Morning Workouts, Evolved [Verity, Matt]

Verity may grouse and gripe about the morning workouts, but only because she feels it's expected. If she didn't give Samus a hard time, they might both feel bad about what the chick does to poor Verity. Before she can rise to those challenges, she has to fall down. Lots, and hard. (Healing magic has been a blessing.)

Still, there's the pain and suffering she's grown accustomed to, and then there's... this. Samus knows when she's arrived, if not by the footsteps and the thud of her bags hitting the ground, by the equal parts impressed and frightened, "What."

Samus and her lessons have been so very valuable to both Verity and Matt. His endurance has increased with her suggested weighted runs. And something about going on an adventure with a work out makes it even more enjoyable in the end. That's without going through it every step of the way with his lady love.

Pain and suffering now in training means less later. (And the recuperating on the couch or in bed curled up, that's where it's at.)

Matt has a bag or two in his hold that he sets down. You never know what you're in for. "What, what?" He tilts his head and tries to take in what's in front of them from the way the wind is broken up, the way sound carries. He reaches out to brush his fingers over the back of Verity's arm.

"Samus, is this a jungle gym?"

Rather like one, yes. It makes for a refreshing challenge, and I think you'll find it good practice.

*To Verity, she casts one of her lopsided smiles, utterly unrepentant. At least she seems wholly confident in her student's ability to measure up?*

Do you two need to change, or are you ready for a first run?

Thank goodness Matt is there. His touch is always soothing and she leans into it with a quiet sigh.

There's a delay before she answers because she's not looking at the smile, she's still trying to figure out the path in front of her. "Stretching. I need to stretch. And figure out how the hell this works. You know I'm a foot shorter than you, right?"

Because she is. She's short and small and a little intimidated. The fact everyone else here believes in her kinda helps, or at least, it will. Just give her a minute.

A refreshing challenge in Samus speak means that it's going to be a lot of work. And it's likely more difficult than usual. The sheer scale of what's before them, Matt knows this means that he'll be too will be challenged. Her tone also has this very pleased quality to it. He's sure there are coaches that sound like this all the time.

"Good idea, honey." Matt keeps stroking her arm. It's not going to make her taller, just more nimble. That's a huge advantage too. "Just think of it like... a funny shaped rooftop. I know I'm going to."

One that has a moving barrel, conveniently placed ropes and trampolines.

I'm aware of your stature.

*Hashtag notevenSorryNotSorry. She rolls her neck a little, already limber, and while Verity and Matt stretch, she paces alongside the course's length, checking things over again (one can never be too sure). As tempting as it is to give a demonstrative run, figuring the course out on the fly is part of the exercise.*

Like a rooftop, yes, except that any falls have water under them. You can both swim, right?

Siiiigh. Samus could at least give a demonstration. It's not like Ver and Matt know what's going on here. That, she figures, is part of the point. Tempting as it is to keep letting Matt pet her she knows she has to step away and focus now. Well. After a quick kiss.

"Yeah, we swim." Like she'd let Matt anywhere near that course, or the beach, if he couldn't?

While she's stretching she studies the course and does her best to describe it to Matt. Samus may consider it cheating, but Verity considers it teamwork. Also fair. Matt's most likely to make it to the end, and handicapping him with incomplete descriptions isn't going to help her own chances of success any.

"Do we want to know where you got the idea?"

"Me too," Matt says mostly to himself and softly. His awareness of Verity's stature is not really an issue.Not as much as she thinks it is. He has zero complaints in that department. They won't be touching so much so he enjoys the motion as it lasts. And that kiss. However quick.

That said he rolls his shoulders and gets to stretching. Arms swinging at length, mindful of where Samus and Verity are. After that it's all about legs and back.

So. Lots of balance, upper and lower body strength. He listens as she lays it all out best she can. Hmmm. It's going to be something.

"...and with that, have you had the chance to have fun with it?"

*Verity's question gets a wry chuckle.*

You can thank Earth for this one. It's apparently something of a sport in some Facets. It reminds me a little of home.

*Her tone is wistful for just a moment, but this isn't a history lesson, it's PE.*

I haven't been through it yet, Matt, no. I thought I'd give you a sporting chance to be here when I might fall. I'm only mostly heartless.

She won't stomp on a wistful moment with more sass. Neither of them is entirely heartless.

"This is why I always charge my phone before I come for these runs." Oh yes, Samus, you know how she loves to take pictures of these potentially embarrassing moments. For her own delight. And potential low-level blackmail. But only the fun kind!

"So, I guess I should go first. Matt, honey, please have a towel waiting." She'll do the same for him when it's his turn. For now, she'll gamely step up to the starting line, taking a moment to have one last look at the path before focusing on the more immediate task. If she can't make it to the first platform she's going to be really embarrassed.

It's the hanging barrel ride that gets her. Her limbs just aren't long enough to wrap around it. Splosh.

"Thanks, Earth." Though he really has no idea where on Earth. Matt isn't exactly in the loop with television. He doesn't even own one. It just makes this even more interesting. A few more squats before he locks arms to twist and stretch his back.

"Then this is looking better and better." Samus wouldn't put together anything she couldn't do herself... right?

He grins at Verity. "Can do," he finds a towel in their things and keeps his keen ears open. He studies her pacing, the way the turf sounds. What parts make her hesitate. Lots of distance. ...trampolines too. Matt has the towel draped over his shoulder as he jogs along listening and ready close by. Grinning with pride his jaw drops and his nose scrunches listening to her fall before he is right at the water's edge to offer a hand.

*Samus keeps pace with Verity's progress as well, nodding thoughtfully as she watches. She'll let Matt be the one to give Verity a hand out of the pool, but does offer a look of approval.*

Good first run. Be ready to tell me what you learned when I get back.

*Maybe, just maybe, she's hoping to get her own first run finished before Verity has time to get toweled off and her camera fished out. Maybe, just maybe, she lingers at the starting line for a moment to allow the opposite outcome. Either way, she isn't telling.*

*She crosses the angled pads with barely a break in her stride; she's been hopping platforms over lava pits for so long now it's like stepping off a curb. She doesn't even slow before she hits the trampoline, catching the turning bar with one hand and swinging on it to snag the rope with the other. Ah, but her confidence costs her, and on the same hanging barrel ride where Verity fell: she starts it moving before her fingers have properly locked on the tiny handholds, and at the first drop in the track, she slips. She clings doggedly with one hand, but her uneven weight makes the barrel twist and lean as it hangs, and at the next drop in the tracks she is shaken off entirely. Into the drink she goes.*

Ver takes Matt's hand half instinctively--before she's entirely aware that he's there and waiting. She just knows he's there and waiting. With his help, it isn't hard to pull herself out. The towel is pulled off his shoulders and she dries her face and glasses quickly before stretching up to give him a kiss. "Thank you."

"Yes, ma'am," she adds. Hey, wait, where is--oh! Screw drying her hair, Ver scrambles to get her phone out before Samus gets too far. She hasn't even put her glasses back on. So this recording is necessary. For training purposes.

If she's lucky she can wipe that smirk off her face before Samus climbs out of the pool.

He is in the company of two very capable women. They don't need help. And really the water isn't so deep. Samus even went so far as to ensure it's cleanliness. Matt still wouldn't want to be anywhere else but waiting for Verity. He hauls her up, beaming with pride. "You're incredible," and he means it. His eyebrows lift hearing their intrepid coach not only give a compliment but... get ready to roll.

First Samus goes off full tilt, Verity after. Matt follows because the turf is wet and his sneaker wearing feet aren't. Yet. And away she goes! Confident, so confident. He follows knowing that any information he can get will only help him more. Or fail in other ways, all about perspective! He didn't have chance to get a towel ready for Samus but he's ready all the same to lend a hand if she'll take it.

*This is one of the reasons Samus ties most of her hair back, so it doesn't hang in her eyes when it's wet. Wading to the edge of the pool, she flicks her bangs aside and accepts Matt's hand in climbing out.*

Thank you, Matt. Your turn, now, while Verity gives me her answer.

*Why, yes, doing something with your mind while watching someone you care about run around a course full of danger is part of this exercise. You're welcome.*

"Only with the right inspiration," she answers Matt with a smirk, "and you being around helps too."

It's not so very dangerous. He'll be okay. She's got healing magic if there's an accident, which would give Samus a head-start she's smart enough to take. Everything'll be fine.

And she's worrying anyway.

"I... learned my arms are too short?" No, wait, that's not a good enough answer. "This would be easier with my special grippy-gloves. I need to figure out the handholds better before committing my weight. I really need to stop wearing glasses for these things."

She's got such a way with words. His lips curl into a smile. There's enough time, just enough for him to press a kiss to her hand while he holds it. Then everything is in high speed. Matt wears his glasses as a habit. Just what he does. Seems like this isn't the environment to look pretty. He removes them and hands them to Verity.

"Wish me luck."

Though he has a feeling this might be more up his alley. Matt bounces in place a moment and gives himself a running start.

"Your arms are just fine, honey." No one asked him. He just heard. Crossing over the little elevated platforms over the water is easy enough. Matt notices that he has to balance is weight. A little flailing before pushing through. Okay. Up the ramp. The trampoline is not something he's all that familiar with using. And he hits it. Hard. For a second he has to really tighten his grip on the propeller as it spins and...there's the rope. Hah!

And now for that treacherous barrel. A solid grip and the sensation of rolling down at an angle. That's a trip. Especially after the bump. It comes to a stop and he's got it. Bounding onto the next obstacle. This one is a little less apparent to him. There's a trampoline. There's a narrow passage ahead. No ropes or poles. Might have to try and walk with one limb to each wall. Simple enough but once again he finds that too much force to the trampoline isn't called for. A foot slips, then his grip. And...

KER-SPLASH!

*Samus nods in thought as Verity lists her insights, watching Matt's progress. Shards, he made it past the barrel ride. He seems to have a hard time with the trampolines, though, she'll remember that.*

Good insights--some of them.

*She must be pleased, she opted not to include a repetition of the old "we train without the things that make it easier because A, B, C, etc" saw.*

And I'd imagine there are things we can do that would help your glasses stay on. I can think of a couple technological solutions, and there's probably magical options as well.

*And then Matt's down. Samus applauds, letting Verity be his lifeguard/cabana girl. She won't even tease.*

*This time.*

Of course Matt made it past the barrel ride. Verity was half expecting him to take the whole course on the first try, which is why she stayed back with Samus instead of pacing him. She takes the kiss and the glasses, putting them both away where they belong. "Good luck, honey."

His reassurance about her arms makes her laugh, but it also makes her wonder why he's trying to show off at a time like this. Just to show off, she supposes. Samus is in charge right now so Ver will let the birdboss handle the attitude. Or maybe gravity will take care of it.

"I thought I would just wear my contacts next time," she admits. "Which I should probably do as a matter of course when we're training, but they itch." There are no doubt easy future-medicine solutions for her vision problem. And magical ones, too. But she kinda likes her glasses.

When Matt starts having problems, Ver grabs his towel and steps forward. He might be making the biggest splash, but they're all wet in the end and Ver's waiting for him with a hand out and a smile. "Good job!"

That barrel was not going to have the best of him. Ends out that it was just using his own body weight and misjudging that got him in the end. Matt really is intent on finishing the whole thing. Being able to do so in one go? Well, not this time it seems.

Climbing up out of the water and into her grip he's got a wide grin. "This is fun!" Like an over grown jungle gym as suspected. Going at it has made it even more interesting.

"Has this always been here?" Matt pushes back his hair from his forehead, it sticks up before he tries to flatten it. Sort of seems like something that would just come to be in Nexus to be discovered much later if not brought over personally by Samus "just in case".

*When Matt and Verity have had their moment, Samus answers the question aimed at her.*

It hasn't, no. I just put it up. It's handling its first run well, I think--as are both of you.

*She has more for her pupil, of course.*

Better to stick with the glasses, I think. The contacts will detract from your performance, they'll be worse than the glasses when one falls out, and it's best to train in what you'll have when you're not expecting trouble--I doubt itchy contacts are it.

*Samus was thinking more future-engineering or magical solutions to the problem of getting her glasses to stay on her head. There are benefits to having good lenses in front of your eyes.*

If Matt's enthusiasm were more infectious, she might agree with him. As it stands, she'll just be glad to see him enjoying himself. And give him a dry towel. "I'm sure that's exactly why Samus brought us here, too."

There are benefits to having good lenses in your eyes. (Sorry, Matt.) But she takes the point about contacts not being ideal--she doesn't tend to wear them, after all. Still, keeping glasses on her head doesn't keep them dry, and her vision's kinda shot until that happens. Real life isn't going to give her a pass just because it's raining.

"It hasn't fallen apart yet, so I'd call that a success." It's teasing because she knows Samus wouldn't send them on something she wasn't sure of without a warning. "My turn again."

Great.

She gets through the first part again, but stops when she gets to the barrel ride. If she can get a better grip maybe she can make it to the end this time. It's not as easy as Matt made it look, and she hasn't grown any. The first drop doesn't shake her off--not quite--but the second one does.

Sloosh.

"Thanks, Coach." Matt grins at Samus. He's not sure what the learning curve is for this kind of thing. No television in their apartment makes this all even more interesting to him. Though there are vague impressions of American Gladiators. They sort of did stuff like this. Or was that Double Dare? Either way, things he hasn't seen or thought of in about two decades. "Just trying to do you and the program proud." It's pretty nice to get a work out that doesn't involve getting attacked or long distance running weighted down.

He pats his head and shoulders dry before his arms and hands. The close are going to be on the damp side. Since he and Verity are on the wet side he loops an arm around her. Ah, they're still talking about eye wear. "Maybe we could look into some kind of sport goggle?" They have those right? Matt pats his chin and neck.

With Verity up to bat again he gives her a hearty pat before moving to follow along side. "You can do it!" As always, Matt's listening. He's got no concerns for Samus and her sense of good craftsmanship. And Verity is very capable. She has his back in street fights, this is far less dangerous than a big guy on drugs.

"Almost!" He freezes and waits so sure she's going to get it. And---aww.

*Matt, if you get Samus to watch American Gladiators and/or Double Dare, you are entirely responsible for the result.*

That's good, you held on longer.

*Samus joins Matt in offering Verity a hand up out of the water this time. She knows that Verity knows her praise, spare as it may be, is never empty.*

Sometimes the only way to improve is repetition.

Verity will officially quit if these sessions start involving green slime or gak or whatever else Samus might come up with for the physical challenges.

Everyone's wet now, so there's no reason to avoid the few and far-between cuddles they're allowed. Once they've helped her climb out of the pool she leans against Matt with a sigh. They're both saying she did well, and she knows that showing improvement is good, but still. If she's going to put this much time into hugging something, she'd rather it be Matt or Bobbi.

"I know. It's not going to get any easier now that it's starting to get wet." And she's not sure she's ever going to get past the barrel ride. "So you two can enjoy that now," she adds with a smirk. She'll get her own turn on a slick-from-wet track soon enough and she knows that.

"Speaking of... have fun, honey." She'll reach up to give his cheek a kiss before he goes.

There was a time when Matt would have thought it would be fun. That was before he was very aware of textures and smells. He can't handle certain hand soaps. Chances of him liking a downpour of gak is slim to none. This is fun enough for him.

Wet embraces for luck and for the hell of it also help keep Verity warm. The towel helps too.

"I'll try," before he dashes off Matt places a real kiss on her mouth. Brief, it has to be brief. There's a few obstacles he has to tackle!

This time he tries to take his time. The right kind of attention to balance and weight. He makes it over the platforms. The first trampoline he nearly jumps too short. There's got to be a happy medium. He hangs on between the propeller and the rope. Breathe, Murdock. Away he goes to the barrel. Just like before he is not about to be done in there. Now for that trampoline to the glass. He sprints and...nails the landing. The sense of accomplishment is plain on his face as he is guided by the way air moves between the plastic walls. More little platforms? The way they're arranged is going to need speed. Up and up he goes! Another one bites the dust!

"Is that a wall-?" It is. No sides or ridges to scale it. So... momentum? Matt steps back and sprints and...yoooo! And yet that's not all. The coarse is a little longer. There's a trampoline waiting at the bottom. Feeling overly confident he is in the drink once again.

*Samus isn't quite cruel enough to unleash the gak. Not quite. Arguably, she's kind--she's giving Verity and Matt an excuse to hug and watch one another while absolutely drenched. They can thank her whenever. In the meantime, she quizzes Verity as they watch Matt's run.*

What flaws do you see, Verity? If you were up against someone who moved exactly like that, what would your options be?

There will be many baked goods in Samus' future to thank her for this wonderful opportunity to ogle Matt.

"Flaws?" She lets out a breath, not because she doesn't see them but because she's not sure this counts as good girlfriending. A moment's delay is purchased, or at least filled, with fixing her hair. "Going just on what I'm seeing? He's overconfident. And it's a game to him. He's too willing to fall down, assuming he's always getting up again."

She's going to stop now before they get into relationship stuff. Besides, Matt's fallen again (he didn't need to prove that point for her), so she's going to help him out and give him his towel and congratulations. "Good job, honey. Careful, though, if you do too much better than Samus she might have to put you in your place."

Edited 2016-09-24 17:01 (UTC)

Hopefully no water gets in his ears. That would be a bad time indeed. He could hear them talking. Trying to not be done in by trampolines or scaling logs pulled his attention away from the exact subject matter.

Verity knows him through and through. Samus has called Matt on his own issues. He either holds back or lets go completely. Reemerging he shakes his head like a dog. It's true, this is a game for him. The competitive streak is starting to emerge. Best keep a lid on it as advised.

So he grins and takes his towel with the congrats. "I'm not trying to make a statement or place a challenge for you, Samus. In the end I'm competing with myself...right?" The particular shine to his smile means that he hopes that is the case. Matt loops an arm around Verity's shoulders.

*Samus nods quietly, listening to Verity and watching Matt's run, reserving judgment until he falls.*

All true.

*Once Matt's up and toweled again, she smirks along with the rest.*

It's a rare occasion when you're not daring someone to rise to your level, Matt, in one form or another. Not that that's a bad thing. While you were taking your turn, I had Verity watch you for weaknesses--why did I do that? I want answers from you both when I get back. Individual answers.

*With that, she's off to the starting line, crossing the little platforms with ease. The obstacles have her full attention, this time, and her pupils have had their chance to finish the course before she could. Although she has the vertical leap to cheat at the warped wall a little, she plays it fair, using momentum to carry her up the curved surface until she can reach the ledge. The unstable platforms barely wobble under her feet, and while her somewhat-wet hands slip on one of the metal handholds for the arm swings, her grip on the other sees her through. Course complete.*

Ver relaxes into Matt's hold, shifting to lean against his side and let her head rest on his shoulder. She doesn't even realize she's doing it anymore. It's become habit: Matt's within reach, so she can relax.

The question doesn't get the raised eyebrow so much as the chance to tease Samus about the caveat. "It's a little late to say we can't do group projects together just 'cause we're dating!"

If she doesn't want them comparing notes, fine. She'll turn to wrap her arms around Matt's waist and watch Samus finish out the course. Matt isn't the only competitive one around here today, looks like. Good thing Ver's not competitive about this stuff (and is unquestioningly better at cooking than either of them). Seeing Samus finish the course gives her a nice idea of what to expect, if she ever gets there.

She'll be gracious and applaud. Not loudly, since that would require letting go of Matt, but enough to be authentic.

They spend so much time together that Verity beats him to the punch in this logic. All he has is a snicker. "Not our fault if great minds think a like, right?" Though he at least makes an attempt to think for himself here.

The two of them all cozy right here while there should be some very heated competition. Samus is likely cooking up something. And it's not edible. Would she have them compete for time? Or perhaps she'd have them try side by side? Is that even possible with this coarse? His arms rub up and down Verity's back.

He listens to Samus. Ever fast, ever precise like a blade. Already out the gate she's stronger than before. Matt already has the feeling that she will finish up. Sure enough...

"That wasn't even a whole three minutes."

I'm not saying you can't do group projects, just that you've both got classwork. And if you think alike, then anticipate where you'll overlap and each cover what the other won't.

*All snark has an answer, as Samus climbs down from the finish platform. She smiles, accepting the applause before looking between them expectantly.*

Thank you. Now, your answers?

But does all snark have a good answer? Samus will continue to believe that because Verity, at least, isn't going to say otherwise.

No time to bask in her own glory when Samus is in charge. Ver doesn't immediately peel herself out of Matt's arms. It's far too comfortable to be discarded readily, even if it is her turn. Whatever else Samus has planned for them, Verity intends to have earned some of it.

"To make sure I'm not blinded by love. And because partners have to know each other's weaknesses in order to account for them and adapt to cover for them." It's only half sass this time.

There's still some welcoming applause from Matt. Being close to his sweet love and clapping is possible. Samus deserves her praise. This is a challenge after all. Verity's answer is prying a smirk from him.

"If we're aware of both of our weaknesses immediately assessing an obstacle and planning a form of attack will be easier."

*Samus nods.*

Good answers both. It's also good practice--if you can spot the flaws in someone whose flaws you're inclined to overlook, you can see them in anyone. When you can see a flaw, you know how to attack it. And as Verity said, if you know your partner's flaws, you know how someone might attack them, and you can be ready for it.

It was a perfectly legitimate answer, Matt, stop smirking like that. Samus might start thinking they're not taking it seriously. They do not want that! Verity won't even gloat about being more right. Isn't she nice?

"I guess it's my turn to be picked apart." She gives Matt a squeeze before peeling herself off of him.

Another attempt at the course. Another attempt at that fucking barrel ride. But this time, wonder of wonders, she doesn't fall. Entirely. She's bumped loose and by the end is hanging on with only one hand, but she lands on the platform and that's what matters. The vertical walls are next, and this is when she actually starts hating Samus for this. Between her lack of height and wet shoes, that part is painfully difficult. Literally. But it's the path to the next rope swing that gets her.

Expressing is what he does whether he means to or not. It lingers only a little. Talking on the subject matter of one another's weaknesses he still is sure that it's going to lead on to some twist to their time spent together.

"You got this, no question." Encouragement for the road. His fingers clutch at her to enforce his belief in this.

As much as he'd like to run along side, he stands still with Samus. Matt's arms cross. "She has difficulty motivating herself. While her size has many tactical advantages she is more prone to see disadvantages." He rubs his mouth and holds his breath listening to the barrel. A smile breaks wide when she passes through. Oh wait. We're trying to be analytical. Verity is going so damn far! Pride swells in his gut as she clears more and more. His assessment is going to be incomplete because he sprints along to follow once she is at the vertical walls. It isn't a dangerous undertaking, they've all done it. Just feels wrong to not be there when she re-emeges from the water. By her footing and her breathing, he can tell that she's giving her all.

*Samus stands with Matt, watching Verity's progress with stern approval.*

You should talk with her about the advantages, while you both take your breather.

*When Matt sprints off, Samus follows at a slower pace, keeping Verity in view. As before, she lets the lovebirds have a moment at poolside before she joins in.*

Take a rest, both of you--a walking rest. This run is fairly high-impact, so our session might not be as long today.

This time, Verity's grateful for the help out of the pool. Towel or no, she's leaning against Matt in a way that suggests she isn't just winded. The worst part of right now is that she knows she's choosing to hurt. Healing the pain away wouldn't teach her muscles anything.

"Good, there is no way I'd be able to keep this up for hours." Walking, she can do. Slowly. She'll let Matt take the lead, since he is ironically the one with the better sense of where things are until she can find a dry-ish towel and clean her glasses again.

"So, go ahead." She knows that it's her turn for constructive criticism.

He happily provides a solid mass for her to lean on. Wet or dry. Matt is going to feel this in his own way. Always on the go one way or another, always distracted by paying attention to what's around him, it's a delayed reaction.

A walking rest? What a treat.

"This is getting pretty tiring, you're right." They're lead along the length of the coarse to do a lap. He rubs her back while she gets her glasses in order.

He smiles warmly at her. "I was actually asked to talk about what an advantage you have with your beautiful stature." Matthew Murdock, Samus did not say beautiful. "Shorter limbs, right? Well, you have the ability to slip right through the grasp and range of any taller opponent. And everyone's concerned about the torso, the face. You can go for the knees, the sides... groin."

*You're not running with weights on, Matt. Surely you'd rather not stiffen up and let your metabolism slow down before your next run? While Matt and Verity talk, Samus takes a moment to climb up and check a few joins that showed a little more give under stress than she would have liked.*

Well, if he's inviting, she might side-step closer to him and tilt her head onto his shoulder. She's still walking, so no reason for Samus to get on their case. And she's not quite purring while Matt rubs her back, so no need to mention that, either.

"'Beautiful stature'?" Her gaze shifts to Samus, and the weight of her browmagic is heavy. "Uh huh." Yeah no sorry Matt, she doesn't buy that. But it's sweet, in its way, so she'll let it slide.

She watches Samus work while Matt makes his points. They're all fair, so she concedes with a nod. "True. But that requires getting close to them, and as you know, they don't smell good. Sweat and Axe body spray. Eugh."

He's absolutely inviting since they can squeeze in a little affection with their walking break. His heart rate is elevated and his body heat will be too if they stay close enough. No weights on this run. No doubt he would not be so cocksure on the obstacle course if he was.

"Okay, she didn't say that exactly. I say that." Honesty is what they're all about, even when it's obvious. That brow magic is so powerful he's aware of it.

Matt gives a good-natured laugh and nods. "Yes, honey. They don't smell good at all. Being smaller means you can squeeze in and out of windows of opportunity. And you can't possibly tell me you aren't fast. Samus has been working with you before I was even a thought, right?"

He moves his face to Samus' direction. She's calling the shots here. How long is their break? How far. And surely she'll have some input to Verity's strengths as well.

I said to discuss the advantages of your height.

*Samus pushes off from the stanchion she'd climbed with the air of someone descending from a step-stool, and lands near the couple with much the same effort, joining them in walking with barely a hitch in stride.*

I didn't know he was going to feed you flattery, I was expecting a little more practical discussion.

*Matt's Catholic, so he should understand having some kind of penance to look forward to for that.*

To what insights he did offer, I'd add that a more compact build is more energy-efficient. You don't spend as much effort to move, so you burn through your stamina more slowly than someone larger. What I'm seeing as a sticking point for you is that you have a tendency to underestimate what you're capable of, and hold yourself back so you'll have more in reserve to recover from the expected failure.

A little affection is just what the doctor ordered for aching muscles and mounting frustration. She'll not think about what sorts of fates they're tempting with him thinking about doing this run with weights if it's all the same. Better to enjoy his laughter and let herself smile.

"I'm pretty fast," she concedes. It's almost an agreement. He has some good points, and so does Samus. She ducks her head in admission to the fault--she's not an optimist; she does tend to assume things aren't going to work for her without pain and setbacks. "Not entirely a bad thing, when I go out with someone as reckless as Matt."

It's a thin defense, she knows, and she can anticipate the look Samus is going to give her. "A couple inches and dry shoes would make a big difference for me." That's a point she's not going to concede so easily.

Morning Workouts, Evolved [Verity, Matt]

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