Übung Hofball (Pz Voraus, CLOSED)

by **Austria-Bohemia-Hungary** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:29 pm

Truppenübungsplatz Zhukov III., Mess Hall - Pannonian Plains, the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen

Late summer on the Pannonian Plains didn't entail that much of rain compared to places closer to oceanic currents, instead even in early September the sun shined and clouds were few and far between. It was in such pleasant weather several foreign contingents of tankery teams arrived on Imperial and Royal Air Arm Station Budapest-Palatin. They were here for this year's international tankery tournament, and they certainly didn't travel light to the Monarchy.
From Budapest onward it was with specially chartered train to Field Manoeuvre Base Zhukov III., in the middle of the Pannonian Plains. Here in the barrack-complexes of k.u. Guards Fighter Regiment „Freiin Tóth von Nagyág” Nr. 81 Team „Wellesley” of Royal Britannia College, Vienna and the Command Staff of Zhukov III. welcomed them.

Tatiana "Tate" Mary Catherine Newbury, commanding officer of Team „Wellesley” had settled down with the WITCH-K cadets along with her team in late August, now she was anxious to know how the other teams were finding their lodgings. On their schedules today they were supposed to attend what was termed as a safety briefing for team and tank commanders in the main Aula at 0800 hours exactly, which is why of course Tate and her fellow tankers found themselves in the mess hall at 0700 hoping to catch someone to share tea and conversation with, especially those Wolfens and Minrozians who seemed extra interesting in her opinion.
Which is why Tate and her gunner, Valeria von Diefenbach settled down with the Steel Wolves this breakfast with a simple "Good morning." and two cups of Lady Greys while Lewinski and Nugent, her loader and driver each settled down with the Karls and the Wolfeners.

On the other side of the Base Generalmajor Alexander Gebhard Freiherr von Lewinski and staff was stepping briskly with their breakfasts in hand towards their map room, as the final precautions before the entire machinery all went into action von Lewinski and his Base Staff, including the Commanding Officers of k.k. Garde-Grenadier-Regiment zu Pferde Nr. 1, königlich galizisches Towarczys-Leibgarde, k.u. Leibgarde and the Group Captain of Colonel's Group, Guards Strike Regiment „de Hemricourt de Grunne” Nr. 24 went through their maps and plans one last time and prepared the final briefing.

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 11:04 pm

Truppenübungsplatz Zhukov III.
Aula, Pannonian Plains, Kingdom of Hungary

Tankery in the Empire of Wolfenium was a relatively new club, and one entirely introduced by recent immigrants from abroad. A nation that had always tethered on the edge of military conflict, most locals do not find the trivialization amusing. Nonetheless, Ingersleben Academy, one of the armed forces' key military institutions for learning and training of officers, adopted it on request anyway, but most of the members of the Tankery club were not there for play. They were readying themselves for battle, cautious about a ceasefire that failed to put an end to the war.

Seated at a corner of the mess hall, it felt as if the members of the Eisenjäger were deliberately avoiding the others. For a pack of unrestrained charges of estrogen, they all looked very subdued in their grey military uniforms. However, it was not just manic paranoia that was pulling them into seclusion. Most of the crews of the team were still very livid over the appointment of the platoon commander, even those from the command tank. Sitting among the chatting crowds, at least one girl was still very vocal about it. She had reason to be - she was supposed to be in that command tank.

"Why do I have to join 'Princess Perfect' in looking pretty out on the field," the brown-haired tanker growled as she stabbed her fork into a breakfast sausage, "I'd rather be on the Alya's team than anyone! And why is she the platoon commander instead of her!? It's unfair!"

Sitting opposite the noisy tanker, a long-haired girl quitely read her book as she appeared oblivious to her friend's rant. Giving a quick glance, she explained, "because Miss Farasha is already too qualified to be given the position of platoon commander, Ehrhardt. She is the student council president, after all."

"Then what about that 'princess' then," snapped the girl, punching her table as she made a din, "isn't she even more overqualified!? Rifle club, fencing club, etc... Hell, she even served as Student Council President five years in a row before Alya whipped her ass and took that position! I hate that woman, you know that! And everyone in the team does as well, Adi!"

"I don't hate her," the quiet reader answered in a curt tone, "I'd say she's just as suited for the job."

Pouting at her friend's indifference, Heike Ehrhardt did not take her words well. After all, it was not as if her friend ever has any strong opinions of anyone, even the infamous 'Princess' Rhein."

"Unfortunately," the bookworm added, "positions in the uniformed groups are determined by appointment, not by vote. As much as Miss Farasha is well suited for the task, the higher-ups decided to select Miss Rhein for the job. We should respect that decision regardless. It's not like we can mutiny and change that-"

"Of course we're going to mutiny," Heike insisted, "that bitch doesn't know how to fight! She just sends everyone to get killed and wipe out the opposition by herself! And she's nothing but a slave driver! A hideous excuse for a commander! She only got that position because her father served in the war!"

"That's not true..." a softspoken voice declared, "Cecil just made it on her own terms. There's no shame in that."

Holding her tray in front of the two as she heard their conversion, the young blonde standing before them had reason to feel discomforted. True, they were not the first to throw personal attacks at Cecilia, but this was as bad a time as any. They needed to work together at this opportunity, and this was not a sign of unity.

"Shut up, Gloria," Heike barked, standing up from her seat to face her, "if I hadn't been your friend, I'd hit you already! Don't you find yourself trailing behind that bitch like a dog!? It's degrading!"

Putting up an uneasy smile, Gloria was not sure how to correct that. While she was willing to admit how unreasonable Cecilia could be, she never doubted her goodwill for once. Sadly, her goodwill tended to be very unwelcome and poorly conceived. It was one of the many reasons she eventually lost her post of Student Council President. Pausing, Gloria was hesitant to answer at all. With eyes slowly shifting at her, there was reason to feel awkward.

"Now, now," a fourth, delicate voice interrupted, "let's not turn divisive here. It's not good for morale, I'd say."

Stepping in with a commander uniform was a raven-haired girl with delicate hazel eyes, a gentle face with a glare that could both melt and pierce hearts. Her oriental features differed in contrast to the Caucasian classmates, a trait which she valued very well. With glowering admiration being showered on her, the girl merely gave a fleeting acknowledgement. After all, she did not want the team to degenerate into factionalism because of her.

"I'm sure the commanders have good reason to select Lieutenant Rhein as the platoon commander," Alya Al-Farasha assured them, "there's no point in disputing that. Besides, I myself have to follow up on my duties as President. I feel I might not have the energy to focus on the matches entirely."

"There's no need to defend that cretin, Aly-I mean... Farasha," Heike insisted, pausing a moment to correct the name-calling, "you've far more capable than that 'Princess Perfect'. I mean, you're from a family of knights, too, aren't you?"

"Furusiyya, actually," Alya replied, "but I get your point. Still, bloodlines have no practical use in society. I didn't get to where I am today believing talent is inheritable."

"And that's why you're different from her," Heike insisted, "you don't pretend to be better than everyone! Cecilia von Rhein is nothing but a piss-ass aristocrat who believes it's her divine right to lead people! She tramples on us like pavement preaching about how it's her 'duty' to find 'happiness' for us! I'll make it clear to her right now! We're! Not! Happy!"

"You can't be serious!?"

As if out of nowhere, Cecilia's face popped up right in front of Heike, kneeling with her hands clasped together and eyes glowering as she bemoaned over her teammate's trouble. Most of the team literally cried in horror over the sudden apparition, as if she was a master aether mage. That, of course, would not be beyond someone of her ability. She already mastered the basic four elemental magic as well as hybrid magic. It was not beyond the minds of the stunned platoon that she could use aether magic as well. Falling back on her seat, Heike's face was twisting between outrage and horror. She had no idea how Cecilia could appear so quickly, and without anyone noticing.

"G-Get out of my face, you freak," she growled in abject shock, "I don't need you to help me!"

"But I heard you and the others were unhappy with my performance, Heike," Cecilia begged, "is there anything I need to improve on!? I know you and most of the team don't trust me, but I swear I'll get us the winner's trophy! You don't have to worry! I-"

"It's not your ability that's the problem, Rhein," Alya interceded with a serious tone, "it's your attitude. I know you're trying to be the best for everyone, and I can see that. The problem is, the team is starting to feel discontent over your egotism. They think you're belittling them by treating them like helpless infants. Miss Ehrhardt even threatened mutiny against you. In any case, don't mind too much about it. This competition will be over before you know it."

"A-Attitude," blurted Cecilia blankly, "why would that be a problem? I've never been nasty to any of them. What makes you so sure, Farasha?"

Keeping silent, Alya was not sure how to put it across. It did not seem like Cecilia understood at all how her friends view her. A troubling aspect of her, to say the least. Shaking her head, she simply dismissed, "never mind. It's not important. Just do your job and we'll get through just fine. Don't mind the small talk for now."

Bowing her head, Cecilia had no idea what to make of Alya's words. She could sense that people had been unhappy with her of late, but it was not as if she had done anything offensive to them. She had been a good student council president, and she had been very active in her work. It never occurred to her that people had become sick of her superiority complex, however benign she made it out to be. Somehow, losing to Alya for the presidency had not made her reflect one bit.

"N-Nothing to worry about, Cecil," Gloria quickly called on her, settling Cecilia on a seat beside herself as she tried to put herself between the commander and the rest of the team, "like Miss Farasha said, it's not important. We should focus on the competition. Isn't that what matters? Come now, cheer up. Nothing to be worried of."

"M... Mmm..." the worried commander merely mused, forcing a small smile as she tried not to look depressed. She did not know where her mistake laid, given that she never once treated her friends and schoolmates badly. Sadly, her problem did lay in her lack of perspective, unable to see how her friends felt about her domineering sense of responsibility. Perhaps the competition might teach her a thing or two about empathy. That was... if she could...

by **Minroz** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 1:01 am

The Steel Wolves team, proud representatives of the Zhongyang Imperial Military Academy and their beloved motherland. Donned in their olive-green uniforms, they chatted amongst each other like any teenage schoolgirls, whether the topic is about their fashion, food, boys, etc. Of course, they’re speaking in their native tongues. So far, they’re adjusted quite well, making their stay in HRE. But…not all of them are happy.

[“This is ridiculous. This is absurd. This is ludicrous. This is insane. This is sooo outrageous!”] Su Xiaolian complained. Sitting at the head of table herself, she was flanked by her best friends and subordinates. Each of them are having a weird breakfast assortment of eggs, toast, rice and mixed vegetables with Japanese green tea as a drink. Lei Baoyi the gunner, sitting on the right side while Sonya Mikhailevna Orlova the driver. Even though their CO and best friend was madly complaining about having to stay in the ‘inferior, foreign’ country, they looked like they’re pretty much amused by her rantings.

[“Oh c’mon, it couldn’t be that bad.”] Baoyi quips as she gulped some rice. [“Look on the bright side, at least we get to do some intercultural experience with the foreigners.”]

She points out to the other tank teams. Tankery is nothing new in Minroz, ever since Emperor Altanmurr’s national reformation, he made Tankery as part of the school curriculums in the attempt to encourage more volunteers to join the military and to prepare for war. It worked for most part, but it unfortunately drew criticisms and protests from the anti-war parties in the Qing Empire. Even though tankery is scaled back and confined to Military schools, academies and specialised Educational institutions, its popularity with the Imperial society remained. And that including youngsters who wanted to play virtual war games with of course supervised adult handlers.

[“That’s right.”] Sonya chirps in. [“Remember back at the academy, the instructors always told us that it’s important to learn from the foreigner’s perspectives. Staying here is one of it. Well, we’re going to be future officers in the Celestial Army, you know.”]

[“It’s not the same!”] Xiaolian whines, her voice is loud enough in the room. [“Ye gods, are you telling me to stay calm! Stay calm! I AM CALM FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!”]

She chugs in her tea and breathes out like drunkard after the gulp of beer. [“Bah! How can I!? how can we know if our loved ones are alright back home. What about Wuji, Ludi and Taras, didn’t you forget! How can we know they survived!? ”] She nearly sobbed at the end of her sentences before gulping down her food.

[“Hick! Why am I telling you this!?~”] She whined again in the dramatic manner.

Her best friends sigh at the whinging seventeen year old. For a drama queen like Xiaolian, it’ll take a while for her to adjust in this new land. Especially having to make tearful goodbyes to her loved ones, back home - her father, her mother, her cousins, her little brother and her boyfriend Meng Wuji, who is the NCO in the Imperial Army. Not to mention, her cousins’ and Wuji’s Regiment are going to be sent to Zaida, one of the Empire’s hotspot of conflicts as reinforcements for the beleaguered Occupation Forces, didn’t help soothe her worries.

Baoyi and Sonya don’t blame her it. They can relate in some other way. Sonya too has a boyfriend in the Army and she’s definitely worried about him. His Division is also going to Zaida tomorrow.

[“Oh my poor Taras…”] Sonya utters, praying to the heavens for her boyfriend’s survival. She crossed then herself in the Orthodox Christian way, hoping her prayers are answered.

As for Baoyi, she had her eighteen-year-old brother, Ludi who is the mere trooper, stationed in Zaida. Indeed she is worried for him. Not only that, she used to be in the Minrozian army as a simple tanker two years ago. Baoyi was honourably discharged after having PTSD issue in Khaydaristan, after surviving the Insurgent ambush which decimated the third of her entire company. Luckily she had gotten over it. Out of all the Steel Wolves, she’s the most matured and experienced in the team – befitting of the veteran who survived in the real battle. She’s the real friendly and happy-go-lucky individual and the Steel Wolves thought of her as the wise big sister. But they especially Xiaolian and Sonya are pretty concerned about her well-being. They suspected her cheerfulness is just the façade to hide her haunted past. Why Baoyi was enrolled in the Military Academy is the mystery except she wanted to help her younger friends graduated with her military experience. Also, she felt civilian life is not for her.

[“Aiya~ Look, I swear to the Great Ten, we’re trainees, not part in the army yet. There’s nothing we can do about them. All we can do is pray that they survived.”] Baoyi reasoned. [“Remember, we’re not here to make war. Rather, we play for fun. Besides my lil Ludi is the tough guy, he’ll definitely survive. That goes for Taras and your Wuji, yes.”] She winked.

[“That’s right!”] Sonya agreed, clasping her hands.

[“Oh thanks for cheering me up, I feel better already.”] Xiaolian said sarcastically.

[“Haha! That’s more like it!”] Baoyi joked as she patted her grey-haired friend on the shoulder, while Sonya is giggling at the display. The trio may resemble like a motley group but their unity and cooperation are as deep as their sisterly friendship. As for the boys they cared for, the girls are pretty much confident and prayed they’ll get to see them in one piece upon their return.

Austria-Bohemia-Hungary wrote: Which is why Tate and her gunner, Valeria von Diefenbach settled down with the Steel Wolves this breakfast with a simple "Good morning." and two cups of Lady Greys while Lewinski and Nugent, her loader and driver each settled down with the Karls and the Wolfeners.

“Morning, pinkskins.” Xiaolian replied rudely before sipping her green tea.

“Good morning.” Baoyi and Sonya greeted with the warm smiles, ignoring Xiaolian’s rudeness.

“Hello sister, how are you been doing?” The blonde Minrozian said in her Russian-accented English.

“Please excuse my CO. She’s grumpy that I woke her up very early.” Baoyi covering for Xiaolian. The Steel Wolves' commander grumbled as she focused back to eating her breakfast.

*Note that in the brackets, they’re speaking Chinese.

by **Austria-Bohemia-Hungary** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 6:28 pm

Georgina Rose Gräfin Nugent von Westmeath had an interesting enough morning already, having broken up a heated battle with pillows amongst their group of second years in their dormitories at half past six, that directly after attending the customary morning briefing of the senior prefects of Britannia College. Such incidents would've usually gone before the Head Girl or any of their Heads of Houses but in the absence of both it fell to the senior prefect present. Awkwardly that was Georgina Nugent, the oldest and therefore most senior seventh year prefect in their entire tankery team.
With an amused sigh Georgie noted down a case of disorderly conduct and gave the poor second years involved detention, to be served with their prefect later today.

Her face still etched with amusement at the juniors' silly antics Georgie picked up her breakfast tray in the mess hall and as agreed at this morning's briefing she moved to the Wolfener table to give them the customary welcomes from the host school. What she didn't expect was the tense atmosphere at the table and the sudden appearance of their team commander in the middle of everything. Strange as it was for Georgie, this was still a base where two WITCH-K regiments were quartered at and magic was no stranger to her. What surprised her was the use of magic despite the Head Girl stressing the fact in her welcoming letter that magic was not allowed outside of the classroom or permitted areas, other than in an emergency of course, this situation seemed not to be any of that sort.

Stepping forwards, Georgie cleared her throat and introduced herself to Alya Al-Farasha and... Cecilia von Rhein wasn't it? Georgie wasn't so sure but then she didn't have the memo with her, what she was certain on was that the more lady-like one of them with black hair was the Wolfener's equivalent of Head Girl.
"Good morning, Miss Al-Farasha, Miss von Rhein, Eisenjägers. Georgina Nugent. It's my pleasure to meet you."

On the other side of the mess hall, Tate and Diefenbach was just settling in with the Minrozians.
"It's fine, I gather she's not accustomed to be up this early? Tatiana Newbury, but please call me just Tate, it's a pleasure to meet. I hope you all got the memos, I'm just beginning to learn all the names. They'll be expecting us in the Aula in one hour for the preliminary stuff."

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 11:51 pm

Austria-Bohemia-Hungary wrote:Stepping forwards, Georgie cleared her throat and introduced herself to Alya Al-Farasha and... Cecilia von Rhein wasn't it? Georgie wasn't so sure but then she didn't have the memo with her, what she was certain on was that the more lady-like one of them with black hair was the Wolfener's equivalent of Head Girl.
"Good morning, Miss Al-Farasha, Miss von Rhein, Eisenjägers. Georgina Nugent. It's my pleasure to meet you."

Silence hit the ranks of the Wolfen girls as Georgie greeted the crew. It was like a plague had swept in front of them, and they were not exactly kind to her appearance. To put it in short, they were like Prussians, stringent, pragmatic and utterly humourless. That fact was not lost to the two commanders, as Rhein quickly stepped in to speak for them. Unwilling to set a bad example, she greeted, "the pleasure is ours, thank you very much. But I can't help but notice - how did you know our names?"

"They have the memos on the other teams, remember," Alya reminded her, "I thought you said you memorized them at the back of your head."

"Oh, ya..." Cecilia recalled, blinking a bit in realization, "I just happened to recall right now. But never mind that, what can I do for you, Miss Westmeath?"

Übung Hofball (Pz Voraus, CLOSED)

Übung Hofball (Pz Voraus, CLOSED)

Who is online