animus_network | Video; Mourn the Past, Strengthen the Present

Last month, I posted to the Network asking for those who would be willing teach others how to fight--both with and without powers--to contact me. Many of you were willing to share your talents with those who needed them, and I thank you very much for that.

[Diarmuid smiles and bows his head for a moment before continuing.]

However, aside from a few people who I have already helped find teachers, I haven't really heard from anyone who would like to take advantage of the skills that have been offered. I understand that many of you have probably already found teachers amongst those who you know. For those who still might be looking, I thought that I would post a list of those who offered their services so you can take advantage of them should you ever wish to.

I will warn you, though, that most of these people are battle-hardened warriors and do not pull their punches. If you take them up on their offers, please be prepared to work your hardest. They will expect no less and those who you are fighting for deserve no less.

Here is the list. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Since I know most of the people on the list, if you are unsure who you should contact, I will be glad to direct you to a teacher.

Teacher List:

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Spear and sword focused. Duel-wield specialty. Can teach all levels of fighters.
Mayu: Armed Combat. Axe focus.
Cerberus: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Knowledgeable with almost all weapons. Specialty in modern weapons.
Saber of White: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Sword specialty.
Aleph: Teaches armed combat. Knows melee weapons. Sword specialty.
Sir Lancelot du Lac: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Specialty in non-traditional weapons.
Ken Amada: Teaches armed combat. Specialty in spears and improvising weapons.
Enoch: Skilled in the use of slings. Also skilled in making them.

If anyone would like to be added to the list, please feel free to let me know. Also, let me know if you would like the information listed by your names altered in anyway or wish to be removed from the list. This list isn't a static thing by any means.

On a sadder note, for any of you who knew Mami Tomoe, it has come to my attention that she has been sent home. I know she was close to many people. She left me a cookie recipe and since Riki has given us such a good selection of food this month, I can think of no better way to honor her memory than to bake some of the sweets she made so well. Anyone who would like to join me is welcome, though, I cannot guarantee my cookies will be anywhere near as good as the ones she made. I--

[For a moment it seems like Diarmuid will continue, but after a few seconds, he just shakes his head and ends the feed.]

----

(OOC: If anyone would like to meet up with Diarmuid in the kitchen to try making those cookies, feel free to tag your response with Action, Kitchen and cooking shenanigans can be had!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Much like there is a lot about the whole Grail System and War I do not know about from my world.

[Diarmuid nods in understanding.]

When would you like to spar, Ken? Do you have sometime in mind?

I'm usually free in the late mornings. So any day that time would work.

I am usually finishing my morning patrol around that time. It would not be hard for me to stop by the gym to see if you are there. Would that work for you? If something comes up and you can't be there, that is fine, and if you are there we can spar.

That works. I've been trying to increase my strength with some of the weights there...

Perfect.

[Diarmuid seems pleased.]

It's something I would have suggested if you weren't already doing it. Skill means little if you can't keep your weapon in hand when fighting.

It's less that and more that I've noticed I'm picking up muscle mass better. I've been in the tower long enough that... um... well. My body's changing.

Ah...

[Diarmuid nods in understanding.]

How old are you, Ken? If you don't mind me asking.

I turned thirteen a few months ago. I was around eleven and a half when I came here, though a few months got skipped since it was October at home and I came here in... March, I think.

[Diarmuid blinks in surprise.]

You've been here that long? My apologies...

[As his surprise passes, Diarmuid finds himself nodding.]

Yes, that is about the right age for those things to start happening. I am not sure how exactly to feel about the idea of being in this place so long that you actually age years. It seems...wrong somehow.

[He can remember all too vividly parts of the event in January where they all thought they had been in the Tower forever. They are not pleasant memories.]

[He shrugs a little bit.]

It's terrible here, but home's not a walk in the park either. Pick your poison, or something like that.

[Ken actually laughs a little bit at that.]

I don't mind growing up. It means less people treat me like a little kid.

It sounds like you grew up a long time ago, if you ask me. People forget that mental age and physical age are often two very different things. I was very close to becoming a knight at your age and had been training in the art of war long before that.

I may not like seeing those so young having to fight, but the truth is it happens. If they are aware of the danger they face and have trained to deal with it, then they should be allowed to do so. They will find a way anyway, and it is better they fight with someone than alone.

I did. Having to take care of yourself does that.

And that's why I've been trying to help the younger people in the tower learn how to protect themselves. Some of them can, but a lot of them can't. That's why we have meetings.

You have meetings? That is good. Sharing information and helping each other is important to surviving here and if the adults won't always give you the help you need because they are trying to 'protect' you, then at least you have each other to rely on.

[He pauses a moment, to think something over, and then speaks again.]

Do you know a girl named Yotsuba? Does she come to your meetings?

Yeah. I... don't think she's really old enough to fight.

[Or really understand what fighting means...]

I thought as much. She is a very determined little girl, but is really too young to be involved in all of this...

[Diarmuid frowns slightly.]

While I accept that it is probably better that she is armed with some kind of weapon to defend herself, I am still not pleased that people have given said weapons to her.

[He's looking at you Enoch and Romeo.]

... One of the first things we teach is how to handle weapons without hurting themselves. So she should be okay.

Good.

[Diarmuid seems relieved about this.]

She asked me to help her with the knife, but we haven't gotten to meet yet. It is comforting to know someone else is likely helping her in the meantime.

Video; Mourn the Past, Strengthen the Present

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