voidtreckerexpress | the courage from the flower that was plucked

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the courage from the flower that was plucked

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! ]

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My footing?

[ She looks down. ]

Is there something wrong with it right now..?

No, no. [ he assures her ]

But always look before you leap - where are you going to put your feet? Is your chosen spot stable? Might it go out from under you?

I see.. At least that should be fine in this place, since a lot of stuff is bolted down. [ What's bolted down and what isn't is a lesson that she sure did learn when they suddenly lost gravity for a while. ]

Then again, I guess that usually isn't the case in mot places..

Exactly! Always begin how you mean to finish, isn't that the saying?

When I started, I started this way too - planning every step. Now it's so instinctive I don't even think about it, and I can adjust on the fly. But I started like this - judging every step before I made it.

[ While they're talking, Madoka does try to make at least a little bit of progress. It takes a wide step, but a step rather than a jump nonetheless, to make it to the next piece of furniture. ]

How long did you practice this then to get that good?

Ages and ages. I love it though, I've always enjoyed acrobatics! Don't feel you have to rush things!

But I want to try my best so I can get better quickly..!

[ Which isn't necessarily about impatience on her part, but-- ]

If I can't master it soon, then I probably won't be any good to everyone else during the next mission either..

Hey, hey.

[ He offers her a small paper rose ]

None of that. It's not your fault that you couldn't do much last mission. It just wasn't the right one for you, alright? And besides, it's not like you did nothing - I'm sure you went out there and tried to help, didn't you? It's not like you asked to get kidnapped here! Take your time. It's better to learn a thing properly then to get careless and injure yourself.

[ If his words wouldn't be enough by themselves to make her eyes grow with surprise, then the paper rose sure does the trick. She takes it from him - but really carefully, like she's making sure it's really okay to do so even as she's doing it - and then stares at it for a moment before looking at him. ]

.. thank you. It's really kind of you to say so.. [ Even if Madoka's lack of self-confidence isn't that easily remedied. ] It just seemed like everyone else was doing much better.

Nah. Some of them, they're older than us right? Makes sense they'd know a bit more what to do. And some of them, they aren't even human! Can't compare us to them, right? And I've been doing parkour for ears, Kaname-san - you can't compare yourself with me.

So I can't compare myself with anyone..?

[ Since, you know, pretty much everyone on this train seems to fall into one of those categories. But that still sounds a little sad and lonely, hence why she doesn't exactly look much happier as she says it. ]

The only person you should be comparing yourself with is yourself.

[ He says firmly ]

Because there's only ever one you. You can, and should! Learn from other people. But here's the thing - someone's always gonna be better. And someone's always gonna be worse. My hero is my dad - he's my inspiration. I learnt all my first tricks from him - all about poker face and how a magician behaves. But my dad's not me, you know? So no matter how hard I try, I can't be him. But I can aim to surpass him, one day. I think it's what he'd want.

Then.. do you even feel like you could do that one day? Surpass him, I mean.

[ She figures the answer might be yes since Kaito seems so amazing and confident already. And here Madoka is, feeling like she'd never be able to surpass anyone, let alone any personal heroes. ]

I dunno. But I hope so. [ He grins at her ]

Gotta have a goal, right?

A goal..

[ Madoka repeats the word. From the way she seems to be thinking about it for a moment, that seems to be more easily processable to her than the idea of surpassing someone.. ]

That's right, I have a goal too..! I want to be able to take care of myself so I won't be a burden on others. S-So you're saying that might end up coming true if I work hard enough for it?

Sure! If you work hard, I don't see why it can't.

[ he says encouragingly ]

I'll do all I can to help.

Thank you.. It's so kind of you to say that. [ So much so that she bows.

While still standing on top of furniture, yes. She's committed! ]

I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get. But.. that's exactly why it means so much to me.

[ He bows back, automatically ]

A gentleman would never refuse a lady! [ And then he grins at her ] Besides, I'd like to think we were friends, right? And friends should help each other out. You'll be fine, Kaname-san.

[ Oh no.

He said the magical f-word. ]

Y.. You think we're friends?

[ She seems really surprised, but not in a bad sort of way? If anything, she looks like a little kid who's just been told by their parents that they're going to Disneyland. ]

Well... yeah? [ He smiles at her ]

I figure so. I mean, I know we've only just met and all! But I think you're a nice person, Kaname-san. I don't mind being friends with you.

[ He think she's a nice person. She may or may not be gaping at him for a moment as her cheeks slowly grow more pink. ]

T-Thank you.. [ Maybe that's a little over the top grateful for such a small compliment, but that's what happens when your self-confidence is just that low. ] That's so kind of you to say. I think you're really nice too..

[ Especially since he's making all this effort to help her! ]

So I'd like to be friends as well. It's important to stick together while we're all stuck here, right..?

I figure so. [ He grins at her ]

We gotta stick together, right?

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the courage from the flower that was plucked

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