[ACTION]

[kaidont]

[If you are currently near the outskirts of Union, you might hear a bit of a racket.

Or you might outright just find Kaido, Flabébé and Sraggy.

They've set up a set of twin practice dummies (a big one for Kaido, a smaller one for Scraggy) and are practicing kicks and punches with synchromised timing, with Flabébé alternating between checking on the egg they have nearby and pushing a large ball around with Fairy Wind.

They've been at this for a week. Someone stop them.

Or alternatively, complain about the noise]

Comments

[kaidont]

[Yeah well he's ruffling your nerd had over your nerd hair]

[at_too_low]

[Well you get another pretend punch to your stomach for that]

Oh yeah, can I train with you?

[kaidont]

Yeah, sure! [He's actually pumped for that]

[at_too_low]

[Grin~]

Wanna spar?

[kaidont]

[Eyebrow] You sure about that?

[at_too_low]

[Stepping back and taking on a battle stance! Part of it is jokingly exaggerated, but he does keep good balance and has enough room for movement. There's no real unnecessary strain to him, either - not bad for someone who's never really had to fight]

[kaidont]

[... not bad]

Heh. Come at me, then. [He doesn't want to really risk attacking, but trying to land a hit on him'll be good training for you]

[at_too_low]

Hmmm~

[Well, he's studying you with his eyes first. Attacking first is usually putting yourself at a disadvantage, really-- unless you are fast or strong enough or can catch your opponent by surprise, he knows that much. He doesn't want to get too lost in calculating your possible responses either, though... He's going to test you by taking a few steps to the left, but also a little closer to you, keeping his eyes on you all the time.]

[kaidont]

[He slips in a battle stance too... which for him is mostly just dropping his center of gravity and freeing his shoulders a little. He'll turn slightly to follow you, but not face you. Coming from the side isn't a big problem as long as he can generally see you]

[at_too_low]

[... Well, he expected that much. What if he circles you further so he's out of your peripheral vision?]

[kaidont]

[... heh. He'll rise to the challenge. Let's see if he can dodge you if you're coming from behind]

[at_too_low]

[What will you be waiting for, Kaido? A sound? A feeling of movement? The echo of footsteps in the earth? Because it stays silent and still for now. He's waiting]

[kaidont]

[Movement, mostly, and the sound of your breathing. How long are you going to stay like this?]

[at_too_low]

[A short while more - he knows enough to keep his breathing even. The moment is almost peaceful-- and then comes the sound of movement, behind you, and another sound a little to the left - a kind of sharp snap, the kind a branch might make when stepped on and cracked. The two happen almost immediately, but aren't the same - can you pick up on the difference between them?]

[kaidont]

[--nope, with how quiet you're breathing you wouldn't make a mistake so big--he's ducking low and spinning in one movement, clock-wise so he opens his field of vision to the right first. He was going to spinkick at the same time, but holds himself back--he doesn't want to hurt you. So he'll be braced to catch your clothes to twist you down if his evasive manoeuvre worked]

[at_too_low]

[Damn-- he hadn't expected you to react like this. He'd lunged to your right, and is close enough to be in your reach-- especially if you move forward. It's hard to dodge mid-movement, but he's still going to try - turning to face you while he's still mid-leap, so that his left art isn't readily available for grabbing, and jumping back once his feet touch the ground. The movement messes up his balance, though, and his jump back is slower and clumsier than he expected it to be. You might have enough time to reach for him during that]

[kaidont]

[His first instinct is to go after you and make use of that clumsy dodge... but he holds himself back and straightens instead. You might see the expression on his face changing from grim concentration to a grin--it's not forced but it's deliberate--he had to snap himself out of it]

Nice try.

[at_too_low]

You didn't fall for it. Why? I thought it was a good idea.

[Well he's going to take a short pause to catch his breath. Also, it's always better to learn what you mistake was right away]

[kaidont]

Too obvious. You're too smart and careful to make that noise by accident.

In a combat situation, from an unknown opponent, while busy with someone else? I'd definitely have fallen for it though.

[at_too_low]

[He beams at you]

Safe to say it works, then~ Well, I didn't really think you'd fall for it, either. But I had to try.

[kaidont]

How'd you do it anyway? Sounded like a crack but... [he generally keeps his cleaning area clean to avoid accidents]

[at_too_low]

[He's about to go all "a master doesn't reveal his secrets"... But it's not likely he can pull the same trick on you anymore, not in the same way at least. He grins and flicks his hand - there are some sparks and the air next to him crackles]

You didn't say this was off-limits~

[kaidont]

[... snerk. He's impressed. His smile widens]

Good thinking.

[at_too_low]

You bet!

[Well okay, he's rested enough - the fighting stance is back]

So, is it your turn now?

[kaidont]

... maybe we should do it the same way again.