Tigre Family Estate

[Mr.Fabulous]

11:32 AM // 17 August // 818 A.S.
The Garage // Northwing Section // Entrance Quarters // Sector-1





... Must work harder...



The sound of a pistol being clicked on the ready is heard...



[color=#CC66CC]... Must be faster... stonger...



The hum of the pistol's magneto-coils warming up echoes across the room... heartbeat starts to race wildly... breathing begins to slow down into deep sighs...



... Must... not... fail.



All of a sudden, a volley of 20 shots is let out in quick succession: the green bolts of energy fizz violently towards the holographic targets on the opposite side of the room; most of the shots make their mark on the different targets scattered all over the wall, while the rest miss by several centimeters and quickly dissipate over the force field just directly behind the targets.



... Meep... 12 hits... not good enough...



Mila pauses for a moment before looking at the gun hole that started to smoke with excess plasma: she blew away the gas to clear the hole, then looked at the targets she aimed at: a total of 8 large targets, 3 smaller ones, and 1 tiny mark have been hit, which placed her accuracy at an above-average rate, which was to be admired considering that Mila never really had much experience with any personal arms before.



But she wasn't happy: in fact, she was upset that she only scored about 12 shots, and what's more most of them were the largest marks. Her goal was to at least have 4 of the smallest targets hit, but she only managed to score 1 hit. She sighed in disappointment as she placed her pistol back onto its holster.



"You're improving, Mila. That's the first time you've been able to hit one of the smallest targets." Leonardo smiled noticeably at her as he clapped his hands sincerely.



Yet the smile quickly faded as he began to notice her shameful look, "... Meep... I wanted to hit at least 4 of the targets. I still have a long way to go before I can even begin to shoot straight, meep..." she groaned to herself as she walked towards him.



"... Oh? You're too eager, Mila. You can't expect to hit 4 tiny targets when you've only started hitting one for the first time. You can't blame yourself for trying to do something your ability just can't quite accomplish yet---"



"But I need to get better!" Mila cuts him off before he could finish what he was saying, "I MUST! I don't wanna be a liability to anyone again, Leonardo. You've defended me and taken care of me for so long, and it makes me feel so bad about myself that I'm only dragging you down like this. It's high time that I know how to defend myself so I won't be a bother to you or anyone else anymore."



"... Mila..." He places his right hand on her head and begins to pet her, "That's good of you to say that, but you can't expect to be a master with only a few days'-worth of practice. It'll probably still take you many months more before you could ever become confident enough to hold a gun. You don't have to rush things, Mila. Everything has it's own time and pace, and you must learn to be patient with yourself."



"But, but, but I---"



"Now now, Mila... If it'll make you feel any better, you're progressing much faster than I thought. With only 5 sessions of practice you're aiming accuracy's steady enough that you're begin to hit the smallest targets, although I admit you still need to work on your arm balance to keep your hand from absorbing too much of the recoil.



"Nevertheless, you should be proud of your improvement instead of trying to scold yourself for doing something you haven't even begun to scratch the surface yet. Come on..." He smiles slightly as he continued, "... I know of some Meat Waffles in the Main Hall, fresh from the oven, with your name written all over them."



Mila smirks back as she began to follow him, "... Mmmm... waffles, meep..."



"Still determined to go enlist into the Order, I see?" A man in his late 20's wearing a white unprinted shirt, denim pants and some leather sandals steps out from a nearby corner. His squarish face shows off a grin, but a wry one at that.



"So? Why do you care, Jack?" Leonardo replies in a cool tone.



"Is it really that worth it to go after the Nomads, Captain? Is it really that worth it to sacrifice everything you have and everyone around you, all for the vendetta you harbor against those blue freaks?"



Leonardo's tone grows very dark in response, "... You don't know what you're talking about. Don't say such things when you yourself don't even understand the pain I've had to go through because of what those monsters did to my family."



"Fair enough... I'm not you, so how am I supposed to understand? But let me at least make myself clear on one thing..." Jack's demeanor gets serious as he continued, "If you're gonna go after those monsters, that's fine by us... but DON'T you ever FORCE us to get involved in your vengeance, and risk our lives in the process all because of your selfish desires for payback. That attitude's gonna be your undoing if the Nomads' don't get to you first... Captain...



"... And you even have your little sweetie in on your misery... It'd be a shame if anything bad happened to Mila because of your hatred."



The last statement from Jack makes Leonardo's eyes widen a bit in worry, ... My hatred... for the Nomads... will she really...



"MEEP! I choose to come along with Leonardo cause he needs all the help he can get. And you being here isn't helping at all... Mr. Avernus. I suggest you don't talk like that to him again... EVER!" Mila's hands start to tighten up in anger.



Jack riles his head back in surprise, "Well, well! I never expected fighting words to come from someone as carefree and innocent as you. You're beginning to grow up now, Mila, heheheh...



"But in a way, you're right... He'll need the help... I just hope that help won't come at a very steep price." He walks away and leaves the two to themselves.



Mila quickly turns to look at Leonardo and said, "Mr. Avernus sure was mean all of a sudden, meep! You alright, Leonardo?"



"H... huh?" He wakes up from his deep thought and replied, "... Y... yeah, I'm okay. His cause was just, Mila. It's understandable for him to feel that way.



"... Why don't you go on ahead, Mila? I'll finish cleaning up the Garage and meet you there in the Main Hall, alright?"



"M... meep. If you say so." Mila starts to trot away and as she exits the room she closes the door behind her with a thud.



For a moment, Leonardo looked blankly at the door, his face filled with confusion and worry, ... Yet Jack was right... could I... could I really be that cold...? Would I...



... Would I really do that to her...? He glances at his hands before clenching them with great pressure. Afterwards, he shakes the worry on his head away and, after sighing to himself, begins to organize the surrounding area.

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