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

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A little bit of both.

[And his fist lands firmly, but not too painfully, against Peter's open palm. Yeah, okay, dealing with all this first hand, he can really say for sure that spidey senses are no joke. Sounds a little funny, but he can see how it's kept the spider superheroes alive this entire time. Well, except for other Peter-- but not thinking about that. Nope.

He's still rather impressed himself, to say the least, letting that emotion show on his face in turn. Of course, he figures that there's little point in throwing one punch slowly after another, and so he starts throwing more jabs at Peter, seeing if he can even get one attack through his defense.]

Ever thought of... [He's not the best when it comes to training and talking at the same time, especially as he tries to even his breath and concentrate before each punch.] Practicing with Gwen and other Peter?

[ Oh, he's definitely had fights where he knows he owes his life to his powers. Narrowly avoiding a killing blow or being able to take an impact that would have seriously injured a normal person - yeah, he'd be dead a hundred times over. He's long since come to terms with the idea that he probably won't make it to thirty. Hell, even twenty-one seems far off some days. He didn't think he'd be digging a bullet out of his thigh alone, on a rooftop, with a belt between his teeth by age seventeen, but life had other plans.

Scott starts to build up a rhythm, and Peter eases into it, hands flying up to provide blocks for him. At least there's the added benefit of not needing to pull punches when sparring with him - he can take the full impact from Scott without the need for gloves. After a flurry of hits, Peter ducks under one and deflects with a quick stroke to Scott's elbow, which buys him enough time to bounce back a step. ] Gotta get some footwork in here, man. You've got the speed and you've got the power.

[ Peter switches to deflecting with his forearms, pulling them closer into his face. ] I mean...no, I guess I haven't.

[ He's been mostly trying to stay out of the way, and not make this all any weirder than it already is. Even though Peter and Gwen have both expressed that he's welcome...it's an odd position to be in. ] Guess I'm not really used to having people around for this kind of stuff.

It's weird enough without the mask. [ Peter makes a vague gesture to his face and nearly pays for it on Scott's next punch, skirting out of the way at the very last second. ] Where'd you learn to fight like that?

[As each punch gets blocked, he wonders just how bad it would be if Peter wasn't chill. Or if there's someone like this back home, someone just as strong or even more powerful, but actually want to hurt him or his friends? Destroy the fragile peace between humans and mutants. It doesn't feel impossible, honestly, it feels like an inevitability and something sour forms on his tongue.

He knows that he might become 'Cyclops' in the future and he's okay with that, maybe even ready, but it's still hard to think about.

Not to mention, what will he do if he can't fend off an opponent, like what's happening now? There's a moment where Scott's hits become quicker, maybe even vicious, but he pulls himself back because this is Peter and he likes him. His words help to bring the mutant out of his own headspace anyway, resuming his prior workout as Peter switches to blocking with his forearms.

Eventually though, Scott slows to a stop, breaths coming in quickly as he lets his arms rest by his sides. Time for a small break, especially since he wants to talk with Peter more about this.]

Yeah, guess this is all pretty different, huh? [...] And I learned from other Chosen, like Izuku, Kotone. But recently been training with the other X-Men as well-- they're mutants, like me. I... I figured it was about time I started practicing with them.

[Prepare himself here. Prepare for the possible future back home.] It's why it's good to train with people that are like you.

[Just lightly encouraging for him to train with Gwen and other Peter.]

Edited 2024-10-30 20:18 (UTC)

[ Oh...well, Peter can answer that question: Goblin. Same serum, nearly the same powers. Peter's never defeated him on strength alone - frankly, he's not sure that he could. If it weren't for the madness that had overtaken Harry's ability to think clearly - which, at times, proved a detriment when his intelligence was used to concoct new evils - he's not sure he would have won, period.

"Won" being a loose definition, of course.

Scott lets a few more intense hits loose, but Peter doesn't clock anything particularly strange about them - gone in a flash, it's hard to tell if there was anything else behind it. There always is though, isn't there? You don't get in the vigilante - sorry, superhero? - business because you're well-adjusted.

Scott slows, and Peter lowers his arms, shifting from foot to foot as they come to a stop. ] Very. I mean, glitches aside, this place is - well, definitely not like New York.

Are they from your world, too? [ Peter doesn't know any of the names Scott has said, but then, he doesn't know many people anyway. He has met Kurt, and Quentin - so maybe a few. ] It's so cool that people having powers - mutants, uh, I guess - is like, commonplace in your world.

[Now that they're no longer fighting, Scott loses that more intense look, a familiar little smile crossing his features even as he rolls his shoulder. That was a pretty nice workout, he might have to ask Peter again someday if they can do this. He wonders if he keeps training, keeps on honing on his fighting ability, he'll be able to land one punch on the other. Could be nice-- just because of progress! Not because he wants to actually slug the other.

But in the mean time, he nods, continuing some stretching but body far more relaxed now.]

Sort of? They're from a parallel universe, so different timeline. [And Scott figures that he doesn't have to explain that or mention how weird it is, given the other spider people here.]

And yeah, mutants are known in my world. Wouldn't say they are super common, but there's still a lot of us. Enough where we're sometimes considered another... race, I guess.

[He hasn't fully gotten into the politics of it and Scott hopes that he doesn't have to, but he's been becoming more aware of it lately. Hard not to when he hears about the other timelines and how difficult it is for them. A lot of mutants feeling scared or like outcasts... things aren't like that in his world, not entirely at least. But how long will that peace last?]

[ Peter's not big on eye contact on a good day, but he never really thought about how much of someone's expression was read from the eyes until he spent time with Scott - the glasses, of course, obscuring that expressionistic detail. Scott smiles as he loosens up, and it's easier for Peter to parse his mood - he himself loses some of his awkwardness, stance loosening. Maybe he should try to train more regularly - maybe someone around here can actually show him proper form. Peter's always just...hit people however he manages to hit them whilst trying to keep his strength under control. If Scott gets much faster, he'll definitely be able to land a hit; he almost had Peter there, with his quick change-ups.

Peter snorts and nods - yeah, he knows how that one goes. Crazy. Definitely the weirdest he's ever seen, even if to some (Gwen), it was old hat. ]

More common than where I'm from. It's just me. [ If he even counts, which, sort of? He's mutated, but he's not sure if that qualifies him. To have it be almost mundane for Scott is so interesting. ] I mean, at a certain point, you might become genetically diverged. Like, in the far future. It depends on where in the genome the mutations occur.

[ Yes, he's a nerd; just because he's the Peter who skateboards doesn't mean he's any less of a dork. Peter shrugs, self-editing his tangent. ] Mutants does seem like an...othering term. I just use 'enhanced', usually.

Sounds kind of hard.

[About Peter being the only one back in his world. It really must've been nice to come here and see the other spider people then. Sort of not entirely alone in the universe sort of deal. Scott only started to loosen up when he went to the mall with Jean and the others; he'd hate to imagine being the only mutant back home. So, Scott smiles with a small amount of understanding, before shrugging just a little at the whole discussion about mutations and genomes.

Look he'll leave all that stuff to Peter and the others. He just knows that his powers come from his X-Gene and he has to learn how to adapt to them, use them to help others. That's the important bit he cares about.]

I guess? But even the others from the different timelines call themselves 'mutants,' so guess we're just stuck with that. It doesn't feel demeaning anyway.

You're telling me. [ Peter can't help but snort a little, shrugging commisiatorially. He never knew anything different, so coming here was a big adjustment. Still is, in a lot of ways. Going back to that, too - well, that's something to be worried about if they can even find a way out of all of this. ] Kind of wild that everyone else in my universe chooses a life of crime. I keep telling them to lose my number, but they're not taking the hint.

Good. I mean, that you feel that way. I guess - I'm just used to bad intonation. The local paper calls me a menace daily. [ Peter scrubs a hand over the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly. ] People used to throw trash. Now they still throw trash, but most of it's aimed at whoever I'm fighting, so I'll take that as a win.

You'd think at least one person would want to side with you, especially if everyone else got their ass kicked. Like 'Spider-Man? Not messing with him, in fact, I'll join his side.'

[Scott jokes lightly, but seriously, what is up with Peter's universe? Even other Peter has other superheroes and everything; he mentioned the Avengers and Tony Stark. So, it's clear that he isn't completely alone. Unfortunately, there isn't much he can do about his universe, but... they can at least reassure him that he's not alone here. That's what matters now.

Maybe he'll just start leading Peter to the refreshments table, because he could go for a glass of water and a sandwich right about now. What? Training makes him hungry! Still, he doesn't ignore what Peter says, small frown to him.]

People really need to just mind their own fucking business and stop treating you like trash. You don't deserve that kind of crap.

It's so much the opposite.

[ Peter does actually laugh, the kind of laugh that sounds as though it's been surprised out of him. Maybe it has. He's used to cracking himself up, because if nothing else is accomplished with his quips and thwips, he's a) annoying his target and b) entertaining himself. But he likes Scott - he's funny, cool, and easy to be around in a way that kind of reminds Peter of Harry, back before...before.

He drifts behind Scott towards the food table, following his lead and picking up a small cup of grapes. He shrugs, popping one in his mouth. ] That's New York. Attitudes vary. I guess without, like, other - uh, people doing good, the only thing anyone has to compare me against are the superpowered criminals.

[ He still can't say the word hero in relation to himself, it sounds so strange. Peter tilts his head, examining Scott's profile for a beat. ] I'm glad it's different in your world. Nice to know it's not a shitshow everywhere.

[Scott grumpily chomps on a bit of a sandwich he picked up, looking a little sour by what his friend is saying still.]

You'd think they be more grateful to you if you're the only superhero around that's stopping the criminals.

[Scott will say superhero because it fits Peter!! Besides, if the other Spideys are considered heroes, then this Peter definitely counts too. They're all using their powers to save the day and stop others from hurting people and that's basically what a superhero does.

Plus, he has a costume.

But he nods to Peter's comment. He's glad that things are 'okay' in his world as well. Even if... even if things don't remain peaceful forever, he has a feeling that he won't be alone in facing those challenges. Jean, Kurt, and Alex are there with him.]

Yeah, well. [ Peter shrugs, though there's the slightest bit of uncomfortable tension in it - not due to Scott, but his own situation, being what it is. He looks away, messing with the cup of grapes instead to occupy himself. ] Can't save everyone, you know? And then people - think what they want to think, I guess.

The other me, uh, and Gwen - [ It's still so strange, but then he has to wonder, what part of his life isn't? ] - they get some of the same. New York is a hard city to win over.

Do you have the...Avengers, in your world? [ Peter's nose scrunches slightly and his head tilts as he selects the right word - it's obvious from his tone, if not their previous conversation, that he's only heard about these other heroes. Well, the other Peter had been fairly vocal, it's true. ]

Not even you can save everyone...

[It's grim, thinking that even Peter wasn't able to save someone, because he's like... really strong. In full control of his powers. But that's what the other Peter mentioned to him too, like half of the universe dying, and even Gwen mentioned her failure in saving her world's version of Peter Parker. Will someone always die, no matter how hard they try? He wonders if the other mutants, the X-Men, are in the same boat.

Well, he knows the answer to that one: Genosha speaks for itself.

Scott's barely able to taste his sandwich now. He continues to eat, but it feels like some automatic motion rather than actually feeling hungry.]

The Avengers? [Scott's attention is at least pulled away from his more somber thoughts, eyes flickering back to Peter before he shakes his head.] No, I haven't heard of them before. Not sure if they just don't exist or they haven't formed yet. [...] Although, I guess if they were around, they would've tried to stop Magneto from killing the president.

No. [ Peter blows out a breath that sounds too hard for such a simple word, the weight of the gravity behind that sentiment in full-force behind it. It hurts to admit, but it's true - somehow, he never managed to save the people he wanted to save the most desperately. ] No, I can't.

[ Peter's used to the persistent companion of grief - heck, he has been for years. Being the kid with dead parents tended to halt a conversation in its tracks pretty efficiently, even before Gwen and the unflinching weight of responsibility. He pops another few grapes in his mouth, unperturbed. ]

They would have stopped who from what?!

[ Okay, that's definitely a new one. Peter blinks, eyes wide, as he reassesses just how wild it sounds like Scott's universe is. ]

[For once, Scott's actually glad to swap the topic to Magneto, even though he's the only sign of things being a little nuts back home. Because he's sure that Peter is thankful for this change in topic too, instead of dwelling on the people that he couldn't save back home. He knows that he wouldn't want to keep thinking about it.

So, Scott looks a little more lively, no longer just eating and tasting nothing, as he swallows and huffs out a small breath.]

Magneto, a well-known mutant terrorist. He killed JFK before that, actually. [Curving the bullet into his head or something.] But it happened about ten years ago for me. He had the president and his staff cornered at a makeshift field and he was only stopped because Raven shot him. She's known as the mutant hero where I'm from.

[Which apparently is pretty weird to Kurt. Probably the other mutants too. Strange how timelines work sometimes.]

[ Peter just stares in abject horror - yeah, this is definitely news to him. Holy cannoli, Batman. And he thought his universe was kind of crazy - the other Peter's even moreso, but Scott had mutant terrorists?

Peter shoves another few grapes into his mouth to stop himself from blurting out something stupid, chewing them as he digests Scott's explanation. ] Dude that's - woah. Yeah, I bet they would have tried to stop that. Or - avenge it? I'm not really sure how it works but - woah.

So, are you training to be a mutant hero, then? [ Peter hasn't had a chance to see Scott's powers in action, but they certainly sound like they'd be a good deterrent for ne'er-do-wells. ]

[He can't help it, but a small laugh breaks from Scott seeing the horror on his face. It just... it feels like his world is so normal, maybe even mundane, compared to what everyone else tells him about their world, that it's honestly kind of nice to see someone react like that. Like yeah, things can still be wild at home; there are mutants and everything! It's just. Not as crazy.]

For sure. [...] It's not like Magneto was being quiet about the whole attempting to assassinate the president thing either. He broadcasted that on national television.

[Magneto is many things, subtle is not one of them. Dude even came out there in an entire costume. And cape.]

And uh, not really? [Scott offhandedly shrugs, but it's honestly something that's been on his mind for a long time. He's not sure if he wants to train or not, at least back home-- or more like, he kind of hopes that he doesn't have to. Things have been peaceful since Magneto, and if he has to train... then it's for a reason, right?]

I'm doing it here, of course. The X-Men exist and I want to be part of that.

[ At least one of them is laughing, but then, Peter understands how commonplace tragedies can be reduced to humor - memes, more specifically - especially when you had to live through it. So while it might be disturbing to Peter, it's just A Thing That Happened to Scott. Still, the dissonance is striking. ]

They always want an audience. Can't do evil without an audience! [ Peter nods sagely, as if that makes perfect sense. Well, he's had his fair share of rogues - and they always loved to yap, and get on TV. ] Lessens the potency, or something.

Couldn't hurt, here. Things are getting nuts. [ The glitches, worsening. Peter's patrols have been nonstop, and it's a good thing there are two other spider-people running around, or Peter would never get any sleep. Even if these people aren't real...he can't ignore suffering. He's just not built that way. ] But you're not training to be an X-Man back home?

Nope, and they always have to make a big monologue too. His was something about mutant superiority and humans only seeing a fraction of our power.

[He snorts, but there's something tense that briefly flashes across Scott's face that betrays his earlier light demeanor. It's just... if Raven didn't stop Magneto, if he actually succeeded in killing the president, what would things be like for his world? Maybe something more similar to the timeline Morph, Rogue or Quentin are from? They've mentioned Sentinels before and... they were there at the arena, he remembers them.

Only they got decommissioned after that whole thing. Supposedly.]

...There hasn't been a need. There's no supervillains or anything, like Magneto has stayed quiet for over 10 years now. [He shrugs again, hands now stuffed back inside his pockets.] I don't even know if a X-Men team even exists. Never heard of them in the news.

I feel like genetic superiority isn't very cash money these days. [ Peter makes a face, wholly unaware of how ironic his statement really is. The most dangerous thing in the world was someone who was only doing what they thought was right, without any regard for others around them, refusing to even consider another side.

Peter can sense the tension, but with no context for it he would be left guessing. He has enough skeletons in his own jam-packed closet that he doesn't pursue it, but he does note it. Things like that always came back around, at some point. ]

Wait, he was never caught? [ Imagine killing the president and just disappearing. Peter frowns, considering that for a moment. ] Then who's on the streets? Do you just have...vigilantes?

Yeah, he disappeared. Not sure where he's at, don't care to figure it out either.

[If he hears from Magneto again, it probably won't be for anything good, right? The reemergence of the terrorist that almost killed the president... that's a hard pass from him. He'd rather not have one guy fuck things up for the entire world, for his friends. Hopefully things will actually keep that way and if Magneto stayed quiet this long, maybe he's. settled down too.

Kind of hard to imagine, but for everyone, he hopes that's the case.]

And uhh cops? [Scott answers, blinking just a couple of times behind his glasses. It feels like a silly answer, but he knows that Peter was genuinely asking.] There aren't any mutant vigilantes if that's what you're wondering.

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

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