expiationlogs | [training mingle] Let's get down the business!

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[training mingle] Let's get down the business!

Who: Everyone out there!
Where: Outskirts of the Aldrip - Training Grounds
What: It's time for the Boot(y) Camp! The Chosen of Aldrip have all been invited to train, learn and spar!
Warnings: Other than the general violence? TBA..!

It is early morning on the 9th of September. The sun is shining, the air is fresh and nicely brisk, which means that it is just perfect time for Aldrip's first ever group training! How did you find your way there? Who knows! Maybe you were one of the people who saw the original announcement on the network, or noticed posters about it around Adlrip. Or maybe you were brought here by friendly white boar. Well, whatever the reason is what matters is that you are here. Welcome.

The empty field near the outskirts of the City has been transformed into a makeshift training camp. There are couple of tents set up around the camp. Some of them work as rather simplified armories containing pretty limited amount of blades, axes, armors, firearms, bows and arrows and what have you. Feel free to pick your poison, so to speak, but be sure to return what you borrow. Richard is keeping an eye on the weapons and will notice if something goes missing. Of course, characters are more than welcomed to use their own weapons and armors etc. Other tents are for resting, ER practice and dining. The lunch is sponsored by the Sandwich Hut.

The official training areas and their respective teachers/staff are the following:

Spiritual training/magic: Kurama, Douman, Kakashi
First-aid: Ethlyn, Morph, Bones
Rescue training: Morph, Bones
Hand-to-hand combat: ~~Jirk~~ Jim & Spock, Kakashi
Tech support: ~~Jirk~~ Jim & Spock
Fire arms: Caitlyn, Levi
Swords & Melee: Richard, Hiei
Archery: Richard
Survival skills: Richard, Kurama
Military training: Jim & Spock, Miller, Richard
Endurance training: Bones
Lunch: Junpei (and Whitey the Albino Boar)

If there is an activity a character would like to do that isn't included in the list that's no problem. Feel free to create your own top-level with said activity or you know! Just the usual stuff that varies from silly hang-out to whatever your heart desires.

Also for references sake: here is the OG ooc info post about regarding the mingle

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Quite. And since we agree, that's a good cue to take my leave.

[He could point out that one doesn't assemble and remains in charge of a whole Hyakki Yakou just by being polite and slippery, but that's never been the point.]

No, I think we disagree on that point.

[ There's a moment's thought, and with a casual stretch of his arms behind his back he makes to stand. ]

I, however, could use a rest from the absurdity you've put in front of me today. To that end, I will be taking my leave for a short while. You can use the time to consider whether this lie is amusing enough to keep hold of.

[ The shikigami hops back down onto an outstretched hand, offering a polite bow down at its former master. Seimei, meanwhile, only offers a look down his nose at the esteemed supreme commander of all youkai. He hadn't considered getting involved in this training camp because ~~his player was on hiatus~~ he isn't really the teaching type, but for now... ]

I'll see to those expecting your instruction outside. It wouldn't do to punish innocent would-be students because of your own stubbornness after all.

[Douman's teeth grit so hard that he's tasting blood inside his mouth, but centuries of teaching others allow him to retain his cool outwardly. All he does is to let his breath out in a low "hooooooo~"

He should probably thank this guy for fanning his inner flames like that. Douman hasn't felt this deeply, personally pissed off in a long time. It's going to make this very easy.]

No need.

[With a "SNAP" of his fingers he both withdraws his magic from the shikigami and fills it up to the brim with his essence as a youkai instead. The result is that the paper looks like it's fading rapidly, but only for a moment. Then Seimei touches the outer border of his little youkai trap and the shikigami bursts into flame, perishing like a moth that was held into the flame by none other than Seimei himself. At the same time a small series of pops and crackles can be heard from the direction of Douman's patch of the training area, leaving little doubt that all of his other shikigami are now gone as well.

But that isn't enough. The moment the shikigami's little lightshow of a 'death' distracted Seimei's focus, Douman scratched a small little something into the ground beneath him. Of course it's not enough to break Seimei's magic barrier. Douman just added a little extra to the magical setup.

It's a little something that will make sure that Seimei will be caught and kept from leaving just as much as Douman from now on ♥ ]

I didn't give you permission to leave yet either, young man.

But don't worry, as you saw I just took care of my training setup. All the shikigami and even the poster are gone. ....All but the field with the active buried curses and other malignant magics. You see, I had to make them pretty nasty for training purposes, so they will need to be disabled in person.

If somebody stumbles unto them while we are wasting time having our little 'talk' it will be your fault, Seimei-kun~

[He smirks as he sits placidly on his little add-on to Seimei's circle.]

[ He really shouldn't have let himself get so distracted for so long. The snap, crackle, and pop of the detonating shikigami have him looking in the direction of the noises instead of back at youkai most certainly responsible for them.

Once he does that extra carving is already in place, and the digits of his hand that had been caught outside the barrier at that moment begin to burn, as if they were both being crushed and scalded in boiling water at the same time, causing him to yank it back with a grunt of pain. He just so happens to recognize what Nurarihyon's done as well, enough to know there's no enduring the pain long enough to just shove himself out with brute force.

Even across eras, the look on Seimei's face when he turns back to face Nurarihyon is loud and clear.

Seriously??? ]

...I stand corrected. You are like her.

[A muffled laugh rings softly out of Douman's mask.]

Trapping a tiger is easy, but being trapped with the tiger not as much, is it?

If the "tiger" was all I needed to worry over, perhaps.

[ He shakes his hand to try and shoo the leftover pain out of it, glaring daggers down at the Nurarihyon. ]

You can believe I am whoever you want, but if Ashiya Douman's influence is here in any way, I need to know. More than the innocents you're dangling over my head could be harmed if it's left unchecked.

Suit yourself.

[He shrugs his shoulders as he sits back. Douman's anger is far from gone, but he's fine with letting it simmer for now. You don't become a master of curses if you're rash. You need to let it stew, let your enemy entangle themselves in it and then milk it for all it's worth in order to get the most potent of curses.

And likewise, you need to thread carefully when you set out to undo them.]

Why do you even care that much? Didn't you yourself just call them pretty much a fraud?

In stories she is, however that idea managed to stick in people's minds.

She would thrive in a place like this, full of chaos and confusion, the perfect pieces for whatever new game enters her mind wherever you look. And she cares nothing, nothing of the consequences of whatever havoc she wreaks.

[ There's a pause, taking a moment to consider his next words carefully. The youkai still doubts him, that much is clear, but he's being very serious with his concern here, although forceful in his way of showing it. Maybe...maybe just a little bit of humbling himself in front of the petty old coot will do the situation some favors. ]

I cannot stop her outright. But I know how to handle her. To keep her entertained and the would-be victims of a lost game safe. So...please.

"She", huh? Let me guess, Ashiya Douman was actually a sexy babe and you two had some delicious tension-filled friction between each other from time to time.

[The very idea is so absurd that Douman doesn't even have to fake his laugh. Even though the rest of this Seimei's idea about him is pretty inmsulting.

Mmmmh. But he'd be lying if he claimed that he wouldn't have liked that level of respect and faith in his powers from the real Seimei.

Oh well, it's all water under the bridge since the real Seimei is long dead and Douman isn't going to let anybody have Haruaki-kun's soul to bring him back again. Forget fake fame and let's concentrate on the real respect he has gained in his second life instead.]

My, my, my~ You know what I am, right? An useless old bag whose only powers are to invade others homes and sip their tea. Why, I couldn't even dream to ever truly haunt or harm a human!

How could somebody like me ever be of help to the great Abe no Seimei? Or are you threatening to do the same to me as you did to my little shikigami? Not even batting an eye at the little fellow's death even though it was your new friend was terribly cold of you, by the way.

[Now show him how much the other likes to be the one being baited.]

[ Huh??? Seimei's brows knit in clear confusion, unable to stop himself from leaning closer ever-so-slightly as if he's suddenly not seeing or hearing Nurarihyon correctly. ]

What are you even talking about...?

[ Well since keeping his annoyance in check is out the window, he folds his arms and pinches the bridge of his nose. He can't imagine beating against this door some more is going to get him anywhere closer to his goal, but he also can't sit and wait around for Nurarihyon to get bored. He needs some way of speeding this along. ]

If you insist on harming others simply to make a point, then yes. That would be sufficient grounds to exorcise you.

Be my guest and try it , Onmyoji!

[Douman's voice is a lively angry hiss as he suddenly jerks forward and right into Seimei's face. Exorcise him. Him! The very idea is ridiculous, not that this fool can know about it!

After all no stories ever warn you that Nurarihyon can't be exorcised. He enters houses, shrines and even temples when- and wherever the hell he pleases! Not even Seimei's full, unbridled power can do more than burn him a little. And this little vixen's ass is going to be more than just a little signed when Douman is done with him.

Chuckling darkly, Douman returns to his proper sitting form.]

I am not insisting on anything. It's you who insists on keeping this little farce up by keeping the magic circle going. Tell me, do you really expect that you can just trap a youkai leader and treat me like that and then get off just because you said "please" when things don't go quite like planned?

[ He doesn't flinch as the tall, angry supreme commander of demons flings himself into Seimei's face, but his eyes do narrow dangerously, a telltale sign that he is indeed considering doing just that.

It's true, he doesn't know that, on top of which he doesn't know much about what nurarihyon are capable of simply due to the fact of what they are. They could indeed be more than slipping into houses and mooching, it just isn't written down, and trying to put one down with only what he has on hand and his wits might not be the easiest thing he's ever attempted.

But he's attempted some pretty dangerous things thus far, and out of every option in front of him the absolute worst would be showing any fear this far in. ]

So then what is it you want to atone for such "mistreatment", hm? Go on.

[Douman considers for a moment and then promptly picks the most cruel answer.]

Nothing.

[ Oh this fucking-- ]

Pardon?

You heard me. I want nothing from you. Lose, for all I care. Let people get hurt with your need to keep me here. Or chase Douman's shadow till you turn green.

Whatever it will be, I'll be laughing at it.

[Checkmate, Seimei.]

[ Ooh, that sure is some bait being dangled right in front of his face, and he's angry at himself that he almost feels like rising to it. That's the kicker that keeps him from it, though--he can practically hear his old master scolding him now, about how he needs to be better than this, that he won't get anywhere with emotional outbursts, he has a duty to fulfil.

That's who he is.

With a deep, steadying breath, his face is smoothed back into a trained impassivity. ]

If I let you out, I'm going to watch you disarm each and every one of those curses.

No, you are not. But you can check after I'm done, and disarm any leftover yourself.

[That sounds like a nice deal, doesn't it? All neatly wrapped up in reason and bite-sized like those little treats that you get at big gatherings that are never enough to truly fill you up.

They could leave it at that and be done with it.

But Douman is still pissed off at the core, and the desire to kick the whole mess into Seimei's lap is just a little too much.]

Unless I change my mind and kill you again first, of course. Or maybe I should just go after everybody that's dealt with you during the last month? Would that be Douman-like enough to suit your taste?

If you kill me, I'll only come back again to tell you the same thing. That would be boring enough to lull Ashiya Douman to sleep.

[ That other threat, though...well. There's a reason he isn't calling attention to it. ]

Hmmm, I think they'd find the Seimei-edition of whack-a-mole quite funny myself.

We could even bet on how many deaths it takes for the first side effects to appear.

[ Alright, the tenth century man is caving for once. ]

Seimei-edition of...what?

Whack-a-mole!

It's a game where a couple of fake moles pop out at random on a playing board with several holes in it, and the one who manages to hit the most with a mallet during a fixed amount of time wins. It means that I am going to bash your head in until you wish that you could just stop coming back to life again~ ♥

[ Well, that sounds...mean spirited. Probably a frustrated gardener's invention, though, that'd make sense. ]

And if I agree to your previous terms to simply check your work after you've done it instead?

Then that takes care of your little problem, but what is with me?

[Nope, he's absolutly not going to let Seimei get out of this with a mere 'no win' situation. Alone for messing with Douman's shikigami he needs to bleed.]

Try seeing things from my point of view: you messed with my magics, lured me over here, imprissioned me and then had the gall to announce to my face that you are going to take over my business and the people who would put their trust in me, all while sullying my good name. All that while you also tried to interrogate and accuse me of some pretty wild crimes and made it more than obvious that you weren't planning on letting me go until I told you exactly what you wanted to hear, hmmm?

Tell me, what would you do to somebody like that if our positions were switched?

And remember - I'm a big bad youkai~

[ Sullying his good name? He accused Douman of a lot, sure, and rightfully so, but that's just this youkai's borrowed name. One they both acknowledged doesn't have much 'good' in it to sully as far as most people are concerned.

Hm.

But yeah, no, he's not getting out of this comfortably. He's still not a fan of Nurarihyon's condescending tone, but he'll work with this one instead of against it, giving the question some honest thought. ]

If our positions were switched...

[ And if he was a youkai as well, if. Sh. ]

I would put the one who wronged me through twice that hardship, at the very least.

Exactly.

One little tidbit that the stories about me usually neglect to mention: while I might not harm humans much and even make it a point to repay the respect that I'm given, I also hold grudges forever. So I hope this was worth it for you.

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[training mingle] Let's get down the business!

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