9356/High Stakes

High Stakes
Date of Scene:	28 September 2019
Location:	Turtle Lair, Williamsburg
Synopsis:	Sometimes when brains storm, it drizzles, other times it rains!
Cast of Characters:	Pippi, Alopex

---

Pippi has posed:
    Hanging upside-down in the lair would be one thing, an aspect of zen, of training. Unfortunately it's not about training. Pippi was hanging upside-down from a chin-up bar, her legs folded over, rocking slowly back and forth, looking mildly perplexed. Her ears are hanging, the Delta-447 clearly able to be seen on the left ear, the identifying tattoo still quite clear.

    Her eyes were half closed, her lips pursed as she appears lost in thought, though most MIGHT assume that when she has a brain storm... it drizzles.

Alopex has posed:
    The fox had been on her way back from the fridge. When she passed the first time, Alopex had assumed that Pippi was training, which was always a good thing. On the way back, water in one hand, she notices the pup in the same position as before. ... Did she move? ... Sip.

    After a few moments of seemingly no motion, Alopex decides to wander over and see what's going on. She's silent, for now. ... At least staying in that position for this long was impressive.

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi inded often ha sissues staying still for too long, unless she's focused (or hungry), and she's still got that perplexed look on her as she swings, slowly, and tilts her head. Her ear gives a flick as Alopex approaches.

    "... why is it called a drive way if you park in it?"

Alopex has posed:
    Ah. Those kinds of thoughts. "English is a very strange language," Alopex replies as she decides to take a seat near the hanging pup. "Apparently there are roads called parkways.. that you don't park on either," she notes before sipping again. "I ... haven't tried to make sense of it, to be honest."

Pippi has posed:
    "... people are weird, Pex." Pippi replies, and she curls up, grabbing the bar and pulling her legs over, she dangles a moment before she lets go and lands on the floor. Her tail gives a slight wag at Alopex, and she draws up, and stretches her arms. up, giving one of those wide-mouth, tongue-curling yawns. "Think I could learn how to drive some time? I want a motorcycle!"

Alopex has posed:
    That... causes such an image to manifest. A bike-riding Pippi, skidding to a halt, hopping the bars... only to keep hold of the bars and use the vehicle as a weapon. ..... "Ah, lets focus on your training... and eventual weapon training once you've reached that point," the fox suggests. "I can't even drive myself. I would leave it to the brothers if we go anywhere right now.."

Pippi has posed:
    "Can I use a motorcycle as a weapon?" Pippi inquires with a slight grin, and she stretches her arms again, her tail wagging a bit harder. "What kind of weapons should I start with? Swords? Throwing knives? Tonfa? Very large angry humans?"

Alopex has posed:
    MIND READER. It nearly causes Alopex to flinch. Nearly. It is well hidden behind her enjoying her drink, "Only if you want to pay for fixing the bike, if you are allowed to have one some day.." not leaving THAT open to interpretation. Nope. "I've been thinking about it off and on, but considering your strength? If you had some sort of gauntlets I think that would be an interesting start. I realize that it may only seem like armor but in tandem with how you hit already.. ... mm.. well, we'd need to find gauntlets that can handle your punches, too, if we started there." Hrm! "Tonfas aren't a bad idea either, to be honest.."

Pippi has posed:
    "... not a bad idea! And they're easy to use!" Pippi exclaims, her tail wagging a bit more. "Can I have like, knuckles too? Fancy metal ones? That I can punch someone like, six blocks over?" Pippi asks with a bright smile, rubbing the back of her head. "And rocket launch-- ... nah, I think if I asked for rocket launches, Donatello would *find a way*."

Alopex has posed:
    "I'm -very- sure he would find a way, but lets not get that far ahead of ourselves, hmm? I'm glad you like the idea, however. I'm sure that if we follow through on it, they would be more than just regular gauntlets. They would need to be able to withstand how hard you can get, and also make sure you don't hurt yourself as well. If those two issues are solved.. then yes, I believe you would have a weapon of your own."

Pippi has posed:
    "... what color should they be?" Pippi inquires. "I mean, everyone else has color-coded stuff." Pippi states, and gets a bright idea. "Can it be green?"

Alopex has posed:
    There's a thoughtful humming from Alopex as she considers this, "I mean, I don't see why not. Though me and Don do share a color... so they aren't mutually exclusive. So... I say whatever you color you want is what you get."

Pippi has posed:
    "Yeah, but I'm already red, and white shows stuff way too easily." Pippi points out as she bends backwards, arching her back as if she's working on some warm ups.

    "Especially since my fur's not SUPER FLOOF like /someone's/." she grins cheekily over at the fox.

Alopex has posed:
    "I have no idea what you are talking about." LIE. Obvious lie. "I think green will be fine. And, to be honest, you've made a lot of good progress. SO. If you can figure out how to make some gauntlets that you can use without destroying them, I say you can use them."

Pippi has posed:
    "Yeeeessss! It's going to require a trip to the scrap yard, and Donnie might have some ideas on how to secure 'em!" Pippi sounds perfectly triumphant at the idea of (finally) getting actual weapons training.

    "'Cause I plan on taking on that metal-clad guy again that Leo saw in the alleyway and this time I'm gonna knock him straight into Gotham!" Pippi gives a little growl, bristling. "And the lizard too!"

Alopex has posed:
    That energy is just what Alopex wanted to see. Pippi deserved a reward for her weeks and weeks and weeks of training. Her improvement was clear, her dedication was obvious, and she deserved to finally take a step forward after it all. . . . Hopefully the others would agree.

    "I'm sure Don will be able to set you up, but don't take them straight into combat, you'll need to train with them as well before you introduce them to your enemies. It will be the same training you've been doing. Control, katas, stances, and sparring once I'm satisfied you're doing well. .. Granted I may need some, um, extra padding if you're wearing them. I trust you, but being struck by metal with any amount of force will be painful regardless of intent or ferocity."

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi gives a grin, rubbing the back of her head and gives a shrug.

    "Maybe some practice ones first?" she offers, and spluts down in a sit as she leans her head back. "I could make some outta pool noodles and duct tape for practice, and then it wouldn't hurt. I... I do try not to hurt people." she frowns a moment, and rubs the back of her head "You're still the only one who spars with me though. I'm pretty sure if I sparred with Nemean, we'd break walls."

Alopex has posed:
    "Heh, yes, well, if you two spar you may want to do it outdoors somewhere," Alopex suggests. "As for 'practice' ones, that probably isn't a bad idea. You'll want to learn what it feels like from inside the gauntlets and slowly move forward from there. I'll admit, I wonder if your special punching bag will hold up to you in gauntlets.."

Pippi has posed:
    "... I... don't know. Donnie was working pretty hard to keep it intact. An' now that Nemean is here, he'll use it to."

    Pippi gets a distant look. ".. I /really/ hope it stands up to the two of us...."

Alopex has posed:
    "Well, one of two things will happen. Either it will hold up against you both, or it won't and Don will make it even better than it was. Soo.... one way or another I'm sure you'll have a heavy bag to work with. With your gauntlets." hmm. "Where could you two spar.."

Pippi has posed:
    "... Central Park?" Pippi offers, then rubs the back of her head "Maybe some abandoned warehouses?" she adds in. "There's a couple places I explooooorrreeed a while back."

Alopex has posed:
    "I'm not sure about Central Park as a lot of people are wandering around in there all the time, regardless of if the park is open or not. It would need to be someplace pretty well abandoned and well away from the public. A warehouse might work too depending on how hard you two decide to fight.."

Pippi has posed:
    "... I dunno. I've never left the city. Except once, but that was.. Before." Pippi gives a shrug and rubs the back of her neck.

    "Think someday I'm going to be as skilled a ninja as you guys? I'd like to be, I think."

Alopex has posed:
    "Maybe we can go on a trip sometime. There is a whole huge world out there beyond the city. It's .. really big out there. It'd be something fun to do."

    Hmm. "Of course, Pippi. It just takes time and dedication. The progress you've made to this point is clear evidence of that."

Pippi has posed:
    "I dunno, Pex. The world doesn't seem to like any mutants, let alone ones like us." Pippi comments quietly, and draws one leg up. She sets her chin on it, thoughtfully as she turns her gaze to her teacher and friend.

    "Even though we're trying to help, they're scared of us. April said people thought I was a monster." she frowns a moment, and rubs the back of her head. "Maybe I shouldn't leave the city or go too far from the Lair until I'm more practiced. I don't want to put anyone in danger on my part."

Alopex has posed:
    "Sadly, a lot of people are afraid of things that are different from them. It isn't really something we can do anything about. We just need to keep trying to help people in the hopes more will realize we aren't dangerous. The problem is the mutants like Koya, Bludgeon, and this new one that attack people. They're setting a terrible standard that we will need to work even harder to break.."

    The fox's forgotten water is finally finished off before she continues. "We'll be okay if we want to go on a little adventure. Besides, maybe all of us could use a break. It might be nice to just get out of the city for a few days, all of us, together, to try and relax a bit."

Pippi has posed:
    "Camping?" Pippi offers curiously, her ears pricking up. "With a tent?" she considers,tail sweeping behind her. "An' maybe chasing frogs?" ... "no, no, that's a terrible idea, it's getting cold for that." she reconsiders, and leans back on her palms as she regards Alopex.

    "I don't think Leo's going to go for it though. He worries. He probably needs it the most."

Alopex has posed:
    "Mmm, probably right, but we could try going south instead of north to warmer places. It's something to consider for later." ... "Yeah he could use a break more than the rest of us.."