[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]

Stop thinking too much! [He'll swiftly but gently bonk your head if you don't block him]

[at_too_low]

Wh--

[He does raise his arm to block it, but a second too late - so your bonk is half-successful. He lowers his arm and frowns again, shaking his head]

... This is harder to do than I thought. I keep... letting my guard down because I don't see you as an enemy. I think I would've stricken at that opening if I was actually fighting someone.

1/2

[kaidont]

Yeah but that's proof it's still your brain calling the shots. Your body started to move, and then you stopped. We need to unlearn that.

[kaidont]

... good start, though. Your reflexes aren't half bad.

[at_too_low]

Heh, thanks.

[He smiles-- but shifts uneasily.]

... Do we need to unlearn it completely, though?

[kaidont]

Kind of. You use your brain again, but it's more like. Rebuilding on top.

Once your body knows all this stuff by heart, you can focus on what's strategic and your body'll follow without having to give it direct orders. You think on a higher level.

1/2

[at_too_low]

[Oh. Well that doesn't seem to be what he feared]

... I have to say, that sounds interesting!

[at_too_low]

... Do you use your brain?

[It's a question that's actually more like "are you on that level already" but it very well sounds like a not-so-veiled insult, welp]

[kaidont]

[bump again]

Don't underestimate me, nerd.

[grin] Remember how I didn't fall for your little distraction earlier?

[at_too_low]

... You don't have to remind me.

[That was such a good plan too]

Also, don't call me nerd.

[kaidont]

Don't insult my brain then.

[at_too_low]

I wasn't!

[... frown, it's only getting to him the wording was awkward]

Sorry. What I meant was to ask if you could do that yet.

[kaidont]

Took me some time. I kind of learnt by experience.

[at_too_low]

... Where'd you get experience, anyway? I mean, I know you were off training on your own for a while, but...

[kaidont]

[>_>]

You don't want to know.

1/2

[at_too_low]

I think I do.

[at_too_low]

It's another matter if you don't want to talk about it, though. I'm alright with that.

[kaidont]

Good. [He was brawling in the streets, what did you think he was doing that would have taught him combat skills]

[at_too_low]

[Arm-wrestling Ursarings, probably. He wouldn't put it past you.]

Can I ask another question instead, then?

[kaidont]

Yeah?

[at_too_low]

Why do you never use your first name?

[Wherefore art thou Kaido]

[kaidont]

[shrug] I'm used to "Kaido".

[at_too_low]

But miss Mari calls you by your first name. Haven't you known each other since you were kids?

[kaidont]

Yeah and she's the only person who still does.

1/2

[at_too_low]

[... He gets the implication. And it makes him feel weirdly guilty]

... Oh. Sorry.

[A part of him wants to propose he starts calling you Tadashi too, half-jokingly - but that brings its own brand of guilt and fear with it. He doesn't want to make you see your brother in him]