Question Aquerna

Aquerna has a problem with her toenails ripping through her footwear. I'm wondering if anyone has ever thought of suggesting to her that she should look into steel toe shoes (or boots)? I know they're often ugly as sin but they should help with her toe-out problems or at least last longer than regular footwear.

I also wonder if anyone at Whateley has ever tried taking safety shoes/boots into martial arts class or combat finals? Steel soles, toes and heels/ankles and optional electrical or other insulation should make for an interesting surprise. Klompen (dutch clogs) are too obvious but might be useful in demonstrations.

I think that the main problem with steel-toed boots is that the steel is usually on the outside. Her nails would eat the leather from the inside out, opening a hole beneath the steel plate, which might not be visible but would negate a number of benefits of wearing shoes in the first place -- such as protecting your feet from cold and moisture.
Besides, she now has those nifty magic Snakey-hide boots which are way better, and stylish to boot (heh, unintentional pun). She might try wearing peep-toe shoes and sandals, worn with open toe stockings, when the weather is warm enough.

Re steel-toe boots for martial classes... I think that those sound right up Caitlin's alley. She is the kind of girl who would wear combat boots on a daily basis. Although they might be a tad too confining for parkour. Now, come to think of it, Zenith is rather tomboyish too, she might go for the boots.

Sir Lee wrote: I think that the main problem with steel-toed boots is that the steel is usually on the outside. Her nails would eat the leather from the inside out, opening a hole beneath the steel plate, which might not be visible but would negate a number of benefits of wearing shoes in the first place -- such as protecting your feet from cold and moisture.
Besides, she now has those nifty magic Snakey-hide boots which are way better, and stylish to boot (heh, unintentional pun). She might try wearing peep-toe shoes and sandals, worn with open toe stockings, when the weather is warm enough.

Re steel-toe boots for martial classes... I think that those sound right up Caitlin's alley. She is the kind of girl who would wear combat boots on a daily basis. Although they might be a tad too confining for parkour. Now, come to think of it, Zenith is rather tomboyish too, she might go for the boots.

I'm not talking about army boots here, but safety shoes/boots that get worn in industrial settings. Some of them are built with steel soles and toecaps and they're what you could wear while tromping around with lots of sharps on the floor. Many have a leather outer (and probably also an inner) shell covering the steel. Come think of it, Hazmat should know about them.

Yes, Aquerna getting her snakeskin boots does make this somewhat irrelevant, but that would still leave her with only one set of good shoes

Echo wrote: I also wonder if anyone at Whateley has ever tried taking safety shoes/boots into martial arts class or combat finals? Steel soles, toes and heels/ankles and optional electrical or other insulation should make for an interesting surprise. Klompen (dutch clogs) are too obvious but might be useful in demonstrations.

Sir Lee wrote: Re steel-toe boots for martial classes... I think that those sound right up Caitlin's alley. She is the kind of girl who would wear combat boots on a daily basis. Although they might be a tad too confining for parkour. Now, come to think of it, Zenith is rather tomboyish too, she might go for the boots.

Unless the boots, or other footwear, is required for student of school safety then it depends on what day of class, or type of class, is being attended. As has been shown, the standard-issue Gi is required for most classes and that is worn with bare feet in those instances. With street clothes or costumes the boots would be appropriate... other times, not.

The black woman fired off, “I am Amanda Tolman. Everyone who wishes to remain in this class will purchase a gi for practice. Unless otherwise notified, you will change into your gi before class. When the bell rings, you will begin in seiza position, lined up, as you see the more experienced students here. We will practice in a variety of situations, including street clothes, costumes, and real-life situations. However, most classes will be taught here, and you will be wearing gis. Any questions so far?”

Now, unless the boots were made with special "sheaths" for her toenails/claws then they would still tear-up the lining of even most specially-made steel-toed boots which leads to Sir Lee's statement that it would ruin the effectiveness of the boots overall. They may still "look" fine but would be losing structural integrity and weather-resistance. For instance... if it's 2-degrees (F) outside you don't want to be walking around with a steel plate touching the top of your toes/feet.

Or she could grow some self confidence and wear open toes shoes, or... Mmm, there's some X-man comic or fan fiction that had a discussion regarding a mutant with a mutation a lot like Beast's wearing shoes. Can't remember where I saw it off hand. Might have been a Twisting the Hellmouth fic.

Cryptic wrote: Or she could grow some self confidence and wear open toes shoes, or... Mmm, there's some X-man comic or fan fiction that had a discussion regarding a mutant with a mutation a lot like Beast's wearing shoes. Can't remember where I saw it off hand. Might have been a Twisting the Hellmouth fic.

Tough wearing open toed shoes in the snow. (I know I do it.)

Given the strength of her nails, without proper filing she's going to cut through steel toed boots.


BTW

Ayla and the New School wrote: Then it was off to the Eastman Annex of Laird Hall, for what I was sure was going to be the class I was most anxious to transfer out of, even after enduring Powers Theory. Basic Martial Arts.

I walked in, and found that most of the class seemed to know what to do. That seemed like a bad omen for me. People had taken their shoes off and piled them by the door, then crowded to the edge of the mat. I shucked my shoes and followed. I could tell at once who knew anything about this kind of class.

Valentine wrote:

Cryptic wrote: Or she could grow some self confidence and wear open toes shoes, or... Mmm, there's some X-man comic or fan fiction that had a discussion regarding a mutant with a mutation a lot like Beast's wearing shoes. Can't remember where I saw it off hand. Might have been a Twisting the Hellmouth fic.

Tough wearing open toed shoes in the snow. (I know I do it.)

Point.

Hmm... New Mobius project?

Sir Lee wrote: Re steel-toe boots for martial classes... I think that those sound right up Caitlin's alley.

But would boots be allowed on the mats?

NJM1564 wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Re steel-toe boots for martial classes... I think that those sound right up Caitlin's alley.

But would boots be allowed on the mats?

But Sensie,they are part of my protective gear. I would be holding back least I hurt myself, but with the boots I can kick at full strength Besides, you say use everything; ho can we learn to use everything if we are limited in what we can use?

They allow students with claws, why would boots be a problem?

Cryptic wrote: But Sensie,they are part of my protective gear. I would be holding back least I hurt myself, but with the boots I can kick at full strength Besides, you say use everything; ho can we learn to use everything if we are limited in what we can use?

Yeah, except when Ito wants you to learn to deal with something. I remember that in Reflections in an evil eye Ito refused Chaka to wear rubber shoes (and gloves) while fighting Blitz (who is an eletrical based energizer). Of course when he is fighting her himself, he does not put himself under such restrictions.

Esar wrote:

Cryptic wrote: But Sensie,they are part of my protective gear. I would be holding back least I hurt myself, but with the boots I can kick at full strength Besides, you say use everything; ho can we learn to use everything if we are limited in what we can use?

Yeah, except when Ito wants you to learn to deal with something. I remember that in Reflections in an evil eye Ito refused Chaka to wear rubber shoes (and gloves) while fighting Blitz (who is an eletrical based energizer). Of course when he is fighting her himself, he does not put himself under such restrictions.

Has Ito ever fought a student himself? I don't recall such an incident. Though nether would the student.

here it was more of an implicit "threat".

“Oh? And would you challenge me for the right to decide who will instruct whom?”

With a snide grin, Chaka leaned over and whispered into Blitz’ ear, “Before you say anything, look at his feet.”

Blitz’s eyes flickered down towards the feet sticking out from Ito-sensei’s hama [hama: loose black trousers worn by men in Japan, and by both sexes in martial arts practice]. She could tell that he was wearing rubber shoes. Making the best of a bad situation, Blitz said nothing, bowed, and left the mat.

But it seems that Ito kicking someone's ass by himself is a recurring lesson for the first class of the freshman year, to prove that they shouldn't overestimate themselves. He kicked Hank's butt.

Ayla 3: Ayla and the new school

One of those questions that came to me today while going through the wiki. Now that Aquerna is in the devisor area a lot due to her boyfriend. Has she met/ran into Gadget. And if so...would they become besties? After all they both share the same squirrel connection.

Do you think Anna sees calling the Cadets Secret Squirrels as an insult to her little friends?

Cryptic wrote: Do you think Anna sees calling the Cadets Secret Squirrels as an insult to her little friends?

Anna sat with Sergeant Mulgillicutty and Princess Abignale in the crotch of a huge tree watching the silly squirrels tracking back-and-forth in the field below her...

*chitter-chitter* said Sergeant Mulgillicutty to which Princess Abignale responded with a *Chk-chK-tiK*... "Oh, I agree with you both... there's really nothing "secret" about those stupid-heads. Now show me again how you do the 'Barking-thing no see myself' thing you were telling me about."

Steel-toed boots would hamper her climbing ability, since she would need her toe claws to dig into the surface and grip.
Maybe if she had some sort of soft shoe like a moccasin with slits that she could flex her toes out of?

How dense is Legolas Aquerna?

Rose Bunny wrote: Steel-toed boots would hamper her climbing ability, since she would need her toe claws to dig into the surface and grip.
Maybe if she had some sort of soft shoe like a moccasin with slits that she could flex her toes out of?

Somehow, I see her more as a Birkenstocks kind of girl.

Unrelated questions the current discussion.

Why again does tisiphone like Anna? I can't for the life of me remember if I've ever even read that part before.

Iwasforger03 wrote: Unrelated questions the current discussion.

Why again does tisiphone like Anna? I can't for the life of me remember if I've ever even read that part before.

It could be several reasons, but Aquerna did save one of the TNTs life during Halloween.

While true, I doubt that would affect Tisiphone. She had nothing to do with TNT at the time. Moreover it is unlikely any member of TNT would even mention it because they probably wouldn't even think of it. I rather doubt that's the reason.

Iwasforger03 wrote: Why again does tisiphone like Anna? I can't for the life of me remember if I've ever even read that part before.

Where'd you read that she does like Anna?

Part one or two of the wondercute combat final

null0trooper wrote:

Iwasforger03 wrote: Why again does tisiphone like Anna? I can't for the life of me remember if I've ever even read that part before.

Where'd you read that she does like Anna?

Veni, Vedi, Cutie

"With a couple of security guards shadowing your patients randomly and periodically, the gossip mill will get the word out really fast." He paused. "Let's find TNT."
"Don't worry about them," Bellows snickered.
Delarose frowned. "Why not? They're well-known bullies."
"Not since they started dating the Furies."
"What? When did that start?" Delarose asked, perplexed. "And Tisiphone is borderline UV herself."
"Tisiphone and Nitro became an item sometime after the incident with Kayda and Loophole. And for some reason, she's very fond of Anna, which is extremely surprising, since Anna is also a good friend of Ayla."
"Tissy's mortal enemy."
"Precisely. I haven't been able to get her to tell me why she's fond of Anna, though."
"Are you sure? Those guys are habitual offenders. In fact, the Furies aren't exactly girl-scouts!"
"If Tisiphone likes Anna, she'll make sure the boys and her friends don't do anything to hurt her," Bellows explained.
Delarose mouth opened as if to ask a question, but then his jaw dropped and he googled as the doctor nodded knowingly. Delarose slowly closed his mouth. "That," he muttered unhappily, "is a mental image I could have done without."

Another possibility is that after Tisiphone's change, Aquerna didn't change the way she treated her. Just as friendly as she with most everyone.

Good thought Val. That would go really far

Why wouldn't she like Anna? EVERYBODY likes Anna.

Sir Lee wrote: Why wouldn't she like Anna? EVERYBODY likes Anna.

Okay... so the current theory is thast Anna's a Squirrel-Sidhe with an "everybody-likes-me" glamour?

Sir Lee wrote: Why wouldn't she like Anna? EVERYBODY likes Anna.

Everyone except Buster.

Everyone including Buster. That's the problem. He's not used to feeling positive things about other people, and it's angering him.

So it occurs to me... if there's a World Tree at Whateley now... in Norse Mythology, the tree is guarded, or scourged, by a squirrel monster that drives people insane with its chatter and is very malevolent and can go anywhere by climbing the tree...

I wonder if maybe Anna's gonna start to feel some extra juice coming from somewhere... at first she'll think it was those chili dogs she ate before the game (hey, it was that, or let Nate get them), but then...

Iwasforger03 wrote: So it occurs to me... if there's a World Tree at Whateley now... in Norse Mythology, the tree is guarded, or scourged, by a squirrel monster that drives people insane with its chatter and is very malevolent and can go anywhere by climbing the tree...

Yggdrasil pretty much exists between and among the Nine Worlds, and Ratatoskr mostly bugs the eagle living in the upper branches and the dragon gnawing at the roots with its gossip because the two are too stupid/prideful/etc. to cross-check the tree-rat's stories. That doesn't mean the two trees are the same thing. There's even a good possibility that it would have been a yew instead of ash.

< Insert diatribe against the Sidhe "We originated EVERYTHING except the Bastard" PR machine >

More seriously, it's a sapling that will require decades to centuries to get itself established. It may be more impressive than kudzu, but it's Not There Yet.

Although I would love seeing Anna leveling up...

You are missing a crucial difference here. In the Norse mythology, there is a single ridiculously-humongous World Tree, Yggdrasil, that spans the Nine Worlds. In the Whateley Mythos-Lite, there's theoretically any number of World Trees, which are... well, probably quite big, considering the size of the seed, but I doubt they are anywhere in the same scale as Yggdrasil. Maybe redwood-sized, when adult.

Meaning that the World Tree Fey planted in the Grove is NOT Yggdrasil, and therefore Ratatoskr wouldn't necessarily be scampering on its branches.

Also, the tree Nikki planted is just a seedling right now. I expect those trees to grow very slowly. By the time it left the "sapling" stage and can be rightfully worth calling a tree, Anna will probably have graduated. Maybe her great-grandchildren will have graduated.

(Edit: damn, Ninja'd)

I wonder if Anna was born on January 21st: Squirrel Appreciation day.

No. During Ayla's birthday party (which was January 27), she thinks of...

Straight from the Squirrels Mouth wrote: Anna didn’t say anything to that, because the last birthday party she had was her and four of her friends at her house, having some cake and ice cream and watching a couple movies.

This tells us that her birthday did not fall in the September-January range.

On the other hand, a few chapters before that, her Whateley friends mention that they have to buy her a birthday present. So it was probably getting close. My bet would be on February.

Didn't remember that bit. Fun idea though.