( text. )

[mindtricks]

Jax Teller has already mentioned Gunnery and the other departments, so I won't talk about that. All I want to say to all the new arrivals and everyone who is interested is: I offer self-defence lessons. Come to the gym on level 005 if you want to try.

And to whomever left me flowers: thank you.

Comments

[alldamned]

Sounds like you got yourself an admirer.

[mindtricks]

[ is that the logical conclusion to draw from this? if so, anderson is terrible at logic. ]

Do you think so?

[alldamned]

That's usually why someone sends flowers, yeah. Either that or to say 'thank you' or 'get well.'
Depends on which you think applies.

[mindtricks]

I don't know. There was no note.

[ and really- it could be either 'thank you' or 'get well'. it wouldn't even narrow it down much. ]

[alldamned]

Where'd they even get flowers in a place like this, you think? Pull em out of the oxygen garden?

[mindtricks]

They must have. I don't think flowers grow anywhere else aboard.

[alldamned]

Shows how much of a hermit I've been. I'll keep that in mind.

[He's visited the gardens, but not for long. That said, he might have need of flowers in the near future.]

You really got no idea who they could be from? Anyone you're friendly with inclined to thoughtful gestures, sweetheart?

[mindtricks]

I don't know why any of the ones who might leave flowers wouldn't also leave a note.

[ "sweetheart" - it's a good thing anderson's been aboard a while and has gotten used to being addressed as something other than "rookie" or "anderson". she lets it pass. ]

[alldamned]

[Good thing, since nicknames are a hard habit for him to break.]

Maybe they're feeling shy.

[mindtricks]

Maybe. Either way, the flowers are nice.

[ but to come back to something he wrote before: ] Any reason you've been a hermit? [ figuratively speaking, that is. ]

[alldamned]

I'm sure they are. Nice gesture no matter what the reason, usually.

I'm not much of a people person.

[In that he likes people a little too much, in some ways.]

Working on changing that. I've got a sponsor and everything.

[mindtricks]

[ if this conversation was in-person rather than over the network, her mutation would mean anderson would latch on to that thought. as it is, she remains unaware of it. ]

Yes. I wanted to let them know I appreciate it. [ hence this post. and, well, the offer for self-defence lessons is somewhat of a standing offer, but it bears repeating now and again, especially with newcomers aboard. ]

A sponsor towards being more social?

[alldamned]

Maybe they'll get brave enough to respond to you here, now that they know you liked em.
Might help quell any nerves.

You could say that. I'm uh
Guess there ain't all that many secrets here onboard, at least among some of the passengers.
I'm one of those folks who has to get synthetic blood from the medbay on the regular.

[mindtricks]

It might. [ if it really is a secret admirer, anderson isn't entirely sure she wants to know. how do you even handle that? ]

Can I ask why?

[forsometimenow]

I'm going to take you up on that. I'm not much of a fighter and what skills I did have back home are rusty.

[alldamned]

Because a guy's gotta eat.

[mindtricks]

Personally, I prefer chocolate to blood.

[ but so long as he's snacking on synthetic blood, she's not judging. ]

[mindtricks]

You're welcome to. Any time you prefer?

[ anderson's a pretty firm believer in the idea that everyone should be able to defend themselves, especially here. and what's more, it keeps her and everyone who takes her lessons busy, and that's worth a lot here, too.

it keeps people sane. ]

[forsometimenow]

I have an early clinic shift tomorrow morning, but I'll be available afterward.

[alldamned]

I did too, once upon a time. Can't say I blame you.

[mindtricks]

So the need for blood is what makes you a hermit now?
Out of necessity?

[mindtricks]

Does 1900hours work for you?

[forsometimenow]

I'll be there. And thank you. I can't promise I'll be any good, but I can learn.

not here;

[handelaar]

[BUT NOTED.]

text

[troops]

Do you mind me asking about your experience? I'd be interested in taking you up on your lessons.

also not here;

[mindtricks]

[ BUT GOOD. ]

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[mindtricks]

I trained as a judge. [ a moment later, because it's not at all obvious: ] In my world, that means combat.

[mindtricks]

That's the purpose of training.

[forsometimenow]

Exactly. If it helps to know, I have done some sparring and can shoot a gun.

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[troops]

A judge? We don't have the same definitions, then.

I was a templar for over a decade, but in the last few years I have taken a position of command rather than fighting on the front lines. I'm concerned that I may have fallen out of practice, and since I have no men to command, I am looking to refresh my combat skills.

In truth I doubt I'll need a tutor as much as I'm looking for someone with similar experience to oversee me. Is that something you would be interested in?

[mindtricks]

It should. We'll start by assessing what you already know and go from there.

text

[mindtricks]

Most places don't seem to have the same definition as my world. What does a templar do? There are none in my world, or not anymore.

And I wouldn't mind a sparring partner as opposed to a student, no.

text

[troops]

Templars were utilized by the Chantry as a way of protecting others from the dangers of magic. Much of their training is designed to combat magical effects, though they were also occasionally used as footsoldiers.

[You know, before everything went to hell in a handbasket. But that's a little too complicated of an answer for a simple question.]

I can visit the gymnasium whenever you like. My schedule is rather open for the time being.

[forsometimenow]

Sounds good. I'll see you then- and thank you again.

text

[mindtricks]

There is no magic in my world. [ there are mutations, but that's something very different. ]

I'm usually there when I'm not working. [ or sleeping, or walking the dog, or eating, but, well. ] Would 1200hours work for you?

text

[troops]

You aren't the first to say that. I can only imagine what that must be like.

In any case, that would be fine. I can meet you then.

text

[mindtricks]

I can only imagine what magic must be like. [ unless he were to show her... but better not get ahead of ourselves here ]

See you then.

[alldamned]

Yeah. I do decent on the synthetic stuff, but it ain't that simple.
Better if there's distance. Less temptation to deal with.

[mindtricks]

So the sponsor is more to keep you in line than to help with being social?

[ and a little later, a second text: ]

I think it's a good thing you're doing.

[alldamned]

Little of both, maybe. Pretty sure she'd like the latter, but my control ain't as strong as hers yet.

Glad someone thinks so, even if we don't really know each other. Hell, maybe that's even better.
Feels cowardly sometimes, but it's the only course of action I feel good about.

[mindtricks]

It's better than overestimating yourself and hurting someone. So I think it's sensible, not cowardly.

[alldamned]

Thank you. I appreciate that.

Really.

[mindtricks]

You don't have to thank me for stating my opinion.

But you're welcome.