48 - text/action for Celadon

[islandshore]

[A pounding at his door jerks Riku out of his slumber. Though he presses his pillow to his ears, the bellows and growls that follow alert him that, sadly, he won't be catching any more Z's.

It's all just a part of the routine, really. Some overzealous Pokémon demanding attention. Quake, probably. While he blearily rubs his eyes and slides down off his bed, his trusty Charizard trails close behind...

As expected, one snarling Garchomp greets him, complete with putrid breath. More roars follow, and though Riku manages to squeeze past his ornery dragon, Quake stomps behind, continuing to growl, thrash, and flail...

Sigh. Even when Riku tells him to back down, that he's not up for training today, that he's still sore from last week (not to mention worn down), Quake continues his tantrum. He even charges himself straight at his Trainer in an Outrage attack.

It's by sheer dumb luck that he dodges the blow, leaving Flare to pin him down. Rather than stick around, Riku slips off, wandering the halls. He occasionally peers into the different arenas; he'd be stupid not to check up on the... fifty, sixty-some monsters that've made the TC their home. And of course there's no mistaking the shrieks and screeches coming from the lockdown chamber... Of course, he lacks the patience to deal with Terror today. He's already worn down as it is.

As he makes the rounds, the situation doesn't fare much better. One step into the ice arena, and he's greeted by a grumbling Dragonite. Having raised Draco from an egg, he recognizes his chest beating, wing flapping, and tail swishing as signs of impatience. Like Quake, he wants to train. When Riku says no, to go find Quake or Cleaver, a similar reaction follows. Roars, stomping, overall frustration... It's not like he needs to train with Riku every day, anyway. He's a high level dragon in a place full of others like himself... Sheesh.

By the time he makes it back into his room and scoops up his metal Keyblade, he's left feeling more drained than when he initially woke up. Drained and a little drenched; a Hydro Pump to the face tends to do that. And he gets their enthusiasm-- he trained them to love battles. And he loves them, too, but there's no denying that feeling of monotony that's crept up on him. He's got all the badges, he's got his business, but where does he go from there?

When was the last time he really sparred with an opponent that didn't breathe fire, spew water, or launch Aura Spheres? And in spending so much time focusing on his team, has he really become stronger himself? When Flare finally returns to his side, he shoots his Charizard a stiffened smile. His eyes soon drift back to his training weapon, though. If something were to happen and he needed to rely on himself and not his team, could he even do it...?

He sighs.]

Maybe you were right all along; I really have gone overboard.

[A text message appears in the early hours of the day:]

What does it mean to be strong?

I thought I had the answers, but I guess I got a little sidetracked along the way.

This place puts a huge focus on training powerful teams. Collecting badges, facing challenges, and I appreciate that. It's given me something to do, and it's hard to imagine life without those goofballs on my team to liven things up. But still, you can build a tough team without being strong on your own.

[There's a short pause before he continues his message. He has to search for the right words, try to piece together what he wants to say in a way that even he can understand...

Maybe he should get to the point.]

How many people here still fight? I've tried to keep up on my swordplay, but there's only so much I can teach myself. I know there are people out there better than me. Stronger than me... People with experience outside of play sword fights on an island day after day.

I guess what I'm really trying to ask is, well... Is there anyone out there who'd be willing to show someone else the ropes? I've done pretty much all I can with Pokémon battles, but I know I've got a long way to go with my own personal strength. And besides, I just... need something new to strive for. Something to break my routine.

[He ends his message there. It came out wordier than he intended... more like a rant than anything else. But with his thoughts out for all the see, he slips out into the city and proceeds to wander aimlessly with his 'Gear in hand.

Maybe he just needs a different outlook. He's got a much bigger world at his disposal now, and he's just barely scratched the surface...

But where does he start?]

Comments

Voice

[for_realsies]

Being able to carry a whole STACK of books and not have a problem.

*Imogen that is not what he asked and you know it.*

...I'm not sure I get how changing from one battle to another is breaking the routine. Sure there's less types and advantages in it, but you're still thinking like a fighter. Sword is all about what move responds to what other move and how to respond to that move with a move to counter that counter.

That's like saying you're tired of your usual breakfast and replace scrambled eggs with fried eggs.

Voice

[islandshore]

You know, I think I could handle that.

[But he's got a lot of upper body strength. Those arms, and so on.]

And maybe it does rely on similar thinking, but it puts me right in the middle of the action. Not that I don't spar with my Pokémon, but there's a limit to what I can really do with them. Human opponents and Pokémon react differently, and I need to be able to hold my own against both.

text;

[nostabbing]

No, you can't. Not a real team. That's not how a real team works.

text;

[islandshore]

You've got a point... I just mean in terms of the way this world works. There's an imbalance-- the scale's tilted in favor of the Pokémon, and there's next to nothing encouraging trainers to become strong alongside them. Nothing except for Surge's survival camp and I guess that ninja school.

Text

[starspangledavenger]

Strength is a complicated concept, really it's different for everyone. For me, it's what I make of myself and the things I've gained, to learn each time what I'm willing to face and do to continue to do the right thing. It doesn't take courage to be strong, but strength to be courageous. You'll have to learn your own meaning for it.

As for training to fight, I could lend you a hand. I train myself alongside my team everyday, but it'd be nice to have someone to spar with, to show the ropes. I don't think I'm anywhere near you right now, but still figure on offering.

Text

[islandshore]

You know, that's not a bad way to look at it. Guess being brave isn't always easy... I try to be whenever I can, but compared to some people, I've barely even had a taste of real danger.

[At least, at this point. He's heard about his future, and it sounds like a bumpy road, but how's he supposed to know when he hasn't seen it firsthand?]

And hey, I don't mind waiting. Working on my hand to hand skills seems like a pretty logical place to start. Not to mention legal.

[Text | Private]

[beforethedarkness]

i wish i knew what real strength was

[STILL REALLY BUMMED OUT OVER WHAT HAPPENED...]

when my arms healed im headed to cianwood. but after that i could come back and help teach you taijutsu - hand to hand combat - if you want

[Text | Private]

[islandshore]

I guess it is pretty subjective...

But I'd be up for that. Can't always rely on weapons in a place like this, especially with how strict the laws are.

( text )

[mianhe]

You don't have to be able to fight to be strong. At least, how I think of being strong, I guess...

( text )

[islandshore]

Like strength of heart? Strength of will?

I get that. It's just... is that ever really enough?

[ voice ]

[gracefall]

[ because she knows she can't text worth shit. ]

Being physically strong isn't all there is! If you're bored of being strong in one way and looking for another, it's your heart that's not strong enough!

[ voice ]

[islandshore]

My heart's just fine.

[That may've come out a little snappy.]

But a strong heart won't protect you. It's not one of those things that really matters in a fight.

Video

[lightningbearer]

*it's not Geddoe on the 'gear, but rather a combo of Joker the kadabra and Wyatt the shiny samurott.

"Samu samurott?" Wyatt points at the screen while asking something of Joker, who nods an affirmative. The samurott then takes the pokegear from the kadabra and sets it down on something, before backing up several paces, giving it a giving it a good view of him. He then draws one of his seamitars and executes a series of slashes before walking back and picking up the 'gear again, this time turning it so that his trainer is visible in the background where he's working with other members of the team.

"Samurott wott" he says, while pointing at Geddoe.

....in other words, he seems to be trying to say that his trainer is a swordsman*

Video

[islandshore]

[Uh... give him a second to respond because Pokéspeak isn't always his strong point. Still, the slashes are solid indicators. At least, he assumes that they are.]

So, your trainer can fight?

[text]

[soggypastry]

[What does it mean to be strong? Hell if she knows for sure. She's never asked herself that, having known her strength was enough and if it wasn't, that her family would catch her and pick up the slack. But here...]

Being strong enough to stand on your own and defend the people you care about without faltering. It can take a long time to get there.

[A very long time in a place like this and it's not much help, but..]

I'm not sure if my style would work with yours, but I might be able to give you a few pointers with swordwork or hand to hand if you want.

[text]

[islandshore]

I know, but I'm willing to take the time to get there.

And even if your style doesn't mesh with mine, I'd take any pointers you can offer.

[If he were still fifteen and fresh off the islands, he would never get this desperate, but now? He knows better. This world isn't his playground.]

[text]

[darkenedgales]

you can't build a strong team without being strong yourself. you're a part of the team, no?

as for the meaning, I guess it's different for everyone. for me it's being able to protect people I care for and stand up for what I believe in

among other things

though you probably need to find your own answer



sorry. that's probably not very helpful

[text]

[islandshore]

Well, yeah. I just mean in the general sense-- not every trainer here's gonna be able to defend themselves.

But protecting the people you care about... that's just as important to me. It's part of why I wanted to visit other worlds in the first place.

[Locked Text] Don't mind Obito playing with his text settings again.

[itsjustdust]

What caught you? I mean, it's kinda sudden right? You've been here years and all that. Still, if we end up back that way, I'd be happy to help teach you.

[Locked Text] oh god, sparkles

[islandshore]

Something happened. I'd rather not talk about it.

And what's with the sparkles?

text

[teablossom]

[-she didn't have much to offer. Her prowess came largely from her magic, and the efforts she put into training herself outside that never involved a sword. If anything, she should point him Sayaka's way.

Instead-]

If you're looking for something to strive for, there must be countless things you could do, even here. But if you want to focus on fighting- the sort you don't find here- I'm curious why.

Because I trained, as much as I could, but that was a necessity. If I didn't, I would have ended up dead, or watched someone else die. And even then

[There's a pause there, but after a minute she drops whatever else she might have said to just ask-]

Why do you want to fight?

text

[islandshore]

To protect the things that matter.

[It's a short, simple response.]

I can't always rely on Pokémon to fight my battles. There are people here who attack humans, either on their own or with their teams. I don't want to be helpless in those situations.

I want to be able to stand my ground even against someone bigger, stronger, and more experienced than me. Not just for myself, but for my friends.

[That battle with 'Seth' was an eye opener, to say the least. Proof that not every Rocket is as incompetent as Cobra.]

voice; prolly action later

[heartdive]

Something on your mind?

voice;

[islandshore]

It's no big deal, Sora.

[Translation: yes, yes it is.]

video

[chosen_light_child]

That... really depends, Riku. On what you mean by "being strong". Being willing to stand up against people who are powerful and show no signs of caring about not hurting people is one type of strength.

Then of course, there's the other kind. The one where you're physically strong.

[Her frowns shifts a bit to a small smile.]

Then there's the possibility you might not really be strong unless you have both.

video

[islandshore]

All are good examples... Though I'm not sure if being cold an uncaring is a sign of strength.

Sometimes you have to be, but at the same time...

[Hm. He's not too sure.]

Voice

[buckyouup]

Bein' strong is doing whatever it takes t'keep what's important to you safe. No matter the cost.

[There's a pause there.]

But... I can't say I've done too much fightin'. A few scraps here an' there, but I've never trained t'do it before.

Voice

[islandshore]

Yeah... You're right about that. Strength means nothing if you don't have a reason to back it. Protecting what matters... That's just about the best reason to become strong.

[It's part of his motivation, after all.]

And it sounds like we're on opposite ends of the spectrum. Back home, I trained every day.

[Text]

[foolishwren]

strength is about a hell of a lot more than fighting

I mean dont get me wrong, being able to fight is a hell of a lot better than not

but there's more.






though hey if you're looking for someone to teach you fighting shit, maybe i can help with that
what are you looking for exactly

[Text]

[islandshore]

That seems to be the general consensus, and I get why. Physical strength without a strong heart and will to back it up... I guess you can still wind up weak without the whole package.

As for what... Honestly? I'm just looking to improve. To have people to bounce off of and broaden my horizons.

[text]

[autocratic]

You ask many questions, but above it all, I ask: what sort of strength do you wish to acquire? Strength does not go exclusively with motivation.

[text]

[islandshore]

The strength to protect what matters. That's what I'm after.