working on it [video/action if desired]

[blue_ice]

...for anyone who ran into me in the luggage car on platform day, I apologize. I've been dealing with a personal matter. It's resolved now. But tangentially related to that, I'm going to hop on the self defense train.

[ Ugh. Puns. He rolls his eyes at himself. ]

It's been an unusually long time since our last real mission, and call me paranoid, but I believe that means the next one is likely to be difficult. As in: we're being given the extra time to prepare.

I'm not a trained soldier myself, and I know my powers will be inaccessible at the worst possible times, but I want to prepare for the worst case scenarios. Evacuation disabled, cornered, no one stronger in range. Building up an armory and strategizing to avoid that scenario in the first place is preferable, but...if there's one thing I've learned, it's that things can always get worse.

So I'll be in the training gym today, alternating between powered and non-powered practice. If you require payment for training services, that can be arranged as well.

video! because is there really another option we can use isn't txt disabled

[asheaveniswide]

In the interest of mine own ongoing entertainment, I have an offer to make to my new fellow Adventurers.

[Hey it's a new guy! And he holds up.. well it looks kind of like a smart cellphone if you squint really hard, but it definitely isn't.]

This is a hunt book, as designed and manufactured by ancient Allag. Upon being activated it tells me of any interesting creatures or beings that are about that may prove a diverting challenge to subdue, ranked by calculated difficulty and risk it poses to the local populations. While we are far from any guild which may reward any such hunts, should a mark appear I am willing to bring any interested in testing their mettle against it.

[Some people just really like hunting, ok? The device is put away.]

However there are ... restrictions. Should it offer up a mark that is exceptionally rare or vital to its ecosystem, alternates to slaying it are required; become creative with how you choose to subdue such a target without inflicting significant harm. If a slain mark is edible, it must be eaten, and as it seems this train has food storage room this should be a welcome addition to otherwise unappealing meals. I will not have waste for mere trophies and tales around a dinner table.

[Zenos makes a small gesture with one hand.]

I am to understand some of you have little battle beasts of your own. These are certainly welcome, but be mindful of your prey. Nature has little interest in rules and regulations. This is not a safe activity, and I expect those who wish to attend to be able to hold their own within reason.

Poi 05 - Voice

[firewalled]

...It's Rich.

[Might as well not bother with preamble, though that's certainly odd for him. Odder still that he has the video off, even if there's still the faint strumming of guitar suggesting that he's nervously plucking at strings as he often does.]

I'm 18 now, according to the roster. Guess I missed my birthday. I knew it was coming up, but I was kinda distracted with stuff.

[Like having a mental crisis for the better part of two months at least.]

Anyways, was just wondering like... what's the longest someone's been stuck here before they got to go back home? Maybe, uh, maybe it was wishful thinking? But I was kinda thinking with the whole Ministry investigation and how fucking useless I am on the missions that the train would boot me off by now.

[He's really trying to laugh, trying to make that sound like a joke.]

Just. Was thinking about it. At this point, my friends back home probably assume my dad stabbed me or shit... maybe they'll believe those messages we got to send at that river, but more likely they'll think I'm nuts.

[Just another certified Rich Goranski Comedy Routine. He'll be here all week, folks.]