1357/A Martial Gathering in Chinatown

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A Martial Gathering in Chinatown
Date of Scene: 25 April 2020
Location: Chikara Dojo
Synopsis: Two students walk into a dojo. Student status achieved!
Cast of Characters: Heather Danielson, Yami Kuroki, Colleen Wing




Heather Danielson has posed:
    New York is not Heather's home. She resides in Metropolis nowadays, but she is in New York so often for fashion work that she maintains a small apartment here. It's actually cheaper than using hotels. Plus it is more secure.
    Either way, she has been feeling like she is getting rusty. I mean her father made her study basic self defense for girls when she was fourteen. That was four years ago, and now she wants to be a superhero? Time to brush up. But she also spends a lot of time in Chinatown since she loves the food.. and she eats enough to make competitive eaters jealous. Either way, she had an eggroll in hand and was half done with it as she passed by the Wing Dojo, and paused to peer in through the front window before finishing her roll and pushing the front door open.

Yami Kuroki has posed:
    From the outside looking in, Yami looks to be the target demographic that the Chikara Dojo aims to cater for. Looking to be in his teenage years, the lad from Japan wears a t-shirt clearly three or four sizes too big. Upon it is a huge print of Michael Jordan in full flight, though the faded nature of the illustration and the small frayed edges of the collar suggest it's pretty old. Maybe it's actually FROM the nineties? The shirt hangs over a pair of blue board shorts, equally faded and old looking. With his New York Yankees cap planted backwards on his head, the only item of clothing that looks like it's from this side of the millennium are the black Converse branded shoes on his feet.
    Standing at the front of the exterior, Yami glances down to his phone. Held in his right hand, the teenager swipes a few screens right and downwards, eyes settling on the screen as it tells him he's in the right location. A grimace flashes across his expression as he looks left, then right. This place is seedy as all hell.
    Swallowing audibly, Yami ascends the wooden stairwell, his spare hand gliding across the rail as he goes. "Hello?" He calls out, Japanese accent clear, despite his well-practiced English. "Is this the Chikara Dojo?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
It was a rare day, a day in which her afternoon was free of scheduled classes. Many of the local youth foound their way to the Dojo after school and on weekends, seeing it as a safehaven and a better option then hanging on the streets. A number of students ha dbeen spared the ganglife, by simply having someone who welcomed them and say their true potential when even their parents had not. Yes, it was an afternoon of freedom, unless there were drop ins for a initial free lesson.

She had decided to grab lunch, once again leftover takeout from one of the many Chinese restaurants in the area. Upn hearing the voice call out in an accent she was all to familiar with, the young woman appears in the doorway of her living area, chopsticks in hand and noodles hanging from her mouth. "Hello." There is a small smile given as she realize exactly how she looks/ "Are you here for a lesson? Or are you just looking into it?"

She takes a small step from the sliding door doorway and starts to walk towards the young man, her barefeet padding softly on the mat. "Welcome to the Chikara Dojo. Don't judge it. I assure you great things have come from within these four walls."

And then her eyes drift past the young Japanese man, catching a young blond girl in the doorway, her head tilting to the side. Her voice calls out. "Are you looking for something?" It is as if Colleen is unsure that Heather is actually looking for a lesson or simply lost in Chinatown.

Heather Danielson has posed:
    Offering a smile... one that she puts on out of habit whenever she deals with people. Yep, someone is used to fake smiles. But her real one lights up her face now. "Well. I was hoping that there might be some room for a prospective new student. I've got -some- experience."
    Yeah. Heather is rambling a bit, but she nods her head, "Not a -lot-. But I studied some self defense at the Y back home in St Louis. It wasn't much really. But daddy made me study it if I was gonna be out workin' on my own in the field."
    Some who follow that sort of thing might be aware that she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated a couple months ago. The swimsuit edition and all. Either way, she has a recognizable face if anyone would know her. Not everyone recognizes her in clothing oddly enough.
    Either way, she steps forward and offers a hand, "Name's Heather." she offers.

Yami Kuroki has posed:
    Yami turns from his position on the stares, looking back down at Heather in the doorway. With a curious look his head tilts, before he looks back to Colleen. Taking in her form, noodle hanging from mouth and all, he can't help but grin like some idiot. "Hai." The instinctive answer is done without any thought, though upon realising his error he clears his throat. "Sorry - yes. I am."
    Allowing Heather to come up and introduce herself, Yami is content with the taller guest to take the lead and introduce herself. Sort of standing off to the side, he tucks his hands behind his back politely. The phone is pocketed. "I'm experienced." The announcement is made simply, as if it's a matter-of-fact rather than a boasting of sorts. "But I'm always looking to learn more. I'm a big fan of mixed martial arts, so I want to learn as many different styles as possible. I looked online. Your website had good comments on it, so I thought it would be good to look at." A nervous smile graces his features then. "I only got to America a week ago. I got a bit lost on the way. It's really... um, tucked away, isn't it? This dojo?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen finishes chewing and sets the carton of noodles inside the sliding door. It would be visible to see inside, that the living area off the dojo is not that big at all. One may even see the couch right next to the bed in one large living space. It is home for her and all she has to do is roll out of bed literally and walk to work. She first approaches Heather, extending her hand to shake the one offered. "Sensei Wing. There is always room for a new student, not matter how skilled you may be, or may not be for that matter. I will take anyone."

She raises a brow and waggles a finger at the young girl. "Wait a second...weren't you on some magazine recently? I could have sworn I saw that face in Chang's Mart on the magazine rack." She continues on, waving a hand to the room. "This is the Dojo. Feel free to look around a moment, just leave your shoes by the door." Her attention then slowly turns to Yami, "And you." She offers a proper greeting in Jpaanese and a shallow bow, slowly rising and continuing in English as not to offend Heather. "Tucked away yes. In the best part of Chinatown..absolutley. A little hidden gem in the dumpster neighborhood of the city. It works..for now." She looks to his own feet and murmurs softly. "Shoes by the door, feel free to look around as well."

She folds her hands behind her back and nods once, pacing a bit. "This is the Chikara Dojo. Here we specialize in Japanese forms of martial arts as well as Kenjutsu...a sword based form typically with the Katana. You will not learn any Kung Fu here..however I do have a close friend who can trach you that if you wish." She turns to the two of them and smiles. "So tell me...what are you hoping to get out of this lesson and any more in the future?"

Heather Danielson has posed:
    Tilting her head a bit, Heather shrugs her shoulders. "Well, yeah. That was most likely me." She shakes her head, her cheeks blushing a bit, "It's my job. Model and all." She bites her lower lip and looks about the room, "This place looks nice. Comfortable. I can tell that you love the place."
    She says, trying to change the subject from her and bikinis and the like. "So, sword work?" she asks with elevated eyebrows, "Well, I can't say that sword work interested me really. It might be good in case, but mostly... I wanted to know how to not get my ass kicked. I mean... I do that a lot anyway." She smirks a bit, "I heal real fast, so.. I am totally willing to let you go full speed and kick my ass if it helps me learn."

Heather Danielson has posed:
    That said, Heather turns to regard Yami, and inclines her head, "Please forgive me for simply talking over you. I tend to do things like that when I'm nervous." She grins a bit, "Meeting a Sensei is enough to make me -very- nervous." she adds.

Yami Kuroki has posed:
    Taking off his shoes as instructed, literally yanking them off as the laces are still tied, Yami deposits them by the front area and then wanders in bare foot. Curiously he will look to Heather, doubtless wondering whether she was in fact ON a magazine or not. She certainly looked like she could be on a magazine.
    Yami takes a good few moments to examine the interior of the dojo. The teenager will crouch down, gently brushing his fingertips across the thin, padded floor built for absorbing falling damage. Pressing down into the padding, he stands back up to look over the training swords in the weapon racks, along with other weaponry. These aren't touched so much as they are assessed, his black eyes looking upon them with a nuanced expression. Sliding a hand into his pocket, he turns to look at Colleen once she poses her question. "Take things as they are. Punch when you have to punch. Kick when you have to kick. That is something that Bruce Lee once said, right?" Gotta love the classics. "Sensei, I'm looking to learn techniques and skills around Kempo. And maybe... skills with that?" He points up at some nunchucku on the wall.
    A small wave is given to Heather when she apologises, gesturing that the apology isn't needed. "It's alright. You're a ...model? You were on a magazine?" The notion that she heals real fast earns a curious look too, his head tilting like a dog learning a new trick. He /does/ find himself smiling though at her last comment. Getting beat up can be a learning experience too.

Colleen Wing has posed:
It would appear that in the Dojo Colleen is typically all about business, however the smile she sometimes gives would lead people to think otherwise at times. Afterall, it is all about being comfortable and she can sense the nervousness in Heather already. Both of them are given a smile and she exhales softly. "As you probably already know...martial arts are considered self-defense. Protecting one selves from someone or someting trying to harm you. The key word is defense. Now, if getting hit does not bother you, then perhaps defense is not something we have to focus on. However, for the typical person...not getting hit is the priority. It is hard to neautralize your adversary if you are laying on the ground in a pool of your own blood staring up at the stars. Yes I have been there."

She starts to pace again, peering over at the two from time to time as she does so. "What I am going to teach you I promise you will work if done correctly. The key is end the fight quickly The longer it goes, the more chance you have of getting seriously hurt. Make sense?" She walks closer to the two young students, looking right into their eyes. "Countering. That is what we are going to start with. Defend and counter. In other words, stop from from hitting you...and hit them in return."

Her hands go to form a peak in front of her, looking to Heather. "You said you want some self-defense skills. Unless you plan on carrying a sword everywhere...Kenjutsu is no use to you. Let us focus on Karate with you. It is a good balance of offense and defense. Agreed?"

Her eyes drift to Yami. "You. You seem like you have some skills. Kempo could certainly work for you and I think we could easily mix in some Nunchaku training as well. Yes, that will do for you." She claps her hands once and then states, "But today...let us see where we stand with what you already know." She turns to Heather. "Heather...throw a slow punch at him. Slow, I want to make sure he can block it, tho I suspect he can. Yami was it? Block it and counter punch. Then Heather, you do the same..progress the speed." SHe steps back and nods. "Begin."

Heather Danielson has posed:
    Nodding her head, Heather smiles, "It's not that I -want- to get hit. Healing doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. I have a simple theory about pain. I don't like pain. Pain hurts." she adds with a grin of memory, "That's something my dad used to say. He's a firefighter and let me tell you... I wish -he- could heal like I can."
    But she shakes her head at that and asks, "So, countering attacks and launching counterattacks you say? I would happily pay for full lessons."

Yami Kuroki has posed:
    "You want us to practice right now?" Yami repeats, sounding surprised at the sudden notion of having to punch this magazine model. Albeit slowly and in a position where he and she should be able to block. But punching is still punching. A slightly worried look is given to Colleen as he chews on his lip in thought, before he nods his head in agreeance. She is the Sensei, after all! "Okay, Sensei." His eyes shift to Heather. "Let us try to throw some punches and counters, okay?"
    Yami has to learn control. It's part of the reason he needs to learn Kempo and why he's here in the first place. But hitting other people? That isn't something he thought he would have to do straight off the bat. Regardless, he stands on the mat, assuming a commonly seen fighting stance if one watched the U.F.C.. He sort of bounces on the balls of his feet, back and forth, both of his hands raised in front of his face. The level of experience between he and Heather is probably reasonable, but given they are just doing basic work? It probably won't matter at all. Hopefully.
    What follows between the two is just what Colleen asked for. The two exchange punches and counters like a dance, albeit in very, VERY slow motions. Yami is keeping it deliberately slow, the look of concentration on his face entirely real as he slips underneath the incoming punch and extends his arm to counter in return. "Are you going okay?" The question asked to Heather is done between breaths and punches, his eyes watching her movements carefully. He will even dare a look to Colleen.

Heather Danielson has posed:
    For Heather, she is not untalented. She has speed, flexibility, and a generally athletic lifestyle. Not to mention her own super strength which she is making sure she doesn't put to use here.
    She definitely learned some basics. From someone who taught basically... something between Judo and Jeet Kun Do. Her stance is fluid and relaxed.. not tense and forced. She doesn't use kicks really. If she does, they are mostly knee level and lower. Most of her work is mid to upper level hand strikes and quick defensive soft blocks designed to turn an opponent from her and strike at them.
    It is relatively easy for the Sensei to see what her skill level is. Some basic training, and a lot of raw talent.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen watches the pair go back and forth a bit. It was not so much about what they were going to get out of it, but a chance for her to watch how they handles themselves, a level of focus and how they moved. After a bit of them doing some basic instructional things, Colleen then splits them on two sides of the dojo. "I am going to do his seperately for the two of you. Heather...I want you to come over to this pole here." It is actually a support beam reconfigured into a striking post. "I am goin to show you a few punches and kick strikes and you can just go to town on the post here. Please do not take it out. I am not sure your strength and it does help keep the ceiling up."

She then makes her way over to Yami and nods once, reaching for a pair of nunchaku for himself and for her. "Now. We are going to start with some basic gripping techniques and then some simple wing patterns." The patterns woud be taught in slow motion first, then he would be left to practice them on his own at at a speed he felt comfortable at."

The Sensei would walk back and forth betwene the pair, showing them more things and leaving them to practive while she went to the other student. Heather would be given more striking techniques with her hands and legs, even given the chance to learn how to block the same strikes from the Sensei and throw some at her as well. After Yami had some nunchaku training, Colleen would instruct him in some basic Kempo locks, throws and takedowns of the martial art, allowing herself to be taken down to the mat for him to practice.

The training would go on for a good hour, both of them working up a good sweat and having little time for breaks. It would be a good first introduction of skills wanting to be learned and set them both up for future lessons.

When the training was over, Colleen stepped into her living area and returned with three bottles of water, handing them out to the students. "You two have a lot of potential. A lot. I am impressed and to be honest that is hard to do. You should both be very proud of yourselves." She moves to sit down on the mat, motining for them to come over. "So tell me why you want to learn more martial arts?"

Heather Danielson has posed:
    "Well, for me it's a number of things." offers Heather, "The ability to heal from wounds doesn't mean a lot if I can get taken down by a joint lock." she adds, "And to be honest, in this business... well, let's just say I've already had a couple of violent stalkers."
    She shakes her head and then blushes a bit as she admits, "And... I've submitted an application to try to join the Titans. Dad always quoted a famous author who said, all that is required for evil to win is for good people to do nothing. And.. I can't just do nothing." she says.
    But her tummy growls then and she bites her lip, "Can I buy you both dinner? My healing factor requires a -lot- of carbs and calories."

Yami Kuroki has posed:
    The experience is exactly what Yami was hoping for. It's a step back into the world he left behind in Japan, and the feeling of nostalgia is certainly a welcome one as opposed to all the anxiety he's been feeling recently by wandering around a strange city. With a glistening sheen of sweat across his face, the teenager sits on the mat in a cross legged fashion. "Thank-you, Sensei. My old teachers never told me I had 'potential'. That is... nice of you to say." He smiles earnestly, before he hesitates on why he wants to learn more martial arts. "You are really good, Heather." The compliment to Heather is made as she explains her reasoning for wanting to learn. It's a reason which seems entirely justified, and it earns a slow nod from Yami as he sucks at his water bottle.
    "Um," He starts, unsure of how to best answer the question himself. He didn't want to freak anyone out, especially given that these are new friends. "I just want to learn more about protecting myself." The extremely generic answer is perhaps technically correct, but the shifting he does suggests a level of discomfort there.
    "No thanks, Heather. I need to get back to my apartment soon. I have a meeting with some... um, people. But thank-you for the offer. How fast do you heal?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
Their answers are what she expected. The question is sort of a silly one. People want to learn to protect themselves. It is really the main reason, tho still she aways asks it. A polite smile is given to Heather as she reaches back to let her ponytail down, black hair falling about her glistening shoulders. "The Titans? Well that is great. I mean I wish you the best with that. I have met a few of them, but never had the pleasure of fighting alongside them. A lot of what they do...it is best that my mortal hands go somewhere else." She winks and reaches for her water, dragging on a long sip. "Dinner? I mean I just ate before you came, but I will certainly take you up on that offer next lesson? I mean you are coming back for another lesson right?

Her gaze slides to Yami now, slowly exhaling. "Teachers and Sensei's are reluctant quite often to tell someone they have potential. Some take it as a compliment to work harder, while others see it as...I am already good in their eyes and they let up. I.., tell it like it is. I will never sugar coat it. If I think it was done wrong, I will tell you and we will do it again. I do you no favors telling you something is perfect when it is far from being so." Another sip of the water is taken. "Same time same day works for the both of you. If you want to come at another time, just call ahead. I have classes a lot and then some other stuff I get dragged into outside the dojo."

She silences herself and lets the two talk a moment.

Heather Danielson has posed:
    To Yami, Heather smiles and shrugs her shoulders, "Got shot in the chest four times. I think I was down for about five seconds or so before I could breathe again." she remarks, "Hurt like hell though." she adds as she reaches a hand up and rubs at a phantom pain in her upper lower right shoulder.
    But then she turns to the Sensei and does what she hopes is a respectful bow. She only saw these in movies really. But it's not -terrible-. "Thank you Sensei. I will definitely be back, and yes... next time I will bring food." She grins, "Are you more into coffee or tea?" she adds. "As for when, I can be here weekly. It's just a quick hyperloop run from Metropolis."

Yami Kuroki has posed:
    Yami just stares at Heather in an incredulous expression as she explains that she was shot FOUR times. "That is... unbelievable. A bullet for each second?" The maths on that is unreal. "You are truly gifted." The somewhat-rude stare is followed up with a small smile, before he looks back to Colleen.
    "Thank-you, Sensei. Oh - I'm Yami. Yami Kuroki. Thank-you for teaching me. I like the idea of getting told how it is. I can't promise I can be here at the same time every day, but if I miss I will definitely call ahead to let you know." Suckling on the water bottle a bit more and draining it completely, the teen puts the thing back on the padded floor. "This is a really nice dojo. It's very different from the one I'm used to back home." Standing up and excusing himself, Yami bows politely as is the custom for departing students. "Like I mentioned, I need to head off to another meeting." Wiping off that glaze of sweat he starts to head for the entryway, pausing to sheathe his shoes back onto his feet as he goes.

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Tea, always tea. I know insert Asian joke here. It is what I prefer, and besides, do you know the people that frequent Starbucks? Yeah, no thanks." Standing to her feet, Colleen offers a bow to the two of them. "Please come around anytime you wish. Just know afternoons during the week is usually student lessons for my 18 and under kids. Mornings are good, but make sure you call ahead if you want to come early so I am up. SOmetimes...I have late nights." She smiles lightly and then adds. "You know...the occasional underground cage scene and keeping the streets safe type stuff." A hand moves to rub along the back of her neck. "You know it is a nice Dojo. It may not be as fancy as some others. It may very well be in the sketchiest part of Chinatown, but it has drawn some pretty important people to it, so it must be doing something right." She watches them both get up to leave and then quickly adds. "If you have time practice what we went over. I want to see it on your next lesson." SHe reaches fora pair of the nunchaku and tosses it to Yami. "Here...you will need these." She then goes over to a small box and takes out two t-shirts she thinks owuld fit them, tossing them to the pair as well. "And these are for you."