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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!)

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"Enlighten me."

Look at that impish expression, which only spurs the daring tone that Robby uses, repeating the motion in the air again to see if she'll keep it up. Even in Cobra Kai, he'd speak a little during practice, so some conversation in the middle of showing her the motions isn't distracting for him.

It's just showing the motions for now, too. While his eyebrows are raised, waiting for the horror stories of the chores that Chizuru took part in.

"There was so much to do!"

Thankfully it seems that Chizuru is capable of keeping up the gestures at the same time as she speaks. Perhaps that's also because she's so used to doing chores back home.. It makes you a whole lot more used to the idea of having to multitask. The movements even still seem pretty crisp, like she isn't slacking on trying to copy the exact movements even as she's speaking.

"There were so many men who joined the Shinsengumi at one point.. Cooking for all of them meant working with these really, really big pots, and stirring until my arms felt like they were going to fall off!" Despite the content of her words, Chizuru's tone doesn't really sound like she's complaining though.

It felt nice, after all. It felt like she was being useful, and there's no feeling Chizuru treasures more than that.

"And.. sure, there was sweeping the floors.. Especially since most of the time everyone else was way too busy to clean, so I had to do my best to keep it up for everyone else's share too. I spent so much time washing everyone's haori after battles too!"

Do you know how hard it is to get bloodstains out of lightly coloured clothes, Robby.

Do you.

Robby is keeping note of Chizuru motions as she talks, not about to take her to task if she slips, but it's impressive that she's managing to keep track of herself while she's been inspired by the topic of conversation. Robby could wax on and wax off the air in his sleep, by now.

And it sounds like Chizuru could clean pots in hers. It's that fun kind of venting, remembering harder times, but one you can easily look back on and recall with amazement -- for how you even managed to keep up.

"Haori?" He asks in question, a 'ohh' when she gives the answer, then actually speaking more on her woes. "How full was the compound? Are we talking hundreds, or thousands?"

And, he'll admit: "I actually figured it was just you and a group of guys you somehow ended up with."

Chizuru, and her harem of soldier guys.

Isn't the art of multitasking beautiful, Robby. There may be moments where her movement seems to grow a little more sloppy, but Chizuru does actually seem to realise so herself each time, stopping after a few moments - and maybe even stopping the talking for a moment - so she can focus and start again.

It feels hard to feel ridiculous about making these movements while talking as she's speaking to Robby, after all. Somehow being around him makes a whole lot of things feel easier.

"No, there's a few hunderds.." Which is a lot by the standards of Chizuru's time. Especially since she basically watched the group grow in real time. "I don't know most of them very well though, since I'm not supposed to be in touch much with the soldiers of lower rank.. I'm only close to the captains of each of the divisions, so that's why I talk about them more."

And why it'd be easy to imagine the group was much smaller. It's why she absolutely doesn't blame Robby for that assumption, even as he admits it out loud.

"Since only the captains knew I was a girl. And, um, that me being a girl and all was mostly the reason I didn't join in on training.." Which is why even her swordfighting isn't that good. ".. or other activities with all the other men."

It doesn't seem like she has any personal objections against training as a girl though, since she is standing right here with Robby right now, still repeating the motions.

"People are like that in America too, about girls fighting." Well. "I think all guys want to protect them first. But then you get your ass handed to you by them enough times..."

He smiles at her, and does he need to say any more? You start thinking differently. Though that isn't true for every girl -- Robby knows he'd put himself between Chizuru and any threat that came for her. But she isn't the same as Tory or Sam, or even like Maria, 2B. She isn't there yet in her confidence or abilities.

And there's nothing wrong with wanting to protect your friends, is there?

"But that was a lot," Robby admits, going back to the actual subject. "I just had to wash a few windows and floors and cars every day, and put up with one captain-- two," he corrects with a beat, a cock of his head. "But one just wanted me to help her put the paperwork away."

Okay, that isn't fair to the end result of his extra work resulting in learning karate, but no one is here for an accurate description of his time at LaRusso's Motors. It's just some fun, like how Robby stops in the motions, makes a fist.

"Hey-- wax on."

--And with a fist that's not fast at all, he comes with a punch towards her wax on side. There's no strength behind it -- Robby just wants to see what Chizuru will do.

There's a brief thought about how the stuff Robby had to do - the entire idea of cars aside - doesn't sound all that different from the stuff Chizuru did around the Shinsengumi compound, just on a much smaller scale. Even helping file paperwork isn't new to this girl, considering how much that was part of the entire Shisnengumi business as well..

.. but that thought is entirely interrupted when he moves that fist towards her. Even though it can't truly be called a punch at this speed, more just.. him vaguely moving the fist through the air.. Chizuru still lets out a 'huh?' first and then a squeak second, flinching away from the hand.

Mostly with her head though, because her hand is making the right motion, making the fist land against her arm, stopped mid-air. It's just that Chizuru isn't directly looking at it, as if she can't even stand to look at an act of violence.

(.. again, if one can even call this that, honestly.)

"W-What was that for so suddenly?!"

There's a breath of a chuckle, fun from his mouth, a grin that sticks on there afterwards.

"Chizuru, good reflexes!" Is it good reflexes if he warned her what to do? Whatever, Robby can compliment her as he pleases, that fun dip in her name that carries on slightly sing-song. "I wanted to see what you do. You need to keep your head up, but hey, good work."

Will Robby be forgiven for his crimes with this smile? Please, merciful Chizuru? Even if he's definitely expecting her to pout at him for doing that despite his encouragement. (Is he getting good at reading her? Maybe.)

"It wasn't bad, was it? Let me keep doing that; I won't come in for a real attack, but you should try to meet me." After all: "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

He asks it with humour in his tone, more of a point than a real question. He knows how hard he hit her -- he felt it himself.

(And the answer is: not hard at all.)

Robby knows Chizuru too well in that sense. Knowing that she'll forgive him for it - of course, since they're good friends and it's not like he did something even remotely close to unforgivable in the first place - but that she'll also pout about it.

Because that is happening. Right now. Her bottom lip starts to curl and the bridge of her nose scrunges up until she's full on pouting while looking at the other, though it makes her look more like a kicked puppy than truly angry in any way.

"You couldn't hurt me if you tried, you know."

This might seem like a weirdly uncharacteristically bold joke on Chizuru's part, though Robby sure will find out what she really means by that by the time they're going out for their little makeover day..

She doesn't linger on it for long right now though. Despite the pout on her face, Chizuru moves slightly. Planting her feet firmer on the ground, a little bit apart, raising her hands and doing a quick wax on, wax off motion just to get in the right mood. Something about the pout seems to shift closer towards determination.

"H-Here, you can try it again now I'm actually prepared. I'll try not to flinch." Since she knows that's what caused her head movement last time. And Robby is right - she can't do that. Not in a real fight, anyway.

Listen to Miss Confidence here. As if Robby didn't already have reasons to smile, was smiling, on top of calling that pouting face she's making now. But for her earlier fussing about potentially hurting anyone, Chizuru doesn't seem to mind this, does she?

It's good to know, and good in general. But he sees her get serious, and responds in kind; the smile on his lips softening (if not leaving his eyes) as he places his fists level to one another, not giving away which might move first. However, they're not balled up as tight as they could be -- the strength of his punches aren't the purpose but the swing of them, and how quickly Chizuru can react.

"Alright. Remember the swing--don't hesitate."

There's a note of command to that, a teacher to a student, Robby's gaze fixed on her. And then he comes in with a quick one, two -- aiming at her with a left fist, and then a right.

Think quick (again), Chizuru.

She knows she has to be extra serious about this sometime. If she doesn't try it - then she'll never learn, right? No matter how much she dislikes fighting, it might be something she can't always escape. Even if so many people here offered to help her, protect her, it's not like she wants them to get hurt just because she can't be on their level.

So she settles on one thing she can do here. Something that'll hopefully keep her from flinching with her head. She looks right into Robby's eyes, determined to keep her gaze there - because she can't look away if she's supposed to look at him.

Sure, it might mean that Chizuru has a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to seeing the direction of the swing..

.. or so you'd think. Surprisingly enough she manages to predict the side both times. Maybe even a little bit too quickly, like her arm is already raising on the correct side to block at just a twitch of Robby's own limbs - and all the while she's still looking right in the boy's eyes, a determined look in her gaze.

Sure, her movement isn't perfect - but it's pretty decent since she does manage to block both (weakened) blows, especially when coupled with those near-weird reflexes she's got going on.

"L-Like this?"

Yeah, Robby isn't exactly going fast here, but he's still impressed in the way that Chizuru responds for someone who'd seconds ago ducked her head at his poor excuse of a punch. Impressed, and proud. We can make a blocker out of her yet, he thinks, though it's very early days.

"Yeah, not bad. I'm going again, but I'm just moving fast, alright?" Again: no force. It may sting from the speed, but Robby knows how to keep power out of his fists -- because he knows how to put power into them, thanks to his training. But he wants to test those reflexes again, if she's just getting lucky or if they're as good as they look.

So, once more, with the strikes coming in faster, not repeating the same directions but reversing. There's a pause after, his eyes on hers -- and he goes for another three strikes aimed around her shoulder, torso, and face, with never the possibility of making contact.

The reflexes do seem to kick in enough for her to be able to block them. Something else appears on her face as she does so though, especially obvious since she's still directly looking at Robby - something a little more panicked. It's not like Chizuru has never been in a fight before - though always involuntarily - but she's never liked it. It's always a little too tense.

And despite the fact that Robby couldn't really hurt her, that he'd stop if he managed to get past a block, she still seems a little scared all the same. Like something about the very idea of fighting just triggers some sort of rabbit-like instinct within Chizuru.

She doesn't acknowledge it out loud - or maybe she just doesn't realise it herself? - but it leaves her breathing a little harder after he stops for a moment.

"S.. Sheesh, Robby.. You're way too good at this."

(And he's not even close to his full power... Please, Chizuru...)

Robby's noticing. He's watching, and he knows fear (deeply, personally). He doesn't go beyond that practice, eyes studying her a little longer before he pulls back. Lets a breath roll through his as he brings his arms to his sides and directs:

"--Arms to your sides." A pause, to wait. "Bow."

And he bows to her, letting - after the fact - a warm look to spread across the pull of his lips.

"I know it's hard, but you did good. If we're lucky, you'll never have to be in a fight." We're, because Robby wants it just as little as Chizuru does. "But if you learn to fight, you'll do so on your terms, your way, alright? You've got-- insane reflexes," and he can come out of concern mode to appreciate that. "And if all you want to do is to get out of a fight, those are gonna come in handy."

He smiles at her a little more proper now, small as it tugs on his face.

"Let's keep focusing on the basics, and then I'll let you take a break. We can save bo training for another day."

Getting Chizuru to bow is easy. She's used to it, after all, in many more contexts than just karate. She responds to his instructions easily, taking on the right posture before moving to bow, then standing back upright.

".. yes," she slowly says. She nods, and it almost seems like a mini-bow all over again, her gaze momentarily leaving Robby's as she does so before returning.

(She's mostly pondering whether her reflexes are really that good. It doesn't feel like it - but on the other hand, she doubts Robby would say that unless he at least meant it in some way.)

"Thank you for all your help already." And the continuing help, of course, since Chizuru is only just starting with this training. "And.. um.. sorry if me being.."

Her voice trails off, like she can't find the right answer.

"If me being.. well, me.. makes it harder." (Chizuru probably means her general unease surrounding anything that has to do with fighting, honestly.)

There she goes with the apologies. Robby thinks he'll be hearing them each session, and if only he had the magic works to reassure her that she's fine, she's fine, there's nothing wrong with her, then he might just fix an ingrained part of Chizuru's personality that no one should mind being changed.

(Her self-worth. Give her more self-worth.)

Instead, he tips his head the slightest, smile still tiny on his face. Thinks about touching her, but he's done that once, so: let's go for words.

"Give me everything you can each time, and that's all I'll ask for. And every time, what you can give will change. It won't happen in a day, but it'll happen, and you'll see it too."

It'll take a while, but he'll be there to help. Just like he was helped along to get where he is.

And he can't help it--he gives her a friendly pat on the arm after all, a tiny laugh. "So no apologies, alright? Or I might have to introduce punishment exercises into lessons."

A sllllly grin.

Chizuru is entirely ready to answer that she will do her best as much as she can. She's even ready to trust Robby here, because even if she doesn't feel like she'll be able to get much better than this, she fully trusts him. He wouldn't lie to her about this.

But all of that is cut off when he continues with that grin on his face. Despite the fact that every single sign here indicates that it's very much a joke, Chizuru lets out a flustered squeak all the same.

(Maybe some reactions are so ingrained that she just can't help it.)

"D-Don't even joke about that!" Chizuru manages to get out, starting to blush in the face of this joke. The girl, sounding obviously flustered, quickly shakes her head. "I don't even want to know what kind of punishment you'd give..!"

Please, Robby.

No making her suffer.

"We'll see," Robby says, giving no relief to that fluster or worry. But, with a pause and some relenting. "But let's hope we don't have to."

There you go, Chizuru. Foreboding, a warning, that won't ever come to pass if she's a very good girl. He'd make a joke about No Mercy or about his last dojo's strict training, but he'd much prefer to keep away from that chapter of his life, even to someone who'd take no deeper meaning from it.

Distance is always good.

"So, how're you feeling? Wanna get a drink? I'll show you some moves with a bo, no joining in. I've been learning these sweet jump kicks off of them."

Jump kicks, Chizuru!

".. yes, maybe a drink would be good."

It did require a moment of thought before she says it, but it's a very brief moment before she's already bobbing her head in a nod. Maybe just to calm her nerves for a moment, to cool down after that initial impression of karate training.

It helps that Robby is offering an alternative too, something for him to do while she's having her drink. It makes her feel a little less like she's burdening him, or making him wait for her.

Besides..

"I'm sure you will look very.. cool." (One day she'll manage to say that word without it sounding weird.

Chizuru is doing her best.)

"So I'd love to see it, even if I'm still far off from doing anything like that." Really, Chizuru would watch Robby do anything at all, just if it'd mean she could be there to support her friend. It's why she smiles, even if it's a little thin.

Ah, listen to Chizuru say cool like an old person...

(Technically, she is.)

It nudges up the sounds of his mouth in a small humour, but he won't comment on it. Instead he starts to walk with the intention of making her follow him, the both of them heading to the dojo-house side by side; with the joke of how they'll be working their way up to Chizuru's own cool flipping kicks, but falling into a laugh, so she doesn't take it too serious.

(But you never know...one day.

One day far away. For now, Chizuru-sized baby steps were fine enough to take.)

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