[OP: My First Story – King and Ashley]

Art of Mentorship! Kaset, Ayeva, Don't You Dare Show Mercy!

"29285929309962757Tw-"

"Oi! Ms. Ayeva!"

"…!"

Dina raised a brow at Ayeva's unusually-panicked response. The rattling-off of sequences didn't help her case, either.

"Al…right, I guess I'll start off with the numbers."

"It's nothing to worry about. I just like to recite pi when I'm bored."

"Pi, you say?" Dina playfully scratched her chin. "Y'know, where I come from, that's a rather effective way of relieving stress."

"Interesting."

"Mh-Hmm, quite! Though, for the life of me, I could never get behind the practice. Blasted number cost me a letter grade back in Junior High, after all. All it takes is a glance at that first three-point-one and all of a sudden, I'm fuming!"

"I see. Not easy for most to remember after about the 20th integer, after all."

"TWENTIETH? MATE, I THREW IN THE TOWEL AFTER I LEARNED THERE WERE MORE THAN FOUR!"

Ayeva began to hatch a smile.

"Regardless… You always partake in hobbies like these outside hospital?"

Ayeva began to retract a smile.

"I took a seat. That's all."

"I've never quite seen someone sweat such a gorgeous shade of lapis before."

"…"

"… I'd like to know who you're waiting for."

"… A hopeless, reckless moron."

"Kaset bloke?"

"… Kaset bloke."

"Well there's no need to worry. Seems like a tough-enough gent to take about anything."

"He's only human. When almost all of a human's abdominal vitals are spontaneously hit with enough blunt force to level a star, chances of a full recovery-"

Dina grabbed her borderline-nanny's shoulder.

"Anything."

Ayeva's eyes quivered. She spat a wobbling breath outward.

"Yes. Yes, you're right. You're definitely right. 100%."

Dina shined a reassuring grin.

"Still."

Her eyes suddenly slanted, a determined grimace overtaking her face.

"While I'm all for giving such a cherished friend some cheer in a time of need, that's not why I found you."

"And?"

"If anyone knows this, it's a nerd like you. Or tech guru like you – forgive me if I've gotten a tad too comfortable."

"Just give me the request."

"Weight Tuners. Got any around here?"

Ayeva squinted her eyes.

"Aw crud-See, it's this… room, I guess you'd call it, that amplifies gravitational pull within a certain radius, makes objects weigh more and such."

"'Weight Tuners.' That's a new one."

"What?"

Ayeva rebuttoned her indigo jacket and set back her raven, symmetrical pixie-cut hair.

"Follow me."

With that, the Semi-Demi-Sorta-Saiyan trailed her cybernetic caretaker.

"Side note," said Ayeva, "but when did you get so good at deduction?"

"Oh, that? Please, I'm quite mediocre as far as detective standards. Maybe... you're just a terrible liar?"

"WHAT-YOU-"

"Hn-hnnnn…"

"Huh… Touché."

"Yyyus!"

Time passed, space passed, and Ayeva eventually stopped at a metallic door. After a few… thousand… taps at a dizzying speed, each side of the door slammed backward.

"YIP-"

As did Dina, in response to the bang.

[BGM: Mabanua – Drive]

Inside, a giant metallic-blue cocoon awaited the pair. Square chutes of ambiguous purpose lined the walls and brick-red floor in a row pattern. A grid-like device somewhat protruded from the ceiling, its LED flare casting hard shadows over any-and-everything capable of producing one.

"Here," Ayeva bluntly announced. Dina wasn't listening, too captivated by the new surrounding she'd found herself within. Mouth agape, eyes wide, she looked like a kid in a candy shop.

"To think… we were just barely touching the surface…"

"Judging by that expression, I'd wager this is a bit different from a 'Weight Tuner?' "

Dina turned and frantically nodded.

"Dark, grey rooms. Mostly used for experimentation with inanimates and training for upper-echelon special forces, but my dad and the neighborhood pitched in and had one rigged up just for me. Not to say MINE didn't look superb, because it did, but… this is Caelum Civitatis levels of lavish!"

"I'll ask more later. In any case… in Conton City, we're big on simplification, ironically enough. It's a room that multiplies gravity. Therefore, it's a Gravity Room."

"Neat…"

"I personally prefer the name 'Gravity Chamber' but that hardly matters-because you can't hear me anymore because you're over there now. Great."

Like the aforementioned kid in the aforementioned candy shop, Dina had already begun to wonder around the room.

It was when she came dangerously close to the center console that Ayeva stepped in again.

"And THAT-" she hastily stated before blocking Dina's grubby little paws from the big red button, "leads me to my next question."

"just wanted to see what it felt like, jeez"

"I need to know how high you've gone before we begin."

Just like that, a pouty frown became a prideful grin.

"The average human stops at around 5 times Earth's gravity, but many a man has pushed themselves further through sheer hard work and determination. However…"

Cue a dramatic heel turn, inward point, raised chin, and… wind from who-knows-where…

"My world's record currently sits at a staggering 1000% of Earth's gravity! And that record holder… IS NONE OTHER THAN I, DINA SPAUK!"

"Noted."

"… eh?"

"Hmm?" Ayeva looked up. "I said 'noted.' That's all."

"You don't… sound impressed. At all."

"Should I be?"

Dina's eyes grew about 2 sizes.

"S…Should you not?"

"In any case, x10 is above-average for most Earthlings. If I want to reach a decent estimate of your work level, though, I'll need to test you. Can you handle an instantaneous 10G shift?"

"Mh!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yuh-huh!"

"Not a single doubt? Absolutely certain? No regrets whatsoe-"

"Quit with the blasted padding, please!"

Ayeva gave one last lingering, dead-eyed stare at Dina before leaving behind a glossy, glass-like wall.

"3…."

"Times-10 wasn't even enough to raise a brow… damn it!"

"2…"

"Which means Kora's probably far ahead of that, too… damn it!"

"1…"

"It took me months just to get to 10, how could I possibly… NO. NONE OF THAT. NO MATTER WHAT, I'LL MAKE THE TRIP. I'LL SHOW THAT STUPID TWIT FOR MOCKING ME! DEFINITELY!"

"Mark."

"I'LL DO IT! I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO-"

For a brief moment, Dina's face literally bounced off the floor.

[ BGM: Yusuke Honma – Yurusenee! ]

"PISS!" Dina coughed out at the top of her de-winded lungs, struggling to push herself back up as her eyes gradually made their way back to the front of her skull.

"I'VE DONE THIS BE…FORE! WHY'S IT… SO HARD?"

The red-eyed teenager put everything she had into both of her arms, each of which becoming sorer by the second.

"Grr…"

One foot underneath her shoulder.

"GNRRRRGH…!"

Another foot outstretched in full, supporting her as she knee'd herself upward against enough pressure to instantly liquefy a soda can.

"RAAAAAH!"

She finally shot herself upright. Stray blobs harassed her peripherals while she gasped for any tidbit of air that wasn't being a massive prick at the moment by ignoring her.

"H…How's Tha'?" Dina wheezed.

"Subpar."

"SHU' UP! NO ONE AS'ED FO' YOU'O'INYIN!"

"I'm getting the feeling you're too stressed to think clearly."

"OH, IS 'AT RIGHT, ACE DETECTIVE? OH, NO, I'M ABSOLUTELY PEACHY AFTER YOU JUST LOBBED THE ENTIRETY OF MT. FUCKING PAOZU ATOP MY HEAD!"

Is what she wanted to say.

"NYOH!" She said, dignity definitely intact.

The G-Matter around her began to dissipate, and her body – attitude not included – began to lighten up.

Dina fell to the floor in a coughing fit.

"No risk of dying, judging from vital signs, but still. I'd say x8 suits you for now."

"I… I'm done with x8."

"Well, you said you could handle 10x gravity, too, and look how well you handled it."

"Instant… whatever. I was built up to it during the pressure test."

Dina had only ever done said test once, and never touched it again after nabbing the record.

"Kora. D'you know how she did on this?"

Ayeva tapped the air, brought up a screen, and presumably looked her up.

"I've never had her use mine, personally, but in regards to the public gravity room… she passed with flying colors."

Dina could've sworn the gravity had raised again.

"Nothing to raise doubt over, either, considering she's one of the few Planet Plant-native Saiyans qualified to end up here. According to Shenron, at least."

The halfbreed lay there, hardly able to process this information.

Then her fists balled.

"10."

"Huh? 10?"

Gears began turning.

"No."

"10!"

"No. Breaking yourself isn't the way to get stronger."

"I'm too far behind! I can't let her stay ahead of me! I WON'T!"

Ayeva wanted to say more.

But the way those crimson eyes bore into her…

Dina needed this. Far more than she logically should've wanted it. And despite the constant whining, those eyes held resolve.

She plucked the plucky hybrid off the ground and to her feet, then punched some coordinates into her wristband.

"…Fine. Rest up, then find me after your time at the Academy's up. That means when you're RELEASED. Stroga's sensitive about skippers, and no spotee of mine will offend a friend," Ayeva sternly stated, getting a nervous chuckle out of Dina as she timidly fidgeted.

"Y-yeah, no problem. And Ms. Ayeva…"

Ayeva turned to meet Dina's glistening eyes.

"You didn't have to do any of this. But you did. Thank You."

"I'm aware." She blushed as she instantly made her exit.

As she flew through a gate between timespace…

"(One day, I find her a slobbering mess, clearly traumatized and confused out of her wits, and within the next two, she's hot-blooded and ready to take on the world.)"

She held her temple.

"(If that Kora girl's anything like 'you' were, I have a hunch as to why…)"

"Right. So."

Dina looked around.

"Where am I and how do I get out."

Ayeva suddenly reappeared.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry…" she muttered as she placed a hand on Dina's shoulder, exiting again.

That very same day, around what constituted as dusk in Conton City, Dina awoke to a tremendous surge of energy.

The morning after, the source of the sudden surge opened his eyes.

He gave himself a reason to fight: resolving to forge a path to his own purpose.

A shame, then, that he found himself unable to move.

"Come ooooONNNNN…." He mentally growled, attempting, once more, to pry his head from the pillow it kept gravitating toward.

This marked his 245th try. Grunts clearly audible.

Audible enough to catch a certain co-patient's attention.

"Neoru?"

Could he talk…?

"Wazzup?"

Yeah. Croak, more like, but not so bad he couldn't make out what he'd just said.

"You're awake!"

"Sure hope I am."

"That means I can say sorries, now!"

"Wait, wha-"

Zinco cleared his throat.

"I wanted to say sorry. If I were more careful… I wouldn't've needed to get anyone hurt."

Neo sucked his teeth. "What're you, stupid? I'm the one who kicked your ass in the ribs. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me."

"Oh-you're right!"

.

.

"I said I 'should' not that I was gonna."

"That's mean!"

"Whatever, you don't even sound that banged up."

"I was bracing."

"Uh huh."

.

.

.

"-can't fuckin' sTAY HERE-"

Neoru proceeded to violently rock himself in a desperate attempt to abandon the same hospital bed he'd found himself in twice now.

Surprisingly, no avail. The youth's enraged grunts quickly devolved into defeated, pathetic whining.

"Finally snag something concrete and what happens? I wake up, a damn vegetable!"

"… A-"

"SHUT UP! HOW'D I EVEN LAND IN THIS HELLHOLE WITH YOU ANYWAY?"

"Oh? I carried you both here! That means I would've seen it if you started turning into a vegetable, I swear!"

Neoru was given a harsh reminder that mental strangling was a skill outside his expertise. For now.

"Hihihih… your face looks silly!"

"ckyoufuckyoufuckyouFUCKYOU-Wait. Run that back."

"H-"

"Gotta act like a dictionary around you-You said 'both?' Tell me that's what I heard."

"That is what you heard."

"OK, so I'm not batshit just yet. Damn it… she finds me like this, and I don't wanna think about how she'll end my ass."

In his paranoid scope-out, Neo looked directly above his head. In place of a blood-red headed cuckoo lady, he found…

"The hell's that doohickey doin' up there?"

A doohickey. Apparently. Said doohickey was in the process of washing magenta waves over Neoru, each oval starting small and corporeal before expanding and losing visibility as they fell onto him.

"Doohickey?"

"Done talkin' to you, just… I dunno, eat through your pillow or some shit."

[ BGM: Gramatik – Chillaxin' by the Sea ]

Zinco did something stupid again, how funny. Anyway, Neoru began watching the machine's waves wash over him, almost in a trance.

Was odd. Blazing-orange rays of the sun contrasted with the sky's dark-blue morning tint, shining through Neo's sickbay as the violet, translucent waves wobbled and wiggled slowly, falling like leaves. Was the pretty scenery what was making him feel so at peace?

Zinco didn't seem to have one over him, at least not from the corner of his eye, he didn't. Made some weird noises but… eh, who cared.

Peace. It was still his gold at that point in his life.

He could stay here if it meant keeping this moment in time.

"Like the rig?"

Neo's eyes suddenly widened.

"THAT'S-"

Kaset leaned on one of the pillars lined along the far-end of Neoru's bed, the patient shirt he donned splotched with a reddish-brown stain over where his abdomen.

"Wow, you look like shi-"

"Get this, it's like 6:30 In the morning and y'all both down here acting like wild animals, so I came by to knock you out and go back to sleep," he calmly stated, lazily clinging onto his patched-up right side. Neoru nearly shat himself.

"I-I'm already a bed-ridden mess, c'mon. Can't save it until I'm on two legs again?" Neo sputtered in a last-ditch effort to save his own skin.

Kaset snickered at his expense. "I'm kidding. Jeez, lighten up, kid!"

"Think threats like that are funny, ya sick bastard?"

"… hold on, I was just… damn kid, I didn't mean it like…"

Neoru's persistent scowl forced a topic change.

"SO! How you holdin' up?"

"Feel like I'm floating. Is that the cloud doohickey above me?"

"Has that effect on subjects. See, that's a C.C. SRU." The older time patroller in a patient's gown pointed to the machine. "That's Soul Restoration Unit. Capsule Corp. Issue. Real bad things happened to good people in the past, so we had a certain contact whip those up for special spiritual cases. Cases that never strayed too far from one-another until… now."

"Okay…?"

"Medics are callin' it 'Spiritual Combustion.'"

"…"

"Your soul. Basically, from what medheads are saying, your soul exploded."

.

.

"My fucking soul exploded?"

"Woulda died soon after, if we didn't have those handy-dandy SRUs laying around. From what I could hear, it was like your soul was tryna claw its way out, and your body couldn't take it."

The recovering time patroller took a look at the resting rookie's expanding eyes and chuckled.

"Yeah, that look right there. Same one I saw one'a those medics give the one who said that. How's it feel being a special case after your first, what, 3 days?"

"3 days-yeah I think I feel like a guy who just found out his soul is a time bomb that can go off at any moment it damn-well pleases." Neo sighed. "Sucks. Finally pieced together a goal, too."

"There's a reason you said that out-loud, isn't there?"

"Depends. How strong are you?"

Kaset scratched his forehead.

"I'm no Goku, but I've been through enough to tell you I ain't no bitch, either."

"So, strong? Good. Train me."

"Sure."

"Nice."

"…"

"…"

"Alrightly then, I'm 'bout to get whatever bits of sleep I can get. You two do me a favor, do the same and shut up." With that, the 5 o' clock shadow-donning patroller hobbled back to his own sickbay.

Hey, HEY, I SAID YOU HOBBLED-

"You know the kid beside you's eatin' his entire pillow, right?"

Neoru glared.

"what"

"Alright, bye."

With that, the 5 o' clock shadow-donning patroller hobbled back to his own sickbay. For real this time.

Along the way…

"…"

"…"

"what THE FUCK DID I JUST AGREE TO?"

Kaset proceeded to have a mini-panic attack.

Saturday noons.

When those who aren't destroying themselves with intense exercise are relaxing, spending time with friends, pigging out, engaging in fun little hobbies, and avoiding responsibilities.

Let's just say Kaset and I had something in common this particular Saturday noon.

"No sign of her over heeere…"

The aforementioned human patroller, now clad in a stylish striped bomber, peeked to his right.

"No sign of her over theeeere…"

He checked over his shoulder.

"He should still be recovering. Still…"

As he cautiously strolled out the infirmary, an ugly cloud of guilt began creeping over him.

"Still… the way he said that…"

"Train me."

"I finally pieced together a goal, too."

He shook his head. "Sorry, kid. Don't have it in me to put you through how I was trained. Barely a clue on how to teach, either."

Kaset took a lingering sigh. His hand began rummaging through his giant pockets until locating its prey: a pack of cigs.

"It's for the best, though, right? I'd just be lettin' you down at best and killin' you with nothing to show for it at worst."

He bit down on a cigarette a tad harder than needed.

"Need a light?"

The butt of his stick ignited.

"Appreciate it. Don't think I really needed it, but hey. You're a lifesaver."

Kaset took a puff, savored the feeling of the edge falling off his shoulders, reopened his eyes, saw Ayeva's glowing blue retinas, and promptly felt his cig leave his mouth.

"…Oh."

[ BGM: Kenji Yamamoto – Scampering Battle ]

Every particle of smoke within his lungs rushed out in a hurry, evicted with a loving fist to the gut.

"Stupid. What's wrong with you. Moron. Why are you still so reckless. How many times do you need to be taught this lesson. Where has recklessness gotten you. Idiot. Smoking is bad for humans. I'd know. I've researched the data. I've told you this. Why don't you listen to me more. This wouldn't've happened if you'd just listen to me more. Dummy."

Kaset's frantic stream of "I GET IT"s fell on deaf ears as his cohort battered the formerly hospitalized man, rotating between kicking him while he was down and throttling the life out of him. Eyes were drawn and immediately sent running off.

"Now I feel bad. Look at what you made me do. Jerk."

The uncharacteristically-violent calculations expert finally let up on her assault. Her field-active colleague struggled to his feet.

"PhEEW. Was fearing for my life for a second. You sure you didn't get stronger or…"

Ayeva gave him one more attack.

"Why are you like this." She muttered, fist on his chest.

"I can't stand you."

"…I keep telling you, right?" Kaset replied, resting his hand on her shoulder. "Just the way I fight. Stop losing sleep over someone like me, already."

Her fist clenched.

"Plus, you're cuter when you smile."

"Shut up."

"So anyway," Kaset changed the subject, "I'm out the sickbay, it's an early Saturday, let's catch a movie. You, me, Stroga taking a breather and watchin' something stupid because we can. You down?"

"Can't."

"SHIT, seriously? Work's got you locked down that hard?"

"I'm never 'locked down,' my occupation's fun. It's productive and safe, too. You should consider it."

"If you say so…" His snarky remark was punished to the full extent of the elbow.

"Besides, that's not why I'll be unavailable." Hurried footsteps approached the pair as Ayeva spoke.

"There's someone who needs my gravity room for… a while."

"So you kinda got a pupil?"

"I'm a coach, more like. I regulate them, ensure they never go further than their limit too soon, while simultaneously ensuring efficient growth on their end."

"And when they're struggling, you're screaming words of encouragement through the glass?" Kaset teased, just barely able to contain laughter at the thought.

"Shut up." Ayeva blushed a light blue hue.

"Yeah, if you're out here giving private couching lessons, there's a kid who could use someone like you."

"?"

"Yeah, he asked me to train him back in the infirmary. The one behind the Brood Plateau Explosion? I… may or may not have-"

"You did."

"I DID tell him 'sure.' Only because he said that so suddenly, though. Just straight to it, had no time to react."

Ayeva's head ever-so-slightly tilted in confusion. "This is the task too daunting for you? You?"

It was Kaset's turn to blush. "Come on. This is a whole 'nother thing. I've never taught someone before. I don't know all the answers to getting strong."

"Yet still," Ayeva retorted, "You're experienced, you're powerful, therefore you're bound to know something. As long as you keep from passing along your suicidal fighting style, a disciple of yours could walk away with something great."

She smiled. "I believe in you, stupid."

"… Alright."

"M~raaaw~! Had no idea you were such a sweetheart, Ms. Ayeva!"

[BGM: Norihito Sumitomo – Theme of Videl]

The pair left afterimages and landed a solid 3 meters from ground zero.

"D-Dina! How long have you been there?"

"Around the part where you called yourself my 'coach,' coach!" She replied, chipper as ever.

"'Brood Plateau' you called it? Very informative name by the way, know everythin' I need to about the place from title alone. Anyway, you mean to tell me whatever was behind that was just a kid? Blimey, I've got to hop back to the gravity room pronto if that's the case!"

"Does she always talk this much?"

"No."

The inflection in her voice told him all he needed to know.

"And then there's YOU, mister!" Dina hissed, rapidly approaching Kaset.

"Woah there, best slow your roll real qui-"

"LISTEN 'ERE, YEAH?" she shouted, accusatory index finger invading Kaset's personal space.

"WHATEVER STUPID LIL' STUNT YOU PULLED YESTERDAY REALLY DID A NUMBER ON-"

"W-w-wait just a second, Dina-"

"MS. AYEVA'S MENTAL HEALTH! SHE RECITED ABOUT A GOOD HALF OF PI WORRIED SICK OVER YOU!"

Ayeva became a blueberry.

"SOMEONE OUGHT SLUG YOU FOR PUTTING SO MUCH STRESS ON A WOMAN, BUT BECAUSE SHE'S HAPPY, I'LL LET YOU OFF WITH A WARNING! COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS, PARTNER, BECAUSE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS, I WON'T BE SO FORGIVING!" the half-breed concluded, arms folded and dramatically flicking her hair.

"Uh Huh."

"Hmph! Feign indifference all you'd like, sir, you can expect a good-morning beating if this ever happens again!"

"I'm fine, Dina. Really, I'm fine."

"Hey, Kaset!"

Neoru approached from behind the of them, suspiciously far away from the infirmary - maybe he flanked everyone for... reasons... but ready and able all the same.

Kaset took one last glance at Ayeva, who smiled and gave a nod. He took a deep inhale.

"Yo, uh, student."

"Alright, so how're we doing this?"

"Well, we'll see if you can take what I could when I was around your age, and if it works out, awesome."

"Got it."

Before the two could head off…

"Wait, N… Neeehooruuu?"

Neo turned and faced Dina.

"Were you the one who caused that explosion last evening?"

"Apparently," he replied, shrugging his shoulders haphazardly. "Could do it at any damn minute as far as I know. Why?"

Dina shook her head.

"Just… something to think about. One more thing."

Neo was getting impatient.

"You feeling alright?"

"Bout as well as a dead man walking can."

"No, that's not what I meant?"

"What?"

"You sounded like you were in a dark place yesterday, is all."

The boy sucked his teeth.

"Jeez, you're nosy," he growled before running off after Kaset.

"BUT HEY, I SURE AS HELL AIN'T LOST ANYMORE!"

Dina did a growl of her own.

"Jerk could've just led with that! Why is a solid 90% of this place comprised of such absolute wankers?"

"Eh. It's pointless to worry about mentalities you're not involved with." Ayeva took hold of Dina's shoulder.

"Well, are you ready?"

"Definitely," she smirked. "I've got places to go and people to beat, after all."

[ED: Pay Money To My Pain – Weight Of My Pride]

And so began the two rookies' respective trials.

"This is it: Stagnant Timespace #048."

"Big name for what looks like just a giant forest."

"Yeah, well, we'll be focusin' on a LOT more than just PUNCHING harder. You ready for this?"

"Either I am or I'm dead. If I ain't one, I better be the other."

"Four hundred and… ninety…. NINE…"

"500!"

"Excellent."

"10!"

"…"

"I… I'm ready! On my father's… On my life, I swear!"

"…Fine. Let's go."

In but a day, the Worthy of Heaven's Eye Martial Arts Exam Tournament… what a name… would be announced.

How strong could these two – and their opposition – grow In a year's span?

Only time will tell.

What is that? Like 5 line cuts now?

Anyways, Yo! OP here!

Feel like 3 weeks might be the new sweet spot. If I can I'll update bi-weekly but for big boi chapter's like this, tri or (hope I never get THIS bad but) quad-weekly updates could stick. Who knows? I sure as hell don't.

Regardless, that's every main character's training set in stone. Dina in the gravity room to surpass Kora and prove something to herself, Neoru with Kaset in a "stagnant timespace" (Just places where time doesn't go forward, Made for such kinds of training) to give himself that bit of self-dependence he'll need to find what he wants to strive for, and Voshyo is...

Who is Voshyo again?

Nah but seriously, he's doing stuff in PQs or whatever. Ceruzius will do stuff with him, too. Best believe, HIS character's gonna start making moves once we're out of this tournament.

Tryna cram all my thoughts for the week into one summary, jeeeeez...

Basically, this chapter means that I'm free to explore different characters outside the main 2. It'll be fun to work with, and I'll still check in on Neo and Dina every once in a while in order to catch some growth - physical, mental, emotional - with both they and their mentors. In the meantime, short lil' blankfillers and fun stuff in the future.

Hope you guys are hanging in there, and thanks for deciding to stick around and see where this goes. Critique is, like, mandate for helping me grow, and stuff, but you just reading this will inspire me to self-improve and keep pushing forward all the same. You do you, do what's best, and make sure you're never bringing yourself down.

Is that it?

Think so.

See ya.