re_alignment | [Video] Oooooops.

[The feed fizzles on, something big in the way for a moment. It soon becomes apparent that it’s a giant metal foot. The Link is turned slightly on its side, and angled so it’s looking up at Drift and Wing. It was apparently Drift’s foot in the way.]

[The two are facing each other, moving in slow, deliberate movements. It’s almost like a dance, but not, and way too slow to really be...anything. What are these hippies up to?! Whatever it is, it’s clear that Wing is the one slowly guiding Drift through these odd, slow moves.]

[And Drift has clearly had enough of this. He stops, not hiding his frustration very well at all.]

...Seriously, though. we've been doing this for weeks. I think I get it by now. Would it really hurt to pick up the pace a little or-- or do something else for a change?

You are improving, Drift, but perfection takes time.

[Wing looks thoughtful, studying his student for a moment.]

Would it help to see the results of what all of the slow control will result in?

[Drift huffs slightly and straightens up, planting his hands on his hips and giving Wing a shrug.]

Couldn't hurt. As things stand now, it feels like I'm getting nowhere.

All right.

[Wing takes a fighting stance.]

You will do the first kata I taught you. Nothing more, nothing less. You'll go from start to finish as quickly as you can, understood?

[Drift nodded, mimicking Wing's stance.]

Quick as I can, got it. Say when.

Now.

[Wing says it even as he lunges at Drift. What follows is an impressive flurry movement. Wing strikes at Drift fast and hard, and Drift moves as though in response to block and dodge, despite the clear shock on his face. It’s a fight, it’s a dance, and for a moment it seems this may end with Wing not landing a blow on Drift at all.]

[Those experienced in combat may be the only ones to realize that from one movement to the next Drift’s footing ends up off, and so leaves the mech wide open to attack. Wing doesn’t hesitate to strike with a kick to Drift’s side. BAM!! Drift stumbles. He's able to regain his footing pretty quickly, but it's already too late. He knows what's coming next.]

Wait wait wait--

[This is lesson time, Drift. With a grab, a sweep of his leg, and not much more than a tug, all of which Drift should have been able to block had he managed to finish the kata, Wing will toss Drift aside, sending him tumbling across the ground.]

And that is why these kata need to be second nature. You lost your stance at the end, else you'd still be on your feet in front of me.

[Drift just stares up from the ground, clearly grumpy but not outright complaining. Yeaaah this was kind of his own fault. He waggled a hand in the air dismissively]

Okay, okay. I'll take my time with it.

[Wing smiles and steps up, offering Drift a hand to pull him back to his feet....and then gets a shocked look on his face, gaze going to the Link just beyond Drift's head...]

Oh...

What? Is something broken?

[Drift totally doesn't get it and starts prodding at his face with his free hand, y'know making sure nothing's actually broken.]

Wing?

[Wing covers his smile with one hand, making a soft buzzing sound.]

No, no, nothing's broken. But it seems we just put on a show for the residents of Haven.

[Drift gives him a confused look and glances around, finally spotting what Wing had been talking about. And then he looks absolutely mortified because wow. Wow.]

Oh hell.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...Understand or not, I'll be here to listen should you decide you need to talk about it. Talking of our troubles can often help us feel better about them.

Talking doesn't help anything.

[Soft vent.] I am still here to listen, and to offer support, even if I cannot help.

It won't help.

Knowing you have people rooting for you is always a help, it lets us know we're not alone.

I'm not going to force you to talk about anything you don't want to talk about, Kagerou, I just want you to know I'm here to support you, and offer my help when there is a way I might be able to help.

Talking, or people cheering isn't going to help anything!

It won't change what's happened! It can't! And I will never feel better about it no matter what words happen!

[He sounds sad for you...]

The offer stands...

Why?

Words don't change things that have happened. Words won't give lives back.

You're right, words cannot change events, but they are still powerful, and they can help the emotional scars fade, allow us to come to terms with what has happened so we can live our lives without living in constant pain from those events past.

Nothing anyone can say will do anything to make this better!

[Levelly meets his gaze (or...he hopes...he's staring at the camera as though he can see Kagerou...if the ninja's looking at the camera Wing would be surprised if he didn't check to make sure the video feed hadn't ended up turned on). Sorry, Kagerou, he's not one to get angry and yell back. He's calm and tone is gentle.]

Do you really believe you are the only one to have suffered the loss of life, Kagerou? Don't you think someone as old as I has lost people I love? I've even lost my own life; I'm dead in my reality. You are not the only one, Kagerou. It makes my spark ache to know that you are so deep in your grief still to not allow yourself to see clearly.

No, words won't make this better, but they can make you better.

That's not the point!

That's not the point at all!

No one... no one can understand how this feels. Because none of you, not any one of you are what I am. No one will ever know this feeling, and no amount of speech will change it.

I don't want to talk about it, because I don't want to think about how horrible this world is, or how it will be if I get free of this place.

All right, Kagerou.

One last question, though. Will you go flying with me?

[Total change of subject? Yeah, but a needed one he thinks.]

I --

What?

[Have a small smile, Kagerou.]

I don't want to argue with you, or upset you, Kagerou.

Will you go flying with me?

... now?

If you're willing.

[He'll sneak away for a quick flight then come back and take Drift to see kitties if Kagerou is up for a flight now. Drift could use a break, right? Especially with Knock Out teasing Drift over Drift's Link. He figures Drift would appreciate it if Wing was no longer there to overhear that.]

That's... really sudden, isn't it?

[A shrug.] It is. If you'd rather wait, perhaps I can meet up with you to go flying tomorrow?

I don't... really know.

How about tomorrow? Do you have plans for tomorrow morning? [Wing's just going on all the dates.]

[This would give Kagerou a little time to cool down over whatever had him so upset.]