Fit for purpose

[Celeste Andaris]

11th Ymiden 717

"Xander, I'm flabby." Of all the things for the woman you are to marry to say to you over breakfast, perhaps this was not the most usual, but it was what Celeste Andaris said to him that morning. "Plus, I spend most of my trial sitting down and the only exercise I get is you." Her smile was wicked and she looked at him from underneath her eyelashes in a way which she knew provoked a reaction in him.

"And whilst that is wonderful," she moved her leg, entwining it with his beneath the table, "It does not help the muscles in my arms. I want to look more toned when we get married." She smiled and shrugged, it was a simple truth for her. "It is the only wedding I will have and we are making a point with it. I want to feel beautiful." Celeste looked down at her breakfast and considered, then spoke to him in a more serious tone, although her leg stayed where it was. "And it is our hope that I will conceive quickly. Maybe I already have, for all we know." Her cheeks flushed and she lowered her eyes as she said that, looking at his hands. "The healthier and fitter I am, the better the chances that pregnancy happens and goes smoothly."

She moved her hand to put it in his, squeezing gently. "But really, I haven't been raised to know what to do to make myself more muscular." Her hand moved up his arm and her tone was quiet, thoughtful and just a little teasing, too. "I was wondering if you'd help me?"

Leaning forward, she lifted her hand to touch his chin, turning his head to her and kissing him gently. "It will help with learning to defend myself, too." It was something that she was determined to do and was taking steps in, but it was a slow process for her. The barriers in her mind were much more of a problem than she had considered, but she was working on them. Ironically, the change in their relationship and their shared intimacy was helping. Previously, physical contact had been something Celeste had disliked and often avoided. Now, she had a different context and it helped.

"What do you think, Lord Krome?" Would he consider it something he could, or would even want to do she wondered. She raised an eyebrow at him and adopted a demure expression. "Would you be prepared to assist me?" Celeste looked the very picture of innocence when she added, "after all, you know all my areas of strength and weakness. You could help me target specific areas with the aim of becoming toned and fit." For all her innocent expression, she could not maintain it as she grinned at him, "You could conduct an ongoing and thorough investigation of how successful we are being in that aim with very regular checks."

[Xander Andaris]

Xander looked up from his bowl of Muesli with fresh fruit. To say he was surprised at her sudden revelation would be an understatement, in fact he struggled to keep in his food at the random remark. He swallowed his mouthful and with a raise of his eyebrow spoke. "Flabby?" It was more than clear from his facial features that he was somewhat lost with the sudden topic. Not to mention that approaching the subject of weight with a woman was a sensitive topic, even he knew that. So he simply looked at her curiously waiting for her to continue and explain to him what she meant exactly.

As he expected she gave more information, although, he struggled to really listen properly when he was met with those eyes. She knew what they did to him by now, since that first trial he would easily have shown her what certain looks could do to him. To describe their level of bedroom activity to an outsider since that first time he would use the word active. However, if he was going to be honest when telling he would use a word more like, crazy. It felt like he had spent more time in their than not, of course that was not true but when something was as enjoyable as that you remembered it more. Her wicked smile was met with a smug half smile from himself as he shook his head to try and concentrate.

He had been very impressed with her so far though, she had come on so well from when she could barely hold his hand. Now she was sleeping by his side, when they weren't too distracted with other things. He had noticed that sometimes she would lose her nerve though, meeting his touch with a shiver or a freeze. He had found that when that happened he simply had to pause and wait, give her a few moments to clear her head and she would be fine. One night Xander had returned from getting a glass of water and clearly she had not realised he'd left as when he returned to the bed and wrapped an arm around her she panicked, screaming and squirming to get away from him.

Still Xander was glad she had come along and now it appeared she wanted his help with something new. The moment she mentioned pregnancy his attention fully returned from thought on the recent trials and instead was on her. The idea that she might already have conceived had not even entered his mind till that moment, so he smiled and nodded as she blushed. "If that is the case and we just are yet to find out then we have been truly blessed. For you to have conceived so quickly would have been near a miracle." He held her hand in his and as she squeezed he looked down at them, much more smooth and delicate than his own.

The way she spoke sent shivers through his veins, women had occasionally when he was younger and alone spoken like that in his presence but never before had it had this kind of effect on him. Her touch ran up his arm and he could have sworn that sparks were flying out as she ran over his muscular and strong arm. Then finally, when she had him wrapped around her little finger she asked for help. It was surprising she had come to him with many trainers available to her now she was Baroness. However, he saw no issue with assisting her in improving her strength and fitness. She kissed him and as it was parted he waited to speak in response. However, she seemed determined he needed more convincing and so he listened to her closely.

She turned out to be quite the tease and an impressive seductress, at least with him she was. "I will help you, of course, especially if it increases your safety." He smiled and looked at her placing a hand on her cheek and looking at her in her brown eyes. "And just so you know you don't have to seduce me for it, although that thorough investigation sounds very appealing." He squeezed her cheek playfully, teasing her just like she had him, all be it less sexually.

"Come on then you, lets get started. He kissed her one last time, ate the last spoonful of his breakfast and then stood. Waiting for Celeste to follow suite he held out his hand for her to take.

[Celeste Andaris]

"Yes. Flabby." It was a genuine confirmation from her. "I'm not overweight, I have a good figure, I know. But I've noticed just how..." she shrugged, trying to search for a word for it, "well, flabby I am compared to you. I don't need or want to lose weight, I want to gain muscle and tone. I want to be well defined, not flabby." Did he not understand her, she wondered, or was he being deliberately cautious? She thought the latter.

His response, though, to her gaze and her movement was not lost on her and Celeste smiled. His desire for her had been completely awoken and Xander seemed to have an almost insatiable appetite. She was learning, watching him and what he responded to, what passed him by; it was all part and parcel of this aspect of their relationship for her and it was necessary. Strangely, it was necessary for her and her own ability to maintain this so, when he gave her a half smile which positively emanated smug, Celeste grinned. "You look like the cat that got the cream, you know."

Xander continued to surprise her, it had to be said. When fear and panic threatened, he seemed to sense it before she did even and no matter how fueled by desire and beholden to biology he was, the growing feeling of panic was invariably met by a change in him to gentle words, calmly delivered. His hands would move to stroke her hair and he would hold her until that panic passed. Even the time she had woken in the night he had just been calm and soothing; all she had known was that someone had got into her bed and the feeling of arms around her sent her into a spin. Yet his voice calmed and soothed her.

His face when she spoke of pregnancy told her a lot and Celeste smiled and shook her head. "Normally I would agree, but it's not about how many trials since our first time, Xander, so much as how many times per trial." Her smile then was wicked and her eyes searched his face. It was what he wanted, too, so she was hopeful. Yet, she knew that there was no point to worry about it.

When he agreed, Celeste smiled at him and took his hand in hers, moving it from her cheek and kissing it gently. "I know I don't." Have to seduce him, that was. "It may sound strange, Xander, but it's important to me that our relationship is different. That we touch and tease and play, because doing so is unlike anything else I have ever known." It had to be different, she had to keep reminding herself that it was different. "I have never behaved like this with a man with the intention of carrying it through. I have certainly never done so because I want him." She shook her head and smiled. "I know it sounds strange, but I need us to be different. I need it not to be a dirty secret. So, if my lord does not mind, let me seduce you?" The last was teasing, of course, and she just hoped that he understood.

She returned his kiss, took his hand and walked with him. "How do we begin?" Celeste wondered, "come to that, where?"

[Xander Andaris]

"It is not strange, I understand, I think, why you feel that way." In his head it was exactly how she said it, if it was a dirty secret it was like the past, like his father and her brother. However, this was different from those times, this was not something to be ashamed of or hide. So yes he could understand why it was she needed the teasing and playfulness that had come into their relationship in the recent trials. In the end, whatever made her happy was what he would do.

He smiled and shook his head to emphasize his words more. "Your Lord most certainly does not mind." He never talked in the third person, it felt strange but at the same time comfortable. It was sort of as if he was talking about someone else and so it made it easier to admit his own feelings. "There will be no dirty secret here my Lady, only a shared and open love for all to behold and envy." They kissed and then stood, Xander mentally beginning to prepare for what was likely going to be her shock at what it required to remain fit and healthy.

She asked the first question as he lead her through the house, walking at a brisk pace towards the front door. "The where is outside and the what is what I am still deciding now." Xander felt a smile cross his face almost certain he could sense that Celeste was disappointed with that. Today was not exactly the best day either, it was hot outside, incredibly so. It had rained before but now it was sunny and wasn't showing any signs of stopping. Still, they could go in the shade or something, the truth was that fitness didn't wait on the weather to be optimal. No she would have to be able to fight and exercise in any weather if she wished to stay fit and ready. Still he lead her out into the warmth of the suns rays.

"Come on now, lets see what we can do. I was thinking you might wish to work on your arms. Generally that is where people lack in real strength. I can show you an exercise I do if you like." Xander jogged quickly into the house and grabbed his sword in its scabbard. He returned to Celeste and held it out for her to take. Then once she was holding it he showed her what to do.

"Okay, so place one hand on the hilt and the other on the scabbard." He pushed her hands into position so she was holding it correctly. Then raised them up out in front of her. "Now hold there for as long as you can." He stepped back leaving her to hold it up alone, in truth it wasn't that heavy but it was heavier than just her arms and when he was starting out this was what he would do. Holding it out for a prolonged period of time would train the muscles endurance and control as well as increasing the strength they can offer. He had found this from his own training until now.

[Celeste Andaris]

"Outside? But it's hot and sticky out there." Celeste complained and then looked at him and sighed. "Outside? Excellent. I was hoping that you'd say that." Her grumble was genuine but she followed him out and then, whilst he jogged back in to get something, she tied her hair back and moved to stand in the shade. It would be nice out here, she considered, sitting and drinking a cool drink with a canopy over her and a good book.

Somehow, she did not see those in her future.

Xander came back out with his sword and Celeste had to admit to being surprised, but pleased enough. "I suppose it makes sense for me to use weapons to train with, actually, also. Maybe killing two birds with one stone?" But it appeared that he did not wish her to hold the sword with the pointy end pointing anywhere, but instead hold it out. "But it's heavy." Celeste said and serious brown eyes regarded him and her lower lip stuck out in a near-perfect pout. "I've changed my mind. You'll still love me if I'm flabby, won't you?" She sighed again, more dramatically this time.

However, she did not drop her arms.

Celeste's brow took on a deep frown and she looked at the sword as though it was personally offensive to her. She concentrated and her arms started to tremble, but she did not drop her arms. It might be surprising to Xander just how long she managed to hold the sword out for. Her physical endurance was better than she realised, but then she had been tested and tested again lately.

In the end, it was her strength which meant that the sword fell from her shaking fingers. If, at any point he had tried to get her to stop, she refused and replied simply, "No. I need to know how much is my best to make it better, yes?" Other than that, she counted in her head and tried to keep her breathing steady.

When, however, the sword fell she immediately bent her arms at the elbow, lifting them to her shoulders. "This is not fun exercise, Xander Krome." Yet, she looked at him and tilted her head in question. "What do you think?"

[Xander Andaris]

Xander was not surprised to see the pout on her face, it was something he had been expecting when she had suggested he teach and train her. He ignored the pout and continued to set her up as she spoke again and he smiled, letting out a warm hearty chuckle. "I would, but that isn't the point my dear." He kissed her cheek and moved to watch as she held out the sword even after her complaining, not giving up quickly which boded well.

He watched and she began to surprise him as her brow creased and her eyes locked with the sword. She looked like she was attempting to stare it into submission some how, as if it were a bad puppy that had chewed the carpets. Yet, it appeared to work for her as she bested the opponent for an impressive amount of time. He did not think he had been able to hold it for so long on his first attempt. He had to admit he was pleased and rather taken aback by her ability to endure the aching and discomfort of the exercise.

In the end though her actual strength failed and no amount of will and force ignorance could have helped her hold it longer. He looked at her shaking fingers and arms that were there for a brief moment after the drop before being tugged into her shoulders. Xander bent over and collected the sword from the ground, holding it at his side as he knew she would again dislike the next exercise too. "I must admit to being surprised, you are quite resilient and have good endurance, your ability to ignore the discomfort was good. What let you down was your actual strength, however, that comes with practise of course."

Xander held the sword out to her again, a slightly apologetic look on his face before it disappeared in his serious teacher one. "Now try this." He lined her hands up as he had done before except now he instructed her to raise her arms above her head, straight up like she was reaching for something on a high shelf. "I want you to hold that for ten trills and then bend at your elbows and lower the sword so it is just above your head and then hold for ten trills and then repeat that as many times as you can."

All of these exercises had been shown to him by Lian a while ago when he still lived in Krome. They were simple and required no special items, for that reason they were good to learn with as a beginner. Xander stepped back once again and watched his love begin the new exercise, expecting another wave of whining before she did so.

[Celeste Andaris]

Celeste grumbled at him as she rubbed her arms but for a brief trill she thought that she'd something in his eyes. Something resembling surprise, respect even. Then, of course, he gave voice to that and she smiled, lowering her eyes to the ground and feeling an unfamiliar sensation come over her. Considering it for a moment, the shallow young woman looked at the man she was to marry and replied with absolute honesty. "I'm glad to impress you. If wanting and determination are helpful, I have them both in droves." Considering it, though, she added with a smile. "I am also ready to complain for the entire time. Whilst I am glad to impress you, I would so hate to disappoint you by not doing so, after all."

What let her down was her strength? Celeste nodded. "I'm going to learn to dance, Xander. It will build up the strength in my legs and it will be good exercise. I've asked for a tutor to be arranged, there'll be one here soon. Building up my strength and endurance like this, learning to fight, learning to dance." Her brown eyes were serious as spoke her next words. "People have underestimated me all my life Xander. I'm done living down to expectations."

So, hold the sword and lift it above her head, hold it and then lower it? She listened to how he explained it, to hold it up and keep it there for ten trills. Her arms were already feeling tired, but Celeste refused to be held hostage to that and so she started. The trick, she realised, was in the breathing. It was important that she breathed and did so slowly and carefully. She couldn't breathe in for ten trills, but she could regulate it that she kept it to one full breath, in and out, during that time.

Again, she kept going longer than perhaps he might assume she would, although her arms were shaking by the time she finally dropped the sword again. "I'm sorry." Celeste frowned deeply, irritation at herself building more than it ever had before. "I simply lack the physical strength. Xander, this hurts. I do not like pain, I am much more of a pleasure-orientated creature you know."

Lowering her eyes she looked up at him from beneath her lashes, her smile lifting into a much more teasing expression. "You might not have noticed?"

Immortals, but her arms hurt!

[Xander Andaris]

"Disappoint me? That would be impossible." He winked at her and laughed, enjoying the current simplicity of his life, days like these were what made the hard ones worth while. That was how it was in Xander's eyes at least. "You can moan all you like, as long as you do your exercises while doing so. You will find it much easier if you aren't wasting you breath on such though." Again he smiled and awaited her to do the exercise he had shown her.

He was glad to hear she was taking the threat to her life seriously, doing all she could in an attempt to prepare herself for the future. She was training and she was doing better right now than he had expected of her. It made him much more comfortable knowing that she would soon be able to defend herself and be strong enough to fight off or at least escape those who wish her ill will. "Then let us surprise them together."

Her protection was important to him and Ethelynda had granted him more ability to do so, she had gifted him her mark so he could protect those that trusted him and looked to him for guidance. So in her name he would help Celeste to train and grow, with the immortals belief in him and his in hers he could teach Celeste how to be strong and defend herself. 'I will protect her and help her protect herself Ethelynda, like I promised you and told you when we met, I will keep her safe.' The silent prayer devoted his action of training Celeste to the noble immortal and reminded him of that fateful night he had saved her before. Pride welled in him before he returned his attention fully to his fiance.

She began the exercise and he again was impressed by her resilience, then like last time it was her muscles actual inability to maintain the task any longer that resulted in the end. "Pain is good, it means you are working yourself hard. The pain, even if it sounds crazy, is a good thing." He came over and collected the sword once again, rising to see her giving him the eyes once again along with her comment on pleasure he knew what was happening and yet felt himself falling victim to it.

He stepped back. "Oh, I most certainly noticed. Only a fool would not have." He unwrapped the belt from around the scabbard and fastened it on around his waist. This was not yet enough for the trial and next would come the abdomen as Xander took a seat in front of Celeste and waited for her to do so too not saying his reason why.

Once she had joined him down on the grass he would offer her an explanation, assuming that she was not going to like it. "Okay, now put your legs out in front of you lift them from the ground and role back onto your lower back keeping and allowing your spine to arch slightly outwards so it has a curve. Then hold it for as long as you can." This once had had seen Bron doing from time to time.

He did a quick few trill demonstration in case she needed one and then left her do do the same for a longer period of time. As he waited for her to finish he looked up into the leaves of the tree above, thinking how thankful he was for the shade it offered them.

[Celeste Andaris]

They would surprise those people who underestimated them together? Celeste smiled at him and nodded. "That sounds like an excellent plan. If only it wasn't quite so physically demanding." Really, this was painful and there was no need for it, she was sure. There must be some way that she could develop her physical strength and endurance without it having to hurt.

Frankly, it was a design flaw.

"Pain is not good. It is a very uncomfortable thing and it makes me cranky." If it did, she was smiling rather a lot; this was a nice time for her and they were falling into a relationship that was much less formal and stilted. That made sense, of course, considering the change in their physical relationship but it was more than that and they both knew it.

Her lowered lashes and slight pout stirred a reaction, but not quite to the extent that she wanted and so she sat down with something of a huff. She did as he asked, though, and put her feet out then rolled, or tried to and she looked at him in some consternation. "Xander, I don't think I can bend that way. Show me?" Assuming that he did, a deep frown crossed her face and Celeste looked at him as though he were asking the impossible.

"I can't do that, don't be silly."

She wasn't joking when she said it, but equally, she was willing to try. It was in this that Celeste's main weakness showed, her core was almost non-existent and she very much struggled to move in the way he was teaching her. There was no doubting the effort that she put in to it, but her weakness was more than evident. However, she tried and she almost succeeded a few times, but simply was not strong enough. "You see?" Celeste's frown was genuine frustration at herself in that moment.

"Flabby."

[Xander Andaris]

For all the complaining she was doing her face had not seemed to get the message. Her smile did not match the whining and nor, truthfully, did her tone. He simply looked at her with serious eyes and forced a face that showed he was not amused, even though he most certainly was. "I can see it makes you cranky but you are the one that complained about being...flabby." He struggled to hold back the look of amusement that invaded his features then, a sly smile crossing his lips and his brow raising somewhat.

She requested he show her again and instead he rocked forward onto his knees and crawled up alongside her. He placed a hand on her back and his other forearm under her thighs. He raised her legs and as she rocked back held her up with his other hand, using it to curve her back as he had said. "You can bend that way, you just needed some guidance is all." He smiled as he released her, now she would no the position. Not as surprising as the arms she was quick to lose balance or drop her legs due to her weak core.

He watched her continue to try though, not giving up on succeeding but she was unable to achieve much. She had learned the shape now though and was able to get herself into it even if for only a short moment. However, he knew that with practise and training she would get there. She gave up, a frown on her face as she used the word again, flabby.

Xander had at this point returned to his former position where he was kneeling and watching her. Although he would have had her train longer and he may still he decided to act on a whim. He almost launched himself at her as he pushed from his toes and came over her, causing her to fall to the grass with him above her. A wild smile on his face as he looked into her brown eyes.

"Not flabby, beautiful." He held himself up on his arms above her, his hands either side of her shoulders. For a moment he realised this might spook her and so he paused, making sure not to continue until he knew she was not going to panic at his sudden and surprising advance upon her. Trying to kiss her if that were the case could only worsen things and so he waited, hovering over her with a now reassuring expression.