#Trigger happy

In my attempt t9 educate the p9pulace 9f s9me 9f their m9re... pr96lematic habits, this 6l9g may c9ntain menti9n of such ha6its and speech. Such triggers may include 6ut are n9t limited t99: vi9lence, c9mplementary and anal9g9us hate speech, class struggle, culling, 9ppressi9n, hem9ph96ia, pails, slurs, a6leism, micr9aggressi9ns, privilege, and p9ssible 9thers. If any 9f my p9sts 9r re6l9gs 9ffend 9r trigger y9u please alert me 9f the manner s9 that we may address it t9gether in a calm and 9pen manner. ((Paradoxbent dependent RP Kankri Blog)) ((icon from ikimaru))

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

I imagine that is because our ‘bases’ are so far apart. Who and what I am, how I was raised, and what has happened since then is what has shaped me up until now. While I believe in the mantra that was always repeated to me, and ultimately I choose who I will be, the way I see the world has definitely been influenced by what came before.

That certainly does not make it better or worse than anyone else, only different. Well, that is not wholly true. I would not wish the formative events of my life on anyone else, so I suppose in that way, you could consider it ‘worse’ than the alternative.

However, with that said, I do not believe that where we ‘came from’ should be the rule by which we measure people. You lead a different life than me, but I am happy to have met you all the same. I am sure you have talents and strengths that I lack, just as the Executor, Ms. Pyrope, and Miss Maryam do.

But I believe I am just prattling on now, my apologies.

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

Prattling 9n is a w9nderful trait t9 have s9metimes. And thank y9u, Mr. L9cai. Y9u are t99 kind. I am glad t9 have met y9u as well. Y9ur perspective and insight is always welc9med.

[insufferablytriggered]

Rhythmic Fighting

[justicedraconian]

[ “I’ll send you something then, tonfa or those fancy bracers Fussy Fangs has. Not that you should split your focus too much, practice on getting comfortable with your forms, then you can move on. If you want my opinion, you should probably get some more practice on footwork in. Your guard and attacks are coming along fine, but you don’t want to bet it all on that.” ]

Not that they had any real foes to speak of at the moment, or she’d be tailoring to beat them more specifically. As it was, the basics would do, and maybe eventually sparring with someone else if he got that nervousness under control.

[ “Well, you wanted to see some dance, right? Am I showing you, or trying to teach you?” ]

She hadn’t had much occasion to do any traditional dance in a long long time, and Midnight City had been so mired in those terrible Earth dances, there wasn’t any place she’d had to do practice. Fortunately, like most things, her muscles remembered better than her mind and her mind was as sharp as her blades.

[insufferablytriggered]

[Yes I supp9se y9u are right. F99tw9rk and agility are n9t my str9ng suit. I will w9rk 9n that.]

He was a little nervous on working with a weapon. Hand-to-hand was one thing, but a weapon was specifically made to hurt someone else. He remembered a conversation with one of his bosses about learning how to use a gun. It was probably a good thing he had left. He highly doubted they would have been as accommodating as Redglare.

[A 6it 9f 69th perhaps?]

While he did want to learn a bit to surprise Latula, he was also curious to see what the dance looked like. He figured Redglare probably would not make him do anything too advanced but he still wished to see it.

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

It…might be, but this is what I know, probably better than most people know ‘normal’ life. So, I suppose to me, it is just another day. Attempting to integrate with Midnight City was more ‘daunting’ than pursuing a ‘good ending’ for those that I can.

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

Really? I supp9se I had n9t th9ught 9f it that way.

[insufferablytriggered]

Rhythmic Fighting

[justicedraconian]

At this point, she understood the way his brain was twisting her words well enough to know that she wasn’t going to get anywhere trying to convince him of his own progress. It reminded her of Vriska in some ways, just with a stubborn attachment to casting himself in the shadow of perfection instead of a stubborn attachment to bravado.

[ “If you keep working on shoring up your basics, you’ll keep making progress. Once you get to a place you like, we can try to specialize. I assume you don’t really want to specialize in weapons, unless you want to try out blunt ones?” ]

She wasn’t entirely sure of the rules with this new Kankri who was willing to employ some measure of violence, which is why she’d given him his space and resisted much touching thus far. It was also why she’d gone out of her way to make sure he wasn’t actually hitting her, because it seemed like it was making him uncomfortable.

[insufferablytriggered]

[Yes I would prefer n9t t9 use weap9ns. P9ssi6ly 6lunt 9nes 9r perhaps w9rk 9n h9w t9 disarm a f9e?]

It all felt so unnatural to do this. To talk lightly about the possibility of hurting another. The scariest thing about it is it felt too easy. It was easier than he thought. Sure he was being overly conscious and uneasy but he had initially thought that he might not even work up the ability to punch let alone spar. Were his morals really that weak? It scared him to think how simple it was to break one of his most essential rules. Maybe Redglare was just a good teacher for him? Though he didn’t say or show it, truthfully he lived off of praise; even if he didn’t know how to respond or believed it was warranted. There were other things that could be the reason though: fear of what could happen on the station, wanting to protect Latula, etc. No matter what though it still left him feeling the same. Grateful and determined but also unstable and unsure. Nervous enough to feel uncomfortable with the whole thing but wanting to succeed enough to stay. It was a scale and at some point it was going to tip.

[Is there anything else f9r t9day?]

They had talked a bit about dancing before. It would be nice to surprise Latula with it at some point. Although, he wasn’t sure if dancing was still appropriate and he knew he was going to be much worse at that than fighting. He also was taking up her time so he could respect if she declined. Or she could possibly want to continue fighting. 

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

I accept that there are some aspects of Timelines that I cannot change without simply creating more doomed Timelines. However, I have taken up this burden because I believe that those in doomed Timelines do not deserve to be forgotten. They deserve their own happy endings and victories, even if theirs will eventually be overshadowed by the Prime. So, I believe things can be changed and improved, it is only a matter of whether I am the one who can change those things, or whether it must be someone else.

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

I d9 n9t really understand h9w these Timelines w9rk 6ut I can understand the sentiment 6ehind it. It s9unds quite daunting. 

[insufferablytriggered]

Rhythmic Fighting

[justicedraconian]

She sighs softly at the flinch, even if he didn’t follow through with it, she’d been fighting all her life. She could recognize intent when she saw it, pulling back on her gesturing to be less in his personal space.

[ “You can’t improve if you’re going to deflect recognition of the things you did right. I’m pointing out areas you did well so you know what they are and what the areas you need to shore up will look like, I don’t flatter people.” ]

A flick of the wrist has a small projected interface activated, her fingers flying across simulated keys and menus as she composes a message.

[ “I’m writing up what I saw that you did well, and where there were some holes. You’re pretty balanced, which is good, and you didn’t panic, which is even better. All the skill in the world won’t help you if you lose it when you come up on something unexpected.” ]

That had always been a hallmark of the fights between Mindfang and herself, that no matter how the seas rocked, or the ships took damage, or Pyralspite circled overhead, neither one of them gave an inch or lost focus.

[ “I know you prefer studying to sparring, so I’m also going to pass on some Earth literature about what to use and when, like chess. All you have to do when you’re actually fighting is remember the moves and be calm enough to use them at the right times.” ]

The last flourish of her fingers sends the message and dismisses the interface, her attention returned to her pupil.

[ “I mean it though. You did well, and you didn’t fumble when I was correcting you. Be proud of any step forward you can take.” ]

[insufferablytriggered]

[I am n9t necessarily disagreeing that there is pr9gress. It is n9t en9ugh t9 my liking th9ugh.]

Watching her move and fight made him realize just how much she outclassed him. The progress he made seemed almost insignificant. If an enemy of Redglare’s strength came along he would be dead in an instant. It was hard for him to get excited about his own efforts when they seemed almost futile. He didn’t like being at a disadvantage.

[It is easy to say I did n9t panic in a fake fight when I knew that neither 9f us were g9ing t9 get hurt.]

His tone wasn’t really cynical, just stating a fact. Even he couldn’t be sure of how he would react to an actual fight.

[Thank y9u.]

Now that was something he could always do. Studying and memorization.

[I appreciate the sentiment.]

He tried to keep his tone overall neutral. While she may be saying that he did a good job, he can’t help but think that with a different student she would be more critical. He appreciates her praise but that doesn’t mean he has to praise himself. He could do better.

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

I would agree with you if it were an opinion borne of self-worth, but it is simply the mechanics of the Game, not unlike most Carapacian pawns. Some pieces on the board are valuable and highly coveted, others are expendable. I do not feel any shame or distress, it simply is the nature of things.

I agree, and I will be focusing my own efforts elsewhere now that I have looked thoroughly into the planetary fragment.

If there is an area you believe would be more fruitful than others based on your superior study on the subject thus far, I am happy to prioritize one over the others.

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

I supp9se... It is pr96a6ly a difference 9f perspectives. It is strange t9 talk t9 s9me9ne s9 accepting 9f their r9le. I always 6elieve that things can 6e changed and impr9ved. That y9u sh9uldn’t settle. 9f c9urse, these are th9ughts 69rn 9f different experiences. I cann9t say h9w exactly I w9uld feel after centuries 9f living. I can hardly even imagine living a century 9f itself.

W9nderful. I appreciate y9ur c99perati9n. I will inf9rm y9u if anything 9f interest arises.

[insufferablytriggered]

Rhythmic Fighting

[justicedraconian]

[ “Praise…where it’s due.” ]

She waves off his offer though, any awkwardness in it not being acknowledged when she straightens up after another moment or two, stretching her legs a little bit. There was still a little more movement in her ‘vision’ than she’d like, but it’d settle itself out soon enough.

[ “I’m fine, just out of practice. No reason to use that kind of thing without Mindfang around. Anyway, if you need some water I’ve got some in the syalladex.” ]

Flashing him a grin, she narrows the gap between them again, motioning with her hands as she speaks.

[ “You were better than you let on! All that practice paid off, hmm?” ]

There is…pride…in her tone? Or something akin to it. She looks genuinely pleased with his performance and progress, tempted once more to clap him on the back or otherwise show sincerity with touch, restraining from it and instead keeping a friendly distance.

[insufferablytriggered]

[9h... thank y9u.]

His tone is a bit dry and awkward as he accepts her praise. He wasn’t exactly accustomed to receiving it.

[9h n9 I sh9uld 6e fine I was n9t m9ving as much 6ut thank y9u for the 9ffer.]

He almost instinctively stepped back as she came over. Granted though, at this point physical contact would just be more awkward than unwanted. He was use to people forgetting or just all out ignoring his wishes. Would Redglare have been like that back on Derse?

[I supp9se s9, if y9u say. The credit g9es t9 y9u th9ugh, y9u have 6een a g99d instruct9r.]

Again, the praise is awkwardly accepted but this time he tries to divert some of it towards her instead. He’s not really sure how much actual progress he’s made. True he’s more athletic overall, but in terms of fighting he still feels like a novice. He made too many mistakes for his liking. At this point it would still be Latula defending him. He wanted to be able to protect her for once. Of course, without breaking his pacifist code. Self defense and defense of another don’t really count, right?

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

Because I do not matter and probably should not have existed past the destruction of my Session, if at all. It is likely only due to my Mother and Sister’s influence that I continue to persist, and more than once I have had Seers inform me that I have no future to see. That is at least partially related to my Aspect, but I imagine the rest is because I am a rogue element now.

In theory, Scratch and English both have the capability, though English is rarely so clean in his destruction and Scratch would need a reason to do so that would benefit the English he is serving. The Radiant Host would only do so if it somehow advanced the cause of the Game, which I do not think destroying all the potential Players would. Denizens and prototype creatures are not beings that I can predict with any accuracy. I never knew my Denizen, and the others I have run into largely ignore me.

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

That... is an incredi6ly negative way t9 think 9f 9neself.

I see. Well if I find any m9re inf9rmati9n 9n it I will alert y9u. H9pefully, we might find s9me clue t9 identify it. F9r all we kn9w, it may have n9thing t9 d9 with this game. Alth9ugh that possi6ility seems unlikely. It is t99 6ig 9f a c9incidence.

[insufferablytriggered]

Rhythmic Fighting

[justicedraconian]

She stops after a few more minutes of the practice, taking measured breaths across from him, pupils blown wide from the activity and the kind of perception and focus it requires. Far enough back that he won’t accidentally punch her if he moves in, she holds up a hand for a break.

[ “Good…you did fine…guard is improving and your form…is great once you loosen up…” ]

She definitely had not pushed that hard in a while, certainly not since leaving Midnight City, and without the normal adrenaline of battle or injuries pushing her on, it’s a lot more taxing to keep it up. She sways a little before catching herself, shaking it off quickly.

[ “Give me a second…if you want to keep going…or if you want some tips…I haven’t done that…in a while.” ]

[insufferablytriggered]

He stops before he can throw his next punch, lowering his arm and getting out of his fighting stance.

[9h thank y9u.]

Thanks to the strength and endurance training that Redglare had given him he’s not too tired or winded. He hadn’t exactly been moving around a lot. Redglare on the other hand looked kind of worn out.

[9h, 9f c9urse. Can I get y9u anything? S9me water 9r s9mething? I pr96a6ly sh9uld have 6r9ught s9me with me. I can g9 get s9me th9ugh if y9u want. D9 y9u kn9w where the nearest s9urce is? Alth9ugh then I d9 n9t kn9w what I w9uld 6ring it 6ack in. 9f c9urse, I c9uld get y9u s9mething else if y9u need it...]

He trails off a bit, embarrassed to catch himself rambling. It is not that he was too worried for her. This was Redglare afterall. But it seemed like the polite thing to offer. It always felt awkward though when he tried to show concern for other people.

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

Perhaps, though I believe it more likely that the information was pulled from their Skaia remains directly. The game is, as I said, ever-present. It was aware of the possibility of us before our species even existed and our many potential lives and deaths. A Sprite could probably explain it better than me, but sufficed to say, the rest of you ought to be known quantities.

That is to say, you all have Prime counterparts. I believe the Executor has more information on them than I do, but I can say with certainty that you do. Whereas I, for instance, do not.

As to the data, I could extrapolate any number of enemies. Scratch? English? If this Session is particularly old, they could have been facing the Radiant Host, or even prototype versions of the Denizens. It would be difficult to tell without knowing vaguely when their Session took place in relation to others I have known…

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

Why d9 y9u n9t have 9ne? A Prime c9unterpart, I mean.

I see. Are any 9f th9se enemies m9re likely than 9thers? I mean, w9uld any 9f them 6e a6le t9 get rid 9f the 9ccupants with9ut leaving any trace 9r 69dies and with9ut damaging m9st 9f the stati9n? 

[insufferablytriggered]

Rhythmic Fighting

[justicedraconian]

[ “Orders of magnitude! You haven’t spent almost ten sweeps training the way I have, take the praise for the improvement you’ve made over these perigees.” ]

Her voice sounds almost like one does if they speak into a fan, her movement’s making it distort and hum as she once again dodges out of the way, only needing to make small tweaks now as he loosens up and gains confidence.

[ “Good, good! Combos are the way to go if you aren’t strong enough to just break down their defenses! Keep your guard up, keep your eyes scanning, you have to be aware!” ]

Her touch is barely more than a feather, tapping lightly on openings in his stance, the blur of her body moving in fists that do not connect, illustrating visually and with a whiff of air movement where she could have struck or touched, only the light ‘tap’ of her feet on the floor giving away that she is more solid than a ghost.

[insufferablytriggered]

It’s almost hard to even comprehend her speed. Was this what Alternian training did to you or was it just her? It was hard to imagine Alternia having an army of this.

He doesn’t respond verbally to her encouragement or criticism, instead focusing on his movements. If this had been a real fight he would have been out within seconds. He got a little frustrated every time he felt what could have been a blow but rather than get upset he tried to put his energy into fixing his guard. There was no way he could come close to matching the Pyropes in speed or agility. He wasn’t built for it. He’d have to put his energy into other areas like defense and endurance.

It was hard to keep up with her movements. His eyes weren’t use to tracking something so fast and quick reflexes were not his forte. His attacks became slightly less frequent as he switched to more of a defense strategy to counter her strikes but he still tried to do different combos of moves when he felt there was an opening.

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

It is quite possible that these people encountered the catalyst to their initialization of the game, but I do not know how it got in the state it is currently. I also do not understand how these systems are knowledgeable about us, or myself. My suspicion is that it has to do with how the station is tied to the planetary fragment.

If it is a piece of Skaia, it is a direct connection to the core programming of the game. Something that is both advantageous, and dangerous.

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

9h that is right. I f9rg9t that it had us in their systems t9 6egin with. Is it p9ssi6le that they knew the versi9ns 9f us fr9m this “Sessi9n”? That c9uld explain it.

The data did hint at s9mething danger9us t9 d9 with this fragement alth9ugh they refer t9 it as the “white w9rld”. There was s9mething a69ut an enemy and a threat 6ut m9st 9f it is l9st t9 c9rrupti9n. 

[insufferablytriggered]

Rhythmic Fighting

[justicedraconian]

She can’t actually let people phase through her the way that Fussy Fangs does, but she *is* fast enough to put the cocky Strider’s Flash Steps to shame. Her form flickers as the punch is thrown at her, moving to a position beside Kankri, adjusting the angle of his straight punch with a touch light enough to almost be missed. The moment he pulls back for the jab she is in position again, the exaggerated slowness of his movements meaning she can be a target and a corrector at the same time, settling in place again once he pauses.

[ “Not bad, not bad! For someone who doesn’t do it much, you have potential.” ]

The slightest quickening of her breath is the only indicator that she’d been moving the way she had been, a decade or two of practice was plenty to get her physical condition to its peak where her own style was concerned. The exercise, and the halfway decent form of her pupil, have got her grinning still.

[ “You want to go again?” ]

[insufferablytriggered]

He can’t even see her move. One moment she is there and next he feels a soft touch on his arm before she reappears. He does his best not to let it phase him as he continues through with the jabs. Her speed was reassuring, it would be nearly impossible for her to get hit and he appreciated the slight corrections made as he kept note of them.

[Thank y9u alth9ugh with speed such as that I hardly deserve the praise.]

Her more positive tone helps to relax him a bit and settle into his stance. At least it seemed he was getting something right about this.

[Yes, if y9u d9 n9t mind.]

He squares up a bit already planning his next sequence. A quick jab to the left to get her to move right followed by a right hook. Then, a few more jabs aiming low to lower her guard then a punch aimed for the face. While his speed picked up some more with most of the attacks that last one he already planned to go slow on, just in case.

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

Most people view time as happening in a straight line, were you to count it that way, it would be centuries upon centuries. In practice, especially given Time Players and Paradox Space, time does not flow at all. I have experienced seconds over the course of years, and decades in the course of moments. It makes the concept of age and experience less relevant, so I keep track of Earth Solar years enough to satisfy when people ask.

We are in an anomaly, or at least I believe we are, because the planetary fragment beneath us appears to be a prototypical Skaia. However, there is no Prospit or Derse, and no Player worlds. In the case of a Dead Session, there would not be a fragment like this. Near as I can tell given the records you have unearthed, they either pulled this out of the Game, or it was expelled. Either way, it is a wholly unique achievement in my experience.

To clarify yet further, everything exists inside the game as a whole. The game portion of the game, which is to say the Medium, only activates when certain conditions are met. Normally this is the discovery and processing of a code. I have seen it presented as ancient languages, computer code, genetic sequences, and even music. Once someone deciphers it though, that is the beginning of the end.

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

Interesting. Is it possible that this fragment is the means to the code that was presented to these people? They were certainly studying it intently. It would not be surprising if someone had deciphered it.

[insufferablytriggered]

Rhythmic Fighting

[justicedraconian]

[ “Alright, so. The jab…” ]

She demonstrates, throwing it slow enough that he can keep up and continuing to demonstrate the others as she discusses them.

[ “Is quick, powerful, but not exactly sneaky. Probably going to be your most common. Hooks are a little harder to block, especially if you use them as a follow up to a block or feint, come in on their blind spot. Straight punches have got the power, but they’ll see them coming if you’re not quick, and uppercuts are pretty much never going to happen unless you’re very fast or they’re very stupid.” ]

Grins a bit, shifting her weight from foot to foot, arms moving side to side.

[ “Ok, so, give me your best shots. Don’t worry about holding back, it’ll be fine!” ]

[insufferablytriggered]

He nods, keeping his eyes on her hands as she goes through the movements, while taking note of her descriptions. It all seemed easy enough although using them practically is where it might get tricky where he didn’t have time to think of his next move.

He gets back into a ready position keeping his arms close to his body. He doesn’t move as much as she does but stays rather center. While he knows that it was nearly impossible for him to hit her unless either he got very lucky or she messed up he still felt nervous about fighting.

He opts for a right straight punch. Basic, simple. Entirely too easy to dodge. Then followed with a jab from the left then right, still slow enough for nearly anyone to avoid. He keeps his guard up not entirely sure if she was going to be throwing punches in this too.

[garrulousapothegm]

[pvt] Hell9 Mr. L9cai, I must first 6egin with ap9l9gizing. I sh9uld have tried t9 talk t9 y9u 6ef9re. I th9ught I w9uld have run int9 y9u at s9me p9int 6ut I have heard fr9m Ms. Pyr9pe that y9u have 6een av9iding m9st every9ne. I d9 n9t kn9w if she put it int9 the c9rrect terms as she s9metimes jumps t9 c9nclusi9ns. If it is s9 then I h9pe it is n9t 6y any 9f my 9wn faults th9ugh I hardly w9uld think it is. I wanted t9 see h9w y9u were d9ing and such since 9ur arrival.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

So, no, it is not your fault nor the fault of anyone currently on the station.

[garrulousapothegm]

[ Private ]

I have had centuries upon centuries, more if you do not view time as a linear thing. I apologize if I presented it as a negative, I do not view it as such. I am not necessarily the most successful Void Player in terms of overcoming my Aspect to fulfill my Class. However, I would argue that I am extraordinarily successful in using my Aspect to accomplish the goals set before me.

I apologize, I was unclear. We are in a Session, which is to say, someone won a version of the game and created where we are now. However, the game itself does not appear to be active. Either that, or this is what remains of a null void Session. Either way, it is most certainly not within the norm of a Session that successfully hosts a game.

No, I am sorry, you are doing fine. It is a difficult concept to grasp if you were not raised with it, I should do a better job of explaining. The game is everywhere and always, that is the easiest way to describe it. My particular Session, the particular Timeline within that Session that I originated from, has been defunct for centuries. However, once you are given something by the game, it rarely takes it back. So, despite crossing into other Sessions and Timelines, I remain more or less myself.

[insufferablytriggered]

[pvt]

I am n9t certain what that all means, 6ut fr9m what little I have seen I can at least agree with that last part.

S9 we are in an9ther an9maly? N9t in the same way as 9n Derse 6ut in a different way? H9w can y9u tell the game is n9t active?

I see. I think? It is still relatively unclear 6ut if y9u say the game is n9t active then it might n9t matter, at least with 9ur predicament.