Aside 21.1: Gabriella Returns

Jul 02 21:49:14 <~zoofman>	Alright! Sometime after you guys returned from the Fauxicore Estate, Chase found some time to borrow the boat and head on up to Veilbeak
Jul 02 21:50:33 <~zoofman>	You make your way over to the Gym - it's a reletively slow afternoon, quite empty here aside from a few people on treadmills.  You find Gabriella in the lap pool, napping on a big raft floatie.
Jul 02 21:53:11 »»	Chase thinks a moment, trying to figure out if he should be mean or not.
Jul 02 21:54:07 »»	Chase shrugs, grins, and throws a vacuum wave, skiimming the water's edge a bit and splashing Gabby.
Jul 02 21:55:19 »»	You are now known as Gabriella
Jul 02 21:56:20 <~Gabriella>	Gabriella slowly opens one eye, just barely, glaring over in your direction. "Youuuu mother fucker.  You're lucky I don't feel like moving.  At the moment."
Jul 02 21:56:40 <~Gabriella>	She cracks a smile though.  "How are things goin', Chase?"
Jul 02 21:59:30 <Chase>	He grins and sits by the pool's edge. "Not too shabby. We're in a slight lull after the latest wave of bullshit that's came our way, so I thought I'd drop by. I gotta blow some steam off after all that mess, thought coming by to train and what have ya would help with that. You up for it? Talking's cool too, I just gotta get a break."
Jul 02 22:00:46 <Chase>	"How you doin'?"
Jul 02 22:02:02 <~Gabriella>	"Been sorta quiet since everyone shipped out.  Sorta just bidin' my time till the festivities in Darkfeather."
Jul 02 22:03:23 <~Gabriella>	"Can't wait for all the drama this year - it's like getting H.B.O. for free." She chuckles and sits up on the raft.  "Training huh?  This about my coupons or just normal stuff?"
Jul 02 22:03:25 <Chase>	"Oh, you goin'? I guess pretty much everyone is. Got a costume idea, but- hey, maybe I'll run it by you later, water types are part of your thing."
Jul 02 22:04:03 <Chase>	"Well, yeah, the whole signature move thing is something I think I'd like to start working on - My bag of tricks is turning out to be pretty small, all things considered."
Jul 02 22:06:19 <~Gabriella>	"Since when am I a fashionista?" She laughs.  "Don't got a clue what to put together myself - was hoping one of you goofs would give me an idea, but that can wait," she starts to row the raft over.
Jul 02 22:07:25 <~Gabriella>	"You got any idea what sorta technique you want to add something to your play book?"
Jul 02 22:12:46 <Chase>	He thinks a moment. "Something strong and stylish, prolly? Dunno whether to try and develop my supernatural powers for this, or to focus on my musical talents, or try combining the two. I just know I have to do -something- that isn't spamming the one ghost-flavored aura trick I got."
Jul 02 22:16:41 <~Gabriella>	"Hah.  I don't know dick about aura OR playing an instrument." She hoists herself out of the pool and wraps a towel around waist.  "Hmmm..."
Jul 02 22:17:46 <~Gabriella>	"Well, it's not like most fighting tricks are more complex than just kicks or punches, it's -why- you move or strike the way you do that matters more.  Sounds to me like you think all you're good for is throwing a left jab or something."
Jul 02 22:18:30 »»	Chase thinks about that.
Jul 02 22:19:27 <Chase>	"So this is about my mindset?"
Jul 02 22:20:26 <~Gabriella>	"Maybe.  Gotta know if you want something to put your rythme together or a trump card for a weak spot in it."
Jul 02 22:20:37 <~Gabriella>	"Or just a big ass finisher."
Jul 02 22:25:13 »»	Chase thinks about his answer a second.
Jul 02 22:26:35 <Chase>	"...I was gonna say the first before, but thinking on it I think I can sort my rhythm out without buggin' you. Finisher? ...Maybe, I like the whole aspect of knocking someone's block off with sheer power and pizzaz, but. What you just said reminded me of how many tough spots we've been in lately. I can't just think about myself, I got my team to consider too. So something that
Jul 02 22:26:35 <Chase>	can turn the tides when the chips are down..."
Jul 02 22:28:54 <~Gabriella>	"So either somethin' with some force or somethin' with finesse..."
Jul 02 22:30:41 <~Gabriella>	"Guess we should start on thinkin' a way for you to even work on this since squats and swimmin' laps won't cut it.  Though you -are- lookin' a bit puffy - eatin' well down there in the land of soul food?"  She pinches your arm.
Jul 02 22:33:15 »»	Chase laughs. "Damn girl, quit foolin'! I know I ain't the beefiest, but I've been gettin' back into shape, kinda. Shoulda seen me at the start of all this, running Kent's obstacle course. But yeah, if you got an idea I'll go with it. My fighting style ain't exactly your expertise but maybe I just need to discipline myself harder. And you seem like you'd be good at teachin'
Jul 02 22:33:15 »»	Chase that."
Jul 02 22:34:23 <Chase>	"So... I just need to quit wafflin'."
Jul 02 22:35:52 <~Gabriella>	"Watching couch potatoes run that course is one of my guilty pleasures - and  pancakes are better anyway." She laughs and slaps you on the back.  "Think I got an idea how to start at least..."
Jul 02 22:38:18 <Chase>	He grins. "Yeah? Whatcha got in mind?"
Jul 02 22:39:42 <Chase>	"...and I think I might have to prefer the 'finesse' route."
Jul 02 22:42:05 <~Gabriella>	"When you start tossin' your aura lasers n' such around...like...how do you do it?  The motion n' emotion of it?"
Jul 02 22:48:03 <Chase>	"I've tried it a few different ways. Throwing my hand out, aimin' my finger like a pistol, channeling it -through- my guitar so it comes out like sound waves...  the difference seems superficial. Emotion? I guess I don't usually put all that much into it. Confidence? Desperation? Those get thrown about a bit. I dunno, when I'm fighting I usually think about getting through it and
Jul 02 22:48:03 <Chase>	focusing everything on that."
Jul 02 22:48:58 <Chase>	"My technique's probably all wrong, I've been meaning to ask someone who's more experienced in this stuff about it."
Jul 02 22:49:09 <Chase>	"But what've you got in mind?"
Jul 02 22:51:22 <~Gabriella>	She seems a bit appauled by something you said.  "Shit, If you're forms more fucked than a blacked out sorority sister at a frat party, that's exactly where we're starting.  Lessee here...we'll go upstairs to the apartment area to not annoy the housewives doin' their thang at the moment."
Jul 02 22:51:52 »»	Chase nods. "Arright, let's do this, then."
Jul 02 22:53:23 <~Gabriella>	You guys head upstairs and she moves a couch around and tosses down a few yoga mats.  Then flops on the couch.  "Right, so."
Jul 02 22:54:30 <~Gabriella>	"Lessse...mind you I don't got a clue how practical this is gonna be, but playing an instrument usually takes a lot of form, yeah?"
Jul 02 22:56:36 <Chase>	"Yeah, it takes a lot of discipline and practice."
Jul 02 22:57:33 <~Gabriella>	"Mhm, and that's exactly what you don't have for this aura business.  Granted, I didn't have a 'mystic teacher' either, but it didn't just 'snap' to the point I was making finger pistols to fire it off either."
Jul 02 22:58:35 <~Gabriella>	"So...here's what you're gonna try till we do find someone who knows more about this."
Jul 02 22:59:08 <~Gabriella>	"Get playin' air guitar or somethin' and try to funnel it through those motions."
Jul 02 23:00:19 »»	Chase considers then, then goes to put his guitar off to the side a moment. "Arright, let's see what we can do here." he returns to the mats, and positions his hands like he's gonna play, then imagines... his aura where his guitar should be.
Jul 02 23:01:08 »»	Chase then goes through the motions of some song or another, Stairway to Heaven or something.
Jul 02 23:03:03 <~Gabriella>	Gabriella gets up and goes to the kitchen, returning with a bowl of chips and a container of guac.  She sits down and munches as she watches for a bit. "Maybe if we got a crowd of girls swoonin' it'd go faster," she snortlaughs.
Jul 02 23:03:52 <~Gabriella>	Roll me Focus and Intuition
Jul 02 23:03:58 <Chase>	"Pffff-"
Jul 02 23:04:02 <Chase>	4d6+6 Focus
Jul 02 23:04:02 <DiceMaid-9001>	Chase, Focus: 20 [4d6=2,3,3,6]
Jul 02 23:04:06 <Chase>	6d6+6 Intuition
Jul 02 23:04:07 <DiceMaid-9001>	Chase, Intuition: 34 [6d6=5,4,6,6,4,3]
Jul 02 23:07:08 <~Gabriella>	You're trying your best to get this to work like you always do, but something about concentration on the form and what notes comes next, along with that, it's dificult to really get a feel for.  You certainly do feel -something-, but it's like learning to play the guitar all  over again from scratch - it's gonna take some time.
Jul 02 23:07:44 <Chase>	"Okay, okay, I think this is gonna work... but it's not what I'm used to... huh, gonna have to practice a lot at this."
Jul 02 23:08:44 <Chase>	"Least we're on the right track..." he grins.
Jul 02 23:09:06 <~Gabriella>	"I bet if you had hair like Dio did you'd be firing off purple rainbows right now."
Jul 02 23:09:57 <~Gabriella>	"Once you get the form down, we can figure out more what to do with it.  No matter what this is gonna be the first step.  Can't run before you can walk after all."
Jul 02 23:10:31 <Chase>	He snrks a bit at the humor, trying to imagine himself like that. "Yeah, yeah I getcha."
Jul 02 23:11:22 <Chase>	"I appreciate this, Sissy, this'll probably help in general, too."
Jul 02 23:13:44 <~Gabriella>	"Well it -was- part of the deal after all, not goin' back on my word.  Keep at it for a bit more though to see if you do get anywhere first.  Gotta finish this guac anyway."
Jul 02 23:14:06 »»	Chase nods and keeps going.
Jul 02 23:15:16 <~Gabriella>	Roll me Athletics this time!  Air guitar or not, going through the motions for quite a while is still taxing on your digits.
Jul 02 23:16:23 <Chase>	2d6+1 oh god, I spent all of my AP at the fight, too. If this is a different day then I spent 2, otherwise
Jul 02 23:16:24 <DiceMaid-9001>	Chase, oh god, I spent all of my AP at the fight, too. If this is a different day then I spent 2, otherwise: 7 [2d6=2,4]
Jul 02 23:17:17 <~Gabriella>	hnnnngh
Jul 02 23:18:36 <~Gabriella>	You go through a concert set - it's been a while since you've done this and you don't quite got the endurance.  But as you burn out, your last strumming motion causes a...note sound.
Jul 02 23:19:49 <Chase>	"...hah." he says, tired, and starts rubbing his hands a bit.
Jul 02 23:20:02 <~Gabriella>	Gabriella quirks an eyebrow.  "Oh no the not-music's getting to me.  If you keep going it might compell me to be straight...I did hear that right?"
Jul 02 23:22:03 <Chase>	"Yeah, I think you did... I managed to play a note." he seems surprised and impressed with himself.  "Guess that just goes to show you that music really -is- universal language." he grins.
Jul 02 23:27:17 <~Gabriella>	"Huh.  Ain't that somethin'.  Damn I'm a good personal trainer - totally made this shit up."
Jul 02 23:27:39 <~Gabriella>	"No use going at it 8 hours a day though, take it at your own pace till you get it working, then we'll move on to the real work."
Jul 02 23:31:17 <~Gabriella>	"So how long ya'll gonna be around Darkfeather? Tryin' to figure out when I should hang up the on vaca' sign and head down myself."
Jul 02 23:36:12 <Chase>	"I guess when you bullshit hard enough you can surprise yourself." he laughs. "Oh, ball's got like two weeks left before it, right? We might be moving out for something in the meantime or we might not - I need to check in with everyone if we're gonna push on ahead or just slow down a bit. I'll let you in the know as soon as I know. I'd definitely be up for hanging out, Rosetta'll
Jul 02 23:36:12 <Chase>	probably be glad to see you too. Saryx is... still working out a few issues but he's doing better lately, and Gen's been spending a lotta time with Shawyun, dunno if she's made plans already or not."
Jul 02 23:39:25 <~Gabriella>	"If you guys aren't there when I arrive, I'll just crash on someone's couch till you do.  Dibs on yours when you do get back though."
Jul 02 23:40:01 <~Gabriella>	"If I'm lucky being surrounded by all you silly adventurers will give me some ideas."
Jul 02 23:41:49 <Chase>	"S'cool with me."
Jul 02 23:45:14 <Chase>	"This'll be a chance to get to know each other better, too. And hey, maybe with you not being cooped up in the gym we can get some fine lady all head over heels for you, huh?" he nudges her in the side playfully with his elbow.
Jul 02 23:45:59 <~Gabriella>	"I could ask Gelzer to be my wingman but that'd be sorta terrible, wouldn't it."
Jul 02 23:46:22 <~Gabriella>	"Poor dude's a walking gaydar."
Jul 02 23:46:43 <Chase>	"Sure, go do that. I'll go to Thornberry's and measure out enough rope for a noose."
Jul 02 23:46:48 »»	Chase laughs.
Jul 02 23:49:02 <Chase>	"Yeah, Thomas, dude has some pretty rotten luck."
Jul 02 23:49:27 <Chase>	"And now Shawyun has a girl too, can't help but wonder what that's doing for his morale."
Jul 02 23:50:30 <~Gabriella>	"Honestly I think he's in better luck than he might realize, but I ain't exactly the one who'd be in a place to nudge him about it."
Jul 02 23:51:49 <~Gabriella>	"Guess this is the sorta event for having a date though eh?  I dunno what I should do there.  It's not like I'm hung up on Alicia, but hearing you say that was sorta weird."
Jul 02 23:52:08 <Chase>	"Oh, well..."
Jul 02 23:52:23 <Chase>	"Well, this just got awkward. Naw, see, lemme explain this."
Jul 02 23:53:04 <~Gabriella>	"Given how long it's been she'd probably of wanted me to be happy and move on? Somethin' like that?"
Jul 02 23:53:55 <~Gabriella>	"Ain't like I haven't slept with a girl in the past few years holdin' out for a miracle.  It's just...weird to hear you say that given what I know you've been tryin' to find answers on."
Jul 02 23:54:01 <Chase>	"Alicia was my sis, I knew her better than practically anyone. I mean, I didn't know she was gay, but it didn't come off as a huge surprise either. I thi- actually, yeah, that's what I was gonna get at. ...I still want to think she's alive out there, you know? But..."
Jul 02 23:55:42 <Chase>	"I'm not exactly gonna get all weird about your relationships given the circumstances."
Jul 02 23:57:50 <Chase>	"Pretty sure she would have wanted you to be happy."
Jul 02 23:59:24 <~Gabriella>	She scratches her head.  "I'll think of somethin' when I get down there.  Little harder to pick out the queerfish in the sea, but not really feelin' bein' at this sorta thing stag either."
Jul 03 00:00:27 »»	Chase nods.
Jul 03 00:01:44 <Chase>	"Sorry if I did come off weird about this whole thing, though."
Jul 03 00:02:34 <~Gabriella>	"It's fine.  It's a weird subject in general."
Jul 03 00:03:35 <Chase>	"Yeah... Oh!" he realizes something. "Did you ever go talk to Tilde? Sorry, probably shouldn't get up all in your business. You were so broken up over that, though.I just wanted to make sure everything did turn out alright."
Jul 03 00:04:27 <~Gabriella>	"You can make up for it for actually convincing Thomas to be my wing man - please don't actually do that.  Few hints might be nice though so I don't make the opposite mistake he does.  I'll be buggin' Sunshine when I'm down there.  She's been off being 'Ladyben' as Shamu puts it."
Jul 03 00:06:11 <Chase>	"Hints, huh." he considers that.
Jul 03 00:10:01 <Chase>	"Yeah, I'll see what I can do. No one deserves to be as miserable as that guy."
Jul 03 00:10:55 <~Gabriella>	"That's how super villians are born.  Like this grant butthole."
Jul 03 00:11:07 <~Gabriella>	She nods with confidence, yes, that is certainly how these matters work.
Jul 03 00:12:50 <Chase>	"That explains -everything-, clearly."
Jul 03 00:14:30 <~Gabriella>	"Anyway, given you're here probably means you've got everyone you travel with's house with ya?  Shouldn't keep ya too long then, hm..."
Jul 03 00:15:15 <Chase>	"I was thinking about having a few things installed while I was here, I don't think they'll miss the boat too long if I'm quick about it..."
Jul 03 00:16:12 <~Gabriella>	"Tempted to just hop on and take the ride back with ya, but I sorta gotta give a few days notice for that thing."
Jul 03 00:17:10 <~Gabriella>	"Ain't much point to us sittin' around if you guy stuff to do though," she hops up.  "Lemee put some pants on though."  She's been wearing a swimsuit this whole time, after all.
Jul 03 00:20:46 <Chase>	He laughs. "Not like anyone minds, I bet. I heard someone talking about you pretty jealously once- actually shit, I probably shouldn't say anymore than that."
Jul 03 00:21:17 <Chase>	"But yeah, go ahead. I'll just sit and nurse my poor, overworked hands."
Jul 03 00:23:25 <~Gabriella>	She returns after a minute or two with some actual clothes on.  "I'm telling you, the cheering fangirls will be the trick.  Let's go see your shipwright though."
Jul 03 00:23:44 <Chase>	He nods and then heads out~
Jul 03 00:24:12 <~Gabriella>	and that's a wrap!