"Hard-core" Training. [Open-to-all.]

[light_of_willpower]

Who: (Future) Trunks and whoever is interested! Open to all.
When: October 22nd.
Where: Open Grounds (and Sky) near Caireen's Temple.
What: An open area and invitation for some harder-training than is usually done during the intro-events.



Bishamon was always kind enough every month to open part of her temple and its grounds for new shinki and gods, and Trunks was grateful for that. But he was also pretty sure he, and a few others he could think of, would appreciate a training session or two that wasn't geared towards most of the new arrivals. (Not that there was anything wrong with new arrivals, or those who weren't as skilled as others. They all had to learn.) Fortunately, he also had an understanding Goddess, who had decent space around her temple-grounds, and who knew he'd take care of clean-up and everything else.

Especially since some of the platforms and structure's they'd used from the game of hide-and-seek were still placed around. Celestia'd been kind enough to help Trunks with forming clouds into various loops and shapes to provide some obstacles there too. Clearly marking the space closest to Caireen's temple as off-limits, just in case as well.

It still left them lots of open ground on the edge of the forest, the beach-area, and the sky. Perfect, as far as he was concerned. Word-of-mouth, mostly making sure to stop by and visit friends he knew would be interested (like Snow and Goten) the date he was planning this, and then just setting things up.

He didn't have animated straw-dummies, but then--most of the people he was expecting were far beyond straw-dummy level.]

Comments

[light_of_willpower]

True teleportation is not something he can do; but moving fast and seeming to mimic it? It's come up at least once or twice before, which is why he's trying to get handle on how he does it. A little duck of his head at the praise, and a smile. "I'm trying to...react, but also analyze how I react? If that makes sense? It's part of why I'm glad you made a course. So I can test myself."

It wasn't 'magic'--at least not like Celestia used, or even shinki spells. It was energy; Chi is what Hakkai called it, and that made sense to Trunks. It fluctuated at various times depending on what he was doing and how he was using it--at the higher speeds of his plain flight it was almost like a shimmery haze that was visible around him.

I do actually have some idea, meta-wise, of what the course is like.

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks didn't bother to say what he was thinking in response. Which was I'm thinking about it so I can learn how I'm doing it, because I can't just REACT all the time. Mostly because he was amused by Piccolo's hint of enthusiasm; at least that's how Trunks was taking the sudden hint of arrogance.

His own smile turned slightly cocky in turn. "Try me." Challenge accepted, and he's not waiting, just kicking off the ground. Heading up to the area Celestia had marked as the starting point. The course overall had a vaguely ancient and dignified vibe, with columns and pillars formed of clouds, accented by swirls. The 'starting line' itself was a long strand of cumulus between two such shaped-pillars.

The first part of the course lead into a long straight-away, for speed and testing ones limits. At the furthest end of the long straightaway, a curve of gray-cloudwall was seen and forming an outer boundary. If people didn't react quickly enough however, they were in danger of running into a much larger gray storm-cloud, heavy with water. They could of course, go up or go under it-if they were fast enough, while racing.

That same large gray cloudwall forming the boundary of their course in a large curve around the obstacle too.

[light_of_willpower]

Honestly? I couldn't tell you. But I got the idea because one of my friends was a Dragon. We met when we both arrived, and were helping out with the obstacle course at Bishamon's. Tem was lamenting that he couldn't really participate, because it was made for humans.

[Trunks really didn't know how many there were who flew. But he knew enough, and hopefully Celestia had enjoyed setting it up. Sometimes she seemed a little bored here, to be honest--she'd as outright admitted that being a Sun Goddess here was somewhat easier than her own role back home.]

Nothing in particular really, except I've set up around the grounds. Obstacles, and areas marked for sparring. And the sky-course. I have the safe-zone around the temple marked off too, because while Mai is very supportive--I do not want her home and mine to get damaged, thanks.

[Pointing, and Caster can see the grounds of Caireen's temple easily. Hints of wooden pallets set in various configurations, some near the trees others on the open ground. He wouldn't be able to see the string, but he might be able to make out the hint of red-flags hanging from rope--that bordered the areas and marked what was off-limits. There was a decent variety of terrain, for all it was in limited space; some forest, open ground, some nearer the sand and hint of stone that headed towards the water in the distance and mountains.]

[redmare]

[ Huh, she never thought of it that way. Wanting to beat your partner sounded strange--but she also didn't hate it. It almost felt familiar in a way. ]

....You're weird, you know that?

[ Though she doesn't mean it in an offensive way. You'd have to be one heck of a nice guy to feel the need to apologize for something like that. ]

[light_of_willpower]

[There's a slow blink, and that hint of smile returns.]

Says the girl who just shows up to train, finds a random partner, and doesn't even introduce herself.

[redmare]

Who's the one inviting total strangers to their home, hm?

[ There's no venom in her tone though, and she's smiling as well. ]

Hiyama Chinatsu.

[light_of_willpower]

Most of the word got out to people I already knew. I just don't mind others who are interested showing up.

[Yep, that half-smile is back.]

Nice to meet you Chinatsu. Thank you for your interest, too. You're an interesting partner.

[redmare]

Yeah? Hopefully I make it more interesting then.

[ She does plan on improving after all. ]

[light_of_willpower]

[A sincere nod and smile.]

Works for me. Now, do you realize how much you're telegraphing your punches? It makes your movement easier to read.

[On to business, which means offering more encouragement and feedback if she wants. Because they WILL be sparring again.]

[redmare]

[ The smile automatically falls at the critique. Damn, it was that bad? ]

How the hell do you subtly punch someone?

[light_of_willpower]

[Well--time to do some explaining and demonstrating.]

I didn't say 'subtly' now did I? There's very little that's subtle about a punch. But you can minimize some of your tells of what you're going to do. You're also very good about bringing your arm back to your guard quickly.

[Moving back over and closer, he'll take a stance, and proceed to explain and demonstrate what he's talking about. Having her watch or mimic him--as it's mostly about practice, but also it's in the shoulders. It's more in 'how' one moves. Some of it is speed yes--but she knew he was faster and that wasn't what he was focusing on.]

[letteropener]

"So far it doesn't seem to be testing you very hard," Celestia chuckled. She wasn't sure HOW she could test Trunks, to be honest.

[light_of_willpower]

"It's better than just open sky for now, so I'm still glad to have it." Trunks responded with genuine sincerity. Honestly Celestia, you could probably treat him like Rainbow Dash for purposes of testing...

[sing_for_me]

There seems to be quite a few of you here with large appetites...

[ She could think of some in her head right now. ]

It was. Though I have to say, it really is amazing how no one noticed him as a dragon either..

[ It was quite the sight, having a dragon waiting outside a convenience store. ]

[light_of_willpower]

[That sheepish expression returned slightly, but didn't ruin his good nature.]

I've been lead to believe some of it is related to being a shinki--but despite that, I still seem to be one of a number that are...big eaters.

Actually, mortals not noticing him is also related to his being a shinki. Most of them down on the Near Shore don't seem to really notice us unless they're super-perceptive. Usually it's little kids more than anything, and sometimes animals.

[letteropener]

As if Celestia had any idea how to test Rainbow Dash!

Turning, she accelerates back into the next section -- a wide-open one, for flyers to catch their breath or enjoy the energy in their bodies after all that for a moment. No acrobatics from Celestia, though, more's the pity.

[light_of_willpower]

She could always start throwing obstacles at him...

Trunks kept pace, but was also looking around at the open stretch. Studying, before stopping and turning back to look at the course they'd traversed so far. "Are these the kinds of things Pegasi deal with back in Equestria? I mean, you probably have some kind of organized air-squad of some kind? How do they train?" Did Celestia know, being a princess?

This is all kind of new to Trunks, but he's already trying to think of ways to potentially improve.

[letteropener]

She'd set this up with obstacles! He'd handled them neatly.

"In Equestria, fancy flying is primarily done by an aerial troupe known as the Wonderbolts. Rather than focus on obstacles or hazardous courses, they emphasize both speed and skilled performances."

[futhark]

[ Ah, yes, Tem. Poor Tem. He never met him but he remembers how his disappearance hurt Alex. ]

That makes total sense. [ Caster chuckles, an idea of strongmen or strongflyers suddenly crashing into the temple by accident, or even just taking it as part of obstacle course-- yeah, he can see Mai not wanting that. Would anyone like it at all ever ]

You want to keep it as a permanent part of the landscape, or is it one-time deal? [ From above it's easy to admire all the hardwork done on the training grounds. Caster realizes it- kind of would be a shame for it to be a one time happening ] I think all those kids around could benefit from something being accessible all the time.

[ And not just once every two weeks like Bishamon's temple. ]

[light_of_willpower]

"So does Equestria have an organized defense force? I mean, I know there are threats--like the changelings." But Trunks is bringing himself closer, and reaching out to rest his hand against Celestia's neck where he won't interfere with her own flying. "I also really am still glad you did this. Those storm clouds and the lightening were something. I'm hoping maybe to find out just who among us CAN fly. Besides those I know, and see if we can't get together to do this kind of thing more often. Practice, as most people aren't as comfortable in the air."

[light_of_willpower]

[That's not even counting the potential for energy blasts. While flying, or on the ground. It's probably part of why Goten often trained in abandoned areas.]

Honestly? This was kind of thought up as a one-time-thing, but you're thinking about the same way I am. Or at least close to it, as Bishamon is kind--helping all of us by opening her temple. But she's also very busy, and having another dedicated space could be good. I wanted this mostly to be for those of us who are well-past the basics, so we could all get together and cut loose a bit more than we do with a mixed group of newbies and experienced fighters.

Mai and I originally had the idea of the obstacle course a month or two back though, with the idea of hide-and-seek mixed with capture the flag, as a kind of training mixed with games.

[Turning to Caster, it's very clear Trunks has put a lot of thought into these ideas, and his pleased.]

It doesn't even have to be here--this is just convenient because I live here.

[letteropener]

"The Wonderbolts do sometimes respond to trouble as needed, and we of course have the Guard. But Equestria has been peaceful for the most part for a very long time, and those threats we do face are not ones that such a defense force could handle."

Celestia smiled at his second sentiment. "I do agree. It's wonderful to stretch my wings."

[light_of_willpower]

That made him stop short, hovering and blinking for a moment. Wondering about why his brain had responded to her statement. The idea of a land at peace for so long... Shaking himself from it a second later with a genuine smile. "First, I enjoy your company so anytime you want to fly, we can go exploring. Secondly, I hope your land stays at peace, and I hope that no threat comes that you can't handle."

Ever the protective type, apparently.

[letteropener]

Celestia couldn't help but giggle into a hoof. "I haven't handled any of the threats that have come up lately at all. My days of doing that are done, I think. But thank you."

[light_of_willpower]

Hey, he's glad he can make her smile (and giggle) apparently. "I don't know--you don't strike me as the type to not be aware, if not involved. Just in case, of course." With a deliberate and obvious wink to make his point (and tease her too).

"So what else can you throw at me, with this flight course?"