[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]

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.

[at_too_low]

Good idea, I still haven't hit you. So 'til I make first contact, then reverse?

[kaidont]

[That's... not what he was worried about. But maybe he can keep not getting hit. That would work]

Sure.

[at_too_low]

[Well, he's already thinking of new ways to take you on - he's still at a disadvantage, because you're more adjusted to combat already, and the terrain is too bare for him to come up with something that doesn't involve attacking you head-on. His electricity's about the only thing he's got on you, and possibly some speed - he's lighter, but his reflexes aren't as good. He has a few other ideas for more electric tricks, but they're too dangerous to use in training. Where does that leave him?..

... Well, maybe there's nothing so bad about trying to take you head-on. It can work as plain physical training, probably. He starts circling you again - just to get closer not-too-obviously, really - and darts forward - a little to your left this time, he wants to leave himself at least some room for maneuver]

[kaidont]

[He's not dodging this time, but blocking, to see how you'll react (and how fast you'll react)]

[at_too_low]

[Somehow he didn't think you'd block - his arm is shooting out to strike, true enough, but what he was really waiting for is another dodge, so he's not prepared to actually hit. He reacts fast enough, though - if one of your arms' raised, there's some opening that it was covering, you can't protect everything with your other arm - so he aims a jab at your stomach. The position's awkward again, though, because he has to strike with his left - not his dominant arm, and the angle doesn't allow for a good connection; he's not turned enough, either, so it puts additional strain on him to stretch his arm far enough to make contact]

[kaidont]

[He's gonna grab it if he can--and if he does he'll sidestep to your side to pull it back a bit--he can't twist it to your back, at least, because he grabbed it with the wrong arm]

[at_too_low]

[Damn-- his first instinct is to either try to yank his arm free or spin around with the same purpose, but failing to do it quickly enough will only result in giving you a chance to actually twist it to his back, and he's not sure he will be quick enough. Considering shocking you - it might be enough to make you let go - but it also feels unfair. His right arm is free now, though, so he's taking another chance at striking you with it.]

[kaidont]

[The hit connects! But unfortunately, it's not enough to let him go, and he's using the time to twist and wrap you oveer his shoulder to try flipping you]

[at_too_low]

Ack!--

[ALRIGHT THIS WAS NOT PLANNED FOR-- his instincts kick in and you get treated to a shock, but he has enough presence of mind to make it a really weak one. But that takes him time you can use to flip him]

[kaidont]

[You're flipped! But he's swearing at the shock, and letting go when you are--out of reflex too, and his eyes widen when he notices he has, because he hadn't planned for]

Atsuro! [Hopefully you won't have hurt yourself falling down]

[at_too_low]

[Thankfully, somehow he expected something like this - so his fall is not entirely helpless. He braces himself for the fall and rolls over once he touches the ground and springs back up to his feet. That last motion would probably be useful in real combat, but is dangerous in training, especially after a fall like this.]

I-I'm okay!

[And then, as an afterthought]

You know miss Mari doesn't like it when you swear.

1/2

[kaidont]

[Eyeroll] Priorities, Atsuro. And it's not like I did it on purpose, I didn't expect that.

[kaidont]

... sorry for dropping you.

1/2

[at_too_low]

Miss Mari told me to be a good influence on you. If I let you get away with swearing when you don't expect things, you'll keep doing it at all other times.

[at_too_low]

Anyway, I'm not hurt, and I kinda had it coming, so don't worry. Did I go wrong somewhere this time? Or was it just lack of experience?

1/2

[kaidont]

Since when do you get to mother me too? You're younger than me!

[kaidont]

[sigh]

You need a bit more strength and reaction speed, but it was pretty good. Also you could've done the same thing as me as soon as I caught your arm, but it was easier for me, I used momentum from your hit.

[at_too_low]

[He laughs at your outraged response]

Age doesn't matter! I mean, you are older than me, but you're not mothering me. Anyway, I'm more mature.

[Yes he went there. And he chuckles awkwardly at his own lack of experience]

Yeah, fighting's really different when you actually do it. I'm used to standing aside and planning...