11518/Searching for a Dojo

Searching for a Dojo
Date of Scene:	09 June 2022
Location:	Chikara Dojo
Synopsis:	Helena meets Colleen and joins a new dojo.
Cast of Characters:	Helena Wayne, Colleen Wing

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Helena Wayne has posed:
It isn't often that Helena Wayne gets out of Gotham, but it's always a good way to clear the mind. She's also looking for a place to better focus her skills, and she recently came across this ad for a dojo in Manhattan...

It's getting dark when the big motorcycle rumbles to a stop outside Chikara Dojo. The black haired young woman gets off the bike, dressed in riding clothes... jeans, boots, leather jacket... with a gym duffel bag slung crossways over her back. She knocks on the door before trying the lock. And inside she'll go if it's open.

Colleen Wing has posed:
The street level door of the dojo has yet to be locked, so Helena would be able to open and ascend the stairs to the second floor where the dojo is. It is the evening and classes have long since stopped, tho the work in the Dojo has not. There is some cleaning to do and that is exactly what Colleen was doing when she heard the arriving Helena at the Dojo door. It was not often that people came by after classes ended, but in fairness, she rally did not post hours on the door when the Dojo was actually open.

After hearing someone at the door, Colleen sets down the broom and makes her way over to it, opening the door and offering a welcoming smiling and greeting to the woman on the other side. "Hello. Can I help you?" The Sensei is clothed in a pair of black yoga pants and a white tank top, her hair back in a ponytail and her feet bare.

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne runs fingers through her windblown hair, tousling a little as she looks around. "Hi there. I saw your ad on the internet and thought I'd stop by..." Taking a step to the right of the door, she slips out of her boots using one foot to toe off the other. Noticing the broom, then, she adds. "Unless you're off the clock, in which case I can come back another time."

She smiles a little, then offers. "I'm Helena. I'm a student in the arts and I'm looking for a place to work out."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen steps aside to allow Helena to enter the dojo, that same smile remaining on her face. "I am never off the clock Helena. Colleen Wing, but I assume you already knew that. Please come in."

She sweeps an arm to the dojo. "It is nothing fancy. Not in the bets neighborhood, but I assure you it will serve what ever purpose you need. A lot of people like these small hole-in-the-wall places. It allows them to train in private and not attract attention." She shrugs and turns her attention back to the woman. "So are you looking for a place to work-out and train...or are you seeking instrcution as well?"

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and then inquires. "Can I get you something to drink? Would you like to sit down while we speak?"

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne leaves the boots at the door, pausing to remove her socks as well. "Yeah, I sort of noticed the neighborhood on my way in." she agrees. With a shrug she unslings the duffel and sizes up Colleen. "I've been training for a while on my own, so what I could really use is a sparring partner. The sign out front said Karate, Jujutsu, Kempo, and Kenjutsu. Any of those would do for starters."

Wait, what? Any of those? A bold claim to be so casually delivered.

"And admittedly, being someplace that's quiet and discreet has its appeal as well. Have any sparkling water?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
Sparkling water? Well perhaps she might. Typically it is bottled water and take-out leftovers in the fridge. "I could certainly offer you a psarring partner if that is what you wish. And yes, those are the four main disciplines I instruct here. They all have their benefts and different styles. I would just need to see what you already know and then go from there."

She motions for the woman to follow her behind an open door on the side of the dojo and a pulled back curtain into a living area. "Please have a seat and I can look for sparkling water." She makes her way to the fridge and opens it. "Oh look, it's flavored, but I do have a few cans. Nothing fancy." She takes one out and offers it to Helena. "I get the feeling you are not your typical beginner student."

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne follows along behind Colleen, setting down the duffel before she finds somewhere comfortable to sit. Accepting the can, she folds her legs casually and pops it open. "Thanks. And you'll find out soon enough anyway, so I won't lie or do you the discourtesy of pulling any punches." She takes a sip. "I've been training in martial arts almost since I could walk. Multiple styles and multiple disciplines. When I fight I usually blend things together and use whatever is most efficient."

"This is good, by the way. So I live in Gotham these days, but it's nice to get out into the sunshine every now and then."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Well this neighborhood is not the best place in the city, but it has it's charm and the bets CHienbse food in the city. Trust me, I know." She grabs a regular water and moves to sit herself on the couch, facing her guest as she takes a sip. "I have done this sort of thing numerous times. Taking on well-skilled members to help them practice and enhance what they already know. I have a feeling you will fall into that category."

She ulls hare barefeet up to the edge of the couch and continues. "SO how much time were you looking to have? I am sure I can accomodate as much as you want as long as it is after my afternoon classes for the school students."

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne watches Colleen approach, appraising the other woman. They're both relatively small and unassuming, of course. But there's a certain, shared confidence and carriage; as predators recognizing each other. "My schedule is pretty flexible, now that classes are finished." she replies. "I'm a Criminology major at Gotham U. But I do have a night job..."

She just lets that hang there for a moment, managing to keep a straight face. "If you want, we could go a few rounds. I've got my workout clothes on under this biker getup." Helena takes another sip, then asks. 'You get a lot of... experienced... practitioners coming in?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
Another sip of the water is taken as the dojo Senseai considers the other woman's words. "I do. I am not really at liberty to say. Discretion is offered and would apply to you as well. I don't drop names unless they tell me too." She winks and sets the water down on the table in front of her, regarding the woman with a more detailed examination.

"Okay. If you want. I think I could go a few rounds if you wish. Feel free to use the bathroom if you need to change into anything else, but you seem to have yourself all ready." She pushes herself off the couch and pads her way to the entrance to the dojo. "Start with some basic striking?"

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne unzips the duffel, tossing in her socks. Off with the jacket and t-shirt next, before she shimmies out of the jeans. They're designer jeans, even. Underneath, Helena is wearing a sports bra and yoga pants, both in a rich purple trimmed with black. "I'm good." she declares. "And I'll definitely ask for your discretion in advance."

Now that she's prepared, Helena follows Colleen and waits for the Sensei to take her place. "That sounds good to me. Let's start with Karate and see where things go from there."

Once in place, Helena stands rigid and offers a formal bow, keeping eye contact.

Colleen Wing has posed:
As Helena makes her way into position, Colleen focus her gaze on her to size her up. The woman had confidence, that was quite clear. "Karate it is. Shall we start with some basic strikes and blocks? Would you like to go first?" A bow is given and then she bounces a few times on the balls of her feet and raises her hands in front of her with a smile. "Alright Helena, let us see what you have. Punches and kicks. Anything you want. And during the course of this spar if a hand is raised in the air, then we stop. Agreed?"

She exhales slowly and beckons with her hands to the woman across from her. "Let's see what you have and what you may still have to learn."

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne's ready stance is only a slight shift, a widening of her feet with the right easing just a little forward. Casual. Flexible. "Sounds good to me. Strike and block; raised hand stops the action."

Helena starts as the two begin trading off. Basic strikes, and she counters Colleen's returned strikes with smooth efficiency. After a little settling in, Helena begins to quicken the pace of her punches, kicks, and elbow-throws. She's technically quite good, with reflexes and strength that are a little surprising for her frame.

Colleen Wing has posed:
She is much better than Colleen anticipated and the Sensei does find herself putting in more effort than she had previously expected. Strikes are blocked, strikes returned with counter-attacks only to be blocked again. It is like a well-orchestrated dance as the two woman semeingly test one another to see what the other knows." You are much better than I gave you credit for." Another strike, follow by a low kick is sent Helena's way.

"Her feet move her body in a bouncing light fashion, agile on the balls of them. "I can see the fact that you have been training since you were very small as you said." She picks up her pace a bit, a mix of punches and elbow thrusts in consectutive fashion.

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne also starts to mix things up, beginning with that low kick. No block or counter, that, instead Helena does a light, neat forward flip over it to dodge.

"Thanks." she replies. "And you're everything I would have hoped for." After that, Helena's responses become even less predictable. Colleen picks up the pace and Helena matches it. The rigid style of Karate blurs with Jujutsu, a little bit of Kempo slipping in around the edges. The blocks become more varied as well, and occasionally she just hops or tumbles or flips out of the way instead.

And by this time, it's apparent that neither woman will be tiring soon.

Colleen Wing has posed:
They are ewvenly matched and Collen steps up the game a bit, adding her own doedges into the mix as she evades the strikes and counters with her own, only to find them blocked or evaded as well. There is no frustratin, more of a look of admirartion for the skill the other woman possses. "I am dying to know who trained you." Another palm strike thrown."

After a bit more, Colleen steps back and holds up a hand, calling for a small break as she exhales slowly. It was quit clear neither was gong to land a strike. "I am not sure how much you need to learn in that discipline Helena." She runs her hand across the back of her sweaty neck with a smile.

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne matches Colleen, strike and block, kick and dodge. The palm strike is just dodged, her stance angling just so in order to simply let it pass. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." she replies.

So far Helena is staying within the starting terms, but slowly and surely she is letting other styles slip out. Some Colleen would be familiar with, and yet there are a few moves that are completely unconventional. Helena stops when Colleen lifts her hand, and both women are breathing faster now. The smile is returned with a grin of her own, and she pulls back the mass of black hair.

"I said I needed a sparring partner, Colleen. And that was marvelous." she replies. Stepping up closer, her voice lowers and she offers. "I must ask for your discretion in this, please. My teacher was not from this world."

Colleen Wing has posed:
The news about Helena's teacher is might with a soft smile. Colleen had dealt with many things not of this world and nothing really suprised her anymore. She remains close to the woman in front of her, the scent of sweat evident and glistning on her skin. Her reply is soft. "You have my complete discretion Helena. Anything said in this dojo, stays in this dojo. Bushido Code of Honor. I promise. And you have a sparring partner. Anytime you need it. I'll make sure I give you my direcet number so you can make sure I am available to do so."

She gestures a moment back to the living ara."Come let's get some water for a minute. Towel off a bit." She starts to make her way back to the living area. "You know. I could show you some things with Kenjutsu that you may not know. Japanese sword fighting." It was th area she was most skilled in and was considered one of the best in the world at. "I mean if you want sometime."

Helena Wayne has posed:
Helena Wayne follows along, keeping the long hair up and off the back of her neck. "Sounds really good to me." she replies. "And thanks, Colleen. I'll give you my... evening number... as well. Not that you'd ever have need of protection, of course. But sometimes even 'heroes' need someone to stand at their back."

With that, Helene settles in one corner of the sofa. "I'll admit that I don't have much experience with swords." she replies. "So yes, I'd like that. You ever do much shooting? I'm a pretty fair marksman when I'm pressed."

Helena considers for a moment, then she offers. "That teacher I had from another dimension? In his home world he was known as The Batman."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"I always am open for protection Helena. Some reason trouble always seems to find me and I have made a fw enemies with some of my recent choices. I don;t regret them, but it has put me in some situations I have had to fight my way out of." She too take sher place on the edge of the sofa, grabbing her water and pulling her feet up on the cusion whule she faces the other woman. "I'll will take that deal. You show me how to shoto a weapon and I will show you how to use a sword. I will admit, I have little experience with a firearm. Like very little. Aim it away from you and pull the trigger skill." She winces and gives another smile before taking another sip.

Conversations continue. Arrangments made. Colleen has a new sparring partner and a new friend.