...And just as soon as the mentor mode had dropped, it went back up again. Saved by the bell, as it were.

Daniel steps toward the meek young woman as they're introduced, offering a hand in greeting and making eye contact in as nonthreatening a manner as he can muster. His grasp is firm but not overtly so, communicating sincerity rather than dominance.

"One never truly is, but perhaps today will change that a little. Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Brown."

"Likewise,"  Her hand feels small and delicate, almost like a child's.  She swallows twice, "You saved my mom and uncle in Chicago, so, thank you."

Of course, Lucifer has no recollection of this.  This is not an uncommon thing, after all.

"You're here to observe us today?  Oh Luna,"  She mumbles, "I need some tea, the good stuff..."

"None of that right now, no caffeine before the VR." Fossil tells her.

"Drat."
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:48, Sat 13 July 2019.

Daniel receives the thanks with a nod, accepting but not making a big deal of it - it's not like he'd saved them specifically, and it was likely that asking how the mom and uncle were doing now would have a less uplifting answer.

"Don't stress about it too much. I'm not here to judge but to observe and help you reach your potential."

"Combat isn't my forte, as I'm sure you've heard.  I'm more of a medic,"  She tells him, then gives him a once-over.  "... Speaking of which, when's the last time you saw a doctor?"

Well, that wasn't particularly meek.  Her eyes have a certain sharpness to them now, a brief analyzing scan.

"Besides Sanctuary's?"

"She does this with everyone,"  Kumiho helpfully informs him.

"You didn't complain too much when I fixed that scar tissue in your shoulder."

"Oh, I'm not complaining.  Just telling him.  This is kind of her pet peeve."

"Sanctuary and the Plague Doctors and Combat Epidemiologists are so worried about curative care that they neglect preventive."

"It's fine to have your main focus somewhere other than combat. Hell, all the other stuff is at least as important to our survival as fighting is. That said, all of us Exalted must be able to fight when necessary or we risk all of that other work being cut short for us and those we could still help. There is a target on each of our backs and sooner or later, no matter how much one tries to avoid it, we will end up in a situation where our only way to success and survival is fighting for it."

For once his tone is not preachy or lecturing, but rather genuine advice based on plenty of personal experience. It wasn't one or two promising Exalts like her he'd seen falling along the way. That part would be too much information, though.

As the subject shifts closer to Mercy's comfort zone, Daniel tilts his head with a slight curiosity - it was good to see the Lunar wasn't meek in every situation. He would gladly run with this.

"Well I just- Wait, non-Sanctuary? Hm..."

He brings the thumb and index finger of his healthy hand to his jaw, scratching thoughtfully. That in itself would likely be answer enough.

"I... Really can't tell for sure. I tend to be checked in to Sanctuary often enough that I kind of assume they'll tell me if I need something."

He glances to Kumiho, nodding at her explanation, before turning back to Mercy.

"I'm all for a check-up if you'd like to do one. Won't it have to wait until after the training, though? Wouldn't want you to spend too much energy on other things beforehand."

Knowing the prowess of the Exalted, it might well be that a check-up from her would take practically no time at all. In fact he was almost counting on it, testing how far her assertiveness would go in "medic mode".

"Right hand,"  She remarks, "Bet they just patched it up, huh?  Typical.  Looks like impact damage, your bones are cracked.  They've superficially healed.  Your Exalted physiology will make up for a lot of it but their Exalted physiology can still make a mountain out of a molehill."  She reaches out to take his hand, "I bet you haven't been given any therapeutic exercises."

"Here it comes..."

"It's a crack in stone that's been spackled over," She remarks, "They made it, they can reopen it.  You should exercise it, a medicine ball, squeeze it a bit every day.  Drink a lot more milk, you need the calcium.  I'd tell you more but I'd need some blood." She looks at him and narrows her eyes, "... And just how much sleep have you been getting?  Don't lie."

"Four, five hours most days. Six when nothing's on fire. Ten or so after most missions", he answers honestly. "If you mean lately, I've tried to follow convalescence instructions, so... about seven."

He doesn't resist as she takes his hand, although there is a slight curious tilting of of his head. Clearly getting in the zone helped her come out of her shell.

"Impact damage is right, more accurately a special kind of round. Soulsteel alloy."

He frowns at the lecture, not dismissive but somewhat dubious.

"I get what you're saying, but... If it was quite that simple, I should be useless by now. It'd be easier to list the bones in my body that haven't been broken within the last decade than the ones that have, but I don't feel any weaker or more fragile. It's more that the Abyssals have been getting stronger..."

He stops to consider momentarily. Maybe there was a connection there, or a difference of perception?

"Anyway, I am exercising regularly and... Eating."

Eating well? Regularly? Not really. Moving on...

"I'm all for providing a blood sample, but I'm not sure I have anything with me I could use to get a clean one. Do you?"

Now it got interesting. Would she be able to draw blood from him outside the context of combat?

"That's unhealthy.  Try to get about seven regularly.  You can get away with more but you need to work with your Exaltation, not use it as a crutch."  She gives him a small look as she looks at the hand, "I haven't gotten to look at soulsteel wounds but it's not simple at all, you're right.  Let's just say I've been reading up on things and there are some ghosts and Abyssals that can target prior wounds, regardless of natural healing, and take advantage of them.  At least you're getting proper exercise.  Regarding your food intake... how many meals a day?  And I could take and analyze the blood sample right now-"

"She means bite you.  Can nip you and taste your blood and give you a proper analysis.  I don't think this is the right time for that."  Fossil suddenly interrupts, "You can give him a physical later, Mouse.  Where's Mountain?"

"He went back to get something he left somewhere, supposedly.  Along with Adam, who's making sure he comes back."

Daniel retains his thoughtful frown as Mercy mentions using one's Exaltation as a crutch. Was that what was happening? It was true he was doing a lot of reckless things relying on his power, but it still felt.. inaccurate.

"Hmh. If anything, I feel it's the other way around. It's not about doing things and expecting my Exaltation to bail me out or handle it for me, it's doing things because it's the nature of my Exaltation. Of me. Perhaps constantly pushing myself is working with my Exaltation. Perhaps not merely healing but growing stronger from adversity is my nature."

He's actually curious to see how easily the Lunar doctor would be able to draw his blood, but as Fossil interjects he sees no reason to object. There would be plenty of time later. Besides, maybe she'd manage to do it in the simulation.

He breaks eye contact with Mercy for a bit to glance at the others and the door, then returns to her still holding his hand. Wonder how long the assertiveness granted by the doctor's role would last on her?

"I appreciate your concern nonetheless, Ms. Brown. I would gladly have you perform a full physical later. For now though, let's focus on the matter at hand."

"Ah- right-"  The bubble bursts long before Fossil's interruption; roughly when he said he disagrees.  She immediately- almost visibly- begins to second-guess herself as soon as she's up against any conflict.

"So, well, apparently Mountain and Adam shouldn't take longer than ten..."

"We can get you hooked up now,"  Fossil recommends, "Considering how long it took us last time."

"Full-body?"  Kumiho asks.  "Sometimes I hate those things...

"Yep.  We're going full immersive for this one, including the briefing.  Hoses and all."

"Usually Adam helps me get into the tank," A sly tone starts to creep into her voice.

Hm. Much as expected, Mercy's confidence was a bubble in desert air. Still, it was good to see even that; with time and experience, her skin would thicken. If it didn't kill her first.

He nods to the meek Lunar's estimate before turning to Fossil giving instructions and finally Kumiho. There she went again, but avoiding the trap would likely just lead to even murkier waters so...

"Awfully courteous of him. How can I help?"

"You'll need to hook me up.  C'mon," She says, nodding her head out towards the hall, "I've got one just for me.  It's the lucky capsule."

"We've already had gods check, they're all neutral luck."  Fossil tells the solar instead, ignoring words already about to spill from Kumiho's mouth, "Except for one, but that one's mine."

"Lots of tubes."  She explains as she pushes out into the hallway, "High-oxygen liquid, too.  The works.  I think I'm gonna guess you haven't ever been in one?  I don't see any reason why you would."

"Luck is relative, highly subjective, and certainly not something to rely on. But sure."

He bids good luck to the others before following Kumiho to the hallway. He hadn't seen everyone before the training, but that's hardly a problem as the original plan was that none of them would.

"Yeah, not to deprecate the value of training but I've got enough encounters under my belt and keep clashing with real enemies often enough that I've never really had the time or interest."

"There are some luck gods who're probably getting really angry hearing you talk like that,"  The Lunar informs him as they walk, "There used to be one in the interceptor corps.  Unfortunately luck caught up to him.  He got decked by a gorgeous lady on the dance floor, broke his jaw, ended up getting married to her and quit, and then a year later his squadron got wiped out.  That's the joke!"

The third door down the hall leads to a small room with a big tube.  The tube is obviously designed to tilt back so the occupant is supine.  There's a decidedly alarming number of hoses, a command console, a big thick manual, and some whirring tanks, all topped off by a pair of goggles.  There's also a privacy curtain in the back.

"Looks like you have some reading to do then..."

"I disgruntle most demographics on a regular basis. Not least because everything I do is put under a microscope and then dunked in paint."


He regards the overwhelming amount of tubes in the pod, then the command console, then the manual before raising his hand casually in a denying gesture.

"Nah, I'm good. I've got my way with machines. Feel free to go change unless there's something that needs to be done first."

After that he walks up to the command console and just... sort of stares at it in silence for an uncomfortable amount of time. When he finally speaks, it's in an uncharacteristically pleasant and polite tone.

"Greetings. I would like to prepare the pod for Ms. Kumiho to train in, please."

Was there even voice recognition in the device? Well there certainly was now. A golden disk glimmers on his forehead as he addresses and draws forth the spirit behind the UI and code.

(Wu Wei: 19+15+10 = 44)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:07, Wed 31 July 2019.

Kumiho steps behind the curtain with a minimum of fuss and only one meaningful glance his way- and then a bark of laughter as he talks to the machine.

There's a long, long silence.

Then a little piping voice.

"Oi.  You can't talk to me like that,"  The machine replies- well, more accurately, a little god sticking a pointy green head from an access port, "You have to read the manual just like everyone else!  There's rules, and procedures!"

Daniel does notice the glance and is momentarily caught in it, but manages stick to 'no play before work'.

As the little god emerges, he grasps the manual and opens it in one hand.

"Of course, and who better to ensure they're followed than you? Surely you've been frustrated enough times by people neglecting to read the manual or doing it wrong regardless that a chance to do things right and proper for once is refreshing. Tell you what, you make things prim and proper for me and I'll say a prayer in your name. I'll even throw in a benediction to your pod. That'll provide you with more juice than a hundred read-throughs of the manual."

He glances at the manual for about a paragraph's worth before turning back to the little green goblin.

"Ah, but do excuse my manners! I am Lucifer, the Morning Star, and an avid guest in your sanctum. And to whom should I address my invocation?"

((Inspire(/ Wu Wei, if more applicable): 26+20+10 = 56/51)
Float 3-3

"Oh you have NO CLUE pal, except for that one guy who always does it, he does it right-"  The god pauses, "Mercy and goddamn, though, that's a nice thing to say and do!  I am Andronicus the Third, third god of this pod, may the memory of the others fade gracefully.  It is through my power that this pod correctly interfaces with CORE and White Arcing Lightning's power supply, and I mediate between them!  Also I make sure nobody drowns inside like Andronicus the First, that was a clusterfuck-"

Kumiho makes a choking sound behind the curtain.

"I'm not big enough so you're gonna have to do the physical parts but we can dispense with the prayers and lever switches and maybe the incense this time, sound good?  Mercy and goddamn what a gentleman you are."

((Take a Joss, any kind, very flavorful))

”Knowing both of them personally, that’s no small feat. They do say third time’s the charm, after all.”

He keeps the manual on hand until something requiring both hands comes up.

”We’ve got ourselves an understanding then, o Andronicus the Third. Just let me know what to do and we’ll get this pod running better than ever. In fact, I believe I can help you a bit with managing the energy output from my friend WAL...”

As he sets to work, he keeps a friendly rapport with the small god, pacing about the pod in a deliberate manner as he tunes into its geomancy and adjusts it ever so slightly so as to avoid dissonance with WAL’s chaotic Wyld energies - just enough to make the virtual reality a bit more real without spiraling out of control as probably happened with Andronicus the First.

((Discover Fire Cultivation hyperactivity w/ Geomantic Formation: Earth - those genuinely committed to bettering themselves in the pod rather than going through the motions will find their training sessions more vivid, drawing out more of their potential.

Discovery w/ Wu Wei: Flowed 43+15+10=68
Inflame discovered condition w/ Learning: 27+15+10+5(pacing the constellations): 57
Learning (or Might?) to follow orders setting things up: 24+15+10=49(/54) )
This message was last edited by the player at 22:41, Tue 06 Aug 2019.

Andronicus the Third casually drops he's a minor god of a forgotten brand of toaster ovens, pressed into service when the first AI-gods were brutally killed during the opening salvos of the Abyssal war- which makes sense, given Yama's background.  He inherited his predecessor's portfolio, which included Subaru car key fobs.  Like many of these gods, he's lucky to have any job at all nowadays.  He's also quite happy to have anyone to talk to.

Eventually Kumiho steps out in a not-as-sexy-as-advertised skintight suit, complete with thick plastic vets and other fittings that disrupt her svelte form.  There are several input points for random tubes, rebreathers, and sensors.  Each has a different color and shape.  She looks closer to a schlocky power ranger than anything else.

"OK, so I step in and colors go with colors, shapes with shapes... pretty simple," She says as she steps into the tube.

((Geomantic Discovery works perfectly))

Daniel is quite relieved by the plugsuit favoring function over form. He’d already had a hard enough time keeping professional, and knowing he was supposed to be mashing her into a fine paste along with the rest of the rookies in a while, it was quite a source of dissonance.

”Like to like, got it.”

He offers a strong arm to help her in, then promptly gets to work rigging her up.

”All good?”

"Let's see here,"  She looks down at herself, "All hooked up, just need the goggles and the mouthpiece.  Then you close things up, start the machine, and I'll be in the waiting room.  Just make sure they hurry up, OK?  It can be an eternity waiting in there sometimes and it can get a little boring."

She bats her eyes twice.

"Alright, I'll pass it along. Should suggest some warm-up activity in the lobby or something, perhaps. Have a good session."

He does as instructed and, barring something unusual, heads out in search of his own pod.

"Yeah, some warm-up activity sounds sweet-"  She suggests as the pod closes in on her and shuts her off.

Andronicus starts the process, sticking his head out of the machine. "Oi, she can't hear you now.  Word to the wise? She's sweet on you, Lord Lucifer, and that makes me wonder.  You find yourself a Lunar mate yet?"

”No. At least I don’t think so. Truth be told, I’m uncertain as to how I should be able to tell. A lot of things other Solars experience intuitively seem... less so, to me.”

Such as the fact he’d never seen Sol Invictus, even in a vision, unlike every single one of his Solar peers. But he avoids going down that train of thought.

”It’s not like I don’t find her attractive in a number of ways. I just feel... Conflicted about reciprocating, to be honest. I feel I’m supposed to be a mentor and role model rather than a lover. Like I’d be taking advantage of her, in a way having saved her life and all, y’know?”

It certainly wasn’t a conversation he’d planned on having, but perhaps an inconsequential little god was actually a rather fine target to talk to?