Climbing the Outside of a Very Tall Tower with Jackie

Maybe. Jackie never really bothered asking if that woman knew all the buzzwords and silly phrases to 'be hip and cool with the kids'. She pretty much figured it was just how quirky she was. Not to mention, they only recently met each other. Relatively speaking. Welp, it was worth at least asking. Just in case it was just some weird word she hadn't been inoculated to.

"I mean... Yeah? But it's a thing you kinda push on yourself. Don't think I'd ever shove responsibility off on one of the others just because they are 'guardians' too. We just wanna get stronger, grow, and make sure our homes don't get absolutely wrecked."
She wondered how many times she'd have to say that to get it to stick. Just how 'OBLIGATED' was the sun monk? It had to go past the knee-jerk reaction to the uncontrolled power and willpower those with strength possessed over the powerless... yeah? She'd seen enough of her own destruction to know what that feeling of being too weak to help felt like. She didn't want others to feel that way either.

But that was a hard sell for others to grasp. If she just was open with her experiences. The best she does it explain how she's witnessed aliens just run rampant...

"But, like I already told ya. I ain't here to force nothin' on ya. Ultimately, you could use this training for yourself or never at all. I'm just here to facilitate. And you said yourself you were trying to break that ceiling of yours... Yeah?~"
The sun monk pats the girl on the back, watching her climb accelerate. She had no doubt in her mind she wasn't going to have too much trouble clearing the rest of it. What, being able to talk and keep an incredible pace.

"You're doin' well, cupcake. Heck, I'm gettin' tired just watchin' ya go!"
The giggling made the teasing obvious. Oh well, it was fun. She didn't get to mess around with someone like this often.

---

WC: 342
TWC: 2871

Now, that was an image Jackie probably didn't mind. As corny of a tease it was. She just laughs it off though, butting her head into the back of Zuki's as the hybrid started feeling the wear of her muscles.

"You promise? I'll only need the one ride if you're offerin' that, hun."
Past the snickering, she just stays latched onto this close for a moment. Letting off a sigh of relief at the small moments like this. Yeah, it was definitely nice having someone so unabashedly a punk with heart. Was a nice foil to the usually nice and polite life the monk had continued having in her relationships up to that point. It kind of... reminded her how it felt to have a family. In one form or another. Even someone like Fend, as kind as she was, couldn't offer the kind of light banter you'd expect from people close. Might have something to do with the weird buzzwords she likes using? She doesn't ask people about how socialized they are, hah.

"Well, I have faith in ya. I already see improvements with each little inch ya make up this pole. And whatever plans you have to use that newfound strength, just hope are well-meaning. Or at least not destructive. Especially to yourself."
She straightened back up on her back some for a moment, looking up into the skies again. Just how long have they been going at it again?

"Afraid too many people tangle themselves up in wanderlust for power. Not only becoming a threat to others but themselves. It just gets into their heads. And it's necessarily ever their fault either. Earthling Society, for its many flaws, is fortunate enough to not have any overbearing and self-destructive cultural cues. I hear a lot of bad stuff from around the galaxy, a lot of expectations from people. Think you mentioned one of your mothers at one point coming from such a place?"
If there was one good thing about this backwater planet, it was at least accommodating to people who didn't want war, to fight, to conquer. And that was the real reason. One of a few, in fact... That Jackie ever considered taking something like this line of work up. People shouldn't HAVE to train and compete for raw power just to ensure their families and friends live happy lives. It wasn't everyone's burden.

---

WC: 402
TWC: 3273

Jackie swears she's probably read a book somewhere that was like that. Nearly exactly followed the 'two nations two lovers' sort of Schtick. Might have helped if one was from the other side in the tuffles, but eh. Them both being alive, healthy, and happy proved her point. And it seems Azuki couldn't argue past it. They were exceptions to their societies though. Earth, for the most part, is majority peaceful and mundane in living their lives.

"Say. That's a good idea. 'Magic' water, that can like, keep you hydrated or somethin'. That sounds like a pretty good reward!"
She kids, but that's literally how it was when SHE went up. That Fend was as the ready with waters and towels. Crazily enough, she doesn't think anyone's been up there for any 'magic water'. Her own rumors of the place never made mention of a reward incentive beyond progress anyways. ANd in a meta sense, every rung did increase the hybrid's power.

"And, ya never know. Some of the baddest dudes in the movies were buddy buddy with nice people at one point. But that requires some sorta intent still. I don't think you intend to do anything to harm little o' me's feelings. Right?~"
She mocked some with a chuckle.

"We don't gotta worry about that though. Other than the random alien that seems to screw with people Earth seems to be relatively peaceful. Just requires someone like me or you to be ready for anything. We aren't fightin' a war or living on a dangerous planet. Not only that, we've got each other. And the group. And others who are more or less willing to help in the time of need."

---

WC: 287
TWC: 3560

It was good. Azuki not being 'needed' was more strength to further bolster the idea they were doing well rather than any bismerchment of her skill and strength though. And Jackie's made it clear before she doesn't wanna rely on political peace and strongarming coming from aliens. As well-intentioned as they may be. Azuki's attitude here was exactly what she expected though, and it'd only get another giggle out of her.

"Oh, absolutely. If I found out too, I'd have to do the face kicking personally. Or feel obligated to. But that's beside the point. I want us all to be ready, and overpreparing is much safer."
Fend was good people. Even if they had to train in a rather improvised manner compared to what Jackie usually did. Which, speaking of, Jackie really doesn't train people in the Sun Monk ways. Not unless they were bringing it up. So far no one has. Not that the young flame would go so far as to force learning of sun techniques on people. The discipline and basics were much more important.

"You know what does hurt my feelings though? You thinkin' just anyone could take you out if you went sour! Come on, don't sell yourself short. You're doin' extra here, and you certainly laid me out a few times when we met! Don't think I know many people who could."

---

WC: 233
TWC: 3793

Took Jackie a moment to even get what Azuki meant by 'supercharge technique'. She realizes she's never really told anyone outside those learning her school the actual names of her moves. She's not some asshat who literally shouts the names of her moves like it were some cartoon. Strangely enough, this wasn't the first meta thing she had to think about on their approach to the tower. Riiight. The Star Burst technique was rather volatile, and honestly, Jackie shouldn't be using it as much as she does. It tires her out real quick.

It was one of the few edges she had on aliens, who had better ways of expelling their ki. She would really wish the young hybrid stopped deflecting her compliments so wildly. Just how much of a chip did this girl have on her shoulders to keep insisting her strength was nil? Jackie was one of the very few extraordinary people, even less who were humble, and considers her growth nothing more than disciplined training.

"Close? Kinda!"
Jackie would look up. At their pace, they indeed were encroaching on the upper rungs of the big tower. Evident by the clouds starting to thicken and blot out the final bits of the top. It was what signified their approach. Breaking past this would show them the underside of Korin, and the strange entrances they'd have to maneuver to get into the tower's base.

"And, it depends. We'll cool off a bit and relax. probably fix somethin' to eat. And if you still feel up to it, we could also do a bit of light training. Could show ya a thing or two rather easily with this obstacle out of the way."
She was so sure that fatigue wouldn't suddenly set in on the lass that she already considered this task passed. It'd just take them a bit longer to push Azuki past the awkward angles of the last meters of the tower and jump into the holes that awaited!

"Oh, and don't worry if you sense anyone else up there other than the aforementioned Fend. There's a few other visitors they usually get up here."

---

WC: 361
TWC: 4154

Jackie could only laugh a little. Yes. Yes, that's exactly what they did to stock up on the tower. Though that seemed a lot more on Fend's side of the board in terms of who dealt with it. That and she knew the place longer and the usual schedule on when things ran out around there. It was just a fridge after all.

"Oh, I thought I mentioned... Fend has her own students who come on by. Might just see them up there. Outside that, yes, there are a few people who bump into the tower by coincidence. We don't push them off or nothin' if they are just wandering around. Most are just a bit lost. It's actually kinda hard to accidentally run into anyways. Earth's a lot bigger than that pole stickin' out of the ground."
She brushed off some of the questionings with quick and snappy answers. Hopefully, it wouldn't upset the big gal if a few others were around to revel in their victory. At what slim chance there was of that. With the end in sight too, there was little chance of anyone else popping up now without her knowing anyways.

"Our little date here's coming to an end! I'm so sad I can't continue being a pest, a literal weight on your shoulders!"
She'd fake a please, adjusting back with her arms under Azuki's own to keep a grip on her. Now just looking up and watching the holes up from under the lookout get wider and wider.

"When ya jump... Remember who's on your back please!"

---

EXIT?
WC: 267
TWC: 4421