(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

[possessum]

( Peter continues to never really get anything done in his process of scrambling around and running away from here to there, and poor Susurrus is condemned to a fate of slithering frantically after his companion. (This also startles Peter, who has yet to really see how quickly the snake is actually capable of moving, which makes him speed up a bit more on instinct as though to keep some distance..... Peter is still mildly terrified of his own Omen!)

Suddenly.......... an ambush.

Peter screams, stumbling to a quick halt and then backwards some, managing not to fall over in the process but only barely, shoulder making contact with the wall of the dojo as he tips against it and then stays there, as though for support... He does look like he might pass out any moment.

Heart pounding, he blurts out the first thing he can think of, which is, )

Why?!

[toguchi]

[ Oh, boy.

Daniel had warned Chozen about Peter's nerves, and Chozen had seen the evidence himself. This is not an unexpected outome, and there is the upside that Peter has not taken after the funny internet fainting goats at this time...although Chozen does adjust the probability of that outcome up a few notches in his mind.

So how does Chozen answer that shout-screamed question, given that he does not wish to crush Peter's wavering spirit for all of eternity? ]

Because you must think fast!

[ Chozen waggles the tip of the bo staff at him with less gusto than he would employ with most of the other students. ]

Not only run around like chicken chased by hawk! Now - be ready to defend yourself!

[possessum]

( Think fast...... This is a skill that Peter has never really thought much about trying to hone, to be perfectly honest. Why think fast when you can think slow??? (And perhaps even better than that, not think at all)

But he sure is reacting fast, at least, even if what he's reacting to is a simple movement of that staff (weapon, he perceives it in a flash), not even that threatening.... Still, here's Peter flinching so violently that one would think he just got run through by the thing. )

Oh my god— ( He all but moans out, clearly in fear for his life. Oh no, don't tell him... he's going to have to do some Karate Moves against the Big Stick.....

He lifts his hands, weakly. Fists that are more just his fingers curled at the ends. It's sad, really.... )

Okay, I'm ready.....

( Near his feet, Susurrus lifts his serpentine head to watch everything, equally nervous, but more curious than his hapless human is capable of being in this moment. )

[toguchi]

[ This is one of the most tragic displays of doe-eyed terror Chozen has ever seen, and he once almost murdered Daniel LaRusso for real.

His eyes slide right, and they slide left. There are no students still in play in the game in sight, and those contained to the penalty zone and Omen pile seem largely distracted among themselves.

Chozen flips the staff in his hands and taps Peter once, lightly, on the opposite side of his ankles from his Omen. ]

No, you are not.

[ He informs Peter, without reproach or condemnation. He flips the staff once more and plants it at his side, his free hand coming to his hip as he takes the young man and his sinuous Omen in for another appraisal. ]

Why do you think that is, Peter-san?

[possessum]

( Peter, naturally, startles with another flinch at the tap, despite the fact that as far as taps go, this one's extremely gentle.... His eyes snap down to the end of that staff before following the deft movement that draws it back up to Chozen's side. It's impressive to be sure, how the man handles the thing, but a nervous sort of dread remains the dominating emotion. He enjoys karate here, but the actual moves and weapons part is still a weird struggle for him.

The question has him looking hesitant, eyes slowly shifting to the side as though looking for an escape route.... but eventually he's glancing back, a little shyly in the face of the direct inquiry. Slowly, uncertain, he lowers his feeble-made fists. )

Because I'm— I suck at this, right....

( He offers a soft huff, more of a sigh than anything, shoulders lowering a little bit. He's self-aware enough to realise.... He's clearly not ready to defend himself, because he's just lacking. There's no confidence with this part, no gusto. He can do the meditations, the movements, the stances (...though his form's never really That Great....) but when things get to where they feel like a confrontation... he crumbles. )

I'm sorry. I know I'm not— good at all this.