- Location
- In a Fantasy
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The Practice War [Complete]
- Thread starter Snowfire
- Start date
- Original Sci-Fi
Tayta Malikai
200% Space Whale
- Location
- Australia
Ooh, pick me pick me!
It's okay I guess.
It's okay I guess.
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Turn 15, Part 3 - Teaching Talks
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
Oct 17th, 2120
"So," Vega asked, half-falling into the chair you'd gestured to with a contented sigh, "how's our newest recruit doing?" Your work with the Harmonial this year had meant getting to hear that question a lot since May. Of course she could find out herself, but 'it just wasn't the same'. That you agreed with her was beside the point, so you busied yourself instead with the two cups in front of you. Tea for Vega, as always, but this practice session had been exhausting. Highly productive, though, too. Treating yourself was only right. You rummaged in the back of the cupboard, then pulled out a package of spiced hot chocolate and split a piece of it off.
A minute later, you were both sipping happily. Unisonbound might not have to feel cold, but that didn't mean you didn't appreciate a hot drink in winter. You hummed happily, then set your cup down on the table between you with a sigh. "It's been…complicated." The few words in your answer spoke volumes. Vega nodded encouragingly, brushing her hand through her hair as it tried to intrude on her tea, and leaving it in a deceptively simple setting that would have taken you several minutes to match. "He's a diligent pupil, and he certainly doesn't lack for intelligence."
"I hear a but hanging there," She offered, and you nodded sharply. "What's holding him back?" As you started to open your mouth, she shook her head very slightly. "Take your time, 'Mandy. This has been messing with you for a month now; I've just been too polite to push."
"I was wondering," that admission didn't come easily, for this shouldn't have been so difficult for you to deal with. But it came, and you paused to consider what truly drove your frustration. As had already been said, there was nothing wrong with the man's mind. He was clever, polite, and entirely willing to follow your instruction even when they contradicted what he'd learnt before. Looking at it that way, it was hard to find a problem. Unless you knew what you were looking for; which you and Vega did better than anyone else.
"It's Sakina." If you'd disliked the first confession, this one came much harder. You hated the that conclusion, that the largest problem wasn't the person or his connection to the Heartcircle, but the being that facilitated the former. So much so that you'd found it impossible to address. Mir was young, and all too impressionable where it came to your words. If you told him that his Platform was…
:That's quite enough.: Your thoughts stopped, and you felt Vega reach out to you even as she remained in her chair, sipping delicately from her mug. "Amanda, he's older than you were when you went out on your own trying to rebuild what humanity had left of the Old World. He's spent almost half a decade working with people just as damaged, if in different ways, as your generation was after the Week of Sorrows." You started to form a reply, but Vega was having none of it. You didn't even get the chance to open your mouth.
"He's not a child, Mandy." There was steel in those words, for all the gentle warmth pouring through the Unison link between you. You knew better than to try and fight that. And…you looked down at the cup in front of you, old conversations with Sidra racing through your mind. The closest things to arguments you'd ever had with them. All in the last month, and what had they said?
Damn.
You felt like an idiot.
"It happens sometimes, I'm told." Vega winked, and you took the distraction. You were ninety percent certain of the reason she'd given it. Forcing yourself forward, you took a mental look towards your Unisonbound, tentative despite what you knew you had to do.
:Sidra?: You felt their attention flicker towards you and stop, a cursory reply if there ever was one. But to be fair, you deserved it. :I'm…sorry. I should have listened to you, like I usually do. You were right about Vega, and,: Warmth filled you, so abruptly that your vision swarm. They…hadn't been angry with you?
:The greater part of my existence came from you, Amanda. I know how stubborn you can be, and how often that stubbornness has led you right.: You rubbed at your eyes, wiping away tears that only replaced themselves. But not a single one of them was sad. :If I couldn't convince you, someone else would. I know Vega and Kagiso well enough to understand that if you stayed like this, they'd do exactly what they just did.:
:But I,: you began, trying to apologise again. Solid emotion stopped you cold.
:You have apologised, and I have accepted it. We cannot move forward as if it did not happen, but please, let us move forward.: There was a cool gentleness in their words, belied by the swell of wordless support singing between you. :I cannot always be sure of how to help you, but in this I've had more than a little practice. Now drink your chocolate, and remember to wash the cup before Mary comes over tonight.:
You had to take a moment before you could reply, but the twin lifelines woven around and into your soul helped. It was hard to put into words how much. But there was a way to do it, without words. "Thank you," the gratitude was fervent, almost prayer-like, and behind it came a wave of your own feelings. Trying to break it all down into sounds and syllables would have been too much.
"Anytime." Vega took another sip from her cup. "It's the least I can do for everything you've done for me. I'm getting a lot better at regularity, and I can't imagine that's going to be a hinderance where it comes to following up the Harmonic Circle's first working."
Were you at the Harmonic Circle's first Working?
[] [Working] Yes
[] [Working] No
You nodded emphatically. Vega might not have caught you yet, but she was closing in with a speed that was incredible to watch. From single Words, occasionally spoken, she was now reaching towards the more complex meanings that you'd realised were possible after the Second Battle of Sol. It would take time to realise that talent, and neither of you were under the impression that it would be easy. But when you were talking about warping the very fabric of reality, it was hard to expect less.
That you were still succeeding was more than enough to be content with.
"Would you like me there next year?" The sudden change back to the original topic was unexpected, but not unwelcome. "If the problem is between him and his device, I'm probably the best person to help."
"That," you stopped for a moment, realising that the truth surprised you. You didn't know. You were acting as an effective teacher, but Vega had her own specialities. It would remove any possibility of working on Words with her next year, but given the complexity of the problem she could help a lot. And you still weren't sure if the issue was potentially larger than just Mir. If it was, Vega's ability to casually bring harmony would be invaluable.
:Do you really want to try and deal with everything alone again?: Sidra's voice was desert dry in your mind. :A Heartcircle works best when its united. We've known that for years.: As you continued to hesitate, they transmitted the feeling of an amused headshake. :Why would Vega being there be a bad thing, Amanda?:
It would take away from her ability to learn more of Words, and at a time that felt critical to your shared development. And yet at the same time, your mind insisted that the 223 was bigger than that. Especially with the Contact Fleet almost certain to arrive next year. Even if they weren't hostile, and came seeking friends, the ability to project the full complement of the unit would send a powerful message. That was the President talking, but she was still you.
Do you ask Vega to set aside time to work with the 223 next year?
[] [Vega] Yes (Removes other options to work with Vega next year, taking Unison Training will be highly recommended if you take this option)
[] [Vega] No (Consequences? Why would you think there would be consequences?
)
These are task-based votes. For those who may have forgotten, they function as so:
"So," Vega asked, half-falling into the chair you'd gestured to with a contented sigh, "how's our newest recruit doing?" Your work with the Harmonial this year had meant getting to hear that question a lot since May. Of course she could find out herself, but 'it just wasn't the same'. That you agreed with her was beside the point, so you busied yourself instead with the two cups in front of you. Tea for Vega, as always, but this practice session had been exhausting. Highly productive, though, too. Treating yourself was only right. You rummaged in the back of the cupboard, then pulled out a package of spiced hot chocolate and split a piece of it off.
A minute later, you were both sipping happily. Unisonbound might not have to feel cold, but that didn't mean you didn't appreciate a hot drink in winter. You hummed happily, then set your cup down on the table between you with a sigh. "It's been…complicated." The few words in your answer spoke volumes. Vega nodded encouragingly, brushing her hand through her hair as it tried to intrude on her tea, and leaving it in a deceptively simple setting that would have taken you several minutes to match. "He's a diligent pupil, and he certainly doesn't lack for intelligence."
"I hear a but hanging there," She offered, and you nodded sharply. "What's holding him back?" As you started to open your mouth, she shook her head very slightly. "Take your time, 'Mandy. This has been messing with you for a month now; I've just been too polite to push."
"I was wondering," that admission didn't come easily, for this shouldn't have been so difficult for you to deal with. But it came, and you paused to consider what truly drove your frustration. As had already been said, there was nothing wrong with the man's mind. He was clever, polite, and entirely willing to follow your instruction even when they contradicted what he'd learnt before. Looking at it that way, it was hard to find a problem. Unless you knew what you were looking for; which you and Vega did better than anyone else.
"It's Sakina." If you'd disliked the first confession, this one came much harder. You hated the that conclusion, that the largest problem wasn't the person or his connection to the Heartcircle, but the being that facilitated the former. So much so that you'd found it impossible to address. Mir was young, and all too impressionable where it came to your words. If you told him that his Platform was…
:That's quite enough.: Your thoughts stopped, and you felt Vega reach out to you even as she remained in her chair, sipping delicately from her mug. "Amanda, he's older than you were when you went out on your own trying to rebuild what humanity had left of the Old World. He's spent almost half a decade working with people just as damaged, if in different ways, as your generation was after the Week of Sorrows." You started to form a reply, but Vega was having none of it. You didn't even get the chance to open your mouth.
"He's not a child, Mandy." There was steel in those words, for all the gentle warmth pouring through the Unison link between you. You knew better than to try and fight that. And…you looked down at the cup in front of you, old conversations with Sidra racing through your mind. The closest things to arguments you'd ever had with them. All in the last month, and what had they said?
Damn.
You felt like an idiot.
"It happens sometimes, I'm told." Vega winked, and you took the distraction. You were ninety percent certain of the reason she'd given it. Forcing yourself forward, you took a mental look towards your Unisonbound, tentative despite what you knew you had to do.
:Sidra?: You felt their attention flicker towards you and stop, a cursory reply if there ever was one. But to be fair, you deserved it. :I'm…sorry. I should have listened to you, like I usually do. You were right about Vega, and,: Warmth filled you, so abruptly that your vision swarm. They…hadn't been angry with you?
:The greater part of my existence came from you, Amanda. I know how stubborn you can be, and how often that stubbornness has led you right.: You rubbed at your eyes, wiping away tears that only replaced themselves. But not a single one of them was sad. :If I couldn't convince you, someone else would. I know Vega and Kagiso well enough to understand that if you stayed like this, they'd do exactly what they just did.:
:But I,: you began, trying to apologise again. Solid emotion stopped you cold.
:You have apologised, and I have accepted it. We cannot move forward as if it did not happen, but please, let us move forward.: There was a cool gentleness in their words, belied by the swell of wordless support singing between you. :I cannot always be sure of how to help you, but in this I've had more than a little practice. Now drink your chocolate, and remember to wash the cup before Mary comes over tonight.:
You had to take a moment before you could reply, but the twin lifelines woven around and into your soul helped. It was hard to put into words how much. But there was a way to do it, without words. "Thank you," the gratitude was fervent, almost prayer-like, and behind it came a wave of your own feelings. Trying to break it all down into sounds and syllables would have been too much.
"Anytime." Vega took another sip from her cup. "It's the least I can do for everything you've done for me. I'm getting a lot better at regularity, and I can't imagine that's going to be a hinderance where it comes to following up the Harmonic Circle's first working."
Were you at the Harmonic Circle's first Working?
[] [Working] Yes
[] [Working] No
You nodded emphatically. Vega might not have caught you yet, but she was closing in with a speed that was incredible to watch. From single Words, occasionally spoken, she was now reaching towards the more complex meanings that you'd realised were possible after the Second Battle of Sol. It would take time to realise that talent, and neither of you were under the impression that it would be easy. But when you were talking about warping the very fabric of reality, it was hard to expect less.
That you were still succeeding was more than enough to be content with.
"Would you like me there next year?" The sudden change back to the original topic was unexpected, but not unwelcome. "If the problem is between him and his device, I'm probably the best person to help."
"That," you stopped for a moment, realising that the truth surprised you. You didn't know. You were acting as an effective teacher, but Vega had her own specialities. It would remove any possibility of working on Words with her next year, but given the complexity of the problem she could help a lot. And you still weren't sure if the issue was potentially larger than just Mir. If it was, Vega's ability to casually bring harmony would be invaluable.
:Do you really want to try and deal with everything alone again?: Sidra's voice was desert dry in your mind. :A Heartcircle works best when its united. We've known that for years.: As you continued to hesitate, they transmitted the feeling of an amused headshake. :Why would Vega being there be a bad thing, Amanda?:
It would take away from her ability to learn more of Words, and at a time that felt critical to your shared development. And yet at the same time, your mind insisted that the 223 was bigger than that. Especially with the Contact Fleet almost certain to arrive next year. Even if they weren't hostile, and came seeking friends, the ability to project the full complement of the unit would send a powerful message. That was the President talking, but she was still you.
Do you ask Vega to set aside time to work with the 223 next year?
[] [Vega] Yes (Removes other options to work with Vega next year, taking Unison Training will be highly recommended if you take this option)
[] [Vega] No (Consequences? Why would you think there would be consequences?
)These are task-based votes. For those who may have forgotten, they function as so:
Code:
[X] [Working] Rainbows
[X] [Vega] BaconThere will be a two hour moratorium on this vote.
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Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
Meant to have this done last night, but my brain melted towards the end as I forgot to write down what the Harmonic Circles' first Working was slated to be. Until I had that settled again, I couldn't in good conscience post the update. It's fixed now, though (thank goodness!). I've also been rather badly distracted by playing through the War of the Chosen expansion for XCOM2, but there's some benefit to that actually. Being able to just absorb a story in a genre that is quite similar to one you're writing in can be useful.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Anyway, these should be the last votes of the turn (sorry it's taken so long). I'm still trying to get used to having a somewhat different regular schedule in my life, and that's meant the story has taken something of a backseat. This is also, when all's said and done, something of a…boring year, shall we say? Amanda getting back with her family, touching base again, those are all good things, but they don't make for particularly exciting reading. Next year should be more interesting, and I'll also be putting some work into keeping things in chronological order. Throwing in dates can be helpful, but if they're all over the place they just cause confusion. Thanks for sticking with me through the change, and I hope you'll be patient with me as I work on making it better.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Anyway, these should be the last votes of the turn (sorry it's taken so long). I'm still trying to get used to having a somewhat different regular schedule in my life, and that's meant the story has taken something of a backseat. This is also, when all's said and done, something of a…boring year, shall we say? Amanda getting back with her family, touching base again, those are all good things, but they don't make for particularly exciting reading. Next year should be more interesting, and I'll also be putting some work into keeping things in chronological order. Throwing in dates can be helpful, but if they're all over the place they just cause confusion. Thanks for sticking with me through the change, and I hope you'll be patient with me as I work on making it better.
Garm352
Bearer of the Stars of Creation
- Location
- The Void Between Stars
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] [Working] Yes
I can't think of a reason to say no to this...but I am grateful for the option.
[X] [Vega] Yes (Removes other options to work with Vega next year, taking Unison Training will be highly recommended if you take this option)
I think it would be best to deal with things quickly, don't you all?
I can't think of a reason to say no to this...but I am grateful for the option.
[X] [Vega] Yes (Removes other options to work with Vega next year, taking Unison Training will be highly recommended if you take this option)
I think it would be best to deal with things quickly, don't you all?
What is that "You" at the end?
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
A sentence that was planned to happen then didn't. Thank you for pointing it out.
- Location
- Boston
[X] [Working] Yes
[X] [Vega] Yes
[X] [Vega] Yes
- Location
- Reno
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] [Working] Yes
[X] [Vega] Yes
[X] [Vega] Yes
- Location
- Earth Aleph
[X] [Working] Yes
[X] [Vega] Yes
[X] [Vega] Yes
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
Friend, moral support, pos[SPOILERS PLAYERS NEED NOT APPLY].
...
Seriously brain? This is getting silly.
[X] [Working] Yes
[X] [Vega] Yes
Just to be there seems like a good idea.
And getting the 223 in best shape was one of the goals for the time anyway, so having them at their best just makes good sense.
Like said earlier, while the contact fleet is not hostile...
There could be sabotage, infiltrators, assassins.
To have one of the 223 die during a first contact situation would be all kinds of bad.
[X] [Vega] Yes
Just to be there seems like a good idea.
And getting the 223 in best shape was one of the goals for the time anyway, so having them at their best just makes good sense.
Like said earlier, while the contact fleet is not hostile...
There could be sabotage, infiltrators, assassins.
To have one of the 223 die during a first contact situation would be all kinds of bad.
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
The section you're looking for primarily is here:
Sakina is the name of Mir's Platform. Given the number of names popping up, it might have been a good idea for me to have clarified that in this paragraph, which I'm seeing I didn't fully. So to explain, the problem as it stands is thus:
- Mir is being held back by instinct conflict with his Unison Platform Sakina.
- To expand on this point, the more complex instincts that she 'remembers' courtesy of the links between the Platforms are...wrong. In most Heartcircles this wouldn't be the case, but Amanda's one works and fights very differently.
- Amanda has been tying herself in knots over how to explain this without creating a deeper rift in the synchronisation between Mir and Sakina. This would be quite a serious problem if it could happen.
- Except that Amanda is, unfortunately, building her working models of interaction with Mir as if he's much younger than he actually is. This is the primary point that Vega makes to her, that Sidra tried to make and failed to hammer through.
- This, by the way, is something that occurred as a result of the interaction type vote and a low-to-middling roll in reaction. I was hoping for this to be more of a thing, and then Vega rolled an 87 on the dice and obliterated the entire issue in a conversation.
- Amanda then has to accept her mistake and move forward from it, specifically in apologising to Sidra who had already brought up the point Vega did and failed to get through. She can be quite stubborn, after all.
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- Location
- Somewhere out there
Told you so. >.>
Garm352
Bearer of the Stars of Creation
- Location
- The Void Between Stars
- Pronouns
- He/Him
pls no nerf; Vega is the hero this thread needs, while Amanda is the one it deserves...except that we control Amanda in a sense, so she can't be the hero this thread needs, which is why Vega is that hero.
...Batception.
- Location
- Germany
- Pronouns
- He/Him
You call your die 'Vega'?
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
Well, this is a complete landslide. Closing the vote here, will work on the next section this evening.
That update will also include the general results for your actions this turn. There really wasn't much exciting there when all's said and done, so they never made it into the posts.
That update will also include the general results for your actions this turn. There really wasn't much exciting there when all's said and done, so they never made it into the posts.