Goliath’s Field Day (Private w/ Ela Motley

[Aurum Dasheng]

The training grounds were quiet in the early morning, the cool air carrying the faint scent of grass and dew. Aurum Dasheng stood in the center of the field, his staff balanced across his shoulders as he surveyed the space. The setup was nearly complete—reinforced dummies stood in a row, their frames ready to absorb punishing blows, while weighted blocks and balance beams were scattered strategically around the field to test agility and strength. The sun was just beginning to crest over Beacon’s towers, casting long shadows across the ground.

He adjusted the angle of one of the balance beams, ensuring it was stable enough to handle movement but tricky enough to challenge someone unfamiliar with its shifts. His mind turned to Ela Motley, the third-year who would soon join him. He hadn’t met her yet, only seeing her in passing due to both of them being at insane heights compared to most of the student body. He’d also overheard a professor mentioning her semblance in passing during a discussion on unique combat styles. It was simple, but undeniably fascinating: she could eat dust.

Aurum didn’t know much beyond that. From what the professor had said, her semblance allowed her to absorb certain types of dust—Earth and Ice, specifically—and use it to fuel her abilities. He didn’t know the specifics of what she could do with it, but the idea of using dust in such a direct and unconventional way intrigued him. It wasn’t the kind of power one encountered often at Beacon, and it made him wonder how she incorporated it into her fighting style. Did she rely on it heavily, or was it just a supplement to her natural strength?

He leaned his staff against one of the dummies, its weight pushing it downwards until it rested at a near 45 degree angle, and reached into the red leather pouch on his belt, pulling out a slice of dried peach. As he chewed, his eyes flicked to the sequence of targets he’d arranged. If her semblance revolved around consuming dust, she likely focused on channeling it into something physical—perhaps durability, maybe enhanced strikes. Whatever the case, he’d need to pay close attention to how she fought.

Adjusting another dummy, Aurum began to think about how best to tailor the session. She clearly possessed strength, especially if the rumors about her mallet—a seven-foot, 200-pound weapon—were true. But strength, he knew, could only take someone so far. Without precision, control, and adaptability, even the strongest could falter. He’d learned that lesson himself through years of trial and error.

The balance beams would test her agility, forcing her to maintain stability while adapting to uneven footing. The weighted blocks would gauge her endurance, pushing her to move under pressure. And the dummies—those were there to see how she used her weapon, how she handled the weight and momentum of each swing. If she relied too much on brute force, she’d find herself exposed when things didn’t go as planned.

Finishing his peach slice, Aurum brushed his hands together and picked up his staff. He spun it once, letting its familiar heft settle into his grip before placing it upright beside him. The field was ready, and so was he. Ela’s semblance might be unique, but what mattered most was how she used it—and how well she adapted when she couldn’t. His role today wasn’t to teach her everything, but to guide her toward refining her potential.

With the sun now higher in the sky, Aurum took a deep breath, his tail flicking absently behind him. The morning air was crisp, the training field silent except for the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. It was the perfect setting for what he hoped would be a productive session. Ela might be younger, but strength and determination didn’t care about years. And today, he’d do what he could to help her take one step closer to mastering both.

[Ela Motley]

Well, this was certainly not how Ela expected this day to go, but, she didn't mind.
Another student, Aurum, one of her seniors and few people taller than her, had noticed her somehow, may it have been from her appearance at the current Tournament or just one of her many visits to the training room, she didn't know, for which ever reason it may be he approached her and offered to train with her.
Ela gladly took him up on the offer and was now on her way to the training spot they had discussed.

She was in a simple gym outfit, a white tank top, black leggings and sneakers as Ela busied herself with tying back her hair to avoid having it slap her in the face.

She knew little of Aurum, aside from his status as an accomplished and well-respected student, but that was enough to have her give credence to what he had to say.
So, when she approached the spot, she saw her new training partner and walked over to him with a smile, taking a sip out of her still steaming hot thermos filled with coffee, the only reason Ela really managed to get out of bed for training on a day off.
"Good morning, Aurum...or should I say Mister Dasheng?
Ela asked with a smile, a small joke as even saying it like this felt weird, Aurum may be her senior as a student, but she was a year older than him, so calling him Mister was out of the question.
"This is quite a set-up you prepared for us, when did you find the time?"
Ela asked as she overlooked the training grounds, taking another big sip of coffee before she sat down her duffelbag which had some other needed items in it.

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum stood near the center of the training field, his staff resting casually across his shoulders as he watched Ela approach. She was easy to spot—her build and confident stride were unmistakable. Even at a distance, she radiated a quiet strength that reminded him of himself during his earlier years at Beacon. His sharp amber eyes studied her briefly, taking in the simple but functional gym attire, her focused expression, and the thermos of coffee in her hand.

As she drew closer, he offered a slight nod of acknowledgment. When she greeted him with a playful “Mister Dasheng,” Aurum’s lips twitched into a faint smirk, the weight of his normally serious demeanor easing just a bit.

“Good Morning.” he replied evenly, his deep voice carrying the calm authority he often used during training. ”Aurum’s fine. I think ‘Mister Dasheng’ might add a few unnecessary years, and some of the students and faculty don’t enjoy hearing that name.” He rested his staff against the ground, its familiar weight settling easily against his hand as she glanced over the setup.

Her comment about the field brought a hint of pride to his features. He followed her gaze, watching her assess the arrangement of balance beams, weighted blocks, and dummies. “I got here early,” he said simply, his tone betraying no hint of the effort he’d put into preparing it. ”Figured if we’re going to do this, it should be worth the time.”

He stepped back, gesturing to the setup with the staff in his hand. “Everything here is designed to push both of us. Strength is important, but so is control. Power without precision has its limits.” He paused, his eyes lingering on Ela’s mallet, resting against her duffel bag. ”Your weapon’s got some weight to it. That much I can respect. But heavy weapons come with challenges—not just how hard you hit, but how well you recover after each swing.”

Aurum’s gaze flicked briefly to the faint markings on her arms, glowing subtly in the morning light. He didn’t mention her semblance directly—he wasn’t sure how much she wanted to share—but the thought lingered in the back of his mind. The ability to eat dust was unique, and if the rumors were true, she used it to fuel some kind of armor or enhancement. Still, he’d leave it to her to decide how much she wanted to reveal.

Taking a step closer, he planted his staff firmly into the ground, the soft thud emphasizing his next words. ”We’ll start simple. Basic strikes, movement drills. I want to see how you handle your weapon, how you move under pressure. From there, we’ll adjust.” He tilted his head slightly, his expression calm but focused. “If you’ve got anything specific you want to work on, let me know now. Otherwise, we’ll figure it out as we go.”

Aurum shifted his weight, letting his staff rest across his shoulders again. “Oh, and one rule,” he added, the faintest hint of amusement creeping into his tone. “No holding back. If I’m going to help you get stronger, I need to see everything you’ve got.”

He stepped aside, gesturing for her to take her place in the center of the field. ”Whenever you’re ready.”

[Ela Motley]

Ela could not help but tilt her head just a little, tapping her lower lip with her free hand as he mentioned his name not being a pleasant thing for some to hear, she though for a second if she could recall anything about why Dasheng was such a forbidden name but nothing came to mind, maybe it was rooted in his faunus heritage, the name of a famous freedom fighter, freedom fighter or well...in the worst case a terrorist, she didn't know, nor care.
"Rest assured, your name sounds quite pleasant to my ears, what ever negative connection it may have are unknown to me and if they had any merit I'd doubt you be student of this school."
Ela said calmly, showing Aurum a pleasant smile, her eyes still holding that ever steady calm about them.

Ela listened to his explanation with interest, what he said was quite right yet...was nothing knew to her, she was well aware of how to control her might lest she unintentionally hurt those she did not mean to, it was a constant struggle for her...if only she had similar success with her semblance.
She would take her own stance, hands lifted to protect her face and chest yet turned towards Aurum ready to grab, making her preference for grappling quite obvious.
Yet, her mallet stayed where it was, stood on its head next to her bag further away.
Not that it was hubris, Ela was well aware that Aurum was at least her equal if not superior in combat, but her principals held firm, she would not lift her weapon against another being.
"Ready as can be."
Ela said, with the no holding back comment Ela interpreted it as semblances being allowed, as such, stone armor began to spread over her skin, quickly covering her limbs and crawling up their length, soon to cover her chest and head, but for now she'd have to use her limbs to protect the still unprotected parts of her body.

[Aurum Dasheng]

For a moment, Aurum’s expression softened. It wasn’t often that people addressed his name so openly—or so positively. More often, it carried whispers, rumors, or awkward avoidance. Ela’s straightforward approach, free of judgment, was refreshing.

He tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a faint smile. “Thanks,” he said, his voice steady but with a hint of warmth beneath it. “Not everyone sees it that way. Guess I’ve gotten used to people dancing around it.”

His hand brushed against the staff resting nearby, grounding himself as he continued. “You’re right, though. If the name mattered more than the person carrying it, I wouldn’t be here.”

Aurum’s sharp amber eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Ela’s stone armor spread over her limbs, the faint glow of her markings intensifying as her semblance fueled the transformation. The way the basalt-like armor seamlessly formed over her arms was nothing short of impressive, and the sheer durability it implied sparked a flicker of excitement in his chest. This wasn’t just a simple defense—it was a testament to her control and strength.

He stepped back, rolling his shoulders as a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Now that’s something,” he said, his voice carrying a rare note of genuine enthusiasm. “You’ve got a hell of an ability there. Let’s see how it holds up.”

The black markings on his skin began to shift, wispy and cloud-like, crawling across his arms and legs with a life of their own. Within moments, they solidified into a deep, impenetrable black, encasing his limbs like iron. His Iron Nimbus ability surged to life, the transformation giving his body a hardened, almost metallic appearance. He flexed his hands experimentally, the faint sound of his fingers clenching echoing in the quiet morning air.

Aurum shifted into a ready stance, his iron-coated limbs radiating a quiet power as he circled her. His grin widened, his excitement growing at the thought of testing his hardened limbs against her stone armor. It wasn’t often he met someone who could match him in sheer durability, and the challenge was a welcome one.

He darted forward with surprising speed for someone his size, aiming a sharp, open-palmed strike at her armored forearm. The impact reverberated through the field, a resounding clang of iron meeting stone. He felt the weight of her armor through the strike and immediately pulled back, stepping lightly to the side with a low chuckle.

“That’s solid,” he said, the excitement in his voice unmistakable. “Feels like hitting a fortress. But let’s see how it handles a little pressure.”

Pivoting smoothly, he struck again, this time aiming a quick jab toward her shoulder, testing her balance and reaction speed. The clash of his iron-coated fist against her armor would send vibrations up his arm, but the grin on his face only widened. This wasn’t just training anymore—it was a clash of raw potential, and it thrilled him to see someone else wielding an ability so uniquely powerful.

[Ela Motley]

Ela felt the impact of his first strike it did sting a little but she had been hit with much, much stronger force before, not that she actually thought this was Aurum's best, not by a long shot.
She smirked at his comment.
"I can actually feel your attacks, considering the thickness of my armor thats saying something."
She said as she pushed away a little, yet she could also see his next attack coming from a mile away, a practiced pivot punch, using the momentum of his first attack to punch her again.
She leaned into the attack, letting his fist crash into her shoulder to halt any momentum Aurum may have had, as she reared up for an uppercut to her upperclassman...though she held back a little, Aurum was undoubtably tough, but she did not feel the need to go all out in a sparring match.

Yet, instead of pressing the advantage that punch may have gained her, Ela stood back a little, her stone armor had finally climbed up her arms and covered her chest, the stone then claiming her head smiling face vanishing under a stone mask.
"This feels like its going to be a fun sparring match."
Ela now took a much less defensive stance, being able to rely on her armor for protection she held her arms further forward, ready to capitalize on any openings that Aurum's assault may present.

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum let out a short laugh as Ela commented on feeling his strikes. His amber eyes gleamed with a mixture of respect and challenge as he rolled his shoulders, shaking off the vibrations that had traveled up his arm.

“If you can feel it, that just means I’m warming up,” he said, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of excitement.

The moment her stone-covered shoulder met his fist, stopping his momentum cold, his grin widened. It wasn’t often someone could match him in sheer durability, and the deliberate way she leaned into the blow showed she was no stranger to calculated risk. When her uppercut came, he pushed himself into it, the force of the swing and impact directed into the hardened markings of his Iron Nimbus. It the sound was almost like striking a bell. She wasn’t going all out—that much was obvious—but there was power behind that strike, power that could shift the flow of a fight in an instant.

As Ela stepped back to let her armor fully form, Aurum stayed light on his feet, circling her slowly. He watched as the stone crept up her chest and finally over her face, forming a mask that replaced her expression with an unyielding visage of stone. The visual alone was striking, and it gave her an imposing presence that matched the force she carried into combat.

“A fortress that hits back,” he muttered to himself with a grin, resetting his stance. “This is going to be fun.”

As she shifted into a more aggressive posture, her arms extending to close the gap, Aurum’s focus sharpened. Her armor gave her an edge in protection, but it also presented an opportunity. The heavier and bulkier the defense, the harder it became to maintain flexibility and speed. If he could find a crack in her momentum, even the slightest hesitation, it would be enough.

Without hesitation, Aurum stepped forward and threw a straight punch directly at her chest. His iron-coated fist connected with a loud clang, the sound reverberating through the training field as iron met stone. The impact sent a shockwave up his arm, but he barely flinched, his excitement only growing as he felt the sheer resistance of her defense.

Not pausing for analysis, he reared back and launched another punch, this time aiming for her shoulder. The clang rang out again, louder than before, the force of the blow testing the limits of her armor. Aurum didn’t let up, following the second punch with a third, this time aimed at her forearms. Each strike was deliberate and heavy, meant to test the full range of her stone armor’s durability.

His breathing stayed steady, his amber eyes locked on her as he stepped back briefly to reassess. The black markings of his Iron Nimbus rippled faintly, his hardened limbs gleaming faintly in the morning sun.

“That’s solid,” he said, flexing his fingers as the iron coating on his fists shifted slightly with his movements. “I’ve hit walls that didn’t hold up as well as you just did.”

[Ela Motley]

Ela saw him rush her and while in a serious fight she'd much rather go for any sort of counterattack she instead took a very open stance, spreading her arms to allow Aurum to just hit her, let her test both of their curiosity and see how well she could hold up to him, Ela put one of her feet back a little to negate any knockback Aurum could inflict on her as she weathered his blow, once again, she could feel them, the pressure being exerted on her armor the loud bang of steel and stone meeting and the faint noise of the outer layer of her armor giving way, the stone seeming to groan under the weight of his blows as the outer layer he hit crumbled away.
Ela rotated her shoulder a bit, a faint crick of her joints being heard as they released some tension, the layer of armor that Aurum broke having already repaired itself again.
"I do not wish to brag, but this is more so a go ahead, during training professor Copperfield hit me with the force of a speeding truck and I took that sort of impact reasonably well, so, please, do come and hit me with all you got."
Ela said as she took another offensive stance, while she did offer to let Aurum hit her, it was very clear that this time she would hit him back, hard.