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.

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[He sighs and sits down, taking a few of the snacks and munching on them. He's careful not to speak with his mouth full. His omen sits down on Daniel's feet, the big golden retriever wagging his tail happily. Yes yes yes, one of his favorite people!]

... You've been making sure to stretch, right sensei? No sense in healing if you get all locked up...

Of course. The last thing I want to do is end up in bed again after all of that. [ He doesn't even sound annoyed at being nagged a little bit here. Maybe because he's used to this sort of fussiness from Jun, or maybe because he thinks there's also just sweetness in the care.

Besides, he means what he's saying here. It's the entire reason he's being careful in the first place, rather than pushing himself right away now classes are properly on again. ]

How about you? [ He hadn't been fully updated on the situation yet back when Jun came to visit him, but he's definitely heard a little more about everything that happened back there. That Jun got hurt too.

Daniel leans down to give Jun's good, good boy Omen some gently scritches, though he's looking at the boy, rather than at the dog. ]

Everything feeling alright by now?

Good.

[He'll take you at your word, sensei. At least for now!!!]

I'm doing all right. I'm... occasionally experiencing some dizziness, but the blood minister I went to said it should fade in time. I'm trying not to push myself too hard. I don't want to fall and hurt myself even further.

[He was super bored in bed, so he's not eager to send himself right back there.]

Sounds like we're in the same boat then.

[ .. even if Daniel's boat may be slightly larger, since potentially breaking your back all over again would be a slightly bigger problem than just experiencing some dizziness.. but it's not like Daniel is going to downplay Jun's problems when he fusses over his students enough already. ]

We just have to take it easy for a while. Hopefully this month won't bring us anything too crazy. [ Because they're certainly in no state to deal with it like this. ]

Hopefully. You know the pthumerians aren't going to listen to us though, right?

[He chuckles, though there's not a lot of humor in it.]

And if things do get hard... we'll just have to hole up. ... You have enough food in case you have to do that, right?

[ Daniel lets out an amused huff. ]

Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Robby went out with a friend last month to pick a lot of the fruits that were growing all over the place. [ Before.. you know. The Incident. Back when the month still seemed a little bit more lighthearted. ]

It seems like they've found all sorts of ways to preserve it. We're currently up to our ears in jam. Even if something really bad happens to prevent everyone from going outside, we should be fine here.

[ He winks at Jun - probably to keep this a little light, despite the subject matter. ]

We'd just be really tired of jam if that's all we're going to eat for a month.

Make sure you have some other things. I have pasta if you need it. I've... been learning how to make it. It's not all that hard, just time consuming.

[Plus he can add stuff like mushrooms or other plants into it.]

And your body needs nutrients from other stuff anyway.

You like pasta?

[ Apparently that's what Daniel is focusing on here. Of course he knows how to make pasta himself already, given his particular background. Hell, he likes it enough that his thoughts immediately zoom in on that part of what Jun is saying, seeming a little amused. ]

It's really good, isn't it?

... Sensei, what do you think ramen is?

[It's just pasta by another name...]

But there's not exactly a lot of rice growing here, so... I have to make do with what I can get. And it's... um. Well, it's not complicated to make a lot of it, and there's five people in the house, so...

[ The man lets out a sound that borders on a laugh. ]

Okay, no-- no, we're not doing this. We're not getting into an argument about authentic Italian pasta. [ Not that Daniel sounds mad in any way. If anything, he sounds amused, like he's still on the border of laughing..

Mostly because he knows Jun wasn't actively insulting it, unlike some people would. So Daniel is mostly just joking around before settling on the more serious part of this. ]

It's good though, that you're being so responsible. [ Perhaps a touch too responsible.. But still. ] I can give you some more pasta recipes with stuff that's not as hard to get in this place, if you'd like.

I know it's not the same, idiot. I'm just saying it's still noodles.

[He will absolutely call anyone an idiot if they're being an idiot, even Sensei.]

... I'd appreciate that. I'm starting a folder with all my recipes. ... It's a... little difficult coming up with new things to feed five people with. Especially since it's hard to get some of them to sit down for a meal.

Hey, language.

[ It's not a too strict admonishment or anything. Daniel isn't the type, after all - not unless there's been a lot of things happening in a row, and this is the first time he's ever really telling Jun something like that.

But he's just a little bit too much of a dad to let a young kid casually calling adults 'idiot' go that easily, even if it's just with two light words, a brief touch of a hand on Jun's shoulder, just to make sure it has the boy's attention. ]

You can't just call people 'idiot' if you don't agree with them, you know? You'll hurt their feelings.

['I don't care about their feelings' is the first thing he wants to say, but he bites it back. He lets out a long, frustrated sigh and rolls his eyes.]

It never seemed to at home...

[Then again, his friends were also young teenage boys.]

... Guess I can't get too comfortable around Sensei.

[ Daniel would make a remark about wondering whether Jun's idea of getting too comfortable is just calling people idiots.. Even when they're much older than you..

But he holds it back. Instead he glances sidelong at Jun for a moment, and then slowly exhales a breath. ]

Well, people tend to not show it when they're hurt. [ Some people do show it, but.. boy, does Daniel ever know a whole lot of people who'd just repress that sort of thing. ] Sometimes you can hurt someone without ever knowing you did that.

[ There's a tiny pause, and then Daniel shakes his head, giving Jun a knowing stare. ]

And I know you wouldn't just want to hurt someone.

[ It's not a question. It's a statement - with quite some confidence. Sure, Jun can be blunt, but he's never malicious. It's why Daniel is giving him this advice in the first place, because he wouldn't want anyone to misunderstand Jun. ]

I -

[He sighs and rubs his forehead, trying to explain it. He's not sure he can.]

No. Not anymore.

[He's sworn that off, and Daniel knows it.]

... Feelings are hard for me to deduce. They're not logical. They're just... too abstract. You can't count them, or even really name them properly.

I can understand that.

[ Not on a personal level, since Daniel is at least good with other people's feelings, even if he might not always be with his own.. but considering everything he's heard about Jun and what happened to him before arriving here in Trench?

He can understand why the other might find emotions complicated. ]

But that's why you can only try, right..? If you say something that I feel goes a little too far, I can help remind you. And you can let me know too if I ever say anything that doesn't sit right with you. [ He smiles, moving to this time press a gentle hand against the boy's back. ] And if you need advice with any other situation when it comes to emotions, I'm always here to help if you want to ask me about it. Alright?

... Okay.

[He tilts his head a little bit.]

... Why do you care so much, sensei? You're always thinking about other people, trying to help them... I know you're just kind of a nice person, but it's... almost excessive. It's just...

I'm not saying empathy's bad, it's just that there's people who... aren't good. And you seem like you trust basically everyone. I don't want... you to get hurt.

[ Daniel seems to have a bit of a mixed reaction to what Jun is saying here. None of the sides in said reaction really seem to be negative, though. Not necessarily. It's more that there's a part of Daniel that definitely feels surprised and kind of flustered at getting a sudden compliment like that from a kid who's so stingy with those sorts of things, and then there's another part of him that's kind of amused to hear that being said about him.

It makes him duck his head for a moment, an amused breath leaving his mouth, a fond smile on his face by the time he looks back up at Jun. ]

Don't worry. I'm this nice and trusting with all of you guys because I know you're good kids. [ Granted, that belief sounds so strong that it could be considered naive as well - especially since Daniel sounds so unwavering in it in this moment. Like it's just a fact to him.

He trusts all of these kids so much. ]

There are plenty of people I don't like. And I sure don't treat any of them this well. There's people like that even right here in this place. [ Gosh, Jun, there's people he carries such huge grudges towards.. ] So I guess you could say that you and the others just get.. hmm.. [ give him a moment here to word this.. ] preferential treatment?

... Like Johnny?

[Look. He's seen what he's seen. He's not sure what kind of relationship that is, but he sure is curious.]

I just wanted to make sure you're... taking care of yourself. That you're safe.

[ The man tightly presses his lips together, a little less jovial than a moment ago, though it doesn't fade entirely. ]

Well, Johnny is-- That's a complicated case.

[ So complicated. Daniel wouldn't know how to explain it in words even if he tried - especially with the knowledge that Jun saw that embarrassing display of him being shoved into the garbage by the blonde.. ]

I was more thinking the people here who hurt others for fun. Like Darth Maul. [ He sighs even after just saying the name. ] And someone from my world, but it at least seems that he's thankfully disappeared off into the ocean by now. I really can't stand those types of people.

It's because you have romantic feelings for Johnny. Or - not romantic but whatever the karate equivalent of romance is.

[That aside.]

Mm. I try to stay away from those sorts of people. If they come near people I care about, then I care. Otherwise... I'm not very well equipped to deal with them. And neither are you, Sensei No-Powers-san.

[It's a serious subject but he's gotta tease Daniel.]

[ He's in his right to tease Daniel about this one, at least. And weirdly enough-- this one hurts way more than the 'idiot' thing. The latter was just about making sure Jun isn't too rude to adults who actually mean well, after all. But this one hits a little bit more of a personal hit, right in the part of Daniel that has already been blaming himself over and over for not being good enough. For being just a normal guy who can't even protect his own students.

It's a hurt he swallows down though, not wanting to admonish Jun twice, especially when the boy means this like a more fond tease. Maybe it's hypocritical right after telling Jun about people not showing it when their feelings get hurt, but he doesn't want to make the other sad over a dumb, personal fault of Daniel's Jun couldn't have known about.

So he does what he does best. He swallows it down before it even has the chance to show up on his face. The kind of hurt he can forget about now, but that'll haunt him later.

Instead he huffs in semi-amusement, not even addressing the last part, zooming in on the part that feels much less painful and more just ridiculous. You know, like the idea of any sort of romance between him and Johnny. ]

No, it's because he was my high school bully, and then he decided to show up after decades just to.. start bullying me again, I guess. That's why it's complicated.

[He wouldn't know about high school bullies, he never got there. And if he had, he likely would have been one of the bullies.]

[He huffs a little bit and shakes his head.]

... I guess. I never really was a bully target - I would just verbally shut them down when they tried when I was younger. They didn't think I was 'fun' to pick on so they went and teased other people. One of them tried to take my glasses once and I insulted him so badly he started to cry.

I think you might've just gotten lucky. Sometimes they only think it's funny when you mouth off.

[ Daniel certainly wasn't a doormat, after all - and yet somehow he kept attracting bullies left and right, no matter where he went.. But he at least likes to think it's not some inherent quality about him that made it happen, refuses to blame himself like that.

It's just bad luck. Just like how Jun had good luck to at least have been able to avoid that particular experience on top of all the crap he already had to endure with back home. ]

I'm glad for that though. You don't deserve to be bullied. No one does.

No, they don't.

[He sees that, now.]

Maybe Johnny's just a persistent jerk. But who's laughing now?

[Daniel's got the better dojo, at least as far as Jun is concerned.]

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

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