pawnstorm | Training: The Gammon edition

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Training: The Gammon edition

Who: Caren and you!
When: Gladia 10th (aka August 10th)
Where: Kickdton, Gammon
What: Caren organized a mass training session. This can only go well.
Rating: PG-13 for possible language and certainly violence. Train on!

It's not a difficult place to find, considering the directions: all heroes had to do was find Kickin' Kiwi park, and head straight for the river. There would be all sorts of helpful signs which hero worshippers may have helped set up. Watch out for the kiwi birds though, they're everywhere! In the distance, there's the Royal Foccer Fellowship Stadium. So in case one wishes to go watch some foccer practice instead, that's always an option.

But that's not what you heroes are here for, is it? You're here in the middle of a truly beautiful park for some training! There's a notice (and possibly a fan or two hovering around) stuck to a clean pile of rocks, saying for trainnees must tie a ribbon (which are in buckets, and also somehow stuck to the rocks?) to their arm, corresponding to the training they wish to take. The categories are as follow:

Healing (BLUE) Weapons (RED) Magic (PURPLE) Endurance (GREEN) Sparring (ORANGE)

Trainers are instructed to take the armbands (also found in the buckets!) of the corresponding colours of their course so not to confuse the students. However, if it turns out you are a terrible trainer, Caren will happily take away your armband and give you your own special lesson. (What that lesson is, no one wants to find out).

Don't forget to bring your heroic weapons, because training weapons are not provided. Though maybe you'll get lucky, and someone will want to teach hand to hand combat!

It's also highlighted in BOLD RED LETTERS THAT KILLING IS FORBIDDEN. Try to break this rule, and Caren will break you. Slowly.

Have your ribbon on? It's time to start that training montage!

((OOC: EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Make friends, learn a few things, and have fun!

Also please incidate in your top level if you are a trainee or a trainer!

eg The Doctor | Trainer -Magic
Donna Noble | Trainee - EVERYTHING PLEASE
Jack Harkness | Trainer - Endurance + trainee -magic))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That depends on who you ask, but technically yes.

[She was almost amused by this woman's dismissal. Ah, there it was. The disgust for her, even before knowing more than her name and an offer to assist. That was something that she could deal with.

Or rather, something she knew how to handle. It was almost comfortable.]

Then I will do what I can to assist you on the matter, if you would allow me. Is there a particular spell you would like to know? Something you want to know for the battle ahead?

[ Regina was forced to bite her tongue. Already, she had a few encounters here where she could have been kinder. Even now, she can hear her teacher scolding her for being rude; it's not good for anyone meant to be a leader of any sort to be so rude. She took a brief moment to enjoy the sight of the water next to her, since it wasn't a sight so readily available near the Hall of Heroes, not like this.

She hated it. Despite the odd people in this world, she felt more out of place. "I am allowing you", she almost utters, but running her fingertips through the water brings much-needed grounding. She considered herself comfortable enough in combat, there wasn't a need to that. If she didn't have the heightened senses, she at least had the advantage of height and strength. ]

Let's start with the basics.

[ Slowly, she rose, tossing her long white hair behind her shoulder. ]

I want to see an offensive spell that you know, nothing too extraordinary. I want to see if it compares to what I know.

[ That was good, right? To learn and incorporate druid magic with others? She couldn't readily ask her teacher, but she knew he was always open to any sort of magic. ]

[She would have welcomed it, but then, Caren enjoyed a lot of things that weren't good for the soul. Confrontation was one of them. It seems her companion is enjoying the water at least?

Or something of that sort. She waits for her to think, and ponder. And Caren feels herself faintly smile.]

Ha. That, I can provide.

[Her fingers flick, and she utters a single word.]

Rigo.

[A gout of water is summoned in midair, and splashes back into the river. Her stance shifts, and she moves her fingers again, though more of a twitch.]

Fulmen.

[Lightning bursts from her fingers, lighting the ground on fire. Caren stomps it out with her foot, and watches Regina. Waiting for her reaction.]

More?

[ Having not expected an outright demonstration, she's taken off-guard by it. Her stance shifts slightly, as she takes a step back from the water. Her eye trails down to the water before she turns back to Caren. Confrontation was an all too familiar companion for Regina, whether or not she ever initiated it.

Humans were obnoxious, she inwardly concluded. Whatever iota of surprise appeared on her face, Regina is quick to hide it. And here she wasn't looking for a fight. Fingers tapping on her spear in thought, Regina turned back to face Caren. While she wasn't looking for confrontation, Regina wasn't about to be a pushover. ]

If you like.

[ No one could then say that she was jumping into a confrontation on purpose, much like she's done so many times before. She wasn't about to lose another appendix due to her pride. Still standing near the water, she splays her hand out, concentrating. ]

Dôn, awaken me with your silver tones.

[ The rank of a pawn is limited and the spells she cast, including this one, wasn't effective as she would like it to be. Even if trying to mimic Caren by summoning her own gout of water was somewhat effective. Still, her rank is low, she can't do much with it, having a limited mana pool.

At least she could, her teacher would argue, but Regina always wanted to be his best student and over-achiever. She had big shoes to fill, after all. ]

[She's not looking for a fight either. No more then usual. She thought this would be a way to show what she could and could not do with penny ante spells.

But she goes still, and watches as Regina summons her magic. She knows exactly what to do, no instruction. Not bad. Not bad at all.]

I see. Your rank limits the amount of mana you have, and thus the strength of the spell. But, I will say that it is not limited to elemental spells, but your intentions.

If you, for example, wanted to take the pain of someone's wound and store it in yourself, it would be possible.

So, it does.

[ Even with the rank of a pawn and a limited mana pool, she found herself slightly grateful for it. Even with a small spell, she could feel that smallest drain on her body. She's quick to hide her shaking hand underneath her robes.

It's not the mana drain that causes her to shake, it's something else and she'll never freely admit to it in the presence of a large group where others may overhear. ]

Then I'll just have to grow in rank.

[ She could manage it, she could control herself. ]

My intentions? My intentions are to grow stronger, of course. If I am to be in a war against a nation, I want to be stronger than I am now.

[ Take the pain of another? Really? At this time, Regina had no problem showing off her more cruel side. ]

Taking the pain of another's wound is not what I'm here for. If anyone is wounded in battle, such is the course and nature of war. [ Serves them right, frankly, she doesn't say that, but her smile is a clear enough indication. ]

We all must do what we can to survive, yes? Being a bleeding heart is not a way to achieve it.

[It wasn't from wanting more magic? Or relief that she wasn't so useless after all? Who knew.]

Most do, one way or the other.

[She raises her eyebrows. While she could understand her ruthlessness...it was also impractical. She'd enjoy the suffering, but when it could be done better...well.]

But you're impractical. If you save the person behind you once, they may protect you another time.

If you wish to only think of yourself and do what you wish, I won't stop you. I'll enjoy watching you die.

[ Her reasons for it were more complicated than wanting more magic. It was a combination of things, things drilled into her mind since a young age. She'll never forget her own mother's words, of course, the woman encouraged Regina to pick up a weapon because there would be times that nonviolence of the druids was impractical. Power was just one way she could achieve success. ]

If that's the case, I have yet to see it.

[ She had been hurt and betrayed far too many times to count. She couldn't rely on anyone find and freeing her from capture. The only way she ever broke free of it was freeing herself. To Regina, no one else would fight for her, she had to fight for herself. ]

Possibly, yes, the person behind me may be good for a short term use, but will they be for the long term?

[ She could only think of one person that was an exception to that and he wasn't here. Thinking of him only brought more pain. ]

On the contrary. I've managed to survive this long by my own hands, not the hands of another. Sometimes, there isn't anyone else to save you except yourself. I came here to learn, not to be lectured in morality and offer an exhange of knowledge. Continue.

[Far more complicated then that. But...ah. This was a different world and these were different weapons that she needed to use.

Caren smiles slowly, enjoying this discussion. This woman...she wants to see her covered in the blood of herself and her enemies, screaming in defiance and despair.]

I don't have morals. Nor do I really care. So, you understand that there is mana that you draw from yourself, and there are some things that conduct mana better then others.

Hair, gems, cloth are among them. If you want to fry the enemy, see about targeting those.

Has anyone told you about mana exchange yet?

Neither do I.

[ Whatever morals have long since died since her capture those three years ago. To say that the incident corrupted her would be an understatement at this rate. Whatever pious, meek attitude she had, it's been long since crushed. ]

Hair, gems, and cloth... it is not an unusual concept. Everything around us can have energy. But, pray tell, what is mana exchange...?

[Whoops. But well...Caren is also practical. She spreads her hands.]

The whole of the natural world has energy, mana, but some things conduct it better than others. Plants are especially good at this, which may not be a surprise why so many weapons are plant based. Metal as well.

[She makes a dismissive motion.]

Mana exchange is a measure of which we can regenerate mana lost; we take a little from each other and from the atmosphere. More accurately, we purify it, but it's easier to just think of it as regeneration.

It's something you may have noticed, depending on what you've seen. But there is need for physical contact. Hand touching is the most common.

But the more contact and the more intimate it is, the more that will generate more quickly and far more pure.

The more contact and the more intimate it is...?

[ The concept of energy existing in objects or plants wasn't an oddity, especially growing up with the idea that energy and spirits exist in the world around her. Regina's reaction is nonchalant despite what she says next. ]

How odd.

[ But nothing too unbearable. She enjoyed physical contact, as a matter of fact, it worked in her favor. ]

And I would wagers that this answer is obvious: what if one were to lose mana, completely?

[ If it meant what she thought it meant, it could have more consequences than exhaustion. ]

A kiss gives more then a hand hold, and sexual intercourse more so. Then again the latter route you could almost just...spark after that.

[It's great, really, but Regina isn't asking about her sex life or any of that. But well.]

If you were able to completely drain another of mana, there would be the signs of mana exhaustion. Or deprivation. I understand there is a rank that can drain mana from ones enemies but...

Mostly you would be unable to move. You may pass out, or fall asleep. Sleep, and eating are also ways of replenishing mana.

I have also seen cases of people in which they go into a coma. This can be days...weeks. Months.

[She smiles slightly.]

We don't die from it. From what little I've seen-death is something Heroes take lightly.

I've seen people come back from dungeons, though affected by it, after being killed. I myself have been revived twice in the last battle with Noir.

I see.

[ No, she... isn't asking about her sex life. But it isn't as if she looks down on it, either. It's just girl talk, at the end of the day. ]

Where's the fun in life after that? Especially when you're not committed to anyone or anything. [ Here's to hoping that you aren't, Caren, you weirdo. ] The former sound boring, anyway.

[ But exertion shouldn't be something that she should smile about and yet, here she is. A bit of a knowing smile, she's not about to tell Caren that should she find herself exerted, it could have serious consequences.

And it won't be just for her. ]

It's always been dangerous for my kind to lose energy; the same would apply here, though there may be more complicated results.

[ Like eating people. ]

You're awfully chipper for someone who's been revived twice.

[ Maybe it's a bad thing she's being sarcastic about that. ]

[Don't worry Regina, she isn't about to get into that. I mean, they don't have ice cream, pjs on or doing each others nails....least that's what she thinks girl talk is supposed to entail.

Though Regina's sass made her emit a small, amused sound.]

It's hard to say if you would suffer the same as you would back home. Some things that might have been in your former life may not apply here.

[Her smile widens a bit.]

For example, the revival. It's too bad you didn't see me soon after. I could have shown you the scarring, but it's faded out by now.

Too much magic.

[She might have fun with Regina if given the chance. Way too much fun.]

You're nothing like me.

[ She found herself reaffirming it again; white hair or not, Caren was nothing like her. She was human, she was sure of it. Humans had it easier to the Nephilim, as far as she was concerned. While all of that grooming and manipulation that other Nephilim placed on her, it was a little hard to let go of that resentment of humans. She spent majority of her life in hiding or on edge thanks to humans.

It was hard not to be resnentful of them. ]

When I say dangerous for my kind, it also could endanger you.

[ Caren didn't need to know the details of it. She imagined revival was a pain; in a way, after being thrust back into the mortal world from Danu, it was a revival. Or rather, a smack of reality to her. ]

I would much rather not see; if I wanted to see a good scar all I would have to do is look at my face. I'm happy to take your word, to an extent, at least. As much as I can with a human. We're on cordial terms, let's keep it that way.

[She raises her eyebrows a bit. Nothing like her? Not at all? Well then. But while she was technically human...she had to stifle the urge to laugh. Giggle even. Nephilim or no, there are some things that are far too similar to humans.

Like pride.]

It would be difficult to harm me. I don't mean that as a brag. It's a part of my current rank. I'm made to endure.

[Really, if she wants to try something, she can go right ahead. Caren can take it. Pawns, not so much. But her lips curve into a small smile, and she nods.]

I have no reason to try to antagonize you. I'd rather ensure your survival. If you don't trust that, let's just try to be cordial and use each other agreeably.

[ Made to endure. That's something Regina's striven to be since she's been plucked from her home. There's nothing more than she wants now than to become strong and something frightening to make anyone regret taking her. At this point, it's going beyond whatever fealty bonds she has with her family; it's simply a matter of revenge. What a good idea it was to come out here nad learn everything possible to become something (not someone) stronger whenever she returns home.

Needless to say, it does hit a nerve with her; she's already more insecure about herself than she lets on. Having humans and strangers stronger than her is simply unacceptable. ]

How fortunate for you that you have that. [ "And I'm not at my fullest stature." She almost slips, but she bites her tongue. She can easily slip on a false smile and act gently if the need serves it. Still, it's a pain to try and incorporate 13 years of education again into another system; it feels like she's let down her teacher. ]

I trust that you would be able to help. [ Not really. ] So you have nothing to worry about.

[ So help her if she loses control and kills anyone around her, starting with Caren. ]

[She doesn't know what's going on with Regina's mind; she just knows that she's spoken the truth, and the truth may hurt. If Regina something about this isn't her final form, Caren would just have to offer a line face at that.

But that smile is...ah. Heh.

So Caren smiles back, charmingly insincere. It hurts her mouth, so she doesn't do it for long.]

Oh, nothing at all. I'll do all I can to finish what I start.

Good.

[ On the other hand, she can hold it, just a bit longer because outside of her pride, she's dedicated to her pursuit of strength and knowledge. What good of a druid would she be if she didn't pursue knowledge? Outside of her inward struggle, Regina didn't want to hurt Caren; she couldn't bring herself to hurt another woman. ]

So do I.

[ She would bury it, she could manage it. She had no other choice to control herself. It didn't matter, Regina had already absolved in climbing ranks. ]

Regardless of limitations, they will not stop me from learning more.

[Caren laughs softly; it's not a happy sound. She's quite certain she's being underestimated by this woman, even if she has come to her for instruction. She could press the matter but that would only make her into a fool.

No, she'll let the matter rest. In time, Regina will learn from her mistake, or not. It doesn't matter to her, so long as she doesn't get in her way. She has no problem in hurting women or children. They're just people and everyone suffers so nicely.]

It's a good attitude to have. But as well-I should warn you that magic, while it is guided by intention, is best utilized when one has an understanding of how the world works.

Does that make sense to you?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Training: The Gammon edition

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