voice; ota

[soulcomet]

[suddenly, a voice!]

Hello! I hope everyone's doing all right now that we're back here on the island.

Um. Sorry if this is a weird question, but ... if you're an experienced fighter, what sort of training do you do that helps you out the most? The sort of thing that maybe a beginner could pick up on easily?

[beginner isn't really the right word for Madoka. but with her usual abilities out of reach, floating along with wherever the high frequency is, and with only a bow that's older than she is to use as a weapon, she's not that many steps ahead of one. does that make her a novice? first class? junior hero?]

It couldn't hurt to have that information out there, anyway. For the people who didn't do any fighting back home.

— Oh! If we haven't met before, I'm Madoka Kaname. If you ever need healing or first aid, please come see me, okay? I'm usually at the beach or the base camp.

Comments

[potentite]

Yep, exactly! It helped me an awful lot. Gets you all limber and more agile and you learn some good moves! I'm not sure what sort of weapon you're comfortable with? I use a pair of pistols myself. But I can help you there too maybe.

[soulcomet]

Ah, really? Two of my best friends from back home use guns — you'd probably really like them, Jake-san!

Personally, I use a bow. I don't know if they're similar at all, but I'd appreciate any advice you can give me.

[potentite]

Anyone who loves guns would be a good chum! I picked them up because of my grandma...

Oh but that's ranged, too. It's similar, I think. So I should be able to help! I've gotten pretty good in the past year, if I do say so myself.

[soulcomet]

Your grandma? She sounds pretty tough, then...

And, thank you so much! I guess my biggest question is, how do you handle opponents that fight at closer range?

[potentite]

Grandma was pretty much the best and toughest gal in the whole wide world.

[Though he supposes dwelling on that might not be best right now.]

Oh but that's a doozy. Maybe I can get Dirk to stride with me and show you how I do it. I had to learn. The real key is looking for openings. Once they're too close, drawing a gun or an arrow won't be as easy. But if you can play the waiting game and you aren't afraid to be a little underhanded, it's not too bad.

[soulcomet]

Mmm, that would probably help! But only if you guys are willing to.

It sort of sounds like a lot of it is about endurance, then? I think I've got that covered, at least. [Madoka is the tankiest tiny pink magical girl to ever tank, but that doesn't really solve the problem of her not wanting to waste her heal on herself.]

I can't really outrun most people who fight hand-to-hand, though. Against the Uvi, I just tried to make sure I got the first hit in, but ... that didn't always work.

[potentite]

Don't worry, it isn't about outrunning. Goodness knows I could never surpass Dirk's speed. No no, it's about outmaneuvering and learning to predict your opponent's next move, so you stay one step ahead. It's like that Disney song! One jump ahead of the bread line, except the bread line is a sword or a bat or a terribly sharp set of claws or something.

[Clearly this is helpful.]

But yeah, I'm sure Strider would be happy to let you get the inside scoop on our strifes.

[soulcomet]

I think I get it. One hit ahead of the flock, right?

[yup, Madoka's seen Aladdin.]

That sounds good! Is it sort of like watching your opponent's body language? That sounds like it might be tough if you're up against someone you don't know very well.

[potentite]

[There's definitely a giggle. He's so glad she's seen it!]

Oh, yes of course it helps to know your opponent but it's um... boy, now that I need to describe it, it sounds so... [Strangely cerebral?] You figure it out from just watching and having some prior knowledge of how their type of weapon works! So, um, my friend Jane, for example. She uses a sort of... polearm? And I'd never fought her or seen her fight or heard a lick of how she likes to use it. But I know how those kinds of weapons work! The sort of range they have, the way you deal real damage with them, that old chestnut. So... the more comfortable you are with different fighting techniques, the better you'll feel in a fight.

[soulcomet]

I see ... wow, it really sounds like I have a lot I need to learn.

[that's not a discouraged tone or anything; if anything, it makes her even more determined than ever.]

If it's not too much trouble, do you think you could teach me a bit about the weapons you're familiar with? Or, maybe show me how to climb trees?

[potentite]

Why, I'd be downright delighted to do both of those things, Madoka! Anytime, any place!

[soulcomet]

Do you think you can swing through the trees here?

[look, she already has the mental image. now she is sort of curious to see the real thing.]

— I mean! Only if you're sure it's safe.

[potentite]

[He ponders that.] It might be a little harder but I sure as heck will do my best!

[soulcomet]

You have to promise me you won't hurt yourself, though, okay?

[she can heal him, of course, but she also doesn't him to go full George of the Jungle on her behalf.]

[potentite]

Scout's honour! I will do my best to stay safe for you, Madoka.