(open)

[miyagimagic]

Who: You, you, and you!
What: For those interested in Miyagi-do, or there to just hang out and support friends! Or whatever reasons might bring your character here.
When: Some time during the first half of the month.
Where: At the Miyagi-do Dojo in Crenshaw!

November welcomes a colder month with the every now-and-then sprinkle of snow in the early mornings, but it also brings the opening of Miyagi-do dojo, another one of those weird dramatic California dojos that Trench somehow keeps washing up the senseis of. A network post is made announcing its opening, and with it, the wonderful express permission for anyone and everyone to come over to Daniel LaRusso's home in Crenshaw to hang out -- for karate, of course.

---

The FRONT OF THE HOUSE looks like any other house in Trench, except for sign outside that lets you know you've arrived at the right place. There's also a special little boy who watches from the roof for visitors, a shisa, for those knowledgable of Okinawan guardians. In case Daniel can't answer your knock at the door, this little friend will help get you through the front door or side-gate (as long as, you know, you open the doors--Daniel's omen doesn't have the hands for it).

Perhaps you've shown up by appointment, or you've shown up at random. Depending on the time of day or how chilly it is, an INDOOR OR OUTDOOR DOJO will be available for training. The indoor dojo has been set up in a Japanese style, soft matting underfoot and sliding doors fitted for aesthetics. Outside is a larger space, with a bridge and pond (though not as green as the shared image). There's access to a punching bag, focus pads (not as fancy, bute useable), weaponry (if you're training with one of those offered); there's refreshments that will be offered from the kitchen, as well as first aid if it's necessary.

All students new to Miyagi-do will be TRAINED to learn the basic moves of Miyagi-do karate, which show how to move one's limbs: wax on, wax off (circular hand and arm movements), and paint the fence/house (up and down, side to side motions). These can be shown in the fashion of their traditional method (there's a nice car for waxing, and paint); or, for those who can't be fooled into chores, there's a more simplified method of learning (shoddy recording filter included), showing the eventual end result of repeating the motions.

There's also time for MEDITATION, learning to empty the mind and to find your own inner peace. People are welcomed into group sessions, one-on-one, or even to find their own spot in their dojos to take some time to relax. Maybe that's all you need -- a place where you can unwind for a while.

Perhaps you're not sure or not interested in joining the dojo, but are HERE FOR OTHER REASONS. For Daniel? For a friend? OR you're just watching for now, which is fine. You may be accompanied by Daniel's ferocious shisa omen which definitely does NOT look like a chow chow puppy, who is always happy for pets and laps to pancake on.

Actually, if you decide you're just here for the omen and the omen exclusively, that is very valid.

---

(ooc: feel free to make your own toplevels, tag around, and mingle! this is for people who have signed up for the dojo already, but also just for people who are still apprehensive and want to come watch and check things out! or if you just want to hang out. that's also valid. karate brings everyone together.

if you would like to formally sign up and be added to the info page, that's right over here! have fun!)

Comments

daniel larusso (ota!)

[miyagimagic]

(a. demonstration)

[ Once it seems like most of the people who said they'd stop by have gathered, either because they signed up already or just wanted to come watch and see things at the dojo, Daniel will gather everyone around the sparring deck in the back of the yard, for an initial demonstration - and just to be a dork, judging by the way he seems to be standing there so officially, even bowing before he starts to speak. ]

First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for coming out here today. No matter whether you've already decided to train here, or whether you're just here to see what it's like, I figured I should first show you all what's possible with Miyagi-do.

[ And he'll proceed to show off some stuff up there - alongside Robby, who's being a good student and helping Daniel out here by showing some stuff off as well. It's mostly a demonstration of actual weapon usage - like nunchucks, bo and kama. They practiced for this, okay! Look at those cool weapon clashes. This is also karate. Karate's cool now.

After the demonstration is over, Daniel will even linger, and if anyone looks interested enough he'll shoot them a quick smile, speaking up with a: ]

Want to try it out? [ He picks up the bo staff, slowly twirling it behind his back like it's nothing. ] Just be careful you don't knock someone over.

(b. training chores)

[ Daniel will gladly give more concrete training pointers to people who are already experienced with fighting. But for those who don't, and for Deku (sorry, pal, you signed up for this!!), he's got something else in mind to get them a little more used to karate movements.

.. by which I mean he might be leading you over to the side of the dojo, away from everyone else. The moment you might start wondering why he's bringing you over there, there's..

A car? It looks like an oldtimer, that's for sure. But Daniel smiles like this is totally normal, and just gestures at it. ]

This is the start of your training.

[ Very enlightening. Thanks, Daniel. ]

(c. gi)

[ Of course the Branding™ has to be on point. Daniel may already have given Robby his Miyagi-do gi in advance, but for the others who are committed to training at the dojo, Daniel will approach them at some point with a Miyagi-do karate gi with the bonsai logo on the back of their very own - or at least one that seems reasonably close to their size. ]

Here. [ He says, holding it out with a proud grin on his face. D-Daniel's just happy to have anyone join, really.. It's definitely a point of pride for him! ] This one's for you. What do you think?

[ He does pause, but not quite long enough for anyone to answer before he's already speaking on, apparently unable to help his own excitement as he adds: ]

Now you can be a true part of Miyagi-do.

(d. wildcard)

[ Maybe you have a question for Daniel, or just want to see him, or hang out with him.. It's easy to approach him during any point! He'll be around to help people out and give pointers, so maybe he's approaching you just when you want to ask him something. Or you can look for him while he's having a quick break, sitting somewhere and drinking tea! The world is your oyster. Daniel is your oyster now. ]

(e. omen)

[ .. or maybe you're not here for Daniel at all. Maybe you have spotted the adorable little Omen around the yard or the indoor dojo. The adorable Omen who is clearly a shisa, a fierce guardian lion-dog, and not a chow chow puppy..

Though he looks very much like a chow chow puppy.

Maybe the Omen is wandering over to you, just casually moving to sit down on your lap, and not looking like it's about to move off it. Hopefully you weren't about to do something, or you might have to find a way to deal with this..

Or you could spot it accidentally tumbling over and falling in the pool. This would be a prime opportunity to find out whether or not Omens can drown, but.. actually, maybe you just want to help it get out of there, thanks. He doesn't look like he can swim, he's just flailing in the water! ]

a. demonstration

[noniad]

[Ortus' eyes are enormous in their sea of skull paint black as Daniel simply twirls the staff like some sort of fluid clockwork and not a living man. His hands are half-risen, although he hardly seems to know if he means to ward off Daniel's offer, or accept it.]

Is that not the desired outcome?

[He asks, too nervously serious to be construed as attempting a joke. In truth, he would not have expected Daniel to offer. Perhaps it is the fault of his garb, which tends to the practical over ceremonial, these days, and so displays the broadness of his chest and the heft of his limbs more than the blessed concealment of draping robes.]

b

[wannasmash]

Midoriya arrives for his first lesson in comfortable workout clothes, Trench!basketball shorts and one of his tongue-in-cheek T-shirts. He leaves his red sneakers in the entryway because not only is that his normal habit, but this is a dojo. Though Midoriya will find some moves very familiar due to his mixed martial arts training (he did start with throws as counters after all) he's opted to test out the basics first. It'll help give the full experience, and he can see where he goes from there.

He has no reason not to trust Daniel. He stands straight, proper posture, ready to learn.

"The start...? You're not gonna like... make us dodge a car, are you, Sensei?"

Why would Midoriya say that? Has another karate teacher ever made his students dodge his car? Or perhaps something crazy happened in Hero school. Who can say...

Then he looks at the rags and wax all set and ready to go. This isn't the first time he's been asked to do "chores," and he catches on--or so he thinks.

"Sensei, if you want me to exercise to build strength, I can do that on my own time. Waxing something isn't going to be enough lifting for me, but don't worry, I have an entire beach cleanup routine..."

He trails off. Something is amiss.

A

[tempredmental]

[So, because of their talk during Keith's self-imposed guilt trip after his death, the young twenty-something had shown up to this demonstration thing out of curiosity. Though, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't also there because Johnny had made stupid comments about it.

After the demonstration was over, he stood up when Daniel came over towards him with the staff. He smirked a little.]

Well, I haven't used a staff, but I've fought against one.

You have any swords?

E: Omen wildcard

[payingfordeliverance]

[Xerxes Break, on any given day, has zero reason whatsoever to be in Crenshaw. He does not live here. There is not much shopping to be had, if any. What keeps the place safe is an overabundance of Hunters, of which he explicitly is not one, because any organization that has a name that starts with a capital letter is probably going to want paperwork done about it sooner or later and paperwork is what Break is the most retired from here in Trench. He also does not care two licks about karate and did not bother to watch Daniel's post the whole way through -- not because he sees no value in the fighting style, but rather, because he associates it with the miasma of weirdly sexist drama in which Johnny Lawrence exists, and he values his one remaining natural eye too much to strain it with all the necessary rolling.

All the same, today, he is here. Having been accosted by a zealot while out on an errand, Break decided for once not to overdo it fighting alone and lamped himself to the Watch Tower on the grounds that this would put him right in the middle of a group of Hunters who would help him handle the problem immediately. He was correct. Unfortunately they've assumed he's a civilian who lives here and in the aftermath Break is pretending this is true, because he does not wish to explain to these Hunters that he does whatever the fuck he wants actually and was using them for his own ends. Walking the next stretch of the way home it is...which means he and his noodle omen are meandering by the dojo.

And Baltus notices a certain someone one the roof, and likewise being the sort who does whatever the fuck he wants, he decides he is going to pause to greet his fellow omen with a wagging plume of a tail and a polite "boof".]

Ah? Have you found a frie -- [Uh. Break pauses next to his omen, staring up in faint confusion.] ...is that a dog or a funny teddy bear?

[He is polite enough to lower his voice for this comment. Let's see if that does any good.]

A: Demonstration

[slightlytaller]

[The differences between Karate and the Greek Pankration that he had sometimes observed Iskandar practice were impressive on a sheer academic level for Waver Velvet. Standing politely on the sidelines, Waver was content to watch and take notes. The two styles, for all of their similarities, had several differences that were immediately noticeable. Karate carried with it an odd grace and fluidity to it's movements that, when taken out of context, could be mistaken for a dance. Pankration, on the other hand, was the raw embodiment of the human body turned into a weapon. While there was beauty in the simplicity of conquest that Pankration displayed, the two styles couldn't be more different.

...And neither were suited for the reed of a man who was about as tall and strong as the bulrushes that danced along freshwater streams and ponds in the spring.

Waver looked up at the questions with a curious, noncommittal hum before huffing in an irritable display to cover his own embarrassment.]

Please. I'll knock myself over, first.

Wildcardish

[foulhussy]

[ Kainé is not a member of Miyagi-do. For one thing, she already knows how to fight, and very well at that. For another, the whole "defense only" credo... well, it's not her. That's not the sort of person she's able to be, even though she fights to protect, to keep her home safe. She's not one of his students.

But she does come by a couple times. She'll deny having a reason. Just say that she was around. But she finds it relaxing just to watch him and his students go through those smooth, dance-like motions. Peaceful, given that it's all about violence.

She's sat near the back of the hall as he finishes up, staying out of line of sight of the students as they file out. She just steps into view and gives him a nod. ]

I'm pretty sure half those people are strong enough to rip your arms off.

a

[hopesparks]

[ Anakin listens to the speech carefully and watches the demonstrations closely. He recognizes some of the moves from the kata he saw Daniel perform on the beach. It's interesting to see how it works in a simulated "fight."

He doesn't expect to be approached afterward and offered a weapon. Anakin eyes it with curiosity-- a staff, which he's not overly familiar with. Still, he takes it, weighing it in his hand and assessing the balance.

He gives Daniel a small smile. ]

I can manage it. At least it doesn't have blades on the end.

[ He spins it slowly, mirroring the demonstration from earlier but at a much slower pace. It's passable, but it's clear this isn't his weapon of choice. ]

robby keene

[strongroots]

1. wax on, wax off ; the basics

Robby's not going to get in the way of Mister LaRusso sticking with tradition: if you're a soul who can be led to that paint brush and into waxing the single car the sensei has without a problem, then enjoy being part of the franchise, friend. But if you start to show any inclination of thinking 'that's bullshit, this whole thing is bullshit', or openly question the purpose, Robby is here to help.

"It's about muscle memory. Every movement you make in karate has to be precise - from the weight, to the power you put into it. You want me to show you what you're learning?"

If you want help with those basics, Robby will help you cheat, as a treat. Only, this cheating still comes with all the same training.

2. a one-man-show ; katas

Robby isn't exactly joining in with all the basics. He'll be there as someone to help, if the person training don't mind a partner that isn't the sensei himself, and if they're also okay with doing more than just painting and waxing. But he can still be found around: either training kata by himself, in a space within the walls of either dojo that aren't currently in use; his focus on his movements, seemingly unaware of the world around him; or even in handling one of the weapons that had been used in the demonstration, that the dojo offers. He's got more confidence with a bo, and with the others, he has a simpler array of moves with.

Even he needs to get that muscle memory training in, see.

But he is attentive, despite looks -- of a stern expression held in place by his furrowed brow, the way his eyes appear focused on some unseen figure. But Robby will stop if he feels a gaze on him too long, looking over and sucking in a breath, exhaling it to let a smile spread on his face.

"Hey-- want a go? Or just watching?"

3. what's the deal with karate; demonstration

They've had their demonstration, hard work put together to put on a display to show what truly is the deal with karate.

But there's a difference between watching and experiencing, isn't there? And if there's anyone who needs a different persuasion, to feel the action with their own limbs -- Robby gives an open offer to anyone who might be around to it, or even on one of the other days, coming over with interest:

"If you want a demonstration, I'm happy to spar you with Miyagi-do's moves."

He stands straight, polite, a bow with the offer. He probably won't offer it to the older folk... well, he might, with a cheeky tilt of his head, a smile that's more fun about it.

(You can have fun at Miyagi-do, as a treat.)

4. wildcard;

Robby can be found on any particular day you might like to bump into him; in the early start of a session, within the inner dojo, in the middle of meditation; or even at the end of day after training. Approach him for any reason, or give him a reason to approach you -- he doesn't need much, seeing as he wants to look out for the other students.

Even asking how they're feeling is plenty enough reason for Robby to say hi.

( for waver )

[strongroots]

[ ... That sure is a guy hanging around, huh. He's not exactly suspicious; he's one of the people just watching, which is fine, but it does have Robby curious. Everything about him screams unsuited, which is what you come to a dojo to fix.

Can Robby discern if the man's actually here to fix anything? No, but he's being slightly more sociable around the dojo, being nice; which means approaching Waver, wherever it may be he's keeping himself, to ask curiously - and politely! - ]

You here for Mister LaRusso, or the sensei?

[ The dusting of humour implies the difference: one is for the individual, the other is for the teacher. ]

4

[tealeafs]

Honestly - Chizuru did feel a little nervous about coming here. It feels like barging in on something she doesn't belong to. No matter how kind Robby's teacher seems, it feels a lot for a girl like her to commit to learning how to fight when she's so bad with it.. so it's not really like she came to join, she thinks, her heart unsure.

But she couldn't not show up. Chizuru wanted to be here, even if just for a brief moment - just to cheer on Robby. Because he had seemed so responsible in that message on the network, so sure. She wants him to know what she supports him in all of this, and that she hopes it'll be a big success.

So when the girl arrives, she tries to meekly stick to the crowds, or off to the sides, where she might not be spotted as easily.. until she can find a moment to approach Robby where it doesn't seem like he's talking to anyone in particular, offering him a smile, a tad bashful at the edges.

"Robby.. Congratulations to you and your teacher on opening this place..! You really look like you're shining today."

( for daniel )

[strongroots]

Robby doesn't stay waiting outside. It's a bare stomach exposed to eyes that he never lets his gaze catch sight of, but knows exist. It's the outcome, too, he's been telling everyone he's wanted: to be left alone, for his father to go, so they don't have to keep crossing paths and leave the signs of their meeting. Because what else is it other than a mess?

(It's nothing, most of the time. That's the problem -- there's never anything between them until there is, and Robby never chooses mercy or forgiveness. He always comes back to grief. He chooses misery before healing.)

He goes through the indoor dojo, using the door from there to enter the household. It's the one direction he knows to go that his dad didn't take, but it's not safe. Others are free to wander, could be, and Robby has as much a right to be in Mister LaRusso's household as he does any part of his dojo. He knows (what Mister LaRusso would say otherwise), so he tries to make it quick: finding his bag with his belongings and taking up the bathroom to get changed, gritting teeth against the ache in his bones when he pulls up his jeans, blossoming across his skin as he rolls down his shirt.

Blood catches on fabric, drags from cuts and leaks from accidental contact. Robby doesn't care; it's nice, even, every part of this hurt, the kind that reminds him of struggling against his dad and the violence his limbs wanted to inflict. He catches the sight of himself in the mirror, the smearing of blood mistakable for the early signs of bruising that have yet to catch on.

And he thinks, this bloodied face of a boy with no prospects, fated to always be the failure; the son the alcoholic father didn't want, the drugged up mother who deserved a better life:

This is who you are.

It's good reason to leave. If there's anything Robby knows best, it's that you don't stay to face your failures. You walk out the door, you never turn back, and you put everything behind you, pretend the world is better off this way. This was a mistake, I'm not Miyagi-do anymore, I never was.

--but, it's the one trait he never inherited from his father. Perhaps he got it from his mother, but he can't see himself in her, even, standing in Mister LaRusso's hallway, waiting to the side by the wall, head down, near to the door leading out, but not crossing it. She got better, you see; she didn't fall back into her old ways, and he loves her.

It's a lot more than he can say or feel about himself.

Taro Watanabe | OTA

[hachitaro]

I - Garden Party

Taro isn't interested in the indoor dojo - he actually finds martial arts quite uninteresting. But what's drawn him is the garden, and he wanders about, finding interesting places to sit. The place looks quite nice, and he keeps considering spiriting away a few of the nice branches or maybe a whole plant... but he can't put something that big in his pocket. Oh, well. You might find him sunning himself on a big rock, examining the writing on the standing rock, or maybe he's in one of the trees.

How'd he get there when no one saw him climbing? It's a mystery.


II - Now You See Me, Now You Don't

Taro eventually wanders inside to watch the demonstrations - really, he's just kind of looking for an excuse to kill some boredom. He hangs out near the edge of the room and doesn't talk, just occasionally nods or glances at one student or another. He's got a mostly neutral expression on - not bored, just a little bit out of it. Demonstrations like this can be a bit... repetitive.

However if you've got Special Eyes (and don't rely solely on visible light) you might at times see that the form of Taro isn't... what it appears. There's some sort of smaller creature that's behind there. Or, at times... there's no one behind there at all. Maybe he's elsewhere in the house?

... It might be prudent to check.


III - Nyan Cat

Sometimes he's not in the house or garden - maybe he's left? What's there instead is a small cat watching from atop the fence or winding around peoples' ankles. It seems friendly at least, and there's no sign of it being too skinny or patchy, so it's clearly well-taken care of.

Where did it come from? Hard to say. It also doesn't seem to fear the doglike omens... but again, those with Special Eyes can tell that there's something very off about the appearance of this cat. He almost seems... bigger? Weird.


IV - Wildcard

[Got another idea? He's not hard to find... when he's not trying to be hidden, at least. He doesn't seem to be interested in karate lessons for himself, but maybe you can drag him into meditation or something? Or try to convince him to do karate anyway. Good luck with that.]

iii

[miyagimagic]

Daniel's Omen is definitely watching that cat.

Not in the way most dogs would though, mind you. After all, it's not even that the Omen is a dog in the first place - it's a shisa, a guardian lion-dog, who just.. happens to take on the form of a cute fluffy puppy most of the time. But still, with being a guardian being part of its nature, he can't help but watch the cat as it wanders around the dojo.

Mostly because the Omen doesn't recognize it. It doesn't feel familiar.

And after staring at it for a while, the Omen decides to just go after it. Not running or chasing - just slowly pattering up to it to try and get closer.

What's the cat up to?

Paul V Robby: Dawn of Karate

[strikefirster]

[Johnny didn't quite feel right as he and Paul stepped toward the newly opened Miyagi Do. Johnny's last experience with the dojo back at home had involved Daniel accusing him of trashing it, and while his students had done the deed Johnny hadn't played any part in that. He knew in the future that him and Daniel would be working together more, but making this approach made that feel all the more unreal.

He was mostly here to scope out the place and didn't want any trouble. Which is why he showed up with tool belt, safety glasses and anything a general contractor might need. He wasn't going to be tricked into learning karate. Not when he already knew it. ...His efforts to maintain a low profile may be just as insulting to Daniel as if he was outright trying to hurt his feelings. There just was no winning.

He looks over to Paul and gives a nervous smile. Not quite Johnny energy.]

Okay. So we've got our stories straight, right? I'm here to fix a broken pipe sink pipe. And you're here to deliver your boyfriend that little lunch box.

You sure that's enough to feed him? I've seen the fucking pipes on him.

[Johnny. Your plan sounds like the plot of a bad porn.]

[miyagimagic]

[ Honestly, it's kind of hard to maintain a low profile with that kind of outfit. And then there's also definitely the fact that while Daniel's Omen doesn't stop the two from entering, it does immediately alert the man as to what's going on - because of course it knows that Daniel would want to know what's here, since the small fluffy thing is part of him.

Though while Daniel does get a sense of Johnny from it, the last thing he'd expected is this. Turning around, only to see Johnny and Paul standing there, despite the way Johnny had insulted his karate on the announcement post - and then with Johnny looking like he'd fit straight into the YMCA music video.

The man grits his teeth, already feeling like a part of his soul is leaving his body. Seriously. Seriously? Paul being here is fine, that's not the part Daniel is worried about, but having to deal with Johnny doing something utterly ridiculous while Daniel is just trying to get a good first impression of his dojo going on here sounds like hell.

It's no wonder that Daniel immediately paces across the yard until he's standing right in front of the two. There's a brief gaze at Paul, but it's only when he instead turns to look at the blonde that Daniel's gaze grows harder. ]

What the hell is this, Johnny?

[ At least he's not raising his voice here or anything - but Daniel definitely sounds his least impressed right now. ]

fight fight fight fight

[strongroots]

[ How did Miyagi-do go?, the Tory in Robby's head asks him.

Oh, you know, will come his reply, I met my dad and it turned into bullshit.

He'll skip over the part where it was his idea, this fight, because it's a humourless thought Robby has as he comes to stand before the sparring deck that will be his and Paul's stage. Their senseis are to be the referees, and the rules stated for this bout: they'll be going by tournament rules than an all-out karate brawl. A respectable match between the two dojos -- and about the only respectable part about this fight, given the way it was introduced.

The bitterness that had been a resident on Robby's face earlier isn't present now, facing the direction where Paul will soon stand opposite to him. He has nothing he wants to express to the other, neither friendly nor antagonistic; but it's neutral before cold, the edges of it weary.

He'll ready himself and stand on the mat once the signals are given to proceed. ]

KARATE INTERVENTION

[miyagimagic]

[ Daniel can just see this slowly sliding off into the deep end. At first it's gradual, but the signs are already very much present. The first sign isn't necessarily even Paul's opening move, because it's not even the first time Johnny has pulled this on him - and yes, he figures this has to be all Johnny, because Daniel is at the sidelines, which means he has enough time to look at Paul's face and spot the edge of awkwardness in it as he's taking on the stance, and he figures this has got to be Johnny's idea. The same thing he did with Miguel, such a long time back now.

It's something Daniel can easily dismiss with a roll of his eyes at this point. Faintly annoying, but nowhere near enough to register on his scale, especially when he told himself he'd be good during this fight for the kids' sakes.

But then Robby speaks up. And that's the first sign. Robby doing the exact thing Daniel told him not to do. He can't fully blame the kid, everything considered, but Daniel knows it's a very, very slippery slope right into all of Robby's messy feelings about Johnny, and the blonde's reply certainly doesn't help matters either, and Daniel is well aware of this fact.

The man takes in a deep breath, slowly exhaling it. Like he's hoping that as long as he can keep his cool here, it might somehow rub off on Robby, even though there's no way it will. But he's unable to stop this any other way. Speaking up will just make it worse, and he knows it, so he just has to keep his gaze trained on Robby's fighting figure, hoping that this won't go the way he thinks.

At first there's a moment of hope where he notices that at least Paul doesn't seem to be doing anything too bad, and Robby seems to be sticking to the Miyagi-do principles, but that quickly falls apart when a point is called and they don't stop. Paul keeps going, and Daniel already knows that Robby is going to match mere moments before he sees the other do exactly that, and it's completely getting out of hand.

This isn't what this was supposed to be. Fighting so senselessly has never done anyone good in Daniel's own experience, and he knows that this won't do good for either of them, knowing that neither of these boys will get any satisfaction out of beating each other like this - that it'll just end up with physical injury and fractured feelings on all sides.

And he can't let that happen. Daniel has already committed himself to protecting Robby's heart, and despite knowing Paul less well, he doesn't want the other boy to be doing this to himself either.

There's a bit of a delay from where things first fully go wrong and Daniel deciding to act, but there's just the momentary surprise that freezes him, a stare at Johnny to see if the other looks like he's about to do something that delays Daniel, but then he decides to tell himself screw it and move, because someone has to do something here.

Even if it's something that doesn't have much of a plan behind it. All he knows is that he's got to put a stop to this, and it moves Daniel, stepping onto the deck, quickly moving towards the middle where the two boys are fighting, ready to grab onto anything he can reach on either side of this battle - a shoulder, an arm, whichever - to try and physically pull them apart, yelling out a: ]

Stop!

live karate audience reaction (midoriya and kaworu)

[terriblepurpose]

midoriya

Paul is the last one left standing out in the open after the end of the fight. He holds himself at the edge of the sparring deck like he's trying not to let some fractured construct of glass inside him fall apart, a muscle twitching in his temple with the effort.

Pain is blunt biological feedback, irrelevant. A few bruises and a twinge in his side are nothing compared to some of the things he's put himself through. That's not what makes him feel like he might rupture into something hideous if he unclenches his fists. He swallows a sticky mouthful of spit and silvered blood before he jerks his shoulders back and up, stepping off the platform like a wind-up clockwork doll. He cuts across the dojo courtyard in a straight line to his bag, stooping to collect it as he passes by on the way to duck around the edge of the indoor dojo. There's a nook that's half-shielded from plain sight at the intersection of the fence, a boulder, and a desiccated hedge that he slips into, dropping his bag on the dirt with unusual carelessness.

He skins his Eagle Fang shirt off with sharp and equally careless efficiency, still ignoring the noise from his injuries, and balls it up between his hands. He holds it for one heartbeat, then another, staring blankly at black cloth like it might have some answer for him hidden inside.

Of course it doesn't. He crouches to flip the mouth of his satchel open and shove it inside, down beneath his other clothes and his set aside blades, and he ignores the footsteps approaching behind him.

kaworu

Paul should have left before Midoriya had a chance to catch up with him. It gave time for everything else to catch up with him, too, and he sits cross-legged in the shadow of the rock at his back with his head bowed as he cycles through another wash of post-exertion chemical signals, dilating and constricting capillaries by force of will alone to control their distribution.

It's finicky work made worse by distraction, which he provides himself in abundance as he runs through the fight and its aftermath in his thoughts again. It isn't enough to keep him from being aware of a second intruder on his particularly sad little puddle of self-inflicted misery, but it is enough to sap the energy that would make him bother to lift his head to greet him.

2B | nier: automata

[robussy]

ᴏᴜᴛᴅᴏᴏʀ (ɢᴀʀᴅᴇɴ)

[ whether a frequent visitor or student at miyagi-do, you'll always see the ever quiet, ever serious silver-haired woman always keeping to herself, wearing her uniform over her clothes and heels. she isn't the type to greatly socialize with or like her peers, nor does she usually take the first step into conversation, but she does keep a watchful eye over everyone as a guardian would. 2B can be found with most frequency here, along with her orchic mantis omen, mantinova. she kneels close to the plants, particularly the bonsai, and tend to them with unnatural focus and a pair of clippers. pod picks up the gathered debris and properly places them in paper containers. she's also a bit hard to miss this month— because she is literally lit like a rave. her blood shines brightly from where it runs beneath her chassis and from here one may see that despite her human shape, her interior isn't so human. her veins are not actually veins or webbed, but perfect tubular structures in a complex twine throughout her body and lining an inner metallic structure of futuristice bolts, wires, gears and carbon fibers. her "brain" is a high running system of chips and tecnology far from the human, gelatinous structure found in a cranial case. the only thing that looks very organic is the heart within her chest, pumping its ventricles fluidly rather than the filters that once were in a steady pulse. ]

ᴄʜᴏʀᴇs

[ despite not exactly needing them once she has watched the style, as 2B has it down in perfect memory, she still does her training chores like any other. she doesn't complain. she does the job with utmost dedication and lack of fatigue. she has it down to an S rank rating and will, without question, be a partner for whatever new grasshopper is there to try it out.

she corrects those who may be slacking or doing a movement wrong, taking your hand from its top and putting emphasis on the drag of a paintbrush or the circular swipe on top of a car. just don't let her catch you groaning. she'll be quite unsympathetic. ]

ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴsᴛʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ

[ 2B may be found going through her own demonstrations for no one in particular, just herself— hand to hand, weaponry of all kinds, and no matter how much one will ask her to spar with them, 2B's response is always a very stern no, level or combat expertise be damned. she's dangerous to simply spar with, and her combat modules are lethal. there's no in-between, no amount of holding back she could perform without triggering her COMBAT AGAINST HUMANS PROHIBITTED message anyway (even if her robot friends are working on it). ]

ᴀɪᴋɪᴅᴏ

[ there is . . . one way, and she thanks daniel for this. in the indoor dojo, 2B can be found simply sitting on the mats, meditating, but— she has her eyes open. she's staring at the wall with a look that is not fixated, it is long gone and entirely elsewhere. she's surfing the omni through pod's connection, and finally blinks back into the now, standing upright for any takers and nodding with an: ]

I'm ready.

demonstration

[strongroots]

[ If Robby had ever seen 2B devoid of the context of Trench -- watching her use her weapons as she has, fighting for survival in that other place -- then he might have a less complicated impression of her talents. She's graceful, yes, she's unbelievable in her ability, and Robby isn't ever going to question if he can spar a force like that; he isn't stupid. What, does he want to get bodied in one kick or punch?

But watching her, there's something lacking in him for all the talent: because it's sad, for someone who's been programmed to fight, but not to have fun. Whose fighting on a planet far from the humans she's supposed to be protecting, complicated as those emotions are. Robby can't let go of that with 2B.

Still, it's 2B, it's a part of her, and so he waits for a moment when she's stopped to approach her from where he'd been taking a break (because why not take it watching 2B), his voice light. ]

Do your moves ever get rusty if you don't practice them for a while?

Oscar Pine

[justoscar]

Garden

He wasn't here to commit, but he wasn't here to cause trouble either. Rather, Oscar had finally set foot into a Dojo on his own volition to spite someone that probably didn't care understand what all the fuss about karate was about.

Oscar had compared it to different flavors of ice cream, but Robby Keane had suggested that it was more like different kinds of music. They could be united by instrument and genre, but still sound totally different. He wanted to see this...

But, as a farmboy the was unashamed about his humble origin, he was taken by the elaborate garden.

"How did he manage all this so quickly?" He wondered aloud, stopping before the carefully trained potted trees and admiring the sheen of their leaves.

"Trees like this can take ages-- and, with the pollution--?"

He'd been trying to resolve this problem in a sustainable manner for months. Truly, he was curious.

Chores

... But he wasn't curious enough to take part in the manual labor that looked no different from some of the chores he had to do on his family farm. Painting fences and barns was a typical task for young people, and even a bookworm like Oscar hadn't been spared. He sighed and shook his head.

"He must honestly think we're dumb." Oscar said to the person nearby.

"My boyfriend was from California. Gosh... What did he say about car salesmen again?"

Wildcard

[don't see a prompt? Make one up! Hmu on Plurk at woodrift ]

garden

[strongroots]

"He showed up with it. A bonsai -- you seen one before?"

It's Robby who's heard -- and seen -- Oscar's interest, walking to where he and the bonsai tree are and crouching to meet it. There's only the singular bonsai tree, and if there's another tree in the garden, it doesn't yet have flourish; but this small thing is different, and even Robby has a smile as he regards it.

"He had a bunch of them at the dealership he owns. One bonsai tree with every purchase."

His voice is thick with humour.

Izuku "Deku" Midoriya | OTA

[wannasmash]

Wax On, Wax Off open to talking, demonstration, or sparring with beginner moves

After being set to his tasks by Daniel (LaRusso-sensei), Midoriya is well on his way to waxing the truck, painting the fence, and hammering nails. The polite young man in Trench!basketball shorts and one of his very fashionable T-shirts tackles his super important karate moves dutifully and with gusto. He’s not tall, but he’s very solidly built, and he seems tireless no matter how many boards he has to paint with efficient and precise strokes.

“These are the secret techniques of Miyagi-Do being handed to a new generation… Though I guess they’re not so secret now. I dunno, it’s just very different than anything I’ve learned so far. I’m really excited to improve my Quirkless fighting.”

Someone should probably tell him he’s been roped into fixing up some guy’s yard.

Miyagi-Do Is For Nerds

During a break, Midoriya sits down out of the way with his notebook, scribbling intently. Oblivious to his surroundings, he’s muttering to himself at an increasingly rapid pace. If it weren’t so weird and barely intelligible to anyone but him, it would be impressive. Sometimes it’s the best way he can work through information and organize his thoughts, but tough luck to anyone who is hoping for a quiet corner to meditate.

“So it looks like my knowledge of throws and other counters will come in handy, but that’s barely scratching the surface. Training by myself hasn't really yielded much, that’s to be expected. A more practical application always helps. Lawrence-sensei helped me not overextend my kicks, but there’s still so much I have to learn…”

There he goes…

“Diversifying my teachers has always been difficult, I mean, my own sensei was only here for a little while. Having multiple teachers was always the goal, but I gotta figure out how to balance their different methods of instruction when there are clear contradictions in methodology. Cobra Kai/Eagle Fang focuses on strikes and offense, Miyagi-Do on counters and defense. It’s winning versus saving all over again, I really can’t have one without the other if I’m going to be an effective Hero…”

Does he ever stop?

“It’s not as simple as just trying to replicate my UA High education. For one, that’s impossible, and also this is a different world with different needs. LaRusso-sensei is already prepared to adapt his dojo to face the dangers of this world. I’ve got to use what I’ve learned with the Hunters and make my own assessments on the areas I most need help. And then there is the matter of, what was it, balance and inner peace. I think that by focusing my energy but not using my Quirk, I can grasp the overall concept and move more effectively, and then there’s the matter of, uh, that other thing... I think I know what he’s talking about, but it’s honestly not quite the same as the microwave…”

Please make him stop.

Wildcard contact me if you’d like something else. Midoriya knows mixed martial arts, but he’s only been a jerd for a couple of years.

nerd alert nerd alert

[strongroots]

"Wouldn't it be easier to take notes on your omni?"

Hi there, Midoriya. Robby isn't one to try and nosy on what a guy is saying, or writing, and he hasn't been doing that here, either -- but he can hear and see the guy at work, that he's been sneaking a few glances during this note-taking time of his.

And it's a suggestion given with curiosity, because maybe Midoriya's already tried that before. But with the way he's going on -- both by hand and with his talking --, Robby wonders if the guy isn't asking for a hand cramp.

Ochako Uraraka | OTA!!

[floatsaway]

i. Intro/Possible Sparring

[It takes a pretty fair amount of time for Ochako to actually get inside the dojo. Not because she got lost or anything, no, b-but...you presented her with a small, cute, fluffy puppy Shisa. You expect her not to stop, coo, and lavish attention on it for at least a solid eight minutes? Dishonor. Dishonor on your whole family.

By the time she does actually make it inside the dojo, removing her shoes and setting them either outside or on the genkan, Ochako waves to everyone happily and excitedly before remembering herself and bowing instead. She's in basic workout attire to start, hair tied high in a very messy bun with the longer bits tucked behind her ears. She'll change into her gi once it's given to her, or wait for others to do so first while she stretches and gets herself loose and ready for some warmups and maybe a bit of sparring. Funny enough, the one thing she absolutely needs to wear are what may be artist gloves - where only the ring and pinky finger are covered while the other three are free. It's really because of her quirk, and if asked, she'll explain it's to prevent "accidents" if she touches someone.

Though if they want a demonstration of how her martial arts works alongside her quirk...she will nod her head and indeed give a demonstration, though she will warn very pointedly:]

...You should wear some extra padding. It, um...m-might hurt when I throw you.

ii. Downtime/PUBBY

[After working up a good sweat (and probably being swindled into doing some menial chores... :\), Ochako is taking a break while drinking from a bottle of water and toweling off her face. She's a bit sore in places - either from being struck or knocked down, but mostly it's just from the exertion that comes with a good workout. It's been a while since she's gotten to really - and literally - flex her muscles a bit. It feels good... Maybe she'll invite Bakugou here once, just for a bit of sparring and training their battle forms from time to time. Like a workout. He'd probably enjoy it...though it'd make the area much more noisy.

While she's sitting on the matts and taking a breather, Ochako suddenly gasps loudly and puts a hand to her mouth. Oh no...oh no. Shock and horror has happened!! Daniel's Omen has waddled its way over to her, did a quick sniff-snoof and decided to flop itself bodily on her lap.]

Oh my gosh...

[She wheezes softly in a whisper, feeling her eyes cloud as the pup starts to chew and suckle at one of the sleeves of her gi. Once it starts to fall asleep as she strokes its soft and ploofy fur, she throws her head back and utters a sort of wet kind of sob. KILLED. SHE HAS BEEN KILLED BY THIS FEARSOME BEAST.

Someone, come save her. But don't move it, she will break your arms if you try.]

i

[strongroots]

What if I throw you?

[ Here it is, it's Robby to be Uraraka's toss bag to let her show her stuff -- and he did ask to see it, so why should anyone else volunteer? He's without his shoes, wearing his gi, and looking comfortable in himself with a smile playing on his face. There's a rolling of his shoulders, almost like he's getting ready --

Well, he is, but he's being as playful as his expression, at least for now. He flexes his fingers, but doesn't quite hold any fists yet. ]

Cho Hakkai | Saiyuki | ota

[knowsvinewhip]

1) GENERAL
[Well, if nothing else, this month has shown Hakkai precisely what "blood type" he has. And that is, apparently, Glowing Blood. Ugh. How irritating. He'd thought for a moment it was following very different lines in his skin than veins, but, thankfully not.]

[The man can be found, of all things, sweeping up fallen leaves around the dojo. No, it's not for training. He's actually cleaning. Taking bags of leaves away, or, if it's snowed recently, he'll clear outdoor paths of white powder here and there.]

[His own omen, finally manifested, can typically be found on his shoulder. Occasionally, the little dragon drapes itself around his neck like a scarf. You might be forgiven for thinking it's one if you approach him.]

[He can also be found in the kitchen, since he'd also offered that as well. Sleeves rolled up, with his own version of snacks set out - mostly vegetables, some pickles. And onigiri. Because why the heck not.]

2) Spar... ing?
[Listen, he's here because he told Daniel he owed him. He's not here for any kind of physical altercation, even for practice.]

[But...]

[If you ask, he'll dust himself off. Remove his shoes, and step onto the mats.]

Very well. I suppose I could use the exercise!

[Listen, you'd absolutely be forgiven for deciding this guy, who was just cooking and cleaning around the dojo, isn't going to be much of a match. Most people do. It's kind of his shtick.]

1

[miyagimagic]

[ Hakkai has company in the kitchen.

It's not Daniel, though. No, there's definitely someone else who feels like they can just wander in and out of the house as they please - and that's of course Daniel's Omen, still in its tiny chow chow puppy form. It's almost like it senses Hakkai being there in the kitchen, and just waddles straight over from where it was perched on the roof earlier, watching everyone go at it in the dojo.

But now it's just sitting on the floor, and staring up at Hakkai with big round puppy eyes.

Expectantly.

Will you feed him, human. Please. May he have a snack. He's been such a good boy! ]

kaworu nagisa | evangelion | OTA

[peripheries]

i. training

[Kaworu arrives at the dojo, looking a little out of place, with his hands in his pockets as he stands in the back, red eyes taking everything in. His expression shifts as he looks around, shifting from vaguely amused to vaguely curious, despite himself.

As such, he's not joined in on the training, and remains watching from the sidelines. Training was something forced on him, a path to a specific purpose, and not because it was something he wanted. He wants to understand why people want this. Why is it different?

...Except when he sees the training, he raises his eyebrows. Surely, he can't be serious...? These are chores. They're clearly chores! There's no combat benefit to be seen, he thinks Yet some (including one broccoli boyfriend) seem to do it anyway. He props himself up on a rock to watch the scene unfold.

Humans really are funny. You're so easily fooled when you think you're getting something out of it.

ii. the dojo

[Despite it being hilarious to watch humans get tricked into chores, Kaworu can't resist exploring the dojo. Despite himself, he has to admit he likes the the outdoors, especially the bridge and the pond. He takes some time to watch the water, so clear and still he can easily see the stones at the bottom. It seems as though they've all been carefully placed.

Inside, he retains his distinct out of place visage, as he doesn't wear a gi nor does he interact with anyone, like a ghost wandering through a space. He waits for everyone to leave before he approaches one of the punching bags. As he only stands no more than a few inches above five feet, it towers over him and casts a menacing shadow.

Experimentally, he pulls his fist back and then brings it forward to connect with the outside of the bag in a respectable, but not powerful, punch. It's different, he thinks, to put force on something with your own hand rather than to control another being to do it on your behalf.

It feels... better?

He does the same with one of the kama. It's simple compared to the Prog Knife wielded by the Evangelions, but it's his hand that holds it. And there's something enticing about that.

If you were to walk in on him, or had been watching, he may not have even noticed.]

iii. wildcard!

[Kaworu is generally lurking around and about the dojo but not actively participating in much (except maybe trying to befriend Daniel's omen because it's a curious being). Feel free to hit me up at worldtype]

ii - kama

[strongroots]

It feels better when you have both of them.

[ Robby doesn't immediately speak up; he'd seen a test of the weapon, and let the guy get a feel for it in his grip -- or just have some fun. How Kaworu prefers it is up to him, but Robby's simply speaking from his own experience, and he walks more into the room where Kaworu might be able to see him, walking to where the other kamas have been set.

He picks one of them up, turning it so the blade faces himself, the handle sticking out to be held. ]

Let me show you?

[ Of course, with Kaworu taking part in the fun than simply watching, by the offered second weapon. ]