[open / +a mingle activity for younger characters!] sports + food = good lyfe

[blitzcheer]

Who: Tidus & You!
Where: Kitchen carriage, dining, wherever he gets teleported to, and sports gym!
When: Quicksand 1 - 6 (before mission time)
What: Cooking, teleporting, and a kid-teen friendly exercise/obstacle course!
Warnings: Should be none!

1. cooking, morning and dinner ( p-p-p-pancakes and panfried meals)

You know what Tidus wants to do?

He wants to cook.

And what a good month to have that urge, with Purple on meal duties. He doesn't usually bother to take charge in the kitchen for chores, sticking with helping out if he's interested. But this time? Why not. They've got new foods, with enough of a selection that he goes for it: writing down his name for a breakfast and dinner shift after going through the ingredients, and making a call later over the ICPs:

"Hey, Tidus here! I'm cooking for breakfast tomorrow. If any newbies don't know how the kitchen works, or you just wanna cook some food, come 'n' help out - I'm thinking pancakes, smoothies, and pan frittata for breakfast."

For dinner, it's the same set-up, Tidus inviting others to join him for whatever reason, just with a different menu: fish and veggie skewer bites, pan-fried rice with vegetables and meat, and even squash and pineapple fried up with a few veggies.

a: cooking

Whichever time you'll meet him, he'll be found in the kitchen, readying the ingredients and the pans he'll need. He's got a bud in one ear playing music that he hums along to, so you might need to speak up to get his attention. But he's got a good view of the doorway, and will usually give someone he sees a 'Sup!' or 'Morning!' - depending on the time, of course.

Are you here to learn a few things? Do you just want to help out? Or maybe you're just here because you are = Tidus will accept any and all reasons, so long as it doesn't include intentional disasters.

b: it's eatin' time

There's a giddiness that comes with the apprehension of having enough, but surprisingly, it works out. Tidus is skilled at making more than he needs to, and it shows by the spread set out on the end of the dining table close to the kitchen. Oats have been set out, fresh sliced fruits (strawberries, banana, apple, and more), an oatmeal bake of pineapple and cinnamon, yoghurt, and bowls to pick and mix the selection from.

There's also the promised pancakes, and some slices of frittata - a meaty version with turkey bacon mixed in, but a veggie variety too. Tidus will come out to top up the heated food when it's getting low, or you can come into the kitchen to let him know - or even come in, and try out the smoothie maker they have set ready too.

(Don't worry, there's plenty of fruits and vegetables left for the month.)

Truthfully, he's nervous on the inside, both for breakfast and when dinner rolls around, and he hangs around the kitchen just in case. But you know he'll play it cool when and if anyone comes inside during eating times, smiling, and definitely not in a 'oh man I hope everything's okay' way.

2. your very own dreamboy (teleporting shenanigans)

There's more than just food to worry about, though. Since Praeus, some of Tidus's Diagad powers have started to show themselves, with somewhat positive results. The ability to show up around whoever wants him near, or who he asks - pretty handy, and it hasn't been messing up too much since he's started practising.

Life won't let him keep that up.

Because all it takes is a stray thought, either from Tidus or anyone else; not even anything deliberate, but just thinking about him gives him a feeling. Like someone is talking to him, and he thinks to answer them, turning his head to respond--

And he's gone from wherever he was - the sports gym, sitting in bed, sitting in a chair - and appears wherever that person was. And the feeling they receive from Tidus is much the same. Did they just hear Tidus? Feel him? -- now he's right there, usually toppling over something or walking straight into places that shouldn't be walked (and if there's something in the way - you bet you're hearing an 'ouch!' as he knocks unfortunate body parts.)

And it only gets worse, when Allen's bad luck power just makes him show up around random people without any stray thought.

(help)

3. a teen and younger obstacle course

Link leads to its own top-level available for younger characters to tag and do activities! Older folks allowed for teaching moves and w/e, if they're supporting the younger folks.

Toplevels:

Molly Hayes
Madoka Kaname - Bow and Arrow
Ken Amada - Spear fighting
Little One/Buttercup
Peter Parker - Chaperoning
Ple Two
Roland Crane - Swordfighting

Feel free to message me over journal or at blitzoff if you have questions or want to plot!

Comments

[miseris_socios]

I

Ken is eager to get started and get into the training, so he scrambles up onto the balance beams. He's surprisingly quick, swinging over things and landing jumps that are more awkward. He's had a lot of practice over the years, so it doesn't take long for him to scramble through the course. Need a hand? Or just want to stare at him as he returns to monke jumps around?

III

The grav-cons get some testing from Ken - bouncing around and doing flips as he gets used to the changed gravity. It doesn't take long before he's using it to go at some dummies with his spear - but eventually he stops bouncing and looks around.

"Um, if anyone wants to learn how to use a spear, I've got an extra one with me." It's a wooden training spear, suitable for someone around his height. After all, it's probably one of the better weapons for a kid to use so they can match an adult's reach.

III

[myblueskies]

"Can you teach me Ken?"

He sort of had used a spear before in a training day in the heavens but hadn't really found anyone to teach him properly and using borderlines was easier anyways. But he had seen Ken fight before and he's really good! Romeo wants to be as good as him!

"I'll work really hard!"

[miseris_socios]

"Then here." He holds out the spear to Romeo and adjusts the other boy's hands so he's holding it right. "Don't worry about hitting anything while you're getting used to it. The worst it'll do is bruise if you hit someone by accident."

He smiles a little and moves over to help adjust Romeo's stance. "We're pretty close to the same height, so it shouldn't take too long to adjust... I've been getting lessons from Q'uila in spear fighting from her world, so I at least have a little more of an idea of how to do it properly rather than just what I figured out on my own."

[myblueskies]

He took the spear with a grin, glad that he had agreed to train him. He let Ken adjust his hands and nodded at him, he wouldn't worry too much.

He moved his feet where Ken told him to and grinned. "I bet you're going to be a good teacher especially if you have a good teacher yourself!"

He looked at his hands and feet. "This is right?"

[miseris_socios]

"Yeah, like - oh, here." He moves Romeo's shoulders a little bit so they're pointed more at the target. "I know it's hard to do at first, but the more you do it the less awkward it feels."

He checks Romeo's grip and nods. "All right. Try stabbing the air in front of you..." It's worth a try, at least.

[myblueskies]

He let Ken move his shoulders as well, standing just like he had shown him. It did feel a bit strange but lots of things did to begin with. Practice was really important.

Stab the air? He nodded and pushed the spear forwards, it feels a bit silly but he does his best, pushing it forwards until his arms were stretched out in front of him.

[miseris_socios]

"That's good. Try it again - if you start to feel sore, just stop. I don't want to push you too much on your first time." Romeo's already good at the stance, he can tell. But it's a skill that takes a while to build up after all.

[happyends]

Honestly, Madoka isn't too sure if she will ever be really okay with using a weapon that's meant for a little more up close combat than her bow. It makes things feel all too dangerous and personal.

.. on the other hand, she acknowledges its value. She probably should learn, just in case there's ever a situation on a mission where she will have absolutely no choice but to use one.

So she slowly approaches Ken when he says that, nodding.

"I-I wouldn't mind learning.. Though I'm not sure how good I'd be at it." Especially since Ken does always seem to be so good with a spear, despite his age. Madoka really doesn't want to look stupid in comparison.

[miseris_socios]

"It's okay. As long as you can get it so you can stab something and not hurt yourself, you're doing it right."

He holds out the practice spear to her, smiling. "I think you can do it. If I could learn, so can you." After all, she's much older than he was when he first started to figure out fighting.

[happyends]

"Well, that might be overestimating me a little.." Or underestimating himself.

But even though she says that with an awkward smile on her face, Madoka still takes the spear he's holding out to her. Doing anything else would feel rude, after all. Even though she's not too sure if she can even get past the 'not hurt yourself' part, knowing her clumsiness..

"It's just that spears are so big, you know? It feels like they might always get in the way when you're trying to do something.. It kind of feels like you could trip over it at any moment!"

Or rather - like Madoka could trip over it at any moment. She can already envision it. The worst possible thing to happen in the middle of battle.

[miseris_socios]

"Yeah, they're big. But that helps you get at things that you would normally be putting yourself in danger to hit. ... But the weight does take a little getting used to."

He reaches out, and then realizes he should ask.

"Is it okay if I touch you to move you into a ready position?"

[happyends]

Madoka can only imagine how much time she'd need to get used to a weapon like this.. At least her bow and arrow are usually relatively light enough, especially since she doesn't have to move them a whole lot. But to swing around a spear like that - it's got to be a lot harder. It's just so much bigger and heavier.

Still, at his question she just nods without having to think about it.

"Of course."

She trusts Ken, after all. Both on a personal level and on a level of expertise. He's got to know what he's doing here - and much better than she herself does.

[miseris_socios]

He nods and moves her legs so they're pointing correctly and her hands so she's holding the spear a little more comfortably.

"It gets easier the more you use it. It feels really awkward at first, and you'll feel like you can't hit anything... but the more that you practice the easier it gets."

I

[seacub]

It's always good to get a lay of the land before jumping in yourself- it's what Emporio seems to be doing at least, watching as Ken goes through the course. He sits there, head propped in one hand, his eyes perhaps over studious of just how the heck anyone can get through all of that.

"Hnnn..."

He's scrambled around a fair bit in a panic, but this is sort of a different story all together...

[miseris_socios]

He pauses from atop the climbing structure and looks down at Emporio.

"... Are you planning on climbing, or just watching?" No judgement either way.

... Maybe a little judgement.

[seacub]

"Huh!?" Hey-!

Don't judge!! "I was just thinking about how well I can probably do... I don't want to hold anyone up..."

[miseris_socios]

"It's not like it's a competition." Not for him, at least. "You might as well give it a try... there's stuff and people to catch you if you fall."

He can try, at least. He ducks down and jumps to another rope, climbing it down to the floor and nodding at Emporio.

[seacub]

"I can't help but feel like someone here disagrees..."

Sometime in the future, perhaps Little One is sneezing...

"I guess you're right though...I think the last time I did anything like this was at Aquafir, which isn't really the same either."

[miseris_socios]

"Yeah, it wasn't... but if you want, I can keep watch while you go through. I can help you if you need."

He's not going to pull Emporio through it, but he can at least offer that much.

iii

[blitzcheer]

"Y'know, I always wanted to try a spear. We had a big guy use them back in Spira - never got the courage to borrow his!"

Even when they were friendly. But, well, there wasn't a lot of time for it, but now Tidus has a spear of his own. Gotta get involved and make this feel more fun than having him lurk in the background, right?

He gives the spear he's holding a wave some, a small test of the jab. "So, this is all about keeping the person away from you, right?"

There's an urge to make the obvious remark of how different it is from a sword, but he'll keep it back. Still true, though - he wants to do some swinging with it, but not in the proper spear manner.

[miseris_socios]

"Pretty much. But when you get good enough you can also use it to spin around and kick things with the momentum. At least I do... I don't know what it's 'proper spear use', but whatever makes the enemy dead, right?"

He's not an expert like Q'uila is, but he's got lived experience on his side at least.

[blitzcheer]

"Ah, so you went to the same school of weapon learning as me!" There's amusement in it, 'cause hey, that's basically his entire sword-learning experience. He tries to give the spear a spin - because of course, doing useful fun tricks is always essential.

"Can you jump with it? That's a cool move, but I bet it takes some training."

[miseris_socios]

"Yeah, I can. It's a little more difficult to pull off but I can manage it pretty well now. Q'uila's been teaching me more stuff from her world, so I can even hit stuff from a jump these days." Not that his jumps are all that big without something to jump down from, but it's still a useful skill to have!

[blitzcheer]

"Okay, you know I wanna see your moves," Tidus says with a grin. "Feel like showing off first before you teach a newbie?"

The newbie being Tidus. A newbie who definitely wants to see Ken looking proud of himself! ...and also seeing what he can do, too. You don't see spear users often!

[miseris_socios]

"All right, all right." It's true, he does like to show off. He doesn't really get to do that very often for anyone.

He pulls out his own spear and circles around one of the practice dummies carefully and considering the 'battlefield' before lashing out and launching into a flurry of stabs. Each one is pin pointed for where it'd hurt the most on an actual creature - the side, the spine, the arms and legs. He bounces backwards and slams the butt of the spear onto the floor, hefting himself up and swinging around, giving the dummy a few swift kicks.

He uses the momentum to push up, springing into the air and jumping down onto the target like Q'uila taught him, bouncing back and into a roll, swapping the grip on his spear as he does so he doesn't twist his wrist. There's a moment of concentration and it almost looks like he's done, but he passes his hand over the head of his spear and fire springs forth. He stabs the dummy a few times, leaving scorch marks and threatening to catch it on fire, but he clenches his fist and the fire goes out.

He turns around and grins at Tidus, trying to hide the fact that he feels like he could start bouncing on his toes at any moment.