It's interesting to note that when someone has achieved a certain level mastery of a martial art, they can seem completely relaxed while in fact they are poised to strike. Once again Alex was glad his skill was enough to let him both be diplomatic in appearance and poised to defend himself. 'Whew, past the hard part' He thought to himself as he waved away Riley's apology [b]"Don't worry about it"[/b] Turning to more fully face his guild mate as they expound about their teacher, tossing in small comments every now and then such as [b]"None taken, sounds like the stories didn’t due her credit"[/b] or the surprised [b]"She was blind?!"[/b] Followed by the muttered "I'd love to tell my brother that." Before Alex had been disowned his brother and father had become wrapped up in the rumors of Yukiko, his brother was a fan, and his father was convinced she was a fraud. Banishing thoughts of his family from his mind he let a smile form as Riley beamed as he talked about her. 

[b]"Sounds like a blade from the same forge. I was trained in swords first and learned magic second as well"[/b] Alex stated after Riley finished "But to be able to do that blind? That is something else, I would have enjoyed being able to talk with her. I know that I would be able to learn something" He continued his mind exploring the "what if's" and "Could have been" of meeting Yukiko [b]"As I said I've only heard stories, never had the chance to meet her, but I can get a glimpse of how it must have been to see her fight, because of after talking with all the people I have talked with and seen all the skills, both martial and magical, that I have I have a rather good eye for how people can grow if they apply themselves, and you have the drive needed to be great. Yukiko laid a hell of a foundation down, you won't be able to take me on for a while yet in an all-out fight, but I can foresee you becoming a force to be reckoned with all your own not too far off as long as you keep at it"[/b] Alex Explained, he knew Riley got a lot of flak for misplaced expectations, he knew he was partly to blame for that as well, but at the moment he couldn’t help but see himself in the young swordsman. Always trying to live up to someone else’s expectations, to try and live in someone's shadow. At least Riley was happy with the shadow he was in, for now anyway. He knew however that One day people would compare the teacher and student and finds one of them wanting, so without really thinking Alex found himself giving advice for when that day finally came. [b]"No two people can walk the exact same path to the exact same goal" Words my archery teacher told me once. That's the only advice I can really give at the moment. It boils down to don't try to become a copy of Yukiko; you'll never reach her level if you're always mimicking her. You can take her teaching and make it your own by adding what you need and removing what you don't"[/b] Softly he made a small bit of raw magic and let it just flow aimlessly in his hand "Never be afraid to be who you are rather then who you think you should be" He finished quietly slightly lost in thought, before shaking his head "I'll take you on whenever you want, where ever you want" stated a smirking Alex as he closed his hand with a snap, the raw magic winking out as he did [b]"But that doesn't mean I'm going to be slacking off in my own training. You're going to have to work for every inch to catch up, because you and I are aiming for the same spot, after all there is no place like the top"[/b] he added, a glint in his eye as he did.
 [i]'I would rather help pull them up, then tear them down... dad'[/i]