Four Knives

[prettyknives]

[knowing she won't get any straight answers by speaking, Clove decides to write instead. No one knows her handwriting so even those warned about her may answer]

I was wondering what people can tell me about the Danger Room. I found it when I was exploring but it was locked. What's in there?

Comments

written forever

[prettyknives]

Why only them? Why can't everyone use it?

[ruined_jaw]

Because the type of training it offers is more than humans can handle. The Danger Room's something that comes from my world, and is designed specifically to do it's damnedest to kill you as efficiently as possible. Even a highly trained human working at olympic-level can be overwhelmed in just a few minutes. It's no place for someone without superhuman abilites.

[prettyknives]

Why don't you let the humans decide whether or not they can handle it? Who are you to decide what they can and can't handle?

[ruined_jaw]

Oi, don't get pissy with me, luv. I didn't install the locks, nor do I enforce them. If you think you're tough enough to handle it, I'll let ya into the Danger Room myself. All I ask is that you watch me train, first, so you can see what it's capable of. I could use the exercise.

[prettyknives]

[she considers this. She really wants to get back to training but she doesn't know this guy]

So if I don't watch you, I don't get a key?

[ruined_jaw]

Right. I've been training in the Danger Room on and off since I was 19, so I know what it's capable of. I'm in no danger unless I choose to put myself there. Same can't be said of someone who's never used it before. Simple as that. If you prove that you can handle yourself, I'll get ya a key.

By the by, my name's Jonothan Starsmore. You?

[prettyknives]

But that room was built here in Paradisa, wasn't it? So theoretically a lot of people wouldn't know how to use it. Do you make all of them watch you before giving them a key?

[ruined_jaw]

Nope. As I said, I'm not the one in charge of the thing, I'm just one of the people who uses it. Only reason I'm making you watch me first, is because I'm assuming you're human. Most of the others with access would probably deny you entry on that principle alone, but I know how tough normal humans can be when push comes to shove. If you think you're up to it after you see what the Danger Room is capable of, you're welcome to give it a try. Most people don't bother with the place at all, so it doesn't come up that often.

[prettyknives]

Well, of course most people don't bother with it if you keep it locked and don't offer the key. It sounds more like some exclusive thing than a training facility.

Where are people supposed to go to train if you don't let them in that room?

[ruined_jaw]

Fair point, but you have to remember that the Danger Room was designed with a specific purpose in mind. Wiser people than I put it under lock and key to prevent people from getting themselves hurt needlessly.

Oh I dunno, there's plenty of room in and around the castle. People can wish for what they need for the most part, and set things up to their liking. It's just that most don't take the initiative to do so. The shooting range is available too, if that's your thing.

[prettyknives]

Who are these wiser people? Can I talk to them?

I've been to the shooting range. I need more than target practice to keep my skills sharp.

[ruined_jaw]

Well, Clark's the first one that springs to mind. Clark Kent. He's one of the people who gives out keys.

Fair point. Only so much shooting at targets'll get you.

[prettyknives]

[Clark Kent. It figures; she was already told about that guy] Just how many keys are there?

[ruined_jaw]

Just a handful, as far as I know. I don't know who all has one any more, since a few of the people who did've gone home since then.

[prettyknives]

What happens to their keys when they leave? Seems like something you would keep track of, if the room is that dangerous.

[ruined_jaw]

As far as I know they disappear, along with everything else a person owns. When I came back a month ago, I had to get a new one to replace the one I had.

[prettyknives]

Okay. Now, tell me what kind of test I need to do so I can get a key.

[ruined_jaw]

Well, there's obviously the physical test, which I can give ya. See if you've got the stuff to survive a session in the Danger Room, but then there's the personality test, which Clark gives. He's the one who doles out access to the Danger Room, so if he doesn't think you're qualified, you'll have to convince someone else to let you in on their card.

[prettyknives]

What does your personality have to do with using a training room?

[ruined_jaw]

It's a matter of temperament. If you're responsible enough to use the Danger Room properly, and not for ends that'd put others in danger.

Where we come from, both Clark and I are considered "heroes" of a sort. We've proven to ourselves and our teammates that we have what it takes to use our abilities for the benefit of others. We use places like the Danger Room to keep our skills sharp to that end.

gdi lack of edit button

[prettyknives]

[and these people wonder why the "bad guys" constantly go after them]

And what exactly is your judge of heroism in this world? Because it seems to me that different worlds would have different ideas, and someone who is a "hero" in their own world may be a "villain" to you.

One of the few things LJ got right, lol

[ruined_jaw]

Fair point. With regards to where we are, I'd say a "hero" is someone willing to do what's necessary to keep everyone in the castle safe, powers or no. We're all stuck here together, so those of us who can do something to protect people, or change things around here should do so.

i can live without them

[prettyknives]

And you don't think that allowing people to expel their energy in a training room would be helpful?

[ruined_jaw]

Maybe, but there's a difference between taking out some frustration on a heavy bag, and having a hard light hologram of a giant killer robot shooting lasers at you with the intent to kill. The Danger Room isn't the place for people to let off steam.

[prettyknives]

Better than having them go after you, isn't it?