard the sound of hooves touching down.  He turned to see the Pegasi Children.  He smiled and walked to them.

 

"So you followed us, huh?  How'd you think we did?  We went easy on each other, just to let you know."