Way too long in the making

[professional_weedkiller]

1
[One of the training fields outside Fort Alhambra has been claimed by Yeong as she goes through what appears to be one of the ridiculous obstacle courses from a shounen manga. Or at least as close to it as she can get without actually being allowed things like live crocodiles, explosives or crocodiles. What's more baffling is that the pretty ordinary looking girl just cleared a jump way larger than most athletes would be able to. While wearing a heavy backpack.]

2

[At some kind of formal dinner, Yeong is sitting as far towards the back of the room as possible absentmindedly poking at her food instead of eating. She's absentmindedly looking towards the table of honor near the center.]

I wonder if Hye's okay...

3

[Yeong's found her way into the hangar and is practically bouncing between robots, impressed by all the more distinctive and unique one. Mass produced units aren't spared more than a glance as she tries to find the one of a kind ones.]

And that one was the one that protected that civilian shuttle from aliens off Mars!

Comments

Re: 1

[professional_weedkiller]

[She comes to a halt, putting down the backpack.]

Yes. It's magic!

...Really, it is. [Her follow-up sounds less excited and more insistent, as if to preempt any skepticism.]

[yassaimossai]

I believe you, I believe you. I saw plenty of proof, right now and like all the time earlier too.

So, you going to train with magic like this?

[professional_weedkiller]

I can't choose not to. I'm not using magic, I've been enchanted for speed, strength and so on since I've been a kid. [She holds up her hand, presenting the inside of her wrist, showing a line of Arab calligraphy tattooed on it.] This tattoo and others like it anchors it.

[yassaimossai]

Egh. Who did this to you? Against your will?

[Super powers are good to have, but Chris knows well about being forced to use them.]

[professional_weedkiller]

What? Why'd you think that? I'm a warrior of the Choi clan, trained to protect humanity, not some supersoldier from a shady government program!

[yassaimossai]

Really? Ah, okay...

That's why I asked, see? I'm not jumping to assumptions or anything.

[professional_weedkiller]

Okay.I guess it is a pretty reasonable worry now that you mention it.

[yassaimossai]

I just said I'm not jumping to assumptions or conclusions.

Okay, let's do it! If you can train like this, then I'll too use Ichiibal for practice. Take that, old man!

[professional_weedkiller]

I don't have a choice. The enchantments are as much a part of me as my arms or legs...Or, well, I guess tattoos are easier to remove, but you get the idea.

Also, what's Ichibal?

[yassaimossai]

It's a Relic, of course. But it's a secret, so I'm not supposed to show you.

Well, whatever. Everyone here knows about all the super secret stuff anyway, right?

[professional_weedkiller]

Yeah. It's pretty weird. I had to hide it all my life, but here I don't need to worry about revealing anything.

[yassaimossai]

Probably because everyone is a weirdo with a mystery or dozen up their sleeve, they kinda get used to it. Wouldn't know a secret if it ran them over with a black unmarked van.

[professional_weedkiller]

You're probably right. It's like we're in a comic book. Just, you know, with less masks and fake names.

[yassaimossai]

Hmm. You think a cool mask would help?

Maybe shades...

[Chris is getting ideas now.]

[professional_weedkiller]

Yes, that'd definitely make it more like we were in a comic book. Some fancy, full-body costume would too. You know, like Ultraman.

[yassaimossai]

Ah, yeah. I already have that.

[professional_weedkiller]

Really? I hadn't expected that...I thought most people here were gonna be serious military types.