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genessia2017-11-05 10:39 am
specialist_snowflake) wrote in genessia2017-11-05 10:39 am
Entry tags:
Winter Training Camp v. 1.0 - Week One
WHO: Winter Schnee, Hamusuke, Young Link, Navi, Ted Satchel, Mael Radec
WHAT: Five peoplewere crazy enough signed up for Winter's rigorous training regiment, either to become part of the royal guard, or simply to improve their own skills. But the first week is going to be hell. If it's this punishing on just the first week, what will the other seven be like?
WHEN: November 4, 2017 - Early Morning
WHERE: Fayren
Winter sent the details three days in advance to Hamusuke, Ted, Radec, and Link (and by extension, Navi as well). It included a list of the gear they were allowed to bring as well as what they would be provided with, and a copy of the rules that they were under strict orders to follow as insubordination would lead to direct termination from her program. She would train only the best, and the best needed to put their egos and weaknesses aside to follow orders.
The other recruits were doing their absolute best not to cast confused glances at the non-natives that Winter had assembled: a giant hamster, a boy and his fairy companion, and...a clown? The other guy seemed like he might not even be human. They knew better than to question the captain, of course, but it was probably clear from their secretive shared glances that they really had no idea what to make of this, or whether they should be insulted to be put on the same level.
The training was to begin at 6 a.m. sharp, with all recruits assembled and standing in a single line formation just outside the castle walls. Winter's lieutenant, Terry Adams, was available to pass out gear and get the trainees lined up just the way the captain liked before she arrived. The earlier a recruit arrived, the better the chances of not immediately earning Winter's ire, as she made it clear that anyone who was even five seconds late would not be admitted into the training regiment.
Each recruit's breath was a fine, silvery mist in the pre-dawn hours. It was already frightfully cold for November, with temperatures firmly nestled at 32 degrees, not expected to get much higher than the low 40's. The grass was frosted and brittle, and the horses of the upper guardsmen snorted and pawed at the frozen ground to shake off the chill.
Then Winter arrived.
She was pristine and groomed, not a single white hair out of place, nor a goosebump visible on the skin bared by the slits of her ivory blouse. It was as if the cold simply didn't bother her, and perhaps it didn't. Compared to the snow and ice of her home country of Atlas, this was practically a pleasant summer vacation spot for her, and she couldn't care less for anyone who didn't see it that way. She cast a critical eye over each man and woman assembled, her expression never changing, not even when she surveyed the non-natives.
"You have all been briefed on my rules and expectations for this training course. I see no need to repeat them; see that you do not give me cause to do so." It was a warning, the only one they'd get. She paced further down the line, hands behind her back, and turned to repeat the process once she reached the end of the line. "I want each and every one of you to state why it is that you are here. What you hope to gain. What it is you wish to become. It is important that you establish this reason now, so that it will sustain you in the unpleasant days to come. This is no place for those with weak wills and fragile convictions. Private Scarla."
A mousy-haired woman stiffened slightly, lifting her chin higher. "To bring honor and pride to my family."
Winter inclined her head. She showed no sign of approval or disapproval, just an acknowledgment that the reply was sufficient.
"Private Zorel."
"To be as competent and respected as Lieutenant Adams, Captain."
Adams remained stony-faced, but there was a touch of pink in his face that Winter couldn't fail to notice.
"And you?"
Here she faced the gathered five. All of them were expected to respond, and evidenced by the hard stare Winter levied, that included Navi too.
WHAT: Five people
WHEN: November 4, 2017 - Early Morning
WHERE: Fayren
Winter sent the details three days in advance to Hamusuke, Ted, Radec, and Link (and by extension, Navi as well). It included a list of the gear they were allowed to bring as well as what they would be provided with, and a copy of the rules that they were under strict orders to follow as insubordination would lead to direct termination from her program. She would train only the best, and the best needed to put their egos and weaknesses aside to follow orders.
The other recruits were doing their absolute best not to cast confused glances at the non-natives that Winter had assembled: a giant hamster, a boy and his fairy companion, and...a clown? The other guy seemed like he might not even be human. They knew better than to question the captain, of course, but it was probably clear from their secretive shared glances that they really had no idea what to make of this, or whether they should be insulted to be put on the same level.
The training was to begin at 6 a.m. sharp, with all recruits assembled and standing in a single line formation just outside the castle walls. Winter's lieutenant, Terry Adams, was available to pass out gear and get the trainees lined up just the way the captain liked before she arrived. The earlier a recruit arrived, the better the chances of not immediately earning Winter's ire, as she made it clear that anyone who was even five seconds late would not be admitted into the training regiment.
Each recruit's breath was a fine, silvery mist in the pre-dawn hours. It was already frightfully cold for November, with temperatures firmly nestled at 32 degrees, not expected to get much higher than the low 40's. The grass was frosted and brittle, and the horses of the upper guardsmen snorted and pawed at the frozen ground to shake off the chill.
Then Winter arrived.
She was pristine and groomed, not a single white hair out of place, nor a goosebump visible on the skin bared by the slits of her ivory blouse. It was as if the cold simply didn't bother her, and perhaps it didn't. Compared to the snow and ice of her home country of Atlas, this was practically a pleasant summer vacation spot for her, and she couldn't care less for anyone who didn't see it that way. She cast a critical eye over each man and woman assembled, her expression never changing, not even when she surveyed the non-natives.
"You have all been briefed on my rules and expectations for this training course. I see no need to repeat them; see that you do not give me cause to do so." It was a warning, the only one they'd get. She paced further down the line, hands behind her back, and turned to repeat the process once she reached the end of the line. "I want each and every one of you to state why it is that you are here. What you hope to gain. What it is you wish to become. It is important that you establish this reason now, so that it will sustain you in the unpleasant days to come. This is no place for those with weak wills and fragile convictions. Private Scarla."
A mousy-haired woman stiffened slightly, lifting her chin higher. "To bring honor and pride to my family."
Winter inclined her head. She showed no sign of approval or disapproval, just an acknowledgment that the reply was sufficient.
"Private Zorel."
"To be as competent and respected as Lieutenant Adams, Captain."
Adams remained stony-faced, but there was a touch of pink in his face that Winter couldn't fail to notice.
"And you?"
Here she faced the gathered five. All of them were expected to respond, and evidenced by the hard stare Winter levied, that included Navi too.
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But with every repeated verse, her shoulders knotted up a little tighter, and her gloves creaked as her fists clenched harder and harder.
There was so much annoyance in that pristine and uptight warrior. However, knowing that her annoyance was supremely personal and that troop morale was worth preserving, she kept her silence and instead determined that she would have to increase the difficulty of their exercises. If they could march and still have enough breath to sing, then clearly they weren't working hard enough.
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Mah boi, this (music) piece is what all true warriors strive for!
Ted's surprised Winter didn't snap at him for it. He's doubly surprised that Link saw fit to bust out woodwind accompaniment. Once the song concludes, he wastes no time praising.
"Link! I didn't know you for a virtuoso! And such an adaptable one, too. Thank you, that was lovely. Though you know, perhaps this isn't the kind of thing to be doing."
Ted pauses, thoughtfully. Something's missing. But what? Suddenly, Ted finds his eureka moment.
"Of course! It's Sunday! We ought to be having more faithful fare: hymns!"
He cleared his throat and sang anew.
...I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal";
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on...
They did have to skip morning services for this, after all. Not to mention the Christmas season was coming up; they'd have to practice their caroling!
So a precedent was set for the coming weeks. And Winter said they'd have no fun! Ted made it his personal goal to get the entire unit caught up in song. He'd do this as often as Winter's abusive regiment allowed.
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Din, Farore, or Nayru?
[Still, he listened and found the melody fairly easily. This song was made for marching.]
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[Ted keeps the question in mind for after the song, then picks up as though they'd never left off.]
Sorry, I'm unfamiliar with the allusion. What, or who, are those? Except, heh, perhaps the first one; that I recognize, as in "Some might say we were making a great din."
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[Link paused.]
My home world, at least.
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"...huh. Three of them, eh? A trinity. Why more than one? Doesn't seem quite parsimonious."
[Talking to the child about religion didn't seem wise. Using words like that can't have been much wiser.]
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[What went through these goddess' heads he doesn't know, but figures it's futile to probe the ten year-old much more. Back to merry marching melodies.]
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[Link happily marched along, amused at a few of the adults getting winded.]