Fifth Game

[break_the_nine]

[1] [The Initial Results of Therapy]
[its surprising what a little therapy can do for a person. Admittedly while Leos definitely was flagged for a motherlode of issues, he was getting better after his first two sessions and it showed a little bit. He seemed a little brighter, a little happier than usual. Something about his smile felt... more right. Either way he hummed to himself as he set to work.]

[Among some of the advice given to him by his therapists, was for him to start again on a talent he had left to the side in his blind charge for revenge. As such he seemed to travel between Sakihama, Alhambra and Star Rose quite a bit and always with the tools he needed. Sometimes it was several papers, a sketchbook and several pencils and sticks of charcoal. Other times it was an easel, some canvas and paints. All the time he also carried a pack of pudding, because really... did you expect him NOT to? He sighs softly with... ease? Satisfaction?]

[Whatever the case, Leos work was surprisingly good as he worked his magic on his art. His hands moving in practiced motions as his eyes took in his chosen subject as it came to life on his medium. He paused, regarding his work with a small smile.]

It's feels like its almost been forever since I could just get my mind onto doing this again... its... nice...

[He wiped the bridge of his nose, leaving a small smudge on it.]


[2] [Training]
[On the other hand, while Leos managed to do pretty well in his therapy and get some peace of mind...]



I got it! I got it! I got iiiit-

[His basic training wasn't going as smoothly. Case in point as he was 'shot down' in the training exercise. Either a Mock Battle or a Simulation, he still was taken down pretty roughly. Still, at least it was better than how he turned out in the engagement against the Wulgaru. And a bit better than the first two tries he had earlier in the day]



I don't got it...

[He slumps in his chair with a dazed look on his face.]

[3]

[All the while as the above two moments happen, Leos' handler watches with an unreadable look on her face. But what's odd is that she wasn't alone this time as she judged every moment that passed.]

I suppose this is progress. Somewhat.



Hey, I'd take every little victory we can get and then some. Its kind of an uphill battle here, but at the very least we're breaking some ground right?

Maybe. However if all else fails-

[Her companion have her a slight grimace before shaking his head.]

Lets not touch that subject with a fifty foot pole and leave it where it is Lana. Right now I'm happy with what I'm seeing, and I'll make sure the old coots don't give you and Leos too much trouble.

Comments

1

[herodrawing]

Woah! I didn't know you are a painter as well, Leos.

[break_the_nine]

I never really told anyone what exactly I graduated for.

[Leos had a sheepish look on his face.]

I used to do this almost every day back home...

[herodrawing]

That's nothing to be embarassed about. I'm drawing every day too.

Though I didn't graduate it in the academy or anything.

1

[way_of_vengeance]

[Showing up in the park on Star Rose with canvas in hand will get Kanae to stop playing her cello. Once she notices that he's actually good, at least.]

Oh, Leos-I didn't know you were an artist.

Would you mind drawing my portrait?

[break_the_nine]

I never really had time to tell anyone or start again until now.

[Leos gives Kanae the happiest smile he has.]

And I'd love to!

But just in case you want me to draw anything bigger... um... I've only really worked with nudes so....

[Awkward silence.]

... I'll just get started...

[way_of_vengeance]

Yes, you should...do that.

2

[ugyuuya]

[Stepping out of the simulator next to Leos' Yuuya hits the open button to speak with Leos face to face.]

"Well you're getting better with each iteration but you got too focused on one target and went out too far. I was there as your wingman but with no communication from you on that sudden detour I couldn't help you. Remember you may have fought alone as a Raven but here you're on a team and any risks you take will impact the others."

"If you had any questions about the sim and what happened let me know otherwise we're taking ten minutes to stretch and get a drink while they re-work the scenario and we're running again."

[break_the_nine]

'kay...

So I just need to talk more and ask for help right?

[Leos looked a little embarrassed as he nodded.]

Um... I got a question... its not about the sim though...

I remember Miss Stella saying something about Eight minutes a long while back. When we were doing that exercise with the mean lady who looked like Professor Shirakawa. What did she mean?

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya takes a moment before responding, it seems like he was weighing something over in his head.]

For your first question, yes. Keep a clear intention and before you deviate from any plans make sure you at least mention it so others are aware of the issue. Sometimes you can't wait for proper backup but that way someone can still potentially cover you and you won't get as lost in the craziness of combat.

As for the second question, it's the "Eight Minutes of Death", the average life expectancy of a pilot when flying missions against the BETA. I'm actually one of the lucky ones as are most of the other UG pilots because of Seta's special traits that we did not have any losses in our first fight. VG, Tarisa, and Stella aren't so lucky so be a little more discreet about discussing it with them.

1

[ugyuuya]

[Happening across Leos working a landscape in charcoal at Alhambra Stella takes a moment to watch while waiting for Leos to set down his charcoal in favor of a pencil for a more defined line.]

"That looks rather nice Leos, I didn't know we had another aspiring artist in our midst like Izuru. I wonder if you ever did much work in pastels, they're not too far from charcoal and the color options they provide would really work well to capture the sunset over the ridge line just north of the base."

Taking a seat next to the young man she continues.

"We've been a bit busy lately and haven't been able to talk. You seem like your doing a lot better did things go well enough with Jacob or were you referred to the other personnel that the Unity Group brought in?"

[break_the_nine]

Ahaa... Pastels were a lot harder for me to work with than charcoal... I just couldn't make them blend that good...

And... I always like painting sunsets with paint... It just feels more natural for me I guess...

[Leos looks to the direction Stella mentioned with a nostalgic smile.]

I've been pretty busy too Miss Stella... and I've been seeing a lot of Therapists... not just the one you suggested to me. They kind of said I need all the help I can get.

[ugyuuya]

Well I might say that's a bit mean to say but I'm glad you're getting the help you need. It's not a pleasant thing to go through and I'm sure after your sessions you feel like crap but stick with it and I'm sure you'll keep seeing this type of improvement.

Has there been anything particular of note that you enjoyed and what have they been having you do?

2

[keep_your_dignity]

QUIT YOUR WHINING, KLEIN. RESTART AND TAKE THE CONTROLS AGAIN.

YOU ASKED FOR TRAINING, YOU ARE GOING TO GET IT.

[break_the_nine]

Yes Major! Whatever you say Major!

[Preparing to get his ass kicked again Major. Restart initiated and he's nervously chewing on his lip and readying for another beating.]

[keep_your_dignity]

GOOD. NOW, I'M GOING TO COME AT YOU FROM THE LEFT. YOUR UNIT IN THIS SIMULATION HAS A BLINDSPOT IN ITS FIRING CONE THERE DUE TO THE POSITIONING OF ITS RIFLE.

COMPENSATE.

[And Kagura's simulated unit, a basic melee Gespenst, is suddenly all up on Leos's grill comming from his eight o'clock. Do something!]

2

[tiger_ken]

You will eventually. I mean, come on, I did and I started from a worse position than you.

[Then again...

In any case, pudding cup chink.]

Consider yourself special. This is the first pudding I've bought here with my own money.

[break_the_nine]

[Now at that Leos immediately lit up like a 100 watt bulb, falling onto the pudding like a starving wolf on a fat sheep that just tripped.]

Mmm! It does taste better than usual!

3

[ships_full_of_missiles]

[One of the command crew from the Macross is wandering around.]

...?

Is there something I should know?

[break_the_nine]

Nothing that would concern you.

[Elan laughed awkwardly before raising his hands in a gesture indicating that Lana should probably stop while she's ahead.]



What my associate over here MEANT to say was that we were just talking about a pilot we both have a vested interest in.



Which has absolutely nothing to do with her.

[Elan just shakes his head. A people person, Lana was not.]

3

[ben_dixon]

Don't worry. With training, anyone can be an ace like me.

*What? Do you even know them, Kakizaki? How can you just intrude like that?*

[break_the_nine]

If by ace you mean cannon fodder, I think Leos is already qualified for that.

[Lana gives Kakizaki an icy look.]

What he needs to do is get better than you-



Lana didn't mean that cannon fodder remark at all. She's just a little impatient for results. Things not going to her plans and schedules really drive her up the wall.



One of these days I am going to murder you Elan. Painfully.

[This earned a distinctively uncomfortable chuckle from the dude before he took a couple of steps away from Lana to stand at least a solid foot behind Kakizaki]

1

[majestic_keiki]

What are you painting?

[break_the_nine]

[Leos just smiled and motioned outside. He managed to find an observation area on Star Rose that was relatively quiet. And quite a view it was, the stars, the Earth and the moon all on display.]

I never got a chance to paint something from up here before. Everything I did before was always on Earth...

It looks really peaceful from up here.

2

[abugslife]

[Two Gebians are staring at you, Leos. One of them is holding a clipboard, full of unreadable sentences. Most of them are marked with red X-es.

They seem to be judging you, somehow.]

[break_the_nine]

... How badly did I do?

[Leos looks at the Gebians, kind of hoping for SOMETHING good. Nevermind he can't understand them at all.]