#Trigger happy

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

I imagine that is because our ‘bases’ are so far apart. Who and what I am, how I was raised, and what has happened since then is what has shaped me up until now. While I believe in the mantra that was always repeated to me, and ultimately I choose who I will be, the way I see the world has definitely been influenced by what came before.

That certainly does not make it better or worse than anyone else, only different. Well, that is not wholly true. I would not wish the formative events of my life on anyone else, so I suppose in that way, you could consider it ‘worse’ than the alternative.

However, with that said, I do not believe that where we ‘came from’ should be the rule by which we measure people. You lead a different life than me, but I am happy to have met you all the same. I am sure you have talents and strengths that I lack, just as the Executor, Ms. Pyrope, and Miss Maryam do.

Not that they had any real foes to speak of at the moment, or she’d be tailoring to beat them more specifically. As it was, the basics would do, and maybe eventually sparring with someone else if he got that nervousness under control.

[ “Well, you wanted to see some dance, right? Am I showing you, or trying to teach you?” ]

He was a little nervous on working with a weapon. Hand-to-hand was one thing, but a weapon was specifically made to hurt someone else. He remembered a conversation with one of his bosses about learning how to use a gun. It was probably a good thing he had left. He highly doubted they would have been as accommodating as Redglare.

[A 6it 9f 69th perhaps?]

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

[ “If you keep working on shoring up your basics, you’ll keep making progress. Once you get to a place you like, we can try to specialize. I assume you don’t really want to specialize in weapons, unless you want to try out blunt ones?” ]

It all felt so unnatural to do this. To talk lightly about the possibility of hurting another. The scariest thing about it is it felt too easy. It was easier than he thought. Sure he was being overly conscious and uneasy but he had initially thought that he might not even work up the ability to punch let alone spar. Were his morals really that weak? It scared him to think how simple it was to break one of his most essential rules. Maybe Redglare was just a good teacher for him? Though he didn’t say or show it, truthfully he lived off of praise; even if he didn’t know how to respond or believed it was warranted. There were other things that could be the reason though: fear of what could happen on the station, wanting to protect Latula, etc. No matter what though it still left him feeling the same. Grateful and determined but also unstable and unsure. Nervous enough to feel uncomfortable with the whole thing but wanting to succeed enough to stay. It was a scale and at some point it was going to tip.

[Is there anything else f9r t9day?]

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

[ “You can’t improve if you’re going to deflect recognition of the things you did right. I’m pointing out areas you did well so you know what they are and what the areas you need to shore up will look like, I don’t flatter people.” ]

A flick of the wrist has a small projected interface activated, her fingers flying across simulated keys and menus as she composes a message.

[ “I’m writing up what I saw that you did well, and where there were some holes. You’re pretty balanced, which is good, and you didn’t panic, which is even better. All the skill in the world won’t help you if you lose it when you come up on something unexpected.” ]

That had always been a hallmark of the fights between Mindfang and herself, that no matter how the seas rocked, or the ships took damage, or Pyralspite circled overhead, neither one of them gave an inch or lost focus.

[ “I know you prefer studying to sparring, so I’m also going to pass on some Earth literature about what to use and when, like chess. All you have to do when you’re actually fighting is remember the moves and be calm enough to use them at the right times.” ]

The last flourish of her fingers sends the message and dismisses the interface, her attention returned to her pupil.

Watching her move and fight made him realize just how much she outclassed him. The progress he made seemed almost insignificant. If an enemy of Redglare’s strength came along he would be dead in an instant. It was hard for him to get excited about his own efforts when they seemed almost futile. He didn’t like being at a disadvantage.

[It is easy to say I did n9t panic in a fake fight when I knew that neither 9f us were g9ing t9 get hurt.]

His tone wasn’t really cynical, just stating a fact. Even he couldn’t be sure of how he would react to an actual fight.

[Thank y9u.]

Now that was something he could always do. Studying and memorization.

[I appreciate the sentiment.]

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

I would agree with you if it were an opinion borne of self-worth, but it is simply the mechanics of the Game, not unlike most Carapacian pawns. Some pieces on the board are valuable and highly coveted, others are expendable. I do not feel any shame or distress, it simply is the nature of things.

I agree, and I will be focusing my own efforts elsewhere now that I have looked thoroughly into the planetary fragment.

I supp9se... It is pr96a6ly a difference 9f perspectives. It is strange t9 talk t9 s9me9ne s9 accepting 9f their r9le. I always 6elieve that things can 6e changed and impr9ved. That y9u sh9uldn’t settle. 9f c9urse, these are th9ughts 69rn 9f different experiences. I cann9t say h9w exactly I w9uld feel after centuries 9f living. I can hardly even imagine living a century 9f itself.

She waves off his offer though, any awkwardness in it not being acknowledged when she straightens up after another moment or two, stretching her legs a little bit. There was still a little more movement in her ‘vision’ than she’d like, but it’d settle itself out soon enough.

[ “I’m fine, just out of practice. No reason to use that kind of thing without Mindfang around. Anyway, if you need some water I’ve got some in the syalladex.” ]

Flashing him a grin, she narrows the gap between them again, motioning with her hands as she speaks.

[ “You were better than you let on! All that practice paid off, hmm?” ]

His tone is a bit dry and awkward as he accepts her praise. He wasn’t exactly accustomed to receiving it.

[9h n9 I sh9uld 6e fine I was n9t m9ving as much 6ut thank y9u for the 9ffer.]

He almost instinctively stepped back as she came over. Granted though, at this point physical contact would just be more awkward than unwanted. He was use to people forgetting or just all out ignoring his wishes. Would Redglare have been like that back on Derse?

[I supp9se s9, if y9u say. The credit g9es t9 y9u th9ugh, y9u have 6een a g99d instruct9r.]

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

Because I do not matter and probably should not have existed past the destruction of my Session, if at all. It is likely only due to my Mother and Sister’s influence that I continue to persist, and more than once I have had Seers inform me that I have no future to see. That is at least partially related to my Aspect, but I imagine the rest is because I am a rogue element now.

That... is an incredi6ly negative way t9 think 9f 9neself.

[ “Good…you did fine…guard is improving and your form…is great once you loosen up…” ]

She definitely had not pushed that hard in a while, certainly not since leaving Midnight City, and without the normal adrenaline of battle or injuries pushing her on, it’s a lot more taxing to keep it up. She sways a little before catching herself, shaking it off quickly.

[9h thank y9u.]

Thanks to the strength and endurance training that Redglare had given him he’s not too tired or winded. He hadn’t exactly been moving around a lot. Redglare on the other hand looked kind of worn out.

[9h, 9f c9urse. Can I get y9u anything? S9me water 9r s9mething? I pr96a6ly sh9uld have 6r9ught s9me with me. I can g9 get s9me th9ugh if y9u want. D9 y9u kn9w where the nearest s9urce is? Alth9ugh then I d9 n9t kn9w what I w9uld 6ring it 6ack in. 9f c9urse, I c9uld get y9u s9mething else if y9u need it...]

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

Perhaps, though I believe it more likely that the information was pulled from their Skaia remains directly. The game is, as I said, ever-present. It was aware of the possibility of us before our species even existed and our many potential lives and deaths. A Sprite could probably explain it better than me, but sufficed to say, the rest of you ought to be known quantities.

That is to say, you all have Prime counterparts. I believe the Executor has more information on them than I do, but I can say with certainty that you do. Whereas I, for instance, do not.

Why d9 y9u n9t have 9ne? A Prime c9unterpart, I mean.

Her voice sounds almost like one does if they speak into a fan, her movement’s making it distort and hum as she once again dodges out of the way, only needing to make small tweaks now as he loosens up and gains confidence.

[ “Good, good! Combos are the way to go if you aren’t strong enough to just break down their defenses! Keep your guard up, keep your eyes scanning, you have to be aware!” ]

He doesn’t respond verbally to her encouragement or criticism, instead focusing on his movements. If this had been a real fight he would have been out within seconds. He got a little frustrated every time he felt what could have been a blow but rather than get upset he tried to put his energy into fixing his guard. There was no way he could come close to matching the Pyropes in speed or agility. He wasn’t built for it. He’d have to put his energy into other areas like defense and endurance.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

It is quite possible that these people encountered the catalyst to their initialization of the game, but I do not know how it got in the state it is currently. I also do not understand how these systems are knowledgeable about us, or myself. My suspicion is that it has to do with how the station is tied to the planetary fragment.

9h that is right. I f9rg9t that it had us in their systems t9 6egin with. Is it p9ssi6le that they knew the versi9ns 9f us fr9m this “Sessi9n”? That c9uld explain it.

[ “Not bad, not bad! For someone who doesn’t do it much, you have potential.” ]

The slightest quickening of her breath is the only indicator that she’d been moving the way she had been, a decade or two of practice was plenty to get her physical condition to its peak where her own style was concerned. The exercise, and the halfway decent form of her pupil, have got her grinning still.

[Thank y9u alth9ugh with speed such as that I hardly deserve the praise.]

Her more positive tone helps to relax him a bit and settle into his stance. At least it seemed he was getting something right about this.

[Yes, if y9u d9 n9t mind.]

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

Most people view time as happening in a straight line, were you to count it that way, it would be centuries upon centuries. In practice, especially given Time Players and Paradox Space, time does not flow at all. I have experienced seconds over the course of years, and decades in the course of moments. It makes the concept of age and experience less relevant, so I keep track of Earth Solar years enough to satisfy when people ask.

We are in an anomaly, or at least I believe we are, because the planetary fragment beneath us appears to be a prototypical Skaia. However, there is no Prospit or Derse, and no Player worlds. In the case of a Dead Session, there would not be a fragment like this. Near as I can tell given the records you have unearthed, they either pulled this out of the Game, or it was expelled. Either way, it is a wholly unique achievement in my experience.

She demonstrates, throwing it slow enough that he can keep up and continuing to demonstrate the others as she discusses them.

[ “Is quick, powerful, but not exactly sneaky. Probably going to be your most common. Hooks are a little harder to block, especially if you use them as a follow up to a block or feint, come in on their blind spot. Straight punches have got the power, but they’ll see them coming if you’re not quick, and uppercuts are pretty much never going to happen unless you’re very fast or they’re very stupid.” ]

Grins a bit, shifting her weight from foot to foot, arms moving side to side.

He gets back into a ready position keeping his arms close to his body. He doesn’t move as much as she does but stays rather center. While he knows that it was nearly impossible for him to hit her unless either he got very lucky or she messed up he still felt nervous about fighting.

[ Private ]

Greetings, Mr. Vantas.

To answer your statements in relative order. “Avoiding” is a strong term. More accurately, none of you can venture into the core of the planet fragment beneath us easily, or without death, except possibly for Ms. Megido.

I have had centuries upon centuries, more if you do not view time as a linear thing. I apologize if I presented it as a negative, I do not view it as such. I am not necessarily the most successful Void Player in terms of overcoming my Aspect to fulfill my Class. However, I would argue that I am extraordinarily successful in using my Aspect to accomplish the goals set before me.

I apologize, I was unclear. We are in a Session, which is to say, someone won a version of the game and created where we are now. However, the game itself does not appear to be active. Either that, or this is what remains of a null void Session. Either way, it is most certainly not within the norm of a Session that successfully hosts a game.

I am n9t certain what that all means, 6ut fr9m what little I have seen I can at least agree with that last part.

S9 we are in an9ther an9maly? N9t in the same way as 9n Derse 6ut in a different way? H9w can y9u tell the game is n9t active?