voidtreckerexpress | the courage from the flower that was plucked

[ 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..?

[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?

Edited 2019-10-02 14:16 (UTC)

[ 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. ]

[ 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..

[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.

[ 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..!

[ 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..?

[Ignis wasn't there to be with his team with the post mission feast, so he feels like he owes the team a get together. As their leader he should've been there with them but instead he was recovering. He's surprised though that Madoka wants to help but this is a team effort so that makes her offer all the more fitting even if part of him stiffens a bit at first. But he quickly realized that he could make his things and she could make hers as he did for Tony's party, so this would definitely work.]

Of course, I would most certainly appreciate your help. We should have roughly twelve people or so and I'd like to hear about everyone's home worlds if they celebrate holidays and how they do so.

[He really didn't want to sit and chat about fighting, this was to be a celebration of his big hearted hard working team after all.]

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.

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.]

[ 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?

Thank you for letting me help! I'll make sure to do my best. [ Especially when she finally has a chance to show off the fact she can do something too! You know, even if it's just making small side dishes.. but that still matters and counts, right?

Madoka seems completely cheered up compared to how meek her words were only moments ago. ]

It really sounds like a nice idea though.. [ Even though she's not quite sure how he got the idea of talking about holidays of all things, but Madoka is certainly not the type who would question him about that. She'll just quietly wonder about it to herself. ] Are you sure you have a few moments to train with me now then? Aren't you too busy planning all of that?

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..

[ 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..!

[Madoka is totally safe. She looks like a kid! She IS a kid!]

Are you willing to work hard and give it your best? Because that's a special ability! Not everyone can do those things, or will. With them, you can become greater than anyone born with talent who never tries to make something of it!

[Somehow this shy little girl has turned around to the point that she practically reminds him of the light in the lighthouse on Cape Caem. But welcome to your leader's mind and how it works. Multitasking and keeping track of all sorts of things is his specialty.]

I always have time for my team no matter what else I'm doing.

[Ignis cocked his head to the side.]

When were you looking to start?

[ 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! [

Eh...yeah, I guess. [Yes, but Renee doesn't really like talking about it. Putting it on display like she did at their last stop was a mixed blessing. On one hand, Renee liked to cut loose. On the other...things had just ended up a hell of a mess...at least in her mind. But Madoka had nothing to do with that.]

It's an inhibitor. I've been working on control of my powers for a couple years now. But it never hurts to have a safety net, you know?

[And for once, Renee agreed with the ninja, and nodded.] Yeah, there are plenty of kids at the Institute who are completely normal except for like...one extra power, if that. And sometimes it seems like nothing. Everyone gets encouraged. Nobody's the best, everyone gets the same chances. You can excel too, you just have to try!

Um.. As soon as possible..?

[ It definitely sounds slightly hesitant, because even just suggesting that feels like she's making some sort of huge demand. It weighs too heavy on Madoka's selfless soul, to the point where she quickly has to explain and justify it. ]

J-Just because we can never be sure when another mission will happen..! I really want to make sure to be prepared this time..

[Ignis shakes his head at her.]

It's alright. If you're ready to start now then let us be off.

[He gathered his things together, they could wait. So he turned to look at Madoka.]

After all, there's no time quite like the present.

Parkour..?

[ She repeats the word in a way that makes it sound very obvious that she's never even heard of it before. ]

What is that exactly? [ Madoka figures it's probably impressive though if it's something he knows. That card trick was super cool! ]

[ Clearly Edge and Renee are the best mental coach team together, since Madoka doesn't even really seem to doubt their words. Her eyes light up with hope, very visibly so, and a hint of excitement creeps into her voice as she looks between the two. ]

Ah, really?! Then.. o-of course I'll do my best! Even if it's not much, I promise to give it everything that I've got..!

Or free-running, if you like - although they're not exactly the same thing. 'S what I do when I jump across things and so on.

Besides, I'm not teaching Renee anything about powers either, and neither of you can use ninjutsu. Training here is all about what you can do just with your body. That means combat, and also throwing weapons. Where would you guys like to start?

The basics? I mean, I'm sure we both can use 'em--I'm not too proud to ask for a remedial course. I tend to default to my powers, and that's not always the best idea, you know?

Though I can use help with throwing, too. Not sure I ought to use my actual knives though...considering they explode on contact.

[Not that Renee was sure of anything she could use as an approximation...]

the courage from the flower that was plucked

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with kaito

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with renee & edge

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