Voicetesting and PSL with thegreatninja

[wanna_bash_heads]

What: Just some voice-testing fun for Casey here, with Yuffie.

Setting: A modern 21st century urban city, that acts as the base 'level' for a Game of Champions held by cosmic entities. It's essentially like a giant video-game, aside from real pain/death for the participants. The city is populated by various 'npcs' who provide basic services (like in video-games), as the PCs (Champions) live and practice, and ultimately survive, in this city-setting.

Ultimately designed for up to 50 people, there are currently 20 in residence from the original group brought in. (Casey and Yuffie were/are both among these first arrivals.) Challenges happen every month for 2-3 weeks, and so far have featured relatively simple challenges. (Examples include a free-for-all-survival-battle against combat-robotic NPCs, a retrieval-mission through a dungeon with stereotypical monsters from DnD, and various escort-assignments of a target versus armored-warriors.) Each Challenge offers the opportunity to earn points, unique to each individual champion. These points can be used to upgrade their equipment, buy extra 'lives', or upgrade their housing.

Death is not permanent, but does cost the champion when it happens. They are given a limited number (3) of 'freebies', before a special ability or a memory will be taken from them every time they die after that. Not counting that for all this is like a live action video-game, they actually can get injured for reals. Anyone maimed/wounded grievously is side-lined for a month to 'heal'. Anyone sidelined in this way forfeits any points earned for that challenge.

What purpose is this ultimately all for, from the cosmic entities? Who really knows? They haven't revealed yet, and while most of the challenges have been primarily action and fighting-based, that COULD change...





The city wasn't as comfortable as New York for Casey, but it had sort of become a second home. Also a training ground, since when he DID get back he'd have to help fight the invasion of the Kraang. Good thing this place had its share of monsters and mutants and other baddies to deal with as well. Now if they just could figure out how to get people back to where they came from, Casey'd call it a done deal.

He missed April. He missed Raph, and Mikey. Was Leo recovering alright? What about Don? Hell, he missed trading snark with Don while they worked on things in the old barn.

It wasn't like he didn't have friends here--he had a few. But it wasn't 'home', no matter how much it became like it in some ways. Still, winter here at least wasn't too different than the city he knew.

Including ice-skating. Maybe he'd see if anyone else has heard of Hockey. For now, he'd arranged a meeting with one of his sorta-friends at the frozen lake in the central park. He's bundled up in his usual gear, and already gotten two sets of skates. Now he just needs the Princess.

Comments

[wanna_bash_heads]

Their relationship was weird, but Casey enjoyed being around her. It was nice, to have someone who rose to the challenges and gave as good as she got, the way Yuffie did. It was similar to April, but different in ways Casey appreciated. April was still learning, and a bit more passive--Yuffie was more active.

"There's more to it than that, but that's the basics and part of why it's fun." Making sure her hand in his was secure, as he turned slightly, skating backwards to watch her as they glided along the ice. "The basic idea is two teams compete to score a goal against the other. The goals are at either end of the rink, and manned by a keeper. The puck is what's used instead of a ball, and sticks are used to manipulate it."

[thegreatninja]

They had slowed down some to talk so she didn't need to hold his hand. She was happy for it all the same though and she couldn't stop the goofy grin from pulling at her lips as Casey explained. It's true their relationship was weird but then Yuffie rarely had normal relationships. She wasn't easy but she developed crushes and then did really stupid stuff that got people pissed at her. It's not really the best way to go about making something permanent.

"Okay, so we have to get teams so I can watch." Which in Yuffie speak meant she wanted to cheer for him. The game sounded a little to tame for her to take part.

"I'm sure we can find people here." Someone had to know about this crazy idea for a sport. Yuffie liked to watch chocobo racing and then steal from those who are trying to place bets. Or have someone win her prizes from silly carnival games. This wasn't really like any of that which both peeked her interest and didn't at the same time.

[wanna_bash_heads]

"You mean you don't want to play, Princess?" Casey retorted, although he'd be thrilled to get people to come join in. This was now his new short-term goal. Get a Hockey game going, even if he had to teach people himself.

[thegreatninja]

“Me.. nope.”

She was thinking of cheering more than playing but if he needed a teammate she’d most likely be there. Assuming she understands the rules. Her lips form into a pout as if she was upset before stretching into her usual smile.

“Hehe,” A light giggle escaped her lips as she looked over at Casey. “Maybe.” That’s the most he’s going to get from her as far as an answer is concerned.

[wanna_bash_heads]

Casey just grinned back at her, tugging her hand more forward, against him. "Be nice to have my own cheerleader." A playful wink, as he helped steady her balance from the tug.

"So wanna learn how to stop? If you think this is fun, I can try and get you your own skates. Of the non-ice variety." He kind of missed having a skating partner.

Of course, in a few days the city's 'champions' were due to face their next challenge.

[thegreatninja]

"Stopping would be helpful." She laughed at that and then glanced down at her feet. She liked feeling him close but she knew she had to focus if she wanted to stop.

"Non-ice... so roller skates? That'd be pretty cool but wouldn't it be hard to scale buildings with those?" She likes her agility.

As Yuffie spoke she tried tilting the blades of her skates different ways. She leaned against Casey a few times to make sure that she stayed upright during her tests.

[wanna_bash_heads]

Casey adjusted his balance as they moved, slowing so she could experiment. Teasing her a bit, sliding his arm around her shoulders as he leaned closer. "I promise not to laugh, as you're gonna have to fall a few times to get this right, Princess." Teasing, playful still, but not going to mock her truly.

Shifting once she was steady back to his hand in hers and he winked. "Besides, maybe I'll just make you a pair that are retractable, like mine." Heading back near to where they'd started so they'd have maximum space for her to learn. "But we should go roof-running sometime. I kind of miss it."

Gliding to a stop, prepared to help Yuffie do the same if she needed it. Casey was more familiar with hockey-stops, but this one was a slower stop. Sort of letting one foot lag and blade go flat, kicking up a bit of ice almost like a snowplow.

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie felt a chill travel down her spine as he leaned close and spoke in her ear. It was really hard to focus on what he was saying when his breath was caressing her cheek like that. “That’s reassuring.” She swallowed feeling a little bit grateful as he backed away. At least she could focus on stopping now.

Her fingers easily laced between his as he continued. His offer was certainly intriguing and it sounded like it might be fun. At least things like this didn’t get Yuffie sick, maybe because she was in control of the movements. “Roof-running is always fun.” It’s a common Ninja trait and it’s something Yuffie’s perfected after sneaking out of her room so many times.

Now came stopping, not saying that Yuffie was nervous but she wasn’t looking forward to it. She looked down at her feet after watching Casey glide to a stop. Why couldn’t there just be a wall for her to run into? She tried her best but as she slowed her blade hooked on a piece of uneven ice and Yuffie went stumbling forward. Her arms flailed to either side as she went tumbling into the snow bank.

[wanna_bash_heads]

Casey, as he'd promised, didn't laugh. It was clear in his expression part of him wanted to, but he was holding it back as he glided over to help her up and out of the snowbank. "It takes practice. There are actually a few different ways to stop. The one I'm most familiar with is called a Hockey stop."

Tilting his head, assessing her as he helped her get her balance and back to her feet on the ice. "Not sure you're ready for that one yet."

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie was almost looking at Casey at a 180 degree difference. She pouted though from her current position it might just make her more ridiculous. She slowly stood, careful not to make more of a fool of herself. She brushed the snow from her hair and shirt before turning back towards Casey.

"Why don't you show me first." She's sure she can figure it out if he shows her. At least she'd know the body motion with it and might not go flying.

[wanna_bash_heads]

"I'll take a few laps so you can watch." Casey offered, hands in his hoody-pocket. He kind of wished he'd brought his hockey stick and a puck now, just to play around with. Making sure she was righted, before he winked at her. "Just watch these moves, Princess."

Shifting his weight and removing his hands, Casey glided on the ice. Not quite the same way as he did at home, what with new skates--but this was familiar territory for him. Building up speed, shifting directions and turning. Some of the stops really were just glides and a matter of how he'd built up momentum or slowed it by trailing a foot or shifting his body. Changes of directions, gliding backwards or how he rotated as he moved over the ice also brought stops at times.

Some of the faster stops though, where he'd change direction abruptly after starting and was moving as a blur, were more a matter of shifting his weight and hips, and keeping his feet under him. Hockey-stops, used most often during the fast paced game he loved so much. A bit more showing off, then looking over at the ninja-girl. A casual salute with his left hand before Casey abruptly changed direction.

Moving fast, and heading straight for Yuffie and the snowbank. Waiting for the last minute, Casey's grin wide, before he jumped. Pretty agile and good jump considering he wasn't ninja-trained, as he yelled "Incoming!"

Aiming to land in the snowbank himself, in a bit of playfulness.

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie rolled her eyes as Casey skated away. There wasn't anyone else to watch besides she's seen him on his roller skates before. This didn't seem new in comparison. She had to make sure to stay balanced as he moved away, her palms pressed against her hips with an expecting stare.

She studied the way that he moved and honestly it didn't seem to difficult. She'd need to practice but she'd be able to get it. Maybe sneak out and practice without Casey knowing so that she could show him up later.

She had been lost in her thoughts only realizing that Casey was skating towards her at full speed last minute. She turned away as snow showered down on them and then blinked. "Are you trying to kill me?!" Had she been paying attention it wouldn't have been as bad.

[wanna_bash_heads]

Casey, however, was laughing as he rolled over in the snowbank from his landing. Grinning, before sitting up. "Nah, just making sure you're paying attention." Teasing still, as he hefted a snowball and threw it at her.

"You're so serious about all this. Lighten-up, Princess."

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie tilted her head slightly letting the snow ball go sailing into the air behind her. Her hands were on her hips as she looked down at him. She is not to serious. A soft pout adorns her lips as she looked down at him.

"You're so mean!"

With that she dives into the snow, scooping up a ball of cold fluff and throwing it at Casey's face.

[wanna_bash_heads]

Casey smirked, and scrambled slightly to the side to ignore the snow-ball. "Like you wouldn't have done the same? I know you, Princess. Isn't this part of how we met?" The teasing, and snarking, and not quite getting in each other's way while fighting and mischief.

Certainly they'd landed up in a holding cell together, until she'd picked the lock.

Scrabbling for some more snow of his own, while trying to grab her arm so he could shove it down the back of her shirt.

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie shifted her weight away from him though the ice skates made it harder to move and she miscalculated. She fell as he grabbed hold of her and instead of the snow being pushed down her back it was pushed down her front. Her cheeks flushed as she pushed him away, feeling the cold against her skin.

“That’s so mean!”

She was never one to dress in snow gear which was why she was now very cold. She quickly brushed away the snow but not before it had already had a chance to melt against her skin. A shiver ran through her and she felt the start of a cold brimming though it might just be her imagination.

[wanna_bash_heads]

Ok, that hadn't been what he intended and it showed in his face and expression. Especially as it turned sheepish. "I didn't mean to actually get you with it..." But Casey was pulling off the coat--something he'd worn because it was cold, and handing it to her. "I'm sorry Yuffie."

Clear remorse, because he really did think of Yuffie as his friend. He didn't want her upset with him, or upset, or suffering. The dark grey coat was wool and hooded, and would probably dwarf her, but that was ok.

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie stared at the coat for a long moment. It was only after a harsh shiver thrilled through her that she reached out and snatched it from his hand. She looked very small slipping it over her thin frame. A slight pout pulled at her lips as she looked up at him. She wouldn't be able to move easily in his coat.

"Maybe it's time to head back inside?"

She wanted hot chocolate and to not have to wear so much clothing. She liked being free to move and roll around.