bravenewworld | Clash of the Gigans: Aftermath

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Clash of the Gigans: Aftermath

The Emperor’s fall brings confusion and dissent to the battling Gigan army - to say nothing of the reaction once it becomes clear that all the giants have broken free of their constraints. A tactical retreat is called - though with communications disrupted and some groups having already run for cover, it’s not the orderly backtracking one might expect from the Gigan army. A council is called among the survivors, and the capital contacted. Finally, a Gigan soldier and Valeria the Gigan general step forward to address Union’s forces.

“People of Union and its allies,” the soldier begins, reading off an electronic tablet, “in light of recent developments, the armies of Gigas shall withdraw for the time being. We also wish to extend an invitation to your people, particularly your diplomats, to visit our territories at your earliest convenience so we may work out the relationship between our cultures moving forward. The people of Gigas retain their interest in expanding our empire—“

Regigigas, which has mostly been in some sort of rumbling conference of its own with the other giants, turns at this and raises a mighty hand. The soldier falls silent, drops the tablet off of which he’d been reading his speech, picks it up, attempts to read it upside-down, and finally continues - with some amendments. “….though we would not dream of impugning upon the city of Union’s right to sovereignty of its own.”

Regigigas appears placated. The soldier exhales. “We shall look forward to many years of peaceful coexistence.”

And with that, the soldiers - unable to admit full defeat, but also unable to justify their presence on the battlefield - begin to file away. Valeria is the last to turn. But the look on her face as she heads away is decidedly smug. A smirk nearly graces her dour expression, as if to say to her companions: I told you so.

[[ OOC: This concludes the mod-run portion of this event! The Gigas army is withdrawing and the city is safe. What’s more, the giant gods have been freed to join their Seeker friends. Keep an eye on the OOC community for an announcement in the coming weeks regarding more information about Gigas and the full opening of apps for characters from that empire. ]]

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That's... strangely particular of her. Although we still have several months...

[But most Pokemon companions did have their certain quirks to them, for better or worse.]

Did you two meet recently?

No, she's not new.

[Juno's been a constant pest for about a year now, Rei just doesn't bring her home much. This time? She just wandered by.]

She's just gotten more fussy since my Father died. She feels like she should be replacing both of my parents. And I tend to make her stay in the habitat because of her outbursts.

Ah, I see... [A very familiar sentiment, though Raine still hasn't been very open about her own family situation. There's a touch understanding there, some sadness too. On the surface though, she still has the same, considering tone. Inwardly emphasizing, outwardly ...]

Kangaskhan are known for being motherly types, aren't they? That could just be a part of their natural tendencies. Although, she might just be worried about you.

I know it's that, she's just...taking it to an extreme. But that's not really why you came by.

[Another swat at Juno follows along with a few quick words and the Pokemon grunts and shambles off to to find her partner in crime, Ceres. This wasn't over yet, young lady.]

What's on your mind?

No, I suppose it isn't.

[As much as she prefers the distraction, since those tend to help her decide whether or not her own concerns are worth pursuing in a conversation, and all the better to put those off.] Mostly, I came by to see how you were doing after everything. Although, you did have a good feeling about the results from the start, didn't you?

[Ah, well, Rei's going to nod at the question.]

I'm doing alright. Nothing too bad happened, and I did have a positive reading of the end of all of this, yes. I think, and the spirits tell me, that Gigas will come around and we'll have a new ally by fall.

By fall? That's certainly close... I admit it's still a little hard to imagine, though it will be a change for the better. I am glad you're all right.

[But even this is almost too much smalltalk for her. Whatever political layers remain between Union, Sanctuary, and Gigas... she doesn't even want to think about that right now. There had been too much of it already, and it's been tiring, how much she had been worrying over those potential changes.]

... I did come by for another reason as well, though it is rather silly and personal.

[It's fine. Rei's not the small-talking type either.]

What's that, Raine-san? Nothing's too silly for friends.

[The real talking's always harder when it comes to herself. Listening is easier, or giving advice, but growing up in Sanctuary didn't come with particularly good habits. In part of why she's ... here despite looking for reasons to seize on to not bring it up at all.]

Oh believe me, it's silly, all right. [Because asking for help is just not how she does things and there's a deep sense of frustration with herself for not figuring it out, and she's all but ready to change her mind again instead of explaining, but she's gotten the words out this far, so she takes a careful breath and continues.]

Recently I've... acquired a new typing. I thought that I would just get used to it, and get along as I've always have, but ... [She shakes her head.] My usual methods for focusing and blocking things out aren't working the way they had before. I thought that you might have recommendations for better meditation techniques.

[Rei frowns as she listens, taking it all in slowly and surely. She cocks her head to one side, curious about what other typing that Raine's got. But not being an analyst...]

What is the new typing? That might be the best first step. I may can direct you to someone.

It's... psychic. I'm not certain if it's fully settled, yet.

[And alongside being an analyst, it was headache inducing more than not. Even being here was bringing it on again, with all of the spiritual energy lingering, though probably worse because of her attempts to shut things out.]

I know that it doesn't manifest in a predictable way, despite how ironic that is. I've done my research. It... hasn't helped very much.

Ah. That would explain why you came to me.

[She's sorry, but she doesn't have a whole lot of advice beyond get stronger. At least...]

Have you studied any meditation techniques? Because those are usually how it's controlled but those are also unique to each individual in terms of what works. If you have, then what have you tried?

[She names off a few different techniques, some standard and some more mage-specific.]

It could just be that I haven't found the right one. [Or that she has a mental block in front of getting too relaxed, though she's embarrassed at her evident frustration with it.] I shouldn't be having a problem with this.

That's probably it. Though...

[Rei reaches out and actually...boops Raine on the nose.]

You can't think like that. You should have a problem, because you are having one. Shouldn't is just an excuse. You are, and so you have to relax and accept that. that's the first step.

[She blinks, clearly surprised by Rei's action and what she says. It's certainly advice she'd give out if the positions were reversed, but she's not usually in the position of receiving advice, so it's... pretty strange.]

... W-well, I wouldn't be asking at all if there wasn't a problem. [As much as she wants to scold herself for not being prepared to handle such a change. ... But that isn't exactly relaxing.] But you're right. That's... probably part of the issue. It's just so unusual.

[Rei laughs lightly and lets her hand retreat.] Raine-san. You say it's unusual, but you're wrong. It happened to me when I awakened. It happened to Ami, and Maya-chan, and everyone else I know who became enlightened.

Sometimes it throws you off. And that's not unusual.

[She's blushing a little self-consciously, looking to the side.]

"Thrown off" was moving to Union, traveling to other places, and getting involved in major battles. I can do all of that, but something like this is ... I've talked other people through this.

But it's new for you. And you're worried about it.

[Rei can relate. But...]

You have to admit you have a problem first, before I can do anything for you.

[Just being there isn't enough. It's a slow realization, and the reason why she had to find a means to talk through it. Sorting through most things almost effortlessly had just been a part of her nature.

This was different. It was okay that it was different, and she had to accept... that, and accept... needing help through that. It's a long moment of contemplation, trying to find it within her to believe it as well, more than simply... saying the words and hoping that would be enough.]

... you're right. [She exhales, slowly, shoulders slumping with the acceptance and realization.] I'm sorry. I think I let my frustration with the fact that I need help get in the way of ... simply accepting it.

That happens. [Rei squeezes Raine's shoulder lightly, trying to be reassuring.]

It's normal, and there's nothing to be ashamed of, or apologize for. You just broke down the first barrier. We can start working through more over time. Because it does take time. You can't master psychic power without practice.

You want me to help you, train you like I did?

Hopefully the next steps won't be as daunting as this one was. [She's joking, as she looks back up to meet Rei's gaze.] But... yes, please. I would appreciate if we could do that.

That's fine. We'll start tomorrow. I'll need you here at ten in the morning, and you'll be here till two. [This may not be pleasant for Raine, but...it's something.]

[Well that, she wasn't expecting either. So much for having an acquired psychic type! But she relaxes a little more, at that. If she was going to get started with this, she was all for it being sooner now that she had taken this step.]

... Understood. I'll certainly be here.

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Clash of the Gigans: Aftermath

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