Either their last dunj did something bizarre, or the have the unluckiest power set, because when they were trying to destroy the portal stone, Marian Yashagoro and his weapon Lianne Arrington merged.

It's a mess and a half especially since their magic stopped working - the Lianne body can still turn into a weapon but they do nothing in the Marian body's hand - and so now they're together, both in human form, looking for new weapons (half to check if either can still wield at all).

Two weapons, part of a historic set, sits well wth them, and luckily they both can wield now.

The Marian body takes the gun, leaving the staff to the Lianne body. They pay the seller a fair price, and then set out to practice.

It's been a while since this body picked up a weapon - not since the old Marian had gotten his hands on the old Lianne, and even before that the old Lianne had been practicing weapons less and less since discovering she could turn into one. It hadn't made sense, really, to not specialize.

They're regretting that now, shoulders aching as they go through the motions with the staff. Magical weapons are always easier to wield, but Lianne's muscles don't seem to have gotten the memo.

It's hardly an effort at all to grip the staff or let it slide through the fingers, and it really ought to feel heavier than it does, what with all the extra metal bits.

Makes it convenient to wield, at least.

They gradually get into the motions, spinning and striking at imaginary opponents, muscle ache fading into something almost pleasant.

The routine goes smoothly until they transition to a different drill and the staff — doesn't move on its own, exactly, but feels like it should be following the previous one. Rhythm is lost.

—oops?

"...Hello?"

Let's try that again!

"Alright."

They do so. "Were you awake earlier?" they ask.

It goes better this time.

Cheerfully: No!

Repeating again, this time trying a bit more flair to the motions. Different weapons have different motion preferences - they remember learning that, and feeling it as a sword.

"Interesting. So you like this kata?"

Flair, in general, is good. The staff lends an emphasis to the motion that wasn't there before. A feeling that if there was something there to be hit it would be hit well.

It's good! I don't know about others!

"Let's try a few others, then. You appear to prefer dramatic gestures?"

There's more to them. Maybe I'd like something else too!

They'll try a variety of different motions and styles, then.

Besides flair in general, the staff seems to like styles that involve crisp transitions, stopping and then moving again.

They know a tremendous variety of styles, and after some thought they're able to modify the others to include more of what the staff likes.

Then they will learn to move together well enough.

When are we going to do something for real?

"Like an actual dunj? I would like to get an idea of fighting with you, first, but we can start keeping our ears open for reports of one nearby. I would also like to introduce you to my partner, see how the three of us work together."

"Also, do you have something you want me to call you? I'm Lianne."

Not a serious fight, just not —

Pretending. Fighting thin air. Maybe practicing with your partner will be the thing.

I don't think I have a name already.

"Most don't come with them, but I can list some, or we can find a names book. They make ones meant for weapons."

"A practice fight sounds good."

Wordless general agreement.

They'll track down their other self, then - they can still feel the other, more crystal clearly than they could as weapon and wielder.

Marian is practicing with the gun when Lianne and the staff arrive.

"Did you need something?" they ask.

"The staff seems to have awoken. Doesn't have a name, yet, but wanted to try a practice fight."

Or something!