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James taking offence to the idea of Zell teaching him a few different ways to attack with his inherited weapon was not the most surprising thing in the world.  They were men, after all - it was crazy, just what particular things might hurt any given man's ego.  Zell understood.  He wasn't immune to that kind of thing, either.  He grinned through the moment of silence and scowling from the cleric.

"Come on, bro," Zell went on, deciding to offer up something self-depracating to even the score.  "Ninety percent of my role, in this party, is to be the enemy's punching bag.  At least give me a chance to be a bit more useful, when I have the opportunity."

When James deflated and accepted, Zell was a happy man. Catching Adam's attention be drawn over his shoulder, he looked and saw MacKensie had appeared.  "Mornin, Mac," he greeted.  The response was a clear indication that he was in trouble with the Frenchwoman, which (Zell being Zell) could be for any number of reasons, but the fact she'd also given James the same death-stare, at least narrowed the possibilities down.  In the time it took for MacKensie to leave the building and Zell to quirk his eyebrow at James, it occured to him what the answer might be.  "Shit." The real question was; [i]How much does she know?[/i] Because Lucy had spilled the beans, but Lucy only knew about a small part of that whole night.  This could be bad... or worse... much worse.

Zell covered his eyes as he rubbed his brow, feeling a little bad but unable to take the smile off his face.  When he was done failing to show any remorse (she was gone, so it didn't matter much,) Zell decided to tease James about it, albeit somewhat coded-ly.  "Hey man, I dunno this Sillagy gal," he said, feigning to leave his friend to hang out to dry alone.  "Nowt to do with me."

He chuckled.  Of course, the two friends were in the shit, together.  Zell was loyal enough to accept half the blame for the Guildhouse ban.  And the carousing with local criminals.  Oh, and the Grand-Theft-Horse... and the running from the law, jail time and criminal record.

[i]This could get uglyyyyyy.[/i]

“Huh, MacKensie seems upset. Would either of you know why?”

Zell looked at Adam, then back at James and showed gritted teeth.  [i]This simp has the sense of humour of a sheltered choir boy,[/i] the swordsman tried to psychically transmit to his best friend.  [i]We tell him and he'll rat faster than a ninja-turtle's sensei.[/i]

Then back to Adam.  "See no evil, n all that, mate." He shook his head to assure the young man that it wasn't worth pursuing, and hoped James would follow his lead.  Luckily there was a great change of subject presented.  "Frederick! My man!" the innkeeper placed his food down and Zell thanked him again, then put all his attention on the complete destruction of his second breakfast of the morning.

...

"Fuck me, bro, how have you got the strength to throw this thing about so easily!?" Zell said as he handled James' anchor.  "Christ."

Zell got to grips with the weapon, and after finding out that James could summon strength through magic, better understood the Mexicano's limits and what Zell should show him.

He talked him through the correct foot-placements and anchor placement for best accelaration of first swing, and good ways to chain together attacks in two and three-hit combos, using downward strikes to end chain-attacks, where the floor could instantly stop the momentum of the anchor and allow the cleric to reset his stance or switch to magic quickly and effectively.

"Always start with the chain kept short, for a tight first-swing.  Step backward or to the side, the opposite way to the direction that the anchor's going, to pull the momentum back quickly behind you so you can attack again.

You can let the chain longer mid-swing once you have some speed, but bare in mind; it takes a bit of practice to land accurately.  Although if you get the hang of shortening and lengthening the chain during a fight, that practice will pay off a tonne, bruv, coz you only need an enemy off-guard [i]once[/i] and they are mince meat."

They went through some drills, Zell trying to not be absolutely amazed at how far his Weapons Knowledge went.  [i]I could have sworn it was just swords and swordsmanship, back in Hommas.[/i]  But then, by the time they all made it to Valhiem with the cube, Zell knew a bunch about what made an effective infantry unit, military formations and field battle concepts like momentum, morale and regiment manoeuvres.  [i]And now I'm an expert with a bloody giant anchor![/i]

The boost to his natural athleticism was increasing too.  He was much stronger, tougher, faster and more coordinated than before.  In Hommas, he KO'd himself after getting flung into a wooden gate.  But some of the hits and damage he'd taken since then had been much worse, yet only slowed him down - force of will keeping him pushing through all barriers.

He told all of this to James when they eventually decided to take a break and go and grab some lunch at an open-air taverna.  "...I mean, I still would've liked a fucking lightning beam," he half-joked.  "But I really can't complain.  We've got a solid mix of Adventurer Classes in our party.  They fit well with eachother.  And of course, we all work well together too."  He took a bite and chewed as he thought that now was probably the best chance he would get to bringing himself to share this 'Baphomet problem.'  But should he?  The consequences could be disastrous.  And was it really a problem...?  Having a fucking incredible power?  "I trust your leadership.  Hell, I trust you with my life.  You're like my best fucking mate, in this world.  It's like I've known you all my life."  (Funny that this was [i]actually[/i] true.  In this second life, he had, [i]literally[/i], known James all his life.  And maybe that was also partly to explain for the rapid bonds he'd developed with the group.)  "Feel like I could confide in you about anything.  Which..."

[i]This is a fucking gamble.[/i]

"Err..."

[i]Don't.  Don't do it.  You've got it handled.  Have I? Yes.[/i] Zell was struggling, and he couldn't even look James in the eye at this point.  [i]You're in charge of [b]Him[/b].  Not the other way around.  He is stuck with [b]You[/b].  Not the other way around.  Don't show weakness.  You've shown enough of that already.[/i]


At this point, even with Zell's gigantic ego, he was at least smart enough to have a scrap of doubt, but his ego started to win over.

"Ah..." still struggling.  "...nothing, mate.  Never mind."

Fuck.