I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take

[makejapangreat]

Who: Shido Masayoshi & Y'all Fine Folks
What: Catch-all for the month pre-expedition
When: 6/12 - 6/30 IC (7/1 - 7/19 OOC) except 6/22 (7/11)
Where: Various places throughout the station (as well as a smol network post)
Warnings: nada

[Shido can be found around the Station, particularly in the kitchen where he's attempting to make a meal of some sort (key word: attempting)— he's been practicing on seafood in particular since they have so much of it. You might also find him once again in the library, though to those who saw him the first time, he looks overall better now— more alert, well-rested and taken care of... and he's definitely gotten more mastery over his lightning element magic.

Also, if you decide to go sparring outside ala Fight Club? Shido will offer to heal you. "Or try, at least." Apparently he's taken up practicing healing, too, if you feel like being a guinea pig. At the least, he can't make the injury worse... probably? Though, he actually finds merely watching to be interesting, though it's clear he sometimes has trouble with keeping up with such rapid movements...

From the sixteenth of June and on, you may see a lion outside, generally not too far from the Station, either snoozing in the sun, trotting around or sometimes outright running— the cooler it is, the more active he's likely to be.

Finally, on 6/15 he puts up a simple network post:]

Greetings. I was wondering if anyone here who is experienced in using weapons like spears would be willing to tutor a novice in battle. I have been practicing a bit since I arrived here in general movement, but nothing with a weapon like this.

Comments

text: noctgar

[nightcure]

i know how to use one
i can give you a hand

un: masayoshi shido

[makejapangreat]

That's kind of you.

I'm Masayoshi Shido, though you probably already figured that out.

[nightcure]

yeah i had a feeling
i'm noctis

text; un: sharpwings

[matchmakes]

I can help you with that, if you'd like.

[makejapangreat]

[It takes a few moments for the reply to come.]

I need all the help I can get. When can we start?

[matchmakes]

We can begin now, if you're up for it. I'm already down on the beach.

[makejapangreat]

Then I'll be there shortly.

[He makes his way outside after grabbing some water, and oh he immediately hates this weather... he makes a bit of a face, but when he sees Robin he comes over obediently. And in his other hand? Is a harpoon.]

... why did you offer to train me?

Library, 6/17

[foolishjustice]

[When Shido visits the library the afternoon after the card game, he'll find Goro already sitting there, with a small stack of books next to him and one open in his hands. There's a stack of paper on his other side, which he occasionally pauses to scratch something out on, before going back to his book. Whatever he's working on, he seems to be enjoying himself.

It takes him a moment to notice movement, but when he does, he looks up at Shido and sets his pencil down. He doesn't get up right away, though...almost like he's waiting for something.]

[makejapangreat]

[Ah... he's enjoying learning, isn't he? It's refreshing to see.

There's some hesitation when Goro looks to him, but ultimately... he draws forward and comes over to him. The game still lingers heavily on his mind, but... this has been a wound for quite some time, now. That round just happened to tear it open again. All he could do was quietly wait for it to close back up.]

What are you reading?

[foolishjustice]

[If that was what he wanted...he gives no indication either way, though he does set his pencil down to mark his page in his book.]

I found a math book that's the same level as what I was studying for class. Finals were coming up last time I was home, so I don't want to risk forgetting everything if Charm-san is right about the Fissures being able to send us back to when we left.

[makejapangreat]

[A soft hum at that as he considers his words for a moment. He gives a blink, then draws in a breath and nods.]

I'm... sure you'll pass with flying colors.

[Though, given the sudden change in his demeanor? It's... obvious that what Akechi said has reminded him of something.]

un: dragonsmaw (Text post)

[dragonmouth]

I'm always willing to accept new partners, if your search is still on.

Although I have to say, I've not much experience with polearms myself.

un: masayoshi shido

[makejapangreat]

I'm afraid I won't make much of a sparring partner at this point. My experience in fighting is very limited, at the moment... hence why I need teachers.

Re: un: masayoshi shido

[dragonmouth]

I don't mind a bit of instruction either, then.

My mother used a trident. It's not entirely like that harpoon, but I remember she was very thorough in her demands that I at least learn its ins and outs.

[makejapangreat]

[A bit of a pause; yet again, people surprise him...]

If you're certain, I'll accept your offer. When would be a good time for you?

sparring

[beguiledcard]

[ Fight Club is what he was doing, and he miiiight have let himself get a bit roughed up? He's gently brushing a hand over a lightly bruised cheek as he approaches Shido. ]

Healing, huh...?

[makejapangreat]

[Watching Akira fight really is something else. Shido knows he's good, but seeing him in action is another story altogether, so much so that he ends up watching more out of awe than for learning. He gives a nod as Akira approaches him.]

I got the idea from Morgana.

[Soundlessly, slowly, he raises his hand and lets the fingers hover just an inch or so away from Akira's cheek. In sharp contrast to when he was learning how to wield lightning, there's significantly less... obvious frustration, at the very least; the determination is calmer and less frantic...

He does manage to heal him, but only a very small amount... just allowing the bruise to pale in color slightly.]

[beguiledcard]

[ ... Impressive, regardless of amount. ]

Thanks.

[ He nods, a small smile of appreciation being given. Akira's expression softens considerably as he says the next thing. ]

Heh... Morgana does give some of the best advice.

[makejapangreat]

[Shido gives a small smile at that, and gives a nod.]

I owe him much.

[His hand drops away.]

It's been awhile since we last sparred, hasn't it? [He gives a bit of a smirk, something challenging, almost playful in his gaze.] How about it?

un; specs

[promittere]

Spears and the like are a bit of a specialty of mine, so I could give you a few pointers.

[Yes, it took me over a week to tag this and you get a shitty pun.

Suffer.]

[makejapangreat]

[THANKS]

A few pointers, really?

[the exasperation is palpable]

[promittere]

I got the point across, didn't I?

Though perhaps I should spear you from any more puns.

[sparkles]

[meowna]

[Morgana has decided to start their lessons in the library, if only because that's where Shido's been studying before now; it's possible a familiar environment might make it easier for him to learn. Besides, healing isn't a destructive skill--it's not like they'll damage the place or anything!

He's sitting on the table for the moment, tail curled neatly around his paws.]

You may think all healing is the same, but it's actually not--there are more things that can happen to people than just getting hurt. Taking care of things like getting poisoned, or being knocked out, or left too dizzy to stand is a different skill set.

We're not going to focus on any of that today, though. Today, we're just going to look at the most basic healing skill, Dia.

[makejapangreat]

[Huh... Shido wouldn't have guessed that. And yet, in a way, it makes sense— just as medicine is specialized for certain things, so is magic for healing.

... also, he isn't missing the absurdity of the situation. Being taught healing magic by a cat... or a not-cat. Whatever Morgana is. Being taught healing magic by a cat that's not actually a cat.

There we go.

Anyway, he's... just going to nod for now, and listen to Morgana's instructions.]

[meowna]

A psientific skill like Dia works through your willpower and mental energy. That means you're not drawing from your reserves of physical stamina to do it--no matter how badly hurt you are, you can heal other people, or yourself, without making it worse. But! That also means it can be harder to use when you really need it--you have to be conscious and not completely exhausted, for one thing, and you have to be really good at concentrating and shutting out distractions.

I'm not just talking about "dodge the fireballs" kind of concentrating, either--even though it is pretty hard to focus on healing in the middle of a battlefield. You have to cut yourself off from distractions that come from inside you, too. Getting mad at your enemies, or worried over someone who's hurt, or out of it from the pain of your own injuries..... that sort of thing affects how effective your healing is, too.

How pure and focused your intentions are when you heal someone is what makes the most difference of all. The strength of your willpower and how familiar you are with the skill will affect how strong it is, of course--but even though we give the different degrees of effectiveness different names, what it really comes down to is just how clear your mind can become.

[Blah blah blah, so much lecturing~ He wants Shido to understand the important things to keep in mind though, before he even starts practicing. Because..... healing isn't like Zio. You can't just try harder until you force the result you want. Doing that will just make you so frustrated and tired your attempts get even worse.]

So, what do you think? Ready to try it out?