GBG Session 1.5: Learning the Hard Way

<Corrin> "I won't." Corrin snaps, a note of anticipation in his voice.
<Darkling> And with that, the display loads a wonderfully epic landscape of geometric shapes amongst a black background. It's quite retro looking, hailing back to some of the first arcade games. It appears you're outside in the wastes. Something moves in the distance.
<Darkling> Lit shuffles beside Wil. "I'd like you to walk them through this, explain what is necessary."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "What is this?" Lahja asks, looking and sounding quite lost as she looks over the display.
Corrin blinks as he looks around the cockpit.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...if you insist." He sighs. "We're currently running the simulation. In the real world yours view will be through you're Aesir's eyes, surrounding you."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He clasps his hands behind his back. "Turn your head, it turns its head. Think of throwing a punch, it does it. The controls at your hands are for use with firearms and other commands."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "There is, of course, only so much that can be explained. You'll learn more as you experience it. For now I suggest you focus on the approaching Jotunn."
Corrin pauses halfway through raising a hand.
<Corrin> "The enemy?"
<Darkling> As if on queue the shape in the distance begins moving towards them. Right now all you can see is a bulky outline.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...yes, the enemy."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "The Jotunn are the ultimate life form. Conventional weapons are useless against them, they never get tired, never sleep or eat."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Each is in command of a...field...that not only acts as a protective barrier but also allows them to bend reality as they see fit. Every fight is on their terms."
<Darkling> The shape continues to move closer. You can see a much better outline of it now. A large, hunched over, muscle bound figure with a small head between it's shoulders. Each hand is tipped with a large bladelike bone that extends a foot past it's fingers.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja eyes the distant shape. "Well... that's something. How is it we're able to combat such a thing?"
<Corrin> "Bend...reality?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "The Aesir have a similar field that, upon contacting the Jotunn's...will neutralize it."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "This is why only the Aesir can fight the Jotunn."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Their one weakness is the core, a red orb and home to most of their power. Strip away its flesh, it will still live and even regenerate so long as the core survives.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Understand?"
<Corrin> "So to kill the enemy, shoot the core?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...you catch on quick."
<Corrin> Corrin says as he eyes the approaching figure.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Both Miss Jarah and I have been through this simulation, solo, and passed. Try not to fail humanity."
<Rasia> Granted, Rasia nearly made the program crash.
<Corrin> "Copy that." Corrin says quietly, now leaning forwards slightly, stiffly, and staring at the Jotuun intently.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Too far. Comrade Corrin, I am going to shoot this soon. Try not to get in the line of fire, alright?" She attempts to move her trusty Unit 04 forward very slowly and tentatively, guns in hand.
<Corrin> "Understood." Corrin rasps, brow furrowing as he tries to manipulate the Eva's arms and raise the rifle clutched in them. It's a strange sensation.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Pilots. Something to keep in mind. An Aesir uses a lot of power, and this is powered by a cord connected to its back outside the dome. If this power source is removed, you will have only two minutes of operational power."
Corrin then quickly tries to follow Unit 04 forwards, taking a step forwards.
<Darkling> The Jotun, Hrod as it is named by the floating text above it's head (wasn't this simulation wicked?) stops in its tracks and lifts one of it's hands.
<Darkling> The bonelike plating on it's raised hand slides out and jettisons itself towards Lahja,, flying past and slamming into the digital snow, before retracting back into place.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja's eyes widen a tad as she watches the plating go by. Being shot at, despite her penchant for firearms, is new to her. She moves into place, then fires a single shot from one of her weapons.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "This is an approximation of what they may be capable of." He adds dryly, still looking horribly unimpressed.
<Darkling> "We still do not have much data on them, to fully represent their powers." Lit adds in.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja, meanwhile, looks rather irked as her shot goes far off the mark. "Perkele." She growls the word out, eyes narrowing.
<Corrin> "Pilot...Lahja, I'll move in on the left, get its attention." Corrin announces.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Good. I'll try to hit it where it counts when you do."
Corrin breaks into a run as he speaks...more of a limping stumble actually, but he's still covering ground and that's what matters, right?
Corrin skids to a stop, raises his rifle in a smooth motion, and opens fire.
<Corrin> "Die, die, die..."
Corrin mutters as he fires, the shots going off target by a dozen meters of so.
<Darkling> Lit exchanges a glance with Wil and the Vice-Comm.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...is that the best you've got trainee? I hope not."
<Darkling> The pixellated Jotun shuffles forward raising it's hand again.
<Darkling> The bone plate flies out again, slamming into the snow where Unit 02 had just been.
<Rasia> Hey, Raz is in the command center. She commandeered a chair from one of the bunnies, and is busily watching a screen.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Just what I needed..." Lahja spends a few split seconds to aim, setting her sights on the core.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He pulls his eyes from his screen to see what Rasia is watching.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> But alas, her aim is once again off, missing by a good distance. She twitches and narrows her eyes. She looks like quite the little volcano.
<Rasia> It's the battle, but from Hrod's perspective.
<Darkling> Lit moves over to whisper with the Vice-Comm some.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...what do you think?" He asks her, getting down low so hes watching at her level.
Corrin has come out of his earlier roll with his rifle raised , and opens fire again.
Rasia doesn't even look up from the screen, signing a simple 'Poor'
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Mmh." He stands, hands in his pockets as he walks back to his post.
Corrin grips the pallet rifle tightly, the weapon jerking in his grip as it fires.
<Corrin> "Got him!" Corrin crows triumphantly as his rifle shudders again, then falls silent.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...there may be hope for humanity yet." He rolls his eyes.
<Darkling> Hrod doesn't even flinch as the bullets absorb into his frame, making little pew marks on their display.
<Darkling> Instead, it lunges forward, filling the distance between it and Unit 02, both arms flying.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...celebrating prematurely, pilot?"
<Corrin> "How-"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Do not underestimate the Jotunn."
<Darkling> One bony fist slams hard into Unit 02 hard, sending pixel fragments flying.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Wilhelm looks to Lit.
Corrin jerks under the hit.
<Darkling> Lit's still engaged in a discussion with the Vice-Comm, both watching the displays.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I'll try to draw its attention from you." She sounds entirely too chipper about this, taking aim with both weapons and firing full auto.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja fires with an almost maniacal glee, overcoming much of her uncertainty by this point as she unloads in the general direction of  the Jotun.
<Darkling> Just in time, Hrod breaks it's attack off Corrin, and moves out of the way of the incoming bullets.
<Corrin> "Again."
Corrin rises up from the pixellated snow and opens fire again, the shots slamming into the creature at point blank range.
<Darkling> Ignoring the bullets being absorbed into it, another bony fist spins around and slams into Unit 02, leaving a huge gaping mark in it's frame.
 Wilhelm_Faustus facepalms, the hand slowly sliding down his face.
<Darkling> The Vice-Comm looks unhappy, despite Lit's arguing.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Thank you for keeping it off of me! Teamwork!" Unit 04 opens fire again, sending out another rain of bullets.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Both Lahja's tone and the Aesir's movements seem to suggest a growing rage and recklessness. Despite this the shots are on target, slamming into the Jotun while it's distracted with Corrin.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...ah, so you -can- hit things with that wall of bullets, good."
Corrin scrambles up...again, rifle gripped in both hands and raised high. "Die. Just die. I ORDER YOU TO DIE!" Corrin shouts, swinging wildly.
<Darkling> Lit looks at the screen watching his display.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "..." He shakes his head.
Corrin misses the Jotun with his side swing. Completely.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...what was that pilot? Humanity is placing its hope on you...and you throw a tantrum?"
<Darkling> The Jotun returns, swinging both it's bone covered fists wide.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja opens fire again. Her recent success seems to have reduced her rage slightly.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> And this is perhaps not a good thing. Her shots land well off the mark, leaving many holes in the snowy pixel landscape.
<Corrin> "No," Corrin replies in a much quieter tone, then thrusts with his rifle's bayonet.
<Darkling> The Jotun deftly moves out of the way of his bayonet, and slams one of it's two incoming fists into Unit 02.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Keep up the good work, teammate! I'll take it down eventually so long as you hang in there!"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She lets loose another burst of fire.
<Corrin> "Hang...in there. Right." Corrin wheezes.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Her shots only skim the target, grazing the Jotun's side. Lahja is less than pleased, her temper rising again.
Corrin stabs at the creature again, still slightly winded.
Corrin misses. Again. It's a good thing that the Jotun is inhuman, and a simulation to boot, or it'd probably have keeled over from laughter by now.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja opens fire again, and desperately at that. The state of Unit 02 seems to be registering on her to some degree.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Her shooting proves on the mark and quite vicious to boot, the barrage of bullets all connecting with the Jotun's head, creating a mess of pixels.
<Darkling> A +100 score rises off the Jotun's head, lifting and fading from view. Some programmer's joke maybe?
<Darkling> The body slumps over to the ground, and then everything fades away to black, then you see Wil's face again.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...humanity survives another night."
Corrin slumps against the seat.
<Darkling> Lit walks over, bursting into view. "Good work Pilots. We'll get you out of there and cleaned up."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "So it does. Very... intense." Lahja exhales. She's still red in the face and showing plenty of signs of agitation, but it slowly seems to be giving way to something else. She might even be smug.
<Corrin> "Yes, sir." Corrin responds quickly, tone dull.
<Darkling> -------------------------------------------------------
<Darkling> Pilots, you're back at the apartment now. Lit took you right home after you got out, so there was no time to shower, or have a debriefing of any kind. He busies himself in the kitchen right now preparing a meal.
Wilhelm_Faustus is sitting in one of the recliners, legs up, book in hand and hiding his face.
Rasia sits on the couch, her knees pulled up to her chest, eyes fixed on the TV.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja is pacing about the room. It falls just short of marching. She smiles all the while, clearly in high spirits.
<Darkling> "Excellent work in the simulator, for your first time, pilots." Lit says again while he shoves a huge roast into the oven.
Corrin sits in a corner, arms limp at his sides and staring at a blank patch of wall. He failed. Years of training, of being told what his duty was and what did he do? Fail. He'd be lucky if they sen..
<Corrin> "Thank you, sir." Corrin responds automatically, perking up slightly .
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Thank you, sir. I likely couldn't have done so without my fellow soldier."
<Darkling> "That is key, of course. When in actual combat you will have Rasia and Wilhelm along side you."
Corrin glances at Lahja in surprise, then shakes his head. "You were the one who put it down. All I did was charge in and swing at it like an untrained idiot."
<Darkling> "Do not sell yourself short."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> His book snaps shut as he stands. He puts the book on the table and heads out onto the balcony, then out of sight.
<Corrin> "Yes, sir."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Sometimes soldiers have to do things like that for each other." Lahja says it with a smile. It's hard to tell if it's genuine or not.
Corrin nods, and gives a slightly strained smile back.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja keeps on smiling. It's probably just her combat buzz still running high.
<Darkling> A plate of cheese, crackers, some cut veggies, and dip is set onto the counter for grabs.
Rasia snatches a fistful of vegetables, growling if the other pilots try to get there too soon.
Corrin watches as the other pilot rushes to the counter.
<Darkling> "Someone want to check on Wil?" Lit asks, then goes back into the fridge.
<Corrin> "Yes, sir!"
<Corrin> Corrin responds abruptly, leaping up from his corner.
Corrin picks his way across the room and starts looking for the other pilot. That had been an order from the Captain. Sort of.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Corrin jumping to the task seems to amuse her. She waits a few moments, then follows behind the other pilot in a casual and leisurely pace.
<Rasia> Rasia's low growl chases the newcomers out, as she claims Wilhelm's recliner for herself.
Corrin walks down the hallway, looking for Wilhelm.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Nope, no aryan there.
Corrin frowns. This would be easier if they just had a single room...
Corrin decides to check the other pilot's room.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja indiscriminately knocks on doors.
<Corrin> "He's not here."
<Corrin> Corrin announces.
<Rasia> --Shit, Corrin, when did she even leave the recliner? If looks could kill, Corrin would be ash right now.
<Corrin> "Pilot Rasia?"
<Corrin> Corrin says, entirely oblivious.
<Corrin> "Have you seen Pilot Wil?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja simply nods. She makes her way back to the living room, casually wandering over to the food. After giving the cheese an annoyed look she snags a few vegetables.
<Rasia> She slams her door quite pointedly, and stalks down the hallway, towards the balcony.
Corrin pauses, confused. "Pilot Rasia?"
Corrin follows. He can't exactly go back to the Captain and say 'I couldn't find him', could he?
Rasia clambers up onto the railing, and onto the fire escape. Up, up, up. If Corrin cares, she left her shoes on the balcony to climb better, moving a bit like a monkey.
Corrin peers about. No sign of Wil.
<Rasia> She's on her way to the roof, it seems. Going to follow?
Corrin mumbles something indistinct, shakes his head, then tries to follow, keeping his shoes on.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> This time Lahja doesn't follow. Instead she remains in the living room and happily stuffs her face full of food. At the rate she's going with what's left she may well be trying to starve those who haven't eaten yet. Take that, Wilhelm.
<Darkling> Fortunately for Wilhelm, that roast is smelling pretty good. Lit throws some vegetables in with it to cook.
Corrin manages to clamber up after Rasia, with a few slips along the way.
Wilhelm_Faustus it laying flat on the roof, hood on his white shirt up, oddly, as he stares at the dome.
<Corrin> "Pilot Wil." Corrin says bluntly. "The Captain ordered me to find you."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...well, you've found me. And that would be Wilhelm. Do not act familiar with someone you've only just met." He doesn't bother getting up.
<Darkling> The sky above and through the dome is crystal clear this night. Stars twinkle in the blackness above them.
<Corrin> "Pilot Wilhelm, then." Corrin says after a moment.
<Darkling> "So," Lit says, addressing Lahja, "Tell me what you think?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...was there something else?"
Corrin hesitates, one foot on the ladder's top rung, then presses on. "Where were you trained as a Pilot?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...I wasn't."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "It's very good, sir. Just like home, in fact. My parents are health enthusiasts, at least where I was concerned. They liked to dabble in cake."
Corrin just blinks, taking the information in. "Then how..."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...natural apptitude. Look at your training and what it got you. Near defeat at the hands of a simulation."
Corrin 's hands tighten around the ladder rungs.
<Corrin> "Training gives discipline. Without discipline, how can you fight the enemy?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...I thought the purpose of training was discipline and success, but instead you threw a fit. What would happen if you did that on the field, I wonder?" He actually sits up now, staring right at you.
Corrin says heatedly, as though trying to convince himself.
<Corrin> "It won't happen again."
<Darkling> "I meant today, not the food." Lit grins over his shoulder a moment at Lahja.
Rasia adjusts her stance, resting on her knees, eyes darting between the boys.
<Corrin> "It won't happen again." Corrin repeats, unable to meet the other pilot's eyes.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...you'd best hope not. If anyone is hurt because of you..." He points to Rasia. "...particularly her, I'll show you what I can do without all of the training you're so proud of. Do you know what it is I do out there in an Aesir?"
<Corrin> "Fight the enemy. Your duty. What you have...apptitude for." Corrin says quietly, looking up.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Reality is mine to bend and break. Oh, the things I can do." He stands up, head tilting back to look up at the dome.
Corrin blinks, remembering the boy's earlier worlds. "You use the...neutralization field?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...so you were listening. I'm glad.""
<Corrin> "How many of the enemy have you fought?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...a few Trolls with Miss Jarah, and the simulation."
Rasia growls reflexively at the mention of Trolls, but it's short-lived and quiet.
Corrin nods, eyes briefly darting over to where Rasia is crouched.
<Corrin> "I won't fail NERV." Corrin says, finally.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...certainly humanity hopes you will not." He walks toward the latter, looking down at him.
Corrin looks up at the other pilot's approach.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...are we going inside or not?"
<Darkling> Lit moves about the kitchen again, making notes of what he needs to have picked up, including ingredients for cake.
<Corrin> "Yes. Right. The Captain is waiting." Corrin says quickly, then climbs down, clambering down much more quickly this time.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> A glance to Rasia and he's climbing down as well.
<Rasia> Rasia clambers down after the boys. Like a suicidal jackass, she climbs down head-first, her shirt riding up to give the next building over a view of her abs.
Corrin jumps down a few rungs above the base and quickly moves back.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "May I ask a question, sir?" Lahja asks, her feeding frenzy having slowed down to a more reasonable and leisurely pace.
<Darkling> "Of course."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Do you have a preferred form of address? Both here and at work, if there's any difference."
<Darkling> "You can call me whatever you are comfortable with, but Lit is fine." He moves over to the counter and picks up a carrot popping it into his mouth.
Corrin rushes in from the hall. "Sir! I found Pilot Wilhelm!" He doesn't quite salute, but his arm sort of...spasms for a moment.
<Darkling> Lit nods to him, chewing.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Thank you, sir. I'll give it some thought." The response seems to trouble her slightly. She slips into a pensive state for a fraction of a second before Corrin's announcement snaps her out of it.
<Corrin> "He's on his way along with Pilot Rasia."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Indeed he appears, hood down and hands in pockets. He takes a seat at the table.
 Corrin stands there, uncertain.
<Darkling> "Dinner will be awhile. Why don't you," he refers to Corrin, "and Lahja get cleaned up from the LCL?"
<Corrin> "Yes, sir! Right away!"
Corrin disappears through the doorway.
<Darkling> Lit shakes his head after Corrin.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "See you soon." Lahja rises, casually making her way down the hall to her room.
<Darkling> With both the new pilots gone, Lit looks at Rasia and Wil again. "And your impression now?"
 Wilhelm_Faustus snorts.
Rasia pulls her scarf down that she may frown with maximum effect.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...back-up pilots at the most."
<Darkling> "They'll learn, and you're going to have to learn to get along with them."
<Darkling> The clock on the wall chimes the hour, 9pm Friday night.
<Darkling> "I should remind you, Monday you shall be starting school."
Rasia grrrrrrowls.
 <Wilhelm_Faustus> "..."
<Darkling> "Commander's orders. Nothing I can do about it."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He shrugs.
<Darkling> "And Rasia, they will not exempt you if you act out. The Commander says this is for the best of you all."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...an education is important." He stands. This from the boy read books on theoretical physics.
<Darkling> "Exactly, especially for the children who are protecting our future."
Rasia bares her teeth for a moment, though she picks up a finger food to pretend it was out of hunger, not irritation.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He has reclaimed his recliner and his book.
Corrin reappears through the doorway, hair still wet.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja exits her room, clean and presumably free of LCL. She makes her way over to the food again, far less lively now that her combat high has settled.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...miss Ilvainen, do you know how to play chess?" The voice comes from behind a book.
Corrin just stands in a corner again, waiting.
"Not since I was very young, but I do." She responds, turning a weary glance toward Wilhelm.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...good, I hope you'll play a match with me later."
<Darkling> =================END================