Will the real Morning Training please stand up?

[spandexisyouth]

Morning Training happens every day in the city, and most days get handwaved. This training log happens January 30th.

FAQ: For any character confusion or questions. Answered enthusiastically by Maito Gai.
Breakfast: Provided by the combined efforts of Cinderella, Katakura Kojuro, Saya Tagaki.
Batch 1: Beginners under the age of fifteen. Taught by Prussia, Fakir, Auron, Steve Rogers.
Batch 2: Adult beginners. Under Saber, Kaoru Kamiya, Lightning Farron, Maito Gai, Tifa Lockhart.
Batch 3: Intermediate fighters, for sparring with each other. Overseen by Hyuuga Neji and Ling Yao. Please see list of random sparrers.
Batch 4: Experienced fighters, for sparring with each other. Overseen by Selendis. Please see list of random sparrers.
Weapon transformation: How to Change into Your Weapon Form. Yuuri, Ishida Mitsunari, Spirit.
Soul Perception: If you still don’t know by now-- Any of the Soul Perception people. Luna Lovegood, Azusa.
Partner training: How to Work Together as Partners. Tassadar and Nataku. Maka and Soul. Shizuo and Motochika. Eve.
Weapons handling training: Genesis, Tenten.
Shooting range: How to shoot things 101. Grit, Vash the Stampede, Leon. Fuu Hououji (for Archery).
Meister Ability helpers: Edgeworth, Death the Kid, Ryuuji.
Medics (and First Aid Training, lead by Naomi Kimishima): All the medical people.
Audience: Because some people just want to watch.
Watch: An area closed off to the Watch members who need any sort of special training.

For training via sparring, batches 3 and 4:
Kojurou
Saber
Itachi Uchiha
Hyuuga Neji
Selendis
Hiei
Chōsokabe Motochika
Steve Rogers
Maito Gai
Various NPCs (also available upon request)
Partner vs partner sparring is also good!

Feel free to make your own threads after all of the official threads are up!



Breakfast
Karkat [Open]
Nagi [Open]
Mitsunari [Open]
Matthew [Open]
Kiyomasa [Open]
Bakura [Open]
Byakuran [Open]
Tsurugi [Open]
Yukimura [Open]
Tenma [Open]
Santana [Open]


Batch One
Bakura [Open]

Batch Two
Nagi [Open]

Batch Three
Emil [Open]
Sapphire [Open]

Batch Four
Amateresu [Open]
Lili [Open]
Raidou [Open]

Meister Ability
Masamune [Open]
Nagi [Open]
Howl [Open]

Medics/First Aid
Matthew [Open]
Duke [Open]

Audience
Max [Open]
Nagi [Open]
Hiko [Open]
Izaya [Open]
Fang [Open]
Bayonetta [Open]

Shooting Range
Naoto [Open]

General
Gai [Open]
Kanji [Open]
Kid [Open]
Amateresu [Open]
Kaoru [Open]
Naoto [Open]
Kratos [Open]
Yako [Open]
Clare [Open]
Raidou [Open]
Auron [Open]
Allen [Open]
Rhode [Open]

Comments

[topgun_textiles]

I-I know what those are, damn it!

[God, this was embarrassing-- Wait a minute.]

Ling set you up to this!?

[He looked around now. He was hungry, and those pancakes looked awesome, but that wasn't the point!]

's he around here somewhere?

[spandexisyouth]

Oh! Good!

[Gai shrugged.]

I do not know. He told me over the network. It is possible he is here. But when I asked who could use a friend or encouragement, your name came up. And so I am here to offer kitty pancakes to fill and warm you up!

[topgun_textiles]

[This was so like him. Well, what of him that Kanji knew. His aggressive stance lowered, and he turned his head away. He thought he needed encouragement...? Why?]

Tch...

[He'll just have to find Ling and deal with him later. Kanji reached out and took the tray.]

Fine. I'll take the damn pancakes. [Mumblegrumble, stupid cute food.]

...Thanks. [All but muttered.]

[spandexisyouth]

I am glad to hear it.

[He happily handed over the pancakes and then produced a spoon, a fork, and a pair of chopsticks. As Gai wasn't quite used to silverware he wasn't quite sure which Kanji might prefer; Gai had yet to actually use a fork here.]

You are welcome. And I shall keep you company while you eat as well, because it is far better to have someone with you.

[topgun_textiles]

[He took the fork, backed against a nearby tree, and sat in the grass. He had to pause mid-bite at the mention of keeping him company, giving Gai the side-eye.]

Ling tell you to do that, too?

[spandexisyouth]

No. He did not.

[He gives Kanji a faint smile.]

But I mean what I say. It is much more pleasant to have company, and being alone is not an enjoyable state. So I am here.

[topgun_textiles]

[He put the fork down. Kanji isn't much of a fan of being watched.]

What if I don't want somebody sittin' here, petting my head while tellin' me, "Oh Kanji, I'm so sorry about what happened" like it's gonna make everything better?

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai tilts his head.]

Then that is the last thing I would do. And I do not lie when it is not required, so I will not act like anything will make everything all better. I have lost more than a few. Time lessens the pain but it does not heal it. There will always be some. If you would like, I can speak on what helps. If you would not, then I shall not. I do not mean to intrude, only to be here.

[topgun_textiles]

[He appreciates the thought, Gai, honest. ...But his head's in so many places right now. He knew time lessened the pain but still lingered. Thinking on his father's death still sobered him, but he knew even the big guy wouldn't want him becoming a lump just because he wasn't around anymore.]

...So... what helps, then?

[There were others who were grieving, and he felt a bit at a loss of how to help.]

[spandexisyouth]

The most? When you feel the loss the keenest, remember the best times you had with them. For a few seconds the pang will be worse, and then you will feel better. [He looks past Kanji for a moment.] It also helps to remember something that is often called trite but is still true - for as long as you remember them and are alive, they are not completely gone. They live in you.

[topgun_textiles]

[He nods quietly. He and Yosuke never really had "the best times", but they had some pretty damn good ones. Even now, he thought of a few, and as Gai just said, it hurt a little.]

...

[Then he looked down, unsure if he could even eat the pancakes anymore. He just didn't have much of an appetite.]

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai saw where his glance went and nodded toward the plate.]

But another thing to remember is to meet your physical needs. If you neglect them then you will feel worse in the long run. You must eat. You must rest. [There was a flash of a hard-smile. He'd been reminded of that.] You must drink water and bathe and do all of the needed things even if you do not feel like it, because sometimes you will not but you will regret forgetting about yourself.

[topgun_textiles]

[He'll regret it, huh...? Well, it's not like he'd forget to bathe or anything gross like that, but... fine. Kanji could silently admit the guy had a point. He picked up the fork again, stabbed a rather big piece of pancake, and stuck it in his mouth.]

[He looked up at Gai with a rather stubborn "There, see?" look as he chewed, though he wondered what Naoto might be forsaking out of grief.]

[But then he looked at the plate, blinked, and swallowed.]

...Shit, these're good. You make 'em?

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai gave Kanji an awkward half-smile.]

No. I enjoy cooking and believe I do well, but there are some who... I thought that it would be most prudent to get something from a place that caters to most tastes, so I purchased them. But I make splendid cinnamon pancakes, if I do say so myself! Perhaps one day you shall try those, if you would like.

[topgun_textiles]

[That was weird... did this guy think he wouldn't like them if they weren't homemade?]

So you didn't make 'em. Big deal.

[Cinnamon pancakes? You had his attention. ...But then the guy was practicing inviting him over for breakfast. His face got a little pink and he looked away.]

If you got a recipe, I can knock a few out sometime. ...But I ain't gonna take it for nothing!

[He looked back.]

You got a waffle iron? I got a belgian waffle recipe I've been workin' on for a couple years. Think I nailed it.

[spandexisyouth]

[While he doesn't show it on the outside, Gai's very happy with this response. Kanji is being loud and decisive and thinking of the future. His smile is warm when he responds.]

I do not, but I can purchase one! I have a surplus of funds! And then we can work on this together! We will perfect this for all who may be interested!

[topgun_textiles]

[Surplus of funds? Was this guy for real?]

They're cheap. It ain't a big deal.

[He finished the pancakes and set the plate and fork aside.]

What, like morning training breakfast? That kinda deal?

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai didn't buy much. All he needed was food for their house and the pets. He didn't really want to own a lot of things, and he had more money in the bank then he'd expected to make in his life, back home. He considered Kanji's question and frowned.]

I had not thought of that, but maybe! I do not know that I could do it for most mornings, though. I have a lot to do with Training already, and I would not want to abandon my partner in this endeavor!

[topgun_textiles]

[A shrug.]

So do it once in a while. You do it every morning n' people are gonna get sick of 'em.

[He'd know. After he figured out the recipe, he swore he'd eat them every morning! ...Not so much. He got tired of them by day three and found himself wanting miso soup way too damn bad to be normal.]

[That's when he realized this weird guy had something of a talent for being distracting. He hadn't been thinking of what he had to do today since he was halfway through the pancakes. He looked away.]

If Ling paid you to do this, I'm kickin' his ass. ...But this helped. Y'know, a little.

[He ran his fingers through his hair.]

He coulda just done this himself, though, instead'a draggin' you through this.

[spandexisyouth]

That is a good idea! We will work together on this then, every now and then!

[Gai's smile is warm and confident.]

No one paid me. And I would not accept payment. I asked for names because I enjoy helping, and I enjoy sharing my time. I am glad it helped a little, and I am always around, Kanji. If you need or want anything, I am easy to get a hold of. I was not dragged, and I would be happy to give you a hand or an ear. ...Not literally. That is metaphor. But I am happy to support.

[topgun_textiles]

[Kanji just... blinked at that. It's okay, Gai, you can keep your hand and ear. He has a pair of each of his own.]

I'll keep that in mind.

[He gathered up the dishes and his coat, pushed himself to his feet.]

...I think I've done enough bag-punching for today. There's somebody I gotta find.

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai nods, standing up with Kanji.]

I wish you luck, Kanji, and I am glad to have helped. I will see you later!

[forhispeople]

[Oh he is! He's hiding in a nearby tree. But you'll never see him!

[topgun_textiles]

[Ling Yaaaaaaao!!]

[forhispeople]

[KAN JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ♥]