( open )

[accoutered]

Who: bishamonten and anyone who may also be training or would like to watch a former goddess Struggle
When: 06/11
Where: hall of glory courtyard
What: bishamon is trying to learn how to fight again in her new, fragile human body... and figure out wth is up with her weapon in the process. #thestruggleisreal #whatismana #dontskiplegday
Rating: potential for some violence, but otherwise should be alright!

(1) THE BORING KIND OF CARDIO »

[ anyone around the courtyard on this early morning may find themselves having to share the space with an overzealous hero in training... or someone with some serious anger management problems. (or both.)

situated to one side of the courtyard, on lush green grass and right beneath the shade of a large tree is bishamon, currently making full use of the wooden training dummy the keepers of the hall of glory had been kind enough to supply her. from the amount of sweat she's managed to work up (not to mention a good number of bruises already beginning to form along her hands, arms, and legs, and the blood caking along her knuckles) it's clear she's been at this for quite a while... and rather vigorously, too.

the style itself is not easily identifiable, less technique and more raw energy and skill. she strikes fast and hard and with no fear, as if completely unaware of her own limits (or, perhaps, unused to having them), but every now and then she will land a blow that has her flinching back in shock and pain. every time it happens she grits her teeth and seems to make a mental note, before striking the exact same spot with the exact same blow, again and again and again, until finally she does not flinch back in pain anymore.

it's a shame about that uniform, really. she had originally found the skirt impractical, but found it useful now in granting her more movement in the legs. the top, sadly, she had to be more creative with — needing the freedom of her arms, but not wanting to appear too indecent (some people come out there to eat, after all) she had to contend with simply unbutton the first couple of buttons and tying the sleeves around her chest like a wrap. unfortunately, not even these measures could withstand the brunt of all of her movements. of course, by the time she realizes the strain she's putting on the clothing, it's a little too late...

which is why, if you hadn't already approached her before this, she will stop you as you pass by, getting your attention with the wave of one (somewhat bloody) hand. ]

Excuse me — would you happen to know if there's a tailor around here?

(2) BANG BANG ALL OVER YOU »

[ is it just bishamon, or do those stuffed bears do unnervingly smug?

it's gotta be the eyebrows, or maybe it's the stitching along the muzzle. whatever the reason, bishamon decides she doesn't like them, and so doesn't feel even the slightest bit of guilt when she raises her weapon in the air, takes aim, and pulls—

and pulls.

and pulls and pulls and pulls and pulls and pullsandpullsandpULLSand ]

This is stupid!

[ WHY WOULD ANYONE ARM SOMEONE WITH A GUN THAT HAS NO BULLETS???

with a frustrated growl, bishamon chucks the offending weapon towards the bear to the farthest right, its blade embedding right in between its beady little eyes. ]

(3) HAKUNA MANA-TA »

[ or maybe you'll find her sitting by the canal that runs through the center of the courtyard, perched precariously close to the edge along one of the stone ledges that line it. she seems to be two seconds away from falling into the canal herself, what with how much she is leaning over it, but her full attention is drawn to the water itself, rather than her proximity to it.

anyone looking over will notice how intensely she is staring at the water's surface, her brows drawn together and lips pursed in an expression of utmost concentration. slowly, she raises a hand and after a moment of steeling herself, she gives her index finger a quick flick.

there is some slight lag time, but before long, even just the casual observer will notice a large droplet of water pop itself out from the water's surface and crash right into — well. probably your cheek. bishamon sits up suddenly, eyes wide with a look of utter shock and pride. sorry, innocent bystander, she'll feel bad about that in two seconds, just let her finish her mental victory dance.

SHE DID IT, SHE MAGICKED. ]

Comments

2

[sealeted]

[Honestly, Hakuno can admit that there's something irritating about those bears. She's certainly shown no problems shooting them down and then picking up her arrows and moving back, repeating the process over and over at different distances as she starts to get the hang of this 'archery' thing. She works herself into a nice little rhythm, even.

Until Bishamon startles her with that outburst.

Her fingers convulse and the string snaps against the bare, unprotected skin on the inside of her arm. She arrow veers off course, burying itself in the ground two feet to the right and three feet short of the target, and Hakuno can't help but let out a yelp of pain.

She crouches and sets down her bow, inspecting the reddening skin carefully.]

...ah, good. No blood.

[accoutered]

[ now it is bishamon's turn to grow startled, as hakuno's yelp of pain jerks the older woman out of whatever frustration-induced reverie she'd been in, to have not even noticed the other girl before this.

seeing the brunette lower herself to the ground, bishamon does not hesitate to walk over, one hand tentatively reaching out. ]

Are you alright? [ and, sensing that she had some hand in this, she quickly adds, ] I apologize if my outburst inconvenienced you. [ it... is rather embarrassing tbh. ]

two

[fuhrinkaed]

[After his magic practice with Susan yesterday (which was totally not a splashfight, shut up) and getting ambushed on his first day there, Ed's decided to also do a bit of training. He's smacking one of the other bears with his dragon-headed staff, trying to figure out how to do it for maximum effect. He's got speed... but there's not much punch to his attacks like this. He flips the staff over in his hand, looking at the point at the bottom of it, when... WHOK.]

[He turns, and sees the gunblade's position right between the eyes of the bear two bears down from his. He turns more, and sees Bishamon.]

[He waves hello without moving from where he's turned halfway around, so enthusiastically that he stumbles for a second. He catches himself with a couple of extra steps and smiles widely.]

Bishamon! That was a really good throw!

[accoutered]

[ bishamon jumps faintly at the sound of her name. she has to whirl around to actually see ed, and she marvels are her tunnel-vision for not having noticed the boy much earlier. how long has he been standing there...??

in any case, she can only smile sheepishly when he compliments her, not because of any humility... but really because the reason for the throw had been embarrassing in the first place. talk about your anger management... ]

Hello, Ed. [ she waves lightly in return, ignoring her useless gun for the moment to wander closer to the boy. ] Are you training as well?

3!!

[hoasen]

[She practically jumped in surprise. Vietnam noticed the droplet, but didn't really expect it to be flicked. Which was why she was about to go about her training again.]

A-ah?!

[And looks back at the water, before at the woman who did it!!!]

[accoutered]

[ it's only a few seconds later when bishamon finally gets over herself to pay attention to the other party involved. once she sees how startled vietnam looks, she is quick to get to her feet, a tiny splotch of pink coloring her cheeks. ]

I apologize. Aim is probably the next thing I should practice.

1

[sediments]

Uh.

[ This isn't exactly the most casual of scenarios, and Bolin tries to be careful as a beautiful woman approaches him from what appears to be the throes of battle. He's not sure how much concern he should be expressing, given how casual the woman is about her current condition, but at this point he's seen more than just one person who's been rather casual about gaining injuries and losing blood.

It's certainly dedication. ]

I haven't been to one. [ He just sews up his own clothes when they get torn. ] But there's probably one nearby. Is something wrong with your uniform?

[ Is that why it's wrapped around her chest? ]

[accoutered]

[ bishamon, for her part, looks fairly unperturbed by the exchange. then again, she isn't the one looking back at herself, whose casual demeanor is probably incredibly off-putting when juxtaposed with all the damage visible on her body. she makes a thoughtful noise, idly lifting one of those bloodied hands to tap at her chin. ]

I admit I'm not too well-versed on the lay of the land yet... [ during their research, she'd left the geography portion to ed.

however, it's not like she doesn't have an abundance of time to wander about now. but when he brings up her uniform, she has the grace to look a little sheepish about it. ]

I might have overdone it with my training today. [ she passes a hand over the knot of sleeves over her chest, and if bolin were to look closer, he'll notice a number of seams already beginning to rip. ]

1

[shewhocompels]

Teyud had been exercising as well, if in a less exciting way. Simple low impact cardio. Jogging, stretching, light free weights. Nothing too strenuous, unless you grew up in 38% of Earth's gravity. The martian was not particularly sweaty, because martians don't like wasting water like that, but she otherwise looked to be in the final stages of exhaustion. She didn't look up at Bishamon quite yet, lost in her own private hell.

"Why..." pant pant "...do you require a tailor?"

[accoutered]

It might not have been very polite, but as one of the more... zealous Gods of Combat, Bishamon could hardly begrudge someone for such dedication. In fact, she spends a few extra moments to simply observe the other's technique. Though their bodies were quite different, they were all human now, for better or for worse, so it couldn't hurt to get a few new tips here and there.

After a moment, she responds, "I'm afraid I overdid it with my training just now. I'm told we're only given two sets of uniforms, and are required to purchase our own clothing outside of that. I wondered if there were maybe a tailor on the grounds to make basic mends."

She conveniently leaves out the fact that she is flat broke, and just hopes her conversation partner can connect the dots on her own.

2

[hiryugaeshi]

[ Kojirou sure was walking past when the gunblade flashed past his eyes and embedded itself nicely into the fluffy bear. That was definitely close. Kojirou himself doesn't seem too bothered though, plucking the weapon out and tossing it back to its owner. ]

I can't say I'm any expert with guns, but surely there's no need to use your precious weapon like a common throwing knife if there's one attached?

[ Seriously lady. He doesn't know what's wrong with you, but he does know how to use a sword properly, and this is definitely not using it properly. ]

[accoutered]

[ there had been a brief moment wherein bishamon had felt guilty about aiming a dangerous projectile so close to where someone had been standing (not that she'd known; in her blind frustration, she'd thrown the thing without even checking); but the feeling quickly dissipated upon realizing the man hardly seemed to mind.

she catches the gun-blade with relative ease, though she is still getting used to the weight of it. it is unlike any weapon she's held before, but that has never really stopped her before either. ]

In battle, it's prudent to make use of your weapon in any way feasible, [ she answers with a mild shrug, idly turning it over in her hands. not that that had been her intention, of course, but she is a bit too proud to admit she'd done it in a fit of petty anger. ]

1

[tsyoon]

A tailor?

[ Yoon stops, looking up at Bishamon in some surprise. Hello, Bishamon, fancy seeing you here. ]

No. I'm used to just fixing my own clothes. Is there something you need?

[ He frowns at the blood on her hand, and upon closer inspection, notices the scraped knuckles, the bruises. Training is important, but it's also stupid to push yourself too hard, he thinks. Yoon frowns. ]

You should take a break.

[accoutered]

[ the surprise on bishamon's face is clear — in the haze of her adrenaline, she hadn't even realized she'd flagged down someone she already knows. but the surprise quickly softens into something more warm. not quite intimate, but certainly familiar. ]

Just a few minor repairs, I think.

[ she twists a bit, showing him the extent of the tear along the seams of her shirt, her skirt. she'd definitely overdone it in more ways than one, but she apart from noting the tears, she hardly seems to acknowledge it. ]

I've really only just begun.

2 - i'm here gurl did you miss me

[locktouches]

[It's difficult to miss a metal, bladed gun go sailing through the air and embed itself in an unsuspecting stuffed bear. Actually, the aim is fairly impressive - even if shooting that gun hadn't worked, she would've offed the offending bear with the blade alone. If, y'know, it had been real and in any way a threat to her whatsoever.]

Well done, that was a solid ten for aiming.

[You've missed his face, c'mon. Admit it.]

i missed you like the flower misses the sun during the nighttime...!

[accoutered]

[ in her rage, she had not seen him. for had she been aware of his close proximity, she would have been more careful with her outburst. not because it had put him in danger (of course not; even in her fury, her aim is impeccable), but simply because it is not a position she appreciates being seen in.

least of all by men who have a tendency towards mockery. ]

That part of the weapon works just fine, at least.

[ her answer is brusque, and just a touch petulant, but not at all dismissive. seems she's over their last meeting's minor squabble...

she walks over, reaching for the handle to tug the gun-blade loose. ]

3

[penitents]

[ The water draws Sasuke, too, though less for due to any familiarity to the element than the soothing effect it as on him. Water is familiar, the canal reminds him of Konoha— it reminds him of ending and of changes and often, he meditates near it.

Today, he isn't meditating, but instead progressing through a number of katas with his chokuto. He's wearing the customary uniform, left sleeve hanging empty and swaying gently with each position he moves through. It's in turning that he spots the woman staring intently at the water, and at first, misjudges what her expression might mean. Instead of seeing concentration, he sees inner conflict, and eases out into a neutral position to watch her a moment.

This is the only reason he isn't expecting the water— which splashes all over his head and leaves his hair dripping and hanging heavy around his face. Expressionless, Sasuke lifts his only arm and rubs the back of it across his face to push his hair back. ]

[accoutered]

[ her high lasts for only a few seconds. she had been conscious of the presence of others around the courtyard, after all, and she did not want to appear too caught up lest it allow anyone the chance to realize just how out of her element she is with regards to this mana business. (though anyone paying enough attention to notice how long it had taken her to manage that simple spell would have probably made that assumption already.)

the point is — she is finished and turning her attention to her unfortunate target with enough time to actually catch the complete lack of expression on the man's face, standing so still that if he hadn't moved to wipe his face in the next second, bishamon probably would have thought she'd splashed a statue instead.

somehow, the stoicism of his reaction reads as plain absurd to the former deity, and so she responds in kind—

the laugh itself is soft and brief, just shy over a giggle, and she's quick to muffle it behind a hand. of course, she realizes how incredibly rude that is (belatedly) and hastens to say: ]

I'm sorry — I didn't mean to get you wet. [ or... laugh in your face........ ] Would you like a towel?

3 she is so cute

[accordance]

[ The man that passes by is tall and willowy, with flowing white hair falling down to his waist in a style similar to hers. When the droplet strikes his face, he shows remarkably little surprise - merely lifting one slender finger to wipe it away and examining the water on his finger.

Then he turns to see her, concluding that she must have been the source. But there is no accusation, no anger, merely quiet calm waiting for an explanation. ]

uwu!

[accoutered]

[ his explanation comes a few moments later, after bishamon has had enough time to get over her quiet moment of victory. gracefully, she slides off the stone ledge she'd been perched upon and comes towards him, tipping her head forward in a slight bow of apology.

it's still a bit novel to her, this brand of humility, but she's slowly getting used to it. ]

I apologize — that was my mistake.

3!!

[oneirism]

[As she walks along the canal, she blinks in surprise when she notices Bishamon staring intensely at the water. About to approach and ask if something's wrong, before blinking when she gets a splash of water right on the cheek.

But she doesn't seem too bothered about that, instead just tilting her head as she wipes the water from her cheek.]

... Are you practicing with mana?

[accoutered]

[ by the time bishamon actually glances back towards lapis, the offending water droplet is gone, and so the former deity simply assumes it had landed elsewhere. upon seeing who it is, though, bishamon's expression warms with familiarity, and she looks only mildly sheepish as she nods. ]

Attempting to, [ she admits. she rearranges herself along the stone ledge, so that she is seated facing lapis a bit more. ] It's not as easy as the texts made it seem.

wildcard-ish

[flirtations]

[ Despite having been here for a while, as well as having received a rank up to the title of Queen, Jae-ha still struggled with anything past the basics of his new magic abilities. The concept remains foreign to him, something wholly different from his jump, which came to him as easily as walking. He works just a few feet away from her, but it just so happens that our two Heroes happen to have their backs turned to each other.

Like Bishamon, he takes this free time to practice his newly acquired craft. But he isn't standing, and given his current position, he looks more as if he's settling in for relaxation rather than combat. There's a flute rested in his hands. He looks at it thoughtfully, takes a deep sigh, and begins to play.

The instrument sways lightly from side to side, and a calm and peaceful melody flows. This part isn't difficult. Music comes easily to him. Manipulating his mana such that it follows each sway of his hands, such that it bends to his will? Much less trivial. He concentrates his focus not on the song, but on what he wills each note to represent.

Slowly but surely, the illusion comes to life, though Jae-ha keeps his eyes closed in concentration. Perhaps he should open them, and see what his mana has given life to, so that he might stop it before it gets out of hand. He has, unfortunately, given rise to 4 duplicates of himself, each figure swaying lightly from side to side with the music.

Jae-ha's control still being poor, they only remain in place for a second longer, before running off and seeming to each have a will of their own. Or rather, they seem to have a collective will to all suddenly lunge into Bishamon's line of sight, surrounding her, and taunting her as she fires bullets.

The caster, meanwhile, is still completely unaware and playing his song. ]

[accoutered]

[ she hadn't been getting very far with her bullets, in all honesty. by now, she has at least come to the conclusion that the bullets must manifest from her mana, but having never come across anything like it in her world, she finds herself struggling to even get a sense of it, let alone manipulate it enough to create bullets.

she'd been working tirelessly on it, hours dragging on and on as she stood before an array of noir-dressed teddy bears, all just waiting for her to finally get around to it. but all she has managed, thus far, are a few bursts of wind and energy that propel her backward. nothing tangible yet, nothing resembling what it should.

she's tired by the time the illusions appear. so much so that for a while she'd been convinced she'd fallen asleep somehow and is dreaming. it has to be the only explanation for why she'd see him now, looking just as he had in another dream, only there were... four of him...

warily, she takes a step back, feeling her nerves rise in tension. she hears that same voice quadrupled and taunting, and before she knows it she's raining her gun-blade towards one, teeth grit.

it's just a dream, right? so none of it counts. ]

Be quiet, [ she hisses. ] What are you even saying?

1 - one million years later

[corpsedoctor]

[ thunderland, despite his oddities, is still human. he reminds himself of this when it takes him a few seconds to respond as he stares at the beautiful woman. it's a shame that she had done some small "adjustments" to her uniform through training. but he snaps himself out of his initial schoolboy response. ]

Irrelevant question. [ he stands a little straighter. if there is but one thing he considers himself good at, it is using his height. close to a foot taller than the young woman, he takes a step forward to ignore her look to state: ] Are you a fool? This is no way for you to take care of your heart or your body! Why are so many people so willing to destroy themselves? If you so wish it, just give your body to me for science!

[ thunderland has his own anger issues about those that push themselves too hard and cannot help but lash out a little in words. ]

<3

[accoutered]

[ in truth, his height does little to intimidate bishamon, who is used to commanding a taller and larger presence than what she is physically capable of through sheer will and gravity alone. so when he steps forward and reprimands her, she does little but lift her brows in mild surprise. ]

Science? [ because it is that that she will choose to focus on. especially considering it had not that long ago that she had offered something similar to those in charge. almost instantly, her expression shifts to one of light interest, and perhaps even a tinge of hope. could it be that, instead of responding, the government had sent someone to her? ]

Do you work for Secretary Verdoni?