1333/So here's what happened

So here's what happened
Date of Scene:	23 April 2020
Location:	Chikara Dojo
Synopsis:	Alexander catches Colleen up on the fight with Shiva
Cast of Characters:	Colleen Wing, Alexander Aaron

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Colleen Wing has posed:
Midday. A break between morning adult classes and the afternoon student classes. It is one of the moments that Colleen gets to take some time to herself, reset and get lunch. That is exactly what she is doing, rummaging through a fairly empty fridge and deciding on some Chinese take-out after giving it a small sniff. "Eh...still good." The food is dumped on a plate and tossed into the microwave as she moves to grab a bottle of water as well. "An hour. An hour to unwind." The food is takenout of the microwave and she makes her way over to her couch, settling in upon and it begins to eat. A free hand reaches for the rmeote and she tosses something mindless on; background noise.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Just settling down, getting comfortable, time to relax and recover. It's an ideal moment, free of expectation and perhaps it's just as the food is on the way to her mouth when there's a faint jangle from downstairs, then the approach of steps into the school itself. Quiet, likely shod in shoes until those steps then reach the dojo proper and then the scuffing sneakers becomes a faint rasp of stockinged footsteps.
    And /then/ there's a voice that lifts to call out just as a silhouette slips past that wooden man, "Hello?"
    A light voice with a casual lilt to it raises, "Sensei Wing?"
    And then she'll likely see him peeking his head around the slider and then stopping as he straightens up, that teenager in his jeans and a t-shirt with an ESU slung over his shoulder. "Oh hey."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Her eyes drift from her food up to the arrival, catching her with a mouthful and a wave of a fork as she frantically tries to chew to offer a greeting. "Oh hey. Come on in. Don't mind the place. It isn't much and I typically don't clean until the evening." Her eyes spy a sports bra on the back of the couch and she quickly moves to toss it behind the couch before it is noticed. "Good to see you..and alive. Things must have gone better than expected then?" Her hand gestures to a spot on the couch as she retreats herself to one side, pulling her legs up and facing the offered spot. "I would offer you lunch...but not sure exactly whay I have in there." She watches him a moment, taking a sip of water. "Please tell me you at least got a hit in on her."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    She'll see him bite his lower lip as he steps in, that slow wary step that one sees when someone is asked to enter a person's personal space for the first time, giving it a slow once over and a looking at as if curious about the way she must live. And when she hides that sports top his lips sort of twist into a wry smile that he then hides with a swallow and a nod.
    "Several, actually. But I think... I have a long way to go. You want to hear the story?"
    And as she movesover he'll take up a spot on the seat of that couch opposite her, setting his backpack down upon the ground and then turning to tilt his head and look at her. Those curious hazel eyes meeting her gaze, one hand lifting to wave off the offer of food as he murmurs quietly, "No thank you."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Several strikes? My my Alexander I am impressed. You must have put on quite the show. I wish I coud have seen that." She takes another ite and watches him closely, trying to read his mood. "Please, get comfortable. Water in the fridge if you need one." She sets the plate down on the small coffee table in front of the couch and moves to let her out out of the ponytial she keeps it in during classes. "She must not have hurt you too badly...I mean afterall you look alright to me. Listen to me talking when all I should be doing is listening. Tell me everything...especially how good she really was."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    He's got that same ephemeral something about him, as if he's there but also not entirely so. Though that cold also be for a myriad of reasons not necessarily to do with her. He leans to the side, resting his arm on the back of the couch and looking across the way to her with that easy-going smile.
    "Well, she was amazing. Better than anyone I've faced." He takes a deep breath and spreads his hands, "But here, I'll tell the story without getting too far ahead." That said he looks to the side thoughtfully, as if choosing his words, then he returned.
    "The place we fought was in a warehouse. Where we had met. It was empty, nobody else was there. Lighting was dim." He takes a deep breath, "She was wearing just a black form-fitting suit. I was wearing just my training gear. We squared up, didn't talk much at all. She asked if I was ready, I was. And then..."
    He shakes his head, "It was insane, it felt like... I was experiencing a lesson and she was conducting me through things."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen is entranced on what he is speaking about leaning foward a bit to hear him better, like a child hearing a story for the first time. "Wow. So the stories are true. SHe is as good as I have heard. I mean I never questioned that, but to hear it from someone who has faced her...well that kind of makes it even more believable." She moves to sit cross-legged and rests her elboews on her knees, chin cupped in a hand. "Oh I am sure it was like a lesson. She was testing you...I am willing to bet she was in control of the fight and what happened most of the time. The question is, did you learn anything?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A slow nod is given, "That was exactly how it was. She matched, we went back and forth several times. Then she'd escalate and it would become more intense." Alexander pushes a hand through his hair and looks thoughtful. "We changed styles about four times total. At times she would shift to focus on one particular quarter, and then others another. Sometimes she pressed and sometimes she let me press. But when she struck it was hard. And..."
    He tilts his head the other way, "I think I surprised her several times. I caught her once and bloodied her lip and that just made her laugh." His lip twists a little, the memory a strong one. "And then it just kept getting faster, more intense. I could... I don't know, feel myself getting better just by being pushed so, and to that limit."
    Then he shakes his head, "And then a switch flipped and she just started taking me apart. It was... harsh. Four clean strokes, and I felt my arms and legs give out, and then I was looking up and she complimented me. She drew a fist back and then punched me in the chest and..."
    He lifts a hand, "And I think I died. My heart stopped, I blacked out."
    His lip twists as he ponders leaving that as a cliffhanger of some sort despite him being there. "And then she struck again, and I started to come back. It was... unlike anything I'd experienced before."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen is speechless after hearing his detailed accounting of the fight. Absolutley speechless. In face her mouth was actually agape abd a few shakes of her head snapped her back to a reality. "Wait a second. Let me get this straight. Kick kick, chop chop..yeah yeah. You bloodied her lip she kicked your ass all over a warehouse when she felt like it...and then you died?" She blinks a few times. "I mean like did you blackout or did you die..die. Cuz, I mean how would you know you were dead?" She seems very intrigued at this. "So..like she stopped your heart and then by punching you agaun re-started it? Oh I need to learn how to do that." SHe shakes her head and reaches for her water, drawing a long sip and then pointing the bottle towards him. "What did that feel like..you know..to be dead?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "It felt like..." Alexander takes a deep breath, "Nothing? I blacked out, but I could feel like the loss of... everything?" Such a hard concept to convey as he takes a breath. "Just you know how there's like a background noise if you look for it... you can hear your heart and the pace of like... your body functioning? But it stopped. And I felt like I was just falling back further and further into this darkness somehow underneath the floor of the warehouse."
    Alexander takes a deep breath and then leans forward and takes the bottle from her, whether or not she was offering it, but he takes a sip as well before he hands it back. "But then I returned and I could like... I heard the end of her kiyai as she finished the strike and it brought me back and..."
    He spreads his hands, "And after that... we talked. And it was, she's an amazing individual."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Whoa. You like fought one of my idols. Like seriously...you got killed and brought back by one of my idols. I am so jealous..well not the dying part, that would have sucked I think and hurt." The water is taken back and she takes another sip. "So from what I am hearing you earned her respect...and that was all you were really after anyways right? Wow Alexander, it seems like an experience that has changed your life...and possibly earned yourself a very skilled ally shuold you need it. WHat exactly did you talk about after...I mean if I can ask?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Eyebrows lifting a little, he tells her quietly, "Philosophy, my past, how I trained. Who my influences were. She..." He leans to the side a little and for a moment he does look a little worried, "I think she is hoping to groom someone who will eventually kill her."
    That's confessed a little gently, tone a little lower than before. "But she's had an interesting life. We're probably going to train more." He draws his leg up a little, his stockinged foot hooked on the edge of the sofa and letting him rest his forearm on his knee.
    "But she has her own business to handle and deal with here and in Gotham. No idea when I'm going to see her next."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"You know that may not be up for you to decide. I have a feeling she will find you when she deems it time to do so. You will not know when or where." The water bottle is set down on the table and she leans back, exhaling softly. "I heard that about her, seeking the perfect death in combat from someone who can best her. Has a kind of romantic fele to it, doesn't it?" She bites her lower lip and peers outher window a moment. "How did you train? I mena if I may be so bold to ask? I am not thinking you got your start at a NYC dojo like mine..did you?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Yeah, it is kind of romantic." Alexander smiles a little, letting those curious eyes with the subtle golden depths drift to the side a bit. Then he looks back to her, "Find a fitting end. I just, even though she did what she did, and even though I know she's taken the lives of a lot of people, I don't feel vindictive or condemning." Which might well have to do with that upbringing.
    But then the topic changes when she asks about him and he uncurls a hand, "My father. He's very old and has fought most of his life. He also has a lot of contacts. So like..." His lip curls as he meets her gaze, "One of my first memories I have, think back when I was three, was my father handing me a sword and teaching me exercises to do with it." His eyebrows lift, "And this slapping hands game. And ever since then... yeah."

Colleen Wing has posed:
She listens intently again, head tilted to the side as she does som hands folded on her lap now. "You father must have been very skilled himself and a wonderful teacher. You are very skilled for someone your age. You have that certain something that not many have. It will take you far Alexander...I have a feeling your story is only beginning to be told. I mean from what its worth coming from a dojo owner in Chinatown." She laughs lighty, flashing a slight smile. "So tell me Alexander...what are you going to do with this gift? Please don't tell me nothing. It would be such a waste."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The youth's own smile mirrors her own and he gives a nod, "I'll most likely keep training, finish school. Go to college. From there..." He draws up and shifts on his seat a little, leaning to the side and then reaches over to /steal/ her water bottle again, grinning a touch mischievously and taking a sip. Only this time he keeps it for now.
    "But really don't denigrate your opinion, Sensei Wing. You're really good, and hey you won our last bout." He offers that as if to confirm that she's nothing to sneeze at.
    But then his brow furrows as he tilts his head back to consider her, "But I get the feeling you had something else in mind?" About training, about not wasting this gift.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Water stolen. She does not seem to mind, smirking and waving a hand as if to say its all yours. "I don;t question my ability Alexsander. Well sometimes I do, but that is neither here nor there." She does not elaborate on it any more than she has too. "I don't necessairly have anything in mind, but a person of your skill could do alot of good. I mean..I am not sure exactly how...but..." She shrugs and runs her hand through her hair. "Don't sell yourself short Alexander. You are going to do good things no matter what you choose to do. You have a curiosity and drive not many people have. It is going to make you want to be always bettering yourself and never becoming complacent. You can't be taught that..trust me."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Score, free water. He grins and takes another sip. "Well,"
    He offers a tilt of his head and listens to her as she explains, he nods a little. "You mean as a vigilante or operative or the like?" Which might be a surprise that such is at the top of his thoughts. "M'not sure that sort of thing is for me. I umm," The tow-headed young man looks to the side and then back to her, "I feel like I should be honest. My family is sort of, they're this old family. With some ties to old magic. S'why I'm," He grins a little and then tells her, "A lil bit weird, in case you hadn't noticed."
    Which, to be fair, he does go a ways to trying to blend in. But there are tell-tale aspects there. The pale skin, the curious hue to his eyes, the way he moves with such easy grace. "So I sorta come with a good chunk of baggage."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"We all have baggage. Hell, if I were to travel with all my baggage I would not be able to pay the extra charges. Seriously...don't even get me started on baggage." However there is something in his words and demeanor that make her realize there is much more to the young man across from her, something different. "Look. I have seen some crazy shit. I mean I am sure you have as well, but not much suprises me anymore. Your oarents and where you come from is your business, but it isn't going to suprise me." A casual shrugs is given. "You will find your path Alexsander. You will, and the funny thing is...you will not even be looking for it when you do. It's just going to happen no matter how much you plan."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "You're probably right," And then Alexander grins a little to her and sets the ill-gotten water bottle on the end table near before he leans back and he murmurs, "I should probably let you get back on schedule for your next class and all." See, he's thoughtful. He reaches down to his backpack and draws it into his lap.
    "I just wanted to thank you for your help, you helped me understand her a little more and to get a handle on things before it happened. Perhaps if I didn't I would have made a mistake and she'd have left me for dead. So for that, thank you."
    "I just thought it was only fair I come back and tell you what happened."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen slowly rises from the couch and motions with both her arms and waving hands. "Come over here you. You aint getting out of here without a hug. I consider you a friend Alexsander. Stop by anytime. Even if you need a place just to get away, the dojo is always open to those I respect." A smile is given and she awaits the hug if he will give it. "You thanks are not needed Alexasander. I was happy to help and will continue should you seek it. Stay out of trouble if you can..and if you can't stay safe. I am glad you came back and told me of your fight and time spent with her. It is not a experoence many people get."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    For a moment he suddenly just /looks/ his age. What does it? That eyeroll he gives and rueful grin as she demands that hug. But then he steps in as he slings that backpack over his shoulder and gives her a friendly hug, lightly thumping her back with one hand and resting his chin on her shoulder, then leaning back to meet her eyes with that same smile.
    "Feel free to call me if you like and need a sparring partner. Also if I hear anything more from Shiva I'll let you know, alright?" That said he'll step back, hands falling away as he hooks a thumb behind the loop of his backpack, then he nods. "Take care, Sensei Wing."
    That said he turns to start to walk back out the way he came.