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

[leadintheyoung]

[ Huh. And here she was innocently looking into sniping herself a one-handed swordsmanship instructor. With a spirit like that, though, and that face... well, it isn't like she had had anything set in stone to do today. ]

Do I!

[ She'll be pushing herself politely off from her perch atop a tree. Don't mind the brief whorl of color, Gladio. She'll refocus the camera on herself after an easy landing and -- why, yes, those are steps she's taking back toward civilization. ]

See you in twenty, then?

[leatherdaddy]

Sure, just one more thing I gotta ask.

[ Before you go too far -- well, too close. Don't think he hasn't noticed you're a long way from civilization. ]

I went through the trouble of putting together this little public announcement and here you are... all by yourself outside of the Perimeter.

You got a name, rebel?

[leadintheyoung]

[ Oh, she likes him. There isn't the slightest inkling of shame to be found in her features at his catching her offense. ]

Líadan Ní Donnabháin. You can call Lí if you'd like.

[ And there's a wink. She keeps walking, carefully dividing her attention between the broadcast and the wilds around her. New to this? Not in the slightest. ]

Is it really such a terrible offense, though? I was out and about before you made your announcement, not that it's going to stop me from exploring on my lonesome. There's a shortage of suitable company at times, you realize.

[leatherdaddy]

[ Leadin' and... a whole bunch of other stuff he can't even begin to pronounce. The shortened version is a gift from the Six as far as Gladio's concerned. What an unusual name. Lee it is. ]

Why not? Don't wanna make it hard for the boys and girls protectin' our ass.

[ Folding his arms, because honestly - what a pain it would be for everyone else to deal with some kind of incident - but he likes her gumption. ]

...I take it this ain't your first rodeo.

[leadintheyoung]

Assuming that I would.

[ She would, albeit unintentionally. ]

I have no intention of making the Guard's job more difficult, least of all by failing to pull my own weight, but you can only experience what you allow yourself to and I want to experience this reality in its entirety. That, and I'd much rather provide for my floor myself than have them needlessly spend units on things at the market that I can provide at no charge. You can't hunt or fish effectively if you don't know the land.

[ Which is why she was out and about to begin with. Getting to know the land, seeking out familiar species, observing new ones -- it's familiar, but different and exciting to be met with such elements and new music. ]

I'm not entirely certain what a 'rodeo' is, but this sort of thing is not new to me if that is what you mean. I was born in the wilds and I've been exploring them for just as long. I won't say I've never run into trouble, but I'd like to think I'm well-equipped to handle it for experience.

[leatherdaddy]

[ She seems pretty capable. This should make their sparring session all the more intriguing. ]

So... either you're strong enough or quiet enough to hold your own, huh? [ Gladio files that away for future consideration, like he does with most clients - most. She is quickly ranking high on his priorities of people to get to know. ] Good to know.

...You alright with wooden props for sparring? Or do you prefer to use weapons? You sound like you're already equipped.

[leadintheyoung]

Something like that. You'll be able to judge that for yourself soon enough. What about you? A sword that size must take some strength to wield, hmm?

[ And she's picking up her pace with that statement. At a leisurely walk, it would take her maybe half an hour and she did say twenty minutes. She intends to hold to that. ]

Wooden props would be best. I prefer weapons and I do have my bow and dagger on me, but I am short one and I don't think ice would hold as well.

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladio smiles, his voice is amused by the false modesty he's about to dish out. ]

Yeah, a little. [ His tone and smile indicates that this is a massive understatement in his oh-so-humble opinion. ]

...Hang on, ice? You use Elemancy?

[leadintheyoung]

Only a little?

[ She's amused by that admission, hearing it clearly for what it is, and it earns a chuckle. She doesn't quite skip a beat with those next questions despite the newness of a particular word. ]

If by 'Elemancy', you mean elemental magicks, I use that and more, yes. That does make it sound very elegant, though.

[leatherdaddy]

Sounds about right. How that work for you anyway?

[ He has to ask - his is limited only by power drawn from the elements and gifted to him by one from the line of Lucis. There are other means of gathering elemental energy but it's... complicated. ]

Just curious in case you plan on turning up the heat during our sparring session.

[leadintheyoung]

[ She pauses a very brief moment, considering how best to explain it. As many times as she's come into the realization, it's still strange to her to think that people don't Hear the same way she does, that magick is worked differently by others in other realities. ]

Where I come from, magick is musical in nature. If I can produce sound, I can cast magick. I'm only really limited by my vocal stamina and, to some extent, my ability to Hear.

[ She thinks that's a sensible explanation despite not being wholly certain in her phrasing. ]

We should probably agree on some rules for our sparring session, too. We might have totally different standards, you know?

[leatherdaddy]

[ Musical, huh? Makes him wonder what she hears with this rag-tag group of people in Quarantine. Maybe it's chaotic, maybe it drowns each other out until it becomes some distantly melodic background radiation, a step above white noise. ]

Does all that noise make you wanna avoid being in crowded places? [ It's a valid question - he is after all, making introductions as she travels back to civilization and the relative safety of the perimeter fence.

As for terms and rules: ] Yeah... you're right. [ He'll consider it for a moment. ]

No magic, then? It should go without saying don't try to cause any permanent damage, right?

[leadintheyoung]

[ It's a curious question, one she wouldn't have dreamed of being asked were she still on the Isle, and it sees her expression quirk into something amused, if thoughtful. ]

Not at all! A settlement as large as Riverview is different than the wilds or a small village, but that difference in its music and beat make it that much more exciting. It just takes a bit more to navigate at times.

[ She taps at an ear with that admittance, hoping that makes sense. ]

No magic, but I do want to hear about this Elemancy of yours at some point. It sounds fancy... and no permanent damage is most assuredly something we can agree upon. That might make getting to know one another afterward a little awkward, wouldn't you agree?

[leatherdaddy]

Takes more of what?

[ He's curious, although not... 100% sure what to make of this ability of hers. It's the kind of thing he'd like to see for himself, or at least make sure he's not dealing with someone out of touch with reality. How badly would it suck if she turned out to be off her meds? Still, Gladio comes from a world of magic and magitek and all kinds of weird stuff so this? Doesn't sound all that weird.

Besides, she's not questioning his magic, so it's only fair.

Anyway, back to business - rules of engagement: ]

I'm learning fast that some people are pretty bone-headed and take things way too literally. Can't be too careful.

Besides, you don't wanna damage this cute face, right? [ You know, the one already crossed over the forehead with some nasty scars? It's a better statement than saying she's too cute to damage, at least. ]

[leadintheyoung]

Skill, concentration if you're trying to single things out and differentiate the different pieces from one another or glean things from them. Everything has it's own music, it's own piece and all those pieces feed into a greater piece. Music can tell you more about a person, place, or thing than wagging tongues in my experience.

[ A great deal more should you think to listen and possess the skill necessary, that is. That line of caution sees her chuckle, though. ]

It sounds to me like you've managed a few worthwhile stories already. You'll have to share them sometime. Cute?

[ She'll visibly pause at that to give him a good look over. ]

I would've said rapidly approaching ruggedly handsome myself, but it stands. I take it that isn't a gift.

[ His scar, that is. It looks to her like something hard won or received in battle, but these devices don't exactly make it easy to gauge these sorts of things particularly well. ]