Missions, readiness and you (@gladio; video)

[leatherdaddy]

[ There's a video feed of a monster thrashing wildly, tramping over the ground and kicking up dirt and debris as it rushes toward the perimeter. It's joined by another, and another. They follow and stamp, snorting steam as they scream towards the fence. The video cuts away before the finale - where the Perimeter Guard make short work on the creatures. Instead, the camera focuses on a man with deep brown hair, amber eyes and wearing only a leather jacket and a large tattoo of a bird.

Hello, network. There's been enough reasons  to warrant a public message about safety (particularly now that it's his job), as well as an advertisement for self improvement. He's a big guy and despite his casual appearance and tone, he speaks with a certain authority of one with a lot of experience giving inspirational instruction. ]

I'm sure you've seen the posts.  Missions, a chance to do your part here.  You might even be tempted to try it solo.  Don't. If you think you're gonna be able to stand up against a swarm by yourself, don't bother - you won't stand a chance. [ Gladiolus drops his gaze down to his palm, then tightens it into a fist. ] But I ain't meetin' my end here, and I'm not about to let that happen to anyone on my watch. So be careful out there, team up. Train. Don't get caught in a bad situation unprepared.

[ The King's Shield's mouth pulls into a smile, hoisting a very massive greatsword nearly as tall as he is with a blade almost as wide as his waist and letting it rest on his shoulder. He doesn't seem to show any effort in doing so. ]

I'll be holding some combat training down by the barracks if you're interested in learning how to keep you and your loved ones safe. Survival skills, physical training, weapon skills... if you're interested, just ask for Gladio. That said, I got some missions that I'm opening up for interested parties.  One is pretty routine - get our tech guy to the fence for repairs, then get out.  The other?  Well, let's just call it an extended seminar on living off the land... there are some pretty impressive beasts out there, some of which might even be tameable.  Lemme know what you think.

Comments

video; un; GraveMistake

[hellshot]

Not interested in learning how to 'live off the land'. I had more than enough of that shit when I was in my navy greens and still learning what end of a gun you point at the 'bad guys'.

[This one's voice is almost a hollow echo, but it's calm and careful--nearly with a sarcastic draw to it.]

Interested in the first one. I'm not a stranger to working in a group--and I'm no stranger to playing bodyguard and working muscle.

So long as the others you find to tag along with you aren't braindead idiots, count me in.

Name's Reaper.

A moment of silence for Eichi for giving Reaper a better, more edgy name...

[leatherdaddy]

Hey, thanks for volunteering.

[ It's hard to read a guy when he's masked and hooded. Still, this isn't exactly new to the King's Shield, so he just... deals with it. It's a good thing, too, because he will soon find that his bread and butter as an independent contractor lies mainly with the policing force within the walls and the guardians of the perimeter without.

Gladio takes a note of the username, and the given name for later reference. ]

Fence repair... [ A few more taps on his phone and he nods, satisfied. Apparently, he's none too concerned about the requisite intelligence level Reaper has demanded as terms for his joining. He's fairly certain the concentration of hot shots is pretty damn high. ] Alright, got your information --

So... Reaper, huh? [ He has to ask, because that really cannot be his actual name. ] Remind me to ask you the story behind that one.

someone say a prayer for his ego when Eichi finds out

[hellshot]

Don't thank me until we get the job done.

[He sure is staunch, isn't he. And most certainly what you'd call unreadable, what with how the cadence of his voice never seems to change. Raspy with a slight echo to it, calm with that never-missing tone of sarcasm that drips at the end of his short sentences.

Either he's really try-hard edgy, (with a name 'GraveMistake' for a username and all) or that's really just the way he gets on. Might as well guess for yourself, Gladio.]

...

Don't need to be reminded. It's not a huge story, if that's what you're thinking.

I am Death. The name is Reaper. That's all there is to it.

[Yeah, tryhard.]

@whiterose; video

[finethanks]

[This is the first he's seen the monsters, and that's... hm, he's back to worrying about this place. It seems like such heaven compared to the place he was stuck before, but he could not handle a monster.]

You're as active as always. I'm not in any shape to be able to do anything like missions or combat, but perhaps you could help me learn to defend myself a little. It's so difficult without the people who usually quickly come to my aid being here.

[leatherdaddy]

[ That's the effect he was going for. Giving a shot of some of the beasts out in the wild to shake things up and inspire the adventurous heart, or serve as a good reality check for those who are less inclined towards combat. Idyllic as this place seemed, particularly with the Flower Festival, they came at a cost from those stalwart defenders at the walls of -- lasers, apparently. ]

Hoh, Eichi - you're interested in self defense lessons? [ Gladiolus scrubs at his chin for a moment as he considers his options. Something light and small, easy to use... fencing is a no-go, as just proper form requires a good deal of fitness. ] I'm thinkin' daggers, light enough to throw. Still gonna require some level of fitness to be effective, though.

[ He grins, smacking his fist into his palm. ] I've got it! Let's go for a run at dawn to strengthen that scrawny body of yours! [ Gladio, no. ]

[finethanks]

Hold on a minute, I can't help but feel you're going a little too fast. You see, someone like me can become exhausted even by normal activities like walking, and if the weather is too cold in the mornings then I'd be more at risk...

[ He's actually caught off guard, which is a rare and amusing expression for Eichi. He's hanging onto his composure!! ] Perhaps I could just watch.

[firelogic]

*Someone looks unimpressed. Well, her eye and a little of her face. Someone try to teach Chandra how to make videos? Chandra has had more than one person try to teach her how to fight, and... mostly she just brawls like she always does. It's hard to teach her to ignore her fire logic. The rush of combat, the thrill of split second movements, not choices, actions made because that's just what she does.*

Working with a team is great, but training? Seems boring.

And every time I train I usually just break a bunch of training equipment and leave new scorch marks on the building.

text; @sans.

[bone_idle]

uh oh.
sounds like the competition's really heating up.

[firelogic]

Only if the competition has some flare and style!

*So Chandra likes dumb jokes way too much, so this is great.*

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladiolus isn't surprised, you don't just get a bunch of heroes from other worlds and expect there to be a shortage of hot shots, right? But he's used to dealing with the likes of Noctis, so... this isn't his first rodeo. ]

The 'practical application' sort, huh? You know, training can happen on the field just as much at home. Maybe what you need is something with an element of danger. None of this kid gloves bullshit.

[ He's sure he can find a way to appeal to what he assumes is a berserker. ]

[firelogic]

It isn't the danger, I mean, I'm used to that. Really used to it. I just am really bad for furniture, property values... Anyway I didn't need kids gloves when I was a kid.

*Berserker is not a creature type on Chandra! Although it is accurate to her if you gave her an axe.*

voice | un: RE-L124C41+

[realimperfect]

The survival skills I think I have covered.. though I could use a kick in the ass in the physical training sense. Too much booze and food as of late.

[ Not that she looks anything other than pristine, but at the same time, all of this upheaval of time and place has her thinking she ought to at least take things a little more seriously. Vincent had pestered her too before, but, well... since when did she listen to him? ]

Weapons skills... might depend. I think I'd prefer to stick to my guns.

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladio bursts out into jovial laughter, booze and food? Sounds like someone's been making pretty damn merry of late. ]

We've all been there! But hey - Good on you for wanting to whip yourself back into fighting form.

[ As for her weapon style, Gladiolus gives a firm nod. Sounds like she's hesitant, so he'll focus on physical training first and possibly introduce weapons or firearms training later. He's not training a prince, after all - no need to be pushy. ]

That's fine. I'm gonna need to gauge your fitness level before we begin, what's your availability lookin' like?

video;

[peacekeeps]

( username: mccree )

[ the man in the video is smoking a cigar, looking dead-on in the camera with a smile. his voice is a lazy drawl. ]

If y'all could use company, I've done the bodyguard bit before. Could use the chance to stretch my legs.

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladio's tapping his phone, making a note of the username. The guy sounds like someone straight out of Hammerhead, but the attire... eh, as if he's one to judge. ]

Sure, just need your name and which mission's got your interest. Got another slot left for fence repair and plenty more openings left for monster hunting - trying to bag us some potential mounts.

Either of those pique your interest?

video (un: s.rogers)

[starspangled]

[he likes this guy already.]

Sounds like you're going to be pretty busy for awhile. I'm Steve.

They have to run into each other during morning runs...

[leatherdaddy]

I'd have it no other way.

[ Gladio doesn't care for being cooped up for long periods of time. He'll deal with it, but being in the great wild outdoors gives him life. He folds his arms and grins. ]

You lookin' to change up your fitness routine or is adventure more your thing?

audio; user: katsuki

[yokunaru]

Survival skills... [There's a touch of hesitance in his voice, but Yuuri presses on anyway.]

I think I'd like to take you up on training for that. Are you really helping anyone who asks you?

[leatherdaddy]

Sure am, it's what I get paid to do.

You know, you could always join me on this mission. It's going to involve a lot of in the field, hands-on survival training. It'll be intense, but after an initial round of basic training, you'll be ready for it.

[ There's nothing like practical application as a learning tool, but... isn't that a little dangerous? ]

VIDEO, @GEKOKUJOU

[liquidate]

...

(face nearly pressing to the screen, trying to get a better look at what he's seeing. no, not you gladio. maybe later.)

That sword! Is it yours, or did you get it here?!

....why does this tag make me feel a little dirty

[leatherdaddy]

Hoh? Like what you see?

[ Gladiolus grins and lifts the greatsword higher, scarcely breaking a sweat. Talk about relatable. ]

It's mine, and a real looker, huh?

text | @altin

[bringbackgold]

When do you conduct these lessons?

text

[leatherdaddy]

Schedule's pretty open right now. As long as I'm not on a mission or training the local fuzz or Perimeter Guard, I'm available to take on other clients.

video | @the.young

[leadintheyoung]

[ Oh, Líadan is quite familiar with that lilt of authority given she's been on the receiving end of words colored by it -- and usually in conjunction with a lecture of cautioning in some form or another -- more times than she cares to remember. It's this that sees the corner of one side of her mouth tug upward, but any mischief filters out as she more seriously considers the rest of the message. Combat training, huh? Her own has stalled since her arrival and she could use an instructor in one-handed swordsmanship. How else is she going to catch up to her friends? And, really, she could use the versatility in her arsenal much as she loves her daggers and as skilled as she is in the use of them and magick in combat.

It couldn't hurt to ask. ]

I think I'd like to know if you're actually any good with that sword. So, are you?

video | @gladio

[leatherdaddy]

Am I any good? [ Gladio laughs, amused. ] I'm the best.

[ Whether or not this is true is another matter. As far as he's concerned, this is fact until proven otherwise... and then he'll just have to train until he gets stronger. ]

Why? Wanna test my mettle?