Looking around, he stared at the surrounding trees that encroached on the clearing. Their trunks were thick and sturdy, their limbs more than thick enough to support even Dowel’s weight if she could get up there. Needles from the trees covered the ground in a dark brown carpet, which would help soften most falls at least some small amount.
Nodding to himself, he then turned to the harness that Cologne was carefully adjusting to his frame. The entire thing looked like a collection of spiral springs, coiled pieces of flattened metal overlapping itself and connecting at several key areas, like the joints.
Thick bands of black metal, contrasting with the slate gray of the coils themselves, attached the whole thing to his body. Whoever had created this ‘training harness’ obviously was no slouch when it came to materials technology and engineering prowess, and more than likely had some small ability in enchanting objects as well.
Mumbling to herself as she worked, Cologne tested the motion of Ranma’s left arm, making sure that the harness’ joints were properly aligned with his, and that nothing was getting pinched. Finally, nodding to herself, she reached a hand out to the circular piece that rested in the middle of his back, a small burst of Chi coming from her hand only to be swallowed into the device itself.
“Well, that’s done now,” Cologne stated. “Why don’t you start with walking, so you can get a little used to moving with the resistance.”
As he went to take his first step forward, he nearly fell on his face. Even the act of bending his leg to take a step had been difficult, his sense of balance not quite ready to deal with the resistance.
He went to take another step, being more careful this time, and putting a little more strength into the action than he had with his first step. Though it was still a bit of a strain, it was much smoother this time… well, he didn’t fall on his face, at least.
“I can see how this will increase my strength,” Ranma noted. “Either I get stronger, or walk around like an invalid.”
Cologne laughed at his comment.
“Yes, that’s about right,” she noted. “In combination with this training, I have some other things that will help you build up your ‘lean mass’. Some shiatsu and massage to help building muscle mass, along with foods and drink that will help you put on some much-needed pounds.”
“Hey, now,” Ranma broke in. “I don’t want to end up like Dowel. I kind of like being lean and agile, you know. I just don’t think the muscle-bound giant thing is my cup of tea.”
“Oh, no worry about that,” Cologne told him. “The shiatsu and massage will help increase the density, not the size, of your muscles. Now, get yourself adjusted as much as you can to the resistance, because I shall be doubling it tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Mother,” Ranma replied.
And, with that, Cologne leapt off towards the village to have a fun day of throwing rocks at Dowel. Something that Ranma would very much have enjoyed watching, if he didn’t have his own torture to endure at the moment.
With a minor grunt of irritation at getting side-tracked, Ranma picked up his foot to take another step, this one just slightly easier than the last.
Out of pure curiosity, he tried to use his Chi to strengthen his leg muscles for the next step, only to find that it was just as difficult as before. The Chi he was burning in his muscles was matched by that of the harness, causing the resistance of the bands to increase in proportion.
“Well, guess that idea is out, then,” Ranma said with a grin. “I’ll just have to do things the hard way. But, then again, that is the best way to improve. Whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”
He fell on his face.
“Damn it.”
* * *
Cologne came hopping back to the clearing about mid-day, intent on welcoming her son to a much-needed lunch. When she got there, though, there was no trace of the boy or his harness.
Slightly worried, she stretched he senses outwards into the surrounding forest, quickly pin-pointing the lad’s uncloaked Chi presence. To her surprise, the boy was leaping from tree to tree, caught up in a complex kata as he fought against about a dozen imaginary foes.
It was impressive that, after less than half a day of wearing the suit, he could do Kata again. She knew, however, that he could be cursing himself for his arrogance in a few hours as the collected aches and pains in his over-used muscles made themselves known to him. He would probably really be wanting that massage by the end of lunch, actually.
“Ranma!” Cologne shouted out into the woods. “It’s time for lunch!”
“Coming!” came his reply from the trees.
The strain that the harness was putting on his body was easily seen as he bounded over to the clearing. Sweat soaked his training clothes, plastering his black hair to his head in a most unattractive manner. His muscles twitched and strained, showing the onset of what would most likely soon become full on muscular failure.
But he seemed to be enjoying it greatly.
“It looks like you’re having yourself a good time,” Cologne noted.
“Well, it could be worse,” Ranma replied.
“Oh, it will be,” Cologne said ominously. “It will be.”
“Uh… yeah…”
“Now come along, it’s time for lunch, and skipping a meal is the last thing we want you doing. After you’re done eating, we’ll use the massage and shiatsu techniques to help with your muscles.”
And, with that, she led the way back into the village.
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(Posted Mon, 15 Nov 2004 17:54)
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