Raphael

Shamir

All right! That went better than I thought! You make funny sounds when you're scared.

I wasn't scared. Forget that happened. Still, I'm impressed. You managed to sneak up on me. Not many can do that.

It's 'cause I practiced that in-out-out breathing you showed me! I practiced until I passed out! It was worth it though. I've been able to get real close to enemies without them noticing! I think I pretty much got it figured out. Sneaking up on you is a good sign!

True. To be honest, I didn't think you had it in you. I never thought you'd be able to suppress that unbearably palpable presence of yours. I respect anyone who could learn so much in such a short period of time. You might even be ready for a recon mission.

Wow! I never thought I'd get to go scouting with you! I guess that practice really is paying off!

Calm down, Raphael. Are you really that excited to go with me? Your presence may have dimmed, but your emotions are hitting me like a tidal wave.

Oh! Sorry! Is there a way to breathe and hide those too?

No. That requires different training...from someone else. I'll keep you informed about the recon mission.

Did I do good? My presence wasn't too leaky or anything?

You weren't perfect... But you were good enough. The enemy didn't notice you, and that's all that counts. You should do well in battle too.

Aww yeah! Thanks for taking me on the mission with you, Shamir! Now, how can I repay you?

Aww, come on! Don't be like that! I swear, I'll do whatever I can to--

OK. If you insist, then go back to the way you were. That's enough for me.

You're now able to go undetected on the battlefield, but usually you--

Ah! I know! I spend too much energy trying to hide my presence. I gotta train more so it comes naturally!

I was actually going to suggest the opposite. Your presence is a comfort to your allies. I am also more comfortable knowing that you are around.

Really? If that's how you feel, then we gotta stick together! We can eat meals together, train together, hang out together, or--

No. No, no, no. I mean...that won't be necessary.

Oh. All right. I guess I'll leave you alone, then...

That's...not what I meant either. I won't stop you if you wish to continue working with me. Let's do recon again sometime.

Careful. You're going to make yourself pass out.

Are you trying to breathe like I showed you? Not even close.

That in-out-out technique sounds so easy, but it's not easy at all!

It's only easy for me because I put in the time to practice. You need to practice if you want it to work.

Oh yeah? Really? So I should be able to do it if I just practice?

I see, I see. You had...no presence... Again...

Yes, sometimes my presence fades without even trying. It can be a nuisance.

One of these days, I'm gonna do it. Just...like...you...

Stop doing it while you're talking. It's disturbing.

Huh?! Uh, Shamir? How long have you been there?

W-wait! There's something I wanted to ask you.

Well, you see, wherever I go into battle, the enemy seems to find me right away. I'm an easy target, but I wanna be able to move around the battlefield without being noticed, like you do! So whaddya think? Would it be possible?

Do you think you're being noticed because of your size?

Of course! I'm pretty hard to miss, you know? I thought that was obvious.

Wrong. It's not your size, it's your presence. It's strong. Almost unbearably so.

My "presence"? Is that something I can change?

With practice. Maybe. Let me ask you, have you ever felt my presence?

Now that I think about it, I haven't! That must be why I didn't notice you earlier. But how can I do that? Will you teach me? Please? Please!

Fine. There's a breathing technique that masks your presence. When you breathe, are you continuously inhaling, then exhaling?

Well, of course. That's the best way I know how. I'd explode if I only breathed in!

Right. To minimize your presence, breathe in, then out, then out again. In through the nose, then gently out through the mouth, twice.

In-out-out? That's it? I can definitely do that! (attempts) I-I couldn't do it, Shamir!

Breathe less. Keep it to the absolute minimum.

Sure, sure. I'll keep trying. In-out-out is trickier than it sounds...

Triangle Attack