Fandom High Dormitories

Instead of three reserve leaders today, there were only two: Kennedy, Zack, and... well, the cookies didn’t count in Jak’s place, no. There were also some practice weapons from the salle arranged near the snacks, though hopefully no one was going to try and eat those or there were going to be words, probably from that short girl standing up front.

“Hey, everybody,” Kennedy greeted everybody when they’d assembled, and her slight scowl was at least partly due to some jealousy she’d never admit to that someone got actual missions to go on. (Be glad she’d taken most of it out on her Watcher on the phone, just before the meeting.) “So since we’re all here to make sure we’re ready to fight when it comes down to it-- at least, I assume that’s why you’re all here otherwise you might wanna rethink your afternoon plans-- I’m hoping this means you guys are all keeping up with your training during the rest of the week.”

God, Kennedy. Lighten up about it a little.

“But since we’re all here, and going through drills and stuff isn’t quite the same as actually getting into it, and the invasion I ordered is out of stock-- kidding,” she added, just in case, “you guys get to square off against each other today. Hand to hand, weapons, your call. Or if you wanna go up against me or Zack, that’s cool too. Just don’t do anything stupid.”

Which was usually more of a Jak line, but someone had to say it.

Zack, who also hadn’t had a mission since... since April and he was trying very hard not to think about that fact, thank you, just smiled (which was mandatory for Zack), placed his hands on his hips (which was typical of Zack at things like this), and nodded (because he could).

“The clinic is that way,” he nodded toward town, “if you get carried away, but you all know by now that I really prefer you don’t get carried away. I have potions, too, if it comes to that.” Insert obligatory 99 potions joke here. “You probably won’t get the opportunity to stretch and properly warm up before an actual invasion hits, I understand that, but I’d really appreciate it if you guys could do that, here. So!” He moved his hands to his hips, and he grinned a little more brightly. “Get to it, guys! Show us what it is you’re made of!”

...

“Carefully.”

[OCD coming up and this post is open!]

"Dodging," Arthur started, as soon as all had assembled, "Is a fine art in and of itself. When you lose your weapon, you may not be able to replace it. And even if you do have it, it might be useful to avoid being struck in the face." He paused briefly, grinning once. "But ask Zack about that. Today, we will be practicing that skill: it's a basic fighting technique, but there's no reason we shouldn't be brushing up on it."

Zack did his best to look indignant, but mostly he just came off as 'playfully pouty.' It was entirely possible that the muscles in his face had forgotten how to look indignant years ago.

"We're not going to do full-out sparring today, because there are so many different skill levels here, and we don't have a means of pairing you off the same way that Fight Club has. But we are going to pair you off anyhow. One of you will be our designated hitter, and please, don't use any powers, or super strength, or anything like that until your partner confirms that it's alright. The other one will dodge. Don't get hit, guys. It's not really all that fun. Throw a few hits, dodge a few hits, and swap off every five minutes." He swayed on his heels for a moment, and then added. "If anyone ends up hurt, then stop. If the injury is serious, let us know right away so that I can give you a healing potion or so we can get your butt to the clinic post-haste."

"Above all, share what you know," Arthur finished. "If someone conducts a particularly ambitious swerve, ask how, and attempt to repeat it. Remember to keep your distance, to watch your opponent's movements, and not to lose control of your own. I believe that's everything; grab a partner, and get to work."

"Today," Arthur announced, looking fit and rested after his first night in a room that did not have an annoying desert noble in it. "We will be talking about the kind of inconveniences that Fandom likes to drop on us from the skies. Sure, poptarts or syrup may seem like a novelty, but when we're dealing with it in a combat situation it suddenly takes on an entirely new angle. Because of that, we are going to spend this week coming up with potential items of rain, and how to deal with them."

He was not going to allow any laughter in his reserves, and his expression made it clear that this was not funny. No, not even to you, newbies.

( Zack was not going to giggle. )

[OCD on the way! up, and it helps if I note that fact, self.]

"It's introductions time again," Zack said, launching right into his greeting the moment it looked like everyone who was going to show up for the Reserves meeting was there. This was in no small part due to the fact that he'd only actually met one of the new kids yet, and his wiggly puppy sense was tingling.

A lot.

"Every semester we seem to get a trickle in of new faces, so it can't hurt for all of us to stand up and share! We need names, your fighting experience and weapons proficiency, and what kind of other skills you might have that would come in handy in an invasion situation!"

A pause. A kind of squirmy sway from one foot to the other. Zack wanted to get started on that noooooow.

"You new guys have probably had the invasions mentioned to you at least once by now, I hope. If not, uh... Welcome to Fandom Island! That sort of thing is what we're here for! I'll go first! I'm Zack Fair, SOLDIER 2nd Class, so yes, I am a kid in the military, and I do have a pretty decent rank, too. My weapon of choice is a sword and materia- little round spheres that let me cast spells, like fireballs or healing. I have access to items that can heal a person in a pinch, too, which comes in really handy on the field. Okay! Somebody else's turn!"

People! Introductions! Yay!

[OCD is up, and once again, the reserves are open to anyone who feels compelled to stumble along to scope it all out. We love new faces, from fighters and those interested in becoming them!]