(open) miyagi-do gathering for new & existing students!

[miyagimagic]

Who: You, you, and you!
What: For members of Miyagi-do, those interested in Miyagi-do, and whoever else might end up there! (Visiting a friend, etc)
When: Some time first half of month.
Where: At Miyagi-do Dojo in Crenshaw!

MIYAGI-DO: A NEW DAY (AN APRIL LOG)

Miyagi-do has seen some unexpected activity in the last few weeks, but has also--fortunately--seen a return to normality. An upgrade, even, where the damage sustained after a student's accidental explosion caught parts of the dojo in the ensuing chaos now gone after hard work hired, with thanks to the builders and those who helped with funds.

Even the sensei of the dojo has recovered from his own injuries, welcoming students--old and potentials--to classes. Along with a few touch-ups to the dojo, there are other changes, new and old, that should be addressed:

1. A (SEMI-)NEW SENSEI

He's been around for a month now, but here's your formal introduction to Miyagi-do's second sensei, Sensei Toguchi. Sensei LaRusso would have introduced him as a...not old, but dear friend from back home who has also learned from the school of Miyagi-do back in Okinawa. Skilled in the use of sais, you may find Sensei Toguchi a different kind of sensei from Daniel LaRusso. But we'll let you see that for yourself.

2. YOUR VERY OWN SNACK PROVIDER

Truthfully, this is a figure who's been around the dojo since the start, doing exactly what he does now...but Daniel LaRusso would not be himself if he didn't take some time to introduce Hakkai to the class as the person who makes their snacks and refreshments. Because Hakkai deserves his thanks, and you cannot escape a dad man like Daniel.

3. ICE BRACELETS: A NEW FORM OF PROTECTION

Miyagi-do has always worked to help individuals with what it is they want out of the dojo. Sometimes, this can just mean having somewhere to meditate and to find comfort in your own body than to focus on the fighting aspect. But Miyagi-do always leans towards protection, and learning how to respond and to engage with danger. It works to help individuals learn how they can use their own powers in ways that they prefer.

And in his announcement for the start of April's lessons, Sensei LaRusso has a bracelet to share to those who want one, after he's explained what they are. They're ice-powered bracelets--not super powerful, but with proper training they can be used as a means of defence. Spread ice over the ground, freeze certain limbs to surfaces, or even use it to shroud an enemy's face just long enough to distract them.

Sensei LaRusso will show how to use the bracelets to manifest the ice, and Robby Keene will also help in demonstrations, as well as with students individually. Dummies and can be used as stationary targets, and are a great way to learn how to disappear the ice, too--especially if you want to focus on using them for actual living targets, which either Sensei LaRusso or Robby can help with (or, if you're really that into getting iced...!).

ENDING NOTES

This log covers the first lesson of April, as well as continuing forward if you want to add extra days and lessons! Please familiarise yourself with what Miyagi-do teaches. Newcomers are welcomed, and there will always be a place to get food and drink...thank you, Hakkai.

Feel free to make your own toplevels on this log, it's meant as a mingle for existing students and those interested in checking out Miyagi-do! You can hang around the snack table, practice some karate, meet the teachers (and food provider...), maybe try out the new fun ice bracelets or.. you know, you can always just hang out with Daniel's Omen. He's a good boy who will stop to get belly rubs from everyone. You can't reject him. Sorry if you sat down for three seconds and are now stuck with a dog on your lap. He will not move.

Comments

[crossreversed]

[The bird omen behaves much more like a bird than The Spider does a spider, but given what The Spider is where he's from, he can't say he's too surprised. Chrollo can't help it, he grins and laughs little at the bird omen's comment about learning to use all those legs, and the the way 'she' addresses the spider.]

Not that I doubt your Sleeper's expertise in his art, but are you sure a master of kicking with two legs can instruct a student with twelve?

[Just the thought of it is almost enough to get Chrollo to go towards the training grounds.]

[toguchi]

[ The bird trills, a rippling noise very much like laughter. She reverses her stretch and becomes compact once more, a modest bundle of ethereal feathers. ]

There's only one way to find out.

[ She looks the young man over head to toe, an idle appraisal performed so boldly for his benefit: she wants him to know he is being seen. ]

If you were not interested, you would not still be watching.

[crossreversed]

[It's interesting the way omens make him feel just as watched as if a person was observing him.]

Well, I guess I can't argue with that logic.

[Chrollo slips his own omen back into a pocket, though, as he kicks off his shoes. Teaching The Spider how to kick isn't what has him curious enough to stay. At least part of the act of being a novice here is real; this is the first time he's ever attended a formal lesson of any kind on fighting.

Without his hair slicked back and his more dramatic or formal outfits he looks closer in age to some of the teenagers than he'd like. He does look less than certain as he makes his way over to join in.]

[toguchi]

[ The Omen doesn't answer Chrollo with words, only a sweeping, brassy low call, puffing out her chest feathers and accompanying him to joining the other students. There's no need for her to rub in her (almost) impeccable argumentation.

Before she breaks away from him to join her Sleeper's explanation of the lesson, she gives him one last glance and a very human nod. Next to Chozen, she puts on a further show of marching and marshalling - and in the midst of it, Chozen sends Chrollo a particularly focused look. She seems to have kept him informed.

But whatever Chrollo might think about that, he may want to think it fast. Chozen calls out his encouragement to the students to scatter, then falls back, a fleeting opportunity to prepare to meet the somewhat absurd challenge. ]

[crossreversed]

[A very curious game of tag. Chrollo is indifferent as he listens and offers no reaction to the focused look, but The Spider skitters up out of his pocket full of energetic excitement.

When the lesson starts with a brief head start for the students, Chrollo flees.]

Make the right call.

[He knows his omen disagrees with him at times, but he wants to be on the same page. They leave others to try to coordinate a defense or attack, and go to hide first. Not up high, but on the ground.

By the end of the lesson they've shown that The Spider at least has very quick reflexes. When close to being grabbed it vanishes, either unsummoned or to merge with and bolster Chrollo.

It shrinks down at the last second to slip through tiny openings or grows larger to make bigger leaps or skitter faster on twelve legs, or even to menace Chozen with a large swipe of its leg to buy Chrollo some space before it once again vanishes.

Despite the somewhat ridiculous nature of the game, or perhaps because of it, Chrollo has the occasional smile on his face. Even as he restrains himself to normal human speed and avoids doing anything other than dodging out of the way and fleeing, moving more like a dancer or acrobat than a fighter.]

[toguchi]

[ When he finds him, Chozen meets Chrollo with an appropriate amount of force, which in this case, is an order of magnitude more than he employs with most of the other students. Not serious, in the sense of seeking to harm, but with gradually increasing sureness in Chrollo's ability to defend himself from aggressive strikes, to anticipate and counter feints, and, in the end, to evade Chozen's capture.

When he fades away from the younger looking man, Chozen is smiling as well, ruffled and flushed with exertion. Chrollo is left to his own devices while Chozen rounds up the last stragglers and imparts the second half of the lesson, emphasizing the exact sort of strategies that Chrollo employed.

After fielding questions (and a quick break to stretch) Chozen ambles back to where he last saw Chrollo, his Omen trailing at his heels much more casually than before. ]

You are a very advanced student.

[ No preamble for that, or any caveats hidden underneath. It is a frank and open compliment. ]

So much so, I begin to think you are not student at all. But you came for lesson anyway.

[ He arches his eyebrows with curiosity, even while his feathered Omen plops herself down on the ground like a round of bread. ]

Chozen Toguchi, Miyagi-do sensei. I am glad you joined us today. Made the lesson...easier to demonstrate.

[crossreversed]

This is the first time I've attended any kind of lesson about fighting, sensei.

[It's an honest statement, everything he knows he learned from watching, or fighting, or as the smallest boy keeping up with older and stronger kids. Chrollo probably could have held back more, but he enjoyed the game as it was.]

I'm a student of the school of life, but there's some proverb about only fools thinking there's nothing to learn, or something like that.

[Chrollo grins and looks down at his omen as it crawls out of hiding from up his sleeve.]

Chrollo Lucilfer, I don't have any titles or positions I can tack on to that, so just Chrollo is fine.

[toguchi]

I am only a teacher. It is not so grand a title.

[ He waves it off, like a tiny fly. It is an important title, perhaps, but still: not one so lofty that he ought to expect deference from people around him. Some teachers forget this. ]

And it is a pleasure to meet you, Lucilfer-san - you as well, Kumo-san.

[ He bows slightly to the spider when it emerges in acknowledgement. ]

I could not identify your style. That makes more sense, now. And I have heard proverb like that before...I cannot remember it either.

[ A slightly wider smile, a shake of his head. ]

Your school of life must have been very good teacher...or very harsh one.