[It's about 50 minutes after the briefing broke up, and Togo is sitting in the briefing room with a set of maps of the facility and what looks like some sort of PDA he's holding over it and he examines the maps.] [Mini start!] * Togo is examining maps! "Ok, kitchen, bathroom, another briefing room... another briefing room... *another* briefing room... " * Keiko pushes the door open quietly, although probably not to Togo the Super Hearer! She's still got long black hair, still in a green dress, and still holding a plush duck. A solid metal plate is floating behind her head. * Togo looks up as the door opens. "... Keiko, right? Need something?" * Keiko nods slightly at him getting her name right, and then he hears her voice in his head, very even toned. ~Luana will be a very good ward to you. Don't make her sad.~ * Togo tilts his head a bit, then nods and thinks back. ~Right, you're the telepath. And I'm gonna try not to. My goal's to make it so she can protect herself and not get killed out in the field, and to keep her alive while she's doing that. If I wanted to be mean to kids, I'd have some of my own.~ * Keiko replies, after a moment, ~You'd be surprised what can seem mean.~ A faint smile comes across her lips. ~The clown idea was a little off.~ ~Yeah, I wasn't hired for my people skills. Was just trying to get across that I'm not some kind of fascist military taskmaster from the bowels of hell.~ ~So don't worry, I'm gonna do my best not to traumatize her any more than she already is.~ * Keiko listens to his thoughts, then turns her face away and replies in a 'quieter' voice, ~She just wants to be worthy. Don't break her heart.~ She then turns away and says, out loud, "Thank you for the chocolate," as the metal plate follows her out of the room. * Luana comes in just as Keiko leaves. She gives the other girl a bright, if somewhat confused, smile, then composes her expression and faces Togo. "Sir." No prob. *pauses* Telepathic and telekinetic. Useful, that. *waves to Luana* Come in have a seat. This won't take too long. * Keiko looks surprised at seeing Luana, and then manages a weak, embarassed smile before leaving the scene thataway! * Luana sits down and waits for Togo to tell her what she should be doing or saying. Okay, we're not going to be doing any training today. This meeting is strictly a 'get-to-know-each-other' sort of thing, along with a basic explanation of how I'm going to approach your training. Yes, sir. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your abilities are, basically, martial arts training, the ability to control and project fire, and some skills with computers. Am I missing anything? I can also change my appearance and gender, as well my age by approxiamately eight years either way and my height by six inches either way. * Togo nods. "Right, forgot that, thanks. That'll come in handy." *pauses* "Okay, from what I gather, your martial arts training has been sort of haphazard, more general than focused to any specific style, correct?" It was until I arrived here, sir. Dr... Dr Kerner was focusing my training on tai chi. And have you found that useful, in improving your fighting skills, concentration, and/or your general fitness? Only my fighting skills, sir. I... I believe my general fitness has always been fine, and I never really noticed a change in my concentration, although Dr Kerner asked me about that regularly. * Togo nods. "If you feel it's helping, we'll continue it, though I'd like to maybe introduce some boxing or kickboxing training, to help you feel more comfortable putting together combinations of blows." * Luana 's expression has barely changed throughout the conversation. "I'll do whatever you think is best for me, sir." I want your input here too, Luana, since you obviously know more about your capabilities than I do. What aspects of your fighting skills do you think you could stand to improve? I... I'd like to practice my aim when throwing fire, sir. I find that I miss the target very often during fights. And, since you have so much, um, experience with guns... I'd like to try using something other than a pistol, sir. And.... * Togo nods. "All good ideas. Go on." (...why do I have this image of Luana with a LAW?) ( That can be arrainged. ) * Luana hesitates, then blurts out, "I'm sorry to bother you with this now, but if I don't ask then it'll never happen, and... I'm worried that I'm getting out of practice with building computers, it's been -months-, and..." She looks flustered and trails off, then stares at her lap, blushing slightly. (What's a LAW?) * Togo shrugs. "I don't see where that's a problem. S'a skill worth developing. After we finish this mission, I'll see what I can do about ordering some parts for you." ( Light Anti-Tank Weapon. Rocket launcher. ) (Oooooh.) * Luana gives him a small smile. "Thank you so much, sir." * Togo grins. "Hey, this job ain't all about hitting and shooting stuff. Knowing computers can come in handy... that reminds me. How far does your computer knowledge extend? Any hacking experience?" *** Signoff: Togo (*.irc.sandwich.net *.irc.sandwich.net) (She just hacked Togo out of existance! Good job, Luana!) (How's that for experience?) *** Togo (lman8381@cpe-24-164-130-240.si.res.rr.com) has joined channel #mc4 ( re. What's last you saw? ) (Any hacking experience?") ( Yup, that's it. Answer at will ) No sir, my strength lies mostly in building and programming. I... I think Dr Kerner felt it was unecessary for me to work on those skills when Ten is so obviously capable. * Togo nods. "Still, you have a general familiarity with computers. Worth spending some time developing." I mean... I have theoretical knowledge of hacking, but no real experience. * Luana nods. "Yes, thank you sir." As to the fire generation... I know you need work on your accuracy, and we'll definately work on that. Putting that aside for a sec, how far can you throw the fire? And is it in a stream like a flamethrower, or does it explode in a burst? * Luana looks surprised. "It... it just -exists-. I haven't tried creating a stream before... I can demonstrate, if you like." * Togo chuckles. "If you did it in here, they'd take it out of my pay. I'm more asking... when you hit someone with the fire you throw, does it only hit them, or does it also hurt people near them?" It only hits them, but other people can be hurt by it if they get too close. It's real fire, even if what I originally create doesn't last for very long. * Togo nods. "Okay. We might work on some other applications like the stream idea in the future, but for now we'll focus on perfecting what you already do. You can cover your limbs in fire to make your strikes more damaging as well, right?" Yes, although I haven't had much practice in doing so. * Togo nods. "We'll work on that as well. Is the problem maintaining the fire while you strike, or summoning it in the first place?" Neither is a problem, sir. Dr Kerner just didn't have me practice practical uses very much with my fire. I believe we mostly worked on increasing my range of control, things like that. * Togo nods. "That'll change. Range of control is great, but it doesn't help you in the field right now. We're gonna work on mastering what you *can* do, and once we do that we'll worry about expanding your abilities. Besides, in honing your skills you might figure out some things on your own." Yes, sir. * Luana looks like she's relaxing slightly. Which actually segues into what I wanted to say about my approach to training you. I've been a paranormal hunter for around 25 years now. I'm fairly well known in the field, but I'd be lying if I claimed to be the best. There are eagle-eyed ambidextrous sharpshooters and people who can bend space and time to do their bidding out there; I'm just a guy with entirely too many guns and a wide variety of fun and exciting grenades. My claim to fame, as it were, is that I've been extremely active in the field for 25 years, with no eyes, and I'm neither dead, crippled or missing any important pieces that I had when I started. (...how is losing your eyes not crippled?) ( That happened before he started paranormal hunting. ) (Ah.) (Which is just sad, really.) ( In a way, yes. ) If they wanted someone to turn you into an unstoppable engine of destruction or a cold-blooded killer, they would've gotten someone else. They got me, I have to assume, because they want me to teach you how to stay alive and in one piece. And I'm very, very good at that. * Luana nods slowly. So that's the basic goal we're going to work towards: trying to get your comfortable and confident enough in your abilities that you can complete your missions without exposing yourself to too much harm. My job out in the field is to protect you until you reach the point where you don't need me to do so anymore. Make sense? Yes, sir. Thank you. No problem. Just a couple of other things and we can wrap up. Okay. First off... your job here is basically that of a highly specialized cop. Protect and serve and such. What that means is that, while deadly force is not always going to be necessary... you have to be ready to use it when needed, because if you're not the people you're fighting will take advantage of it. * Luana looks a bit startled. "Naturally, sir. I'll do anything I'm ordered to." I had military training to help me deal with that, but training you that way wouldn't work. So I need you to work on being able to accept that, in some situations when the people we fight are threatening you, the team, or innocents... * Togo shakes his head. "That's good, but not quite what I'm looking for. The whole point of what I'm working towards here is getting so you're confident enough in the field that I don't need to order you around; I want you to be able to assess situations and judge what the proper course of action is." Ye- yes, sir. It'll take time, but it'll also make you much more able to keep yourself safe. * Luana nods. I've had years and years to get used to using violence to solve problems; you haven't. What I need for you to think about and try to accept is that, like a cop, sometimes it's acceptable and necessary to use deadly force for the greater good. Not asking you to magically agree right this moment, just to get yourself used to the idea. Make sense? * Luana says slowly, with a pained expression, "Sir, I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but... there's a very strong chance that I killed my parents. After that... the idea of using deadly force just doesn't really trouble me anymore, sir." ( Was that a flareup of her fire powers? Forget from the logs. ) (Hasn't been established 'mainline' that I know of.) ( Ah, ok. ) (Unless it's in her file, she's never said it except to Keiko IIRC. WD can confirm or deny.) ( Would it be in her file, WD? ) (Actually, it wasn't even "said") (It was in a dreamscape vision that Keiko went into.) (Right, it was _hinted_ at there, but she said it yesterday.) (Game-time wise. To Keiko. 'I think I may have killed my parents.') (Her parents died in a fire that started in the kitchen, from the gas stove. Luana was found unconscious on the front lawn, and the police never suspected her. That'd prolly be in her file.) (There was a third person burnt up inside the house as well.) (Hey, something Keiko doesn't know! Sweet. I love things Keiko doesn't know.) (Like all about Heinrick?) (She knows... some things!) * Togo nods slowly. "Sorry for bringing it up." (I think she knows one relevant thing that others don't!) (More than 0!) It's... it's okay now. I'm being useful here. And I've been learning control. This place is my home. I'm a giant insensitive clod sometimes. You should feel free to throw things at my head when I am. * Luana says quickly, "I would never!" Then reluctantly adds, "Keiko might, though. She dumped food on Ten once." Okay, then remind her to throw things at me if I'm a giant moron. *grins* * Luana smiles slightly. "I wouldn't." * Togo nods. "We'll work on that too. Three more things and we're done." *pauses a beat* "On the missions you've been on so far, have you been scared?" When Keiko was being kidnapped. * Togo nods. "Never let anyone tell you not to be afraid when you go out on missions. Fear is good. Fear keeps your cautious and stops you from doing stupid things. It helps you focus in tough situations if you use it right. I've been doing this for years and I still get scared sometimes, so never feel bad that you're afraid. Just don't let it make you hesitant; use it to focus you." Yes, sir. We'll work on it in training, obviously, but I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page with that. * Togo pulls a few sheets of paper, stapled together, out of his jacket. "This is the list of the various weapons and ammo I carry with me. I want you to look over it and try to familiarize yourself with what each weapon does, so you'll know what I'm trying to do when I use each weapon. I don't expect you to memorize it immediately, but try to get a general sense of it, and let me know if you have any questions." ( http://authorpics.improfanfic.com/Authorpics/JesseLman/Togo_Combat.txt ) (It's such a long, pretty list. <3) (Wow. Togo's open.) (Wow, yeah.) (It's almost creepy.) (Then again, not everyone's SECRETIVE LIKE SOME PEOPLE I KNOW :|) ( He believes in knowing what people can do in combat so you don't trip over one another. ) (YOU LOVE IT AND YOU KNOW IT!) ( "You will be quizzed on my attack bonuses with various weapons later today." "..." ) * Luana scans over the list and her eyes widen. "Will I be learning how to use any of these, sir?" ( Oh please oh please oh please?) ("Alright, how much damage does that feel like you took?" "I hate you so much, sir.") (Haw.) (XD Blind shooting. That cracks me up for some reason.) (It's sorta required.) (And yet, still funny!) Some of them, yes. Given that you're primarily a hand-to-hand fighter, aside from your flames, I'm definately going to want to work with you on developing skills with some armor-penetrating guns, for when we come across people you can't punch or burn. I'm probably also going to be giving you some grenades at some point. ( He needs it in case someone breaks his glasses. =P ) Nothing like a few well-placed grenades to thin out an advancing horde of mindless undead. (Or icky icky bugs.) ( Or icky icky bugs ) ( WD, you going to respond, or can I move on? ) (Go ahead) And one last thing... have you been issues any body armor or other protective gear? ( s/issues/issued ) No, sir. * Togo rubs his forehead and sighs. "Okay, that's a top priority. All my clothes are made of a lightweight protective material; it's not tactical body armor, but it helps. The guy who made them for me owes me some favors, so I might be able to get some for you. What kind of clothes do you wear?" ( "Trenchcoats, by any chance? I know kids dig the trenchcoats. They're mad phat, yo. Kids still say that, right?" ) T-shirt and slacks for physical training or missions, and T-shirt and a skirt otherwise. (Don't make me fireball you.) * Togo nods. "Okay, armored skirts would just be dumb, so we'll go with t-shirts and slacks. Bring me photos of three long-sleeved shirts and three slacks you like, color doesn't matter, no designs that are too fancy. I'll clear it with the bosses, and if it's okay with them I'll send the order into my guy." Yes, sir. (I have to go to work, is there much more?) * Togo nods. "Good. Take the rest of the day off to do that, review the weapons list I gave you, and think about what we discussed. We'll start training after this mission is complete; be ready to work hard." ( Nope! ) Of course, sir. Dismissed, then. * Luana stands and starts to leave, then looks back. "...Thank you. I'm looking forward to working with you." Then she hurries out. * Togo waves absently as Luana runs out, then begins to cackle maniaca- just kidding. He looks thoughtful for a moment. "This is gonna be some work." [Mini End!]