My apologies. I am still getting used to your time-slices.
[She'd originally thought all of the seconds and minutes nonsense was purely earth-based but it seems she is finally in the minority here. It takes a few moments for her to do the rough math in her head, then,]
I will meet you in the simulation chamber in twenty-eight minutes.
[ So twenty dobashes is twenty-eight minutes....fascinating. The conversion between the two is going to haunt him for the rest of the day.
Or at least for the next twenty dobashes as he prepares himself and makes his way to the simulation chamber. Allura is already there and waiting, just as conscientious of the time as he is, and he gives her a small bow once he's close enough. ]
Princess Allura. Thank you for agreeing to train me in the piloting arts.
[Don’t think about it too hard because I may or may not have done the math wrong.
When Frederick arrives, Allura is there, standing in the gleaming white and pinks of her paladin armor, the helmet clipped to her hip and her hair pulled up in its normal, sensible bun. She turns and smiles as he addresses her,]
Frederick. I’m glad to help. [Canting her head to the side,] Is this your first time piloting anything?
[ To that he nods, expression turning slightly sheepish. ]
I'm afraid it is. Horses I can control with ease, but I suspect guiding live animals is quite a different thing from controlling a large metal suit.
[ Or whatever else it is that Allura has experience piloting. But, lest she lose faith in her new pupil, Frederick quickly rushes ahead to put any of her potential fears to rest. ]
But I assure you I plan on taking this training as seriously as I have taken all my training in the past.
[ Look at that face. Is that the face of a man that know how to lie? ]
[If Allura is concerned over his lack of experience, she doesn’t show it on her face, instead, still smiling as warmly as before. This is surely the face of someone you can trust to be a gentle and reassuring teacher.]
I have the utmost faith in you, Frederick.
[Now then,]
My family’s adviser normally assists me in training new pilots, but I think we can make this work.
[What Would Coran Do? She takes a step back and gestures to two of the virtual reality machines behind her,]
I took the liberty in setting up a beginners simulation for you. Of course, I will be accompanying you.
[ He follows her gaze dutifully, eyes scanning the VR room she's brought them to. There's nothing set up, of course, but he does his best to try and imagine the scenarios he'll shortly find himself into.
Unfortunately, his best in this case isn't very good and he can pull up little more than patches of dark space. Oh well. Might as well start with the basics. ]
Is there a certain uniform or armor one must wear in order to maintain safety?
[ He's not sure what to expect but he may as well go in as prepared as he can. ]
Most pilots wear some kind of jumpsuit, or armor similar to mine. A full range of motion is imperative.
[She makes a show of moving her arms, to illustrate. The armor is much smaller than Frederick is used to, but well constructed and easy to move in.]
A jumpsuit will be fine for this. There should be ones in storage nearby. I still need a few ticks to finish setting up the machine, so you can get changed.
[Without waiting for him to agree or not, she walks over to one of the machines, pressing a few buttons. Are you ready to dress in skin tight clothing, Frederick?]
He can see during her quick demonstration that the jumpsuit is indeed quite versatile, allowing for a full range of motion that his usual set of armor hinders. As such, he's quick to make his way to storage and to grab a set that seems to be his size.
The error of his ways isn't made evident until some minutes later, after he's already wiggled out of his usual clothes and into the jumpsuit. Hm. He stretches out an arm.
Frowns deeper.
From across the way, Allura can probably hear a muffled shout. ]
[ She doesn't need to bear witness as he tugs and pinches and tries to make the accursed cloth more bearable. It's light, certainly, but he feels as though his skin can't breathe in it, plastered too close to the material.
Ah well. He's suffered through worse.
One last tug and then he's heading back to where Allura waits patiently. ]
[It’s probably for the best, lest her governess’ spirit haunt her for being unchaperoned in a room with a partially disrobed man.
Frederick returns and Allura turns to address him, her work finished at the computer. There’s a note of mirth in her expression as she takes him in. He’s a tall man, and the nature of the jumpsuit makes the length of his limbs that much more obvious, especially considering the way the sleeves end in an awkward spot between elbow and forearm. She makes a note to find him a more proper fitting suit for the future.
Back to business,] If you’ll have a seat in one of these units, the simulation should start up once you’re ready. []she gestures to the two VR contraptions behind her, which look like a chair with an absurd amount of wires and machinery around it.] You’ve used their simulation technology before, haven’t you?
[ Once again, he dutifully follows her instructions, gingerly seating himself in the leftmost contraption before tilting his face in her direction and nodding. ]
A few times, yes, though usually with a partner. I'm afraid the complicated settings still lie somewhat beyond my grasp.
[ Thank goodness he has Allura here to teach him! He squints at the screen, trying to make sense of all the options. ]
Perhaps if you could walk me through the entire process, I could take notes for next time and be able to practice on my own.
[ Because while it is very kind of her to train with him at the beginning, he ought to be cognizant of her time and take efforts into his own hands every now and then. ]
[How very proactive. If only all novices were as dedicated as Frederick,] I already have the simulation set up for this time, but once we are finished, I would be glad to walk you through setting it up for yourself.
[Until then, she stoops to pick up the VR helmet, handing it to him before her hand hovers over the start button,] Are you prepared? Once it starts, you will be on your own for a few dobashes, but I will join you shortly.
[I'M SORRY DID YOU SAY SOMETHING? IT'S TOO LATE NOW. Allura's response is drowned out by the start of the simulation, and Frederick's vision shifts, placing him in the cockpit of one of the Natha's mech suits, landed somewhere in the fields of El Nysa. It seems peaceful, with blue skies above and green grass below. In the distance is Olympia, and even from here one can see carts moving to and fro, people going about their simulated business.
There's about two dobashes of peace, before there's the thunderous sound of a roar nearby, making the ground tremble with it's might. A shadow passes over Frederick. A dragon shaped one. Better look alive because it's swooping around, sights set on Frederick's mecha.]
Less attention is paid to the fields surrounding him than to the buttons and levers before him, all new and alien and completely unmarked save for the red button that has the word OFF in ominously large lettering. Hm.
Curiously, he pushes one lever forward, then jerks back as his whole being rattles forward. Good job Fred, he's taken his first step forward as robot man! One small step for a mecha, one huge step for Fredkind.
The temporary absence of light grabs his attention, and then again as it passes by. He looks up, alarmed. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Fred, that isn't why people pick up hobbies. ]
But only if you have the time to spare, of course.
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[Allura does not do things halfway.]
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Twenty dobashes?
[ What in Naga's name is a dobash? ]
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[She'd originally thought all of the seconds and minutes nonsense was purely earth-based but it seems she is finally in the minority here. It takes a few moments for her to do the rough math in her head, then,]
I will meet you in the simulation chamber in twenty-eight minutes.
aaaand action
Or at least for the next twenty dobashes as he prepares himself and makes his way to the simulation chamber. Allura is already there and waiting, just as conscientious of the time as he is, and he gives her a small bow once he's close enough. ]
Princess Allura. Thank you for agreeing to train me in the piloting arts.
no subject
When Frederick arrives, Allura is there, standing in the gleaming white and pinks of her paladin armor, the helmet clipped to her hip and her hair pulled up in its normal, sensible bun. She turns and smiles as he addresses her,]
Frederick. I’m glad to help. [Canting her head to the side,] Is this your first time piloting anything?
no subject
I'm afraid it is. Horses I can control with ease, but I suspect guiding live animals is quite a different thing from controlling a large metal suit.
[ Or whatever else it is that Allura has experience piloting. But, lest she lose faith in her new pupil, Frederick quickly rushes ahead to put any of her potential fears to rest. ]
But I assure you I plan on taking this training as seriously as I have taken all my training in the past.
[ Look at that face. Is that the face of a man that know how to lie? ]
no subject
I have the utmost faith in you, Frederick.
[Now then,]
My family’s adviser normally assists me in training new pilots, but I think we can make this work.
[What Would Coran Do? She takes a step back and gestures to two of the virtual reality machines behind her,]
I took the liberty in setting up a beginners simulation for you. Of course, I will be accompanying you.
no subject
Unfortunately, his best in this case isn't very good and he can pull up little more than patches of dark space. Oh well. Might as well start with the basics. ]
Is there a certain uniform or armor one must wear in order to maintain safety?
[ He's not sure what to expect but he may as well go in as prepared as he can. ]
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[She makes a show of moving her arms, to illustrate. The armor is much smaller than Frederick is used to, but well constructed and easy to move in.]
A jumpsuit will be fine for this. There should be ones in storage nearby. I still need a few ticks to finish setting up the machine, so you can get changed.
[Without waiting for him to agree or not, she walks over to one of the machines, pressing a few buttons. Are you ready to dress in skin tight clothing, Frederick?]
no subject
He can see during her quick demonstration that the jumpsuit is indeed quite versatile, allowing for a full range of motion that his usual set of armor hinders. As such, he's quick to make his way to storage and to grab a set that seems to be his size.
The error of his ways isn't made evident until some minutes later, after he's already wiggled out of his usual clothes and into the jumpsuit. Hm. He stretches out an arm.
Frowns deeper.
From across the way, Allura can probably hear a muffled shout. ]
Is this jumpsuit meant to be quite so...tight?
[ No seriously, why is this outfit so tight. ]
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Yes. You've seen my jumpsuit, correct?
[It must be a culture shock thing, after wearing such large armor for so long,]
Are you in need of assistance?
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No, not at all!
[ She doesn't need to bear witness as he tugs and pinches and tries to make the accursed cloth more bearable. It's light, certainly, but he feels as though his skin can't breathe in it, plastered too close to the material.
Ah well. He's suffered through worse.
One last tug and then he's heading back to where Allura waits patiently. ]
I believe I'm ready.
[ Lead the way! ]
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Frederick returns and Allura turns to address him, her work finished at the computer. There’s a note of mirth in her expression as she takes him in. He’s a tall man, and the nature of the jumpsuit makes the length of his limbs that much more obvious, especially considering the way the sleeves end in an awkward spot between elbow and forearm. She makes a note to find him a more proper fitting suit for the future.
Back to business,] If you’ll have a seat in one of these units, the simulation should start up once you’re ready. []she gestures to the two VR contraptions behind her, which look like a chair with an absurd amount of wires and machinery around it.] You’ve used their simulation technology before, haven’t you?
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A few times, yes, though usually with a partner. I'm afraid the complicated settings still lie somewhat beyond my grasp.
[ Thank goodness he has Allura here to teach him! He squints at the screen, trying to make sense of all the options. ]
Perhaps if you could walk me through the entire process, I could take notes for next time and be able to practice on my own.
[ Because while it is very kind of her to train with him at the beginning, he ought to be cognizant of her time and take efforts into his own hands every now and then. ]
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[Until then, she stoops to pick up the VR helmet, handing it to him before her hand hovers over the start button,] Are you prepared? Once it starts, you will be on your own for a few dobashes, but I will join you shortly.
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dobashminute.He looks at her abruptly, eyes wide in what might almost be called panic for him but what probably looks entirely normal on any other person. ]
Have you something else to prepare?
[ WHY ARE YOU LEAVING HIM, ALLURA.... ]
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There's about two dobashes of peace, before there's the thunderous sound of a roar nearby, making the ground tremble with it's might. A shadow passes over Frederick. A dragon shaped one. Better look alive because it's swooping around, sights set on Frederick's mecha.]
no subject
Less attention is paid to the fields surrounding him than to the buttons and levers before him, all new and alien and completely unmarked save for the red button that has the word OFF in ominously large lettering. Hm.
Curiously, he pushes one lever forward, then jerks back as his whole being rattles forward. Good job Fred, he's taken his first step forward as robot man! One small step for a mecha, one huge step for Fredkind.
The temporary absence of light grabs his attention, and then again as it passes by. He looks up, alarmed. ]
Princess Allura? Is that you?
[ Please let it be her. ]