Public Channel - Important Announcement

[cuckooed]

[The day after the Ringmaster's public address, the public channel comes alive again, this time with the voice of Koel Babic. Her voice is quiet, but firm.]

Good morning, everyone. This is Koel Babic, your Head Cook.

Starting tomorrow, the Warden and the Ringmaster has authorized an instructor to hold weekly basic training classes, after carnival hours. All employees will be required to attend the first meeting in order for the instructor to ascertain everyone's defensive and offensive capabilities; after this first meeting, only those who do not pass a preliminary assessment will need to attend.

Oh, and the Supervisors - myself included - will be more than willing to personally escort you to the meeting, should you somehow conveniently forget to attend. I simply recommend you don't inconvenience them. Absence based on injury or illness will be accepted so long as our Doctor, Zecora, has confirmed its legitimacy, but you will be expected to attend the next meeting if that is the case.

[A brief pause.]

That is all.

Comments

[pipers_son]

"All employees" meanin' us other supervisors too, eh, Koel?

[cuckooed]

It would be helpful for Supervisors to attend, yes. I do apologize, dear, but you know why this needs to be done.

[pipers_son]

Well, gotta be good role models for my performers, don't I? Just be gentle on me, I'm ~delicate~.

[Also tired. Mostly tired.]

[toogoodtoopure]

A-ah, defensive and offensive...?

[He stutters a bit before falling a little silent, and then speaks in a softer manner.]

I...don't really like violence...

[cuckooed]

That is correct.

[A small pause.]

I'm afraid you'll need to trade your pacifism for pragmatism. In any case, its important you learn to defend yourself in a scenario where negotiation is not an option.

[cuckooed]

Oh, you poor thing.

[Geez, Joker, get some sleep. She can hear the exhaustion in your voice.]

You should try and get some sleep before someone unceremoniously pummels your face, then!

[Naw, she won't do that, you know she won't.]

[pipers_son]

Y'know what they say- no rest for the wicked!

[This is a lie, he's falling unconscious as soon as he even gets near a bed.]

I'll just have ta take my beatin's as they come~. But that reminds me, while we're talkin' about this sorta thing, mind if I pop inta the kitchens for a tic and get yer thoughts on somethin'?

[toogoodtoopure]

[Negotiation or dueling, he thinks to himself before sighing.]

I understand. I guess it's a bit too naive to hope that kind of thing doesn't happen.

[cuckooed]

Of course. I'll be here.

[With the smell of something delicious in the air. It is getting close to lunch, after all.]

[cuckooed]

A little bit.

[She hates having kids get involved, but this is too important to ignore.]

[pipers_son]

Great~! I'll be over in a bit, then.

[And sure enough, soon there's a familiar redhead poking inside the doors of the kitchen, long ears twitching.]

[cuckooed]

[The smell of chestnuts fills the air as Koel stirs a large soup pot. Looking up, she gives a concerned smile.]

Hello, dear.

[fragileandsoft]

Wait--

What're we training in?

[cuckooed]

Basic offense and defense.

[fragileandsoft]

Like... fighting?

[ BOY HOWDY HE WAS HOPING IT WOULDN'T COME TO THIS ]

[cuckooed]

Yes. You'll be learning basic skills everyone in the carnival should have.

[And should have had, for the Agents, quite honestly.]

[toogoodtoopure]

I'll be there, in any case. I should've learned something before now since I got picked on a lot anyway.

[And if it happens again, he wants to be able to help.]

[cuckooed]

Good.

[fhwifhe oh no kid]

I'm glad you at least understand the importance of this.

[fragileandsoft]

But--

[ Except, there's no good protest. The fights have come to him more than once. ]

Is... is it really going to be like this...?

[toogoodtoopure]

If I can protect what's important to me, that's all that matters.

[LOOK he always had Jounouchi and Honda there to throw punches for him. Speaking of which...]

I'm...guessing it's going to be a bit different from street fighting.

[cuckooed]

There are a lot of things about the carnival that those like you who have just arrived, aren't aware of. Of course the intention isn't that we go and fight everywhere we go with hostile outsiders, but...

[She stops herself. Clearly there's more to it. Its not prudent to say it on the radio like this.]

It's better to be prepared than not to be.

[cuckooed]

The instructor will no doubt expect a more disciplined approach. Not everything can be punched and kicked, after all.

[fragileandsoft]

Mmh.

[ His reluctance is palpable. But he can't deny it by now. ]

I'm not the quickest study... but... I'll be there. [ By requirement. ]

[toogoodtoopure]

Ah, I kinda figured. But then does that mean there's going to be magic involved?

[cuckooed]

No. Not currently. In the future, possibly.