mischiefbreeder | 37 [Video/Action] (backdated to Friday 6/6)

Current Location: Rec Center

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37 [Video/Action] (backdated to Friday 6/6)

[Video A]
[It was a delayed effect the draft had on Gold. He'd been on numerous drafts before, and thanks to a combination of cunning, strategy, and a lot of luck, he always pulled through fine without an issue. Not without his fair share of injuries, but always without casualties.

But something was different about this one. Even besides how sloppy everything turned out, one thing in particular hit really hard. Crystal lost one of her Pokémon on this draft, and it didn't look like he was coming back, either. Originally, it only particularly weighed on him because he neglected to be there helping her. She was new to this. She wasn't experienced with the drafts like he and Silver were. But then a different feeling began to overwhelm that, once that guilt subsided. The sudden realization that she's not the only one it could happen to.

No matter how much luck and skill he demonstrates out there, there's always the chance one of his Pokémon could get killed, just like Archy did. Just like that, he could lose Explotaro, or Togetaro... or even Aitaro. The idea of losing one of his trusted partners hurt even more than the idea of losing one of his friends. And that was why he had to find a way to get stronger, to be able to stand on his own two legs and fight with his own two hands, without having to rely on his Pokémon to fight his battles for him all the time.

Albeit with hesitation, he makes a post to the journals.]

Anybody out there who might be able to teach me how to fight?

[He hopes there's someone willing and able.]
--
[Video B (accidental)/Action]
[Following that little excursion, Gold took to the rec center, hoping to distract himself with a little game of pool. He sat the journal on the edge of the pool table, keeping it nearby if he got any responses.

And then suddenly it happens. While lining up a particularly tricky shot, everything just suddenly vanishes. The pool table, the pinball machines, the table tennis, all the furniture... and the building itself. Gone, in an instant. Gold misses his shot due to the shot no longer existing, causing him to nearly stumble forward due to losing his balance from supporting himself against the table. The journal falls to the ground and opens up to a blank page, starting recording just in time to catch Gold's reaction.]

Wh--... What the hell just happened?! It... It's gone!

[If running into him in person, feel free to catch him either before or after the rec center disappears.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That would depend on how you'd want to learn to fight.

[Saori's already teaching Red, and working with others too, so one more couldn't hurt.]

With your fists? Or with a sword? Or did you have something else in mind?

Nothin' like that. I wanna learn... a bo staff, I guess it's called?

Ah! Yes, that's right. I know how to use those, and several derivative weapons too. I'm more than happy to teach what I can.

Do you have a staff already?

I guess you could call it that! [Really it's more of a cuestick, but... Well, it was specially forged for combat by Hiccup and has overall the same properties as a traditional staff anyway.]

Oh, excellent! That makes things easier. [She pauses, somewhat thoughtful as she thumbs through a notebook off camera.]

When would you like to start? And...have you had any training or practice with a staff at all?

As the teacher, wouldn't it be better for you to decide when class is in session, then? [That's Goldspeak for he has no preference.]

And as the student, wouldn't it be better if you told me when you'd like the semester to begin? [She offers a wry grin.] But since you want me to be strict, then we'll start this evening. Bring your staff to the Battle Dome around seven. We'll go over some of the very basics then, and start proper training once I have a better gauge of your current ability.

[Another pause, because there's something she's forgetting.]

Also, what is your name? Mine is Saori. Saori Kimura.

[Seven tonight... Right now, he's wishing he had decided on something himself after all.]

The name's Gold.

Well, nice to meet you then, Gold. I'll see you tonight at seven?

Yeah, guess so. Seven it is.

Good. I'll see you there.

[ooc: and moving to action?]

[Gold's not one for punctuality. He shows up at the meeting place at about 7:10. 7:15 maybe? Point is he's late, but he doesn't seem too concerned with that.]

You the one that's gonna teach me?

[All things considered, she doesn't even notice he's late. She, herself, is generally fairly bad about keeping track of time and a few minutes here and there easily slips through the cracks.]

If your name is Gold, then yes. I am.

[She dips her head in a fractional nod.]

That's what they call me! And... What an honor it is to have such a beautiful woman working with me here on this. [He can't help but try to turn on that charm.]

Is it now? [She stifles a laugh as best she can. He's what? A teenager at best? Four hundred and fifty years her junior, at the very least.]

Well, I suppose that's good to know. [And assuming his weapon is visible.]

Is this your staff? Or...pool cue?

[Not that he can tell she's old as the hills, of course.]

It's a bit of both. It was custom-made for me by a friend so I can use it in battle too. ...So I wanna learn how to use it properly, in that regard.

[Of course not, she's sneaky like that.]

Well, it looks effective enough. Have you ever fought with it before, even just playing? Or are you a total beginner?

I've got tons of experience in using it in battle. It's my preferred weapon of choice out on the battlefield! Well, 'sides my Pokémon, of course.

[Well she'd pegged Gold for a trainer, so that confirms it.]

Alright, then let's go into a room and you can show me how you use it. I've got one programmed and ready. Nothing too hard, just a dummy.

Lead the way, then. [And he shall follow along.]

[The room she's set up is simple enough, a ring of wood marking out a dirty circle. A rack of staves is off to one side, and at the center is a simulated human. Short, stocky, looking a bit like one of the Black Belts that randomly wander around Pokeworld. Or one version of it, at least.

And guess what he's got, Gold? If you guessed a staff, you'd be right.]

Alright Gold, go see if you can knock him down or disarm him.

Got it! [He grips his cue. His first mistake is that his stance is completely wrong. He's standing more like he's holding a sword instead of a staff, holding it in one hand. He charges at his opponent, and takes a downward swing, striking with a lot of force, but it's just blocked by the Black Belt's staff, who then pushes back against Gold and sends him reeling backwards.]

[Watching with a critical eye, she looks at him as he's sent backwards, hefting a staff of of her own. Taking a proper stance, with her feet apart and the staff gripped in the middle with both hands, she shows an example strike.]

It's not a sword or an axe, Gold. Hold it like this, and keep your feet planted. You don't have to be aggressive like that with a staff.

[He watches her movements, slowly pushing himself back up to his feet. He tries to imitate her now, gripping his cue with both hands similarly to how she does, and positioning his feet like so.]

...Like this?

[She nods in answer.]

Yes. Much better. Now try again.

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