trainingwings | Now for something completely different

[Action]

[There you are, in the Battle Dome. Trying to mind your own business and do a good day's worth of training. But this guy's too bored to let you do so in peace. As you train, he will sneer and smirk through the observation deck, as if aware of some fatal flaw in your training regimen that is invisible to you. Every time you look up to him, he's answering your latest move with a scoff or a small laugh. Sometimes even an indifferent shrug. And after your big show stopper? A yawn.

Whether you try to approach him or not, Jade Curtiss casually saunters over towards you when you're finally throwing in the towel. He prods his glasses up his nose before assessing you in person, showing every possible visible sign in his face that he is disappointed with your performance.

But he speaks in a casual, almost sing-song manner.]

My, my. Done already? And here I thought this facility was supposed to be used for challenges!

[Voice]

[Jade sits up in bed, impatiently poking at his journal while wearing just his signature bathrobe. It's been a week already since he came here - and since his peers from his world had to endure his tests to prove they were not replicas. Or in some cases, prove they were the same replicas he knew.]

This is Colonel Jade, Third Division, Malkuth Imperial Forces. I've been here a week now, but some matters are still pressing on my mind.

So! Tell me, Luceti. How would you rate the quality of the local hot springs?

Player Name: Gore
Are you new? Nnnope
Character Name: Colonel Jade Curtiss
Character Fandom: Tales of the Abyss

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course not. I may not look it, but there's no need to concern yourself with my wellbeing, as touching as it may be.

That's three. [He showed three fingers to prove his point.] And I was just returning the favor, since you were so worried about me.

How utterly thoughtful. And so good at measuring seconds, too. Clearly, I'm underestimating you.

What, is it my face? [He laughed.] We're down ta two, stranger. Did you want a challenge?

Depends. What have you got in mind?

One.

[In lieu of an answer, Cliff slammed his fist into the wall next to the stranger. His preference for wearing his gauntlets whenever he was an out was a boon in moments like this, and he shot a grin at the stranger.]

How about a spar? Since you look like you want a challenge.

[He gave a vague nod at the hole in the wall, supressing any signs of being impressed; those muscles sure do as advertised. Of course he'd bet that gauntlet lent a helping hand.

He addressed Cliff calmly with less of a smirk.]

Now, now. Let's not get hasty. After all, you wouldn't hit an old man with glass now, would you?

[And that was him holding back.]

Aah~ You don't seem that old!

[His grin was laidback but confident. They were probably around the same age, Cliff noted, and the complaint earned a short laugh.]

Alright, I'll hold back. Unless, 'course, ya want to talk straight now.

I know, I know. It must be my healthy lifestyle giving off the illusion of my being so spy and young. [He says with a Curtiss shrug.] When I'm actually well on my ways to 40!

I certainly have no need for an arm-wrestling contest. I'll entertain whatever's on your mind.

Well what do ya know? I'm also close to 40!

...not that it matters any.

Tell ya what. I'll let you pick your poison. You were the one sayin' that you knew of a better challenge anyway. How 'bout we put that to the test.

I see. We old times certainly have difficulty looking our age.

[He slid his glasses up as he considered.]

A test, eh? I do enjoy any opportunity to pass those with flying colors. How about I set up a simulation with actual difficulty, to see how you fare?

[He grinned.]

'I'? How about 'we'? It ain't just me that you've gotta worry about here.

Now for something completely different

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