aerialassault | 004 [voice/video/action]

[Voice]

...Vacations are funny, aren't they? If they last long enough, they can start to get kinda boring.

[The commentary filtered through the pages of the journal system around midday, as if it was just a part of a conversation between two individuals instead of a public address. Cliff's tone was as relaxed and casual as always, for those who knew him. There was a faint hum in the otherwise quiet background.]

I mean, the downtime is nice, but I'm kinda tired of it-- which should answer any questions about 'why' and what not, so don't bother askin'.

The name's Cliff Fittir, if any of you here don't know, and I figured I'd offer my services. If any of you want a sparring partner, trainer, teacher or whatever, I'm available. Just say something if you're interested.

And if you're not...then could ya tell me what this cool thing is?

[He flipped the video on at this point, revealing a small circular device methodically rolling across the carpet.]

I've got an idea already, which brings me to Question Two: Is there a way to get good tech supplies without needing to go outside?

[He ends the feed at that, but will be prompt with replies.]

[Action]

[Cliff set off about town, looking for the aforementioned tech supplies so he could properly play with his new toy, though he would be keeping his eyes and ears alert for any of his friends and students to check up on. After a several week absence followed by a Shift that had made him appear as a young woman, there hadn't been much chance to see his people without having to answer more questions than he wanted. Furthermore, there were people that he met during that Shift that he wanted to clear things up with, one way or another.

However, he had plans for that evening...]

[Action: Private for Fayt Leingod]

Yo. You better have some free time tonight.

[He had questions...but, more importantly, he had plans for both of them.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Uh...huhhhh. Ooookay, then mister Cryptic. What's the rule I gotta follow?

Don't throw punches if ya don't think you can take 'em. [He said it firmly.] What that means is don't be a hero.

[He let those words, and everything that they entailed, sink in while he listened for the young man's reply. There weren't many rules that he asked his students to follow, and the ones that he did ask generally varied between individuals, even if they were on similar levels, but that was the one rule that was standard to everyone.]

[Cliff's first bit only earns confusion. He could take a punch so where the heck was this coming from?

But, then there's the clarification.

Don't be a hero.

The phrase rings in his brain over and over again.
Don't be a hero,
Don't be a hero,
Don't be a hero,
Don't be a hero,
Don't be a hero,
Don't be a hero,
Don't be a hero
Don't be a hero
Don't be a hero
Don't be a hero
Don't be a hero.
The one thing he wanted to be the most and he was being told he wasn't allowed. It went from confusion, to disbelief, to frustration, to anger. All at once. As much s he was willing to listen to others now and try and get all sides of the story...this was one thing he wouldn't compromise on.

Nope. Nope. He's not listening to this. He's not being told what he can and can't be. So, his next words hold bite and bitterness.]

Forget it than. I'll learn on my own.

[Cliff sighed. He had seen this response coming from the moment that Cross had asked to learn from Cliff.]

Alright, then. [He in a voice that was heavy with his own weariness and disappointment, before carefully crafting a filter to help preserve Cross' dignity. He had a hunch that they were going to end up delving into uncomfortable territory for the both of them at this rate.] But, just so ya know, you're never gonna be able to actually be a hero if you keep getting yourself in trouble like you do. Sometimes you actually have to stop doing something in order to learn how to do it better.

[Yeah, he was just about ready to close this book when Cliff had to go and talk more.

And oh he was kind enough to put up a filter too.

Still it doesn't stop Cross from being annoyed.

And then even more annoyed at Cliff's next words.

No. Be the adult here. Just ignore it. Hang up and then go punch something.

Just go do that. Just do that.

No. Don't pick up the book. No put it down. You're picking up the book aren't you? Oh and you're getting ready to start getting angry. Fantastic. Well, common sense is just going to sit over here and watch as this burns.]

No what I need to learn is how to knock people out faster. Not stopping being a good hero person! What would be the next lesson, huh? "Cross just stop caring about people. That's dumb. Being a robot is so much better!" or "Oh here Cross have a gun. Make sure you get them between the eyes! They're not really a person so it's okay to kill them!"

Nuh uh. No thanks.

That's not what I meant, [Cliff groaned. In some ways, this kid was as bad as Albel.] I never said to stop caring about people and stop being a good person, I was just sayin' that your definition of a 'hero' doesn't seem to be working for ya.

These things only work if you play to your strengths, and I'm not talking about whether you can punch someone out or not. Sometimes, you've gotta use your head a little in order to be a hero. There are smarter ways of doing the right thing.

I'm ALREADY smart enough to know how to handle that kind of stuff. If I'm out number I use a flash bomb. Than I beat the ever loving hell out of all of them! See? Logic!

[And then there's a noticeable scoff.]

Oh yeah? Last I checked your smart way of doing the right thing was do leave a bunch of cultists on the loose to round up innocent people!

[That logic was faulty even by the standards of a guy with known impulsivity issues. If Cross was going to bring up TERRACE....]

As I recall it, your definition of being a hero involved freezing the moment things got tricky and making yourself more of a liability than a help to any one of those guys. I made a choice, and my choice was to take care of my own. No regrets.

If you've got any complaints about that job, look to your own faults and figure out a way to get over them. That is the smart way of doing thigs.

That...that was a one time thing! That won't happen again and without abandoning people!

[And all he can do is a hand puppet like motion as Cliff yammers on. Even if he can't see it.]

I can get the job done my way. I don't need to ditch who I am to get stuff done! So shove it.

Fine, then. But, you're gonna have a hard time making and keeping friends with that attitude of yours. And good luck saving other people if you can't even keep yourself safe.

[It was harsh...but, he had his limits for tolerating what seemed like willful foolishness.]

My offer stands if you ever change your mind, [He added. There was no reason to deny help to anyone in the enclosure, even if they were painfully childish. Especially if they were painfully childish.] It might be wise to think a little before you do something you regret.

[Did he just...Yeah. He went there. Cliff was just hitting him right where it hurt and no.

Fuck this.]

Know what? Screw you. I don't need your help! You've got NO right telling me what I should or should not do!

[He'd have finished there, but the last few words just set him on edge.]

I already regret enough as it is! This is something. I'M.NOT.GOING.TO.REGRET!

SO, BACK OFF.

[Cliff has already said his piece, and the childish responce was all the answer that he needed from the kid. Cross's choices were his own and his alone-- if he chose to be a brat and put everyone in jeopardy, then the consequences of his actions were on him.

There is nothing more to say, and Cliff doesn't have much patience to offer at the moment. Saying nothing, Cliff flipped the book shut and let the kid stew in the mess that he made.]

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