"It was fine? I mean, it's kind of poor, and not very exciting, but there's something... It's home. The rocks, the sea." She nods thoughtfully. "I'm going to miss it, even though I don't really miss it, if that makes sense at all."

"Nostalgia doesn't have to make sense, I know. You love the ocean?"

"Yeah. If one of my n-many-great-grandparents was a fish, I suppose it makes sense... Where are you from, now that I think of it? And how about you, Cocoa?"

"I'm a Londoner."

"I'm... I suppose quebeçois now.  French, originally. But I slipped into being an anglo somewhere along the way. I barely rememember the town I was born in, I came to Acadia when I was very small. But after that, well. I've lived for centuries. I've had a lot of homes. Half a dozen or so at least, real ones I mean."

...She suddenly wonders what Starlight did during the wars and conflicts of history but that's not exactly light breakfast talk so she frowns and searches for something else to ask.

"...I would still be up for sailing some time with you, Cocoa. Teaching is fun. Senior Starlight, I don't doubt you're very busy and probably already know how or I might offer as well."

"I get seasick, actually. Last I checked, anyway. So no, not the best activity for me."

"Huh. I would have thought cultivation puts you beyond that."

"Perhaps I'll check again - but weaknesses of the body can be... pernicious."

"Hmm..."

Back to eating her breakfast then, unless the others have something else to say.

Breakfast proceeds uninterrupted.

Eventually, Silver Starlight pushes back her chair and lopes towards the gym.

She scarfs down the remains of her bagel, too. Right, back to work.

"Quick question before we start though, what's advancing through the second stage like?"

"The second and third stages are all about qi control. In the second you're opening the Eight Dantians, forming a dragon of qi that extends from your groin to your forehead. It refines your body into something capable of being immortal, though the actual development will require decades or centuries."

She nods slowly.

"...Do you think the practice I get from sparring is worth going through qi and blood pills faster than when I was just practicing the forms? I have - ninety something left for now and I probably won't be ready for serious errands for some time."

"Yes, definitely. You need to learn to defend yourself."

Cocoa nods.

"Alright then. I'm sparring with Cocoa first, yes?" Her fists go in the ready position and her legs shift as she smiles.

Cocoa steps up and readies himself. "I'm ready when you are."

"One moment while I get the surpression formation... you may begin!"

She thinks she knows how Black Claw thinks. What kinds of openings he might go for. Just guesses... She's probably wrong but maybe she can use that. His reflexes are faster, so she has to attack in a way that isn't harmed by that... She can't really think of one, though.

Eh, screw it. She advances as aggressively as yesterday, though still trying to time her breaths in for moments after dodging away.

Cocoa does not have Senior Starlight's impeccable timing. He's sloppier, less precise, and his dodges are narrower things suggesting he's reacting rather than predicting. 

He still beats Trys hands-down, but not before she hits him a couple times. All glancing blows, but compared to the near-untouchable Starlight...

Cocoa is less gentle with his touches, too, more pulled punches than Starlight's light taps. It's overall a significantly different experience.

It feels much more like a real fight. She likes it, and tells him so. The hits actually hurting make her more inclined to dodge, which is probably a good thing.

Cocoa is grinning. "Been a while since I've trained under surpression. Really makes you go back to your fundamentals."

They can do it some more, then. She's grinning for some of it. Still coming off worse, but- Improving, and quick.