[OPEN] I get lost under these lights; I get lost in the words I say

[direhit]

Date & Time: February 20th; afternoon
Location: Training Center within the Hold
Characters: Mei, Hibiscus the Serperior and YOU!
Summary: Time for a little training, both the human and Pokemon kind.
Warnings: PG? Doubt there's going to be blood, but you never know.

A

[Given that there's no wild Pokemon around and few trainers, training is hard. Damn hard for Hibiscus' sake. Mei knows that Hilda's apprehensive of challenging another trainer, and it seemed awkward to ask N or Hilbert for battles. They were all heroes, more so than she was, and while they'd provide a challenge, they all have only one Pokemon each.

So today is something different. Mei's set up a small obstacle course in a corner of the facility. With dummies hanging from a thick pipe over head, she first drills her Serperior in speed and dodging, and then through attacking.]

Alright! That's a good start, Hibi. Now, let's practice with your Leaf Blade!

[The snake whirls around, sharp red eyes glaring at the target until she slithers forward. With her tail glowing a bright green and the leaves flattening to form a blade, she lashes out, easily slicing the dummy in half.]


B

[Now that Hibiscus has had some exercise and is curled up off to the side, it's Mei's turn. The Serperior watches carefully as the girl digs around her bag for her weapon, a set of a dozen shuriken. She's never used them before, or had the need, but these missions sounded deadly. And now with all the celebrations over and the timeline restored, things seemed calm enough to get some practice under her belt.

With a bulls-eye target set against the wall, Mei takes her stance a few feet away, holding one star by a tip at eye level. She rears back and lets it fly, only to watch it bounce off the target instead of sinking in.

She tries repeatedly over and over again until half a dozen of her stars just lay on the ground and Mei looks rather huffy about the whole trial.]

...There's got to be some secret to this. [Biting her lip, she goes to collect them all in order to try again.

Comments

option b!

[symmachy]

[Scathach spends most of her time in the training center nowadays. It's where she feels the most at home. She really only goes back to her quarters to check in with her roommates--they still thought she was a regular teenager, and she would rather keep things that way still. She's walked in just as Mei starts throwing her shuriken.

The redhead watches until the girl mumbles to herself, and then approaches with a smile.]

There is, but one that's easy enough to learn.

[direhit]

[Hibiscus' head pops up first as she lays off to the side. As Mei's attention is drawn to the girl, she accidentally nicks her finger against one of the sharp edges of the star she was picking up.]

Oh, great... [Standing up straight and facing Scathach now.] Really, there is? Do you think you might be able to give me a few pointers?

[symmachy]

[Her nostrils flare at the scent of blood, but she gives no other sign that she's noticed. The redhead pauses in front of the girl and reaches for one of the shuriken. Stars aren't really her forte--mostly because people associated them with ninjas and ninjas are entirely overrated--but she does have a few centuries of experience anyway.]

It's in the wrist movement, and also the way you hold the blade. Momentum as well.

[direhit]

[Hmm, those are all good tips, but it would probably be good to deal with them one at a time.

She holds up a star as an example, in the hand that it's bleeding.] So how exactly would I hold it then?

[symmachy]

[Scatty reaches out and adjusts her fingers and grip until it's right. Her movements are easy, as if she's done this a thousand times before.] Like this. It might not feel one hundred percent natural, but you'll get used to it.

[direhit]

[It is a bit awkward, and Mei frowns at that. But hey, she needs to improve and this could work.

She moves over as to not hit Scatty and leans back to throw it at the target. This time, her aim's a little off, but the star sinks into one of the outer rings of the bulls-eye.]

Hey, it worked! Thanks a lot!

[symmachy]

[The immediate improvement makes the redhead smile to herself. She's always been a teacher, there's no doubt of that. But it's good to know that she hasn't lost her touch.]

You're very welcome. [A beat.] I'm Scatty, by the way. I don't think we've met before.

[direhit]

I don't think we have! I'm Mei, and that-- [She points to the Serperior with her injured hand before cradling it and whipping the blood off with her other hand. The snake raises her head at being noticed at nods quietly.] ...Over there is Hibiscus. We're sort of like a set.

Anyways, it's nice to meet you! You seem to know a lot about stuff like this.

[symmachy]

[Snakes, at least, are not on the list of animals that Scatty is allergic to or severely dislikes. Obviously, the creature is attentive enough to know when it's being addressed, so she gives it a cursory nod of acknowledgement. The Warrior Maid is nothing if not polite.]

It's nice to meet the both of you as well. And I've just had a lot of time to work on my skill set.

[direhit]

[The snake lowers her head again, keeping a close eye on the pair nonetheless.]

A lot of time? [Her grin is nervous, but sincere.] You don't look that old, but you do look really talented. Do you use a thrown weapon too, or a different kind?

[symmachy]

[The comment is appreciated, even though Scatty only lets it show in a small smile. Her age is a touchy subject alright.] Not here, though I've used them in the past. [She tugs her white nunchaku from her belt, polished wood gleaming slightly.] This is my weapon of choice.

[direhit]

[Her eyes widen at the sight of the weapon. She's only seen them in the prop rooms of the studios, but she knows its a ninja weapon, much like her stars.]

How does it work? Or, uh... how do you wield it?

[symmachy]

[Just don't say the word ninja to her!!

Scatty grasps one end and starts to swing the nunchaku in a slow circle, speeding up with every turn.]

It takes balance and a sort of knowledge about where the wood will go. But it isn't so difficult with practice.

[direhit]

[Does she have bad blood or something against ninjas?

Mei steps back a little to make sure that there's enough room for Scatty to use her weapon.]

It doesn't look too complicated to use. But it's neat! I've only seen things like that in movies and even then, they're not used that much.

adventure b

[rota]

[Well, uh... that's one weapons she'd never have recommended to beginners to arms in general and yet here someone is, struggling to use them.

She's stepping around the... snake. Thing. And basically giving it a wide berth because it might be aggressive towards strangers. It's obvious that it's partnered to the girl but it might just attack Naoto for getting too close.]

There's not much of a secret to using throwing weapons.

[direhit]

[That's because she's used to throwing things around. And she was in a movie about ninjas.

Clearly, this is her destined weapon.

Hibiscus doesn't move. She only follows Naoto with her eyes, quietly amused that the girl/boy... human is cautious of her. Mei, on the other hand, just gives a nervous smile. She's well aware that she kinda sucks at this, but hey, she's forever an optimist.]

So I should just keep practicing then.

another B

[struckout]

You're throwing them too hard.

[ Comes a quiet, very neutral-sounding comment- from a very pink-haired, dark-clothed, neutral-faced woman who apparently just happened to stop and watch. She's wearing her own weapon as well, but from its place hanging folded behind her, it's probably just short of totally impossible to tell what it is.

Truthfully, she can see several things wrong here, but... ]

[direhit]

[She wouldn't mind having her mistakes being pointed out to her. That's the best way she'll learn in her opinion.

Light's words make her stop and glance down at her weapon, confused. Hibiscus stays where she is, but eyes the woman carefully. That's a very interesting weapon Light's got.]

But if I don't throw them hard enough, they won't sink in. Right? [At least that's her logic. Totally newbie alert here.]

[struckout]

[ She meets the snakelike Pokemon's gaze, respectful but entirely unintimidated, before looking back to the girl instead. Honestly she's fought far more frightening opponents with a lot less than what she's equipped with now, so the threat of aggression from that doesn't really concern her.

More importantly, considering she has zero intention of causing any harm, there's no reason for her to be defensive or posture in response. Or... so her brand of logic goes. ]

You've just started, haven't you? [ A very very slight smile, as she glances from Mei to the target. ] At this point, learning to throw efficiently is more important than power.

[direhit]

[Hibiscus rests her head down once again, a tiny hint of a smile on her face. Lightning might be intimidating to some, but the snake doesn't feel there's a need to be worried. Should she harm Mei though...]

Guess it's that obvious, huh? [She nervously threads a hand through one of her pigtails. Mei's not fazed by that fact too much though; she's well aware that everyone's got to start somewhere when it comes to new things.]

I've spent a lot of time throwing things, but nothing quite shaped like this. I guess I figured that it be sorta the same, but it's a lot trickery than it looks. [Mei, throwing Pokeballs is nothing like using a thrown weapon.]

[struckout]

[ All things considered, there's definitely no judgment here as Lightning listens patiently... but before she answers again, there's definitely a moment where she seems to grow more serious; in asking a question, her voice has a subtly different tone to it. ]

Is this the weapon you received from the Initiative?

[direhit]

[She must look silly in Lightning's eyes. That's Mei's guess anyways. Bashfully, she nods.]

Yeah. I've never dealt with a weapon before... or knew which one to choose when I had to.

[struckout]

[ Not silly, not really, but... ]

Do you want to fight?

[ There's a tiny emphasis on the 'want' there, in the same sort of way her previous question held a note of extra sobriety to it too. This girl is not that old. Potentially malleable. Lightning has to ask. ]

[direhit]

[The question gives her pause, and she brings a hand up to her chin in thought. Well, she is by no means used to fighting, at least not in the traditional sense that Lightning means. But it wouldn't be right to use Hibiscus in every battle that took place here. Pokémon matters aren't the same as human matters, and as much as Mei wants to help, it's not her world to save either.]

...There isn't a lot I can do here. I'm young, and a kid, and I know that. But, I want to be useful, to help our any way I can. It might not be the best idea out there, but it'll give me a start!

So I guess, in that case, yeah! I want to.

[struckout]

[ An affirmative isn't really what Lightning wants to hear... but at the same time, she can only pretend she understands what's going on inside the younger woman's head. She isn't going to go and blatantly shoot down Mei's answer, but... ]

It's something you need to think about. Even if they use masks or proxy means, the people we could be facing are just that: people.

[ And even with all the blood on her hands-- because of that, Lightning is strongly opposed to the idea of killing other humans these days.

Buuut enough of that. All at once, the weight in Lightning's demeanor seems to dissipate as she shifts her balance and tilts her head slightly. ]

... I'm Lightning.

a

[peachbaths]

Mei? [ She watches the girl and the snake train from a distance. She was going to train herself, but that flash of light and those cries caught her attention. ]

Wow...

[ if only she could fight a beast like that! it's been a while. ]

[direhit]

[She barely heard her name and didn't look to find the voice's owner until Hibiscus was pleased enough with her work.

Glancing around, she spots Kougyoku and waves a hand. She'll remember her manners about how to deal with princesses in a moment.]

Hey! Kougyoku!

[peachbaths]

Ah! [ Kougyoku hides her face with her sleeves for a moment before replying. ] Hello, Mei...

[ Reluctantly. Approaches. ]

Is that your Pokemon?

[direhit]

[Why so reluctant? Hibiscus straightens, looking the girl over and forgetting about the destroyed dummy for now.

Mei meanwhile looks a little surprised.] Uh, yeah! She is. But... how did you know?

[peachbaths]

Ah, that's... [ she glances at Mei before looking at the floor again ] Well, Hilbert told me all about Pokemon. He said you were a Pokemon trainer, too, so I assumed...

[direhit]

Oh, well, I that makes sense. [She hadn't noticed that they were friends or that Hilbert was teaching others about Pokemon. But hey, more people to talk about them with, so it's all good to her.]

Anyways, she is! Hibiscus-- come here, Hibi-- [She slithers on over to Mei's side, nodding to the other girl in greeting.] She's a Serperior, a Grass-type Pokemon. She's one of the starter Pokemon in our region, and she's the best partner I could ask for.

[Best silent friend too. Damn those Quiet natures.]

[peachbaths]

Grass-type... does that mean she's like Hakuryuu? [ She shakes her head. Don't mind her, she was just talking to herself. ] And you two are training, I assume? I didn't mean to interrupt.

[direhit]

No, no! I think it's okay. She could probably use a break. [The snake practically glares daggers into Mei's head. Break? Now? She barely gets enough training as it is. Hissing loudly, she slithers away a little, staring down another dummy.]

...Or, not. Oh well, maybe she wants some time to train by herself.

Anyways, what's Hakuryuu? [Oh yeah, she caught that.]

[peachbaths]

[ a chuckle ] Oh, I'm sorry. Hakuryuu is not a Pokemon. He is my stepbrother and my cousin.

But I suppose he can pass for a Serperior.

[direhit]

Oh, oops. [A nervous laugh while Hibiscus rolls her eyes. Oh Mei.]

What about her reminds you of him?

[peachbaths]

He has, in your world's terms, Grass-type attacks!

[direhit]

Really?! [Hibiscus perks up a little, stopping her training and listening in carefully. This could be interesting and worth a listen.]

So he can control plants or manipulate leaves or use a Solar Beam?! That's sooooooo cool!