station72 | [training log] we are the champions

Entry tags:

[training log] we are the champions

CHARACTERS: All
WHERE: Station 72
WHEN: Day :44
SUMMARY: 1988 Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship.
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary. Need a warning added? PM this account please!

DAY 44 begins without ceremony, the station quiet and still, the murmur of host's minds distant. Even with all of the current new hosts returned from their mission the station is too large to ever really feel lived in. It is almost peaceful, when the call comes.

The voice is nothing like Cathaway's, who is so often in the young Host's minds, but then again Prince was rarely so warm or inviting, and in the days he has had to recover from the Station's recent jumps he has returned to his more stable state, his tone perfectly matched to his speech, seeming as near as if he is speaking just over their shoulders.

'Good morning. I would like to encourage all hosts, most especially those fresh to the station, to join us today in the Training Wing. This resource is not to be underestimated, as it will not be available to you when you are on assignment. Attendance is recommended.'

With that simple message he is again gone from their minds, leaving them alone with their own thoughts- and anyone else who shares them. Left behind is the impression of how to reach the Training Wing, in case anyone is unaware.

FOR THOSE WHO CHOSE to follow the call and make their way to the Training wing, they will find Prince, once again adorned in his traditional uniform. He has beside him a small stack of charcoal grey jumpsuits identical to it beside him, for any host who had not previously made their way to the wing.

For those who are familiar with the space he simply nods to them and leaves them to their own devices, unless they should chose to approach him for more than simple encouragement. For those who are new, he will direct them to the lockers and give them the honeycomb textured jumpsuits, which will fit them perfectly. He will also give a brief explanation of Iota and Rho symbiotic types for those who need it ((as outlined in the setting)) and go into the basics of the specialized abilities all hosts develop. He will not divulge the exact ability that a host possesses at that time, but may be persuaded to with some difficulty. He will then suggest that they set their mind to learning what they can aboard the station, and let each host know that he only teaches the willing.

After that, the space is theirs.

((OOC Notes: Welcome to the second training log! Below you will find some information from the first log, which is now also available in the setting section!

The Training Wing is large- bigger than the biggest gym, and it contains a number of specialized spaces for Host’s use. What follows is an (incomplete) list of amenities. Have an idea for another space? Drop us a line in the questions section of the most recent calendar post! The training wing itself is a central hub-type area with a number of hallways that branch out in a vaguely spiraling fashion spanning multiple levels. Below are a list of locations key to this log:

• Lockers - Featuring rows of open cubbies, shower spaces, a bathroom, towels, and sets of shoes for those of you without proper footwear. Hosts visiting the lockers for the first time will receive their station-standard charcoal grey suits, which are tailor fit to their exact measurements. These suits are flexible, strong, and surprisingly breathable, and are comfortable enough to wear all day.

• Track - Centrally located there is a large running track that is multiple lanes wide, the ground of which is coated in some sort of slightly rubbery, gripping substance.

• Gym - Located not far from the lockers is an almost traditional gym space, with a number of pieces of exercise equipment, some of which is familiar and some of which is not. There are instructions that will read in a pleasant voice if you seem lost. You will find both strength and cardio equipment arranged in a somewhat sensible manner.

• Training Hall - A large open space with a number of pads on the floors and walls and a wide variety of dummies and protective gear. This is the space where you will find melee practice weapons ranging from swords and pikes to slightly more exotic weaponry- all blunted or dulled- as well as room for most forms of martial arts.

• Range - Lying closest to the Flight Hangar, this room features a number of targets and projectile training weapons. Here you will find everything from bows and arrows to laser guns. Nothing is capable of doing real damage, but it feels and reacts in a way that’s very real. Handy readouts will tell you exactly how accurate (or inaccurate) you are.

• Pool - It’s a pool, there are lanes, so swim free. Please don’t drown. There is no sauna. There are two styles of suits available, a simple charcoal one-piece with white piping, and an equally simple charcoal swim briefs with matching white piping.

We're in control, body and soul,
We push ourselves to the maximum!!))

NAVIGATION • SETTING • FAQ • MOD CONTACT • GLOSSARY

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The armor is unlike anything Bellamy's seen before. It's sleeker than anything the grounders had fashioned, and it's expertly crafted in a way the guard uniforms had never been. Compared to what Shiro has on, everything else Bellamy has experienced seems clunky and crude. But it still surprises him to see Shiro wearing it. Bellamy's only in a light t-shirt and loose fitting pants, sweat darkening the fabric. He steps away from the dummy as Shiro calls, eyebrows raising. ]

A round of what?

[ It's a little bit teasing, a little bit questioning. ]

I don't think I'm outfitted for what you're asking.

[The expression his broodmate gets in return is something faintly sheepish.]

Sparring. But uh, I'm going to have to take off the armor, aren't I?

[The pitfalls of falling back on old habits. Where in a training room, you almost expected everyone around you to be in armor too. He's already stripping off his helmet as he continues.]

Sorry.

I can promise you're not gonna need it.

[ Though Bellamy shakes his head over the apology, wordlessly dismissing it. He lifts the helmet out of Shiro's hands to turn it over and inspect it, past a covetous palm across the cool, light metal. When he looks back up, it's to flash a self-depreciating smile. ]

I don't hit that hard.

[ Bellamy doesn't have any illusions about where he falls in the grand scheme of things. He's strong for a human. But there are people on the Station who aren't human, and the way they fight reflects that. He can't do the kind of damage that would require armor.

Though that being said, his perception is still a little skewed: Bellamy's more than comfortable with walking around bruised. ]

You can though. If you need to.

[He still remembers, after all, that Bellamy had been the one to first try and pull him back. When... he'd stumbled headfirst into what his symbiote did. And there's still a good deal of appreciation -- the other didn't have to do it. Bellamy could have just barricaded the door or something.]

[His turn to lift the helmet back. And, after a pause of consideration, settle it on his broodmate's head.]

Maybe we should switch. You go armored.

[I hit too hard -- for human beings. Activated or no, one of his hands is still metal.]

[ It feels strange, reminds him of grounders and Mount Weather, both instances he'd rather forget. Bellamy hesitates, then lifts the helmet off entirely. ]

I think I can handle it.

[ Maybe he should be more cautious. He'd seen what Shiro could do in fight. And he knows what their powers are, and how unpredictable they are. But he thinks a show of trust is more productive than hedging his bets against Shiro losing control. They're broodmates. Just being in Shiro's presence eases the pain of having lost the Darkling. Trusting that to keep him safe seems like it would do them both good. ]

We'll be fine. And if we're not, you can carry me down to my pod.

[ Not that Bellamy's used it, but the lure is there since he helped Cathaway guide the Darkling into his own. ]

[He can't help it. He grimaces at the mention of the pod. Even if it's a light reference, a joke, or teasing. Something he really doesn't want to have to do. Losing control isn't likely, here. Not against Bellamy.]

[The concern is more of broken noses. Or ribs. Significantly less life threatening.]

Hey, if you wanted me to haul you around, all you had to do was ask.

[He keeps that to himself, though, in an attempt to keep the mood light. While he busies himself undoing clasps on his armor.]

[ Bellamy considers sparring with Shiro in the same way he'd think about sparring with Lincoln. He knows he's outclassed, but he trusts them to pull their punches when it's appropriate. Shiro's judgement is good, as far as Bellamy understands. He's not afraid.

Though Bellamy's also too used to acquiring injuries and walking them off. The relatively quiet life on the Station and having skirted disaster on both of his missions has felt like a lucky streak sure to end in some kind of disaster. ]

Do you need help with the fastenings?

[ The only frame of reference for armor Bellamy has is grounders, and everything they'd styled seemed vastly more difficult to get on or off than Shiro's kit. ]

Or does it all come off easy?

[ How does it work, buddy ]

[Of course he's going to pull the punches, if need be. He has to. One of his hands is literally made of metal, and would probably really hurt him if he cut loose.]

[Still. He'll be careful. It goes without saying.]

Nah, I'm good. It's old habit by now.

[True to his word, it takes him just a couple more seconds to strip it off, down to the black undersuit beneath. ~~Because who the hell knows how their armor really works here~~]

Not at first. Once you get used to it, it's like any other clothes.

[ Bellamy eyes the pile of gleaming white armor. Everything on the Station is always so clean. On the ground, Shiro's immaculate protective gear would be scuffed, dirt-smeared and well-worn. Bellamy doesn't tell him this. ]

I'll take your word for it.

[ Nothing in the future seems to promise Bellamy the opportunity to wear armor. It seems unnecessary. His guard jacket has been all the talisman he needs against danger. He steps back, beckoning Shiro forward. ]

Let's see what you've got.

[He nods once, shifting his weight. Left shoulder leading instead. Time to do this.]

[... It ends with one of them on the ground. Bellamy, actually. He pulled every hit he could, struck out with mostly his left hand. Aiming to knock him down, more than anything. His right he used to block, to protect his own face. But it was a good run, a good fight. He's a little winded, a little bruised. Impressed -- even if, maybe, on some level he'd known what his broodmate was capable of.]

[And holding out his hand to help the other up.]

That was good. You're good.

[You fight good.]

Still want me to carry you to your pod?

[ There's always a tipping point. It happens the same as it does with Gladio, with Clint or Sam. Bellamy gets impatient, leaves an opening, and Shiro exploits it. But at the very least, Bellamy doesn't make it easy for him. He hits the ground hard, and then laughs, breathlessly before groaning as the presence of new bruises make themselves known. He pushes up on an elbow, then reaches to grip Shiro's hand. ]

I don't think the pod's necessary this time.

[ Probably for the best. ]

Are you even winded?

[ Complimenting Shiro is something of a minefield. Bellamy's privy to enough of his nightmares to know that he learned to fight this way through less than ideal circumstances. The skills are an asset and that's undeniable, but the fact that Shiro suffered to acquire them remains. ]

Good. It'd probably look a little weird.

[But he pulls Bellamy to his feet, smooth enough, keeping the grip on his hand steady, easy. Still the left. If things were different... if the moment in the depths of the castle wasn't still bouncing around in his head as much, maybe it wouldn't be a big deal.]

[Once Bellamy's on his feet, he shakes his head, pushing a hand through his hair.]

Yeah. More than it looks like.

[The other part of those skills -- making it look like you're not as tired, not as beat down, as you actually are. Less of a target on your head. Unless, you know, you're bleeding or actively dying.]

[ Bellamy looks him over, assessing. He knows objectively that Shiro's skills are an asset but Bellamy also knows that telling Shiro that won't be well received. He's had enough of Shiro's secondhand nightmares to make a shrewd guess about his feelings on the matter. ]

I'm not afraid of your hand, Shiro.

[ Because avoiding one sensitive topic means bulldozing into another. ]

I've never seen anything like it before, but I know you're not going to hurt me with it.

[ Or any other member of their brood, but Bellamy wants to think that goes without saying. To Bellamy, it feels necessary. Reassuring Shiro that he wasn't afraid of any part of him felt important, even after Shiro had just spent the past hour wiping the training mats with him. ]

[Of all the things he thought he'd hear, that wasn't it. His expression registers it -- the sudden, surprised gap in his mental walls shows it.]

[There's a brief flash, a memory, of Pidge, all but shouting the same thing. Trying to hammer it through his head -- I know you'd never hurt anyone! Words that pulled him back from actively doing so when he'd lost control.]

[Now here they were again. They'd never really left, had they? They'd been there in the back of his head in her voice -- in Sam's actions. And now this.]

[They're not afraid of it. Why is he?]

I'd like to feel that way myself, someday.

[Because, what else is there to say? He doesn't know if he can agree right now, right this second in time, but later... later he'd like to. He'd like to stop waking up in the middle of the night thinking, feeling like, it was taking over the rest of him.]

Thank you. For saying it -- believing it.

[ Pidge's face crops up in Shiro's thoughts often. Something about the timbre of their connection reminds Bellamy of Octavia. It makes it easy to understand what Pidge's voice means: Shiro would do anything to protect her the way Bellamy would do anything to protect Octavia. Bellamy doesn't feel the need to define the relationship between them any further. ]

You will, [ Bellamy tells him, without a trace of doubt. ] It'll get easier to believe it.

[ There's less certainty in that statement than Bellamy would like it to be. He wants to think that the nightmares would be less, and that Shiro could learn to live with his arm the way Bellamy wished he could live with his own sins. His offering of hope is as much about himself as it is about Shiro. ]

We should shower off. I want to raid the kitchen before everyone starts getting into it.

[ There's no set times for meals, but there's a window that seems to be when everyone starts getting hungry. Bellamy's preference is for eating by himself, at least until he's stopped being skeptical of alien food. ]

[Maybe... maybe he needed to hear it. Maybe he needed someone to take it and beat him over the head with it, until it got through his skull. He's heard it in other words -- heard it in other ways, from people like Sam. But Bellamy's assurance is direct. It's for the current problem, and not the whole... magazine subscription of other issues.]

[The smile he gives in answer is a small thing. But genuine. And he clasps his hand on his broodmate's shoulder.]

Thank you. [Fingers squeeze.] Again -- for a lot of things. [Being here, still. Having that confidence. Going a round or two with him. Those thoughts flick fast and light and genuine.]

Right. Before everyone else grabs things they don't have to cook.

[Yeah, we're still hopeless at that part, sorry, dude.]

[ The urge to push back against the expression of gratitude rises, and Bellamy lets it pass. Shiro needs to say it. Bellamy's urge to duck it isn't the most important thing at play here. ]

I'll leave the good ready made stuff for you.

[ Because Bellamy's not a great cook, but he's better than Shiro. #Truthhurts ]

We can do this again, a few times, before we get to wherever we're going.

You're a gentleman and a friend.

[He'll be honest here, they'd be hard pressed to find anyone on the station who's a worse cook than he is. And he knows it, too. He's laughing, or, to be precise, smiling.]

I'd like that. [A hand extended. A deal to seal.] A lot.

[ Bellamy grasps Shiro's hand without hesitation. It feels like Shiro's joy is a rare enough thing that provoking it should register as a significant accomplishment. ]

We'll make it a habit. You can rotate in and give Sam a day off now and then.

[ And the variety would be good for all of them, as far as Bellamy was concerned. He and Sam were going to get too used to each other at this rate. ]

Come on. Let's get out of here.

[ Before these emotions get out of hand and they broadcast something embarrassing to the entire nest. ]

[There's a part of him that feels like he owes Bellamy here. For that simple vote of confidence from an outside source. His grin stays. Something easier, more natural, to it.]

Long as I'm not swapping out with him in the kitchen, sounds like a plan.

[A nod, and he moves to follow him out.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[training log] we are the champions

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wrap here?

JOKE ASIDE yes that's fine!