(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

c!

[centile]

[since their initial talk mob's been trying to take what daniel said to heart. wallowing wasn't going to help anyone, and though he's not exactly healthily confronting his guilt so much as repressing a lot of things harder than ever he is making a very pointed effort in not isolating himself, not pointlessly beating himself up and taking everyone's forgiveness and concern with the gratitude it deserves.

after all, he's pretty sure he'd just upset daniel if he punished himself. and daniel has enough troubles of his own without having to worry about that.

so he spends time back in the dojo, trying to help out. here it's bringing a cup of tea with him, because yes sensei, he noticed you looking a little tired. he came towards the end of the lesson and mostly stayed back, and now he's taking a seat next to daniel and offering him the cup.]

It was- well, I'm sorry I missed it. [he really is. even just coming towards the end made him realize sunny was probably right and he shouldn't avoid practice, even for robby. there was daniel to think of too.] I like Sensei Toguchi, he's an interesting person.

[this would sound like a backhanded compliment from most but here is mob, sincere as hell. chozen was the Dude of all time.]

[miyagimagic]

[ Mob... Bringing him tea? You absolute sweetheart of a boy. It sure makes Daniel look surprised for a moment, but that surprise is quick to instead melt into a warm smile as he takes the cup of tea that's being offered to him - holding it between his hands, even though it can't warm him up as a coldblood.

Though, honestly, the true gift is Mob coming back to class after all. The way he had seemed so guilty at Daniel's bedside and the way he didn't show up right away said a lot, after all. Daniel even considered calling him if he didn't show up today, just to talk things over, but.. there Mob is. Maybe not quite at his usual level of participation, but he's here.

That by itself would've been enough to melt Daniel's heart, and the man reaches out a hand to lightly ruffle the boy's hair. ]

I'm just glad you're here now, bud.

[ Maybe a little more affectionate than before, but if the entire Mob incident taught Daniel anything aside from the fact that he needs to make some power contingency plans for the dojo, it's the fact that he's got to show these students the affection they deserve rather than waiting with it until it's too late.

He pulls his hand back to set it against his cup of tea again, taking a sip before addressing the rest here. ]

Interesting is a good word for him. [ He doesn't see a dig in it, really. Daniel is pretty sure Chozen would just laugh if he would be called interesting to his face.. He's just that sort of guy. ] I told you that he changed a lot, right? Now you can see it for yourself.

[ Since he's pretty different from the boy Mob got to see back in that memory. ]

[centile]

[oh, a hair ruffle. daniel receives one (1) tiny but sincere smile for that. excellent choice, reaffirming there's no anger or resentment here. he is really starting to take that to heart.] I am too, sensei.

[it's nice to just sit and look around though, only glancing back when daniel starts speaking on his karate cousin. interesting is an excellent word for him, it's true. ]

He doesn't seem so angry now. I guess he's had a lot of time to grow. [and whatever was going on in his life there is hopefully resolved.] He reminds me a little of my friend Hanazawa. He was really troubled too.

[miyagimagic]

.. mister Miyagi always used to tell me that there's no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher.

[ Which is very relevant to their current topic, sure, but.. Daniel does drop a tiny pause after it, like he's trying to make sure Mob thinks about it for a moment. Because it's not just applicable to the people they're talking about - but it also weaves directly into Daniel's view on the entire Mob incident, the very reason why he'd never blame the boy, and sit here next to him like nothing ever happened, like forgiveness was natural. ]

And Chozen's teacher-- his uncle.. He was a good guy, but misguided. It took him a little too long to realise the error of his ways, and by then he had already taught Chozen a few things that were hard for him to unlearn. [ Though Chozen did unlearn them in the end, the end result of which is clearly visible to both of them.

It only makes the change more admirable. ]

Maybe the same thing counted for your friend. Maybe someone taught him to be that way.

[centile]

[hm, that's a bit of wisdom that will plant itself in his head. he's not sure he agrees instantly, he's pretty dense about things that make teachers sigh. that's a bad student, but mister miyagi definitely seems way more worldly than anyone he's seen, even in a memory.

so thank you grand sensei, for a thought that might get further consideration later and make him less likely to dismiss himself as stupid. still doing that good work.

(when it comes to how it reflects on the Incident well... he's not thinking about that. maybe that too will get some thought eventually.)

the rest gets a considering pause.] I see. Sensei Toguchi really is impressive. I mean, to become a sensei himself after that, I don't think a lot of people would. [after failing or having someone fail them that way.]

I think Hanazawa's problem is he didn't have anyone to teach him. I guess being alone is kind of a misguided teacher in its own way.

[miyagimagic]

[ Daniel nods a little at the boy's last conclusion. It's not something Daniel has often seen back home, since kids inevitably seem to drift into some teacher's arms there. Perhaps it's just the nature of a place that has so many teachers around, both good and bad..

.. but he does think about Robby. Robby before Daniel met him - a period of time he doesn't know too much about other than what Robby told him, but Daniel has gotten the general impression that it was Not Great.

Sometimes no guidance is indeed bad in its own way. ]

I think being alone also tends to guide people towards more negative emotions. [ Daniel says, sounding thoughtful. D-Don't mind him here, he sure isn't thinking about some Karate Trauma of his own, nope siree.. ] That's why I think it's so important to foster community, just like we're doing here. Isolating yourself never ends well for anyone, let alone in a place like this.

[centile]

It does. [mob feels like that's simply a fact. that was one of the whole points of mogami's world, wasn't it? mogami's point in at least some ways. maybe cruelty was the point too but loneliness and how it shaped people.

just sharing a moment of thinking about trauma, as per usual. sorry that he looks to daniel and asks,] Were you ever alone like that, sensei?

[just you know, daniel seems to Know. he does distract himself by considering the rest quietly.]

That's what I'm most grateful for in Miyagi-do. [he admits.] Especially... people were really kind after everything that happened when they didn't need to be. It- means a lot.

Thank you, for making this place.

[miyagimagic]

[ He laughs, though it's soft. ]

I should be thanking all of you for being here. Everyone was kind to you since everyone here's a good person. [ Please, Daniel having any hand in that, deserving any thanks? Surely not! It's just that these kids are good beans..!! ] And they all care about you.

[ Daniel reaches out, smiling as he briefly squeezes Mob's shoulder before letting go. You see, saying this part is the easier part. The harder part lies hidden behind Mob's question, which gets Daniel to look away from the boy, instead staring off. ]

And.. yes, I was. One time. It was a time when mister Miyagi couldn't help me, even though I was in trouble. [ More like wouldn't, and he just didn't realise how big Daniel's problems were, but as if Daniel would ever dare put mister Miyagi into a bad daylight.. no way.. ] I remember feeling more and more alone, and that made me make the mistake of walking straight into the arms of a really bad person.

[ The look on his face twists a little as he says it. It's never easy for Daniel to think back on that, let alone talk about it. Maybe it's why he's keeping it so vague. ]

I never want any of you to have to make that same mistake. [ The irony... ]