Don't judge a thing until you know what's inside it . [Open]

[distortedbrand]

Characters: Fang and Open!
Content: Fang, a new Pilot on the Convoy because Jim is handwaving the job request will be poking around the Convoy.
Setting: Anywhere on the Convoy, or in Licere, if you'd prefer.
Time: Probably not long after the water going cold business happens, but before the weird anonymous network post.
Warnings: Whatever you

Comments

Training room

[princelyspirit]

Utena's jacket and undershirt were set aside, and she stood alone in the training room, clad only in her trousers and a plain, drab gray corset designed for women with more active lifestyles than usual. Most of the crew were busy with other duties and none of them required training, which meant that this was the perfect time to get some practice in herself. She picked up one of the wooden training swords and went into her stance; it was time for some warmups.

[distortedbrand]

The training room was one of Fang's last ports of call. It wasn't exactly a necessary place to check out, but given her rather battle-happy personality, it was somewhere she wanted to see. So, with her weapon on her back and an air of self-confidence despite not knowing the ship yet, she pushed the door open.

It seemed ideal at first glance. Spacious, orderly and stocked with a variety of wooden training weapons and dummies, for those training alone.

Of course, Utena was pretty difficult to miss, too. Fang wondered briefly whether she was one of the people employed to train others, or simply another crew member with time on their hands and no desire to spent too much time in the hot springs. She stayed near the door, not wanting to interrupt her.

[princelyspirit]

"Hya!"

Utena swung the wooden sword against the air, but before she could continue, she heard the door swing open. She quickly straightened herself up and, sword at her side, she turned around to see who had entered. The woman was unfamiliar; was she a new crew member, or one of the ship's rare guests?

"Hello," she said as she tucked an errant strand of hair behind her hair. "Can I help you?"

[distortedbrand]

Fang shook her head, a slight smile playing at her lips. Well, the training supplies looked adequate, at least. A variety of weapons that were blunted to prevent injury in sparring, which seemed both amusing to her, and useful, and available to whoever wanted them, by the looks of things.

"You tell me," she said, giving a casual shrug. "Is this place free for the crew to use, or do you only get to train here by appointment?"

Well, she wanted to make sure. It was wide-open enough for her to practice with her own weapon and, looking at the wooden weapons, there were some things at least similar to what she was used to if bloodless sparring went on.

[princelyspirit]

"It's free for anyone on the ship," she said, "But I don't think I've seen you around before. Are you new here?"

[distortedbrand]

That was good, then. At least she wouldn't have to plan in advance when she felt like getting a workout.

"That's right," Fang replied, giving her a nod. "The name's Fang -- I've been taken on as a Pilot."

[princelyspirit]

"Nice to meet you," she nodded back. "I'm Utena, one of the trainers here."

[distortedbrand]

"You too," she replied, smiling slightly. "Do you act as a sparring partner for people who don't need training as well?"

[princelyspirit]

Utena returned her smile, and said, "If I have the time for it. After all, it's no good being a trainer if I let myself get rusty."

[distortedbrand]

"You got that right," she said, her smile not fading. "You said 'one of' the trainers. That means there's more than just you, right?"

Well, there was no harm in making sure.

[princelyspirit]

"There's two others," she said. "Ulquiorra Schiffer and Manfred von Karma. Ulquiorra's not exactly the friendliest guy around, but he knows what he's doing. As for von Karma..."

Utena stretched her arms, and said, "He's pretty good for a guy his age, I'll give him that, but to be honest? He's not worth the trouble."

[distortedbrand]

"Fair point," he said, taking that into account.

It would be interesting to see what modern folks were made of, no matter who they were or how old they happened to be.

[princelyspirit]

"Anyway, you'll see for yourself," she said. "So, were you looking for a sparring match?"

[distortedbrand]

"Right now? I'm mostly getting to grips with the ship layout, but I'd be happy to come back later if you're open for one." She said, not able to keep a smile off her face.

The presence of willing sparring partners was certainly a good thing as far as she was concerned.

[princelyspirit]

"I'm looking forward to it," she said with a grin. "If you need any help finding your way around, just ask."

[distortedbrand]

"Sure thing," Fang said with a smile. "See y'around."