Ya know, I've been thinking, and since it's relevant here… what is the Pristine Blade really? It's obviously more then just a knife, and it's one of the only things that has never been warped, at most its location has changed, and in the endings where you pick it up it MUST be used. My guess is that the blade is the part of the LQ that contains the Princess, since as the narrator said he left a bit of each in the other, and how else would a being meant to deny death kill his counterpart then with the only fragment meant to endocrine change/death?
If this is the case, then that blade can most certainly kill Salem or really anything if the LQ wishes, and may be a vector to inflict change/endings in other ways.
Obviously it's not a knife, the blade is your implement, you'll need it if you want to do things right.
But I personally think the blade is just an instrument, The Narrator tries to still have you kill the Princess without it, it's just a set piece to make you think of her as something dangerous, something you have to arm yourself against.
The reason you always end up with it used in the endings where you picked it up in the heart of the shifting mound is more due to the fact that you have taken your decision not to go out with the Princess at this point, this is like the fact that the Princess' voice change before you even see her depending on if you picked the blade or not.
If you are armed, you are acknowledging you may need it, so the Princess is colder, if you don't, you think she does not require a weapon, you are more likely to want to talk, so she is warmer.
Same at the end, if you take the blade, you do not think the situation can be resolved peacefully, so there is no way to simply take her hand, if you didn't, you are there because you want to find another solution, so you do not need the blade at all.
She could also explain that it could have been way, way worse than it actually was. Like that was barely 3 on a logarithmic scale that goes all the way to at least 20.
She could also explain that it could have been way, way worse than it actually was. Like that was barely 3 on a logarithmic scale that goes all the way to at least 20.
Ya know, when you were describing the possible 'Show Off' matches, you never mentioned possibly bringing out The Witch? While the Adversary is relatively redundant compared to Eye of the Needle, the Witch shouldn't be that hard for her to bring out and would be a fun tag team with LQ taking up the attention while she played merry tricky havoc. And she would be 'Closer' then most other princesses since she precedes The Thorn.
I have to disagree there. The difference between those two is that Adversary does not run the risk of accidentally killing someone. She also still has restraint, which Eye of the Needle lacks.
That is without mentioning that putting down cards you do not need to show is at least wasteful, at most dangerous.
Ya know, when you were describing the possible 'Show Off' matches, you never mentioned possibly bringing out The Witch? While the Adversary is relatively redundant compared to Eye of the Needle, the Witch shouldn't be that hard for her to bring out and would be a fun tag team with LQ taking up the attention while she played merry tricky havoc. And she would be 'Closer' then most other princesses since she precedes The Thorn.
There is also the fact that Show off was you transforming back to back in relatively quick succesion, Witch and Adversary may be the easiest forms that aren't your gifts to invoke, but they still aren't one of them.
In these conditions, only your five gifts could be used, neither Witch nor Adversary were in the cards.
[X] Help them mentally.
-[X] Work them through how confidence can make or break a fight, use your own as an example how to get into the enemy's head
As you and Team CFVY watch each other, you in contemplation and them in nervous anticipation, you come to the conclusion that you won't get much out of them before their next fight if you don't calm them down.
Thus, you sit in front of them, putting yourself on their level, making sure that none of them have any need to move to see you.
"Hello again. I am going to begin by saying that you may not feel like it, but I am proud of you right now. Our last fight did show progress on your part, you heard what was said and worked on it." You say in a warmer tone than you used with them before.
A small amount of their tension leaves, your little ice breaker serving its purpose.
"Now," and just like that, they are tense again, you sigh internally. "You do need some work on some things, but I want to see if you can see what, don't worry about wrong answers, just trying is enough." You coax them. Glynda seems to ask them for reports after their fights, a little back and forth on what they did and could have done, at least that's what she does according to what you know of the woman. If you are right, the familiar questions should be a good way to remind them you are not their enemy but there to help them.
They all become pensive, a good sign. They do want to improve. The part of you that has become a Teacher is feeling warm seeing students that you can guide, the part of you that is the Shifting Mound is interested in how mortals see themselves.
To your growing lack of surprise, Velvet is the first to answer. The girl may seem shy, but she does have a strong intellect hidden behind that. The way she learned your moves in the middle of combat was probably a semblance, but one like that still indicates a strong desire to learn.
"We were too predictable? You knew how to counter the moves I took easily, and at no point were you or your partner taken by surprise by our tactics."
"I think I have to work on my close-range combat myself." Coco chimes in. "Not specializing in it is not the biggest problem, but I wasn't even able to hold for long enough for Velvet to come help me."
You look expectantly at Yatsuhashi and Fox. Making sure not to show you can wait for them to find their answers.
"Need even more coordination. Let your partner control the fight." Is what Fox succinctly tells.
"I need to learn to handle faster opponents better. Your partner was walking circles around me for all the fight there." Yatsuhashi finally concludes.
Their round of answers finished, they look at you in wait of judgement. Slightly more at ease, but not there yet.
So you let yourself smile before you explain more:
"Those are all valid answers in some ways. But most of them are simply a product of the difference of experience and won't be corrected in the little time we have. There is, however, something we can work on that can have effect quickly." You take a breath, drinking in the fact that they are finally calm enough to let themselves hang on your words. "Confidence. Now, I know you are going to say you are confident enough." Coco is stopped right as she opens her mouth at that. "But you let me sap said confidence and this can make or break a fight."
"Maybe we wouldn't have been that shaken if you didn't do your most convincing monster teacher impression the first time." Coco mumbles under her breath, startling when you react with a snort.
"Well, since you are bringing that up. Yes, I did hear you." You answer to her contrite face. "That first impression was actually exactly the sort of thing I wanted to talk about. Given when I said, what do you think was the goal of my *monster teacher impression*?"
Once again you wait and once again Velvet is the first to find what you mean.
"You're saying you wanted to break our confidence to make the fight easier?" She sounds hesitant, not quite believing the conclusion she reached.
Her teammates for their parts are looking at you in a new light. Taking in your more relaxed body language and warmer voice completely for the first time and seeing how you are controlling the mood of the room.
"Yes, and I clearly have gone a little too far if it still stays with you that strongly after a month. I am sorry for that. For both the reason you said and some others I won't go into right now, I wanted to destabilize you to make my fight easier."
"If you'll excuse me." Yatsuhashi cuts in at this moment. "You clearly know how to do that. Why would you cultivate such a skill? It's not as if Creatures of Grimm are susceptible to scare tactics." He looks at you intensely when saying this. Whatever your reason is, he does not understand right now.
You sag a little.
"Because, while I do wish you will have to do it as little as possible, you won't just have to fight Grimm during your missions as Huntsmen. There are Bandit tribes out there, and some won't hesitate to attack villages to survive."
They all react in their own way. Velvet thinking and being the first to seemingly come to a conclusion, even if it doesn't seem to be one she likes. Coco is struggling with something, what, you do not know. Fox is almost unreadable, but the simple fact he is is telling all the same. Yatsuhashi seems to be saddened by the reminder of the fact not all humans are decent.
"Besides." You perk up once again. No stranger to changing your mind and mood quickly. "While you can use this sort of thing to weaken the other side, you can also use it to strengthen yours. In the case of an attack by Creatures of Grimm, the more despair grows the worse the attack gets, if…." You stop for a moment at this, a hesitation at once completely calculated and utterly spontaneous. Born from the events of Stella Panoply's past, a past you know never happened, but that you can feel all the same. "If you let the ones you protect see that you do not have the situation handled. Then it can lead to devastating consequences. You can lose everyone the moment it happens."
You leave them a little time for that to sink in, using it yourself to ponder on how real you were right now. The moment you refer to is just the idea of what Stella Panoply saw when she lost her village, you are not her in totality, but you are her completely at this instant. Is the shape of the wounds she suffered only a shadow over your own heart, or is it more? You do not know, and you do not care as much as some could think. You are a contradiction at heart, all of you changing but the rest of you staying the same.
After an appropriate time you change gear once again with simulated cheer, giving the impression you are hiding your grief when you are only pretending to.
"But enough of this. The first lesson I want to give you is about the strength of controlling first impressions. For this, I actually have a perfect exercise in mind, it will not require much from you. Simply close your eyes and concentrate on the first time you saw me. Do you have it in mind?" You look at them, they are all complying and thinking on that. "Good, now, keep my mannerisms in mind and try to see if you can reconcile it with me greeting you like this instead:"
You use the fact their eyes are closed, except for Fox, who is blind anyway, to change into the Damsel. Then you adopt your most cheerful voice, you have to make sure they understand the next part!
"Hello! I am Stella Panoply, I hope we can be friends."
They all open their eyes in shock at that, looking at you as if you had grown a second head. That's silly, you are not the Stranger!
"You... what?" Is the only thing Coco can muster, the others not even managing that much.
"As I said, I am Stella Panoply. I hope we can be friends." You repeat. Then after a beat, you continue. "Do you see what I meant about first impressions now? I didn't change that much, yet you have difficulties understanding I am still the same person as the one that you saw one month ago. Well, give or take some ways of thinking and mannerisms, but those things are not important." You shrug.
"Did you say *some ways of thinking* and *that's not important* in the same sentence?" Yatsuhashi says.
You don't understand why he is singling that out, those really are not important things. You cock your head in a questioning manner towards him.
"Yes? Why?"
"I… a way of thinking is part of who you are. That's what forms your mind, how can you not consider that important?!" The normally calm giant seems to be losing himself. He even stands and begins unconsciously towering over you. You calmly meet his gaze.
"Maybe to most people. I do not work like that." You sparkle at him.
"Ok, that's creepy, even your body language is completely different. Hum, sorry miss Panoply, but can you go back to normal?" Velvet seems to be a little queasy looking at you. Oh no, is she sick?
"Yes, I can." Then you look closely at her, her breathing is normal, she doesn't seem to be sweating much….
"I… I mean, can you do it right now?" She still looks a little sick, you barely register what she says in your drive to find out why.
"Absolutely, I am able to do that." You answer absently. Let's see, where were you? Ah! Yes! Her heart seems to be beating rapidly from what little you can hear, and she is looking at you as if wanting something, are you missing something?
"What Velvet means, miss Panoply, is that she would like you to return back to normal now. The demonstration has been a success, but the level of change is interacting badly with her semblance." Fox finally says after a little awkward moment passes. Given how little he talks, that had to require quite an effort from him… ah, you are getting distracted again, you should do what he advised.
You turn back, and then quickly realize what made Velvet react like that.
"Sorry, I am a bit of a blind spot to myself when it comes to making people uncomfortable in the state I've taken. Still, the most important part has been done, you have now seen how simple body language and tone of voice can influence others, for good and ill. I will now begin to give you some exercises you can use to control your reactions in the case of…."
You spend the remainder of your time working on their confidence, showing breathing exercises to control their stress, how to move to appear more confident or less. You tell them that their future opponents saw their performance there, and that they can use that fact to trip them up by changing tactics. When you leave them to eat and go back to your Little Bird, you are certain they have improved, not a lot, but enough for the small time you had.
The fights in the afternoon prove you right. Your love seems to have given his team tips on fighting dirty, and while they do not stop the candidates, they leave them shaken enough that team CFVY can capitalize on it, giving them a win they dearly needed.
When you meet them again in the evening to discuss the matter of the rest of the week, they are far livelier. Enthusiastically discussing between themselves about the match. You clear your throat, and they are instantly at attention, eager to hear what advice you will give them.
You smile.
"Congratulation on the win. Here is what we are going to do now…."
Vote:
During the rest of the week, you will coach them on one or several subjects. Same general rules as last vote, but you can vote on more than one thing at a time, use plans to make things easier.
Do remember that going for too many big things will dilute the efficacy of your teaching, more than two is not a good idea. You are allowed to only concentrate on one in fact. You can however propose a number of different subvotes to the big categories.
Here are your general options:
[] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[] Other strategy for coaching?
[] Coach them on their Semblances.
-[] Are your right that Miss Scarletina's Semblance is why she was able to copy you last match? Because you can see some ways to integrate that in how she works with her team.
-[] Other strategy for coaching?
[] Help them mentally.
-[] They improved on their own confidence, but they can learn to undermine others. This is for a good cause, if the candidates are not able to take some words from children, they are not ready to take on Grimm.
-[] Other strategy for coaching?
A/N:
Well then, this chapter didn't exactly go as I expected.
First the Princess decided to have a little philosophical debate with herself on the nature of her stories and how true they are, then Yatsuhashi and Velvet's semblances made them react strongly to het deciding to change her whole self for the sake of a demonstration.
This is almost certainly the biggest conversation I wrote with that many participants too, thank god Fox is mute for almost all intent and purpose.
Onward to the end of this part of the test, next stop after that:
I'm feeling unarmed. It'll help Velvet and give Coco a back up option at the very least. And it should be easy enough to do unarmed spars in groups of varying sizes. 2v2, 1v3, 4vStella, etc to give a little boost to teamwork if we wanted to train a second thing.
I'm feeling unarmed. It'll help Velvet and give Coco a back up option at the very least. And it should be easy enough to do unarmed spars in groups of varying sizes. 2v2, 1v3, 4vStella, etc to give a little boost to teamwork if we wanted to train a second thing.
No that's totally fair. It's no good if the QM hates writing something, and I fully agree on the QM's right to backtrack and say "nope nevermind" after initially offering something.
[] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[] Other strategy for coaching? Trust exercises. Blind fold two of them, and have them do the yoga/tai chi equivalent of fighting, directed by the 2 teammates that aren't blindfolded. More blind folds and having the unblinded teamates direct them through the school. Give them theoretical scenarios of enemies they have to fight and how they'd handle it individually, as a team, and as various pairs or trios.
[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Other strategy for coaching? Have them do brief spars 1v1, 1v2 to get more familiar with working with any individual on the team. Listen to what the team wants to do and how they're feeling. If they get too tired, switch to trust exercises. More blind folds and having the unblinded teamates direct them through the school. Give them theoretical scenarios of enemies they have to fight and how they'd handle it individually, as a team, and as various pairs or trios.
I actually like Scissor's write in a bit more. Just that extra touch of physical training is good I think.
[x] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[x] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Other strategy for coaching? Make them fight each other 1v1, 1v2, 2v2, 1v3, constantly changing up the partners. Have them fight you 1v1, 1v2, 1v3, 1v4. They have to know the ins and outs of how their teammates fight in various circumstances if they want to effortlessly support them. Sheer practical experience will be their guide. With sit downs afterwards to share what they witnessed and experienced with each other and brainstorm ideas to improve.
[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Other strategy for coaching? Make them fight each other 1v1, 1v2, 2v2, 1v3, constantly changing up the partners. Have them fight you 1v1, 1v2, 1v3, 1v4. They have to know the ins and outs of how their teammates fight in various circumstances if they want to effortlessly support them. Sheer practical experience will be their guide. With sit downs afterwards to share what they witnessed and experienced with each other and brainstorm ideas to improve.
Hmm, I wont stop you from having them fight during the week, but your teaching is during the rest of the exam with the other candidates for taking the huntsmen license.
They will have fights two times a day already, your coaching is to prepare them for these fights.
Part of the little communication mistakes is probably me slightly getting tired due to the higher number of updates, there will probably be less next week.
It was pleasant, but there is only so much I can give.
It's a little soon for me (it's barely 20 o'clock), but happy new year!
[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Other strategy for coaching? Have them do brief spars 1v1, 1v2 to get more familiar with working with any individual on the team. Listen to what the team wants to do and how they're feeling. If they get too tired, switch to trust exercises. More blind folds and having the unblinded teamates direct them through the school. Give them theoretical scenarios of enemies they have to fight and how they'd handle it individually, as a team, and as various pairs or trios.
[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Other strategy for coaching? Have them do brief spars 1v1, 1v2 to get more familiar with working with any individual on the team. Listen to what the team wants to do and how they're feeling. If they get too tired, switch to trust exercises. More blind folds and having the unblinded teamates direct them through the school. Give them theoretical scenarios of enemies they have to fight and how they'd handle it individually, as a team, and as various pairs or trios.
--
Let's not push them too hard. . . but I think actual sparring will be more helpful, with trust exercises as backup based on their input.
@Makihuda@MagnusTheRed do you want to change your votes bases on the OP's post and my modified vote?
[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Other strategy for coaching? Have them do brief spars 1v1, 1v2 to get more familiar with working with any individual on the team. Listen to what the team wants to do and how they're feeling. If they get too tired, switch to trust exercises. More blind folds and having the unblinded teamates direct them through the school. Give them theoretical scenarios of enemies they have to fight and how they'd handle it individually, as a team, and as various pairs or trios.
[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
-[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Other strategy for coaching? Have them do brief spars 1v1, 1v2 to get more familiar with working with any individual on the team. Listen to what the team wants to do and how they're feeling. If they get too tired, switch to trust exercises. More blind folds and having the unblinded teamates direct them through the school. Give them theoretical scenarios of enemies they have to fight and how they'd handle it individually, as a team, and as various pairs or trios.
[X] Plan Semblance Synergies
-[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
--[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Coach them on their Semblances.
--[X] Are you correct that Miss Scarlatina's Semblance is why she was able to copy you last match? Because you can see some ways to integrate that in how she works with her team. Honestly you should get an idea of the rest of their Semblances too if they're willing to divulge them, so you can think about how all of them can be integrated.
Honestly it sounds like CFVY haven't invented their "internal team comms" technique using Fox's telepathy Semblance yet. If discussing their Semblances prompts them to develop it earlier here, then that'll have a much more significant and immediate impact on their teamwork than other regular exercises. Same thing with coordinating the best timing for Yatsuhashi's memory wiping Semblance and Coco's Hype.
Glynda seems to ask them reports after their fights, a little back and forth on what they did and could have done, at least that's what she does according to what you know of the woman.
To your growing lack of surprise, Velvet is the first to answer, the girl may seem shy, but she does have a strong intellect hidden behind that. The way she learned your moves in the middle of a combat was probably a semblance, but one like that still indicates a strong desire to learn.
"Because, while I do wish you will have to do it as little as possible, you won't have just to fight Grimm during your missions as Huntsmen. There are Bandit tribes out there, and some won't hesitate to attack village to survive."
They all react in their own way. Velvet thinking and being the first to seemingly come to a conclusion, even if it doesn't seem like one she likes.
After an appropriate time. You change gear once again with simulated cheer giving the impression you are hiding your grief when you are only pretending to.
Fox finally says after a little awkward moment pass. Given how little he talks, that had to require quite a feat from him… ah, you are getting distracted again, you should do what he advised.
"Sorry, I am a little of a blind spot to myself when it comes to making people uncomfortable in the state I took. Still, the most important part has been done, you have now seen how simple body language and tone of voice can influence others, for good and ill. I will now begin to give you some exercise you can use to control your reactions in the case of…."
You spend the remainder of your time working on their confidence, showing breathing exercise to control their stress, how to move to appear more confident or less.
[X] Coach them on their Semblances.
-[X] Are your right that Miss Scarletina's Semblance is why she was able to copy you last match? Because you can see some ways to integrate that in how she works with her team.
[X] Plan Semblance Synergies
-[X] Coach them on their teamwork.
--[X] They definitely improved since last time, but you feel as if there is a slight rift between Velvet Scarletina and the rest of the team, and Coco Adel has airs of pushing them too much, work on that.
-[X] Coach them on their Semblances.
--[X] Are you correct that Miss Scarlatina's Semblance is why she was able to copy you last match? Because you can see some ways to integrate that in how she works with her team. Honestly you should get an idea of the rest of their Semblances too if they're willing to divulge them, so you can think about how all of them can be integrated.
Heh fun reaction to The Damsel. Now I am also wondering what 'The Teachers' argument would be in the *Shifting Mound Boss Battle*, not even going to try poetry cuz I would suck, but probably something about being able to nurture the growth of others and prepare them for the future, can't nurture what can't change and all that.
