You're The Best Around : Karate War Training Montage Log

[strikefirster]

The All-Trench Karate War | Training Log!

Who: Combat instructors, students, and anyone caught in the crossfire.
What: Training for the Karate War!
Where: Throughout Trench
When: Throughout April

[ Welcome to the catch-all log for the Karate War player plot! Please find your instructor's header below and feel free to start your own toplevels under that header. You can specify "OTA," "OTA to teammates," or "For [Character]" etc in the subject line.

Or jump down to the miscellaneous mingle and start your own toplevels there! Enjoy! ]

Comments

Ozpin's Clockhouse Academy

[strikefirster]

Re: Ozpin's Clockhouse Academy

[imaglyphwitch]

Luz knew she was coming in pretty blind, but that wasn't going to stop her from trying. She was going to join Ozpin's academy because she knew Ozpin more than the others, and it at least seemed to be a school that had more of the kind of training she was earnestly looking for.

Still, she hadn't been there as long as some of the others and wanted to get in as much training as she could. She needed to catch up for several reasons, but top of the list was making sure she had a way of defending herself if she was without magic.

"Ok. I'm ready! And what was that about a tournament?"

introductions | OTA or mingle

[clocktowers]

[ Welcome, student. The property you've been invited to train on is a strange, sprawling manor at the edge of Gaze, bordering the gloomy Trenchwood. Today you're out on the scrubby lawn under the eerie green light of the moon, and your teacher stands before you: 6'6" and skinny, his silver hair in a little braid, wearing an excessively detailed green tailcoat and little tinted glasses.

He does not look much like a self-defense instructor. But he smiles gently at you all the same. ]

Now, I believe it's time to discuss your weapon of choice. Unarmed combat is a significant skill, and one we shall need to emphasize before the upcoming tournament, but in a world such as this... it is most important to trust your weapon as you would an extension of your own body.

[ For a moment he seems to look at you more thoughtfully, assessing. ]

Or do you find that there are other abilities you reach for, when pressed?

Kokichi Oma | OTA/Mingle

[violetlies]

[First day of training. This was the first attempt that Kokichi would make at defying his natural instincts as a pacifist. So, there he stood, 5'1 and slim, messy purple hair covered by a black cap, white suit that looked more like an unbound straitjacket than anything, a checkered bandanna around his neck, and arms folded behind his head.]

Wee~eeelll...this is probably not the answer anyone hoped for, but my weapon of choice is my words. [He admits, gently shrugging.] I never really needed to solve any problems that couldn't be solved with a silver tongue at home, so I can easily take someone down in a debate, I'm a pretty strong opponent in strategy games like chess, and I'm pretty fast when I've gotta run away...in actual combat, though? I'm kinda starting from behind here, like I said. [He tugs his arms to his chest, seemingly determined.] But I'm gonna dedicate myself.

[After all, Trench wasn't a normal human world where violence was highly unnecessary. It was a world of untamed monsters and untold disaster. Being a pacifist here meant a heavy disadvantage, and it meant you ended up as somewhat of a burden - or at least that was how Kokichi felt.]

...So I guess the starting block would be getting a weapon. If it's an extension of myself, I'd assume it might be pretty important to get the right one and it's not just 'this because you're late', 'this because it looks cool', or 'just this on a whim'.

Maybe I should just start on unarmed and think on it, or...? How does one decide these things?

[onekindsoul]

[Ruby absolutely zones in on Kokichi. Look she understands what it's like to be a little behind the curve when it comes to learning a weapon. She wasn't so great until her uncle started teaching her some of the skills he had picked up.

She takes a moment to listen to him and size him up.]

Learning unarmed is a good idea, but it doesn't have to be your starting point. It definitely wasn't mine.

...Fast and a strategic thinker huh? But not used to outright combat. I think we can figure something out about that.

Any other skills? How's your aim?

[violetlies]

[Ah, an expert. Kokichi lets her size him up, and listens to what she says. Right. Honestly, unarmed is probably going to be a weak point for his little noodle arms. He nods.]

I was hoping at least one person would say something like that. [It would've been pretty embarrassing if the general response was pained grimaces, but not so.]

Hmmm. I mean, I've got a wealth of expertise in technology, but that doesn't do me much good in a world where magic is a big thing. [That next question, however, absolutely piques his intereszt.] Aim is mostly about quick calculations. I'm not some kind of masterful quick draw, but I'm pretty good if I buckle down on it.

What're you thinking? Something long-range, I'm guessing?

[Being a pain from long range is something that appeals to him greatly. Besides, if this played into the tournament stuff...you can't punch what you can't reach.]

[clocktowers]

A keen mind for tactics is a powerful asset, even here.

[ To Ozpin, this has the feeling of training apprentices in his days before Beacon: watching children take up swords because they had to, not because they'd ever dreamed of glory. There's a bittersweet simplicity to that.

He looks openly thoughtful at the question. ]

At this stage, the best course would be to see what you most enjoy... what comes most easily to you, and what you would willingly dedicate a great deal of time to practicing. Speed and strategy are useful in any number of arenas. You may come to prefer the distance of a firearm, or the fast-paced puzzle of swordplay.

[violetlies]

Considering it's my natural habit to strategize, I'd hope so.

[Some people were more inclined to punch, punch, punch, then think. Kokichi knew a fair few. (un)Luckily, he wasn't Tenko. He wasn't some kind of glory-seeker, either - that was Kaito's department, not his. To Kokichi, the thought that he's partaking in some kind of class intended for heroes seems like downright whiplash. He was so used to acting in the role of a villain...

Well. Still. He'd absolutely be smug about it to Kaito if he were to show up. Step aside, hero boy.

He nodded.]

The biggest thing I've heard about combat is that it pays to be adaptable. So. Find something long-range first, then short-range, maybe. I know in the end one probably is gonna end up more honed than the other, but I 'spose I can't tell for sure until I try some stuff out.

[Which he's perfectly fine with doing. Experimentation was vital at this stage. And then once he had an idea of how he'd take to actually holding and using something, he could buckle down.]

[clocktowers]

[ He breaks into a smile, here: that particularly fond one he gives when something reminds him of a story. ]

To that end, we've developed something of a tradition, on Remnant... the place which was my home before Trench. Many of our weapons are designed for both long-range and and close combat.

[ He lifts his cane as though in demonstration, twirls it. ]

I'm afraid I cannot give a suitable demonstration with this old thing... it is only a bladed cane. [ This is a blatant lie. ] But any of the others from my homeland... Ruby, Oscar, Qrow, to name a few... could show you the strategy. You're right that a person is often more skilled in one arena than the other, but it is vital to have that flexibility.

We could begin with something as simple as an unadorned blade. I seem to be lacking in ranged weapons, I'm afraid, so for today we may be constrained in our options.

[violetlies]

Hm. That's a tradition I can appreciate. [It's smart, in a place that is likely more combat-focused than normal Japan. Hearing of other worlds was always fascinating, really, though usually harrowing. It made his own experiences seem like nothing.

He watches as Ozpin lifts his cane--and being one to detect liars, the only thing that tips him off to the fact that they might mutually be aware that's a lie is a small, amused smile on Kokichi's part. It's better for other people to think that, huh?

He nods.]

Well! I can't object to that. Unadorned blade it is! I'm ready!

Re: introductions | OTA or mingle

[imaglyphwitch]

[It was good to see Ozpin again, and in his own domain, no less! It looked very pretty, and she was sure that Ruby and Oscar must live somewhere around here too. Luz, for her part, is wearing casual clothes: a tunic with her signature shorts and capris, but with fingerless gloves and her bookbag in case it was needed].

Oh, right, my weapon! Is it ok if that's also my friend too?

[Here Luz brandished Eda's staff: Owlbert was motionless right now, so it just looked imposing and mysterious].

[clocktowers]

[ He looks a little perplexed at the question, then fond at what he can only assume is her usual enthusiasm. ]

A very charming staff, indeed. It looks as though it will serve well for our purposes. Would you care to show me how it's generally used?

[imaglyphwitch]

[She DID have enthusiasm, but that was not why she said that. She gave the seemingly totem animal atop the staff a light nuzzle and it came to life, returning the gesture and then proceeding to fly around in a circle. Owlbert gave a nose dive toward Luz, then turned immobile a few feet short and turned into the staff again, Luz catching it in her arms].

Palisman. [Honestly, Eda would have been a little proud. Luz had Owlbert helping her for a LONG time, and he had been Luz's companion for so much that it felt seamless. She would never have dropped Owlbert at this point, and this was mutual when he was her staff.

And here is how we work.

[She could have said "how I use him" but obviously that wasn't the case. In any rate, Luz hopped atop the staff and flew high, higher, then took a swirl in the air before falling again and pulling up at the last moment. Luz hopped off, and three papers started to float down from when she'd fallen. Before they could fall to the ground, Luz swirled staff in the air in a sharp circle. The falling papers were, in fact, glyphs: one that gave a pleasant flash of light, followed by an explosion of falling sakura petals and finishing with a simple three foot ice statue that resembled her new teacher].

Those are glyphs that can be activated at their basic level. Through more advanced combinations, you can do more with proper application!

[clocktowers]

[ The staff comes to life in what he can only describe as magic, of the fairytale sort he is always so touched to see. Luz is all but beaming with pride, and it's well-deserved: her routine is confident, flowing, openly powerful. It is an impossibly cry from the wounded little girl he once met in a darkened cave.

It shows in his bright smile as she touches down. Ozpin raises his hands, cane and all, to clap gently. ]

Impressive. Then do consider me glad to meet him... and to witness your work together. Perhaps this will be an opportunity to expand your repertoire into new skills... new combinations, of a sort. The interplay between fighting ability and a talent for magic.

[ There's a beat. He nods to the statue. ]

It's a beautiful likeness.

[ Mark down that flattery as successful. ]

[imaglyphwitch]

[There was definitely going to be a difference between the Luz from the cave and now. Luz had all of her strength, for one thing, and she had learned enough from that situation to have a way to defend herself even if she had no magic. It was what brought her here eventually: the fencing lessons with Vira and sword practice with Fern had been good, but she knew she needed more.

That being the case, Luz had also gone through great strides in her magic abilities too]!

I hope so! Definitely hoping to strengthen my body and mind in a school like this!

[Yes, she'd heard of Johnny and Terry, but she knew Ozpin a bit better, and Cobra Kai felt too different from what she thought should be in a martial arts school].

Thank you, um. Sensei?

theory and tea | OTA or mingle

[clocktowers]

[ You've finished with lessons for the day, and now you've been swept into Ozpin's private library. It's an elegant space, if you can forgive a few still-broken windows, a few missing bookshelves, and the riot of flowering vines which have overgrown most of everything.

Heedless of this, he's waved you into an overwrought armchair and brought out a teapot and cookies. They're chocolate chip. ]

I suppose I walk the line between Hunter and Arcane Scholar... though my research isn't truly into the magic of this world, but instead, its stories. Its legends.

If you'd care to share any folklore of your home— whether childhood tale or ancient myth— I would be glad to hear it. Perhaps I can trade you one in return.

training exercises | mingle

[clocktowers]

[ Congratulations, students, you've once again been gathered in twos and threes with little explanation for what to expect. Ozpin points to the eerie, burned-out tower which crowns the manor-- he seems to regard this as normal?-- and says: ]

Today's assignment is simple: together, you must reach the highest point of the building and deliver this gift.

[ Deliver to what? He doesn't say! He simply looks pleased with himself as he offers one of you a little package. Wrapped in wax paper and tied with twine, the whole thing is smaller than your palm. (It definitely contains a chocolate chip cookie.) ]

Some of us may find the climb more challenging than others... and for that reason I invite you to rely upon each other. Know your strengths and seek to complement your weaknesses. We shall need to assess our own strengths and shortcomings when pitted against fellow Sleepers.

Of course, to make things a bit more interesting... you will face challenges along the way.

[ Somewhere nearby, something howls. ]

Good luck.

@izuku (who let dem dogs out)

[asas]

[ shoyo is glad and relieved for two things: 1) he's incredibly athletic. his life was an athlete's. his body was in perfect shape and he's carved a rigid schedule and diet to keep it that way for years, and now, months in counting ever since his settling into trench. 2) that he's sought help beforehand in learning self-defense and a thing out two about weapons. he'd thought a knife was cool at first, even more so a blade, but they've proven to be not only highly aggressive but extremely close-combat oriented. something that shoyo has already gotten a taste of and has decided, no, he doesn't like that.

the best out of all worlds had been by the help of paul during his first month's stay and now leaning well into three or so months of work with sasuke, and being introduced the spear, and polearms, staff-type weapons meant to keep distance and versatility. an orange-black metallic bō is in his hands and being rubbed with his fingers as he analyses the tower they had to climb (and the howls that yearned some ways away from the starting point). ]

Okay, [ he inhales, then faces his supposed partner— or, really, he just looked to his right, and saw that the rest were paired off and this one wasn't avoiding him like some people do during class projects. ] wanna team up?

[ he holds his hand out for a shake— and his palm is hot and sweaty from the escalating rush into a mix of nervousness and game anxiety. ]

M'Shoyo. I don't have any powers, but I'm fast, athletic, and I can jump, high. [ oh, and— ] —And I've been learning how to use one of these for a couple months now.

[ and? he's really hungry, but he's already eaten through the last of his dried up canned trench fruit and fish jerky through the assignment announcement. ]

you can keep brackets if u wanna, i just forget mine, so i quit doing them

[wannasmash]

Midoriya plans to practice Quirkless (non-powered) fighting in preparation for the tournament. He did a little of that over a year ago at a time he couldn't properly regulate his super strength. He's also practiced with people in Trench such as his friend Ruby and his not-sure-what-to-call-him-now Paul. It's good for any situation really... but he's had a taste of Ozpin's training. It's wilder than UA's, though his work-studies could get dangerous outside the school setting too. A Hero has to be ready for anything.

Midoriya is in his Hero gear just in case: green jumpsuit, gauntlets with mechanized wrist parts, armored shoes, even a hard mask for his lower face around his neck. Midoriya would have avoided this guest if he wasn't so committed to being a good student and representing his school. As it is, he's completely caught off guard. He's already putting his gloved hand out and--

Oh no. It's that guy from the party. Midoriya knows he's done for as soon as he opens his own mouth. He knows Shoyo will recognize his voice as the one that instructed him to close his eyes.

The truth is, Midoriya got into a tussle with Bakugou in the bathroom at Paul's birthday party. (Not a real fight, that would have been taken far, far away.) Shoyo, bladder full and ear to the door, thought it was something else.

"That's... great..." he croaks. "I'm--my Hero name is Deku."

He just... needs to get through this exercise. And then eat a second lunch. And then maybe expire on the spot from embarrassment.

ok!

[asas]

[ wait, what was that. that voice? where has he heard that voice before? shoyo flips through his memory bank and retraces his steps, all the way back to a bathroom at a party and— the athlete's eyes go wide. his mouth drops.

he doesn't say a word. he just:



you're the guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ]

[wannasmash]

He's the guy. The bathroom guy.

His training partner points at him, slack-jawed, and it's all over. Normally, the driven Midoriya keeps his composure in the face of any exercise. Right now, he turns beet red and wraps his arms completely around his own head.

"...snnjhta--ghgh--demsjfdj--"

These are not words. These are the desperate, dying sounds of his dignity muffled in the bracers of his costume. He lowers his arms and says in a wavery voice, a parody of the energetic attitude he otherwise would have had,

"Let's... let's do our best..."

[asas]

[ oh, my god, this is very awkward. and shoyo accidentally made it worse? he made it worse. he couldn't help it. he's. dynamic. once the shock has passed and shoyo's hand is deflating back to his side he's— trying to smile, but it comes out wobbly and he's sure he could feel the secondhand embarrassment burning his ears into a rusty color.

like, damn. when he was your age, all he could think about was volleyball. ]

. . . Yup . . . [ he needs to fix this. ] Hey, so . . . You were the nice one, so, [ a tight swallow, ] that never happened. I never heard anything.

[ th-thumbs up—? maybe fist bump? ]

[wannasmash]

Even if Shoyo hadn't been animated, even if he had simply raised an eyebrow in the manner of Midoriya's intimidating homeroom teacher Aizawa, it would have been just as mortifying. Midoriya had no friends in junior high. He's always been a nerd, still is, even if he's a jerd now. Absolutely no chance, no way, did he ever think he'd be mistaken for someone who--does things like that--in a bathroom, as a guest at someone's party no less!

He's the one. The nice one. That's him... Please kill him now.

He can't speak. He can only press his lips in the thinnest of strained non-smiles, eyes wide, and bring one hand up for the weakest, most awkward fistbump of his life.

Finally, he croaks a small "Th-Thank you..." before stiffly turning and making his way to the starting point. He'll explain what he knows of Quirkless fighting, Ozpin's particular brand of teaching, how to watch out for structural damage in the tower, precaution against unknown monsters... in a bit. He needs a moment.

landing strategies | mingle

[clocktowers]

[ Those who attended Ozpin's training in February will recognize this exercise, though now that he has a much smaller crowd, he hasn't bothered climbing the great clocktower of Gaze. Instead, you've been brought to the top of the burned-out tower, and it's more than a little precarious: there are charred and crumbling holes in the roof.

Ozpin stands lightly upon one creaking beam, cane in hand. ]

Back in my prior world, I was headmaster of a renowned combat academy. We began each year with an initiation of sorts... and the first step consisted of a significant drop. It is not a leap of faith, for there will be no net to catch you. That lesson seems to bear true in Trench, as well.

You, Sleepers, must ensure your own safe descent to the ground. By skill, strength, or even by magic, your safety is in your own hands.

I invite you now to jump.

[ Maybe you leap without hesitation, ready to prove yourself. Maybe you jump to keep your fellow student from breaking their neck. Maybe you even reach the ground and immediately turn around to help your classmates.

Or maybe you hesitate. But not for long, because just behind you, smoke coalesces. An Omen forms.

A stag of smoke and Vileblood yeets the hesitant directly off the roof. ]

SUMMARIES

[clocktowers]

[ For a skinny old man in a fancy tailcoat, Ozpin is a startlingly competent fighter. Perhaps most uncanny is his range; he can switch between fighting styles as though echoing the movements of other men entirely. By default, he seems to be a fast and darty swordsman, and he can train students in swordplay with the air of a genuine master.

His lessons consist of theory, sparring— primarily armed, sometimes unarmed— and battles against Beasts and monsters corralled from the forest. Sometimes he sends his students into the depths of the woods in pairs or small groups, which is definitely a good idea in a month where the sun never rises.

At least he always offers tea and cookies for your trouble.

Feel free to respond with your character's general behavior as a student! ]