xavier_institute_logs | Eighth Trial

Eighth Trial - Keeping On Keeping On

WHO: Alric Caelegart and maybe you!
WHAT: DitL type things
WHERE: Wherever!
WHEN: Whenever throughout October, really!
WARNING(S): None expected

1) Individual Training: Alric is always up for working with his team mates, either in groups or in individual training, and where he's had a shortage of instruction on developing and exploring his powers, he's had quite a lot of very intensive experience in controlling them, as well as his naturally fiery temper. If he can help with either, he'd be happy to. Also, anyone who can help him with taking his own in new directions would certainly be welcome!

2) Music: One of the things Alric has done since childhood to balance control and expression has been music, and he can often be found in the music room, jamming out--especially a lot of rock opera and symphonic metal ballad covers of classical music. Feel free to drop by to listen, or to join in!

3) Alric's Training: Alric invests a good chunk of his time in various training regimens, practicing both force and precision with his powers, as well as sword training (on top of assisting with Hijikata's class) and a range of academics including political science, history, economics, and physical science. Feel free to drop in while he's doing one of those things, or seek his help with any of them.

4) Wildcard: Other stuff is fine, too! Want to talk about current events? Want to ask/tell him something as president of the student council? Want to bug him while he's chillaxing in a tree? Go for it!

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During a break in training is when suddenly there is a serious expression on Marisa's face. She'd been trying to figure out how to tell the team that she was a full time X-Man now and wasn't in collage courses anymore. The only one who really knew was Reimu and that was because he was the one she talked to to figure it all out. Now she had a idea of how to bring it up to at least Alric. Once she told him, everyone else should be a bit easier.

"Hey..Gotta tell ya somethin'. Shoulda said it before now but with everythin' goin' on..kinda fell ta the wayside."

"Oh?"

Alric raised his eyebrows slightly, glancing over toward her, and smiled slightly; one of those reassuring smiles, since she seemed troubled--either by whatever she was trying to bring up, or by finding a way to express it.

"What can I do for you, Miss Kirisame?"

"Well..ya know all the crap that's been goin' down obviously. With everythin' goin' on the chaos and stuff got ta a point where it was best ta give up on college for the time bein'"

She pauses for the moment, letting that sink in. Marisa gives a light smile for the time being. This was a serious thing and something that needed to be known. Heck, she talked it over with her best friend and she still had moments of worry that she could pull it off.

"But because of that..I signed up ta go full time as a X-man. I mean, we need all the help we can get..and I know the drill by now. Been here too long."

Alric pauses briefly, himself, and nods in answer to prompt her to continue. His own smile remains soothing and diplomatic, the better to encourage her to go on whenever she's ready--although he blinks, a bit surprised when she does get to it, although not showing any signs of being displeased.

"Indeed..? That is certainly true, of course... well, shall I offer my congratulations, or are you still awaiting an answer?"

"Yeah, I'm in. I had a offer before when I came back but I wanted ta try and do more schoolin' before I went full force."

Marisa relaxes a little bit at this point. That was her biggest worry, just letting others know. Being on a team, it was better to give those details sooner then needed...just because of the sudden call away.

"I've been meanin' ta at least say somethin' before a mission came up that would call me away. So it's not like 'Wait..someone is missin'...Why?' ya know?"

Alric blinks and chuckles, nodding.

"I appreciate the concern, Miss Kirisame. Congratulations on your acceptance."

He pauses, just a moment.

"...mm. ...do you expect you'll be joining us for missions and training, still, when not needed elsewhere by Professor Xavier?"

"Thanks. It's taken a while..goin' through school..the incident and then everything until now...But after talkin' with my best friend back home, he agreed it'd probably be best."

Going to take a swig from her water bottle now. It was always good when things seem to work out. But she grins anyways.

"Of course! It's like how Reimu was a X-man but the rest of us weren't. Team buildin' and learnin' ta work with others is a skill that can always be worked on. Might also bring ya along on bigger stuff to because of that."

"Indeed... I'd appreciate it."

He smiles to himself and nods.

"Whatever we can do to support the X-Men, of course, would be an honor. And you're more than welcome, if you'd like to work with me on precision training, naturally--not to criticize yours, obviously, but I believe it's especially crucial for those of us whose gifts can be... potentially destructive. Besides, I'm always open to new methods, if you have suggestions."

The area was brown, and orange, and gold, for fall had come, but when the sun was out there was still warmth to be had. Viti savored it, but couldn't think about it too much. He needed help. Normally, he had Aqua to turn to, but she was recovering, and already put a lot of time helping him, so he sought on of the few other people he could talk to.

He found Alric chilaxing in a tree.

"Hey, Alric. Got a second. I need help with something important."

Viti sighed.

"You're good with people aren't you? I need dating advice."

Alric glanced down quizzically, then smiled and nodded in greeting... and tilted his head a little at that question.

"Ah, Mister DeFalco. ...I like to think so, at least... although every person's something of a special case. Even so, I'd be happy to help, if I can."

"Well you see...." Viti had to take a second to think. "...I asked a girl on a date, but I don't really know what a date is exactly, even if people throw the word around a lot. Do I take her some place to get fed, and then someplace with a nice view? Is that how it works?"

"...ah."

Alric glances aside a moment, scratching the back of his head pensively and smiling a little to himself.

"...well. That is certainly a common permutation, yes. Strictly speaking, however, there is no... precisely 'correct' date for all cases. To my understanding, at least, the 'formula,' so to speak, is an activity or series of activities both people involved enjoy, and which allow them to get to know one another better, and to build a sense of intimacy."

He pauses a moment to give Viti a moment to process that general outline.

"Movies are often popular, for example--it's a shared experience, and gauging one another's reactions afterwards is informative. Particularly if the content is... centered around relationships, although certainly not necessarily. But in principle, you could do anything you both enjoy doing--or even something neither of you has done before, making it a mutually new experience, although that is perhaps a... slightly riskier approach. Perhaps best reserved until you've developed a little confidence in calmer waters, so to speak. That's really up to the two of you, however."

"Hmmm." Viti rubbed his chin in thought. He realized, smitten as he was, that he didn't actually know what he and she both liked.

"Lets see...Something we both enjoy." Viti suddenly bulged his eyes in revelation.

"I know! I like swimming, and she likes sleeping in logs. Therefore I should take her to a water park with a log ride!"

Viti stood proud for a second, but then realized a fatal flaw in his plan.

"I'm not sure how to get one, though. hmmm."

.......well they certainly sounded like they made an interesting pair.

Alric raised his eyebrows at that summary of her hobbies.

"...a-.. ....aa, I suppose that... could be a solution, yes. But I would imagine there must be things she likes... besides sleeping. Perhaps a little research on that point is in order. ...either through her, or her friends, if you'd wanted to surprise her; they may be quite helpful if you explain you're trying to do something nice for her."

Viti nodded.

"Yes! talking to people who know her would be prudent. Reki is hard to get ahold of, but I am sure she's a friend of that girl with horns and pink hair. Yes I should speak to her." Viti kept nodding, a thought suddenly occurred to Viti.

"What do you think of giving her flowers on this first date? Is that too forward? In the movies the date has flowers sometimes."

"..ah.. well. I wouldn't exactly say 'too forward,' particularly if you are already acquainted. But particularly in America, I suspect they might seem a touch old-fashioned. I'd suggest that if you choose to give a gift, it should be something meaningful, rather than typical, and something which she can put away easily, that won't become a distraction. An excessive display, also, might make her feel pressured, although I'm certain that's not your intention, so it's generally best to restrict early gifts to something relatively modest, until you both know better what you expect of one another. If, for the lady you have in mind, and the circumstances of your arrangements, flowers fit that description, then there's nothing specifically wrong with them... but were I in your place, I wouldn't bring them simply because it's 'what is done.'"

Alric paused a moment.

"......however, it might be wise to ask one or two of the young women, here, to see if they corroborate. My... experience has been... atypical, in a word, between Kaitheny and here."

Viti raised a brow upon hearing the word "atypical." Normally he was uninterested in Lovie dovei gossip, but this time he had to ask.

"Atypical huh? Sounds like you have an interesting relationship story yourself. May I ask?"

Alric blinked and chuckled lightly.

"I hate to disappoint, Mr. DeFalco, but I'm not certain 'interesting' is truly the best word to describe it. I meant more that due to my station at home, I have certain obligations that are... not entirely compatible with dating--particularly in a contemporary, American fashion. It's not impossible, certainly, but... a bit complicated."

Viti scratched his head. "Are arranged marriages a common tradition in Kaitheny?"

"...among... certain segments of society, at least, it is certainly more common. Or, of not arranged, then at least... ...strongly guided."

He smiles a little wryly to himself.

"...the woman whom I marry, one day, will have to be a suitable queen; and if she isn't of noble blood, herself, she will face social... difficulties, at court. I have no wish to give anyone the impression of a relationship going somewhere it isn't--and I'm more than a little reluctant to put someone for whom I care into such a position."

"Ah yes. The last thing you need is another Princess Diana situation." Viti shuttered. He had been born long after Diana's death, but his power had told him all about the situation.

"Well England has an interesting suggestion. 'Have the heir then have the affair.' Actually that suggestion was for ladies, but I think it applies equally to lords."

"...yes. Well. While I recognize we do not live in a perfect world, and that things do not always go to plan, I see no particular need to lower one's aim from the outset. If we are to call ourselves 'nobility,' in particular, I'm inclined to feel we should make at least a modest effort to play the part; likewise, if I am to take an oath to cherish and honor a certain lady first, then I intended to do my utmost to fulfill that oath, as with any other."

Viti raised an eyebrow. On an intellectual level Viti understood the concept of royalty, and arranged marriages, as his power taught him the history of a nobleman or two. Still he grew up hearing that marriage was about love, and without it no loyalty was owed between its participants.

But for once Viti put thought into his next statement.

"I can't say I envy your position. Kisume may yet turn me down, but at least I was allowed to pursue my love for her."

Alric paused momentarily with a pensive sort of smile, before replying to that.

"There are worse fates in this world, Mr. DeFalco, although I do appreciate your sympathy on the matter. And in truth, I am not wholly prevented from such pursuits--but I am forced by circumstance to be somewhat more demanding in certain ways than I might be, otherwise. The same would be true in its own way for, say, a widower with young children, for example: his existing obligations imply certain constraints upon his lifestyle, at least, if he is not a grossly negligent person."

Viti put his finger on his chin and looked up into this thoughts again.

"I guess I never looked at it that way before. But that's not a bad analogy. hmmmm."

Viti then shook his head to break out of his own thoughts.

"Well anyhow, I think I know how to proceed with my date. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it goes. Bye bye."

Viti literally ran off to make preparations.

Alric chuckled and waved.

"Good luck, Mr. DeFalco. Do let me know if it goes well."

[She's meeting up with him for the first time since the incident in their training session. When everything went wrong, when she lashed out, controlled by fear and leveled an entire city before her power burned itself out.

She's ashamed, ashamed and scared of herself, of her powers. Her body knew it was all fake, it's why it went completely out of control, still, she can't help but wonder if she could end up doing more harm than good. What happens if the wrong emotion controls her in the middle of town? Would her natural instincts stop her from hurting or even killing innocents?]

Sir! Reporting for Training Sir!

[Alric smiles reassuringly, raising a hand in a soothing gesture, and gestures for her to take a seat nearby.]

..ah.. at ease, Miss Melchiott. We aren't conducting drills, today. At least... not in a conventional sense. Rather, I'd hoped you could tell me something about your experience of your powers. My hope is that with a better understanding of... exactly how your control is... hampered, we might work more effectively to improve it.

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Eighth Trial - Keeping On Keeping On

Mix of 1 and 4ish?

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Shh...I'm not late as heck

yeah like I can really talk

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4

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Edit: I meant "Can't get too a water park." not "can't get a water park"

Figured! XD

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1)

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