1060/Training at Grant's Gym

Training at Grant's Gym
Date of Scene:	08 April 2020
Location:	Grant's Gym - Amusement Mile
Synopsis:	Dick and Dinah head to Grant's Gym, and meet up with Ted and Carrie. Dick gets Ted's blessing to date Dinah and Carrie owes Dinah a spar later.
Cast of Characters:	Dinah Lance, Dick Grayson, Ted Grant, Carrie Kelley

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Dinah Lance has posed:
Grant's Gym is a pretty popular place for aspiring young fighters to work out. And even a few older ones. Since the owner/operator is a retired heavyweight champion and also doesn't mind putting on the gloves occasionally, that never hurts for appeal as well.

There are a few regulars in the gym today, including a petite blonde who looks like anything BUT a fighter. Dinah Lance is working the speed bag, wearing a black sports bra and yoga pants, with blonde hair pulled into a ponytail.

To even the most casual observer, the little blonde is good. And very, very fierce.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dressed in his Bludhaven PD sweatpants and a tshirt, Dick is watching Dinah at work, having finished recently with the body bag. It's been a while since he's been here and when Dinah mentioned it was her regular gym, Dick jumped at the chance to visit again. Though he was a bit shorter and smaller the last time he darkened these halls.

"Still stewing on Roxy?" he asks as he watches her ponytail bounce around as she punches.

Ted Grant has posed:
For a man pushing one-hundred and ten, Ted Grant barely looks over forty as he prowls around his gym, offering pointers, here and there. The man's dressed in his gym 'uniform' a grey "Grant's Gym" hoodie, and a pair of grey sweat pants, both showing signs of frequent wear. "Keep your guard up kid," he calls to one of the aspiring fighters working the heavy bag, who keeps dropping their guard when they punch. "Be taking your meals through a straw if you don't." Not a threat, just a consequence of improper form if the kid ever steps in the ring.

On the other end of the spectrum from the kid at the heavy bag, is Dinah, who's working the speed bag over like it owes her money. Ted, stops a moment, not speaking, studying Dinah's technique as she lays into the bag.

The arrival of Grayson gets a smile from the old fighter, "Dick," he greets. "You guys run into some trouble?" he sounds more curious than concerned.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
It had been awhile since Carrie had last visited Ted or his gym herself, yet perhaps not so long ago as Dick. When she had been on 'hiatus' she had to go somewhere to train still. Ted Grant had been a name even in her world so she had been quite happy to find him here. Now she pushes open the door with a gym bag slung over her shoulder dressed in shorts, sneakers, and a old faded t-shirt that said 'Grant's Gym Home of The Champ' in faded letters. It was a very old t-shirt from when she was younger. Still fit.

An eyebrow raises in surprise as she spots Ted not only doing his usual rounds but watching the blonde on the bags with Dick nearby. Amused, she veers away from where she was intending to go to join the group. "What is this, a family reunion?"

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance doesn't even pause from the speed work, hands wearing padded, fingerless gloves. "I'm NOT stewing." she replies to Dick. At Ted's question she does pause, however. "Some tart tried a snatch-and-grab, was all. She made a few comments before getting hauled in for processing." She points to Dick, then. "And for the record, part of my -mojo- is having people underestimate me."

Taking a breather, she steps over to pick up a bottle of Gatorade and swig some back. Dinah spots Carrie, then, and offers a smile as well. "How's it going, kid?"

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Hey, Ted, been a spell." Dick offers his hand to the old trainer as Dinah speaks up. "High speed chase, Dinah's not happy she didn't get to punch the gal." he says in mild amusement as he puts up his other hand in a mock defense. "No underestimating here, I thought you were more mad that she called you my girlfriend. I didn't take anything she said to heart." he promises, and then there's a familiar voice.

Turning, there's a lift of a brow at Carrie. "Hey Carrot." he greets the redhead. But it's Dinah greeting Carrie that ... actually doesn't surprise him. Carrie already tipped her hand about meeting the blonde. "Wasn't expecting you here." And with Dinah off the speedbag, he takes his turn at it after releasing Ted's grip.

Ted Grant has posed:
"Yeah, it's been a little while now hasn't it?" Ted agrees shaking Dick's hand firmly before letting go. He nods in Dinah's direction indicating the whole business with Roxy. Chasing criminals and so on. "See not much has changed, though," he says.

The girlfriend bit gets a raised eyebrow from the fighter. "You guys partnering up now?" he asks, even money if he means fighting crime or personally.

Carrie's arrival stops further inquiries, as he gives the woman a grin of greeting. "Seems like we are, Red. How ya been?" he asks her as she joins them.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley grins at the surprise evident on Dick's face at her showing up here. Looking just a little smug she gives a helpless shrug. "I try to stop by ever month or so at least. Where do you think I was off training half the time when the Boss was busy?" She teases lightly before dipping her head toward Dinah in greeting as well. "Keeping him on his toes, I hope? If you ever want embarassing childhood pictures, I know where Alfred keeps the album."

To Ted she chuckles, and hops up on her toes (much as she can) to bestow the old trainer with a quick smooch on the cheek. "Yeah they're playing buddy cops. Good to see you too. I'm doing fine, getting out on my own a bit."

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance shoots Dick a wry smile before replying to Ted. "That's a good way to put it, I suppose, Uncle Ted." Another swig of Gatorade follows. Then, as if to confirm the direction of her answer, she gives Dick a playful hip-bump as well.

Yep, that tears it. They MUST be sleeping together now.

Flexing her fingers in the padded gloves, Dinah points towards one of the kids in the ring. The one who kept lowering his guard. "Looks like he's getting better, though."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Who needs embarassing photos when I have annoying siblings?" Dick asks of Carrie with a smirk and the hip bump of Dinah's is returned, even if he doesn't have as much hip as she.

Totally sleeping together.

"She helped me with a case of human trafficking in Gotham and things just escalated from there." he explains to both of them, not that he needs to share their history with Dinah, she lived it after all. Finishing with the speed bag. "She said she needed to come down here and punch something for a bit, so I figured I'd volunteer as tribute on the condition that she buys me dinner later. Just waiting for her to tell me when she wants to throw me around the ring for a bit."

Ted Grant has posed:
Ted gives Carrie a nod, "So, finally got to be about that time huh?" he asks about getting out on her own. "Not going to haul off and move to another town like this one are you?" he asks, jerking a thumb towards Dick.

Whatever comments Ted might have about his 'niece' sleeping with Dick, are hid behind a few decades of good manners, but the old fighter does scratch the back of his neck. "Well ain't you both a cute couple," he says with smile. "Well, looks like the ring's clearing out if any of you want to give it a go," he says, before a couple of the younger fighters, kids really, start fighting in earnest. "'Cuse me a moment, gotta bash some heads together, be right back." He hurries over to pull the kids apart and give each a good talking to.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley grins warmly at the banter going around. All she can do is raise her hands open palmed toward Dick with an innocent expression. "It's my beholded duty as the only female child of this family to annoy my brothers," she points out jokingly. Her hands drop again to her sides to glance at the emptying ring and the kids that Ted goes to talk some sense into.

"Really, you two are gonna go at it? This I want to see. I'm betting Dinah, hands down."

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance uses a towel to dry behind her neck, shooting Dick another look. "I don't recall any discussion about buying dinner, unless it was the -loser-." she offers. Sinking into a deep-knee bend, she springs up and jerks her thumb towards the empty ring. "MMA rules?" she asks, padding towards the ring. She scoops up a head-guard along the way.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Only female sibling that they know of. That much is left unsaid as Dick smirks at Carrie. "I don't know, maybe you're the one that can use the practice, since you've been babysitting." he points out, before Dinah is calling him out. "So what are you buying me?" he asks her teasingly. "Sure, MMA rules is fine. Do I get to use the rafters." That said in a teasing manner as he moves to grab the head guard and some gloves.

"So have you talked to Babs recently?" he asks Carrie as he holds down the rope so that Dinah can step in, always the gentleman. "Figured Dinah might be good for that project she has going."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles a bit at that as she moves to the ringside to watch. Leaning in against the ropes with arms crossed she shrugs. "Not recently, but I did point her out. I think she's been caught up with some other project she needs to finish first. Got to go to dinner with one of the cousins the other day though for her birthday. I think we're almost done those for awhile." Grinning she watches as Dinah suits up with a nod of approval. At least this time she'd get to see the other woman fight instead of just coming in at the tail end of things. "Kick his butt!" She calls out with a good natured cheer.

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance gives Dick a polite nod before stepping lightly over the rope. She slips her headgear on, adjusting the fit and snugging the chin strap. Bouncing a few times on the balls of her feet, she replies. "I haven't had Chinese in a while. Remember that good place a few blocks down the street?" Dinah rolls her neck around lazily, then she settles into a loose, easy stance to wait for Dick.

"Don't get too comfy over there, Red. You've got the winner."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Yeah, I remember it. The one that has the tableside grills? Loved the shashami there." Dick offers as he works on getting on his head gear and bounces on the balls of his feet a few times just to get himself situated. He decides to broach a different subject while he prepares. "Someone's been poking at the Titans. Trying to get them back together." Apparently, he's not been approached about this himself.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"I do?" Carrie blurts in surprise only to shrug. "I do," she agrees with a little sigh. "Guess I ought to warm up some." Of course, since she wants to watch this, she just reaches back to grab her ankle for a stretch.

"You *did* tell him to do that, remember, Dick?" she points out with a wry grin of amusement. "He's been working on it. I need to check up on him to begin with though. He hasn't come back to the penthouse since that night." Here her humor slips a little looking a bit guilty.

Dinah Lance has posed:
"No using the rafters, Grayson!" Dinah declares. "Nothing higher than the top rope. This is a fight, not a parkour race." She shoots Carrie a -look- when the penthouse comment is made. And it's a long enough look that she's distracted from the bout. "He? Penthouse? Aren't you a little, um, young for that kinda stuff?"

Dick Grayson has posed:
When Dinah gives Carrie that look, Dick tries his best not to fall on his ass laughing. He's snickering and snickering hard. "Dinah, no, she's referring to our younger brother..." he manages as he tries to straighten things out. "And I did, but it's not him poking around." he explains to Carrie. And he's going to leave it at that as he tries to get focused back on the match again.

"I don't think dad would be happy if she was bringing guys back to the penthouse." More stiffled snickers.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley blinks in surprise at the mention of being too young... More than that, she turns beet red. Damn her fair skin. "What? I'm twenty! Also, ew, yes, what Dick said," she points out with a little shudder and her tongue sticking out. The very thought! Her arms cross over her chest and she mumbles to herself, "Just cuz I'm short..."

A long suffering sigh is exhaled, and she gestures at Dick while looking at Dinah. "See what I deal with?"

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance turns her attention back to the match as well, giving Dick a formal bow that smacks heavily of Judo tradition. Once that's finished, she settles into a boxer's stance and begins slowly circling. Clockwise, with her left hand up. "Hey, now. Don't you hide behind the 'short' thing. Beautiful, short and helpless is -my- schtick."

Dinah mixes up her footwork a bit, taking a couple of testing jabs and Dick to probe for a response.

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Short and beautiful, yes. Helpless? I know better." Dick points out as well to Dinah as he returns the bow with formality and starts in the opposite direction, hands settled in a loose defensive position. When she jabs, he backs away, making her always move forward, playing from the defensive position as he grins at her. "I head that the mansion construction is going well. Think Bruce would mind if I suggested that we get regular deliveries of fresh flowers for the place? I know Alfred would enjoy it. I might know a florist..."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles at that with a shake of her head. She leans on the ropes again watching the exchange between fighters begin. "Nope, just short and ginger in my case." A slight nod is given at mention of the construction though she does raise an eyebrow. "Yeah, he'd like that. Though he might want to pick the flowers himself. You know how particular he is." Grinning faintly she glances down to her watch to frown. "Ah, I need to make a call before I forget. Let me know who I need to knock out after this," she points out while stepping away from the ring.

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance has no problem with taking the offensive, of course. She presses, pushing Dick towards a corner so long as he keeps backing up. And just as he's starting to run out of real estate, she changes things up. Dealing in a tae-kwon-do kick to the head, she continues the spin to follow with a sweep to the legs.

Dick Grayson has posed:
When he gets to the corner, Dinah said he could use the top rope, right? The kick towards her head is defended with a block and he leaps high when she goes for the leg sweep, landing on the top rope, showing off that actrobatic prowess he's so infamous for as he uses the rope as a springboard to leap and flip over Dinah's head to land behind her to spin around and go on the defensive again. He watches her when she attacks, prepared to watch her go through the range of her attacks again. "So is it safe to start giving you red roses, Dinah?" he asks her, keeping her off guard, but there's a sincerity to his question, and maybe a different question with in.

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance doesn't turn when he lands behind her, and when he spins towards her again she steps -back- into him. A couple of quick-steps, if necessary. "Why's that? Have you done something you need to apologize for?" Trying an elbow jab to the ribs first, she turns smoothly and reaches out to try and catch a wrist.

Dick Grayson has posed:
The jab to his ribs causes him to lose his breath for a moment, but when she grabs his wrist, Dick's ready to counter. He uses her momentum against her to to throw her forward and try to take her off-balance. "Nothing to apologize for. I just figured I'd buy flowers for the girl I'm getting closer to." he admits with a shrug of his shoulders and a swift smile.

Ted Grant has posed:
Ted returns from getting the two kids to shake hands and apologize before sticking them both with fifty push-ups each for causing trouble in the gym. Then he makes his way over to the ring, finding a lot of his customers paused in their workouts to watch the level of skill on display. Ted grins as he walks up to the ring, "You guys gabbing or fighting," he prods from the side of the ring. "Or does this just count as dating for the two of ya?"

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance keeps moving forward, diving to take the fall as Dick sweeps her off of her feet. But she has his wrist! Tumbling, she goes down and gives his arm a turn to try and throw him onto his back as she rises to her feet again. Close-in fighting is her forte, and the blonde is grinning.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Yanked forward by Dinah, Dick doesn't have time to answer Ted's question, instead he tucks into a roll and ends up on his back as Dinah springs back to her feet. Rolling over to get back to his feet before Dinah has a chance to pounce on him, he tries to quickly get back to his feet. But he's picking up on Dinah's pattern. "Dating?" he asks. And he's about to make a comment -- but decides against that one, instead. "So is this the time where I ask if it's okay if I date your niece?" Cart horse, one in front of the other.

Ted Grant has posed:
Ted snorts, "Would you listen if I said no?" he asks the younger man. He shakes his head and chuckles warmly. "Don't care who Dinah dates, she's a big girl and if you're not careful Grayson she's going to knock you on your ass.": Okay that was mostly true, he felt a degree of protectiveness for the woman, but it was mostly reflex, he trusted her to be able to handle whatever life or Dick Grayson threw at her.

Dinah Lance has posed:
When Dick tries to get back to his feet, Dinah is anticipating it. She starts by launching capoeria kick towards his head, but pulls it at the last moment. Using the forward momentum, the blonde tries to hook her arm through his instead. "Definitely dating." she chuffs. And if she does catch his arm, well then he's going for a ride.

Dick Grayson has posed:
There's a moment where Dick goes from being Detective Grayson, and allows himself to be Nightwing. "Probably not. Quite fond of her." he admits before Dinah's trying to anticipate his next move. He lets Dinah grab his arm and throw him. But instead of landing on his back, he springboards from it, goin directly into a backflip as he lands on his feet and when Dinah comes around, he's swinging a punch at her side when he sees an opening there.

Ted Grant has posed:
"Then that's a point in your favour, Dick," Ted grins at the former Robin. "Can't be dating my niece if some old man's all it takes to scare you off." He says grinning at Dinah's move and Dick's counter. "He's tricky like that, gonna have to give him no room to move."

Dinah Lance has posed:
Never try to throw an acrobat; it's like trying to drop a cat from a balcony and have it land on anything BUT its feet. "Tell me about it." she replies to Ted. Dinah blocks the punch, however, and counters with her own. Block-punch-block-punch-block-punch. She'll wade in again, mixing up the attack angles and working him with relentlessly-drilled precision. "It's not half-bad when we get to wrestling, though." she quips. "It's not even ALL bad..."

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick's moving, dodging and jabbing when the chance presents, blocking and countering for the most part, "I don't think he wants to hear about our wrestling." he offers coyly. That's not to trip up Ted, but it's more to catch Dinah off guard. He's a talker. Ted knows this. His mouth is one of his more powerful weapons.

Ted Grant has posed:
"He's not wrong Dinah," Ted calls from ringside. "Keep your head in the fight or I'm going to have to turn the hose on the two of you," he jokes, playing into the lovers banter with him. The moves on both side were solid though, and Ted felt a little bit of pride for his part in shaping them.

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance isn't one to be fooled by a talkative opponent, and she tests Dick's defenses with the punch-and-block drill. He doesn't catch every one, and she can definitely work with that. She feints, the punch shifting into another grab for a shoulder throw. Only this time she holds on so that he can't flip away when he lands.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Sure, she has the advantage, and Dick is more used to rolling with the punches or battling with escrima sticks. However, Ted's comment has him setting his thoughts. And when she lands a punch and goes for the shoulder throw, he feels the improvisation. And this time, when they come over, Dick brings the other hand up, grabbing the blonde by the ponytail and uses a tactic most noone else would use. He kisses her. For several seconds he holds her there, before he finally releases and holds up his hands. "You win."

Ted Grant has posed:
Ted's snort turns into a laugh at the pony tail grab turning into a kiss. "Well, that's definitely losing with style," he grins at the pair of them. "But hell of a show the both of you put on, you guys should be proud of yourselves."

He nods for one of his guys to toss him a couple of towels which he tosses up to the fighters, one to each. "C'mon, cool down time, drinks are on me," he says jerking his head towards the juice bar at the back of the gym.

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance lands right on top of Grayson and is about to go for a cinch-hold when he tugs her ponytail and kisses her. She returns it, of course, and isn't the first one to pull away. When the kiss breaks and he surrenders she's just about settled into a shoulder-lock. Laughing, she's blushing when she looks back at Uncle Ted, and Dinah gives Dick a flat-hand smack on the belly that's more sound than pain.

She knows his abs are hard enough to take a major league fastball, after all.

Dick Grayson has posed:
He plays it up with a theatrical oof, but Dick laughs, slipping his hand into Dinah's for a quick squeeze. "Actually, my shift at the precient is going to be starting soon. I should get going. See you at the apartment tonight, Dinah?" he asks as he uses the towel to rifle through his hair quickly and takes a swig of water, and then he nods to Ted. "Don't worry, she means a lot to me."

Ted Grant has posed:
Ted shakes his head again at the couple's goofing off. "I believe you," he tells Dick. "Stay safe out there, okay?" he asks the former Robin turned cop.

"How about you Dinah? Gotta go soon too?" he asks the blonde.

Dinah Lance has posed:
Dinah Lance laughs and gets to her feet as well, heading over to get another drink. "Don't do anything that'll make me come looking for you later." she replies to Dick. And yes, she'd do a LOT of damage to get him out of trouble. "But I'll see you back at the apartment."