[BBS/Action]

[tricksterking]

Bunch of new cadets coming in, huh? Well, I hope you didn't take me being gone as a sign to go all soft or anything.

Lemme be clear -- if you're taking Survival Skills on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, I'm not an easy teacher. I'm only going to be happy with you if you can survive with at least a fraction of the skill that I can, and that's no easy path. So if you want a teacher that isn't kicking you out of trees to make sure you can take the fall, get it the other days.

[He's... he's kidding, right?]

On the other hand, if you get through my classes I personally guarantee that you can survive being dropped naked into the jungles with no problem, so it's kind of a "you get what you train for" thing.

Whatever the way, I'm back in Garden and I'll be hanging around a while. You have any questions, come ask 'em. I'm not all that hard to find unless I want to be~.


-- Instructor Wukong


-----


[Those out and about in the Quad today get an interesting sight. A little boy that looks no more than 12ish dressed in a green assortment of bizarre clothing is lazing on his back on a tree branch, singing something in an odd language.]

他爬上燈檯, 棕色的小老鼠~. 要偷竊，吃牛油, 他也取不下來~.

[There's a long, red-and-gold pole balancing on the bottom of his outstretched foot, staying there so perfectly it's as if it was glued in that precarious position. Underneath him and dangling off the branch is perhaps the most noticeable thing about this kid -- the thin, red-furred monkey tail that matches the shade of his hair.

Those searching out the mysterious "Instructor" from the BBS post have been pointed to this kid by others, some of whom hide a knowing snicker behind their hands. Anyone who comes close has his eyes locked on them, though he continues to sing the strange little song with an idle grin on his face.]

他呼籲他的奶奶，但是，他的奶奶在城裡~...

Comments

[feedmyglitch]

I think I like your style and attitude.

-Ardos

[tricksterking]

I don't teach weaklings. That's just an insult to me. If they're gonna be in my class, they're going to get into shape if it kills them.

[Shouldn't that be "me?"]

[feedmyglitch]

An admirable way of teaching. They are, after all, mercenaries in training.

-Ardos

[tricksterking]

Exactly! And like I said, if they can tough it out with me and learn, I could drop them naked in the jungle and they could get out without a problem.

I'm the Monkey King. No one, and I mean no one, will ever have a problem in the wilderness if they stick with me.

[feedmyglitch]

Ardos. I teach advanced programming, though I admit I'm probably just as ruthless in that area as you are. They need to learn, and fast. Danger seems to be something humans understand well.

-Ardos

[tricksterking]

Ardos, huh? Sun Wukong -- or I guess in this silly "english ordering" it'd be Wukong Sun, but that sounds weird.

Hah! Half these natives wouldn't understand danger if it ripped their face off. Humans may get it, but this place is basically pamper incarnate for mercenaries.

Though hey, what do I know? I was a monkey until heaven killed me and I traveled around after that. Maybe I just don't "get" comfort.

Remind me to stay out of your class. This BBS is about the best I can work -- "technology" and I don't really get along that well. I'd prefer getting out and getting my hands dirty, though I hear you guys run Garden. Good job.

[feedmyglitch]

Previously a monkey, huh? I think I can relate to that. Although I was a computer program.

If you ever want lessons, I can try to help. Though I can't promise I'll be able to speak in a way most people understand.

-Ardos

[cigardog]

Interesting tactics. I have to ask, are you hoping they suddenly all switch to Tuesday and Thursday?

- Lt. Furor

[He has to ask, because he's kind of amused either way actually.]

[tricksterking]

Nope. I'm hoping to get a lot in my class, but I don't see a point to being roundabout with it. I've seen what humans can do and I know they can excel, but they have to be pushed past their limits to get them to that point.

If they aren't willing to dedicate themselves and work that hard, why should I teach them? They can get passing survival skills from other teachers. Whether or not it actually saves them after that I can't do anything about, but what I can do is make sure any student of mine will see what I see.

The wild isn't your enemy or your death. It's your friend and partner. You just have to know how to work with it.

[cigardog]

[Completely laughing off-screen at that. Not because he disagrees of course, just likes it.]

Sounds like you've got your first lesson plan all worked out.

[tricksterking]

You bet. I asked the headmaster to let me take them out for a month into the jungle, but he didn't go for that.

Or for making things harder on them here in Garden. Ah, what can you do. I'll just have to work them harder to make up for it.

[He's laughing himself. Trolling, as always.]

[cigardog]

Maybe you can turn your classroom into an obstacle course. Or borrow one of the courtyards.

[tricksterking]

Hm, now there's an idea! Why didn't I think of that first?

[elementofloyalty]

uh hey how are we defining 'naked' here

because us ponies aren't so big on the whole 'clothing' thing you know

[tricksterking]

You don't have anything on you. No supplies, nothing.

I mean, if you don't wear clothes, you can't exactly lose them. Though I guess giving them to you to wear would be a test...

[elementofloyalty]

well we do sometimes but not always.

i'm sorry you came in so late in the quarter. i think i woulda liked your classes a lot

[tricksterking]

Well, missions, so "what can you do" as the human saying goes.

Glad to hear you were interested, though maybe that's because you aren't a native. They're as fine as anyone else, but they don't seem as tough or willing to be taught as tough.

[elementofloyalty]

naw. i just like adventure

action, challenge, getting out there and being the best

[tricksterking]

Thinking after my own style. I like you.

[combustible_me]

I like that, you've definitely got the right attitude. Need more like that around here.

Welcome back, fellow Instructor.

-Ellyn Vitner

[tricksterking]

No point in sugar-coating it, right?

I see they didn't take my advice to turn the rooms into jungles. Guess I'm sleeping outside tonight.

[earthlychild]

That's all very true, but be careful. There's a point where you wear people down so much that they resist learning.

I'm not saying your students are weak, you can push your students really far---we're supposed to be soldiers, right? But not all of us are superhuman.

[tricksterking]

Yeah, I get what you mean. I'm no slave driver -- if they're sick or exhausted or really can't do it, I'm not gonna push them to do it anyway.

It's just most humans I meet don't like to push themselves even when they can, so I thought I'd give the cadets a warning. I don't like people whining to me when they don't have a reason to.

[earthlychild]

That's right. We really can be lazy when we want to be. I probably needed those extra hours in the gym.

[tricksterking]

Good to hear you got them, then.