No canary in a cage for me

[lightinside]

Who: Laurel Lance + OPEN
What: Catch-all log w/open prompts
When: Month of December
Where: Several locations

(i) Ｔｒａｉｎｉｎｇ

Over the past few weeks Laurel had established a training routine for herself, agreeing to train or spar with a couple of her fellow Sleepers at least once a week. She focused on hand to hand combat, perfecting her technique with the tonfas and just general cardio to keep herself fit.

Laurel made the most of the limited resources in this place, knowing that she wouldn't find a gym like the ones back in her city. At least the workout areas in Trench didn't cost a monthly subscription or involve people trying to sell the latest protein shake or a detox that promised 'miracles.'

When she wasn't training with another Sleeper at an agreed time, Laurel rose early and tried to get some workouts before having breakfast, wanting to get an energetic start to her day.

---

(ii) Ｗｉｌｌｆｕｌ Ｍａｃｈｉｎｅ

The hustle and bustle of the area that Laurel had chosen to live in reminded her of Star City. Part of it anyway. Back home only seemed to have open markets and sellers in certain parts of the city or at certain times of the year, but it seemed to go on all the time in Willful Machine. She's already traded a few things, getting used to how the sellers operated, negotiating with them until she got a good deal.

At least her skills as a lawyer were proving to be useful.

Laurel can be found in the general area of Willful Machine throughout the day and also into the evening when the market sellers packed up their stalls and headed home. When she isn't patrolling, she heads back home after grabbing something to eat or ingredients to make a really simple dinner for herself.

---

(iii) Ｏｕｔ ｆｏｒ ａ ｒｕｎ （ｍｕｌｔｉｐｌｅ ａｒｅａｓ）

Between her training sessions Laurel kept her fitness up by going for a jog around different parts of Trench. She also uses it as a way to familiarise herself with places, in case she ends up stuck in one of them for some reason or another. After the horrible experience last month, Laurel knows it would be easy enough for something like the zealots to snatch her up and take her God knows where. Knowing the area and by extension, maybe getting to know the people there may help her in the longterm.

Her jacket is tied around her waist as she runs, feeling too warm to put it on despite the colder temperature. In one hand Laurel is holding onto a canteen filled with water because of course this world didn't have anything like the containers she was used to. But Laurel was resourceful and made do with what she had.

She takes an occasional break to stretch out her arms and legs, regulating her breathing at the same time.


((ooc: If we have plans for December’s event, you can use this log for it as well. ))

Comments

i

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia's been feeling a lot more on edge this month. Remembering the whole bloodsport thing from a few months back, she wonders of working out and sparring could be a key to helping her keep these feelings at bay.

It's just a matter of finding a sparring partner! She feels like she should try someone new instead of her friends, and she soon hears about one woman who has been training with a lot of Sleepers regularly at the gym. So she tries to set an appointment with her, and when the time comes, the tall scorpion lady gently raps on the wall as she enters the room, with a sheepish smile.]

Um, hey! Hi there! Are you the, uh, sparring lady?

[lightinside]

[Working out had always been a good way for Laurel to clear her head and with eveything that happened last month, she wanted something familiar and easy to focus on before things took a turn for the worst again.

Laurel pauses from stretching when she hears a knock at the wall, glancing over at the person who had just come in to say hello. ]

Hey. [ She gives her a smile in return. ] I am, yeah. Well, that's not my name of course, but I do some sparring. Welcome!

[Gesturing with a hand for Scorpia to come over, she introduces herself.]

I'm Laurel by the way. What's your name?

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia always loves working out! And it seems all the more important in these trying times.

At her warm welcome, some of Scorpia's nervousness dissolved, and she approaches her with a smile.]

Great, I found the right person! It's so great to meet you, Laurel. I'm Scorpia!

[lightinside]

Great to meet you too, Scorpia. I'm always happy to find some new people to train with.

[Figuring it was also a good way to pick up new skills from others in this place. Things she mightn't have been able to learn back home. ]

Before we get started, do you have an idea or goal in mind? Or is this just a way to clear your head?

[cuddlery]

[She points a pincer-tip in acknowledgement of her last suggestion.]

The last one! The last one sounds great. I think I've been feeling a bit on edge lately? And last time I had a problem that was kinda like that, sparring really helped me to cool down! So, uh, yeah. Kinda hoping this'll do the trick! ...No pressure.

( ii )

[jedies]

[ obi-wan was at the market to stock up on tea. it's one of the few indulgences he lets himself have. and because the price of tea is seemingly high, obi-wan deploys a little mind-trick. ]

Why, yes, you do wish to sell it to me at this price.

[ the merchant looks at him, a little misty-eyed before agreeing. there's a twinkle in obi-wan's eye as he collects his merchandise. ]

A pleasure doing business with you.

[lightinside]

[ Laurel was looking at a stall which was selling dried fruit and snacks nearby, thinkng they would be a good way to keep up her energy when she was out and about. She overhears Obi-Wan speaking to the merchant, glancing over to see if she could pick up some additional negotiating tips.

The merchant at the stall tries to get her attention so she looks back at them with an apologetic smile. ]

Sorry. I'll just be a moment.

[ She approaches Obi-Wan, stopping a few feet away. ]

How'd you do that? Takes me forever to talk someone into a lower price.

[jedies]

Hm?

[ he shoots her a smile. ]

I'm afraid it's a little Jedi mind trick. Not something easily passed on, sadly.

[lightinside]

[ Huh. Laurel is sure she has heard that phrase before, but it escapes her. ]

Aw, damn. Well, it was worth a shot, right?

[ She returns the smile. ]

We haven't met before. I'm Laurel.

ii

[droptheious]

Varian normally spends a lot of his time in Willful Machine. It's an alchemist's paradise, after all. He's moving a little more furtively than usual. He's wearing his Sleeper Cloak with the cape pulled over his head- trying to avoid too much unwanted attention. His skin has grown a thick, rock-like substance over it and his hallucinations get worse by the day. Worse still, there's a blooming irritation in his chest he can't place.

Despite all of this, he does smile as he sees Laurel, even if he tries to keep himself hidden in his cloak.

"Uh...hey. Picking up supplies?"

[lightinside]

She is happy to come across someone that she knows, a person Laurel hopes she could become good friends with in this place. He's been so helpful and friendly towards her ever since she arrived and Laurel couldn't be more grateful to Varian for that.

"Hi, Varian." Giving a little wave and a smile, noticing how he was dressed. Maybe he was cold, and given the change in weather she wouldn't blame him for wanting to wrap up warm.

"I am. Seeing if I can get some bargains today. What has you out here?"

[droptheious]

"The guy who set up just by the main canal entrance usually has some good ones...uh, bargains, I mean."

He shifts, still awkward like he's afraid to let her get too close and see the state of him. He knows it'll only worry the people he's close to.

"Just...getting some more alchemy supplies. Getting some fresh air. It's...only a quick trip out."

[lightinside]

"Thanks for the tip."

If Laurel did get a proper look at him, she would be concerned and see if there was any way that could help Varian out. Even when they were still getting to know each other.

"Yeah, you really don't want to be out in the cold for too long." It was especially chilly at night time during this month. "Are you working on anything in particular or is it a general alchemy supply run?"

i

[laminae]

Fighting is something Fern has always enjoyed, and it seems more important than ever right now. He can't let himself get rusty in such a dangerous city, and frankly, he's been feeling incredibly stressed for the last couple of week. A lot has been building up, problems he can't just solve by punching, and he figures having a couple good sparring sessions might help him get some of that anxious energy out.

Of course, that does mean he's looking pretty tense as he arrives at the gym. He doesn't have any weapons on him, though that doesn't mean much - he can make swords out of any of his grass, and his battle axe is stored in his body - but he figures this will probably be hand-to-hand. He gives Laurel a way as he enters, then drops his hand. "Uh, hey. You got some spare time?"

[lightinside]

The stresses back home were very different than the stresses that Laurel had found in this place. She didn't have to worry about balancing cases, a social life and being a vigilante in Trench, but then she didn't have to face being kidnapped, monsters and new territory back home. Laurel wouldn't blame anyone for being stressed or concerned in this place.

Not one bit.

She was preparing for her next set of lunges and squats when Fern came into the room and gives her a wave - the tension does not go unnoticed. Laurel smiles at him in return before nodding.

"Hey, Fern. Yeah, I got some time." Rolling her shoulders, she adds. "You here to train or for a conversation? I'm good with either."

[laminae]

There's a bit of relief that washes through him when Laurel says she has the time. This is a lot safer than going out in the freezing cold and finding a bloodthirsty monster to take down, so he's pretty happy.

He trots on over, kicking his boots off and shedding his hat and coat and scarf and mittens. "The first one. Definitely the first one. Maybe the second one? I dunno if I'm really in a talking mood."

[lightinside]

"Okay. Let's see how we get on with the first one and then if you feel like working up to the second, we can do that too." Laurel was pretty flexible and will go along with what Fern feels comfortable with.

"Do you need to do a few warm up stretches first before we get started? I did some earlier but I don't mind giving you a demonstration if they're something you have never done before."

iii.

[rosae]

Despite the snow spread over Trench like a blanket, making many of its usual streets difficult to traverse, Rose is found out and about a lot, as well. The search for her daughter never stops — though it is made harder by all the snow. She's unable to explore certain places, which leads her to feel progressively more frustrated, and there's an odd guilt lingering at the back of her mind about it. Like she isn't doing enough.

Even if the searching through warehouses and other buildings is something she can't do as much of these days, she's still wandering around outside a lot. Going for walks, hoping to catch a glimpse of any clue as to Sharon's whereabouts. She's moving slowly down the street, hands slipped into the pockets of her long tan coat, when she spots a woman up ahead, stretching.

The sight of her immediately brings up familiar images for Rose of her life back home — going for morning runs after dropping Sharon off at school, sometimes with her girlfriends and sometimes alone. Often, she'd tie her jacket around her waist just like that. It's such a... normal sort of sight that it shocks her for a moment, which is a highly strange awareness to have.

"Hi," Rose calls as she approaches the woman, a friendly little smile on her face. "Out for a run?"

[lightinside]

Snow is something that Laurel enjoyed, especially as a kid. It didn't always snow in her city, but when it did, she had snowball fights with her younger sister and made snow angels in the backyard until their mom called them in for some hot chocolate with marshmallows. It seemed like such a simpler time before everything went to hell for her family and they split up, leaving Laurel to pick up the pieces.

Now she was here and so was her sister who had arrived in the old dream place and had somehow made it over to Trench. Laurel was torn between being happy to have her family around and also not wanting Sara here because she was worried about her safety. That thought (among many others) raced through her mind as she ran because sometimes, she used that time to think stuff through.

Rose manages to stir Laurel out of her thoughts when she appears, standing up straight to give her a smile in return. "Hey there." She nods."Yeah, I am. I try to do it a couple of times a week if I can. How about you? Just out for a walk?"

[rosae]

Rose comes to a halt nearby, puffing out a little breath of fog in the chilly morning air as she casts a glance up and down the street for a moment before returning her gaze to the other woman. "I should probably take a page out of your book, there. I used to run a lot back home... Wouldn't hurt to stay in shape in this place."

Especially with all of the various degrees of danger that seemingly change up every month...? She's still not sure how this place works, exactly. But at least there're no sirens here.

Rose's smile softens, into something that's a bit sad around the edges.

"Looking for my daughter. People keep telling me she's probably not here, but.... there's still a chance she could be, right? People seem to wash up all the time."

[lightinside]

"I've also found that running can help clear my head when things get too much." Laurel says, thinking about both here and back home. If this woman has been here like her, she might feel the same way. Especially with the weird things that can happen in Trench.

When Rose mentions her daughter, Laurel's expression turns into something more compassionate. She's dealt with cases back home that involved kids so she can't help feeling that more protective of them. That instinct has even carried over to this place ever since she's befriended Luz and volunteered to help at the orphanage.

"You're right, people do turn up in this place regularly so maybe she will show up one day. I'm sorry that you've been separated from her. Truly." Laurel means what she says with that. "Can you describe her for me? I could keep an eye out and let you know - sorry, what's your name?"

training!

[thinkfirst]

Flynn trains like he breathes, which is to say, daily, and as a sort of necessity. He can't not: Flynn likes to keep busy, likes to keep moving, always needs to be improving his skills and sharpening his technique and his convictions all at once. Perhaps he could learn from Yuri the art of staying still, but so far, he hasn't, which is what brings him and Laurel to their half-frozen, snowed-in backyard early one morning in December. The light is only just beginning to peep out from behind heavy clouds, and it's early enough that far-away sounds echo near and clear, including the crunch of their feet on frosted plants and icy snow.

"I really haven't practiced much hand-to-hand," Flynn tells her as he strips off his coat despite the chill. He isn't wearing his armor today, opting instead for a black turtleneck that clings close to his skin and absolutely does not keep out the cold. It doesn't matter, though. They'll warm up, surely. "Not in the formal way, which I'm certain is an oversight on my part. Where would you like to start? I'm happy to follow your lead, here!"

[lightinside]

Training outside in the middle of winter is a new thing for Laurel. She’s dressed appropriately for the activity, but it does give her a chance to breathe throughout the training session.

"Hand-to-hand is how I got started. Then I moved onto weapons." Now she could combine the two and it had worked out quite well for Laurel. Taking her time honing her skills had paid off and now, she was a competent fighter. "I think we should start with a few warm-up exercises if that's okay? I'm sure you do that back home, to reduce the strain on your muscles."

If he didn't do any warm-up routines then Laurel is more than happy to show him. This was supposed to be a learning session as well as training.

[thinkfirst]

"Oh, certainly," Flynn is already moving into a lunge, an easy thing without his armor on. "Honestly, I'm thrilled that you even take the time for that. I am forever trying to convince Yuri that warming up and cooling down is a worthwhile use of his time, but does he listen? Even when he gets terrible muscle knots and complains to me about them? No! Of course he doesn't. It's been years, Laurel."

[lightinside]

Is it bad if that makes her smile a little? Maybe.

"Sounds like Yuri needs a stern talking to from someone like me." A joke of course. "When we fought that ghost a few months ago, he looked pretty...limber? Yeah. That's the word." Laurel begins her warm up stretches. "But he should listen to you, Flynn. Muscle knots are no laughing matter and since I'm a little older than the both of you, I should know."