[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

[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]

[at_too_low]

[Well, time to move on, he's giving you his brand grin]

Well, I'll keep calling you Kaido then! So, what do we do with the training now?

[kaidont]

[He is not fooled, Atsuro. Buuut he doesn't want to drag this particular conversation either, so. Dropped]

Well, normally, we should do the same thing again until you're completely out of breath.

[at_too_low]

What about not normally?

[kaidont]

Depends. Do you have what it takes to do it or should I go easy on you?

[at_too_low]

[... How is he supposed to know whether he has what it takes or not if he doesn't even know what the training is. Still, he grins at you confidently]

Is that a challenge?

[kaidont]

All right, then. We're gonna do it the normal way... but since you're so enthusiastic, I'm adding a little twist.

[He pauses for dramatic effect]

Every time you miss one, I strike back. Good incentive not to fall out of rhythm, hmm?

[at_too_low]

Wouldn't the motivation depend on how hard you hit? If you go easy on me, I'm out.