OPEN! [Early September]

[light_of_willpower]

Who: Trunks and you (Seriously, all of these are open)
When: Early September
Where: Far Shore: Bishamon's Temple Training area, Mai's Temple
What: Weapons Training, setting up a “Training” Course, Practicing. (There might be a theme here...)


Weapons-Training; Daytime, Dojo [Bishomon's Temple]

After that first day of 'orientation' (so to speak), Trunks hoped that it would be alright to ask Bishomon's shinki (or the God themself if they were around) if the weapons dojo was open or available. Given an 'all clear' and permission, he was taking Mai's advice about trying everything to heart.

Which meant looking over all the weapons along the walls. Quiet, reflective and respective that these were weapons--even the training ones. Spending a few minutes in front of each set and trying to see if anything looked or felt familiar. With some of the wooden practice ones, this involved picking it up and holding it. Careful, his eyes closed and making sure there was space, before carefully testing with a strike on one or two...

Halberds and Spears had no reaction, or at least didn't feel familiar. Guns didn't feel right in his hand. Trunks spent a long time eyeing the swords though, studying the different types. They felt familiar—or at least familiar enough, kind of like how he had been running the obstacle course. Trying each of the different practice blades available---and then it was a 2 handed long-sword, western style—that caught his eye.

Taking it down, and being careful again to be mindful of the area, he took a few practice strokes. They were smooth, much smoother than any of the others... A deep breath in, and out, and Trunks closed his eyes. Another practice strike or two—and this definitely felt familiar. As much as any of the tumbling and obstacles on the course, as much as just 'running' and 'walking' felt.

Blue-eyes open again, and thoughtful.




Setting up a course; Daytime [Caireen's Temple]

It had started with a list, and then gathering supplies. Mai had helped of course—since she was the other instigator and idea person behind this. First they'd made some signs to designate 'SAFE' spots, as well as one big-sign with the rules of the 'game'. After that had been the harder task; setting up some obstacles that could be used as various hiding places as well as be climbed on or used as ambush points. Some of them went in the trees of the forest near the Temple.

Trunks was also making at least a basic map, with what obstacles were where, so it would be easier to tear down again later.

During any break from the physical labor part of things, he kept a notebook and pen handy. Letting his brain turn over ideas for ways people might circumvent, or take advantage of, any extra skills or abilities. Also how to deal with them, if they did—how would one counter someone invisible, for example?

It's a good days worth of work all told put into all of this.





Stealth and camoflage Training. Daytime [Caireen's Temple]

On the date Mai had announced, and after everything to set up, Trunks surveyed the....course, was probably the word. Maybe Game field? With some amount of pride.

A safe perimeter around the temple had been marked out in paint on the grass, which is where a sign was set up and labeled as such.

Around the grounds, various structures and things had been placed. Closer to the forest, as well as in the forest with another painted line surrounding the game-field perimeters.

There was a box or two of various things, including what looked like strips of fabric, near the safe-area perimeter. Every now and then there was a sign set up with the words "BASE" written on it. All of them were out in the open except for one on one of the lower pallets in the forest and one near a 3-sided wall closer to the temple.

All set and ready to go, as Mai had also made sure to have a table in the safe zone. Lots of water available and small snacks.





Practicing;[Caireen's Temple] Early Evening

Mai was and had encouraged Trunks to try things out, see what he might 'know' even if he couldn't remember. So he's taken a space away from their planned training-course, while still on her Temple's grounds, and is training. Mostly by closing his eyes, and visualizing (as much as he could since he had no memories) enemies coming at him. How does he dodge, move? What 'feels' familiar to his body, even though he doesn't consciously know what he's doing?

The katas are often informal, but anyone observing will quickly realize that in life he was a warrior of some kind, from the ease of how he moves. It's clear his body and bones and muscles all remember, even if he doesn't. As he keeps going, he's making note and studying himself, trying to relearn what he must've known while alive.

Night

Usually his days are busy—if not with his own occupations, then something for his Goddess or another god, or even just on the Near Shore exploring and helping where he can. So in the evenings, unless doing something else, Trunks tends to spend his time training. And once he's exhausted himself enough, he moves to a different kind of training.

Trying to learn and get in touch with his own energy, since he's seen evidence, and been told, that it can be used to do many things. To start with, he's taking advice he himself had offered another. Mostly by meditating—trying to familiarize himself with the energy in his own body and how it flows.

Sometimes he'll set up a practice target or two, like they had at Bishomon's Temple. Then he's trying to master the offensive version of the Borderline. Which—is still giving him trouble. That...burst of energy he'd done before though, at the schoolyard against the ayakashi? That has been replicated a few times—and Trunks is studying it more when he does it. It's clearly 'familiar' to his body, even though he has no memories of it...

Comments

Night

[toremainbehind]

"You seem to be working hard."

Izumo was usually going on with his evening when he notices Trunks. He looks somewhat impressed when he notices him using the Borderline in the offensive way. Most people usually have trouble with it before they finally picked it up, so he was curious to see how well this one would do. He's never seen Trunks before, but he's never been averse to helping people out if they need it.

Re: Night

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks' defensive Borderlines were still his better skill; the offensive ones were... They were better than they were, in that he was actually managing to cut more often. Except they weren't thin or clean cuts. More jagged, and he still felt like he was fighting to control how the energy moved. It was progress...

Some of the targets showed the signs of his replicating that burst-of-energy attack he'd managed before. THAT, he was getting the hang of very easily, and was learning to make bigger or smaller. Learning how to do so from either hand, as well; it came with much more ease.

Looking up when he heard the unfamiliar voice though, and relaxing his stance. "Seemed the easiest way and best time to not really disturb others."

[toremainbehind]

"Unless you count the night owls who'd come to check it out."

Honestly, there really was a lot of people here who seemed averse to sleeping. Gods and shinki actually doesn't need to sleep, after all.

"But impressive Borderlines. How long have you been working on them?"

[light_of_willpower]

"I'm hardly hiding it, but it's one thing if someone comes to check it out. It's another entirely if I do this where I'd disrupt others." But he doesn't seem to mind. "Since I got here so..." Thinking, trying to remember "About 2 weeks? Maybe a little less or more? both my Goddess and myself are new arrivals."

[toremainbehind]

"Ah, still fairly new then." It makes sense. Still, Izumo is impressed with the progress that Trunks has made. "You've progressed a lot faster than some I've seen."

Early Evening

[waitingforhope]

[Image Training]

[Even at a distance, she recognized the technique. When physical combat wasn't possible, it was a means of mentally honing one's skills. Visualizing the enemy, how they moved, how they dodged, and how one's instincts responded to such opposition. For a moment, Mai wondered if it was something someone else had shown him here, or if it was a technique he picked up instinctively. Like with his ki blast.]

[Sneaking up on him would be nearly impossible. So she didn't bother. Her steps were still quiet, so as not to disturb him until he was ready to acknowledge her approach, and she came to a seated position not to far back, hands on her knees and patiently waiting while observing his progress. Her cheeks were still slightly flushed from the day's activities, strands of hair askew and clothing slightly rumpled. Signs of a successful training session of her own.]

Re: Early Evening

[light_of_willpower]

[It wasn't quite the same image training as she'd seen--this had elements of shadow-boxing too, in that he was moving much of the time. As if physically fighting an opponent (or opponents) only he could see. It had made sense to do things this way for now, even though he'd been offered sparring partners. Trunks was still figuring out some things, and so he wanted to figure them out alone. Within reason, which is why he was still in the open here.

Definitely aware that Mai was present, and he'd been paying attention more to noticing if others were around. Much as he'd tried at the obstacle course, and to him...it seemed like his senses were sharper. No real frame of reference aside from that they had improved and he was aware of more.

Watching him though, it was clear that while it wasn't (for lack of a better term) her Trunks... Aside from the lack of a sword and that he remained standing on the ground, moved exactly the same. It didn't take too much longer though before a break came.

Stilling from the sequence he'd just been doing, straightening up fully, then taking a breath. Relaxing afterwards, and turning in her direction. A wave, and he's moving over to come and join her where she sat.]

If there's anywhere around here you don't want me practicing, let me know. Or I could mark off an area, to make it safer.

[waitingforhope]

[Mai was not, nor had she ever been, a martial artist. Her eyes were not trained to pick up on personal fighting styles or identical techniques. Yet even she could see the parallels in the way this version of Trunks moved to the countless times she'd seen the Trunks of her time executed an attack.]

[And she tried to ignore that little ping in her heart once more when he approached, taking a seat beside her.]

This is as much your home as my home. [She told him with a smile that was only just barely forced, closing her eyes and shaking her head.] You shouldn't have to feel restricted. So long as there are no children nearby who might accidentally get hurt, you can train as you wish.

[Although, a thought occured to her, and she amended:]

...then again, that might depend on the child.

[A certain half Saiyan came to mind.]

[light_of_willpower]

[She really was too nice, and Trunks was grateful for it.]

I am trying to be aware of others; I've been getting better at it too. At least, it feels that way.

[He still sounded a bit unsure. Her comment though, made him grin.]

Ah, yes--Goten had offered to help, and I'd like to take him up on it sometime.

[Of course he knew she'd met him. Her brief panic at seeing the younger child had brought him running--until he'd looked out the door and seen who it was.]

He's a good kid, and full of surprises.

Setting up

[letteropener]

"Oh, are you building an obstacle course?"

The question came from above -- where a pony had paused in her flight overhead, looking inquisitively down at the setup with a bright smile.

This probably raised all sorts of concerns about special abilities and circumvention and so forth.

(As mun squeals in happiness :D )

[light_of_willpower]

Looking up, Trunks blinks but otherwise does not seem that surprised. After Temeraire? A flying talking unicorn miniature horse was not unusual. "Not quite...it's less like the one they had at Bishomon's temple, although I do expect the obstacles to be used." Friendly enough though, and stepping back to make clear space where he is if the flying unicorn would like to land.

Well you asked :D

[letteropener]

Pony.

She dropped down into the offered space with a smile, gently folding up her massive wings tight once she had her hooves underneath her. "Not quite? What are you going for, may I ask?"

Doesn't mean I squee any less.

[light_of_willpower]

Sorry Celestia, you'll have to introduce him to the concept of 'ponies'.

"Well, my Goddess and I were watching some kids on a playground, and also thinking about the obstacle course when we arrived. Both of us are new. Obviously the course Bishomon's shinki set up wasn't meant to be a game, but it was still kind of fun to run. So then we were thinking of what games we could adapt somewhat, but that would still be games."

Gesturing out to the course, and showing Celestia the 'sign' he's made for the safe area. "So, this is kind of going to be a very advanced version of hide and seek. Children, and really adults too, often learn best by playing and when things are fun. So this would help teach dodging and stealth and blending in."

Practicing/Evening

[impetuouswind]

[Temeraire is watching with fascination from the edge of the training course, perched on a rock with his knees drawn up and arms crossed over them for balance. He's growing more used to his human form: for one thing, he doesn't fall over nearly so much anymore, and his hands work similarly enough that he's been able to hold and manipulate things fairly well. Pens are still a mystery.

The elegant, flowing motions that Trunks is engaging in are a mystery, too, but one that looks familiar: it's like a fight. He can almost see the targets of each blow, but the battle Trunks is enacting is strangely, well, flat: it's a different sort of battle. He'd known humans couldn't fly, of course, but he hadn't thought about how that, too, must change how they fought.

He waits for a pause in Trunks' practice before he speaks up, not wanting to disturb his concentration.]

Could you teach me how to do that?

Re: Practicing/Evening

[light_of_willpower]

[There are natural stops and starts at times, as well as some that seem to be un-natural. Like he is relearning, or something felt off. It's clumsy--but he adapts to it quickly enough.

Fortunately, it's a natural pause when Temeraire speaks up. Nor is Trunks surprised he was being watched. Mai had asked him to take note of things, and he'd noticed he'd been better at telling when people were around, even passively.

Head turning, and a hint of a nod of his head in acknowledgement.]

I'm not sure I'd be a good teacher. I'm having to relearn a lot of it myself, as I don't remember any of it from life.

[There is no sign yet he recognizes this as his dragon-friend. Sorry Tem.]

[impetuouswind]

Oh. But I do not know anything about how to fight as a human yet, so I'm certain I could still learn a great deal from you.

Besides, you seem quite good at it, Trunks....

[It wouldn't be nearly so visible in his draconic form, but with a mobile human face, it's quite obvious he's pouting. He toes the ground with one foot, looking around the grounds. Mai's temple is much prettier in the light. It's a different perspective from human eye-level, too: he's beginning to realize that so much of their architecture is not really meant to be viewed from above.....]

[light_of_willpower]

[Blink...it was the 'human' comment, and the familiarity that finally had Trunks connecting it. There's some astonishment, then a grin.]

Temeraire...

[Definitely pleased, if a bit surprised, and then waving the other over.]

I can imagine this is probably new then. I'm not sure how it'll go, but I try and help with what I can. How new is that form?

training daaaay

[artificialrose]

Well, Garry had told Mai that he would show up, not only for training of his own but also to contribute a little bit. So, in his simple training outfit (tee and jeans) along with a backpack, Garry arrives and looks around with eyebrows raised. This is a pretty impressive set up... And to think that just a single god and her shinki put it all together.

Oh, but he shouldn't get distracted by that. Immediately, he starts to look around for a table or something. "I need to put these down somewhere..."

Re: training daaaay

[light_of_willpower]

"Garry!" Trunks hails him, waving. "Over here." Trunks is in pretty simple training clothes himself, but also has a clipboard to help 'mark' him as one of the people organizing. For those who haven't already met him as Mai's shinki.

[artificialrose]

"Trunks!"

Fortunately, there's no need for a clipboard when he has already met the other shinki. Smiling, Garry hurries over to him. "Everything looks great. You and Mai must have really worked hard."

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks shrugged, head ducking slightly. "I'm not very good at sitting still for long, it turns out." Not unless he was really focused on something that required him to be still. "I'm also lucky I have an encouraging and understanding Goddess."

Early Evening

[sonofson]

[Its hard to miss Trunks, it's even harder to pass by without staring and watching the older shinki practice. His movements are strange. He's not really hitting anything but they're really fluid.

Goten watches him from behind a stand alone tree for awhile. As interesting as it is...he does get a bit bored. Whatever training Trunks is doing it can't be that helpful if he's just kicking the empty air. Goten glances around before he spots a decent size rock. He stares at it, looks back to Trunks, looks to it, glances to Trunks---and next thing he is by the rock. A swift punch and the rock breaks into pieces. Decent sized pieces. Roughly ball size rock pieces.

Perfect!

Kneeling down, he gathers a few by cradling them into his left arm. It isn't long before he's standing up again and looking over at Trunks]

....

[Goten glances to the rock in his hand. He doesn't want to hurt Trunks so maybe a warning shot would be good first. He pulls his arm back, leaning back on one foot before he thrusts his arm forward, launching the rock at Trunks. He makes sure to throw it low so it practically skips around the ground before flying for Trunks' leg.

Before it makes contact, Goten jumps back behind the tree, hiding]

Re: Early Evening

[light_of_willpower]

[It's helpful, and yet not--having no opponent really to train against easily. But that's why this is more when Trunks is figuring out the finer points. The intricacies and trying to remember what his body already knows, but his mind has forgotten. It allows him more study and focus without distractions.

Then again, it looks as if a distraction has found him. In the back of his mind, Trunks has noticed he 'recognizes' Goten. Not necessarily conscious of it yet, but it's an awareness, and he hasn't made the full connection yet that he's sensing energy. But he knows he's not alone, and he 'knows' it's Goten somehow watching him.

The rock being thrown isn't too much of a surprise then thankfully, even if it's far more of a surprise than when Hakkai tried the same thing. Again, Trunks doesn't actually manage to do any kind of 'shield', but the rock is blocked quickly with a small burst of energy at his hand. Blue eyes blink, before narrowing in wariness.]

[sonofson]

[Goten blinks.

And blinks again.

Did he see that right?

He stares at Trunks from his spot behind the tree trying to figure out what just happened. He expected to hit him, would have been surprised if he dodged or blocked it but he used energy! Goten can't help but gape at him in awe. Sure he can do it, he knows Gohan can do it too but how can Trunks?

After a moment, Goten shifts and picks a rock from the bundle cradled between his chest and left arm. Time for round two.

Stepping out, he pulls his arm back again and throws. This time, it's aimed at Trunks' torso and it's going quite a bit faster. Enough to whistle through the air.]

[light_of_willpower]

[Goten had indeed seen right; it's probably the first time they've encountered each other since they met though. Trunks has been talking to others, and practicing hard, which Goten hasn't seen so no wonder this is new.

Round two huh? Whether Goten's hiding or not, Trunks has been alerted and is watching for the action. The whistle is audible, and just like before Trunks barely moved while holding up his hand and blasting the rock. Slightly smaller than the blast before too, as the purple-haired-shinki is focusing on trying to vary how much energy he's using.

He's been practicing hard Goten, and there is a hint of a smile on his face.]