>>38798688
Something tells me we won't be that lucky. odds are instead of re-assigning Noel we'll be given Tsubaki and she'll be given orders to keep an eye on us.

>>38798688
You stand up and look at the clock, which reads 9:17 AM.
Goddamnit, that means that Tsubaki's going to be on your ass if you don't get down to the mess hall and eat before you all can get a training schedule going.
There's a small vanity mirror on the bureau across from your bed.
You look like shit, because you've just woken up, your hair's messed up and your face looks like it could use a shave- unless you want to grow out a beard.
You're only wearing a white bedshirt and some pajama pants.
As you groggily turn to the end-table, you see the map you brought from earlier.
You ponder whether you should rush to get ready so Tsubaki won't kill you once you three get a schedule together, you should take your time to make sure you're ready, or you should just say 'screw that' and go back to sleep.
>I need to get to the mess hall- knowing Yayoi, she'll kill me if I don't toe the line.
>I'm taking my time. I need to be ready, and Tsubaki's my subordinate, so she can just deal with it.
>Screw this. I've dealt with too much shit recently. I wanna go back to sleep.

>>38798866
>>I'm taking my time. I need to be ready, and Tsubaki's my subordinate, so she can just deal with it.
Better to wake up and be ready and be bitched out then rush out be unready and bitched out for looking like a hobo. Besides We do need to look the part.

>>38798965
You ponder the issue of Tsubaki complaining, then realize she's probably going to complain no matter what you do.
She didn't even know what beef jerky was, by the Imperator!
...By the Imperator?
...That has a nice ring to it, even though you're not entirely sure if the NOL isn't just some big shadow-empire controlled by Hazama.
You take your time, showering, shaving, and changing. You put on a generic uniform, which lacks some of the pomp and circumstance of the battle fatigues you were wearing earlier.
As you put the boots on, you hear a knocking at your door.
You still haven't got everything together, because you just put on your clothing.
As you grab your map and wallet off the endtable, the knock resounds.
It seems like someone wants to talk to you.
>Answer the door
>Check through the peephole
>Ignore the door
>"I'll be right with you!"
>Write-In

>>38799131
>Check through the peephole'
then if all is relatively ok
>Answer the door

>>38799131
>Check through the peephole
Inb4 the person blocks the peephole.
>Answer the door

File: Jin.png (70 KB, 180x186)

70 KB PNG

>>38799174
>>38799228
You look through the peephole.
It's Jin.
He looks angry as always.
Considering you called him a coward the last time you met and he swore he'd kill you, you get the feeling that there's going to be some leftover anger from the last time you talked.
His eyes narrow as you look through the peephole, and you get the feeling that he knows that you're looking without opening the door.
He doesn't seem to have his weapon with him, which is a plus.
Stepping back, you consider your options.
>Take your sweet time and make him wait.
>Answer the door now and get your stuff when convenient.
>Arm yourself before answering.
>Write-In

>>38799322
>>Answer the door now and get your stuff when convenient.

>>38799347
Bracing yourself for the confrontation with a heavy breath, you open the door, and he glares at you with the coldness of an impatient instructor.
"You should have been downstairs an hour and a half ago," he sneers. "Then again, I'd expect such laziness and lack of discipline from someone who was so recently promoted."
He steps back and motions down the hall.
"Are you still not ready? I'll be able to give you half an hour to get yourself down to the mess hall and eat before training truly begins."
He begins to stalk down the hall before turning back and hissing, "It starts at 10:30. You won't be late, will you?"
The time is 9:43.
>"I'll be there on time."
>"You don't give me orders."
>"So much for that mask you were talking about."
>"Sore ego?"
>Say nothing.
>Write-In

>>38799487
>"I'll be there on time."
get back to getting ready, no sense rising to his bait.

>>38799515
You remind yourself that Jin Kiseragi is a fucking asshole and doesn't deserve your witty banter, before nodding and replying, "I'll be there on time."
He glares at you once more, and mutters, "I hope so."
As he storms off in a huff, you subconsciously roll your eyes and step inside your room again.
"What got up that guy's ass?" you wonder, as you grab your keycards, map, and communicator.
You make sure once more that you have everything on your person and look decent before stepping outside and locking your room.
It takes you a little while to get down to the mess hall, as you have to follow your map.
There are a few soldiers still eating, but most of the tables are empty.
They're serving generic, pre-packaged food, but you can't really complain about the quality.
They have oatmeal and some fruit, but it's mostly hashed browns, eggs, and sausage.
You sit down to eat.
Want to talk to someone, or do you just want to get done and to the training hall as soon as possible?
>Talk to...
>>One of the random guards
>>Try to find someone you know
>>The cooks
>>Someone else
>Focus on eating
>Write-In

>>38799662
>>Focus on eating
Listen while eating but yeah we have a time frame to stick too. Return pleasantries if they are given, be polite but be ready to go.

Nobody seems to want to talk right now- they're all too tired to really hold a conversation.
You get one "Hi." from a guy sitting on the end of a table, and you nod to him.
He smiles with a tinge of exhaustion before finishing up his glass of orange juice and leaving.
Realizing you're on a time limit, you eat as quickly as you comfortably can before checking the clock.
It reads 10:13, which means you need to go.
You throw back your last cup of coffee before putting your plate in the dirty dish tray and stepping outside.
You unfold the map.
There doesn't seem to be a labeled training center.
Maybe you missed it?
You begin to panic as you unfold and flip over the map.
People stare, but you can't think about that, as you silently curse and look fro the place you're supposed to be in ten minutes.
Someone roll me 2d6.

Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d6)

>>38799828

>>38799839
>>38799828
are we doing first roll of best of x, out of curiosity?

>>38799839
(Another format change, to make the story look better.)
>>38799883
First roll, generally. Best of X will be the result of your training, or special circumstances.

You nearly curse out loud as you struggle to determine where on earth the dammed training hall is.

Someone taps you on the shoulder, and you tense up as you turn around.

It's Newton. He looks concerned. "You're not lost, are you?"

You hold up your map with silent desperation, and he smiles. "Well, just follow me. But we'll need to be fast- Things are starting up really soon, you know?" He motions for you to follow him and moves at a brisk walk.

You hustle after him, putting the map away, and follow him down a set of seemingly disconnected corridors before reaching a large set of double doors that lead to a gym.

It's linoleum-floored and has some minor courses built into it, as well as a rock-climbing wall that some of the soldiers seem to be struggling with.
You realize it's because the rocks will appear and disappear, almost at random.

As you enter, you see Jin, who looks miffed, almost disappointed that he didn't get to mock you for being late.

A few soldiers are standing in line for rock climbing, while others are in an obstacle course and still others are climbing ropes, doing push-ups, or carrying loads.

Some are even running up and down a set of nearby stairs.

Newton moves to rock-climbing. "Come on, I'll show you the ropes. They don't have this back where you come from, I think."

>"Yeah, sure." (Follow him for rock-climbing)
>"Actually, I'd like to try something else."
>Write-In

>>38800042
>>"Yeah, sure." (Follow him for rock-climbing)

>>38800042
>Yeah Sure (Follow him for Rock-Climbing)

>>38800076
>>38800088
"Yeah, sure." You follow after him, and he motions you towards the line.

As you step into line, you see one of the men grab for a rock, but it suddenly disappears, and his hand grabs thin air. There's an almost audible wince in the line as he moves to another spot.

Suddenly, one of his footing-rocks vaporizes as well, and he struggles to hold himself up. His left foot is dangling, and his matching arm is straining itself. There's some muttering in the line.

"Shit, he's not gonna make it."

"Dammit, he's so close."

"Come on... more laps?"

At this rate, he's definitely going to fall.

>Let him fall
>Wait to see if he can pull it off
>See if you can help him
>Ask Newton, "Is this how it normally is?"
>Write-In

>>38800191
>Wait to see if he can pull it off
>Ask Newton, "Is this how it normally is?"
Rocks disappearing?

>>38800206
You stare intently at the struggling soldier, seeing if he's going to be able to stay on the rocks long enough to regain his footing.

You whisper to Newton, "Is this normally how the rock wall works? With the rocks disappearing and all?"

The soldier seems to be losing his left grip. some gasps and a hissed explicitness come from the line.

He gives you a sour grimace. "Yep. One of the brilliant minds behind the training course said it was a good idea because 'It tests the soldier's ability to react to changing situations effectively.' Of course, all of the brass loved it, and everyone who tries the course hates it."

As you turn to look back at the man on the wall, a stone appears below his right shoulder. Thinking quickly, he shifts his left foot to the stone his right foot is at, and moves his right foot to the new stone.

After that maneuver, he brings his body up the wall a few more feet and slaps a marker at the top of the wall.

It gives off a ringing sound, and the soldier is lowered to the ground through Ars Magus by one of the nearby trainers.

A small cheer erupts in the crowd- at least until the next man is prompted to step up.

As you watch, about half of the soldiers fail to get to the top, and the other trainer marks something on a clipboard whenever someone fails.

Newton scrambles to the top of the wall like a monkey- apparently, he's been at this for a while.

With a ding, he's lowered down as well, and it's time for you to step up.

As you step up to the wall, you see the stones are appearing and disappearing every ten to fifteen seconds.

However, you can't think of much more than that as the trainer nods and you grab your first few footings.

You move to the right edge of the wall, which has the best grips so far, but you're suddenly confronted by a problem when there are no stones above you to grab.

Your left leg has the best hold, followed by your right arm and your left arm. Your right leg has the weakest grip.

You have to think fast. Where are you moving?

>To the left.
>To the right.
>Down.
>Wait for a stone to appear above you.
>Wait in place.
>Write-In

>>38800437
>To the left.
Just picking at random.

>>38800437
>To the left.

>>38800437
>To the left

>>38800459
>>38800503

Well, apparently, you picked correctly, because you shift your right foot to the hold you were on before and your left foot to a new hold, right before the original left-foot hold disappears from under you.
You barely hold on to your new hand-holds as the support of your right leg disappears in an instant.

Half-panicking, you drag yourself left and manage to find a way upwards.
Fianlly, after nearly a minute and a half of panicked scrambling, you manage to tap the marker at the top of the wall with your last ounce of strength.

The bell-like noise it gives off is like music to your ears, and you are gently let down to the ground by the trainer.

As you pant and regain yourself, the trainer turns to the group and says, "Twelve laps. Let's move."

You stare at him almost in shock as the rest of the soldiers groan and begin to follow the order.

You manage to pull yourself together enough to begin trotting after them, and are gasping for breath afterwards.
Thankfully, there's a water break, and you're able to regain some of your strength.

-> DM NOTE: FROM NOW ON, AFTER ANY CHALLENGE THAT INVOLVES ENDURANCE OR QUICK THINKING, YOU CAN TAKE BEST OF 2 ON THE 2d6 ROLLS.

After the water break, there's some basic training like push-ups and pull ups, which you keep with the pack in.

After about half an hour, the trainers pull together the group in the gym.

The head trainer steps in front of the group, eyeing up the sweaty, recently-worked soldiers.
"We will now be pairing off sparring partners."
He grabs a clipboard from the trainer you saw earlier, and looks at it.
"Bendrill, report! You will be sparring with Newton!"
The two step out of line before moving towards a set of doors at the back of the gym.

A few more names are called, and the group thins out, before the head trainer calls out,
"Herald! You will be sparring with Major Kisaragi!"

Jin gives you an awful smirk, and the other men in the group look at you with sympathy.

Dammit.

>>38800731
You two walk in silence for about half a minute before Jin speaks up.

"So... I don't suppose you're willing to take back any of those things you said about me?"

He has an aura of killing intent around him- The same sort of feeling you got when you saw him face Ragna.

His hands are clenched, and he moves with a tense, measured gait.

You can't help but feel nervous, because he seems like he'd be willing to choke you to death right here and now, and you're not sure if you're stronger than him or not.

Do you reply, and if you do, what do you say?

>I don't reply.
>"You expect me to go back on what I said because you're threatening me? Who do you think I am?"
>"Go to hell, Jin."
>"Is that supposed to scare me?"
>"Did you talk to Tsubaki yet?"
>Write-Im

>>38800819
>"Did you talk to Tsubaki yet?"
As far as for what I said, You have more god given talent in one limb than most people have in their entire lifetime. I just think it's a waste your not using it to its fullest.

>>38800819
>"Did you talk to Tsubaki yet?"

>>38800819
>Is that supposed to scare me?

Welp other anons, I am hitting the hay as it is one am around here. Don't get us killed.

>>38800841
"Did you talk to Tsubaki yet?"

He seems to get angrier, if that's even possible.
"That's none of your business."

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure that you wasting your talent by giving up yourself to your angsty broodiness. Maybe she can help you with that."

His whole body begins to shake.

"You are not me. You don't know what I've been through, and if you think I'm wasting my talent, you're a fool. I have one goal left, after all the things I've done in my life."

You avert your eyes and lean away from him. This display is sickening.

"Is that supposed to scare me? Right now you're just being a creep."

"It doesn't matter if you're scared of me. That's not my job..."

His pupils narrow, and his stance is crouched, animalistic.

"My job... is killing Ragna the Bloodedge. But he's not dead. Not yet. He needs to die. For my sake. For his sake. For everyone's sake."

His tone is one of wrath, despair, and a twisted glee.

You approach the training room's, door, and Jin rips it open.

"So... are you going to help me, or not?"

>Simply enter.
>"Why are you so obsessed with killing Ragna?"
>"I'm not going to help you kill Ragna."
>"Of course. Ragna is my problem, too."
>"I need you to help me deal with Captain Hazama."
>Write-In

>>38801015
>Simply enter.
>"Why are you so obsessed with killing Ragna?"

>>38801015
>Simply enter

>>38801015
>Simply enter.

>>38801015
>"Why are you so obsessed with killing Ragna?"

>>38801053
Stepping inside, you see blue walls lined with sigils that look like Ars Magus.

There's a set of training weapon in a case to one side, some first-aid materials on the other way, and in the middle, there's a small, circular ring with a line dividing it in half.

Jin walks up to the case and grabs a curved, wooden sword that you recognize as a japanese bokken.

He steps into the ring, and a display on the side lights up, identifying him vocally as "Jin Kisaragi."

He stares at you impatiently. "Well? Are you going to wait all day?"

Hesitantly, you ask, "Why are you so obsessed with killing Ragna?"

He thinks for a second, then begins to laugh.
It starts out as a chuckle, but slowly rises into full-blown maniacal cackling.

He smirks at you with a slash for a smile and murder in his eyes.
"If you really want to know, I'll tell you if you defeat me. But that's not going to happen."

>I'm not risking my life with this madman. I'm leaving.
>Grab a quarterstafff
>Grab another bokken
>Grab a longsword
>Grab a greatsword
>Grab some tonfa
>Write-In

>>38801216
>Grab some tonfa
duel wield and shield at the same time

>>38801216
>Grab some tonfa

We've never had an MC that uses tonfa before. Plus they're good for offense and defense

>>38801216
>Grab some tonfa
It'll make it harder for him to hit us if we close his attack range

>>38801239
>>38801246
>>38801251

Jesus Christ, we're making a male Makoto.
This is gonna be hilarious when you two actually meet up.

You grab a set of tonfa and grip them tightly before stepping into the ring.

The ring hesitates for a second before spitting out, "Major Ben Herald."

Jin looks honestly surprised as you do so.

"So... You wield tonfa as well? Interesting. I don't usually get to spar with Makoto."

"Makoto- You mean Noel's friend, right?"

He snarls. "Only those as kind as Tsubaki and Makoto could be friends with that trash Noel."

Your blood boils as he says that. "You can't actually, honestly, believe she's trash."

"Oh, what? Have you two struck up something? I suppose that explains your low standards."

He suddenly leaps forward and rushes to attack you.

>2d6
>>Rush to meet him as well.
>>Go on total defense and outlast him. (Best 2)
>>Wait for an opportunity.(Best 2)
>Rely to his quips about Noel (Write-In)
>Write-In

Rolled 5, 1 = 6 (2d6)

>>38801340
>>Rush to meet him as well

dice+2d6

>>38801340
>>Wait for an opportunity.(Best 2)

Rolled 4, 5 = 9 (2d6)

>>38801340
Insulting waifu? Unnaceptable!
>Wait for an opportunity.(Best 2)

>>38801377
>>38801395
>>38801400
Consensus at the moment seems to be Wait for an Opportunity.

Rolling for Jin.
He takes best two automatically.

dice+2d6

Rolled 1, 4 = 5 (2d6)

>>38801395
sorry, tired

>>38801434
Note that I will be rolling in private because not everyone has entered their rolls, and knowing the result of a roll may change what a person decides to do. There are at least three people playing ATM.
Plus if the roll is bullshit I can fudge it in your favor.

Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d6)

>>38801340
>>Wait for an opportunity.(Best 2)
>Rely to his quips about Noel (Write-In)
"Do you have an icicle stuck up your ass 24/7 or are you just a jerk to everyone?"

>>38801475
Not an icicle anon, a NISSAN.

>>38801400
>>38801456
Best is Nine.
I rolled a three and an eight for Jin, so you win this clash.
>>38801495
He fucking wishes. Ragna isn't doing anything to Jin except killing him.


Jin rushes to meet you, and your blood is boiling at the things he's saying about Noel.

Maybe it's because you want to tap that, but dammit, you feel like you have to defend her.

"Do you have an icicle stuck up your ass 24/7 or are you just a jerk to everyone?"

He sweeps accross, and you manage to dfelect his blow upward and duck under his attack.
His front is wide open, and you have a free left hand because you blocked with your right.

>Punch him in the face!
>Go for his gut! Knock the breath outta him!
>Uppercut!
>Make sure Tsubaki never bears him children!
>Write-In

>>38801525
>Uppercut!

>>38801525
>Go for his gut! Knock the breath outta him!
That allows us to punch him in the face next

>>38801525
>Uppercut!

>Write-In
ASTRAL FINISH!

>>38801525
>Go for his gut! Knock the breath outta him!

>>38801541
>>38801552
A gut punch knocks his breath out of him, giving you another split-second to work with. That's all you need, as you draw out your right hand for a good-old-fashioned uppercut with everything you an throw into it.

Add in the tonfa, and Jin is reeling.

He swings his weapon to clear distance between you two, but he is obviously mad.
>2d6
>>Press this advantage!
>>Try to disarm him!
>>He's mad! Now we wait him out! (Best 2)
>Say a few choice words (Write-In)
>Write-In

Rolled 1, 4 = 5 (2d6)

>>38801626
>>He's mad! Now we wait him out!

>>38801626
>Press the advantage!
Feeling hot blooded now

Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d6)

>>38801626
>Say a few choice words (Write-In)
"You may have the power of ice, but you sure move slower than a glacier"
>>He's mad! Now we wait him out! (Best 2)

Rolled 1, 4 = 5 (2d6)

>>38801626
>He's mad! Now we wait him out! (Best 2)
>Say a few choice words (Write-In)
Why don't you fight seriously?

>>38801696
>>38801667
>>38801651

You wait for him to charge, but his attack is weak and made ineffective by his total inability to process the fact that he's losing to you.

You sidestep an overhead chop and hammer him in the jaw before dancing out of his reach.

"You may have the power of ice, but you move slower than a glacier!" You dodge to the left and slug him in his good shoulder, making him gasp in pain.
"Why don't you fight seriously?" you roar.

Every attack he makes becomes slower and more frail, his swings more and more desperate.

It's getting pretty sad, actually. He falls to the floor, his bokken slipping from hsi grip. He's gasping for breath.

>This is the mighty Hero of Ikaruga, Jin Kiseragi?
>What's wrong with you?
>Now tell me why you want to kill Ragna.
>Don't ever talk that way about Noel again.
>Write-In

>>38801781
What is wrong with him?

>>38801781
>Don't ever talk that way about Noel again.
>Now tell me why you want to kill Ragna.
>What's wrong with you?

>>38801781
>Don't ever talk that way about Noel again.
>What's wrong with you?

>>38801781
>What's wrong with you?
Isn't he still injured?

>>38801781
>Don't ever talk that way about Noel again.
>What's wrong with you?
>When appropriate, offer him a hand up.

>>38801806
>>38801818
>>38801858
>>38801867
>>38801878


You throw aside your tonfa and stare down at Jin with angry eyes.
"Don't ever talk about Noel that way again. Now, tell me why you want to kill Ragna."

As he finally realizes what's just happened, he laughs. "So you've beaten me I didn't expect anyone as weak as you to defeat me..."

Something's not right here. "What's wrong with you? You're not this frail."
Suddenly, it occurs to you. "Are you still injured?"

He gasps, "Perhaps... It is I.. who am weak... I... I've... Yukianesa..."
He faints.

Oh no...

On instinct, you grab Jin and cry at the top of your lungs, "MEDIC!"

>END THREAD

That's it for tonight, aside from a few questions and answers.
If I wrote any longer, I'd probably get much sloppier.
QM NOTE-> You may now take best of 2 when either using tonfa or fighting a swordsman.
Anything else you all want to bring up?
I have a shitty hand-drawn picture of Ben, but it's not with me. If you want me to use it as next thread's pic, just say so.

>>38801927
what's Ben's Astral like?

>>38802029
I can give you its name- Gjallarhorn.

>>38801927
Think you could find anyone willing to do a better drawing of Ben for you?

>>38802161
Not sure how. I could appeal to a drawthread, but they tend to only answer a few requests- though they do really well in the ones they do.

So anyone here want to speculate Ben's style compared to others in Blazblue game proper?