Training with Cole

Kemba ran through the onset of arrows, weaving and dodging. He remained focused and kept his eyes moving, he used his sword this time to break any arrows he wouldn't be able to dodge. Kemba's confidence had returned and he wasn't going to let it go to waste.

Still, he wasn't able to defend himself entirely, taking an arrow to the arms, two in the stomach, one on the left leg and one on his visor. The pain from being hit was not enough to break his concentration and he powered through to the end, when he made it Kemba's face lit up and he turned to see the approaching Theos who he hugged. "Thanks Theos, all I needed was a confidence boost after all." He said with a smile.

Kaa and Ban went over to Kemba and Ban pressed himself against Kemba who chuckled and patted his head. "I never doubted you for a moment!" Ban said, Kaa gave Kemba a thumb up and Kemba returned it with a smirk, "What? No hug from the heir?" Kemba teased. Kaa turned his head and smiled, "Survive the rest of Cole's tests, and I'll consider it." Kemba laughed, "Aren't we cheeky?"

Don gave a smile to Kemba from afar as he waited for Ike to finish and finish he did, out of everyone he had struggled the most with this particular event. Don walked over as Ike finished, "Good going Ike!" He exclaimed, Don looked at Ike's bruises from where the arrows hit him. "You're not hurting too bad I hope." He asked he took one of Ike's arms and gave it a through look, "Nothing a little ice can't fix." He said patting his back.

Blake had watched from afar, as Cole stepped forward.

"You managed to finish this task but I want you to keep in mind that had these been sharpened heads, it is possible you could have died anyway if you took an arrow in a place vital or lost the use of one of your ligaments. As such, the results of this test are as follows, two deaths Ike and Kemba, four wounded; possibly fatally, and one who lived to see the next day, Theos. What I want each of you to take away from this is your ability to pay attention to detail needs some work. When we run this test again in the coming hours, I expect you all to repeat Theos's performance here."

Kemba crossed his arms and frowned, "So we're going to do this again soon...just my luck." He let out a sigh. "It's for the best." Blake said walking up, "We need to be doubly sure we're ready. I mean, I'm struggling because I don't have an arm and it's the first time I'm training without it. I needed this." Kemba looked at him and nodded, "I suppose you're right."

Cole looked at his son, a hint of sadness in his gaze and turned to move towards the next segment. The thought of his son dying disturbed him and it weighed on his mind as he moved.

"Your next task is to balance yourselves on these poles sticking out of the ground. You'll be doing this on your stomachs with outstretched ligaments. This is designed to be as uncomfortable as possible. What will this help you ask? It will help strengthen your muscles and focus. You may come across a situation where you are placed in an uncomfortable situation or heaven forbid, tortured by the enemy. There is only one way any of you will accomplish this task, you put the pain out of mind and body. Focus yourselves, and clear your head. With a clear head, obstacles are better seen and conquered much like with the arrows." Cole motioned each to find a pole.

Kemba rubbed his belly and wondered if it could it. "How long are we going to be up there for?" Blake asked. "Ninety minutes." Cole answered, "N...ninety minutes?" Kaa exclaimed. "Yes, your bodies should feel stiff around twenty minutes, and your breathing should become difficult around thirty. Soon your muscles will ache and your lungs will burn, you're forbidden from relaxing." Cole pointed to the bottom of the ground the poles stood from.

"If you fall off, you'll be pricked by these rose vines from Cora's garden. Won't cause any damage, but you'll be it hurt. If you fall off, consider yourselves dead...if you relax then you fail and consider yourselves broken by the enemy. If you cannot learn to endure hardship, you risk your comrades. Now climb."

Kemba, Blake and the princes did as instructed and climbed the pole. They positioned themselves on it and stretched out, they could already begin to feel the pain. Cole gave Theos a boost to his pole helping him position himself.

"Your time begins now."



Kemba wound up holding his breath hoping that would help keep him balanced. His face turned red and he would breathe a little at a time. It wouldn't be long before his arms and legs grew tired from being outstretched.

Blake had a more difficult time having only one arm, he was confident this something he could do regardless. He had done training like this in the past.

Kaa stretched out as much as he could and was worried this would not end well. He already began to feel the pain of this task.

Don looked at Ike and smiled at him, this was a task he had hoped to be able to cheer on Ike. He would think about cheering on the others to help him focus away from the choking pain. "You...doing okay...Ike?" He would ask.

Ban didn't like this one. It was his least favorite so far, it hurt and he could barely breathe. He wanted to quit so bad but didn't want to let everyone down. He had to focus on something else, anything else.

Kemba's rolls: SZAJ8FmL

Blake's rolls:

Kaa's rolls:

Don's rolls:

Ban's rolls:
··············

Theos nuzzled Kemba his tail wagging a mile a minute as he backed away letting Ban hug him too. He had had no doubts about Kemba being able to make it. 

"We'll be holding you to that hug Kaa," Theos said laughing.


"Good going Ike!" Ike nodded a bit breathless. "You're not hurting too bad I hope." Ike was but he wasn't going to let it show. His arms had blisters and bruises, "Nothing a little ice can't fix." Ike hoped so.

Theos ears went lop sided not sure if he should feel praised or sorry about them being nearly dead or dead. He had to wonder if he could keep it up for a repeat performance. "So we're going to do this again soon...just my luck." He let out a sigh. "It's for the best." Blake said walking up, "We need to be doubly sure we're ready. I mean, I'm struggling because I don't have an arm and it's the first time I'm training without it. I needed this." They all did. No one had made it out unscathed but him. His role would probably be best as a line breaker at this rate, "I suppose you're right."


"Your next task is to balance yourselves on these poles sticking out of the ground. You'll be doing this on your stomachs with outstretched ligaments. This is designed to be as uncomfortable as possible. What will this help you ask? It will help strengthen your muscles and focus. You may come across a situation where you are placed in an uncomfortable situation or heaven forbid, tortured by the enemy. There is only one way any of you will accomplish this task, you put the pain out of mind and body. Focus yourselves, and clear your head. With a clear head, obstacles are better seen and conquered much like with the arrows." Theos started for a pole. He wondered if he could do it. It was very different from trying to balance on his hooves.

"How long are we going to be up there for?" Blake asked. "Ninety minutes." Cole answered, "N...ninety minutes?" Kaa exclaimed. "Yes, your bodies should feel stiff around twenty minutes, and your breathing should become difficult around thirty. Soon your muscles will ache and your lungs will burn, you're forbidden from relaxing." Theos ooked to the le worriedly. That was a long time.

"If you fall off, you'll be pricked by these rose vines from Cora's garden. Won't cause any damage, but you'll be it hurt. If you fall off, consider yourselves dead...if you relax then you fail and consider yourselves broken by the enemy. If you cannot learn to endure hardship, you risk your comrades. Now climb."

Theos and Ike both took positions on their own poles. The beams digging painfully into their bellies. "Your time begins now." Theos winced a bit and settled himself for the long haul


Theos: LcrunyQI

Ike: ·····

What time was it? The pain in there stomachs had overtaken their thoughts and their muscles were tired and shaking with every passing second. They couldn't tell how much time was left and sweat dripped from their bodies. Their breath was short and their bodies were screaming for relief.

Kemba looked at Theos to see how he was doing and could see how much pain he was in. They both wouldn't last at this rate, or maybe they already had? He couldn't tell. He just knew he couldn't do this anymore. Kemba relaxed on his pole dropping his arms and legs. He closed and eye as he caught his breath the pain scattering through his bodies. He dropped off the pole and laid flat on his back to give his belly some relief.

"That....is the hardest thing...I've ever had to do." He said. Kemba would not be the first to fall as Kaa, Don and Ban all had to relax following Kemba's example. They wanted relief hoping Kemba had succeeded so that they wouldn't have to do this again. They climbed off holding their stomachs, Ban curling up on the floor. "My poor belly..." He said.

Kaa sat down and looked at the ceiling, "This is insane..." Don nodded, "I agree...it's borderline torture." He looked over to see Ike as firm as ever. His face was pained but he was focused, his body dripping with the sweat of his labor. His arms and legs and tail hadn't begun shaking yet involuntarily like his had. It hit him that he had failed, Don sighed.

Blake couldn't last either, his balance was off and without the other use of his arm his weight was shifted and he couldn't handle it. He relaxed and fell from the pole laying on his back as well. "Damn it! I failed....I could only last....seventy-five minutes..." He said coughing and taking a deep breath.

Cole shook his head at them all, they were not able to do this simple task? He looked to his son who was the last to remain. He walked over to him and when time was up, Cole picked his son off the pole. He was very proud but he wasn't supposed to be his dad at the moment so he whispered, "Well done my son." and placed him on the ground to rest.

"It seems none of you died, but six of you broke and gave up vital information to the enemy. You failed to withstand their method of abuse." Cole sighed, "Recover your strength for ten minutes before you try again." Cole walked by patting his son's head. He began to prepare the next segment.

Don smiled at Ike and stood up cringing from the pain, "How did you do that?" He asked. "It was hard...."

Kemba sighed, "One of these I'm bound to pass on my first attempt...." Kaa looked at Ban still curled, "Hanging in there little brother?" Ban looked up at him, "Yes....I don't like training..." He whined and Kaa laughed cringing from the pain it brought him.

"Yea well...it will be worth it in the end."

Blake sighed, "Any advice kid? I can't imagine that your dad made you do this in Scomparsa. How did you find the perfect balance?" Blake asked.

Theos tried to focus but found it too much. His belly was soft and not meant to hold his weight like this. Eventually he relaxed and he looked over seeing Kemba on the ground. He slid off and joined him. His belly aching as he curled up next to him and rest a moment

"That....is the hardest thing...I've ever had to do." Theos had to agree. This was easily the hardest one yet.

Ike was as sturdy as ever. His mind was blank for  but numbers. He was counting in increments of seven the math distracting his brain. Eventually his fathers hands lifted him off the pole breaking his reverie. He could have gone a lot longer but he smiled at his fathers praise. As he was set on the ground he rubbed his belly some and sat leaning against the pole.

"It seems none of you died, but six of you broke and gave up vital information to the enemy. You failed to withstand their method of abuse." Cole sighed, "Recover your strength for ten minutes before you try again." Ike enjoyed being praised.

"How did you do that?" He asked. "It was hard...."

"I counted by sevens," Ike responded to Don's inquiry. "It distracts the brain."

"One of these I'm bound to pass on my first attempt...." Theos smiled and nodded. He got up his belly still aching but stretched out. Hoping to release some of those muscles, "Hanging in there little brother?" Ban looked up at him, "Yes....I don't like training..."

"Yea well...it will be worth it in the end."
Yes it would. Theos knew it would.

Blake sighed, "Any advice kid? I can't imagine that your dad made you do this in Scomparsa. How did you find the perfect balance?"

"I...dunno....I just became an immovable object," Ike said. He didn't really focus on the balance part just the pain and avoiding it.

"Well let's get ready to get back up," Theos said finishing his stretches. He got back up and got ready to try again on Cole's mark. Once he said start Theos would lay on his stomach once more and tried to think of anything else than the pole digging into his belly.


Theos: f|D_MeYj··

"I counted by sevens," Ike responded to Don's inquiry. "It distracts the brain." Don didn't think to do that the first time. He had focused far to much on the pain to make room for anything else. "Counting huh?" He thought looking over to the pole. He stood up and shook to get the last of the stiffness out.

"Thanks Ike, I'll try that." Don walked over and prepared himself once more. Kemba looked around noticing Don and Theos getting ready to go, "I suppose I should get going too." Kemba said standing, "Not looking forward to this again." Kemba sighed as he stepped forward.

Kaa had helped Ban to his feet and they both made their way over.

"I...dunno....I just became an immovable object," Blake sighed, "The hell does that mean...?" He said to himself as he approached the pole.

Cole came back over and looked at them, "I see you're all anxious to get back to work. Good, that drive will keep you alive." Cole stood near Ike placing his hand on his son's back to hide his affection from the others. He didn't want them to know he was breaking his own demeanor.

Cole honestly couldn't help himself, this was Ike's first real training session and he wanted to toss him in the air and catch him, hug him close and kiss him. His pride as a father was hard to keep down.

He patted his son's back and lifted his other hand, "Begin!"

Immediately, they all jumped on getting right to work.

Kemba: I0ASaL54

Blake:

Kaa:

Don:

Ban: ··············

Theos remained till as digimonly possible. His thoughts focusing on trying to conquer this pole as though it was a mountain. It helped some the pain was burning in his belly though. Instead of pushing it out he focused on it. This was nothing. He has known worse pain. He thought he heard the bushes rustle but tried to ignore it. He succeeded and before long the time was called.

He relaxed letting his limbs go limp and his body drape over the pole before sliding off. He landed with a oof and then collapsed and just lay there resting. His belly burned something awful but he had done it. He had completed the training and not broke to the enemy. He remained there and looked around to see who had fallen off. He realized it had been Kemba and he gave a sad smile. He really was taking a beating. Theos crawled over to offer him support and rest himself in his lap.

"I'm going to sleep sound tonight," Theos said exhausted.

Ike meanwhile stood by his dad through the whole thing and waited til they each relaxed. His gaze going to the ever steady Theos. Whenever he didn't make it for some reason he came back stronger. It was odd but Ike admired the fact he let failure make him better. 

"You got this Don," Ike said encouraging him. "Each failure helps you learn."

It was worse the second time. Kemba stayed upon the pole as best he could but his body gave out. It had not recovered enough to endure the length of time and he tumbled off into the thorns below. "YEAOW!" He hollered as he was pricked all over. It was amazing that no one else fell off with him.

Ban only lasted half the time he did before relaxing quickly, "I can't...." He said as he got off the pole and fell down. "My belly..." He murmured.

Blake's face was beat red and his body shook from the strain, he was sweating and it fell from his brow like a river, dripping into the ground. His arm slightly relaxed and he felt it, the brief respite of it beckoned to him and he let himself completely relax. He had hoped that was enough time but when he noticed Theos still going he had failed again.

He fell off the pole and dropped on his knees, "Damn it....I can't take much more of this." He stated. Kaa was next to give in, not being able to focus and he collapsed on his back. "S-Seriously....? I could do everything else so easily...." He said taking deep breaths.

Ike's method of counting didn't help Don as he couldn't keep his mind clear enough to succeed. He wound up tripping over the same number in his head, and finally he relaxed falling from his perch, "Great Yggdrasil that hurts!" He said. "How long...?" He asked looking to see Theos still on.

"Failed again...." He placed his head back on the floor and closed his eyes making a pained face.

Cole shook his head, "Another failure and this time a death...alright you get one more chance. Rest for ten minutes and we'll go again. Theos, good job making it through." Cole looked down to Ike and smiled before turning and walking away.

Kemba crawled out of the bushes plucking the thorns from his rump, "That does not feel good...." He said sitting down, his body felt like jello. "I didn't rest enough....my body wasn't able to do it." Kemba said as the successful Theos came over and plopped on his lap. Kemba resting his arms over him, "I'm going to sleep sound tonight," Kemba chuckled, "Are you now? I'll be sure to massage you later before bed. See if I can't help you sleep soundly." Kemba purred and moved to touch his nose to Theos.

"I'll massage you anywhere you like too." He whispered with a laugh. "Though I seriously don't know how I'm gonna get through this one. Maybe if I had another one of your confidence boosts I can make it this time." Kemba said rubbing his partner's back, keeping his nose together with Theos's.

Blake watched the two and sighed, "I wish girlfriend two, ten or twenty was here right now...they would be a welcomed sight." Kaa chuckled, "Guess Kilgath wasn't so far off at the dinner was he?" Blake turned his head and glared, "At least I have had a girlfriend mister right claw."

Kaa became flushed, "Sh-shut up! I-I'm only a kid!!" He exclaimed. Blake laughed, "Yes you are." Ban looked at them both very confused.

"You got this Don," Ike said encouraging him. "Each failure helps you learn." Don appreciated the encouragement, "Yes, without failure there is no success. I tend to hold myself too to high of a standard. I'll master this yet." Don answered.

Cole came back over standing near his son, being a little bit more open this time, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, back up on the poles" Cole said.

Blake had stretched one last time, "Third time's a charm." Kaa was still embarrassed and tried to clear his mind as he approached his pole.

Ban frowned wondering if this would ever be beaten by him and Don saluted Ike before approaching his.

Kemba looked at Theos, "Time for me to conquer this...I hope." He said, he would go to his pole whether Theos gave him a confidence kiss or not. He winked at him with a smile, "Think about my massage offer." He chuckled approaching his pole.

"Begin!" Cole said and they jumped on for one final attempt.

Kemba: g1G|AwPW

Ban:

Don:

Blake:

Kaa: ··············

"That does not feel good...." He said sitting down, his body felt like jello. "I didn't rest enough....my body wasn't able to do it." Theos could imagine, "I'm going to sleep sound tonight," Kemba chuckled, "Are you now? I'll be sure to massage you later before bed. See if I can't help you sleep soundly." if anyone will need a massage it was going to be him.



"I'll massage you anywhere you like too." He whispered with a laugh. "Though I seriously don't know how I'm gonna get through this one. Maybe if I had another one of your confidence boosts I can make it this time." Theos chuckled.

"You are wonderful, strong, compassionate and perfect in every way," Theos said smiling. "For the most part," he added then laughed. His stomach cramping a bit at the jolting movement
.


"You got this Don," Ike said encouraging him. "Each failure helps you learn." Don appreciated the encouragement, "Yes, without failure there is no success. I tend to hold myself too to high of a standard. I'll master this yet." Ike nodded and truly hoped he would.



Ike looked up at his father as he returned and put a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, back up on the poles" Cole said.



Blake had stretched one last time, "Third time's a charm." Kaa was still embarrassed and tried to clear his mind as he approached his pole.



Ban frowned wondering if this would ever be beaten by him and Don saluted Ike before approaching his.
Ike saluted a bit in return somewhat worried for their health.


"Time for me to conquer this...I hope." Theos gave him a good luck kiss and sat up watching him mount the pole yet again, "Think about my massage offer." He chuckled approaching his pole.



"Begin!"

Theos and Ike both watched hoping for the best. However the toll of it all had weighed down their bodies and one by one they faltered and failed. Theos couldn't say anything about it. It was sheer luck he had made it this far. His body ached and he looked forward to their end of the day bath. It was exhausting. He would approach and smile sadly at Kemba as he dismounted for the last time.

Ike looked from them as they failed to his father. At this rate they would never be ready and he had to wonder what he would tell the King. Heart meant nothing in a war. If they weren't strong enough to face this head on then they had to work smarter.

Third time was not the charm in this case, it was actually impossible. There bodies had been exhausted and refused to stay up longer then twenty minutes. Each of them faltered, relaxing and falling from the poles. "That is....my limit..." Kemba said.

Blake chuckled in pain, "Yes it is..." The triplets all agreed. "Sorry Ike....my bodies limit has been reached...I'll have to conquer this another day..." Don laid flat alongside his brothers. Cole sighed, "I suppose this is all I should expect from you." He looked at Ike and softened his stare.

"Alright, everyone rest for the next hour. Once your energy is back, we will continue. You'll learn nothing if you're immobile. The next training will be even harder, I expect you all to give it your best." Cole said and patted his sons head and walked over to a corner of the room.

Kemba sighed, "Finally...a chance to breathe." He laid flat on his back and stared up at the ceiling. Ban walked over to wherever Theos was and plopped near him, "I can't do it like you can..." He said. Blake had fallen asleep almost immediately, snoring loudly.

Don had made his way to Ike, "I guess your frail looking figure betrays your strength. You conquered everyone of these training with ease." Don said, Kaa came over and looked to Cole "Is your dad okay?" He said motioning over to Cole who removed his helm and gauntlets and placed it on the ground.

He sat down facing the wall, rubbing his forehead. It seemed he was stressing out.

Kemba turned to look at Cole and looked at Theos, "Think Cole is blaming himself?" Kemba asked. "He isn't taking our failure to well."

Theos smiled, "That's okay. You tried your best." Theos lay down next to him and rested. He looked to Ban as he joined them."I can't do it like you can..." He said.  "You did good. You've made it really far," Theos said praising him.

Ike looked at them all scratching his head. He could only imagine what his dad was thinking looking at them. They had so far to go in such a short time. Don's words of apology wouldn't count for much on a battlefield.

"I guess your frail looking figure betrays your strength. You conquered everyone of these training with ease." Not with ease, Ike thought. It took him quite some time to master his fathers training even if they hadn't been so harsh in Scomparsa. "Is your dad okay?" 


Ike looked to his father a moment. "No one wants to bear the news that one of you died," Ike responded. "He thinks the worse and hopes for the best."

"Think Cole is blaming himself?" Kemba asked. "He isn't taking our failure to well."


"Maybe a bit. Although it isn't his fault," Theos said watching Cole. 

"Maybe a bit. Although it isn't his fault," Kemba shrugged, "No way for us to know what he's feeling for sure." Ban laid his head on Theos and his exhausted body put him to sleep. Kemba sat up looking at them, "You know Theos...I know you and I are going to do this war thing no matter what but...these three are our family. Kaa, Don and Ban who is practically attached to your hip. I keep thinking about Dan and I don't want to lose any of them, I wonder if we could talk them into sitting it out." He said.

Kaa shook his head coming over and laying in front of them, "Don't bother. I'm not staying behind. It would be the same as if dad told us to stay behind. Not knowing what would happen to you guys is just as bad." Kemba nodded, "Yes but I've had to experience two of my loved ones die...one of them I didn't get back. I would be beside myself if anything happened to any of you." Kemba said.

"That's why we're doing this, to make sure we live. It's scary, I'm still not over the fear but I can do this because I know everyone in this room will be there with me." Kemba nodded, "Still I had to voice my concern."

"No one wants to bear the news that one of you died," Ike responded. "He thinks the worse and hopes for the best."

Don couldn't imagine the weight Cole must be feeling, "He and you of all people know the Scomparsians ruthlessness. That must be weighing on his mind. I wish there was some way for us to alleviate that but it's outside my abilities." Don laid down, feeling the weakness in his legs.

"Right now I have to focus on resting...that last few rounds really made my body ache. I don't know what your dad has in mind but he may be trying to do to much." Don responded laying his head down.

"No way for us to know what he's feeling for sure." Theos nodded in agreement, "You know Theos...I know you and I are going to do this war thing no matter what but...these three are our family. Kaa, Don and Ban who is practically attached to your hip. I keep thinking about Dan and I don't want to lose any of them, I wonder if we could talk them into sitting it out." Theos would like to but he knew better.



"Don't bother. I'm not staying behind. It would be the same as if dad told us to stay behind. Not knowing what would happen to you guys is just as bad." Kemba nodded, "Yes but I've had to experience two of my loved ones die...one of them I didn't get back. I would be beside myself if anything happened to any of you." Theos also had to reflect on that possibility. He hated the thought but there was a real risk.



"That's why we're doing this, to make sure we live. It's scary, I'm still not over the fear but I can do this because I know everyone in this room will be there with me." Kemba nodded, "Still I had to voice my concern."



"He and you of all people know the Scomparsians ruthlessness. That must be weighing on his mind. I wish there was some way for us to alleviate that but it's outside my abilities." Ike nodded. It was outside all their abilities. The stress of the war....it was psychological and no one could do anything about the inner workings of their minds let alone anothers.


"Right now I have to focus on resting...that last few rounds really made my body ache. I don't know what your dad has in mind but he may be trying to do to much."

"He's still trying though....even if it is too much," Ike said softly. He went over to his dad and sat with him in silence. Sometimes all he needed was someone to let him sit beside in companionship. 

Theos settled for licking at his fur as he rested. It was calming and helped him relax and rest. His mind turned towards Kembas words. Kaa was right and he knew it even if his feelings were the same as Kemba's there was nothing that would change their minds. They simply had to play to their strengths that was all there was too it. He couldn't over complicate it and play into the enemies hands of panicking. 

Kemba laid back down closing his eyes to try and get forty five minutes of sleep before they went at it again. Ban had moved as close as he could to Theos, wrapping his tail around them. Kaa watched and smiled, Kemba opened and eye and motioned for Kaa to join them, tapping the floor. Kaa turned a slight red not wanting to seem weak in front of Blake and Ike. He noticed no one was watching and crawled up in between Kemba and Theos, he laid his head on the other side of Theos his tail overlapping Bans. Kemba turned and hugged Kaa, soon the two were sleeping soundly.

Don watched Ike walk over to his father before closing his eyes to try and rest.

Cole looked at his son and smiled happy to see him. He reached his arm around and pulled him to his lap, he cradled his boy in his arms. "I'm going to miss this...when you grow bigger." Cole began, "I won't be able to hold you anymore." Cole brought Ike to his face.

"Ike....you know I love you more then anything on this world right? I want you to know that I love you." He said looking at him. "The night that prince hurt your mother....I was so afraid. I reacted without thinking of the future...I killed him with my bare hands....now...I've placed all of you in mortal danger...and my training isn't helping...not fast enough anyway." Cole said resting his face against him.