|
|
Post by Juyi on Jul 4, 2020 16:49:36 GMT
Anything you can do, I can do better. Way better.
Objective: Everyone has their own unique talents. Showcase a time where your character's had to come into play. Show them at their craft with no holds barred, perhaps pushing past their previous limits. Perhaps they're picking up a new talent. Show a semblance of growth relative to your character with a proper beginning and end. There is no minimum word count, but effort is encouraged.
Location: A place of your choosing.
Possible Reward: Up to +3 PRO.
|
|
|
|
Post by Leon on Jul 6, 2020 4:14:52 GMT
A cold night at a water park had been the venue of a secret fight between two Dragons. Leon, The Lightning Dragon, and Ark, The Thunder Dragon. The battle had been going on for hours and most of the park was trashed. Leon's left hand was crushed, he was bleeding from the head, and he was pretty sure he had a broken rib. He was the worst of it sure, but Ark was still somewhat damaged with a few broken ribs and a cut on his cheek. He had been fighting Ark for years at this point as someone he respected to never hold back and to push him to new limits. Ark showed him how to use the environment, how to hit weak points or attack someones body in a way that wasn't just a fist against the face. The man had even sharpened his nails to stab people with his fingers.
Unbeknownst to him, the blonde Dragon had been studying up, learning anatomy and the body. Attending classes for nurses at the local university for healthcare so he could learn what effects what and what to destroy to break the body down no matter how strong you are. It was for this reason Leon had sharpened his own nails int he same way Ark usually had so that he could utilize a new technique he had come up with. However, Ark's skills kept him from completing it on his current attempts through this fight. Luckily Leon only needed one hand to pull it off, the problem was creating the opening for it would require sacrifice.
As Ark made his approach having lit another cigarette as if to say Leon wasn't even worth it to not smoke while fighting him. Contrary to their titles they were not yet friends, this was still during a turbulent time for their relationship and as such Leon felt he needed to prove something in each fight, and this one... Ark had just thrown Leon over his head in an aikido throw, however Leon had snatched the cherry out of the end of his previous cigarette as if to say he was worth more. The new cigarette blew off that statement. He was too tired to keep fighting like this and it looked like Ark could still pump out a couple more rounds of back and forth without calling it quits. The Lightning Dragon could feel his legs wanting to give out right here and now.
"I'm guessing... You have been holding back in this fight?"
Ark paused at the question, he was used to Leon talking some mad shit during fights, but that question was somewhat out of character.
"Not entirely. But, if I didn't hold back some, neither of us would be having fun."
About what Leon expected as he pull his jacket off, tossing the wet thing to the side as it slammed to the ground from all the weight it held. Taking his gloves off as well he would toss those to the side as they made a satisfying thud showing they were also weighted. Ark would raise a brow his eyes opening just a little wider than usual surprised Leon would even consider holding back for so long in a fight with him. Perhaps he had misjudged the Bold Lion. Taking his own coat off he would toss it to the side, it was also weighted. Which bothered Leon, but it was too late for that. This was going to be the last thing he could do. So, when Ark charged Leon would do the same, seeing his pitch black ring on his hand he knew the damage would come that would put him out. He kept an eye on that hand and as it swung in Leon would hurl himself against it, planting his feet and allowing himself to slide into it, catching it before full extension to take away some of the force, he felt the impact and all the air in his body wanted to leave him, and he would let it as he let out a yell slamming his right hand into Ark's abdomen.
His fingers shaped into a claw form to dig his sharpened nails into the flesh. As Ark was a trained and experienced fighter he would likely be flexing his stomach to resist defining the muscles there where Leon would have his fingers slide between them, before using the force of thrusting his palm into Ark's stomach to go deep and grip as many of the abdominal muscles as he could and then twist his hand. Blood spewed from Leon's mouth as he pushed through the white hot pain, he wasn't even sure he could see anymore as he let out his roar feeling the muscles tear and cause the abdominal wall to collapse from the damage. This would make it incredibly difficult for Ark to breath in as both fighters went down, the last thing Leon saw was Ark spitting out his cigarette.
|
|
|
|
Post by Juyi on Jul 8, 2020 3:41:12 GMT
Leon receives +3 PRO! Remember to update your trackers accordingly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Seth Adelram on Jul 17, 2020 3:27:07 GMT
"Are you paying attention, boy? Do you see it?" A much younger Seth would jerk his head toward his father, before searching out the direction he was looking. The sun was slowly beginning to peak it's way over the horizon, casting light through the forest. Cain Adelram had taken the young boy out for the night, a hunting trip in which he would look to teach him the lessons he needed to learn. Three hours of darkness had led them to a buck which could barely be seen through a break in the trees and bushes.
"I see it, Father." The young boy whispered as he finally focused upon it. He was nervous, hands shaking slightly. He had never killed anything before besides a few ants here and there and now here he stood, a compound bow in hand. Seth felt a heavy burden of expectation upon his shoulders and he could feel his father's stern gaze settle upon him. The arrow notched, would be pulled back and he would try to hold his breath.
With a twang the bow unleashed the arrow and he would see a hint of red and hear the animal cry out in pain before he heard it take off into the woods. Seth's eyes widened because he knew what came next. He felt a heavy hand rap him against the side of the head, knocking him onto his side. "Imbecile." Seth would fight back the tears, knowing that would only make it worse and picked himself up, moving after his father that had begun to move forward and try to re-track the buck.
He would continue to follow and eventually his father would pipe up again. "Do you understand what you did wrong?" As much as Seth didn't want to speak, for fear of being wrong again, he would answer. "I.. should have tried to get.. closer? I should have gotten a clearer shot and made sure I ..killed it instantly." His father wouldn't respond with words, instead a 'Hmph' as he continued to lead.
Another hour would pass before they would come upon the animal again, near a stream. The arrow had barely nicked it, leaving s red line near its hind end. His left hand rubbed at his face, however his eyes settled upon the buck again. This time he could see it and they had managed to get much closer. With an arrow at the ready, he would watch as the buck lifted its head and looked around. Another twang and this time the arrow hurried itself into the animal's body and it dropped, bleeding at the edge of the river.
Seth would move forwards weight lifting from his shoulders as those young golden irises fixated upon the image of the stag's blood flowing into the river and painting it red as it ran over the rocks. His father would then hand him a long, curved bone knife. "Now.. you learn how to skin and quarter. Come, Seth." The boy's head would drop, the image burned into his mind as he followed after his dad with the knife in hand.
|
|
|
|
Post by dawn on Jul 17, 2020 4:11:31 GMT
Graded!
Seth gets +3 Pro exp, be sure to add it to your tracker!
|
|
|
|
Post by Ken Okazaki on Jul 17, 2020 12:48:36 GMT
A slightly less aged Kenjiro would be found standing at the end of a tactical shooting range, arms crossed while another white-haired operator stood nearby, sitting on the ground with his elbows on his knees. It appeared as though they were awaiting the arrival of their instructor for the day and found themselves deep in conversation. "What do they have you doing lately, Miles?" The white haired male would lift both his hands and sweep them across the top of his shirt hair before resting them at the back of his head. "Eh, You know how they get when we talk about shit like this, bro.. Typical lame stuff. Security details mostly."Ken would drop down to rest and place his forearms in a similar fashion as Miles. "I feel you. I had to follow Koan around like a lapdog last week.. Talk about stressful." Mile would glance over at him and elbow him, releasing a chuckle before he spoke in jest. "Whispers within the den say you're her favorite, bud. Maybe you should make a move, huh?" Ken would reach over to shove him, before he stood up. "Are you crazy, Miles? She's probably heard you say that from here. I- Uhh. Nah."Miles would pick himself back up and brush the dirt off his jeans, nodding down the path, when he noticed the instructor heading toward them. Ken would recognize him immediately as Brandt Helvig. The large man was the weapons and combat instructor and Ken had only gotten a chance to see him a handful of times. Even so, he had left an impression, that was for sure. "If I heard you, she heard you.. You guys are fucked later on." He would let out a hearty laugh before coming forward to swallow their hands with his own in a solid shake. "Just yankin' your chains. She's not as omnipotent as everyone claims- But he might be right about you, Okazaki. 'Mother' has her eye on you for sure."Ken would groan as he turned away and pulled his handgun, removing the magazine to inspect it so he could avoid paying attention to both of them rag on him. It wouldn't take long before Helvig would take charge and bark out orders. "Fun and games are over now! What we're going to focus on today is close range tactical firing. In our line of work, as you've come to find out, we don't always get to carry those big, badass lead slingers around with us all that often.. That means you need to rely on small-arms most of the time. Your pistol will be your last line of defense before you have to get up reaaal close and personal- That being said.. you need to be able to hit what you're shooting at- I'm talkin' to you specifically Miles." Without looking, his finger would point out in Miles' direction before he would continue with his instructions. "We'll be running a handful of exercises and I expect both of you to EXCEED my goddamn expectations- Do you bastards understand what I said?" Ken would pipe up after a second, before cracking a smile. "Yessir- Miles has to land his damn shots, sir." Miles would turn and flip both of them off before loading his magazine. "Fuck both of y'all. You'll see."Ken would ready his pistol and line up, walking the course he would put two shots in each target set up around the course, with only one reload allowed at a time. He would manage to hit all the targets at least, only missing a handful and finishing in a little over 15 seconds. Miles on the other hand would land roughly 70% of his shots, which was only slightly better than normal. They would run through the drill several more times, smiling, joking and genuinely having fun with it until eventually Brandt would call it a day after a few hours and send them on their way. |
|
|
|
Post by Bright on Jul 17, 2020 17:57:59 GMT
Ken Okazaki recieves +3 Pro! Make sure to update your tracker!
|
|
|
|
Post by Loie Prim on Jul 17, 2020 20:42:39 GMT
Loie sat bent over her desk as she did her chemistry homework. Pre-pharmacy school course requirements were immensely difficult, but not impossible. It was always a huge challenge but that's part of what made it so worth it in the end. Loie loved her area of study too. Some of her friends at her university were starting to call her a "drug-dealer" as a joke because of the ridiculous amount of pills and topical medication she carried everywhere in a little pink pouch. She just liked to be ready for anything and it was really important to her to be able to take care of the people around her. Even if she didn't know them too well, if she came across someone in need they probably crossed paths for a reason.
Loie also recently began wondering if her pharmaceutical knowledge could help Valo out at all. Aside from taking care of first aid stuff which didn't seem like a huge issue, maybe her knowledge could help thwart certain crimes like drug diversion and related problems. You never knew.
An hour passed and Loie stood up to take a break. She’d recently been doing a lot better in the whole self care department, as silly as that sounded. It was becoming more apparent over time how much she neglected herself. She usually just preferred to fuss over other people, but she still needed to make sure she was doing basic things like eating and sleeping. Loie stood by the window and sipped some tea. The past few days had been alright, but the next nightmare could come at any moment. While she liked being an optimist, she didn’t want to be a fool. She had to be ready for anything.
Loie sat back down at her desk to finish her homework. Maybe she should start looking in to learning self defense? But if she learned how to cause damage… what if it got out of hand? Loie never wanted to participate in violence but if this kept up, she wouldn’t have a choice. The girl pressed the heels of her palms against her eyes. Focus.
___ forms monatomic ions that have a charge of +2.
Loie tapped her pencil against her forehead for a few moments before writing ‘Mg’.
Her vision began to blur. Man, it felt like she'd been at this forever.
“One mole of… um. Sodium chloride? Produces more ions in solution than one mole of calcium chloride does…” she muttered, “No wait! It’s the other way around. Ugh!”
By the time she finished her homework, the peachy glow of a sunset began to seep into her room. Loie slumped back in her chair and let out a heavy sigh. It was so much harder to focus than it used to be and her general lack of sleep didn’t make her situation much better. She clenched her jaw and sat up again. Fear always lingered in her chest. She was always on guard and easily startled. There had to be a way to overcome this. If she couldn’t get a hold of herself these nightmares would eat her alive.
|
|
|
|
Post by dawn on Jul 17, 2020 21:11:02 GMT
Graded!
Loie gets +3 to Pro, please put it in your tracker!
|
|
|
|
Post by Xaier McCaine on Jul 28, 2020 12:37:46 GMT
"Hey bud, pass me that wrench over there." The blond haired teenager would move to the other side of a large red tool box and grab the tool his father had asked for, bringing it back down to crouch near his father would could only be seen from the waist down while he lay underneath a car. "Here ya go dad." Xaier would reach under to to hand it to him and then stand again and begin to circle the project car his father had bought for him.
His eyes would light up as he looked at it. It wasn't in the best of condition but someday in the future he was going to tear the streets up with this bad boy. Only the sickest of drifts. The gnarliest of donuts. It was in severe need of work. "I can't wait!" The paint was dry and peeling, it was rusting all over. It needed new rims and tires. It was basically an entire rebuild and it was probably going to take forever. However, he was bound and determined to get it done.
A clang would sound out, snapping the teenager back to reality as his father dropped exhaust off the bottom of the car. "Why don't you put your hands to work instead of your imagination, Kid. I'm not doing all the work." Xaier would nod and move to the hood, unlatching and lifting it up only to have one side break loose while the other barely hung on. It would drop and hammer him on the head. He would let out a pained yelp and stumble backwards, tripping while holding his head with both hands.
Xaier would hit the ground, accompanied by heavy laughter heard from underneath the car and his head spinning. This was going to be a long process for sure and a painful one at that. After seething on the ground for a couple minutes he would stand up and move to the hood and undo the bolt that didn't break before he pulled the hood off and plopped it awkwardly on the ground nearby.
For a handful of hours, Xaier and his father would continue to dismantle the body of the car, pulling all the doors off and gutting the inside and removing a huge portion of parts beneath the car. Xaier had always shown interest so he was apt to pay attention whenever possible and quick to pick it up thanks to guidance from his father. Eventually they would call it a night and head home together. He would be starting college in Anthem City soon and had to prepare for it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Juyi on Jul 28, 2020 18:39:32 GMT
Xaier McCaine receives +3 PRO! Remember to update your tracker accordingly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raikotsu on Nov 19, 2020 14:50:50 GMT
VIP Security Detail
Rai would be wearing his Raijin Gang disguise, complete with his hair tied up into a tight bun on top of his head with a Fedora to hide how long his hair was, and a pair of sunglasses. He currently found himself inside of a club he was doing running a security detail for the kid of some Big Wig. Standard gig. Spoiled rich brat with more money than sense and a false sense of superiority. But, a jobs a job. Rai tapped the radio in his left ear making sure it was on.
"Roll Call. You boys still with me?"
"Red here, alls clear boss."
"Blue checking in, reports the same here boss."
Two guys. For a Security detail... Rai sighed. Welp, gotta do the best you can out of what you've got. This wouldn't really count as training if he had a full regiment of men at his disposal.
"Copy, check in at regular intervals. Otherwise stay radio silent unless there is an emergency."
"Copy."
"Copy."
Good. He had Red casually walking the front of the club, and blue the back. While he himself was staying beside the kid. Much, he was positive, to the kids discontent. Rai could read it in the kids body language, he was looking for away to get away from his babysitters and go off to do some bullshit that his father wouldn't approve of. Rai almost wondered if his job was actually to make sure the kid didn't do anything stupid so much as protect him from anyone trying something against the kid.
"Oi! Mr. Body Guard."
The Kid would say turning to Rai, with two drinks in his hands.
"Have a drink with me buddy!"
He would say thrusting a glass forward for Rai.
"I don't drink on the job."
He would say matter of factly. The kid frowned.
"Ah, don't be such a buzzkill, c'mon man, just one drink! It ain't gonna hurt none! Besides these are on the house! The waitress just brought them over!"
"I said no, kid."
"Oh yeah? Well I say yes, and if you want to get paid for tonight you'll take this fucking drink."
Rai rolled his eyes behind his shades. This kid really did think he was hot shit.
"Fine. One drink. That's it."
With that Rai took the drink the kid was holding out. I don't fucking trust this shit. He thought to himself as he took the drink from the kid.
"Hell yeah! Now thats what I'm talkin' about! Woo!"
The kid clanked his glass to Rai's and immediately knocked it back, but as Rai started to toss back his, he felt a twinge... something wasn't right. At that time a waitress walking by and before the kid pulled his drink away Rai deftly swapped his glass for one of the empty ones on the girls tray. Then he made it look like he had taken his drink.
"See! Don't you feel a bit better now?"
"Yeah, thanks. Hit the spot."
Rai said in a monotone voice, almost barely audible over the music.
"Red, I want you to see if anyone is watching us up there where you are, if you don't find anyone in the next 10 minutes go get the car and bring it up to the front."
"Copy."
"Blue, I want you to go to the bar and casually sit down, then see if anyone is watching us. If you spot something let me know immediately."
"Copy."
After a few minutes he would get a message back.
"Red here boss, I see a couple of guys that have been sitting in the same booth all night, and I near as I can tell they've barley touched their drinks. But they are definitely staring you and the kid down. I'm going to get the car now."
"Thanks. Be quick. I have a feeling that things are about to get intense any minute now..."
"Blue here boss, I'm see a couple more guys at the bar that are definitely watching you too, and I just saw one of them check his watch. Twice."
Fuck. They drugged the drinks. Luckily Rai didn't take any... however, did they see him get rid of the cup? It might be possible that they didn't... If so that could work in his favor...
"Copy Blue, let me know when you see them move, count to 3 and then follow them, but don't do anything until I do, Copy?"
"Copy Boss."
About 5 minutes later the kid started moving strangely and his words started slurring more, Rai pretended to do the same. He put on a lazy smile and moved around inelegantly bumping into the kid and other people dancing around them, and the kid did the same. Both laughing as if they were having the best time...
"Their moving now boss."
Rai didn't respond Blue had his orders, and Red should be outside right at this moment, car ready to go. Rai put an arm around the kid and the kid responded in same, however the kid was quickly going from happy sloppy drunk to tired. The drugs were starting to fully kick in.
"Let's get going kid!"
Rai would say continuing his fake charade that he too was drugged and they started to sloppily make their way to the front. Despite his act Rai's eyes were searching the route in front of them intently from behind the sunglasses. Sure enough he would see two men, more than casually, forcing their way through the crowd towards them. Rai couldn't risk turning around, but he was sure that if he did he would see the other two men making their way to them as well. As the first two men got closer Rai waited till they were just outside of arms reach... and 'tripped' dropping the kids arm, who dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. He bumped into the man on the right.
"Oh, sorry mate!"
Rai would mumble out still faking the drunken slur, however, before the man could respond Rai whipped out a knife and stabbed the man inbetween the ribs, he knew anatomy well enough to get the knife to slip right into the lung. This man wasn't going to be a problem anymore. Sure enough the man fell to the ground, it was only then that his buddy turned to look at Rai.
"What the fu-"
But his words would be cut off as Rai fired two silenced gunshots into the man's chest, two men now lay dead on the ground. The next few seconds were going to be critical! Rai quickly dropped to the ground and went to pick up the kid. If his calculations were right then the two men at the bar shouldn't be close enough to spot them if they just stayed low... However, when Rai went to the ground the kid wasn't there! Fuck! Rai looked around panicked until he saw that the kid, in his stupid fucking infinite ignorance was army crawling on the floor... BACK TO THE BAR!
"That little!"
Rai kept low and rushed to get the kid, it didn't take long since the kid was still drugged, unfortunately as soon as he grabbed the kids arm he would hear an all too familiar clicking sound right next to his head. He turned his head and sure enough there were the two other goons standing beside him. One holding a gun to his head smiling.
"Time to take a nap pretty boy."
He would say with a smile. Then, just before he pulled the trigger a girl screamed! Apparently someone just discovered the two dead bodies. The thug holding a gun to Rai's head looked up and in that split moment Rai grabbed the man's wrist aiming the gun up, and more importantly, away from his head! The thug fired to shots into their, and these guys weren't using silencers like Rai's group was. So the crowd went wild running and screaming every where! Rai responded by snapping the thugs arm, kicking his knee and dropping him to the floor where Rai would stomp his foot on the thugs throat! When Rai looked up the last goon standing would be hold his gun at Rai... Rai was too far to prevent this one from shooting him. Rai prayed this guy was a horrible shot, but he dared not move. The world seemed to slow down and go silent all at once, all Rai could see was the man and his gun aimed at Rai. The only sound he could hear was his own breathing. The click of the hammer being locked into place and then the Cli- SNAP! Rai blinked as the man who had been facing him now had his head spun around. Then the corpse fell to the ground revealing Blue.
"Sorry I'm late boss, the Crowd made it difficult to get to you."
Rai let out a large breath.
"You made it just in time, hurry, help me get the kid to the car!"
Blue didn't even bother responding as both men picked up the kid and quickly took him outside and put him into the car that Red had brought to the front.
"What happened?"
Red asked curious from the drivers seat.
"Lets get this kid home. I'll explain while you drive."
Rai's first mission back in the field a success. But god it almost cost his life twice! He really had gotten sloppy...
|
|
|
|
Post by Duke Zabi on Nov 20, 2020 4:23:36 GMT
Raikotsu receives +3 Pro! Remember to update trackers accordingly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ayden Black™ on Dec 5, 2020 21:58:24 GMT
[[This SPQ bounces in and out of my other SPQ's. For the best experience please read it in its entirety here.]]
Part 2: Proficiency Training Code: I
I took a deep breath as I took a hold of the ornate door knockers on the gate. Resolving myself, I knocked on the gate with a decent amount of force. The knock echoed around me, causing a few birds in some nearby trees to fly away. I felt a little bad for scaring them, but I had come all the way from Anthem City, hiked through that forest for hours, and I knew the gruesome training that awaited me at this dojo. So I got over the birds pretty quickly. I had to focus on training for now.
“Who is it?”
A voice came from atop the gate. My eyes immediately shot up to meet it. Atop the gate sat a short elderly, gentleman. It seemed the old man was still in good shape to be able to climb up there. I bowed my head out of respect, seeing who it was.
“Master, it’s me! I’ve come to once more ask you to train me!”
There was a pause for a moment, I looked up. He seemed to be stroking his beard while looking down at me.
“Mi? Who’s Mi?”
I sighed and facepalmed. Was the old man going senile in his old age?
“No not Mi! I meant ME!”
I shouted back up at the old man while pointing at myself. I figured he didn’t get a good look at me before.
“You don’t look like Mi. You look like good for nothing student who doesn’t even send birthday card.”
He had me there. I guess I wasn’t the best at keeping in touch. But to be fair, I was currently in exile from my old life. I didn’t have much more time to think before he started shouting again.
“Well. Why have you come here?”
I took a step forward.
“I’ve come to retrain. I’ve grown weak. I need to be stronger.”
Master Shin paused again, stroking his beard.
“Hmm… Let me get a closer look at you.”
He shouted from atop the gate. I sighed, indulging the old man as I took a few steps forward. Before I knew it, my body was collapsed to it’s hands and knees. I could tell the old man had jumped onto my back, but it felt more like a truck slamming into me.
“Yes yes. I can tell you’ve grown quite weak. Come come. Let’s see how weak.”
He hopped off me rather gingerly. Master Bei Shin took a few steps away from me.
“Come at me with everything you have. No dinner tonight if you cannot land a blow.”
We hadn’t even made it inside the gate and training had already begun. I nodded, dropping my bag and taking off my coat. I took my stance, right foot leading left foot behind, left fist at chest level, and right fist pulled back by my side. Wasting no time, I launched forward. I wanted to get through the preliminary test as quickly as possible. Once the distance had been closed between us, my right fist flew towards my Master. However my attack missed it’s mark as Master Shin soared into the air leaving me stumbling forward a few steps.
“Your guard’s down!”
His foot caught me mid-back as I stumbled, forcing me to a knee. I grunted as I got up and quickly pivoted. My usual martial arts form was too straightforward against someone like Master. It prioritized power too much. I should have known that. I needed more speed. Once I was back on my feet, I switched over to a Muay Thai stance, both arms at about chin level. I pulled in quick, pulling my right towards the side, and throwing a hook towards Master Shin’s shoulder. He of course dodged towards his side.
That didn’t matter, I threw a jab forward aimed towards his head with my left. He dodged backwards but I didn’t relent. I kept throwing blow after blow. My plan had been working so far. Although it seemed that Master Shin was catching on as he chuckled. I had been throwing calculated blows to push him back towards the forest. He leapt into the air in an attempt to reposition himself. However that was exactly what I was hoping for. As he flew up, I charged towards a branch that was near his trajectory. A shocked expression came over him as he caught me holding the branch back, a maniacal grin across my face. As he came down from gravity, I let go of the branch hitting him in midair.
“Got you!”
I walked towards the old man before helping him up. Once he was to his feet, he slapped my hands away and began dusting himself.
“That doesn’t count!”
I felt my eyebrow twitch.
“Are you trying to pull technicalities on me again old man?!”
We argued the entire way back to the dojo grounds. I didn’t even get a chance to drop my stuff off inside before I was pushed off to my next training.
Part 10: Proficiency Training Code: II
“And time! …Master?”
I approached the base of the Mountain after running the circuit to Point B, expecting my Master to be there to time me on completion but he was nowhere to be found. He wasn’t at the firepit either. In fact he didn’t seem to be anywhere outside on the grounds of the dojo. I approached the main building and slid the door open to reveal my Master laying on his side watching TV on an oddly large flat screen that seemed a little out of place in such a remote dojo.
“Master aren’t you going to record my time?”
He seemed to pick some earwax out and blow it away.
“Doesn’t matter. You’re done training.”
I was shocked. Done training? I knew I had improved but I didn’t think I was anywhere near the level I was at when I left this place the first time.
“But Master I have so much more to learn.”
He looked at me with a kind of irritated face.
“I already taught you all of the martial arts you needed to learn the first time. If you do not believe me, I suppose I can provide you with your final test. Take your stance and hit me.”
I was a little surprised. He sounded so confident in me. If that was the case, I decided I better not let him down. Master didn’t act without a reason. So when he stood up, I took my stance. My left foot led, right foot pulling behind me as my left arm came up in front of my chest to guard and my right came back by my side.
With a nod from both of us, we began. Both of our bodies launched forward at each other. I shot a low punch with my right towards my Master’s stomach, which he side stepped before launching a counter attack himself. Using my left forearm, I made connection with the inside of his elbow to move the fist away. He was smiling.
My chest was open and I knew it, he sent his free hand towards. I wasn’t able to dodge completely and his fist caught me in the chest. I managed to launch myself backwards and move with the blow to detract some of the damage.
Landing on my feet, I rotated both of my toes forward. My left arm went forward, palm facing down, and my right came in front of my chest rather than by my side. Both of my arms were held horizontally. My legs moved quickly, taking advantage of the speed my kenpo stance allowed me to use. I quickly closed the gap between us, throwing a few feints as I tried to approach even closer.
I managed to brush the back of my right hand against my master, my right arm still bent. Immediately my hand closed into a fist, and thrust my arm out in an attempt at a zero-distance punch on my master. He caught on however, and managed to dodge it but just barely. He was in the air, perfect. I took a step inwards with my trailing leg before switching to my muay thai stance. Quickly I launched a few jabs at him in midair, keeping his focus on dodging my fists before he could reach the ground. And while his focus was on my fists, I finally managed to launch a knee strike upwards at Master catching him in the stomach.
“Got you!”
I was panting heavily as I collapsed to the floor. Master smiled as he landed nimbly in front of me. He had a sly look on his face and I think I knew why.
“Although. I only managed to do it because you went aerial. I’m guessing that was on purpose?”
He sat down with me before speaking.
“One final lesson. You prefer aerial attacks as big finishers. While they are powerful indeed, they leave yourself vulnerable.”
I nodded, committing the lesson to heart. But with that, my training was complete. It was finally time for me to return to Anthem City.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasper Ephraim on Dec 16, 2020 21:13:37 GMT
Jasper was a man of hobbies. He had plenty of time to pass with no close friends or social events to fill the time. Not that he minded, the quiet gave him plenty of time to work on his hobbies. Today he had decided on art. Now photography was nice, but it has come up a lot recently. After hours of procrastinating to the point of deciding what paint-stained tee-shirt matched his mood today, he finally came up with something simple. The sketch for WR, the angry criminal person who almost assaulted him and stole his camera. They hadn’t texted him yet and probably never would, which meant he had plenty of time!
He already had what he should sketch in mind too! The picture he took of them the other day, the one they hated! He walked over to his computer, not a far walk in his small studio apartment. To save space, he had his computer set up on a small footrest with space under for his legs. This was right next to the decent sized bean bag bed that tripled as a couch and chair. In the opposite corner of the room was his art supplies. He grabbed a sketchbook, a pencil, and went to work.
He always started with the background. He did this so when he made the person, he would hyperfocus on details to make sure the environmental effects were perfect. So he took about 15 minutes doing so and at the end of it had a rough sketch that while was okay, not his best work. Just something to show his style. He nodded and laid down.
About 10 minutes later he decided that he may wanna make the sketch more refined. After all this was the first person who knew it was his art, he should probably make it look nice. So he hopped up and went back to sketching. He refined the lines, added some proper shading, took creative liberties to make them and the city around them a little more beautifully surreal.
After about 30 minutes of making this a full drawing, a thought came to him. "Wow this is really a special picture, I should probably color it. It may distract WR from the fact that it is art of the picture. So he took some colored pencils and an eraser and started redoing the picture with colored pencils involved.
He took a few more liberties, making WR seem even more androgynous, even changing their outfit to emphasize and work with the color blocking. Adding a slight glow to them that was barely noticeable but went miles to adding to their new otherworldly quality. He would make the buildings a bit more surreal to match this, creating a beautiful image of a city now seeming to slightly shape itself around WR. Their androgynous features holding a captivating anger.
Unfortunately, another conclusion was reached. To fully capture the essence and surreal nature of androgynous people and their beauty, the only viable way to do this would be a painting! After spending a few more pages worth of drawings, rough drafts and ideas, Jay finally reached an outcome they wanted to pursue. Something on par with his previous exhibited works. This was no longer about WR, this was about art.
Days would pass, every day adding small details that work to add to this surrealist piece. Soon it would surpass even his greatest work, the vision of an androgynous being as an angry deity in the midst of nature, civilization, people, and worldly concepts spiraling into the being draped in mirror colored flames. All of which reflecting slightly more masculine or feminine depictions of the deity. It is division, unity, separation, random other artistic bullshit he could add to make it more convoluted. It was a masterpiece worthy of any conceited art bastard.
Finally, after having devoted a week to making this piece perfect, he stood before it, hands on his hips, and realized "I made this for a fucking stranger who is never going to see it." The pride that almost emerged was immediately dimmed. If he was any more insane he would have probably thrown it out, but at the moment the thought pained him. He couldn't morally show it without their permission, but he didn't have the heart to waste it. This was something that he worked hard on and seen an immense improvement from his previous works. So, maybe he could be proud of this, just for himself.
So, dejectedly, he put all his stuff away, showered and changed out of his paint-stained clothes. Immediately after, he got a call from a random number. He answered and quickly realized it was an employer. Wanted the pictures tommorow morning and the rest by the end of the week. After the call, he sighed and geared up for what was certainly going to be a difficult job. Taking a good set of pictures at night was far from easy, but that was probably why he was called. So after getting a text about the target's general whereabouts, he was off.
|
|
