#guys wth is swire an all-round training booster

[johannstutt413]

(requested by mathmaticalknight)

“Hey, Dobermann, can I ask you something?” The Doctor, dressed in her own workout clothes, was walking with the drillmaster through the training room, checking in on the Operators at work. “How do you decide who gets to be a trainer? Because I’ve been looking through the list, and I’ve noticed some odd choices in my book.”

“You may be our leader and strategy master, Doctor, but I operate on the disciplinary level. The Operators I’ve chosen are the best for teaching the Rhodes Island System to our Operators.”

She could understand tha- Wait, hold on. “Dobermann, is that Plume watching Bagpipe go through her drills?”

“Yes; Plume works specifically with our Vanguards with extensive combat training before coming here.” There was a hint of a smile at the Doctor’s dumbfoundedness. “If you think I’m a hard-ass, you should have seen her working with Miss Siege.”

“Did you just call her Miss Siege?”

Dobermann nodded. “I did. Next question - I can see it on your face.”

“Is that training?” They watched as Gavial engaged Folinic in hand-to-hand combat. “They’re both Medics, aren’t they? And Folinic is Dr. Kal’tsit’s personal student, so why is she-”

“She’s learning the Rhodes Island system. Even our Medics need to know how to defend themselves.” The Feline punched the Archosaurian in the face, which managed to score a laugh with the better-known-for-violence of the two.

The Doctor shook her head. “I need a crash course on this system myse- Okay, THAT is not training.”

“Hmm? Oh, hell no!” The Perro cracked her whip, interrupting Swire and Hoshiguma in the middle of making out. “Train on our time, do that on your own.”

“They’re both on the trainer roster, too. How shameful...” Although considering Miss Swire’s gym outfit, she did at least understand the rationale.

They had one last room to check...and this time, the Doctor had no explanation. “Okay, I know Hellagur isn’t a trainer...neither is Skadi, or Ch’en, or Mr. SilverAsh, or-”

“Beehunter’s our expert in there. Her method is focused on ‘last man standing’ brawls, and they’ve been quite useful in getting our best combatants out of their comfort zones and make clear improvements in their performance review scores.” Dobermann cracked a genuine smile. “Still confused?”

“There are ten Operators in there, and all of them are fighting each other? Ten of our strongest, most experienced, and most dangerous personnel...keeping in mind none of them are Casters?”

The Perro nodded. “Yes.”

“Can I watch?”

“No.” Dobermann chuckled at her frown. “We have a session of our own to get to, after all.”

As they continued to the room at the end of the hall, she made another observation. “You know, I think you being my personal trainer is similar in a way.”

“You think so?” The drillmaster herself held the door for the Doctor as they stepped inside.

“Here I am, the master of my domain, treated like a queen and the last hope of Rhodes Island...” She turned on her heels, manifesting her Arts blade in her left dominant hand. “And of all the personnel, all the war heroes and Arts experts and asymmetrical operations specialists available to us, you’re the one in charge of keeping me fit for duty. Why is it that the person who works with our green Operators takes it on herself to work with me?”

Dobermann cracked her whip against the floor. “For the practical explanation: you’re not expected to keep the same physical standards as our combat-ready Operators, but the thought of one of our recruits kicking your ass without at least a little effort is utterly disgraceful.”

“Alright, that’s fair...” The Doctor took a couple practice swings at the air between them. “But the way you said that sounds like there’s another reason.”

“Oh, there is. No one else is allowed to see you sweat.”

She blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“You haven’t noticed? There’s a reason you have a reputation of being so competent in everything you do, and that’s because no one else knows the level of effort you put in to maintain that level of success.” The Perro’s weapon hand was loose around the hilt. “As your trainer, and as your personal assistant, I’m the only one who ever gets to see that side of you, and I like to keep it that way. Besides, if someone saw you after a workout, glowing the way you do, they might want you almost as much as I do, and the fallout from that would be an HR disaster.”

“Ah...Am I really-”

She nodded once. “I could not exaggerate my feelings if I wanted to.”

“Wow.” The Doctor grinned. “So you’ll take it easy on me so you don’t mess up my pretty face?”

“Are you kidding? I never said you couldn’t use a couple scars.” And with that, the session began.