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

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

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ For what it's worth - Daniel seems to be in a great mood today. Sure, after classes he does feel kind of fatigued despite being healed, mostly from suddenly being so active after resting up for so long.. but it still can't really get his mood down. It's nice to be back here. Back at the dojo with all the students. With Chozen and Hakkai, too. It makes the place feel lively and complete, and Daniel can frequently be seen smiling while instructing students and chatting people up.

Hakkai is included in the latter, though it's definitely after classes, once he's done helping out all of the kids. When he can't spot Hakkai anywhere in the dojo's yard, he figures the other is probably in the kitchen - and it seems Daniel is right, his lips curling up into a faint smile. ]

Hope you didn't mind the big introduction.

[ Daniel, please, why are you saying this after the fact, my man!!! ]

[Hakkai looks up from what he's doing. Very slowly. Very deliberately. He meets Daniel's gaze.]

[And just... smiles.]

How kind of you to spring such a momentous introduction on us all, when there was no avenue of escape.

[And just as quickly as it came on, the smile drops away, and Hakkai just looks mildly perturbed. He sighs, and sets down the pitcher.]

Though, you really didn't need to do that. I'm content with being a background feature.

[Just operate unobtrusively. Keep things neat and clean, all prepared. And not bother anyone. It's perfectly fine by him.]

[ H-Hakkai?!

It's not even that Daniel is intimidated by that smile, despite the vibe that sure hangs around it, or the way Hakkai usually seems when he smiles like that.. No, it's just that he's way too busy being worried about Hakkai to actually be worried about himself in the slightest here.

It shows too. The smile disappears from his face, replaced by something that's decidedly more fussy in a near-flustered sort of way as he steps closer towards Hakkai. ]

It wasn't really too much, was it?

[ Daniel figured a simple introduction would be okay! He didn't really upset Hakkai, d-did he? :( ]

[... Oops. Not as planned. He blinks, seemingly puzzled by Daniel's reaction - as clearly concerned as it is.]

Oh, goodness. No, don't worry. It was a surprise, nothing more. [He waves his hands a bit, to ward off any further concern. Stop worrying, sir. Please. This is too much - he doesn't deal well with people being legitimately concerned about him.]

If I were truly upset, I wouldn't remain here. [Or he'd just keep smiling that brittle, dagger smile of his.]

[ There's a brief second where Daniel seems to analyse Hakkai's reaction - like he's making sure it's genuine.

It's very brief, though, so Daniel seems to believe it fairly easily. Either because of a trust he has in Hakkai, or just because the reaction itself seems to be so genuine. Daniel's shoulders seem to relax. ]

That's good.

[ The last thing he intended with that introduction was to make Hakkai truly uncomfortable. ]

I just wanted the kids to properly know who you are. They're friendly enough to approach you on their own after that. [ Which means Hakkai would have a chance to get to know them - and to look out for them, as he said he'd do. ]

Really, it's quite all right. I'm terribly sorry for the confusion...

[Way to go buddy. Way to freak out your friend here.]

And so I'll know who is who, should I be in a position to assist them?

[Listen, sometimes he can read between lines. Not all the time. But sometimes. Especially when he was already been asked to assist. That's a connect-the-dots even someone like Goku could pull off.]

[That's not an exaggeration, that's the truth.]

[ There's a faint tug at Daniel's lips - something faintly embarrassed that Hakkai caught on so easily, but nothing too bad. ]

Guilty as charged. [ Though it's not just so Hakkai can look out for them. Daniel thinks it works the other way around too. It's good for Hakkai to have even more social contacts in this place, and Daniel knows that some of his kids are absolutely the sweetest people around in this place. ]

What's your impression of them so far?

[ Maybe some of them already approached Hakkai, Daniel figures. ]

My babysitting sense rewards me again.

[Not that this is babysitting. He's kidding about that part. His weird 6th senses on the other hand...]

They all seem very dedicated. And protective of one another. Which is hardly a problem, of course.

[It's sort of only natural. And endearing. Though, he does have to mention...] I did ask one of them, Robby, I believe, if he had any more information regarding the incident. [The Mob Incident] He was a bit reluctant to explain...

Though I suppose, given how stressful it was, it's natural.

[ Seems like Hakkai got the same basic idea of these kids as Daniel himself did, huh. Not that it's too surprising, when Daniel feels like the kids' inherent goodness is.. pretty obvious..

But the thing that pulls his attention moreso is what's actually surprising to Daniel. Maybe not a whole ton, since Daniel supposes he could think of some reasons for it - but it's still enough to make him frown with faint concern as he looks at Hakkai. ]

A bit reluctant? [ There's some room for interpretation there, Daniel recognizes. ] In what sort of way?

Mm. He said it didn't have much to do with him. That it wasn't his place to talk about.

[Which sort of contradicts what he'd been told. At least by Daniel, anyway. But the kid had seemed like he'd wanted to leave, and far be it from Hakkai to keep him.]

[He's curious, though.]

From what you told me, I was under a completely different impression regarding the incident.

.. yeah.

[ That's not too much of an answer just yet, but there's concern, even in just that small 'yeah.' In the way Daniel's eyebrows draw together even further into a frown.

A completely different impression is right. Which makes this incredibly concerning, because Daniel just can't imagine Robby telling that to anyone. Sure, he may not know Hakkai that well compared to the way Daniel knows the guy, but even to someone like that, Robby would never brush it off in that sort of way. ]

That's not-- it makes no sense. [ One of Daniel's hands reaches up, nervously being pulled through his hair. ] Robby was involved in that incident. And he was also more worried about Shigeo than anyone else. He was with me when I first woke up after all of it, and he had overused a power he got from someone else to a point where he had a fever. And all he could ramble about while he was clearly still out of it was Shigeo, and his worry about that boy.

[ So why would Robby be dismissive about it now? It's not like he'd suddenly just stop caring, right? ]

He could be embarrassed.

[Which is the least "bad" option. Or, the option less likely to frighten and worry the man in front of him. Because the other idea he has...]

[Well. It's the option he'd know all about, isn't it.]

Please, take my opinion with a grain of salt. It would be best if you spoke with him yourself. But I feel... I can understand wanting to put an event behind you. Especially one that gravely hurt you, or those around you.

[Like your family. Your friends.]

It's also possible he does not fully recall the events. I've also seen that occur before.

[ Daniel at least doesn't think this is embarrassed. Not because Robby can't get embarrassed, he's seen it happen before, but this sort of incident wouldn't really pull that sort of reaction out of the boy.

But the rest..

.. well, at least that's.. a little more likely, he supposes. Robby was shaken up by it all. And Daniel thought it was getting better, but.. maybe it's not? ]

No, I.. appreciate you weighing in on this. [ Though he doesn't smile, there's something a little softer in his tone as he says it, like Daniel wants to make sure Hakkai understands he's being honest about this here, even if Daniel may still seem very troubled at the moment. ] I'm just worried about him. I mean, I'm worried about all my students, especially after something like this, but..

[ His voice trails off. Daniel shakes his head, gaze momentarily lowering before he aims it back at Hakkai. ]

Robby is extra special to me. He's basically my son at this point. I.. have to make sure he's alright.

Then I can only suggest speaking with him.

[Hakkai has his suspicions as to why Robby would be so dismissive. It would fit, he thinks, to want to sidestep any questions. A traumatic experience. One you don't want to repeat. One you likely revisit in all of your downtime...]

[Yeah. He gets that.]

Yes, that makes sense for you. But with something of this nature, I believe all you can do is offer to speak - or listen, as the case may be.

[He folds his arms, suddenly wishing for something more to do with his hands.] Forcing the issue can cause one to close off, and I doubt that's the outcome you want.

You're right.

[ That it's definitely not the outcome Daniel wants. It's not like he hasn't been shut out by Robby before in the past - a past that does feel quite some time ago by now - but it was absolutely awful back then. And it had bad consequences too. Not just on Daniel's end, but on Robby's own as well. ]

It's just-- We don't always have that luxury here, you know? [ Of not speaking. Of offering to listen, and then letting the issue go if someone doesn't want to talk about it.

Not with the levels of danger here in Trench. Not with the lurking threat of corruption. It's what makes Daniel extra fussy to all the people around him. ]

I'd rather make a big deal out of nothing than miss anything that could turn into a huge issue later.

We don't always have that luxury, regardless of where we are. Do we?

[Here, there, anywhere. Waiting to talk to someone about anything may not always work out. Danger is everywhere. Even in places you think you're secure.]

[Like a home in a quiet village.]

You would know him best. I'm only offering an outsider's perspective, after all. [But he really does think the boy is the type to shut down. To lock out all attempts to begin that conversation. He'd know that sort of person, wouldn't he? Hakkai is the master of sidestepping awkward conversations.]

[Or personal ones.]

I know. [ Regarding that last point Hakkai makes, that is.

Even though those two words come out sounding more like a sigh than a statement. Not even because of Hakkai, or because of anything he's saying here, but.. it truly is one thing after another here in Trench, isn't it? Just when Daniel thinks things are getting a little better, there could be something wrong with someone so important to him. His kid. ]

.. I'm sorry. [ Daniel feels like he ought to at least say that to Hakkai here though, giving the other a tiny - though somehow also a little sad - smile. ] I know I must be looking like a real worrywart over here.

[ Please, Daniel.

That's what you always look like. ]

You've little need to apologize.

[Though he does understand, considering Hakkai himself apologizes on the behalf of the others pretty consistently. But someone has to! Goku might, on occasion he remembers, but Sanzo or Gojyo? Apologize? They'd sooner turn to dust where they stood.]

Though, I wonder. Is... that much different than your normal self?

[OUCH HAKKAI. You don't need to murder a man right there when he's feeling stressed.]

[ THIS CALLOUT.. THIS EXTREMELY VALID CALLOUT..

Thankfully this isn't the kind of stressed where Daniel gets easily cranky - or rather, he hasn't reached that state yet, which means he doesn't really look annoyed at the callout. Instead he just lets out a sigh that sounds a little like Daniel's soul outright leaving his body before he continues with: ]

It's a little different when one of my kids is involved.

[ That's extra stress, Hakkai. This is advanced stress. ]

Surely you can imagine how rough it is trying to take care of a kid in a place like this. [ Not that it's easy even under normal circumstances.. but in this hellhole? Please. ] To try and keep them safe.

[Can he?]

[He's never really had to look after a child beyond lessons. Frankly, the closest to an actual child around is Goku. And anyone could see he was more than capable of defending himself... ]

[Well. Until recently.]

I can. But fortunately, you seem to have many eyes and hands to rely on here. Surely, you don't expect yourself to do this all alone?

[ Ah. Another callout.

Perhaps a slightly less intentional one, but it's a callout all the same - and it shows in the way Daniel looks away, looking faintly embarrassed. It's the main sign that yes, maybe he does expect himself to do this alone. The problem of holding yourself to way too high standards for any human. ]

Well, it-- it mainly has to be my responsibility. If something happened, I wouldn't want to blame it on anyone's neglience but my own.

I wouldn't say it would be negligent. A parent should rely on their partner, after all.

[He even holds his hands up, like he just plain knows what Daniel's going to say to that. Yes, he knows your wife isn't here, let him finish.]

You have quite a few here, don't you? Those who would help you, let you rely on them?

[ .. he lets out a huff of breath. ]

Robby has another dad here. [ A tiny pause, and then he adds: ] His biological dad.

[ He at least ought to give Johnny that credit, right. ]

But all things considered, I'm not so sure that fact can just make me let go of some of the responsibility. [ If not just because Johnny is..

.. well.. Johnny... ]

And... he isn't assisting?

[Does he understand that right? It does happen, of course. It's not uncommon at all. But if the man was here... surely reaching out to ask for another set of eyes, another pair of hands, wouldn't be out of line.]

[Right?]

I suppose I can understand not being able to separate yourself from what you have to do. And I am undoubtedly not in any position to judge...

kitchen

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