Awakening Supports/Miriel Stahl
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C Support
Stahl:
...Ninety-eight...ninety-nine...one hundred! Phew...
Miriel:
Why do you repeat that same motion over and over again?
Stahl:
Have you never heard of shadow fencing?
Miriel:
I assume it entails performing sword strikes and parries with an imaginary opponent. Is the point of the exercise pure kinetic stimulation, or is there more to achieve?
Stahl:
Well, by making moves second nature, you can perform them better and faster.
Miriel:
Interesting. So the goal is to remember the moves in your muscles, not your mind. I think this process warrants further study. Would you mind terribly if I observe?
Stahl:
In theory, no. But I've just finished for the day and I'm exhausted...
Miriel:
Ah. I see. That is disappointing. ...Most TERRIBLY disappointing.
Stahl:
B-but if you really want, I suppose I could run through a few more drills...
Miriel:
I believe two hundred repetitions would be sufficient to establish a baseline.
Stahl:
T-two hundred? Good gods, I don't have the energy for that!
Miriel:
...Most TERRIBLY disappointing.
Stahl:
......
Miriel:
Well, I suppose I can find another, more lucrative field of study. Perhaps I will just...observe this rock. Yes, that should suffice. Hmm... It's round. And smooth. Wait! ...No, it's still round.
Stahl:
ARGH! All right, all right. I'll do it. Just stop making me feel bad. *Sigh* Here we go. One...two...th-three...
Miriel:
Excellent.
B Support
Stahl:
H-here's...the finish line...at last... *pant, pant* *wheeze*
Miriel:
Hmm... You circumnavigated the camp ten times, and your total time was... Fascinating!
Stahl:
M-Miriel... *pant* Every day...you grow more like a demon...sent to torture me... Have you observed *wheeze* enough running now? Can I please stop?
Miriel:
I see no harm in taking a short break.
Stahl:
Phew... Thank goodness... So...what *pant* did you learn?
Miriel:
As you may know, I have been observing everyone's training, and not just yours. And in every measure of performance, you come out at the exact median.
Stahl:
I do?
Miriel:
Be it arm strength, running, stamina, or anything else, you are perfectly average. If I didn't know better, I'd say that my methodology was flawed. It's something of a scientific miracle that you can be so completely unoutstanding.
Stahl:
Yes, well. That's just the sort of man I am!
Miriel:
You are aware of your ordinariness?
Stahl:
Yeah, I've always tended to be more or less like everyone else. I do about the average amount of training everyone else does, but...you know. Meh.
Miriel:
Yet it is remarkable that you are able to precisely hit EVERY statistical mean. You must allow me to investigate further. And to do that, I need more data.
Stahl:
D-do you mean...?
Miriel:
Yes. Your break is over. Ten more laps around the camp, please!
Stahl:
She IS a demon!
A Support
Stahl:
Ninety-eight...ninety-nine...one hundred! Phew! All done!
Miriel:
Fascinating. I've now directly observed the results of your repetition drills. Compared with the first time I watched you, your movements are smoother and faster.
Stahl:
That's because you keep making me do them over and over again. But I wager I'm still only as good as half the people in camp, right?
Miriel:
Yes. It is a most extraordinary result.
Stahl:
Extraordinary? But I've always been Sir Average! Why would that change?
Miriel:
Because in recent days, all of your skills and statistics have improved dramatically. And yet, you remain in the very center of my graph. See? At the top of this bell curve.
Stahl:
Wait, wait. So while I got better, everyone else ALSO got the exact amount better?
Miriel:
Everyone in the army is aware that you are the most average soldier. Therefore, when they see you improve, they feel compelled to improve as well. In this way, they are able to avoid falling below the expected mean.
Stahl:
I see... So it's not just a matter of me adapting to everyone around me... It's about THEM seeing ME and adapting to THAT. Wow, thanks, Miriel! I'm way more influential than I ever imagined!
Miriel:
I'm simply grateful for the chance to observe such a fascinating phenomenon. I hope you will allow me to continue my analysis and experiments?
Stahl:
Of course. For as long as you like!
Miriel:
Excellent.
Stahl:
Aaaaaand...finish line. *pant, pant* Heh heh. After this, everyone'll have to work REAL hard to keep me average.
Miriel:
Stahl, you are blessed with a most remarkable skill.
Stahl:
You mean, a most average skill, don't you?
Miriel:
The ability to be ordinary at everything is, in fact, most extraordinary.
Stahl:
Er, well, I suppose that makes sense in a totally nonsensical kind of way. But listen, I found something else about me that isn't average...
Miriel:
You have piqued my curiosity. Please, edify!
Stahl:
This is difficult to put into words. ...Er, especially to you. But let me try. The other thing I'm not average at is...being in love with you. Because without a doubt, I love you more than anyone else in the world!
Miriel:
Is this a jape? Some manner of revenge for my making you exercise?
Stahl:
No jape, milady. The honest truth. And I have this ring to prove it.
Miriel:
In other words, you wish to be my lifelong partner. Is that correct?
Stahl:
It means I want to be your husband! I admit, I used to hate all the running you made me do. but now I live for it. I can't wait to get out there and jog or chop wood and whatnot! I like that you're always watching and making notes, and I want that to continue.
Miriel:
And I, for my part, am anxious to continue my observations. And more importantly, I also harbor some measure of affection toward you. Therefore, I shall accept both your ring and your proposal.
Stahl:
I guarantee that when it comes to marital bliss, we won't be average!
Miriel:
Interesting. For the first time ever, you strive to be above average in something.
Stahl:
That's right. And I know I can do it—because I love you, Miriel.
Miriel:
Ah, yes. Quite. Thank you. I...um...also find you agreeable.
