the courage from the flower that was plucked

[happyends]

Who: Madoka and various others (if you'd like to do something with Madoka too, just let me know by commenting on this top level and I can add a prompt for you too!)
When: During the few days after the new people arrive
Where: All around the train
What: In an attempt to overcome her constant feelings of insecurity and uselessness, Madoka starts asking people to help her train. Cue the Rocky training music. But like.. a soft, harmless version.
Warnings: Probably nothing!

[ Toplevels for training with various people will be added below! ]

Comments

with ignis

[happyends]

[ The first person that comes to mind when asking for help with this is definitely Ignis. Madoka sure hasn't forgotten how much he did during their mission, after all - and how he had protected her more than just once during it too. She still hesitates a little, wondering if she won't just be more of a burden on him by asking him to help her out now as well, but maybe she could at least pay it back to him in the future by being less useless during future missions..

So after overthinking it for way too long, Madoka does start going around the train to try and find the man. When she finally spots him, she sucks in a deep breath before approaching him meekly. ]

Um.. Mister Ignis, do you have a moment..?

[faithfulsupport]

[He'd been reading with a cup of coffee nearby. If Ignis didn't have anywhere he needed to be or anything important to do, than he just sat by himself. He wasn't sure about the characters in this particular book, but he was secretly hoping for a happy ending for them.

Turning the page, the advisor looked up at hearing a familiar voice. The book then disappeared with a quickness.]

Ah Madoka. Yes of course, please have a seat.

[Ignis gestured to the chair across from him. And once she sat, he nodded. He would always make time for any member of his team no matter what.]

What seems to be on your mind?

[happyends]

[ At least she politely smiles at him. It's the least she can do when he seems to make time for her so quickly, even though she asked him for a moment out of nowhere. ]

Thank you..

[ With a nod she sits down on the empty chair. ]

It's just.. I wanted to make sure to first still properly thank you for everything you did for me and everyone else during the mission.. You were really impressive. [ And that's definitely not just empty flattery to show her gratitude - she means it! ] If you hadn't been there, things probably wouldn't have ended well.

But that's why I started thinking.. Next time we have a mission like that, I should be a lot more useful too so I'm not just a burden. So I thought that maybe you could help teach me some things, if that's not too much to ask for..

[faithfulsupport]

[Ignis' usual refrains of 'It was nothing' or 'nothing special' went through his mind at Madoka's gratitude but he couldn't find the heart to actually come out and say those things. The advisor couldn't even say that he was 'just doing his job' because he'd recently been told that and it had angered him. Madoka's manners were so impeccable though that she made it impossible to hold onto those other thoughts.]

I thank you for such kind words. You all fought so bravely and gave your best.

[This was why Ignis would fight for his team and he recalled how they'd given him strength in battle. To him, his team and Tony were the heroes of that last mission. Listening to the rest now, he nodded.]

As a matter of fact, the council has decided to start training others who may wish to have it. Training my team takes priority to me, so we may start whenever you're ready.

[Another nod and he'd meant to bring this up elsewhere but Madoka was definitely a good start.]

I'm also going to hold a team meeting since now we've a new member and I'm going to cook for everyone. I will also be inviting a few others along and will be holding it in a few days to give everyone time to adjust to the new people here.

[happyends]

[ See, this is why Ignis is the perfect team leader. Not only is he impressive in chaotic combat situations, but despite the way he seems at first, he's also really sweet! Or.. well, Madoka thinks it's super sweet that he's saying they all did their best, especially when she herself feels like she could've done way better.

But his words do actually manage to make her feel better, if not just a bit. At first she almost seems to be listening in surprise, but then Madoka starts smiling a little. She'll get back to the training part in a moment so they can get started on that, but-- ]

Ah, really? That sounds like so much fun..! [ Definitely a better kind of bonding than goblin fighting was.. ] Um, if you want, I can help with the cooking! I sometimes helped papa back home as well. I can't do a whole lot, but I could make some side dishes! It'd be really hard for you to cook for that many people by yourself otherwise, right..?

with kaito

[happyends]

[ Honestly, Madoka is looking to pick up any skill whatsoever. Anything that could help make her feel a little more useful. And when she's thinking about people who could potentially teach her something interesting, she definitely remembers the guy who had taught her the card trick before.

Not that she's really looking to learn more card tricks, but.. who knows? He was a good teacher with that, maybe there are other things he knows as well?

Thankfully it doesn't take too long to find Kaito. Madoka tries to politely smile as she approaches him with a small wave. ]

Ah.. Sorry. Do you remember me? We spoke before.. [ And at least her pink hair makes her stand out enough to be recognizable, right. ]

[stealsyourheart]

[ He's in his default bored position - upside down in a chair doing impossible shuffles, but he straightens up when she comes over ]

Madoka-san! Yes, I remember. What's up?

[happyends]

[ She smiles a little when he mentions her name and she realises he really does recognize her. It's a small smile though, since she's kind of timid about asking for other people's time.

Hence why she seems to slightly hesitate before speaking up again. ]

I was just wondering.. You seemed like you're talented at a lot of things! And I really wanted to be more helpful to everyone on the train, since I couldn't be during the last mission.. So I was wondering if there was maybe anything you could teach me that would be helpful for any future missions..

[ She then looks a bit more worried, quickly adding-- ]

O-Only if you don't mind, though..!

[stealsyourheart]

[ He grins at her ]

I'm flattered! And sure, I'm happy to teach you, Madoka-san. I'm guessin you don't wanna know card-tricks though. Were you thinking more of parkour or escapism or something?

[ She has the fingers for lock-picking. A part of his brain notes, and he ruthlessly squashes the thought. He's not teaching someone else to become a thief! [

with renee & edge

[happyends]

[ At least there's an offer Madoka still remembers getting from before the mission started and that whole chaos took over her thoughts for a while instead. Now things are calmer, it definitely comes back to the forefront of her mind. Right, she talked to that nice person right before they had to go..

And so after finding Renee and talking with her again, here they are. About to do some practice. Renee also brought someone else along - someone Madoka has seen around, but has never spoken to. But it's far from her to ever be impolite, so she quickly politely bows for him anyway. ]

Um.. It's nice to meet you, I'm Madoka Kaname..

[ She's a little shy with strangers. And.. just in general, really. Don't mind it. But she turns back to Renee to address her as well-- ]

And thank you so much for still wanting to help teach me things..!

[onehandsomeslickninja]

It's my pleasure! The name is Edge.

[He bows, then frowns, because his bow is totally ruined by the lack of a cape to snap behind him. It isn't fair! Why oh why did this train have to rob them of clothing? Especially after offering it in the first place -- what a tease!]

I look forward to working with you.

[afterburner]

Hey, why wouldn't I? No reason! You did real good on the mission, after all! [Especially with what Renee had been there to see. Though most of her 'participation', if it could be called that, was babysitting sleeping people and cranky wizards.]

I'm wearing my bracelet...it nullifies most of my powers, since I'm supposed to be getting better at hand-to-hand myself.

[Mostly she's hoping that Edge can keep the flirting to a minimum. Madoka is probably safe. Probably.]

[happyends]

Edge..? That's such a cool name.. [ If not just since it kind of sounds like a superhero name to Madoka. Which instantly makes him cool even without needing any cape swishing. And Renee is cool as well from Madoka's initial impression of her, which means Madoka is out-cooled here by far.

But she's still determined to try her best, at least! ]

And-- [ Looking over to Renee now. ] You're that strong?

[ It's kind of amazing to need a bracelet to even be able to do hand-to-hand fights.. ]

I don't have any special abilities at all though..

with ple two

[happyends]

[ After training with so many people, there has to be some time for some distractions as well, right? And with the current options to spend time present in the train, Madoka's favourite distraction of choice is obviously the board games. The VR is a little too intimidating, but board games are exactly at the right level of fun for her.

Of course you need someone else as well to be able to play board games to begin with, but that part isn't too difficult. Madoka tried to invite Ple Two right away, figuring the other could use some board game fun.

So here they are in the game room. Madoka has already grabbed one of the games, holding it up to Ple Two. ]

Um, what do you think about playing this one?

[ The cover has a big hippo on it with spheres in its mouth. Yes, it's hungry hungry hippos. ]

[pleple]

[ Ple Two really isn't all that good at training people anyways - what she does know was more or less programmed into her, and she's a natural at other tasks.

So she'll play with Madoka's little distraction here instead, some board game or another. Chess or go or... Stratego maybe?

But no it's got hippos all over it, and it looks silly, but the artwork is kinda cute. ]

What... what's the goal?

[ Why are hippos eating... orbs? ]

[happyends]

[ Silly Ple Two, who needs tactics and strategy when you can have fun? Hungry hippo fun! The best kind!

At least Madoka seems to think it's the best kind, since she starts smiling when Ple Two asks her that question. Apparently the apparent confusion doesn't seem to bother her in the slightest. ]

It's to feed the hippos, of course! That's why it's called hungry hungry hippos! [ Yes, a very logical explanation to someone who has never seen the game before, Madoka.. ]

[pleple]

[ But destroying your opponent with your mind is fun!

Ple Two is vaguely aware of what a hippopotamus is, having never seen one in person in her brief time in Africa, and these are distinctly cartoonish impressions. ]

...I see that. I suppose you'll need to teach me.

with romeo

[happyends]

[ Madoka still remembers talking about training with Romeo during that mission. And obviously they didn't have much time to get into it yet back in the tower, but now on the train they should (hopefully) have at least some time without anything major happening to get started on that training.

And.. sure. Madoka still feels a little embarrassed that she has to learn something like this from someone younger than her - it feels like she should somehow have gained that skillset already if Romeo has it too. But on the other hand it also feels a little less tense to practice together with someone closer to her own age rather than an adult.

Hence why her small smile is actually genuine when she's ready to get started on a practice session with Romeo. She's not too sure how this will go, but at least she's intending on doing her best! ]

What do you think we should begin with..?

Re: with romeo

[myblueskies]

[Romeo hadn't forgotten about his promise to help Madoka learn to fight! It was important! She wanted to help protect everyone so the more ways she knew how the better. He had found some brooms, they weren't quite spears but they would work for learning!]

Well the first thing mister D2 taught me was how to block when people tried to hit me! So I could show you that first as it's quite important!

[happyends]

[ Brooms are definitely more safe, anyway, don't want someone accidentally getting stabbed in the middle of practice just because Madoka is still clumsy..

She nods at the suggestion though. ]

That sounds like a good idea.. It's an important part of defending yourself. [ And she's more interested in that part than the more aggressive side of it anyway. The latter doesn't suit her. ] Do I need to hold the.. um..

[ She almost says "broom", but that sounds so dumb.. ]

The weapon a certain way to block?

[myblueskies]

Um... Yes! I guess holding the spear is the real first lesson! So we pretend that the broom bit is the sharp bit. You got to make sure it's balanced and find out where your hands are best sitting, they all feel different so it's best to figure out how to hold it before you try and fight!

[He demonstrated, finding the balance of the broom and holding it low, spear tip facing towards Madoka.]

with heiji

[happyends]

[ Madoka visits the game room pretty often. Sure, chores always come first, but once she's assured herself that she's really done with those and has done a good job, Madoka lets herself take some time off and have fun playing some of the board games. Especially since it isn't too difficult to spot people around there to play with.

Just like today. There's already someone there when she walks in, and Madoka can't help but curiously peer over as to what game this guy is setting up. She probably doesn't even realise it when she subconsciously says out loud-- ]

Chess..?

With me!

[deductionrival]

[Heiji was deep in thought as she came in. It was his only excuse for not noticing her until she spoke. He startled and looked up at her with wide eyes, before realizing who it was. He gave her a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his neck.]

Oh.. hey. Sorry, I was thinking about something.

[He looked down at the game and then back to her.]

Would you like to play?

[happyends]

[ See, the advantage of Madoka being the one in this situation is that she'd never dare to prod about what Heiji was thinking about. Especially since she's never spoken to him before!

The offer of playing a game, however, does seem to earn some thought from her. ]

.. Me? [ She almost seems a little surprised. Despite the two of them obviously being the only people here right now, so it's not like he could've been asking someone else. ]

Um.. Sure! [ She approaches the board. ] I don't really know how to play chess though..

[deductionrival]

[He almost would've liked her to ask him, he needs to talk to someone about it. But since she doesn't, who knows. It might come out more naturally.]

Yeah! It's a great game to strengthen your mind. What kind of games do you normally play?