Posted by Cadet Sharah Fayth (Doctor) in Side-Sim: Learning Parkour

Posted by Cadet Ashlyn Trenton (Security Officer) in Side-Sim: Learning Parkour

Posted by Cadet Sharah Fayth (Doctor) in Side-Sim: Learning Parkour
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Trenton finished her shift two hours early with the Lieutenant’s permission, she had taken great lengths to convince him to let her do so. Volunteering to work extra hours with the reports and notifications so he could have some extra time to do other more enjoyable things for himself was the best way to achieve the time she needed to set up for her first gathering. She checked on the program that she had worked on with several others to make sure it was ready for use, then checked the new outfit she replicated and made for herself. Satisfied that everything was ready, she quickly changed and headed for the holodeck.

The holodeck usually doesn’t allow for long reservations unless you are holding a large social with the proper approval from someone in the command. Trenton had made huge strides toward overcoming her social hangups so with a few tweaks to the program to add a food and drink options along with a viewing room for light shows, she managed to get the Counselor to approve the extended reservation. Though the social aspect wasn’t the main focus of what she was doing, it was more likely to get more people interested if it were.

“Computer, load holodeck program Trenton Park 779.48 gamma” The computer beeped in acknowledgement and loaded the program which took a considerable amount of time due to the unusually large size of what was created and the rule bending elements included to provide the environment Trenton was after. Having spent hours pouring over the PaDDs that lead to this couldn’t prepare her for the work of art she witnessed upon entering. A city themed for a genre of stories that had fallen to a rather niche group and forgotten by most. The tall intimidating buildings, the stark contrast of the dark surfaces with vibrantly colored edges, the unique profiles of architecture lost to centuries or alien cultures. Everything had a soft edge to it, rounded corners, archways, even planters and plants lacked the usual sharp edges.

What got Trenton most excited was the look and feel of the practice area. Wide open and clearly marked, you can see balance points, jump points, and multiple signs with suggested stretches, safety warnings, and technique instructions. While she planned to teach most of this directly, it was still good to have the visuals for those that learn better that way. On top of that, there was a subtle glowing border around each area to represent skill levels. Novice being the lowest to the ground and safest to learn on, all the way to the dangerous rooftops of the skyscrapers, their building interiors, and tightropes between them. This place is a dream for the security cadet, a place to really let go of everything and just move.

Trenton’s outfit matched the theme of the holodeck city being dark in color but lit up with vibrant neon bands that give her an almost circuit-like feel. With her hair tied back, she was ready for her eager students to arrive.

Cadet Ashlyn Trenton, Security

Sharah was sure she would make an extreme fool of herself jumping around on buildings, no on the ground because she knew there was no way she was ready for Ashlyn was doing. But she arrived early because she hadn’t seen her friend before she got sick and wanted to support her in this project. This was a huge deal for Ashlyn and she was incredibly proud of her friend.
Walking into the holodeck, Sharah was struck by the design. It was architecturally beautiful and intimidating. “Whoa…this is…incredible Ashlyn.” She had made sure to wear the outfit Ashlyn had sent her specs for all those weeks ago.
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Trenton was focused on the color wheel option for the lighting on her clothes, flashing through a rainbow of colors until she settled on mint green. The color bleeds in across all the bands that outline the clothing making Trenton smile with approval. “Thanks, there were a lot of hours put into making this and I’m just hoping it doesn’t crash. Given the usual scene selection from the holodeck menu, not sure how many people will appreciate the Minimalist Cyberpunk Aesthetic but I like it. It’s equally peaceful and intimidating, dark while still being well lit, and mostly safe. For now, it’s just buildings and platforms to use with Parkour. I may add more to it later.”

Trenton turned her attention toward Sharah, the largest smile she’s had since the two met and a wave of genuine excitement. “The program is awesome, it comes with a follow assist in the play areas so you can still follow even if you lose track of me!” Trenton steps out into the ‘Novice’ play area that is lit up with gray lights, as she moves across the field, her footsteps also light up to show where she has been and linger for several steps. A quick handstand that goes a few paces before springing back onto her feet also shows handprints on the ground. “Pretty neat isn’t it?”

• Cadet Ashlyn Trenton

“That is really cool. Here on the ground I think I can keep up, but not up there,” she pointed up. “Wow, that is really intimidating.” She looked back at her friend, “You’re really excited about this. I’m glad. And I can’t wait to get started. Oh and we both know how clumsy I am, so I brought a medkit.” She laughed totally picking on herself. “I mean last time I fell and hit my head. I’m not planning on a repeat, but better safe.” She looked around again. “I don’t know about anyone else but I like the minimalism. It’s subdued and doesn’t distract from the purpose, the goal, of the program.” Despite her lack of experience and confidence, Sharah was excited to try the novice program. “Should I start stretching?”
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Trenton nodded softly, though she had hoped for a larger gathering, doing something with the reserved time was better than doing nothing. “By all means, let’s get limber!” With all the energy of a dance instructor, Trenton led Fayth through stretches and movements to help warm up the inexperienced cadet. Though there were a few small voices of doubt, they were easily overwhelmed by the voices that were running through the numbers and reviewing the instruction plan. That is when they’re not making comments about how Sharah looks in her outfit or having arguments about making things awkward. “I know last time we left off with jumping, then things got busy. Have you been practicing?”

• Cadet Ashlyn Trenton

“More people may show up, I’m just early. It will give me a chance to practice a little before everyone else.” Fayth started following Trenton through the stretches. Sharah bit back a grin at the thoughts she picked up from Ashlyn. Her friend was certainly unique. “Not really. I’ve been doing the stretches to keep limber, but I’ve been pulling extra shifts to catch up since I was released from sickbay. I haven’t had time to really practice.”
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Trenton moved with a practiced grace to make sure her body was more than ready to take falls and keep moving. The path of her glowing footfalls moved to a new point in the field. “So do you want to continue with jumping or practice falling first?” Trenton changed positions to better give examples to Sharah. “If we’re going to continue jumping, I’ll have you do hops and standing long jumps, then move into vaulting techniques. If we go into falling, I’ll teach you how to fall while minimizing how much you hurt yourself which in the long run is something you can make use of outside of Parkour.”

• Cadet Ashlyn Trenton

Sharah thought about it a moment. “I think learning the jumping will be more fun, but I might be safer if I learn to fall first.” From a medical stand point knowing how to fall correctly would help her in treating patients who often come in with athletic related injuries. “I don’t want to fall on purpose, but I’d rather know how to do it without getting hurt.”
Fayth followed Trenton over to the new area and took a deep breath imagining how sore she was going to be later.
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Trenton laughed and shook her head at the other cadet, clearly amused by her statement. “The irony is to learn how to fall correctly, you do have to fall on purpose. The key point is all in body position, you want to fall on your back, but not on the spine or shoulder. When landing on your feet, you want to bend your knees to minimize the impact. The same when catching yourself with your hands.” Trenton jumps up and flattens herself out to catch herself on her hands and toes, making sure to keep a balance to stop herself from bouncing off the floor. “It’s easy enough to practice on your own bed, softer too. You also want to create directional momentum of any kind so when you hit the ground you can roll out of the fall.” This time the cadet lurched backward, but the moment a part of her body hit the ground she rolled out of it to stand back up. “This becomes especially important to keep the momentum for long gap jumps. For example, when jumping from building to building.” Trenton gets a running start and launches into a long-standing jump, but when she lands on her feet she rolls forward and is back up into a run again. “The technique also works for low flat surfaces or crouching people.” Trenton double taps the ground with her foot to bring up some crates that she proceeds to demonstrate with. “Just remember, never go flat, ball up and keep moving. This is what they mean by roll with the punches.”

This time she stood next to Sharah, “So, to practice the roll, we’re going to crouch first, then we’ll place our hand out in front of us, rock ourselves forward into the roll. All the weight should hit the shoulder blade and back muscles.” Trenton demonstrates a few times. “Now you try.”

• Cadet Ashlyn Trenton