ten_fwd | Round 5 // Gym

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Round 5 // Gym - OTA

Raiden had divested himself of his tabard and armor for the afternoon. Walking through the halls in just his Gi and some blue, cloth wrappings on his arms and legs, he practically looks dressed down, even though that hat and hood stay firmly in place.

He'd scheduled some time at the gym today for himself and friends/acquaintances (who have all been sent a standing invitation), but he would not be opposed to any drop-ins who were curious as well. Those who walk in will find him doing any number of katas or movement exercises he's learned over his many long years.

Since this is the gym, and not the holodeck, Raiden's invoking a no-magic/powers rule for anyone who joins him today. He'll be strictly following his own rule, unless someone blatantly breaks it. And since everyone who lives on the Enterprise is the honorable sort, this will never be a problem...right?

[Generic post is generic. Timeline with regards to the Pollen Plot is flexible after room assignments.]

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Sam spends a lot of time in the training rooms, both keeping up with everything, and for some side lessons for 'his' students in the martial arts classes.

This isn't a person Sam knows.

Despite which, on watching a few of the katas, all the years spent in the East come back.

Curiosity strikes, and Sam can't entirely help but shift into a mirroring position. There's no attacks, no strikes, no defense... just seeing how compatible memory, styles, and ages of training are, and how similar their basic katas are.

Even outside of enhanced physical abilities, on skill and training alone, Sam would do just fine in Mortal Combat.

Raiden is deep in meditation during the kata, but he's far from oblivious. He hears someone enter the room, but since they haven't tried to get his attention he keeps moving. A welcoming nod is offered when Sam suddenly takes up a mirroring position, and Raiden continues his motions until they are complete. It's not a fast kata, but it's not slow either, an easy pace to keep and very much from Earth. Finishing the kata, Raiden stands and gives a bow.

"Thank you." It's clear to Raiden this is a highly skilled, and well-practiced individual, and it's a pleasant surprise to have them walk in and participate with him.

There's a nod and a bow in return.

"Arigato gozaimasu."

The Japanese is accented, but solid. Been a while since Sam had an excuse to practice. "You're good."

Raiden responds in kind to Sam's compliment, his own accent the mirror of a native speaker at this point, thanks to a few thousand years of exposure to the language. However, he continues in Americanized English, seeing as that's just as easy to communicate.

"As are you. I might almost mistake your form from Earthrealm, if I did not know better than to make such an assumption." His glowing eyes flicker a little brighter in his amusement at the continued discovery of similarities between the vastly varied worlds represented on board.

That gets a bit of a grin. Sam is American in only the most technical of terms, and 'his' English is just as weirdly accented with the vastly multinational mishmash accent -- but still a bit more precise than the Japanese.

"Far as I can tell, /an/ Earthrealm. But not the same one this world grew out of. history ain't the same."

"This Earth deviates from my own in many ways as well, as far as I have currently discovered." He deals with many Americans in his own time, so it's a readily accessible inflection for him and seems to get enough mileage among the crew and many of the passengers.

"Do you come here often to practice?" Raiden is new-ish, definitely new to the gym at least, and if he can find additional training partners, it would help keep him active and interested. Also takes some of the pestering away from Fujin when he finds himself idle.

"Often as I can. I teach martial arts courses near here, too. This whole... space ship thing... still feels odd. Easier to get centered here, focusin' on just being ready, whatever comes. You?"

"I have sparred on the holodeck, but this is only my second time to the gym. First using it for its intended purpose." He relaxes his posture a little, crossing his arms as he speaks.

"Travel between realms is not new for me, but doing so using a ship in space is a new and novel experience. Much as I would prefer to be returned, it has been proving to be a somewhat welcome change. However, I am not used to the sort of idleness it grants, and thought this would do me well."

Edited 2016-03-02 06:29 (UTC)

"Yeah, that whole idle bit is all part of the problem. If you don't know how to do stuff with their computers, too easy to just end up sittin' about. 'Least they still got places like this, but ain't entirely the same as real challenges."

"Agreed. My prior duties kept me thoroughly occupied. Relieved of them, it has been a challenge finding a use for my time. I have started to research some of the classes available, and hope they will be enough to keep me occupied." Raiden's never had to learn in the traditional sense, at least not in a classroom setting. He's spent plenty of time training with Masters and Monks, but everything else is a very new concept to him.

"All sorts of classes available, anyway. Dependin' on what you want to learn."

"There is no want for lack of variety." The glow of his eyes brightens faintly in amusement.

"Until the next enrollment, however, if you are in need of someone to accompany your workouts, it would please me to be able to help."

"Fair. I can always use more sparrin' partners."

"With the diversity available on the vessel, it certainly provides a rare opportunity to experience new methods and practices. I would also be glad for additional partners."

"Kinda what I been thinking. Thought I'd picked up a good bunch of Earth's styles. The Klingons, Vulcans, Romulans... all got their own bunches. Armed, unarmed, new weapons... kept me entertained, anyhow."

"Within my own reality, I am from Earthrealm and have worked with many Masters throughout the realm. I have not had the opportunity to work with any of the native races on the ship, but what I have to give, I gladly offer." Raiden does love getting to see different fighters, and helping them train is as enjoyable to him as it usually is for them.

"Well, sounds like we each got a bunch we could help each other with." That gets a grin. "This ought to be fun."

Raiden doesn't smile, but does give a nod and a pleased flicker of the glow in his eyes.

"How would you like to start?" He had many 'ways' he could use, depending on what was brought to the sparring mat.

"I been doing plenty of teaching with the classes, just got through a long stretch of Apache and Maori styles... how about you teach for a bit? Start wherever."

"What forms of Earthrealm are you most familiar with?" It would certainly help narrow down the options. Raiden had his preferred styles, certainly, but he didn't want to bore his new sparring partner if they already knew something well.

Sam starts naming off styles -- a lot of Native American, a number of older Asian styles, some of the more effective European unarmed arts, and most of the Pacific Islander styles.

Well rounded, and reflecting both Sam's love of learning everyone's arts, and the century-plus of active training and activity.

The main lack, really, is anything developed or refined after the early 1800's.

Raiden realizes that Sam would have liked to meet the champion Nightwolf. They would undoubtedly have had much to discuss.

The well-rounded knowledge makes Raiden's expression brighten a little further. Truly this was not only a teacher but an eternal student. He had a particular soft spot for such fighters. The lack of more modern methods he can attempt to explain by Q, but he's not about to assume anything, and instead accepts it as it is.

"To begin, I am Raiden." He sets a loos fist into an open hand and offers that welcoming bow again. "And if you wish, I would like to teach you some of the forms of Jujutsu."

Sam returns the bow in proper fashion. "Sam Bowe, and it's a pleasure. I'd love to learn."

Raiden is right on in terms of lack of modern styles. Even with the ship's resources available, Sam is still dressing in the styles of the early 1800's. 'His' martial arts are broad for the time, but still limited by the era.

"Considering your extensive background, I will begin with the first form. Any differences in foot or hand placement I will correct as we progress." Raiden wasn't about to treat Sam like a beginner with that much experience under their belt already. Many practices are similar at least, and Raiden is willing to be patient.

When it comes to nearly anything physical, Sam is a quick study. One or two repetitions, and 'he' has the idea, and soon, the form. Computers and a lot of technology... not nearly as easy, but getting the rote reflex and basics of forms down gets plenty of help from all the other training... and borderline superhuman reflexes and agility help too.

Raiden has worked with many such mortals with near superhuman capabilities, and some of them he's even helped go beyond into the realm of the impossible. He finds all work with mortals rewarding, but when he can help them go beyond, it's just that much more special.

Knowing that Sam already is fluent in Japanese, he shouldn't need to go into the details of formalities either. Instead, he begins with a calm explanation of the fact that there are many diverse forms of Jujutsu, and the one he has selected is actually a derivative called Aikido. It's a defensive form, focusing more on throws and locks that do not harm either attacker or defender.

It had been way too long sine he had last trained - and this day was the first since his arrival on the ship where he felt able to. The wind god had been spending a lot of time at his shared quarters with Raiden meditating or simply sleeping as he worked on regaining his strength without the Jinsei. An oddly humbling and eye opening experience.

There had been more than one occassion where the thunder god caught him sleeping in odd places, or even bowed forward during meditation. Even now, he had just woken up from a brief nap and had decided that he needed to get out of his quarters for a while and get himself moving.

After looking up directions for the nearest training space, Fujin eventually found a gym. He never covered up as much as Raiden did, but still didn't bother with the usual shoulder armor or shin and arm guards. He wore his pants of deep forest green with a simple wrap around tunic of dark burgundy. He almost wasn't surprised to see Raiden all ready there going through some kata.

He inclined his head at his brother as he chose a spot off to the side and out of the way so that he could do some warm up stretching to wake up his stiff limbs.

The first time Raiden had seen Fujin sleeping since Sickbay had concerned him, and he'd kept a short vigil until he was certain it had only been rest and not something more concerning. His brother had more than just physical recovery to attend to, and he tried not to wake him when he was found snoozing. There had been a moment however, when he'd been tempted to wake him like the kindly but strict mentors of the Shaolin when they found acolytes drifting to sleep during meditation.

He was more concerned with Fujin's full recovery though, and had instead elected to leave him to rest while he got a little exercise. It wasn't as fulfilling as making a storm, but it helped him focus and burn off some excess mental energy that inevitably happened because of his boredom.

Out of reverence for the kata, Raiden does not interrupt his movements though there's a brief hitch in his motions when he sees Fujin enter. A small smile greets his brother as he continues, giving the Wind god time to stretch tired limbs.

"You look like you are feeling better, Fujin." He finally speaks once the kata is complete, coming to a stand-still and facing his brother.

Fujin worked on stretching and loosening up while Raiden continued his kata, not intending on interrupting. He was shifting through the healing movements of Qigong by the time his brother spoke up, and his eyes rose to regard the thunder god as he returned the small smile from earlier.

"I'm feeling a little more myself yes." He admitted with a nod. Physically at least. It at least didn't feel like he was overwhelmingly tired like he had been lately. It had been embarrassing for him to be caught sleeping so much. Not that he didn't enjoy the sleep itself. It was just strange. It was almost as involuntary as how a mortal experienced it.

"I at least wanted to get out and stretch my legs a little..." He uttered gruffly, rolling his shoulders as he stepped out onto the mats. It struck him then, as he glanced at Raiden, that he wasn't sure if he could bring himself to spar against his brother. Not now. Not after what had happened so fresh in his memory and experience. He could still see in his mind the rage on the thunder god's face as he surged towards him with seething glowing orange-red eyes. It was almost enough to cause the wind god to shudder. He suppressed the urge, not wanting to worry his brother even more. It was bad enough he could barely hold his gaze in this environment.

He supposed practicing kata would be best to at least get moving again. The movements would work on soothing him.

Raiden may not have seen a shudder, but Fujin's inability to hold his gaze is not missed. It causes his own eyes to drop to the mats, a small pang of guilt there he dare not express. He knew he had been possessed, but there was disappointment in himself for not being able to fight the corruption. His brother forgave him, in his infinite patience, but Raiden's decisions had still affected him in a way that would take time to repair. Raiden was just thankful Fujin was still alive to start making amends with in the first place.

"Then perhaps that is how we should start." His gaze returns to Fujin, a gentle nod of his head as he speaks softly. "I will follow your lead." Raiden moves so he is not standing opposite Fujin, instead standing parallel to him so their movements will match. They had started to synchronize again back on the planet, but this was a simpler, more physical way of returning to harmony.

The relief, shame and deep apology was palpable from the wind god and flickered across his face. Subtle to most, but to his brother it would be obvious. At Raiden's words and shifted movement, he bowed deeply to the thunder god with hand over fist, head lowered. Only to someone close or equal status would he bow so.

Straightening, he turned so that he stood next to his brother and facing the same direction at a comfortable distance for forms. Known for his patience and level of discipline and control, he hated being so emotionally and mentally 'off'. Though his body was physically healed and he felt the strongest that he's felt since his arrival here - his emotions, mind and spirit still had a way to go. It was understandable, considering he had to suddenly face a level of mortality he had never had to face before as a god. It was enough to rattle any mortal let alone a deity.

After a pause where he closed his eyes and took a deep calming breath - he softly announced the form he wanted to start with. One of the older lineages of Liu He Ba Fa. He had always favored the internal martial arts from China such as Xing Yi, Taijichuan and Baguazhang. Gentle circular and soft yet surging, powerful and explosive. Much like his element.

Fujin began the form, losing himself into the movements. At one point when his hands exploded outward in a movement from a low rooted stance - a breeze ruffled both him and Raiden before he quickly quelled it. He was so used to blending element with form - he had to consciously make sure he didn't do so in the enclosed environment of the ship, not wanting to disrupt the environment. He only made that mistake once however and kept going as if nothing unusual had happened.

Raiden catches the many emotions on his brother's face, and pauses in his motions long enough to properly return that bow from Fujin before coming alongside him.

He knows the kata well, thanks to Fujin's training from long ago. He breaths along with Fujin, mirroring his settling motions and getting into the proper mindset. The form is announced quietly, it is all Raiden needs to know as he starts, matching each movement to that of Fujin's. It's not a perfect mirror, nor is it intended to be. It's more like a shadow that is only momentarily delayed before catching up with the master leading it.

His concentration is solid, until that gust gently snaps the cloth of his gi. It sets his delay another moment behind but rather than rush to 'catch up', he simply accepts it and follows along at the new pace until they reach another pause in the motions when he can resume the original pace. It hadn't been a surprise, but it was a reminder that Fujin would not be able to freely use his skills in combination with his exercises on the ship. Not here, anyway. He will have to take him to the holodeck another time, to let him have a little more freedom, even if the walls were as obvious to the gods as the walls of a fishbowl.

The thought is only a scarce moment though, as he resumes his concentration, following Fujin along.

Fujin completes the form, straightening with a quiet sigh. He felt a lot calmer now at least. Movement tended to help. He had been aware of Raiden following his movements while doing the kata, but it had been a comfortable awareness. Much more comfortable than the idea of actively sparring against him. He knew that these feelings won't last forever (since he understood as an immortal just how long that was) - but it still bothered him nonetheless.

"Perhaps you can pick the next one." He said finally after a long silence. Taking turns picking kata's from the wide variety of forms that they knew would keep their skills sharp.

Raiden could feel the calm from Fujin, and straightens with him, a gentle smile in his eyes as he looks to his brother. They had not gone through a simple kata in so very long, and without using either of their elements, even longer still. There was something fundamentally pleasing to have this calm time with Fujin, especially after all that had happened. After all that's been on Raiden's mind, to simply clear it and follow his brother was, in a way, liberating.

"Very well." He responds quietly, not wanting his voice to resonate in the room and ruin the meditative stillness about them. He announces his own form, one of many taught in the Shaolin Academy, and then starts off into the series of movements it dictates.

A similar quiet and content expression was in the wind god's eyes as he glanced back at Raiden. Yes, this was exactly what he needed. What they needed. It truly had been a long time when they could put their duties aside for a little while and just be. Throwing in some cooperative kata was an extra added bonus.

Fujin settles into a natural stance, recognizing the form that Raiden calls. It was easy to settle into the rhythm alongside his brother, even after so long. No breezes accidentally blow this time - and the wind god shadowed his brother much like the other had shadowed him. The physical activity after a while of not indulging, as well as the meditative clearing of the mind was very therapeutic and felt both relaxing and invigorating.

When the kata finished, Fujin naturally settled into the shizentai - the natural stance. After a few moments of silence he quietly sighed. A content sound.

"It has been too long." He murmured.

Raiden remains still when they finish, Fujin not moving either. He doesn't quite close his eyes as they stand in reflective silence but they open calmly when he hears the sound of contentment. Raiden keeps his usually quick and reactive movements to calm, almost Qigong-like motions as he looks over to his brother. There is a faint, but clearly pleased smile in his expression as he nods gently.

"It has." Likewise his response is quiet, and low. "I feel as though I have rediscovered something I did not know that lost." He takes a cleansing breath, letting it out slowly as he closes his eyes finally, the smile a little more evident in his expression.

"I would not be opposed to making this a regular occurrence."

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Round 5 // Gym - OTA

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apologies for the crazy delay

No worries. I've been buried in working conventions

forgive me, I don't actually practice Jujutsu/Aikido so kinda going to handwave a bit

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