(no subject)

[adastrea]

[So, the Republic of Albion. For whatever reason and whatever traumas that lead them here, word of god has decreed that Our Heroes are at the military academy there. That said, as with any other school full of teenagers, there's definitely a hierarchy among the students...and as it turns out, the pretty upperclassman who is responsible for the sudden, sharp uptick in the visitor curfew at the girls' dormitory being obeyed is dominating the practice rooms. We're not sure why she's spent the better part of the afternoon defeating students at swordplay, but she's run through both the fencing and kendo teams, and is standing there in the center of the room looking magnificently bored.]

...Is that really all? Is there no one who can provide me even a decent challenge?

[Clearly, an intervention, or failing that, a new challenger is required.]

Comments

[adastrea]

Technically, it's only a county, and my brother is ahead of either of us.

[She shrugs almost a little too nonchalantly, but we don't really expect Leo to pick up on these cues.] But you're half-right. Wouldn't do for the public to realize the survivors aren't all so united. And if I show up and start winning again, it will get...nasty.

So for the sake of her not murdering me in my sleep, Michel had me promise to stay as separated as possible.

[downbygravity]

There's something else about this you're not mentioning, though. If you promised to stay away from the activity and busted both clubs, then you've chosen to antagonize your sister for some reason. What else is going on?

[adastrea]

Can't it be as simple as I'm frustrated and angry on a day I know she's not around, Leo? The way you talk about it sounds like there's some deeper political meaning to it.

If she chases me down to challenge me, I'll just win again. And if she's finally learned to reign in her temper, I'll be less restricted.

[downbygravity]

That still sounds like an intentional provocation.

[How can someone be so dense about some social things, yet able to cut through BS in other ways?]

Regardless, it is your own family's affairs, not mine.

[adastrea]

...Leo, do you mind if I ask you a few seemingly unrelated questions?

[downbygravity]

By all means, ask me whatever you wish.

[He is an open book. If books were sometimes seemingly psychotic and capable of killing you with a stick.]

[adastrea]

[Shes pretty sure she's read that one.]

Why did you enroll at this school? For the officer program, I am assuming?

[downbygravity]

My aptitude scores were within the top eight percentile of people my age, so I was entitled to my pick of any school. It only seemed prudent to go for the one with the best reputation, didn't it?

[He'll lean back on the railing, looking toward her, elbows rested on the top of the rails.]

[adastrea]

Logically, yes, but what do you intend to do after? This school is renowned for it's officer program, and with your scores, I've no doubt they want you on the fast track.

[...Just where is she going with this?]

[downbygravity]

I am uncertain. Not too long ago, the answer would have been simple enough; but these days, I find myself wondering where this country is going, and what part I would want to play in that. Why?

[adastrea]

Because to put it bluntly, without meaning any offense, your people skills swing from incredibly sharp-eyed to absolutely abysmal.

[She walks over to the railing next to him, leaning over it to look out at the school.]

And for a normal soldier, that isn't really an issue...but if you've any aims for more than that, it's going to be a problem.

[downbygravity]

I have no doubts about my ability to be placed as an officer already, if I choose that path - but what would you propose that I do, then?

[adastrea]

What do I propose? Well, it's difficult to say. From what I can tell, what appears to be the problem isn't that you're missing cues, but when you string together information, you're lacking some of the context of human behavior. Easiest way to solve this is by observation and interaction. People will tell you quite a bit about their motivations if you simply speak to them. I've done so myself, today, haven't I?

[She turns to look at him and there's a long, somewhat strange moment, where it would almost seem like she's looking through him for something intangible.she doesn't entirely understand it herself.]

You've more than enough talent to make officer, that is true. But would you really be satisfied not striving to become better?

[downbygravity]

It's true. I understand more than a fair bit about you from how you've been acting during our discussion. It's largely raised more questions, but it is a start.

[He shrugs some.]

I'm not sure what I want to do with my life. There is so much more to this world than i had thought when I first came here. Maybe my skills are better served working outside of the military.

[adastrea]

It's not unfathomable...but the systems are vast. If nothing else, a tour with the merchant fleets would be valuable life experience.

[She does laugh, though.] You've got time to chose, don't you? It isn't though you're going to be locked into one decision for the rest of your life.

[downbygravity]

Opportunities are sometimes rare, though. And what of you? What will you do, when you have finished your time in this academy? You do not seem the sort to idle her days away.

[adastrea]

...Well, let's just say there's some people I have to find, and leave it at that for today, alright?

[downbygravity]

I understand the need to look for the missing as well. That much, we have in common.

[adastrea]

[The pause here is roughly translated to "...Nah, his parents can't be missing to, that would be a frankly absurd level of coincidence.]

To be honest, I haven't put much thought into what happens after that. It's reckless, I know, but...it's hard to think of anything but that goal.

[downbygravity]

So much was lost in the troubles. Things, people... families. I imagine it must have been hard for a scion of the Riou family.

[He looks up at the sky.]

But I wouldn't want to presume what your problems are.

[adastrea]

You must have plenty of your own trouble, no need to go worrying about mine.

[...Peering down at the courtyard.]

...For instance, I believe that's the remains of your club being shanghai'd by the theatre club down there.

[downbygravity]

They're pretty bad about that.

[He'll turn to look down, though, and see what the hell is going on.]

You'd think swordsmen could hold their own against other clubs. Then again, they couldn't beat an amateur...

[adastrea]

I'm not.

[Snickering.] My brother trained me. You might notice, the fencing club's trophies have his name on them?

[downbygravity]

You've still got minimal training and were working on pure reaction and instinct. In a real fight, against a trained opponent, you would be in trouble.

[adastrea]

You could just say I'm too slow for the style I was taught, I'm a big girl, I can take it.

[Grinning a little.] I'd say it sounds like you're offering to teach, but if your club's any indication...