Callie's Heroes

PART V - DANCE LESSONS

Major Celeste was glancing at some notes she had written as her students sat in rapt attention, waiting for her to start the next part of class. So far, they had learned how to query their Symbiotes, but that task completed, they were ready for the next lesson, and Celeste was realizing she was in way over her head. Finally, she looked at her students and tried to give them a comforting smile, with poor results.

Drawing one of her swords she held it out, using one hand to point. “Um … this … this is a sword. It has a pointy end and usually one or two sharp sides. The trick is to stick the enemy with the pointy end. Or cut them with the sharp part. Or I guess you could bonk them with this handle part. Any questions?”

Celeste’s students looked at one another in disbelief, and she could see tiny clouds of worry crossing their faces. She had lost them already, she realized, and class had been in session for about ninety seconds. “Fuck,” the Major muttered to herself.

Lena winced in sympathy. “Try again? It’s okay. We all know this is new for you.”

“I am sorry,” the Major said with an uncharacteristic sheepish look. “I just haven’t had a lot of time to plan this out. I appreciate the understanding.” Celeste could tell by the returned looks they truly did understand, but were still worried. She took a deep breath and sat, inviting the recruits to sit with her. Celeste started again.

“The Bladedancer is a Guardian class, and we serve a critical role in any fight,” Celeste began. “We have two jobs, and if we don’t do them right, people die. First, we keep the enemy’s attention focused on us, so that the others can do their jobs. Second, we do everything we can not to get hit in the process. Our armor is light, and so our defense is our nimbleness and misdirection. Most of what we will be practicing for the first week is going to be about exactly that … not getting hit.”

Koka and Moka simultaneously raised a paw, both asking “Guardian class?”

And so, for the next thirty minutes, Major Celeste, with occasional assistance from Lena, explained the basics of four-role tactics. Of Guardians vs Strikers. Of how important it was to aid the Healers best by not actually getting hurt, and how the ranged classes served their critical function. All three Catkins peppered her constantly with questions, and at times she’d use Lena to demonstrate a stance or maneuver. It was a crash course demonstration, but the three recruits absorbed it all, and even Lena learned a few more things related to her new skill unlocks.

“Finally, we get to your defensive skills,” Celeste said. “The most-critical two you have now are Instinctive Dodge and Instinctive Parry, and they do exactly as they sound. You’ll get a third at Bronze Tier. Anyone with basic sword perks is able to parry or dodge a blow, if they see it coming and have time to prepare, but these two skills will activate without even a thought given to them, seeming to guide you out of the way or position your sword just right for the parry. In fact, at higher levels, you don’t even need to know that the blow is coming. Everything we do as a Guardian relies on understanding them.”

“What about Flashstep?” Koka asked. “That’s one of our defensive skills, too, right?”

“It can be a defensive skill,” Celeste said with a hesitant nod. “I’ll be honest with you, though, I seldom have used it in that way. My primary use is to get me into a fight even faster, or to reposition myself for a strike or the defense of another. That’s because with Flashstep, it nullifies our Taunt skill, which may allow the enemy to lose its focus on you. And if that happens, well, we know what could happen next.”

“Explain Taunt again, if you would, Major. I assume it is more than just calling someone bad names or insulting their mother,” Dregorio said, getting a chuckle from the rest of the recruits.

“It’s a very strong, short-duration charm,” Celeste said. “It will focus the enemy’s attention towards you, and only you. It will also anger the target, so be prepared when that happens. As a Guardian, this skill is critical to learn to manage. One drawback is that if the enemy is resistant, or worse, immune to charm effects, you have to get … creative … to keep its attention. Luckily, because the skill is so focused and short-duration, it will get past most charm resistances.”

“I see, Major,” Dregorio said, pondering what she said. His eyes seemed to flutter for a moment, before adding, “I see that Blur also breaks the Taunt charm as well.”

Celeste nodded. “At Iron and Bronze Tier, yes. Blur is a great way to drop Taunt, especially if you are working with another Guardian class, so they can take over. For example, if you need a moment to drink a potion or need to go help someone. Visually, it will make you harder to see for a few seconds as well. At Silver, you may retain your Taunt if you wish, when you use Blur.”

Lena proceeded to demonstrate the Blur skill. Her form began to shimmer and shake, seeming to disappear and then appear a meter away randomly, making it nearly impossible to tell exactly where she was standing. The effect only lasted a few seconds before she broke the spell, reappearing in a slightly different location than she started.

Dregorio pondered all Celeste had just explained, his paw on his chin and an extended claw tapping on his cheek. “So basically, our job is to distract the bad guy, dancing around and saying ‘look at me over here!’ while our allies shoot at it from safety.”

“You got it,” both Celeste and Lena said together.

“Sounds quite dangerous,” Dregorio said introspectively. Slowly a grin began to form on his furry face. His eyes took on a mischievous look. “But it also sounds quite fun!”

Koka and Moka looked at the Catkin in horror.

“Oh come now, my dear fellow Kittykin!” Dregorio said with a flourish. “If we are to be the Guardians, would not doing it while dancing be better than just standing there being beaten upon? Bladedancer is the name of our class, after all.”

“Did anyone ever tell you …” Koka started.

“... that you’re a little crazy?” Moka completed.

“Why yes!” Dregorio said excitedly. “Many times I have heard such high praise, usually as I am sneaking out of her window with the break of dawn.”

Koka seemed to blush, while Lena and Celeste both rolled their eyes. Lena had to admit, though, Dregorio was certainly a charming person, and their dances the night before were quite ...