( 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

[corpsedoctor]

[ he jerks backwards, just a hair but enough to be obvious. initially, he thinks to say something about how it isn't reassurances but praise to the army. to bring up that he's still learning how to use mana when it is something that the army knows itself, but -- it seems like he's completely wrong. ]

Ah. [ it's the first partial word that comes out first. and his paleness allows for the slight reddening of his face to be that much more obvious. a red shade that fades almost immediately as he catches the rest of what she says. ] Human body? You mean that you're actually not? Then, this isn't how you normally look? The world is very kind it seems. [ thunderland is just going to power on through. ]

But doing that much isn't good to getting used to your body. What if you wear yourself out? What about your mana? [ he's reaching out to carefully take hold of her wrist so that he could check her pulse. there is a brief pause as he's already taking off his glove to see if he should help replenish some of the mana. but hand holding is a bit too personal for him ... hugging a little less awkward isn't it... but... he's staring at her worriedly. ]

[accoutered]

[ ah.

now it is bishamon's turn to look mildly flustered, though unfortunately she does not have the aptitude to recover from the flush on her cheeks as quickly as he does. there is much to consider, really—

first, that he should compliment her like that, so indirectly, so clinically, as if it were a simple statement of fact and nothing more;

and secondly, that he should offer without quite offering, that thing she still struggles to digest, that mana exchange. ]

Um. [ she flounders for a moment, and even avoids his glance — but only for a second! she is quick to return her gaze soon enough, as if the nervous gesture had been an old tic she had long since worked past. she lifts that bloodied hand, the one he had gestured towards, carefully moving it a little more out of his reach.

no offense........ this is all still so new and strange to her! ]

This is my normal appearance, [ she corrects, now that she's gotten herself back on track. ] But before this, I was a God. Not necessarily infallible, but... not nearly so fragile, either. It's my intent to wear myself out. Better I know my limits here, in the safety of this courtyard, than out there during a battle.

[ and once she knows those limits, of course, she intends to push herself past them...

but that's something she keeps to herself for now. ]

[corpsedoctor]

[ pulling back his hand, he decides that might be too much to do in a first meeting. but the idea of mana exchange is thought to be rather personal anyway. hugging less so as he recalls having to carry corpses and patients alike in his arms so. ]

A God? [ his eye widens. ] I see. [ probably not like his empress. goddess and queen alike. probably. ] Is that not always how Gods are? Though, you should take care of your body. This is the only one that you have. [ while he may not be able to do mana exchange, he can at least reach into his pocket to take out a handkerchief for her bloodied hand. ]

Goddess, it would hurt the heart to see you do too much to yourself. Furthermore, you are not alone out in that battle. We will protect you, too. So, please, trust in us mortals. [ he clears his throat a little. it seems rude not to use that title. ] Anyway! There may be one who could help you more. My amazing assistant, Vietnam. She is not a goddess but too given a human body!

Still, you say this is how you appeared before others in your world? Amazing. [ to think that would be the shape to be taken here. but ... speaking of handkerchiefs and the like. ] Would you like my jacket until you find your tailor?

[accoutered]

Assistant...? [ what need would she have for an assistant, when she has already denied the superior? (also, why then is she only the assistant, if she can do more than him...)

anyway— ]

Thank you, but I already have two Blanc jackets I've taken to ignoring. [ her expression remains kind, but her tone is slightly wry not. it's becoming more and more clear that she doesn't particularly care for this government here. ]

In any case... It has always been my duty to protect mortals — not the other way around. [ it's not a matter of trust here. it's a matter of responsibility. ]

[corpsedoctor]

In medical procedures. [ Which involves dissection, but... that is kind of illegal here and so he tries to keep from screaming out his favorite word. STOP KINKSHAMING HIM. ]

The people are not the government and it lightens their hearts to see the jackets. [ just a thought. even if he has always been anti-government, he will not do too much to affect and disturb the minds of the people negatively. ] And you might think of using mine so that you can be more covered for now?

[ ahem. ] Well, it seems that shall be something you will be getting used to then, isn't it?

[accoutered]

[ she merely arches a brow at him. he may best her in height, but she finds little other reason to budge. she may be no stranger to authority, and the intricate hierarchies of takamagahara, but that hardly means she ever appreciates being scolded.

even if his tones are rather gentle. ]

Thank you, but I haven't finished my training, [ she tells him rather patiently. do you have a problem with her body, thunderland... ] The jacket will only get in the way.

[ as for the other things he's mentioned... ]

You've been here far longer than I have, or so I assume. This means your insight about this place and its intricacies are invaluable. [ she will think about that jacket thing, at the very least. ] However, you have only known me for a few minutes.

[ basically: don't tell me what to do i have centuries on you, son ]

[corpsedoctor]

And when do you believe that you'll be done? [ A slight disapproving stare at her. ]

I have only known you for a few minutes and I would like to know you for longer. [ She may be upset with how he is telling her what to do, but he is not going to allow the new Heroes to run themselves into the ground. For any reason. He will not allow them to accidentally step on the hearts of the common people, because he feels that she would be one that would end up hurt in turn.

But he is himself, and he will always be a little awkward. ]