Starting from Zero (Joint Training, Ruhe Krieger)

[Eleonora Schmidt]

Training for CTP

---

It can be said that the last month of Eleonora's life has been a little chaotic from her meeting with Luca Castabella who gave her a quick rundown of how things work before help her find a Hollow and take it out, to meeting Abaddon another Quincy who put her physical skills to test giving the blonde a bit more feedback on how to approach situations to finally putting all she learn in a fight against a pair of hollows in the middle of Karakura town.

That encounter while ended up going on her favor she didn't leave without a scratch and took a lot of unnecessary risks and endanger a lot of innocent lives which many ended up devoured by the Hollow, that whole encounter was what show her that there's a huge gap between her and even the most basics of hollows and so the German has decided to not only train physically and spiritually but also to learn more about the Quincies and the origin of their powers, if she's able to develop her powers and gain knowledge of Quincy techniques she could have a better chance at fighting Hollows and other spiritual races that decide to stand in her way.

And her pursuit of such knowledge has move her to the place she once called home, Germany. Eleonora doesn't know if she'll find or learn much here but knowing that her father and possibly her mother were Quincies from Germany surely there must be a connection, the major problem was how to reach said connection? It's not like one can go and ask around not everyone is aware of the spiritual stuff happening around them.

After a day or two on Berlin she found a lead that could be related to the Quincies, it is said that the ruins of Cochem was territory of their territory back in the day  and that many young Quincy visit the area in search of their own answers, that was definitely the starting point she was looking for and without a second thought she took the train going from Berlin to Cochem.

It was a seven hour trip but due to her mixture of excitement and nervousness it didn't feel that long, once she arrived the blonde bought a couple of supplies in the form of food and a bottle of water and started her trip to the ruins, she follow her lead as best as she could and she could feel a certain increase in spiritual pressure whether this was the general area or someone else around was hard to tell for the Blonde, but that didn't matter it would be better if she meets someone else here maybe they could learn together, yet she never let go of her bow just in case that someone else she finds it's a hollow or worse.

[Ruhe Krieger]

The ruins of Cochem were something that the young Krieger was well familiar with. She too had come here to seek information about the knowledge of Quincy, their skills, their abilities, and their overall history. That was a year ago. Now, she stood as a private within their rankings, dressed in a blue and white dress shirt as well as fine trim jacket. She wore neat white pants, as well as white gloves that fit snugly along her hand. The area here was indeed richer with spiritual energy, but more so was rich in Quincy history.

The books had shown Ruhe much about the struggle, and had taught her also about what her own identity was as a Quincy. It was a place of relative comfort for the young Shinigami and this place had become important to her, not as a place of death and the forgotten nature of her people, but instead her own birth and growth. The young child stepped out, standing at around 4'6", a delicately soft and adorable looking child with shining blonde hair and cerulean blue eyes. That was until she had come across them...

It wasn't every day that she got to see a person wander into the ruins, and it wasn't every day that it was a fellow Quincy, one that seemed much like her in some ways. Looking on ahead, seeing the young woman before her, she proceeds to lightly fold her arms behind her back, tilting her head slightly as she slowly moves her right hand ahead and gives a wave. "Good morning!" She calls out in a sweetened tone. Giving a small wave of her hand, she looks on ahead at the archer before her.

"My name is Ruhe. Who are you?" She speaks, maintaining her polite posture, gazing forward with a soft look in her eyes. If one looked at Ruhe, they could say she looked doll like, an adorable figure that one might see in a little sister like form, and with it, it seemed that she seemed more than inclined to seem as polite and good as possible to a potential adult. Especially considering they were a fellow Quincy. Slowly stepping forward, she offers her hand right hand forwards.

If taken, she shakes her hand softly, cupping her hand in Eleonora's. If looking at Ruhe, she seemed to be very young. Considering her height and youthful appearance, it might be hard to even see Ruhe as a teenager, considering she was rather short for someone her age, standing at around the height of your average ten or eleven year old. "I'm a little surprised to have met you, as not many people come by here but...what's your name?" 

[Eleonora Schmidt]

After a couple of minutes walking and the change of the pressure in the area told Eleonora she was reaching her destination, she could only wonder what sort of knowledge this place could have and how would it help her improve as a Quincy, thanks to her father she knows of the many tools Quincy use and their general ability to manipulate and absorb the reishi around them to fight which makes them much more precise in combat compared to the jack of all trades that the Shinigami were.

A voice took the girl out of her thoughts, a rather small girl was standing in front of her dress all in white with blue details which from what Eleonora remembered was the key colors of the Quincy, her muscles tensed up at first she wasn't sure who this girl was but her demeanor and looks made Eleonora feel uneasy but at the same time the fact that she looked so young plus the tone of her voice and the fact that she was offering a handshake help to not completely distrust this person.

"Morning" She said relaxing her body and accepting the handshake "My name is Eleonora Schmidt, and I'm surprised myself I see someone else here too but here we are" She let out a nervous laugh still not quite sure how to act towards this little girl "Are you here to learn about the Quincies too? Although looking at your clothes I assume you already have some knowledge or at least you pride yourself as one, not sure if I'd ever wear the colors myself but I definitely want to know more about them"

Eleonora looked around to see if there was someone else or if she could feel any other presence, not that she didn't fully trusted Ruhe but it was odd to see a young little girl alone even if she was a Quincy, something wasn't adding up to the German and it would be better to stay alert just in case.

[Ruhe Krieger]

"Ah. I've been living here for a while, learning about them for a bit." Just to show validation or proof in that regard, she forms her own bow in hand, the longbow of which they seemed so familiar. Though, Ruhe's by habit seemed thicker, almost more of a denser bow with rigid edges. This was more so out of familiarity and habit, something that still lingered from her habits during her self trained essence. It seldom felt comfortable to shoot if it wasn't from a bow like this.

"Pride?..." She seems to ask herself? She lightly rests her hand along her mouth, as if thinking about it, her eyes lingering upwards, looking right then left before she slowly smiles. Brightly, before slowly clenching her right fist over her heart. "Of course I do! Though I take more pride in working hard and accomplishing things on my own." She gives a bright and cheerful disposition, and with it, she slowly offers to take the girl's hand.

With it, she hugs it closer to her chest, beginning to walk down the road towards the ruined castle. The architecture of castle mortar that has long since fallen into disrepair, and or had become overcome by nature. The tangling of moss, some weeds, and the archaic nature of what was once a castle known as Cochem. There were since walls and towers that have fallen into disrepair, having crumbled or fallen with the centuries. However, other parts of it still seemed decently intact. Ruhe seemed to be good, kind, and warm. Friendly, as a little sister might at first glance.

"I'm glad I found you. It can get dangerous around these parts." She proceeds to come to a small outcropping of the castle near the Great Hall, of which was enclosed on three sides. There sat a small campfire made from the bricks of the castle with a soft bed of coals. Ruhe kneeled down and with a small bed of dry leaves and grass, she strikes two pieces of flint to make sparks. Fire. Her breath rings out, and the small bit of twigs and pieces of wood on top served to keep them warmer. 

"Would you like something to eat?" She asks with big wide eyes, slowly shifting herself on a block she used as a chair, a soft fur resting on top of it from her pack to keep herself cushioned and soft. "Real food." She responds, as opposed to enjoying packaged goods like nuts or chips. Ruhe had learned to live off of this land, and during the summer or spring, it was rather generous and bountiful. One year in this ruin had left her passing the test of survival. 

"So...You've come to learn. You must be pretty good yourself." Ruhe responds modestly, looking towards Eleonora. "How old are you?" She made some small talk, trying to learn more about the woman about her, and with it, it seemed to be a good talk. Slowly looking about as she began to settle, she moved again, looking to keep her guest comfortable. Ruhe seemed very soft spoken, polite, and perhaps a cute little thing. With her back turned to Eleonora, Ruhe proceeds to listen to her guest while gathering some materials here and there. 

"I think I'm ten. Maybe a little bit older." She responds. It was a lie of course, but one didn't think much about children that young, certainly not poorly. Besides, she was small enough and certainly soft enough looking that someone might not question it. Ruhe was always a bit of a late bloomer, smaller than most, and she often tried to use such to her advantage. There was no shame in that. Besides, it might be better to open conversation then if the older girl felt more comfortable knowing about herself.

[Eleonora Schmidt]

Ruhe told Eleonora that she has been living on the ruins for a while and learning, is that a requirement? Because she's down to spend time and learn but living literally on ruins doesn't sound too fun but then again one look at the bow the little girl created was enough proof that it was going to be worth it at the end of the day

"As you should!" Eleonora nodded with a smile when Ruhe said she'd takes more pride on doing things herself through hard work "It feels more accomplishing when you put hard work and do something on your own"

The girl's soft voice and cheerful smile slowly started to gain over Eleonora's trust so without a second thought she follow her into the ruins of the castle, even then the blonde was expecting to be some kind of illusion and the inside of the castle wouldn't be just ruins or something along those lines, but sadly that wasn't the case and while certain parts look decent most of it was rubble and moss.

"Thanks but I'm OK" She politely decline the offering of food "Well the reason I am here is to be better, if I'm honest I just started training my powers on my own, I can barely shoot arrows"

That said Eleonora was taken aback when Ruhe said she was ten if a bit older, it sounded crazy for the blonde that someone at such a young age had enough control to create her own bow this girl must be a prodigy or something... Or maybe this was normal and she was the one that lacked talent and training, a really sad thought especially when it seem like the best explanation.

"Your parents must be really proud of you, they sure saw something special in you to let you train from such a young age" she smiled "My dad refused to train me and didn't begin my own until last month"

[Ruhe Krieger]

Ruhe had a small look of pause as she looks down, and with it, Ruhe thought for a long while on what to say when the mention of parents had come up, and with it, the little blonde might have hesitated too long in her answer, paused too long before she stokes the fire with a metal stoker she had found at some point in the castle. "I don't have any." She seemed to brush it off with a wave of the hand. "I can take good care of myself though."

She gave a small smile, not one of those toothy ones, but instead one of those nervous ones that you might give only to be polite and break the awkwardness of the situation. She proceeds to look her up head from toe, and despite the fact she was ignored regarding Eleonora's own age, Ruhe proceeded to keep on smiling. "Maybe I could show you a bit of what I know?" She rises, and with it, if allowed, she forms her bow in her left hand, stepping forward as she keeps the bow balanced to her body.

"It's all about doing it over and over. Getting used to it, and making it better." She used simple words, as to not give away a vocabulary that was too refined for a child her age after all. What she would have said was that through repetition, the process could be refined. The arrow more condensed and therefore empowered with greater piercing power and devastation. As Ruhe pulls back on the string with her right hand, the classical sound of the energy arrow building tension was made, the particles bouncing along the string as she takes a deep breath.

Releasing the arrow, it flies straight forth, and with it, Ruhe lets it fly into the nearby thicketry. The arrow was held back, to around class five, and with it, as it flew, it pierced into a tree, before promptly twisting and ripping right through it, bursting through another, and causing the third one's trunk it burst in to crack open. The experience was enough to cause the trees to collapse, and subsequently for birds to fly away from the nearby area from the sudden shift of their environment. Ruhe stood a good fifty meters away from those woods. Yet, it still held incredible destructive power.

"You just need to focus on your energy, deep in you. If you do, you can make incredible things happen." Letting the bow arm down to her side, she slowly turns to Eleonora, closing her eyes and giving a bright grin. "From there, you can develop all sorts of things on your own, and learn your own tips and tricks I guess." Trying to downplay the experience, Ruhe slowly lowers her arrow arm to her pendant, slowly clenching it tightly as she absorbs and filters the reiatsu into herself, feeling herself invigorated. She was going to need it.

Especially if she was going to do some of her own personal training. It felt odd in a way to be a mentor to a person that evidently seemed older than her, but with it, it showed that the harrowsome experiences she had been in had sought to make her grow expontentially into a Quincy that even some Vandenreich Quincy would have to acknowledge was at a level that could be considered nothing short of admirable, impressive, perhaps even prodigal. However, she had worked hard to get where she was.

She was curious though...How did she get in this position anyways? 

[Eleonora Schmidt]

It seems that Eleonora accidentally touch a subject she shouldn't and now she feels bad about it, her parents aren't around anymore so in a way she can relate but at the same time the blonde can only image how hard things must be for Ruhe being so young and not having someone to rely on and take care of her and while she says that can take care of herself and she might be right about it Eleonora can't help to feel a bit sad for her?

"Sorry I didn't mean to touch that subject" she nervously scratched the back of her head "If it helps I sort of understand how you feel, it's good that you are capable of taking care of yourself! I'm eighteen and I can barely do that"

That aside Eleonora happily nodded when Ruhe offer to show her what she knows, it was odd that she was going to be teached by someone way younger than her but at the same time every bit of help is appreciated and to be honest she won't get tired of seeing Ruhe create her spiritual bow, it's surprising that someone that young is capable of doing it and it shows how strong and capable little Ruhe is.

Eleonora look at her attentively looking at her movements as she absorbed the reishi around the ruins and charge an arrow, it was different than the arrow she can use if she had to describe it it looked more refined and powerful something that she confirm the moment the little girl release it, it went on a straight line with an amazing speed and while Eleonora didn't saw where it landed she saw three tress collapse and birds flying on the distance which show the destructive power Ruhe had.

"Incredible..." She muttered her mouth slightly agape in amazement "Well it's clear I'm in good hands, let the training begin!"

With that said she grab her bow and prepared to shoot an arrow just like Ruhe did, unlike her encounter with the Hollow Eleonora had no hurry this time and she could take her time and work without pressure, the blonde close her eyes and took a deep breath as she pull the string of the bow back and the reishi particles begin gathering and taking the form of an arrow, unlike Ruhe's this was thin and clearly didn't packed too much power showing the inexperience of Eleonora.

Once she release it the arrow also flew in a straight line but unlike her training partner Eleonora's arrow didn't pierced through the tree tho it did leave a huge mark on impact, the difference was like day and night but that's what this training is about to get stronger in the ways of the Quincy and as Ruhe said it's all about repetition.

"I told you I can barely shoot this things"

[Ruhe Krieger]

Speed. Precision. Power. Devastation. Purification. That was what a Quincy's arrow was. As she continued to watch and in turn study her own powers, she had found that discovering her Quincy identity had not brought her joy, fulfillment, or any feeling of completeness as she had hoped it would. Instead, she found it had reduced her to something that felt difficult to comprehend at times. However, it was good to see someone else in such a delight at progress. Awe. That was something that Ruhe felt something by. 

Ruhe was a person that kept herself busy. Not only because it fit in with her facade as a dutiful and hard working child. Which she was, but also because it allowed her to not think about her inner demons that seemed to plague her. Especially when she thought of home and her family. Eleonora bringing up parental figures in Ruhe's life made it incredibly hard to digest and swallow, one way or another. She proceeded to pause.

"Do your umm...Are you on?..." She proceeds to stutter with her words before asking. "Does your family love you?" The question sounded odd to think about, as it sounded like a dumb question. That was what a family was supposed to do right? Ruhe proceeds to look at the bow in her hands, and the skills she had obtained through days of hard work. However, she seemed almost stupefied. It was almost as if something had changed somewhere along the way.

Almost as if joining the Vreich had given her something, but also taken something far more important. Ruhe gives a deep sigh, and for a moment, one might be able to tell that she was a lot more tired than one might expect. It felt hard to communicate her feelings so directly, and she felt almost as if there was something that was eating her up inside. Maybe it was because of her isolation and the fact she was living here alone for nearly a year with no company other than nature.

Maybe it was because the Vreich itself was isolating. For to display weakness was to be potentially discarded. To discarded was death. She tried to stay quiet, as she lowered her bow to her side, instead putting on a smile on her face, her eyes closed. It was one of the few ways she could smile without anyone suspecting anything else. Besides, what did this girl know anyways right? Best not ruin anyone's day with something stupid like that. It was time to just continue training. 

[Eleonora Schmidt]

Eleonora was set to understand how the powers of a Quincy work, it was the only thing she could do to get stronger and survive in the world that she was dropped, hollows prove them to be no easy task to take on her own, and outside fullbringers every other race probably wants her dead too, so far she can only rely in her own strength so she will do her very best to improve in anyway she can.

She kept shooting arrows non stop trying to take as much reishi in the area to make them stronger and travel more distance, if anything she wanted to show Ruhe how committed she was to improve and learn, the blonde wanted to leave Germany as a new self, stronger and independent compared to how she arrived, more like the girl that decided to help her train, if someone like Ruhe can survive on their own and be that strong so can Eleonora.

The German girl stop shooting and lower her bow as she heard Ruhe talking, it felt as if something was bothering and with her question it was clear that she was dwelling on the earlier comments about her parents, Eleonora would apologize again later as she really didn't know Ruhe's situation, but for now it would be best to answer her question.

"Well..." She took a deep breath and sighed "Currently I don't have a family to speak of... I've been on my own for three years now I believe" but that was not the answer for Ruhe's question "If I'm honest I don't know if he loved me, I'm sure he did because otherwise he wouldn't put that much effort on keeping me safe but at the same time... I can't remember many moments where we had time to connect and bond."

Her father was always there to protect her and make sure she had as much of a "normal" life as she could, but thinking about it now most everything revolved around the spiritual world and they didn't have that much time to enjoy some father-daughter moments, these powers where a blessing yet at the same time a curse now that she had time to think about it.

"But that's the past, if I have no place to fit I'll just keep searching until I found one, it's not like I've been doing that my whole life, sooner or later I'll find a new "family" I'm sure of that"

[Ruhe Krieger]

When listening to Eleonora speak, it gave her a moment of reflection on her own life. Especially how she took it, and seemingly talked about looking for a place where she belonged. The desire to become a Quincy. How she'd find a new family. "Let me help you get there." She responds, and with it, she steps forward. "Draw an arrow." She'd wait for Eleonora to do so, and with it, she taps her along the back, straightens her form, and begins to channel reiatsu into her. Let her feel its flow.

"...Loose." She waited for a moment or two, before the small girl steps to the side of the older blonde. "There's a bounty of knowledge here. On Quincy techniques. History. Other things. I'd like to share. If you'd like." She seemed very calm, giving off a shy demeanor and softness. "If you'd like to stay here with me a while." Ruhe felt like she could relate to the blonde in a lot of ways. In turn, it made her want to help develop her newfound friend up. After all, isolation did a lot to someone, and she hadn't spoken meaningfully to people in...What felt like forever.

Assuming Krys did say yes, she would add on. "I wouldn't mind teaching you some techniques I know too!" She seemed to open up a little, trying to seem warm, and inviting to the older girl. Because maybe like Ruhe, she could come to eventually join the other Quincy. The Vreich. "First though...We need to make sure you get down the basics." Ruhe admired and respected someone that mastered the fundamentals. Why?

Well, because the fundamentals and basics were all Ruhe had for the longest time. She wasn't amazingly skilled. She wasn't born gifted with much latent talent and a vast plethora of techniques. She was very average at the start of her journey, if now below average. It was through hours, upon hours of dedication that she had gotten to where she was. Even now, Ruhe's hard work ethic would have her improving. Ruhe formed her bow again, molding it in her grasp, that somewhat blocky, thick bow, before pulling back on the string as the arrow formed.

It felt almost instinctual now. She didn't need to focus on the bow or arrows itself. It came naturally, and she released the shot. Lower power now, letting the arrow thunk into wood. Arrow after arrow, as she wanted to work in a rhythm with Eleonora. "Loose!" The command gave out regularly. Shot after shot! They were archers, and their greatest strengths was when they worked together. Hopefully, her fellow Quincy would take the training in stride. Because Ruhe was sure. Before long? There'd be a lot more Ruhe would show her. 

[Eleonora Schmidt]

After the little heart to heart about "family" and "a place to belong" both girls began shooting arrows with Ruhe leading the pace, Eleonoraw would listen to the girl's command and draw the arrow and shoot it in tandem with the little Quincy, it was a little difficult at first since Eleonora struggle a bit to gather the reishi to create the spiritual arrow fast, but soon she will be keeping the pace with Ruhe.

"I don't mind staying, my goal was to learn more about the Quincy and I know that's not something I can do in one day or a pair of weeks, so I don't have a set time to go back to Karakura" Truth be told if she was on her own probably wouldn't stay more than two weeks, but having a partner that can train and teach her just makes the idea of staying more appealing.

Eleonora nodded when Ruhe said that first things she has to get the basics down and once again she awaited for the young Quincy's command so the training can resume, the blonde took a deep breath each time she draw the bow and created the arrow and release said air with the arrow as well, keeping a steady breath help her maintain a rhythm and keep the pace with Ruhe.

[Ruhe Krieger]

After meeting a fellow Quincy in a much better term than she had previously, she felt content with working with her. Helping her grow in a much nicer way than the way she had to go through it. There was a feeling of bliss, as she fell into the rhythm of firing arrows back and forth. Again. Again. Soon enough, her charge, her fellow was able of matching pace. It was there that they'd be able to work together and help each other grow, if not just in spirit, then in character.

"Thank you for staying with me. Let's grow a lot together." She gave a smile of approval, though, she heard the words Karakura and she couldn't help but falter for a moment. Because she was sure she heard that name before. Been there before. "There's lots of things to learn other than techniques and how to fight. I promise you that much." With that said, they'd spend time, arrow after arrow, before eventually?

"I should show you where we sleep. And get something nice to eat for us. Today's a celebration since I made a new friend. A fellow Quincy too. So I'll make sure I get us a small feast." So, when their training came to an end for now, she would make her way towards the castle ruin of Cochem, intent on showing her fellow some of its secrets, as well as how she'd lived. What she'd learned, and most importantly, how she'd grown in this place. Or in some perspectives, they might say...survive.

Though heavy thoughts lingered on her mind about the dangers, the fears that seemed to burgeon in her head. There was a lot of dedication to showing someone everything you knew so far, and even more so, when you didn't know what the future was going to hold. There was the lingering thought that Eleonora might go through the same things she had. That...Was something she didn't want for anyone. Especially because in some ways, Eleonora already showed to be like Ruhe.

[Eleonora Schmidt]

Eleonora keep shooting her arrows matching the pace with Ruhe, there was a feeling of fulfillment knowing that this was just the beginning steps to her long and arduous journey to become stronger and survive in this world, she was glad that making this trip was the right call as not only she's going to learn a lot and understand her powers a little better, but she also has made a new friend that will help her feel a little bit less lonely.

"A feast sounds nice, yes!" She said with a smile, considering she's still rather new to all this a lot of training can drain her fast, so getting a good dinner and a rest is key to keep herself in top condition to train "I am very excited for the coming days, I'm sure we'll get a lot stronger together"

With that said the blonde would follow her new friend and get unpack some of her stuff, looking forward for the feast and learn a bit more about Ruhe and this castle as well, as said earlier this was her true first step into a new world and while it's not going to be an easy road she's more than ready to tackle what's to come.

[Yuki & Yui Tsumugi]

I counted 64 total paragraphs, meaning 320 CTP for Eleonora, and 320 TP for Ruhe!