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

[Richard's glad that Scott decided to opt-in the easier answer and not to try challenge him. At least it saves Richard from having to go into detail in something that he barely knows anything about.]

Whenever he can, yes. Unfortunately I have been rather busy as the crown has needed my assistance in London. My son stays with my wife in north were my lands are.

Heh, really? You're all buddy with the king and queen of England??

[A little surprising, if only because he really hasn't talked to other Chosen that works for royalty or whatever. Not that it's mundane, but in a way, it almost feels normal compared to some of the stuff he's heard about in other worlds. Timelines.

Unless, of course, Richard does really insane shit for the crown. He's not ruling that out entirely.

Rogue's told him in the past how things are so peaceful in his world compared to hers. She isn't wrong, no matter the global conflict and crap that are going on back home; no mutants have been massacred by Sentinels.]

[Guess one could say that Richard's work with the crown is "crazy shit." Seeing that it varies from counseling, attending to banquets, fighting wars and snooping out any potential witches. So, yeah. It has been messy business.]

Edward the fourth, our late king, was my older brother. I am currently working as regent for his son until he comes off age.

[Or you know! That is the official story he gives to others. No need to mention that just before his arrival to this world Richard had arrested and stripped his nephew down from any power.]

[Two thoughts: Wait Richard is actually royalty himself?? And which one is Edward the Fourth??

Scott's sure that he was mentioned at some point in the history books, but hell if he can remember which king did what. Yeah, so he doesn't remember!! Sue him!! Not like he paid a lot of attention to American history and this is like. World history. Besides, it's probably altered world history. So, wouldn't even be useful to begin with.]

Oh. Sounds messy. [It's one thing to work for royalty, but to be part of that whole family?? Yeah, that's like extra complicated shit. He doesn't need to be an expert on history to know that much.]

And a pain. [He's... trying?]

[He is trying! And hey, Richard can see that and appreciate the effort. Because yeah, he is absolutely right. Royalty is difficult, dramatic, complicated and just.. Messy. And just like every other family, it is a pain. Especially when the stakes are as high as they are with them, as the whole country was in constant fear of yet another war.]

I suppose you are not wrong. [Richard hums, the corner of his lip curling up into a small, approving smirk.]

How have you found these training grounds? I hope there has been more to you than just playing with Whitey.

[Heh, so tall, dark, and broody can smile.]

Actually... yeah. [Right, Richard's the one that basically set all this up in the first place. A place for Chosen to train and everything; Scott thought it to be a pretty decent idea. It's definitely why he's here in the first place. Whitey was just a nice and unexpected bonus.

So, Scott's definitely not putting up his usual bullshit as he smiles a little.]

Nice to know what I need to improve on and everything. I can't stop trying to get better, you know?

[Well.. Richard might not really fit in the "tall" category seeing that he's only somewhere around 5'5 - 5'6. But otherwise? Yeah, Scott's estimation of him is correct.

But hearing that Scott, who he assumes to be 100% civilian here, is getting something out of the camp does make him glad. People might have had reservations towards this idea but it still seems to be worth the trouble.]

Exactly. And with practice I hope we'll be able to fend off the future attacks and protect ourselves from threats. I heard about the instance where half of our population was kidnapped by the neighboring town. I do not wish to see anything of that sort to happen again.

[Someone... shorter than him.... at last.

Hearing Richard talk about all this though... he's really not a bad dude, huh? Scott finds himself both liking and respecting the guy just a bit more. Maybe he'll actually come say 'hi' to him even if Whitey isn't around. Truly a step up in this world. He stops himself from laughing at his own thoughts though, remembering the incident Richard is referencing.]

You heard about that, huh? [Not a great time, especially since a couple of friends died. It's been a while, but he'll never forget that. Just like he'll never forget the gnosia infection.]

That and the infection that happened... I don't want any of that to happen again. [Harder to fight off an infection, but.] It's more than just training to fight, but learning self-control too.

[Long live the short kings... Right?

When Scott mentions the infection Richard's expression turns more serious again. He nods in understanding. In all honesty? Richard had a little complicated feelings about being driven out of his mind there was no denying that he had felt at peace back then. Nothing quite soothed his troubled soul like bloodshed.

But that's neither here nor there..]

Exactly. While we can't necessarily escape such tragedies as the infection occuring among our numbers, we can still be prepared. Knowing how defend ourselves and those who are weaker, and how to disarm and secure someone so that they won't hurt others or themselves. How to evacuate and communicate during an emergency. Those are the skills I hope people can learn here.

I have fought many wars in my lifetime. I do not wish to see any unnecessary blood spilled among our numbers here.

[His mouth closes as he nods in full agreement with what Richard just said. Right, there's also important things like helping others evacuate, learning about certain scenarios and just other things he wouldn't even have thought of if he didn't come to this training. It's really been helpful in that regard and Scott truly has learned a lot. In a strange way, he's come to embrace this sort of thing.

Feels way more important than the stuff he dealt with back in his old school.]

If we can't prevent an infection or anything like that in the first place, then we need to make up for it by preparing in ways that we can. [...] I know that I want to train my best so that my friends don't suffer again.

[And oh, he's talking to a veteran... Scott knows that it's probably old timey wars, but still.] Has it been hard for you still? Despite being part of many battles.

["Which part?" Richard almost asks Scott but holds his tongue. It dawns upon him that the youth might not have anything specific in his mind when he asks that question. He allows a brief silence to fall between them as he thinks through his answer. As a child, Richard had wanted nothing more than join his father into battlefield, kill all their enemies and reap glory. But the reality had been different. He still remembers vividly the pain and fear that he had felt after his first kill.

Did it get easier for him? The easy answer is yes. But he understood that might not be the answer that the youth needed.]

There are parts that you do get used to. The rhythm, routine, sleeping in tents, being always in alert, the stench of blood. [He answers, placing his weapons back on the table.] You might get learn to expect certain but no war or battle is the same. Fooling yourself into sense of security is nothing but a death sentence. As in battle you might even have to face your friend or family. What is important is to remember what or who are you fighting for. Never lose that conviction.

Have you ever killed anyone?

[He's not sure what sort of answer he was expecting. Richard's response feels grim, but in a way, he kind of appreciates the honesty. A perspective that only he's able to offer after facing many wars and battles and it's definitely something to keep in mind. He has to. It just mostly sucks to process the thought of fighting his friends or family, but... he's done that already, right? With the gnosia infection. Maybe he already faced the worst of it.

And it was... ~~terrible awful~~ okay, until the very end (then it was unbearable). Then everything turned sideways and--

Have you killed anyone?]

I... I--

[It's been more than a month since that awful day and yet he can still picture it like it was yesterday. Ryoji's burnt body, those flames surrounding him, the satisfaction and--]

........ [He suddenly doesn't know how to answer, face pale. Has anyone asked him this question since that incident?]

[Hm. So that's how it is.

Richard had assumed that this youth's hands were stained in blood when he had proposed the question. After all, only so few were lucky to avoid the death and destruction during the infection. To Richard, who had built a mountain of bodies, it hadn't felt to bad. He could understand it and deal with it with minimal effort. His conscience wasn't burdened by the blood he spilled. But.. he can understand that it's not for all. There were people who hadn't been raised in war like he was.

He stays quiet, allowing Scott to have his moment, choosing his words carefully.]

I remember my first kill. I was younger than what you are now, barely a man. ["Your mother left you behind.>"] I had been captured by the enemy army but managed to escape my captivity. The only thought running through my head was the thought of returning back to my home and to my father. I was so terribly scared and needed a disguise. There was a foot soldier and I acted on instinct. [The panic had shot through his small body once he had realized what he had done. Those dead eyes looking at him never quite left his memory. Richard remembers the fear bringing tears to his eyes.] In situations like those you do everything that you have to just to survive.

But those moments stay with you forever. But it's important not to let them rule over you. Carry them and respect them, but do not let them destroy you and pull you into the darkness.

[Even younger than him...

Maybe not so surprising, especially after hearing that Richard's been through multiple wars before and survived them. It doesn't do much to diminish the sympathy that comes up though, because it was probably still awful for him. He clearly remembers it to this day, despite all the bloodshed he was most likely involved in since then. It truly stands out for him.

And what happened with Ryoji will probably be the same, huh?

There were those killings in the desert too, a year ago. He's not sure which was worse, but maybe thinking about it in that way is pointless. They're just both bad. What Richard said is true, those moments will stay with him forever even if he doesn't want to remember. He... has to. He can't forget the harm he caused.]

...Has it gotten easier for you? [Scott asks quietly, once again aware of the present and no longer just stuck in his thoughts.] Have they ever stopped appearing in your dreams?

[Richard briefly wonders just how had they come to this? No more than a couple minutes ago Scott was playfully chasing after his boar and now they were contemplating the nature of war and the toll it took on one's soul. He's not exactly sure how they had arrived here but oh well.

And strangely enough, Richard doesn't exactly have experience with this kind of conversation. Most people did not have luxuries to ask such questions without having some insight and experience in the matter. But... he supposes this could be counted as good practice for the time when his own son would grow up and ask him stories of the war.

...That is if he ever sees the child again.]

I could say that it doesn't, and that every life I've taken haunts my conscience and every waking hour. However, [He pauses, looking up at Scott's red glasses. There's a certain and determined look on his face as he continues to speak.] But that would be a lie.

I have fought in many wars, killed countless amounts of people. And the more I do it, the more numb I get to it. Eventually the people will turn into faceless mass, they become just wall off enemies you need to destroy. [There is almost something very solemn to his voice as he speaks.] They say that there is honor to be found in battles, something that can be determined by the counts of bodies you leave behind him.

But the true honor can only be found in how one keeps a hold of their spirit after the battle, how they will not lose the control of themselves and staying true. And being able to stand behind the choices they've made, no matter how harrowing they are.

[One minute you're chasing around a pig and the next minute you're having lengthy conversations about murder and what it means to take the life of another. That's just how things go sometimes, especially in Aldrip. He'll probably go and find Whitey again after this, maybe remind himself that things can be okay, at least for a little while.

Be a stupid ass teenager, be normal.

Obviously, Richard would've killed many to survive those wars. Maybe upsetting on some moral level, but the fact that he isn't gloating or happy about any of it sort of makes it easier for Scott to continue listening to him. Plus, war. That's just... how wars are, right? Alex probably killed in Vietnam. He didn't really ask, he didn't want to. How's that supposed to go anyway?]

So, you believe in every war you've been a part of?

[He wonders how it'd feel once you lose sight of that belief? Those mountain of corpses just suddenly come crashing down??] What would happen if it stopped being that way for you?

[Scott doesn't really enjoy the thought of ever becoming that numb to death. Maybe he won't have to. He's supposed to be from the 'peaceful' timeline, right?]

[There's an urge for Richard to roll his eyes at the simplicity of the question. But instead he just keeps his face neutral as he considers his answer. Peace is nothing but an illusion that a man has come up with to ease their guilt and deal with the darkness in their mind. Yet another excuse for a war.]

I believe in my king. [He lies, voice calm yet solemn. Richard hasn't believe in any king in long time. As far as he is considered there is only one person who is worthy of that golden light. But he does recognize that this is the correct answer.]

If it ever comes to that I am no better than a dead man walking. In that case I welcome my kin and comrades to take this head of mine.

[Richard's pretty loyal to the crown, huh? He feels like that's going to end up pretty bad in the end, but Scott decides to keep that to himself.

Really all this is utterly morbid and depressing. This just shows he made the right choice not really asking Alex about his time in the war, especially since everyone's been calling it a mistake. It probably was. Suddenly uncomfortable with this line of thought, not to mention that feeling of really missing his brother right now, Scott starts directing his attention to where Whitey wandered off. He should go back to exercising anyway.

At least wanting to protect his friends and be better in that way feels uncomplicated.]

You don't have to fight like that now at least. [...] But I'm going to find Whitey. He's been on his own for too long.

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

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