Team Building (Pregame 1 LM, Gym)

[Yori Hakamada]

"Would have taken you for the type to be trained in an apprenticeship, rather than a formal education, given your callsign. I'm sure you were a great student," he says with a nod, before putting up the weights so he could move on to the next exercise.

"The callsign was assigned because I was very devoted to my commanding officer. He was the master I was the apprentice. Given the choice between that and 'Weirdo' I made the logical decision."
Mentally running through her grades
"I worked hard, it was enough for me to be assigned to a modestly prestigious unit, not enough to be assigned to an elite unit."

A soft snort of deridement came from Yoko as she started slowly raising the incline on the treadmill.

"I went to Shin Amoro Daigaku, a large campus general university. All I really got out of my time there I think was debt. Still, I remember being told I should be proud they were willing to give me professional training at the time."

Yori nods calmly
"Yes, the excessive cost of education serves to maintain social barriers to advancement."
Holding her first up
Neutrally "Fight the power."

[John Slaktare]

"Well, sounds like the Angels picked up some smart folks then. And hard workers too. Good to see. Nice knowing I got folks like that working on the same team."

He begins the next exercise. "Pectoral fly next."

He lays on the bench and demonstrates with Lawrence spotting.

[Yoko Lee]

"I like to THINK I'm smart at least..."

Seeing John moving on she turns her attention back to her treadmill.

"Still, a lot on can work on in that department and others. Get in better shape, maybe read up on a thing or two, learn another language...""

Yoko trailed off as she finally set the machine to a slightly faster speed, the belt now at a fifteen degree angle and a brisk walk, something that was definitely starting to push things more.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Well, sounds like the Angels picked up some smart folks then. And hard workers too. Good to see. Nice knowing I got folks like that working on the same team."

He begins the next exercise. "Pectoral fly next."

He lays on the bench and demonstrates with Lawrence spotting.

Yori watches this for a moment before going for some much smaller weights, her pecs definitely did not fly.
"The Angels generally seem to work reasonably efficiently, at least for a mercenary company. Sometimes I find myself with too much freetime, hence investigating other useful activities.

"I like to THINK I'm smart at least..."

Seeing John moving on she turns her attention back to her treadmill.

"Still, a lot on can work on in that department and others. Get in better shape, maybe read up on a thing or two, learn another language...""

Yoko trailed off as she finally set the machine to a slightly faster speed, the belt now at a fifteen degree angle and a brisk walk, something that was definitely starting to push things more.

"If you would prefer I can administer a series of basic reasoning tests? I am no education expert but I do enjoy standardised tests."
Thinking
"What language would you learn?"

[John Slaktare]

"Nother language eh?" he says with some huffs between words as he lifted.

"I ain't never been very good with them. Getting in shape is definitely a strong activity for me though."

He looks to Yori specifically. "If you get too much free time, they can always use hands doing some of the minor labor. Most days I am in the laundry, the kitchen or the office at some point."

[Yoko Lee]

"I suppose I'd be up for some lessons, as long as they're not too boring. And free."

A breathy chuckle, "As to the language? Can't say I'm even sure how good or not I am with 'em. Where I came from, everyone learned Japanese for every day life, and English for school and business. Now that I'm out of Combine space though, figure it would be helpful to learn some native tongues though. for wherever I go to. ...and there've gotta be better things to do with the Second Lieutenant's free time than chores, neh?"

[Yori Hakamada]

"Nother language eh?" he says with some huffs between words as he lifted.

"I ain't never been very good with them. Getting in shape is definitely a strong activity for me though."

He looks to Yori specifically. "If you get too much free time, they can always use hands doing some of the minor labor. Most days I am in the laundry, the kitchen or the office at some point."

Yuri frowns ever so slightly.
"You are? Interesting. My understanding was that those who volunteered to do extra work were often more popular. Do you consider yourself a poor chef or laundry worker?"

"I suppose I'd be up for some lessons, as long as they're not too boring. And free."

A breathy chuckle, "As to the language? Can't say I'm even sure how good or not I am with 'em. Where I came from, everyone learned Japanese for every day life, and English for school and business. Now that I'm out of Combine space though, figure it would be helpful to learn some native tongues though. for wherever I go to. ...and there've gotta be better things to do with the Second Lieutenant's free time than chores, neh?"

Smoothing out her expression as she returns to Yoko.
"German can be quite useful, as well as Sweden or Swedenese. As for free time, almost certainly. I believe given my education and relative skills level makes menial labour inefficient for me. But I understand sometimes the point is to show you are not above such things and are willing to help out.

If there are any other things you would recommend I am open to suggestions."

[John Slaktare]

"Swedish," he corrects. "And if you're learning it there's a few of us to practice with," he replies.

"And the chores don't make me more popular. It's not about efficient use of skills either, but use of time. Ain't always difficult or smart stuff to do, but there's always more chores."

He takes a short break and spots for Yori for the exercise.

[Yoko Lee]

"Swedenish could work I suppose, yeah."

It was clear she hadn't quite heard correctly, apparently.

"I'd not considered it, but if it comes as recommended... I was always told French, German, or Chinese were helpful. Maybe Spanish."

She didn't comment on the chores thing; It was really up to Yori if she felt it was a good use of her time or not.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Swedish," he corrects. "And if you're learning it there's a few of us to practice with," he replies.

"And the chores don't make me more popular. It's not about efficient use of skills either, but use of time. Ain't always difficult or smart stuff to do, but there's always more chores."

He takes a short break and spots for Yori for the exercise.

Yori lies down on the bench and has her confused pecs scream in pain as she struggles through the set.
"I suppose that is factually correct, although if someone did my laundry or paperwork I would likely feel more positively disposed to them.

"Swedenish could work I suppose, yeah."

It was clear she hadn't quite heard correctly, apparently.

"I'd not considered it, but if it comes as recommended... I was always told French, German, or Chinese were helpful. Maybe Spanish."

She didn't comment on the chores thing; It was really up to Yori if she felt it was a good use of her time or not.

"French is useful if you plan to travel to the Federated Suns. I have heard only negative descriptors for that state, but as the Combine's greatest enemy that is not surprising. German for the Lyrans....also only heard negative descriptors but more relating to incompetency. And then Chinese for the Capellans...I do not know why anyone would want to go there."

[John Slaktare]

"You would need to be aware to like em more though, right? I've prolly done most folks laundry at some point," he says with a shrug. "And most don't know and it don't really matter either. Just something that's happened."

"And English gets me by just fine for the most part. Never been anywhere that I couldn't find someone speaking it."

[Yoko Lee]

"It's less about me traveling places as people from other places traveling to where I am. Then again... I'm not even sure where I'm going, or where I want to be. I know where I DON'T want to be, but that's not really helpful for figuring out the inverse."

[Yori Hakamada]

"You would need to be aware to like em more though, right? I've prolly done most folks laundry at some point," he says with a shrug. "And most don't know and it don't really matter either. Just something that's happened."

"And English gets me by just fine for the most part. Never been anywhere that I couldn't find someone speaking it."

"Understood, now I like you approximately 3% more. It is good you informed me of your laundry duties as I had some unallocated positive emotions this week."
A last grunt before she sits up on the bench, wincing slightly
"I apologise for all the blood, tartar sauce and engine grease stains that one weak. There was an incident."

"It's less about me traveling places as people from other places traveling to where I am. Then again... I'm not even sure where I'm going, or where I want to be. I know where I DON'T want to be, but that's not really helpful for figuring out the inverse."

"I partially understand you. The Combine lays out a path for its citizens, once you step off that path there are infinite choices. But also infinite dangers, and you cannot go back. I found a new path easily, but there is no need to rush. Unless your goal requires a certain youthfulness."
Staring at Yoko
"In which case every second that passes is a second that can never truly be recovered, a life slowly ebbing away. But that is unlikely to be the case."

[John Slaktare]

Lawrence begins his next set, his eyes opening a bit in surprise at the shift to talking about Yoko's age.

Butcher take a short drink break.

"I mean, I don't think that's actually an issue at all for her if it's the case," he replies, looking at Yoko. Looks Much younger than me, and regular fitness keeps a young healthy appearance."

Looking to Yori. "And don't worry about stuff that needs to be cleaned. Don't matter what it is or why it's there. Just matters that the stains come out. So the combine assogns jobs then? Really?"

[Yoko Lee]

"It's not so much... about assigning a job... as having a career path. You're expected to choose something and train and stick with it, to be a... contributing member of society. Loyalty to your career and hard work... they're a pillar of society and seen as... something that helps the Combine be more productive, less crime ridden, and... more happy than other places."

A grunt as Yoko slowed down the treadmill a bit; It'd been going fast and was at a steep enough angle she was working up a sweat, and it was making it hard to talk.

"Like Miss Yakamada said though, once you start looking out for yourself first and go off the beaten path... it's hard if not impossible to get back on. There are ways you can make it work, but I'm long past that. Even... even if it means never seeing my family again, I am not going back."

[Yori Hakamada]

Snip

"Hmmm, I am terrible at estimating ages, but I can confidently state that Miss Lee is between 16 and 64."

Snip

Yori nods at the explanation
"It makes for an efficient society, but no system is foolproof. I am told other states have more freedoms but less security. But most of my experience of other nations has been invading them, so I have often missed out on the intricacies of local culture."

Looking between the two
"Maybe it is something that can be rectified on our next assignment?"

[John Slaktare]

Lawrence finishes up his set making room for John.

"I mean, if you're curious about Rasalhague stuff you don't need to wait that long. I can talk you through some of it. Probably not a whole lot, but some culture stuff. I did grow up on New Bergen," Butcher explained.

"Can you at least get in contact with family? Or do they cut you off when you leave? And I can understand having work focus, but to be pushed to it by the government sounds bad to me."

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko nods to Yori's suggestion, "That's definitely something I'd be up to myself. Stories and lessons are good and all, but they're no substitute for first hand experience I think. As to the family... it's a bit complicated."

[Yori Hakamada]

Snip

"Interesting. Question 1, how would you respond if you were invaded by the Lyrans in association with a mercenary company?"
Pause
"Asking for a friend.

Yoko nods to Yori's suggestion, "That's definitely something I'd be up to myself. Stories and lessons are good and all, but they're no substitute for first hand experience I think. As to the family... it's a bit complicated."

"I am always interested in hearing about people's troubled families. But they only rarely share such information with me."

[John Slaktare]

"Probably see if the Combine would help. Supposed to be neutral between them right? So if one picks a fight, try and bring the other in," he says with a shrug.

"But military tactics ain't culture, so I don't know how they'll actually fight. And I learned in the arena from someone that learned in the arena. Got no clue how the warriors here will fight us."

He finishes his set and moves off the bench, cleaning it for Yori to go next.

Lawrence speaks up next as moves to take a drink. "Even families that get along are troubled by the merc and military lifestyles. Almost guaranteed someone in the company will understand where you're coming from."