(Day 70) [Open; like so!] Apple Gels; almost like candy but fixes those bruises.

[notduchess]

Who: Lady"Duke" and hopefully everyone else at somepoint!
Open: Open
When: Day 70
Where: Near the monument -> Some space near the apartments, facing over the river
What: Duke would like to know things about any intended structure among the bastionites, and hopefully get some help for those people who can't fight.
Format: Action, GO HAVE FUN WITH THREADJACKING.
Warnings: HOPEFULLY LOTS OF TALKING??

[ So it probably really wasn't Duke's place to try to figure this out, but after all the missions, and the people showing up - and Seimei's comments - it was feeling like a bit of a good idea.

There was no real need for a rigid structure, but some sort would be nice. So the knight is in armor as usual, although the sword is left behind, and trying to catch people after breakfast. Hopefully Duke can gather a group, because this really ought to be a group discussion. But it all starts similar enough- ]

Excuse me. If you wouldn't mind sharing, what's your opinion on a loose structure of order? At the very least, a system for keeping track of where everyone is. And if you can't fight, are you interested in learning, or simply learning something else?

[ Because they do not need missing teenagers, or people running off alone, only to end up confronted with a creature they can't deal with on their own and someone to protect. Sorry, Rin. And really, the knight's just worried about all these teens... ]

Comments

[individuates]

[Kaoru's adjustment to Bastion Life is not happening as quickly or smoothly as he would have liked. The spartan accommodations, the bed that does not nor will not fit, the monsters outside, the strangers inside and the singularly acute ache of no Hikaru was too much to deal with all at once.

It doesn't hurt any less after three days, but in the beginning, lest he make a spectacle of himself, he had confined himself within his small apartment. Only once he could put together a passable public face did he venture out to explore, and even then did he rarely stray far. The nights were a unique torture. He had tried all manner of things to make the bed feel less... empty. But Hikaru had always been the one to fall asleep first and without the sound of his breathing like white noise in the dark, Kaoru was left sleeplessly tossing and turning until morning.

He's tired of being tired, of snatching an hour here and there. He's tired of dwelling on the situation and desperate for a distraction.]

[It takes him a second to realise he's being addressed and carefully backtracks to the person who spoke]

My opinion on... what, sorry?

[notduchess]

[ Well, wasn't that a bit of a lost-and-spacy look. Duke loosens the stance that had formed from habit, trying to not be terribly... hard to approach. That was something the knight had worked on, but... ]

A semblance of order. At the most basic, just a place to tell people where or when you headed out. Or if you'd like to learn how to fight.

[hellpyre]

[Rin had been concerned about Kaoru ever since getting back with him. Granted she didn't know much about him, just enough to know that he was nearly the same age as the rest of the teenagers there, and not from a world where combat in his social circle was normal. That already put him in a precarious place when getting settled in to a situation where survival was key.

But she was having a hard time finding a way to bring up that always difficult question, 'are you okay?' when she knew the answer was probably... no, not really. And being a guy she assumed he wouldn't want to talk about it. That's how guys worked, right?

But an odd opportunity of sorts arrived when she passed by just as Duke had gotten his attention, and she figured what the hell, might as well get in on the conversation.]

Whaaat about a bulletin board? ... sorry. Thought I'd chime in.

[individuates]

[He hadn't meant to come across as a space-case. He's actually quite attentive normally. He could probably be cut a bit of slack due to this extremely ABnormal situation.]

[he steps aside for Rin and laughs a little awkwardly, trying not to let it sound too strained]

Well, you know... I wouldn't be of much use to anyone outside. I don't know much about fighting, or about anything outside for that matter.

But for the ones who do fight, it might be good to know where they are. If someone got stuck outside, or worse...

[notduchess]

[ Duke thinks its because of the place, and thus perfectly understandable. So all the slack is there for him. ]

If you want to change that, I can try to teach you. I've never taught before, but I've been a knight for some time. It would be a good way to burn some time, if nothing else.

[ And a bit of a smile for Rin. ]

A bulletin board would probably work. Post it near the skyway so people can't miss it, make tabs for people to move onto the board for 'we left at a time to head out'. Maybe something for "things we'd like to see change in the Bastion", for ideas of what to spend shards on to make things easier.

[hellpyre]

[Rin understands, too. Everyone has their own troubles and methods of how they deal. Some just hide it better than others.]

I don't see why not! And it'd be easy to build, 'specially with some of the materials we've been bringin' back.

[To Kaoru:]

I was gettin' sword trainin' before this, too. And I need to practice with my new blade anyway so I'd be happy to join you in gettin' lessons, if you'd rather not do it alone.

[individuates]

[Learning to fight might be just the distraction he needed. He was always on Hikaru about learning different things, diversifying their skill sets, wasn't he? So he ought to practice what he preached. He gave a small nod]

I think... that I would be interested in trying. I should do something to keep busy... and the company would be welcome.

[he was beginning to understand that he needed to make himself useful, and not a hinderance.]

Ah! [another realisation... gosh, this is weird for him.] I forgot to introduce myself, I'm sorry. My name's Kaoru.

[notduchess]

It's fine. I'm Duke. And you know Rin.

If you want to start thinking, I'm better at melee than anything ranged; like Rin, I focus mostly on sword. I know how to handle other things, so if you like the look of something else, I can at least help you not hurt yourself. Unless you want a gun, and then you need to talk to Osahar.

[hellpyre]

Okumura, since I never said my family name.

[She nodded in agreement with Duke, smiling faintly with it.]

Or Bon. He was trainin' to be a Dragoon back home. That's uhm.. an exorcist class that deals with guns, mostly. But yeah, we're totally cool with helpin' you out. I know fightin' ain't for everyone but...

[But it's life or death out there]

[individuates]

[a faint shake of the head. If he could, he would take on a range weapon - keeping out of danger and all that - but...] I'm not a fan of guns. Bows and arrows look cool in movies, but they're positively prehistoric.

[thank you, Rin, for the unspoken reminder] ...but being able to make one of those things fall over and die would be a good start.

[notduchess]

[ Prehistoric? What is that even mean. Pre-history? Kaoru, Duke's history starts up with the end of an age that had higher technology than the current one- ]

There's some damn useful kinds of bows though. One brigade had a bow called a 'transform bow'. I never learned how to use it, but it would twist about into a sword about ... so big. [ The knight indicates something a little longer than a forearm. ] Really useful, archers don't tend to focus on being able to defend up close. Not that crossbows don't pack a mean punch, they're just a tad bit trickier.

I know a few different sword styles - basics of, if not as well as the way I usually fight - ax, things like maces or clubs in basic theory, as well as spear or halberd, and things close in theory.

[ An unhappy shrug. Duke sure would love to be able to use more magic a day without tonics. ]

[hellpyre]

[Wow, that sounded pretty cool. She knew a few Dragoons did learn how to use crossbows and the like, but Bon was pretty set on firearms.]

I just know how to use a sword, and I only started a year ago. And if my sister was here she'd be kickin' my butt all up and down the Skyway for not keepin' up on my trainin'.

[individuates]

[Axes? Maces? Spears? Clubs? That list earns a bit of a face-pull from Kaoru] ...I'm just the amateur here, but isn't the basic strategy with those weapons just to keep hitting until your opponent is a bloody pulp? That's a little bit gross. [...oh dear. This one might not be cut out for the battlefield...]

[Rin's comment draws his attention and he glances at her. He's been so wrapped up in himself he forgets that there are people here who have come from their own worlds and left their own friends and families behind.] ...you have a sister?

[notduchess]

Pretty much. There's some finesse to it - you can make them drop things, or crash them to the ground, but most of the time its hit them till they stop coming after you.

[ The knight studies Kaoru again. ]

A big enough shield could work. You just bash it into them when they try hitting you, and they get off balance. You probably wouldn't be going out on the skyway alone, but as in a team, you'd be great help.

[ There's a blink to Rin, and a bit of a smile. Duke remembers that conversation. ] It seems a bit common, siblings.

[hellpyre]

Yeah that's pretty much what I do - I just have trouble with some'a the bigger ones. When we're matched for strength, it ain't easy to get the upper hand.

[The question catches Rin off guard. Oh... right, she mentioned Yuki...]

Uhm. Y... yeah. Actually. Twin sister. Not that we're that much alike...

[individuates]

[wait wait wait... the strategy really is just... ram them?] ...would we be able to try a few things and see what fits? I've never held a weapon before, never mind used one. [unless you count water guns. He's not exactly likely to take down a monster with a SuperSoaker.]

[oh. Hey. Twin. He seems to draw back and inwards slightly] I... I see. I- [he's about to say "lost", but he feels he might choke on the word] I left behind a brother myself.

[he smiles, trying for light-heartedness but it just comes off as awkward] ...it's kind of like losing a limb, isn't it?

[notduchess]

Its a good idea.

[ Duke just looks at them both for a while. ]

It does. But like actually losing a limb, you can.. work around it. It may take.. twenty odd years...

[ And that would be the tone of 'I know because its been that long'. ]

[hellpyre]

I think we could work with that, yeah. Especially if you've never held anythin' before.

[Unlike Rin, who had the Kurikara forced on her with no training at all, and had no other option.

She could understand that awkward smile, though, and while she wanted to hide it, it was difficult to conceal the grimace that went across her face. He said 'brother' but the reaction to 'twin' made that much obvious. And other twins had a sense for that sort of thing.]

I... it is... yeah...

[individuates]

[Okay. Okay. He has really no idea what to say now. Is it a good thing or a bad thing to have someone here who understands? Not that part of him isn't relieved that someone else gets it but... he only ever went to Hikaru with his troubles. If he ever started talking about himself to outsiders... wouldn't that mean he had given up on his brother?]

[he tries very hard to steer the subject away from missing twins (and missing limbs) back to more present concerns]

...assuming the weapons are available, I mean, I'd like to try them. Even if I'm useless at fighting, I need to do something.

[notduchess]

There's a forge we can visit to see if there's anything that catches your eye for practicing. I'd offer to let you pick up mine and see how you like it, but the sword I prefer is heavier than it ought to be.

[ Duke goes along with the topic change because well. Missing people hurts. And its a lot fresher for the teens.

... And the knight has all limbs intact! ]

We can take a look now, if you like.

[yinyangfox]

May I interject?

[ Seimei rounds a corner, righting himself from where he had been leaning against a wall, out of sight but within earshot. He smiles from behind his perfumed fan and bows. ]

Before you go on your little shopping trip. I would like to offer my services as well.

Good day, Lady Rin, Dear Duke. And the charming one with the sunset hair.

As an onmyoji, I have training in a variety of skills. Particularly magical, but also artisan and martial. If you find Duke's skill-set to be a bit heavy-handed, I would be happy to instruct others in the use of magical and spiritual arts, or more elegant weapons.

[ For emphasis, Seimei utters a soft word and snaps his fan closed, then flicks his wrist and sends it flying the distance between himself and the nearest wall. the fan sticks into the wall as surely as though it had been a steel blade. Another whispered word and the fan dislodges itself, spinning end over end. The onmyoji snatches it out of the air casually, flicks it open and fans himself with a smile and unreadable expression. ]

If you are not a combatant, I am sure Duke agrees there are dozens of other tasks waiting for skilled hands.

[hellpyre]

[Oh, good. Distractions.

Rin turned as Seimei approached, giving a slightly awkward bow to him. She wasn't much for giving respect in a traditional manner, but for him she was attempting to make an exception to her rule.]

Seimei-san.

[Beyond that, though, she went quiet. He was demonstrating something and she wasn't about to interrupt, especially when the talk to potentially stay on weapons and combat instead of lost siblings.]

[individuates]

[Kaoru blinks at the strange man. Hadn't they just been speaking about archaic things? Seimei's outfit reminded Kaoru of something he had put together for one of Tamaki's "Japanese Culture Cosplay" themes. He might have been more inclined to stare in awe at the magic trick, under other circumstances, but he settles for a short, restrained round of applause instead... And for some reason the word "combat" gives him a mental image of camouflage facepaint. He carefully shakes the thought away, eyes flicking to where Seimei's fan stuck into the wall]

I'm not... skilled like many people seem to be. I've never even had to fight anything. [Even his childhood rough housing was with an 'opponant' who would never let him get hurt.]

Whether combat will suit me or not, we've not quite figured that out yet. But it would be stupid for me not to try to learn from those who can teach me how to fight, wouldn't it? Not that I'm going to become a master warrior overnight, but... it's better than being no use at all, right?

[he rubs the back of his hand across his forehead. He just doesn't want to feel lost and... purposeless.]

[notduchess]

[ Seimei that was rather fascinating. How did you even- The knight agrees that the way most familiar is a more blunt method. ]

I think Seimei was implying that there are other things to do, other than fighting. And I don't think anyone becomes a master at anything overnight.

[ Hopefully Duke sounds reassuring at that. ]

If you have enough time, you could try your hand at everything. If nothing really suits, for offense, I can help you with defense. Again, I wouldn't be the best at teaching it.

[ No shields does this knight use. ]

[yinyangfox]

[ Offering a little bow of his head in regards to the applause, Seimei smiles and winks before rounding his attention on Duke. ]

To be completely honest, I believe all of us have one thing in abundance: time. There is nowhere to go and nothing to do except train, build and socialize. And while normally I would be content to rest and watch others run about wearing themselves down, I feel compelled to be more...social.

[ He arches a brow and glances sidelong at Rin before smiling at Duke and Kaoru. ]

I was recently inspired to believe that what and who I am could face unfair scrutiny if I do not make an effort to adapt to those around me. So...should anyone wish to learn the art of onmyodo, or how to properly wield a tessen, I am makingmyself available. One need only ask.