Windia Park is a happy, outgoing place. Many people usually come here, be it just to take a walk, spend time with a loved one, or just to bask in the sun or moon light.

Frank looked around for what seemed to be a secluded spot.

That looks suitable...

The Persona User was currently looking at a semi-open area that he planned on using for practice.

This is good... a lot better than those cramped areas in the coliseum... Not like I'd like to go back after the whole incident anyhow.

Frank walked to the center of the grassy area and looked around. Satisfied with his surroundings, he then began to do simple warm up exercises so as not to hurt himself.

Man... I feel rusty... I haven't had the chance to practice in awhile, and the last time I used a rapier was back in Lunarvale...

Frank looked around, before unsheathing a special rapier that Ellen had brought with her when she came to Windia. The rapier itself had a glowing green blade and a golden hilt. On the bottom of the hilt was an encrusted emerald that seemed to pulse with some type of magical energy.

The PanicDirk... One of two that Ellie brought over here... This thing is very durable and light...

The Persona User began to do a series of slow parries and thrusts that seemed to form into an intricate dance of sorts.

**************************************************

While Frank was busying himself with some much needed practice, a brother and sister were walking down the path in his general area.

Lucy Conwing sighed before turning to her brother. "That test coming up... I hope I'm ready for it."

Brandon Conwing nodded in agreement. "It seems like Mr. Jamerson's tests get harder with each one he gives..."

Lucy was going to nod in agreement when something caught her attention.

"What wrong, Lucy?" The brother asked his sister as he too began to look around.

"Nothing... wait... there... Isn't that Frank over there? Oh wow..." Lucy said before she got caught in Frank's intricate sword kata.

Brandon turned to look and saw Frank by himself, practicing.

Hmm... it all seems natural for him... And that weapon... What is that?

Brandon and Lucy began to watch the Persona User in interest.

**************************************************

Frank continued his kata, unaware that the two Windians were watching him.

Slice... thrust...swipe, follow through, parry... I think I'm getting it all back now.

As Frank came to a slow stop, clapping caught his attention.

The Persona User turned in surprise, because he thought that he was alone. What surprised him the most is that Lucy and Brandon were there, clapping at what he had just done.

"That was like a dance..." Lucy said to Frank as her clapping died down.

Frank shrugged, twirled the PanicDirk, and resheathed it.

Brandon then spoke up. "It all seemed to come natural to you... how long have you been fighting?"

"Well..." Frank started, before crossing his arms in thought like he usually does. "I took an interest in fencing when I was about... um... 6. My father noticed, and let me take lessons. Then in both my former high schools, I was part of the fencing club." Frank then uncrossed his arms and ran a hand through his curly hair.

"So you've fought in competition, I take it." Brandon asked, with both his wings flexing.

"Yeah. At St. Hermelin, I was tied for the number three seed on our team, beaten out by my classmates Tad Williams and Tammy Jackson." Frank said as he remembered his former classmates.

Brandon's gaze turned from the Persona User to the weapon that was hanging from his belt. "What is that weapon? I've never seen a rapier that glows green..."

"What, this?" Frank said as he unsheathed his rapier once more. "It's called the PanicDirk. I don't know what it's made of... But I do know that it's light, durable, and is enchanted. It can cause a target to go into an extreme bout of panic, due to this glow, and... the gem here." Frank explained as he pointed to the still glowing blade and the swirling emerald on the hilt of his current rapier.

Brandon was in awe at Frank's weapon. If truth could be told, the Windian Guard was jealous.

"Here... you can take a look if you want to." Frank said as he handed his rapier over to Brandon.

"I can feel the magic in it... " Lucy said softly as Brandon continued to examine the blade.

Brandon gave Frank his weapon. As Frank resheathed the PanicDirk once more, he noticed a thoughtful look on the Windian's face.

"Hey... you want to practice a little?" Brandon asked the Persona User.

Frank was taken aback. The last time he had fought another person was when he, Ellen, Nate, Diane, Alex, and Kate had to keep some of WINGS from picking on Ray's little sister. Obviously, that too was a mask, since they were just protecting their own.

"I don't mind. I could use it, though. I'm still a bit rusty." Frank said as he looked around.

Brandon actually gave out a low chuckle. "Rusty? You didn't look like that during your practice run."

"Believe me, I'm rusty. I haven't been able to fence against a normal opponent in awhile."

Brandon shrugged, then walked out to the clearing. "All right then..." He said as he flexed his jet black wings. "Whenever you're ready."

Frank nodded before drawing his rapier. Instead of charging the Windian like he expected, the Persona User stayed in an en guarde position while watching his adversary.

Lucy settled herself down to watch the two teens practice. She had seen Frank fight before, and knew that he was good. But Brandon was just a little bit better.

Brandon was the one who made the first move, diving at Frank while slicing with his rapier. Frank easily blocked the blow, and sidestepped.

Frank took advantage of the Windian and tried to slice at him. Unfortunately, Brandon brought his rapier up just in time to block the blow.

Holy... he had his back turned to me! How...

Brandon immediately whirled around and pressed an insanely fast attack onto Frank. The Persona User managed to block and dodge the move, leaving Brandon thoroughly surprised.

Both teens charged at the same time, locking blade. Frank struggled with trying to gain the upper hand but found that it was nearly impossible to do so. The last opponent that he had this much trouble with was Tellka, and she was a staff user.

The standoff occurred for a few more minutes, until Brandon was able to get the upper hand. Using all of his force, he managed to push Frank back a few steps.

"OOF!!!" Frank managed to get out. All he saw was Brandon swinging his rapier and disarming him as he fell back onto the grass. When Frank looked up, he saw his PanicDirk whirling in an unearthly green glow before the blade buried itself into the grass. Frank was going to move when he saw the point of a rapier in his face.

"All right... you win! I admit defeat!"

Brandon chuckled as he offered the Persona User a hand. Frank accepted it and got up.

"You've got potential, Frank." Brandon told the Persona User as they went to retrieve his weapon.

Frank pulled the PanicDirk out of the ground, twirled it, and then sheathed it. "That's what someone else usually tells me." Frank said to the Windian.

Brandon shook his head before stretching his wings. "I mean it. I've never seen anyone parry my attacks like that before! I think with a little more work..."

Frank listened to Windian as he told him some of the things he was doing wrong. Both of them seemed to bond quickly, and were soon laughing and joking around.

"Well... Lucy and I need to go, Frank. We've got this history test to worry about.

"A Jamerson Test, huh? I feel for you. All right then. Take care!"

"You do the same, Frank." Lucy said with a smile.

"We'll see you! We'll spar again next time we meet!" Brandon said to his friend.

"All right! Take care now!" Frank said to the two Windians.

As Frank made his way home, he thought about how he could work on his techniques in order to beat Brandon at their next meeting.