[HUB ISLAND | NEWBIE TRAINING]

[spellbindmods]

Who: New coven members, Brie and assigned teachers (old blood can join too!)
Where: The coven base camp
When: Day 98
Open/Closed: Open to Alllllllllmost everyone, essentially top levels are newbies and teachers, but oldbies can tag around!
OOC: To be clear, top levels should only be new characters accepted in October and those who signed up for teacher slots. Old players ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAG AROUND IF THEY WISH, and of course other new characters can mingle with their newbie brethren. If your character is a teacher please indicate that in your top level to differentiate.

Danger may not be imminent -- but that doesn't mean things will always be so peaceful. Being new and gifted with magic, the time has come to try and create a force to be reckoned with. While Genette is more focused on interpersonal unity (and not her poor planning skills), Brie wants to worry about other, more important things. The explosions and power missteps grow older and older with each new batch of coven members, so let's nip that in the bud ASAP, shall we? All the newbies have been gathered together in the base camp clearing with very explicit instructions -- hopefully this isn't such a daunting task that she needs to resort to tying people together, like some bougie servants running around. There is a bit of a problem of personalizing activities -- A.K.A. she's not doing that again. It was a mess last time, and hard to keep up with who all was succeeding and falling flat on their face. Instead, there are three distinct stations that are being utilized in order to try and grab every type and subset of power. A ▢ For offensive type characters, wild boars have been enclosed in a large pen. Also within this pen are large pillowcases, filled with sand and tied at the end. It's as good a dummy as any, okay? Brie has instructed those with magic more in line with direct fighting to kill a boar -- or if they want to work up to that type of offensive magic, they can instead try to explode those sacks of sand. B ▢ Healing is a bit trickier -- some may get lucky and find someone who is unintentionally injured or who is harboring an old wound that Genette hasn't sniffed out. In the case of needing to focus on healing, Brie has a small knife at her disposal. Any volunteers are going to be sliced against their palm. Genette is on standby to heal this wound if a newbie can't pull it off, but don't worry. Even in the worst case scenario, this wound won't last long. C ▢ Other magic powers may work better with items involved -- dismantling, levitation, the like. So there's a big bin of items in the middle of another roped off clearing. From salt and pepper shakers to MP3 players, your character can find some sort of junk in this bag. Whatever your character wants to do with these items and their magic, they're there to use. D ▢ Another roped off area is for more abstract magic. Other volunteers can come and help with whatever these magics might be -- emotional reading, creating plants. Those hard-to-define magic types can practice here with as much help as they can find. E ▢ Some older coven members have garnered Brie's seal of approval. If they know anything about fighting or magical training, they've been welcomed to create their own space and get newbies to learn whatever skills they have to offer. F ▢ Finally, magic isn't the only training going on here. There's one final area that's roped off and filled with swords, stuck about a foot in the ground -- thanks Brie. Characters who are good with swords can of course show off their skills, but it's also a good idea that inexperienced characters learn how to wield one of these weapons.

Comments

teaching time

[potentite]

[D]
[Not being nervous is impossible but he's going to try at least. Magic is new to him, and it really isn't his strong suit but this magic, at least for small things, hasn't been too bad. No one's asked him for anything too abstract yet. So he figures he can probably help out here in figuring out easy ways to start off with something that is inherently a little weirder.]

Um, what sort of magic are you packing?


[E]
[Usually, Jake wields two guns. They're always on him in some fashion. Today though, if you approach him standing near a row of cans and bottles he found, you'll notice he's only fidgeting with one.

The other he's set near the line up. Almost like if he didn't, it would be harder for him to offer it up. He really, really loves his guns, okay.]

Um, ahoy there? I, um— [No, no, he needs to really sell this. The one thing he can do at least is fight, even if he's not as good at it as the others and fuck he's doing it again—] Guns might not be the most plentiful weapon around but if you want some training...

[Oh there was that boar instruction, too, so.] We could even go out hunting if you prefer.

E

[antemeridian]

... 'Not the most plentiful?' But, then, that does imply that there is more to go around.

[ her expression is the smallest of contemplative frowns. ]

How many do we have, and of what make? [ she'd lamented the lack of arriving with something more familiar some time ago, as well as her lack of knowledge on how to start crafting a proper bow— one that wouldn't run the risk of snapping in her face, because she can imagine how that could go wrong— but here we are. if something's available, she's absolutely going to jump at the opportunity to arm herself. ]

And— what of ammunition? [ she doesn't imagine that it'd be very easy to replace any spent magazines or cartridges here, but if there's any at all to spare she wouldn't mind at all. ]

[potentite]

[From how she talks, Jake can guess she at least has some familiarity with them, so.]

When I arrived, my sylladex broke. [No, he doesn't explain that but he continues to the important part:] I had some of my spare guns stored in it. I haven't touched them, so they're still full up. Two pairs of handguns and a hunting rifle. Um, if you have a preference, we can go grab them? Or just practice here for now but...

[He nods at the gun he set aside and holds up the one in his hand.] I use two personally. Um, they're supposed to have unlimited ammo but that's broken here, too. I could probably make ammo if I found the supplies but otherwise I've got just a few magazines worth of spare ammo.

e

[precedents]

[ guns were never part of A2's arsenal, but she's familiar with them. she's seen the resistance members use them often enough, at least.

she glances at the lineup and tilts her head, considering it. well, why not. ]

Alright.

[ the gun is cool to the touch, a foreign weight in her hand. the safety is on but she flicks it off and raises it. for someone who has never fired a gun before, her grip sure is steady. but that might have something more to do with her status as an android than anything else. ]

[potentite]

[It impresses him even more than her unnatural beauty. He doesn't want to disturb her but he can't help commenting on it.]

Your form is excellent. Are you sure you haven't done this before, miss? It's quite good.

d

[oceanaria]

[ If not being nervous is impossible, then Jake definitely isn't alone in this. The same thing applies to magic, too.

Riko shouldn't be surprised by the question (it's a magical training, after all), yet she holds her hands up, thinking of a short explanation. ]

Um...it's nothing special! Everything I draw becomes real, that's all. W-What about you?

[potentite]

[Despite what she said, his eyes light up.] Wow, what a nifty ability! I bet you've got a creative mind, miss!

[But right, she asked him something.]

Um, mine is just... increasing the probability of an outcome of an event.

ddddddddddd

[reckoner]

[ Given that the last time Gaelio targeted a person with his newly granted power, it had been an unintentional, then horrifying mess, he's wary of this endeavor. Wary, but conscious of its being necessary for the same reason.

So he stands across from the (yet another) young man, a hand braced on his hip, his features hardened into a frown. ]

Illusions.

[ Sufficient, or does he need to say more...? ]

[potentite]

[Well. That's a start?]

Righto! Illusions. What sort of illusions? Any sort of, um, parameters that you know of or...?

teacher!

[splinten]

[b/c/d: experimentation]

[God. Why did he sign up for this. He knows why, but why. He's going to make a mess of it. At least he's used to creative applications of stupid powers. If he finds someone is a i) healer, he'll readily offer them an injured limb to let them have a go at it, neutral of expression and chill of pulse. If someone ii) seems to be trying to work out how to make their power work, he'll ask,]

What exactly was the description of it?

[Creative loophole abuse is something he can do.]

[f: what they don't know is your real advantage]

[Well, swords are what Striders are for. He feels at once more at ease and more unsettled with this, knowing it's what he's supposed to be for, but also knowing that training is exactly where he fucked up so badly before. But Jake is here and he's trying, so. Dirk has to, too.

Dirk watches people who approach the swords, assessing their comfort and ability. If i) a character seems at ease with the weapon, he'll draw his own katana and look at them, nodding to a clearer space.]

Spar?

[Best way to practice is to go at it.]

[If, however, a character ii) seems unfamiliar and nervous when it comes to waving around pointy murder sticks, he will make an awkward go at trying to be comforting.]

I'm not going to let anyone get hurt practicing, it's cool. Just come at me and we'll, uh... work this out.

f: i

[precedents]

[ well. ok.

yorha battle models wield a variety of weapons, but swords were her primary weapon of choice. though 2B's virtuous contract was taken from her when she was reactivated, A2 draws another sword and considers him for a moment, blue eyes eventually landing on his katana.

there's something unsettling about fighting a human, but this is just a spar. this is not her last encounter with 9S at the top of the tower, with no choice left but to fight. no blood needs to be shed here. dirk seems to be capable anyway; A2 doesn't need to be familiar with humans to know that much at least. ]

... Sure.

[ her stance is relaxed and open, sword held loosely at her side. he can make the first move. ]

[splinten]

Nice sword. Looks crazy impractical, but really fuckin' cool.

[Wryly, he adds,]

Any health issues I should know about before we start?

I personally tend to bleed when I'm stabbed, but that's the only one.

fi&ii

[reckoner]

[ Once yanking the blade from the ground (with less ceremony and feeling of accomplishment than might have accompanied the task in stone), Gaelio looks over the sword, adjusting his grip.

The only swords used in actual combat had been massive, affixed to mobile suits and his Kimaris, and those less swords -- a foldable combat knife and Gungnir, the massive lance. Utilized through the machine's controls and not by holding the weapon in hand.

His experience with hilts, then, was narrow: foil, épée, sabre. Fencing and that rigidity of form. After a few seconds, he looks up, across to Dirk, shrugging. ]

It's fine if it hurts. [ Blandly. After all, the healers need to practice, too. ] But, practically speaking, I've only fenced.

[splinten]

[Hm.]

Well, you've got more places to make me bleed with this. Up for learnin' by doin'?

f;

[humenity]

[ Eleanor herself is both experiences with fighting, yet... inexperienced with what she has been given. And so, she'll approach him with some uncertainty. ]

... I would appreciate it. But, I have to forewarn you. I'm not experienced with the sword. [ She wants to make sure she stays on top of her training and all. Still, she does wish that she had a lance to work with... ]

[splinten]

What kind of weapon are you most used to?

[It's an important starting point, both to understand where she might slip up and to help point her to better swords.]

teacher!

[thatdamnknight]

e.

[teaching is something flynn can do. he'd trained knights back home, he can train people here. other teachers have swords down so flynn takes it upon himself to offer up a different form of combat: weaponless. he may not be a master of hand-to-hand combat, but he knows more than enough to pass on his knowledge to others.]

Since circumstances may arise where your weapons or abilities are inaccessible, it's important to learn to defend yourself without those.

[he smiles warmly.]

I'm teaching the basics of hand-to-hand combat today if you'd like to learn.

[they're not hard to learn and can mean the difference between life and death in battle!]

f.

[swords. wonderful swords. flynn's forte and favorite form of combat. he has his own sword at his side and is eager to assist in educating people on using one of their own. anyone who seems completely lost will be approached by flynn.]

If you'd like, I can demonstrate some proper techniques and battle strategy.

[since, contrary to what some people may think, both of those are vital to battle. an army of a 1000 can be taken down by one of 100 with good strategy and technique!]

Or we can spar if you'd rather learn by experiencing actual combat.

[sparring is also a lot more fun than lecturing.]

e

[reckoner]

[ Years have passed since his last opportunity to train like this. The last two had been fixed on perfecting the unique system in Kimaris Vidar, and before that, though he and that man had once regularly practiced, an initially unavoidable and frankly fun component of their training within Gjallarhorn ranks -- it had become less necessary given their ranks and positions. Not that inspectors or Specialist Majors had no need for practical combat ability, but even that focused more on technique within the mobile suit, and less on hand-to-hand. Time permitted less and less.

In short -- ]

I have experience, but I'm rusty.

[ Still -- he doesn't intend to underestimate this man, whose easy smile he suspects belies striking competence, but he'd like to make sure of it -- ]

Don't go easy on me.

[thatdamnknight]

[the man who approaches seems far less a novice to combat than most. what he says confirms it. don't go easy on him, huh? when was the last time flynn'd actually given it his all without using a sword? not in a long, long time. this might turn out to be a really enjoyable spar!

flynn nods.]

I wouldn't dream of it.

[he may hold back only if his opponent turns out to be far less experienced than they claim, but flynn has a feeling that won't be the case here.]

Before we begin, might I get your name?

teachin

[lohengrins]

A/B/C )

[ percival stands tall, his head held high — he's not the friendliest specimen, but he does seem to be watching intently. ]

Show me what you're capable of.

[ if it's a form of healing, he'll find a way around that too. ]

E )

[ no items, final destination.

his sword isn't equipped for a change. he's positioned in a fighting stance, chin up, fists out, chest exposed, y'know. ]

You should know how to defend yourself, should you lack a weapon. [ he meets your gaze...before punching forward, purposefully missing your face by the slightest bit.

think fast. ]

F )

[ SWORDS. his field of expertise. his flagrant, signature red sword is off to the side somewhere. instead, he wields a basic blade — and then gestures one towards you. ]

How comfortable are you? I'll decide your level of skill for myself.

a/b/c

[idolpedia]

[Of course she gets up for stamina practice every morning, but she assumes that magic training should be no different, right? Standing in front of Percival, she isn't ready to face this new power head on. It was both a blessing and a curse.]

Are you so sure you want me to practice? I have a healing power but the circumstances under which it works... are a little intense.

[She seems a little reluctant. She also seems a little embarrassed to admit what her actual power is as well? She knows that she has to practice some time, but why does it have to be right now?]

f

[sonnaille]

[ nanami is wielding a basic sword herself — it's heft isn't something she's used to. she erred to her scimitar, and to daggers — for quick, nonprecise attacks. with this, she had to be more steady. give her a moment to really get a hold on its weight, and to ready her shoulders and arms.

when ready, she leans close. ]

We're wasting precious time. Are you ready or not?

e

[cherrypuncher]

Well—

[and this is as far as Yuna gets before Percival feint-punches her and she squawks inelegantly, taking a big step back and holding her hands out in front of her and waving them around.]

N-no, that's, uh— [please don't make her fist fight this man he's already mad at her?!] No thanks!

[nailed it]

yorha type A no. 2 (A2) | newbie; ota

[precedents]

[ the idea of rounding them all up together for training was not something she expected, and it's honestly kind of funny if she was the type to laugh about something like this. too bad she isn't.

while everyone splits up into their respective stations, A2 doesn't go to hers just yet, hanging back to observe. you might catch her standing around the offensive magic area, watching people take on boars and sandbags alike. if someone's magic is healing, she'll volunteer as tribute if needed, standing awkwardly around with an open wound on her arm that bleeds despite her non-human appearance. she'll end up fixing it herself if it doesn't work out. ]

( C/D )

[ but the thing is, A2's magic is more abstract -- being able to perceive the past, or something along those lines. she doesn't have an interest in seeing people's histories and although A2 is hardly familiar with humans, she can assume that that's likely something more personal that most people would want to keep to themselves.

but objects, however, are different. sometimes those things might come with memories, not that she really knows herself. regardless, there's a lot of old world tech that she hasn't really seen, so she'll just be standing around by the bin, randomly picking out objects and staring intently at them for a while.

she has no idea what she's doing. ]

( F )

[ swords are, at the end of the day, what she's most comfortable with. melee combat was what she was created for, after all. she's seen a few others teaching here, but that's far from her area of expertise, nor would she feel comfortable teaching humans anyway. sparring, though, is probably doable.

but if she sees anyone struggling with pulling that sword out of the ground, she'll approach and pull it up easily, handing it to them by the handle. ]

( wildcard )

[ hit me up with anything. fyi, A2's magic is retrocognition via touch if you're interested in doing something with that! ]

c/d.

[apatheia]

[2B's not here to teach, and she doesn't feel a particular need to learn more about what's offered, but she figures it doesn't hurt to come by and observe at least. She thinks she might be able to learn how to teach, if nothing else.

When she spots A2 in the area marked for more abstract magics though, well. She's curious. Sure she's no Scanner model, but that doesn't stop her from wanting to know. So she heads over to the area, noting that her predecessor has been staring at something from the bin pretty intensely.]

... Do you see something in it? [That's the only reason she can think of to stare that hard at some random object at least.]