2938/Always More To Learn

Always More To Learn
Date of Scene:	16 August 2020
Location:	New York City - Dojo
Synopsis:	Nyssa and Alexander meet for a spar - physical and verbal.
Cast of Characters:	Alexander Aaron, Nyssa al Ghul

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Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Ever since the soul of the city had been brought fully to life, when the great magicians of New York gathered to focus and lend their efforts to either aiding or ending the rise of a new deity that embodied the strength of Manhattan, it had weighed heavily upon the mind of one of those participants. The youthful son of War, Alexander Aaron.
    His confidence was not shaken, for in truth he did not 'fail' per se. Yet the situation forcing himself to realize that he had limits, extents to which he could not or should not go, to face the truth that there might be moments or events that are bigger than himself.
    Madness.
    Yet it had left a profound effect upon him. Turning him inward, shifting his scrutiny from the people around him and to himself. And that has, in turn, led him on a quest at times. A quest to push himself, to find those limits. Not as difficult as before, immediately after the events that drove him to this point. But still he has been training harder, longer, with more intensity.
    Just ask anyone who has been in Owara's dojo of late. For he has been present there more often than before. Training long hours, focusing on not just great efforts to lift the weighted grappling dummies and throw them over his shoulders. Or to climb up the salmon ladder with the heavy metal bar as restraint. Or even repeated heavy strikes against the shaolin wooden man meant for such training.
    For he found himself focusing on his control as well, long hours spent perfecting Kata he had performed thousands of times. One particular strike similarly so, repeatedly fired into one part of a dummy. Only for the days to pass, and for this one to end late in the evening with him sprawled upon the floor for now, most of the other students having long departed. His gi is partially open, and his hands are covering his eyes as he gathers his breath. Not exhausted, but starting perhaps to feel the mental /weight/ of what's passed.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
Normally, Nyssa trains with her own people. It keeps her sharp, it keeps them sharp, and it keeps everyone's secrets intact. Every now and then, though, she ventures out to the rest of the world. It gives her a chance to scout new talent, test herself against those she doesn't already know, and simply keep herself ready. In this case, it provides her the opportunity to check on a known curiosity.

Although she wasn't expecting to find him already flat on the floor.

Barefoot, in a simple gi, with her hair in a single braid, she pads across the floor until she's looming over him, lips twitching in amusement. "You seem to have overworked yourself."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    There's the gleam of sweat on his brow and on the curve of his chest beneath that gi jacket. Though the gleam in those hazel eyes is brighter when he lowers his hands and looks up... up up at the silhouette of the woman above him. Not exactly someone he would have been expecting, but then again he expected... no one.
    But she might be pleased to see that knee-jerk reaction of seeing her to cause a small curl at the corner of his mouth. There before he has a chance to hide it even as he then rests his hands flat upon the mats. "Not really,"
    He tilts his head to the side as he partially sits up, looking over the place. Then turns his gaze back to her as he murmurs, "When one has a hard time finding decent sparring partners they have to spend their time training solo. Alas for me."
    But then his eyes drift down and then up again, noting what she wears and the way she holds herself. No stranger to the dojo assuredly, and she always did have an aura of strength to her. "And you?"
    Slooowly he pushes himself to his feet, rising to his full height as he smiles. "Looking to train, or going to challenge me to a duel for defeating your sensei?" His lip twists a little.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"You are a coincidence," Nyssa informs him cooly, her tone softened by a hint of a smirk as she offers a hand down to him. "Though I thought I would see what challenges might be offered here. It's good to get out of one's comfort zone every now and then. And I recalled you mentioning that the master here was skilled, so I thought perhaps I might find something of interest."

She looks him over once more, noting the signs of stress and heavy work. "A far cry from the young man who was avoiding trying when it came to universities."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Accepting her hand when it was offered, he had gained his feet, adjusted the hang of his jacket... then the belt as well. Once settled he tilts his head back at her and smiles sidelong, "Mmm," He offers at first, neither admission nor denial.
    But it's only when he walks off of those mats, footsteps crinkling in the fabric and causing it to make soft whispers of sound as the material is compressed. He moves to the wooden bench that lines one of the walls and takes up the bottle of water that was sitting there beside a gym bag she could well presume was his own.
    Tilting his gaze back to her he elaborates, "Recently I realized that it's important to..." His head tilts as his gaze slips away for a second, then back. "To try and find your own limits. So... I've been trying to find them."

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"It looks like you've almost been successful," Nyssa observes, stretching comfortably to loosen up and prepare herself. Every movement is practiced and comfortable, with the ease that can only come from long practice and training.

"Classes are starting soon, no?" she asks, moving toward one of the training dummies for a few practice strikes.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Proper classes, yes." He takes a sip of the water, then tilts it back to hungrily take a few swallows. Then he replaces the cap and sets it back down, walking across the room with quiet steps to stand beside the training dummy as she takes stance and starts to strike it.
    "I finished the Summer semester." His lip curls a little, eyes widening with annoyance and feigned pain, "Chemistry out of the way. So that's good."
    His brow furrows, "So this is just happy happenstance that we run into each other?" He leans on the dummy as she strikes it, frowning as he looks distantly off to the side. "My self-love is wounded."

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Shockingly, I am not in the habit of stalking teenagers," Nyssa laughs low, giving the dummy a few light strikes to test it and warm up. "Even the interesting ones. I hear that's frowned upon by the authorities."

One of the nicer things about modern society. The authorities do tend to protect people more than they used to. Especially the younger portions of society.

"Your recommendation of the place did give me some hope of finding a worthy opponent here though."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Ah, but I have an old soul." Which as he says it causes the youth's smile to slip wry and wide as it amuses him entirely for some reason. Perhaps in part because it's the truth. Yet it doesn't stop him from shifting around to brace he multi-armed wooden dummy that offers a good bit of resistance to Nyssa's strikes.
    One shoulder rests against its side as is feet find purchase upon its base and the floor. With it set she can strike with more power if she's so inclined. Yet he continues to chat amiably while she works.
    "Owara likely would give you a good challenge. But he's visiting family. There's also Elena, she's very good but usually comes in early mornings."
    His brow furrows as he maintains his place to keep the dummy steady. "And myself, but you know, you get caught beating up a teenager you'll prolly get tossed in jail. Wherever they throw ancient ancient people who hassle beautiful young people."

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Hassle," Nyssa snorts a soft laugh. "It's called 'discipline,' thank you very much. It's how you teach precocious young creatures to respect the world around them."

She doesn't seem to be in a hurry or have anything to prove, moving comfortably and evenly through a series of basic moves to start. There's force behind them, but nothing excessive. She's been doing this for long enough to know her own limits very well.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Oh is that what you're into, discipline. I see." As he says that his smile twists wry. Curious that they have this easy back and forth despite their relative positions. As if their roles in the world matter little when compared to he amusement shared.
    But then he gestures with a nod toward the mats, "Then perhaps you will instill some in me if you are able to keep your eyes open long enough to step onto the mats. I know this late hour must be trying for someone of your... advanced age."
    Really she shouldn't blame him for the age jokes. She started it, after all.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
Little does he know how true the age jokes are. Nothing keeps the skin looking young like a Lazarus Pit. "You've been spending too much time at that Hellfire Club, young man," Nyssa laughs, rolling her eyes with a flicker of a smile. "I've heard the rumors about what happens in back rooms there."

"I'm not convinced you're in shape for a solid sparring session at the moment," she says, giving him a speculative look around the dummy with a few more strike.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Well," The youth looks beyond her, lips twisting with a smile. "I've been at this for four hours or so. Nice little burning feeling in my limbs, a little weary... so maybe. Just maybe, it might be a fair fight." Yet he does still brace the dummy as she strikes several times, making sure it does not shift under that impact.
    But then he steps to the side, strolling away a he tilts his head, "But I suppose... that depends on what you might consider to be a solid sparring session?" Since for many people they have different parameters. And for some reason he suspects she has something more intense in mind than the others might who frequent the dojo.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Well, you're unlikely to be a challenge," Nyssa says easily. There's no pride in the statement, no heavy judgement. It sounds like something as simple to her as the sky being blue or grass green. But hey, at least she's given him the out of just being tired from working himself too hard.

Stepping back from the dummy, she gives him another careful look. "If you're comfortable and not too weary from your testing so far, I'm willing to gives you a test."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Arms folding over his chest, Nyssa has found how to get at the young Olympian. Oh there had been teasing chiding tones to their words, a casual back and forth of some informality. But now as she speaks, he can almost see the seriousness creep into her manner. For she carries herself with such confidence. And he...
    She has just impugned his ego.
    The fabric of the gi rasps as his arms tighten over his chest and he says to her steadily, "I think you will find me able to maintain a challenge for you even under the most trying circumstances."
    That tone between them has definitely changed as he steps back, footsteps quiet on those blue mats. Then he sweeps a hand before him as he bows slightly, "Join me, Nyssa. And do me the honor matching yourself against me. If you will."

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
That shift in tone is one with which Nyssa is very familiar. She's heard it from countless young men over the years. And it's possible it's one that she was going for. Alexander is too clever by half. Sometimes it's easier to take someone's measure when they're thinking more about their pride than about why you're watching them.

She moves to stand across from him on the mat, bowing gracefully. "Whenever you're ready," she invites him as she straightens, her posture turning liquid with readiness.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    There is a certain familiarity for Alexander in Nyssa's tone, though likely not quite as commonly heard considering her greater time interacting with other warriors and artists. But he has been dismissed at times by other fighters, and sometimes those presumptions end positively. Sometimes negatively.
    But as she steps onto the mats and sands opposite him, he'll return the bow with a precision of movement that continues into the ease with which he squares up before her, hips turned just so, one hand held up and forward, the other low and at the side. His eyes hold hers.
    She seems ready, says as much, then he gives a nod.
    And then there's a soft whisper of the mats shifting under his steps as he advances. Two quick paces as he turns and uncoils with a clean ease of motion, leg snapping up and around to strike at her shin, then her thigh. Just gauging distance, her defense, perhaps slower than normal but not taking her lightly.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
Nyssa is on the defensive to begin with, taking his measure as well. Patient and still, she's a study in economy of motion as she brings up one leg to block his first attack, then turns to take some of the force from the second. The turn continues with a step to one side, trying to flank around behind him and force him to turn to face her again. In the meantime, she strikes out lightly with the side of one hand toward his ear, testing his reflexes.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    For someone who has trained for four hours straight, he does not have the slowness one might scene. No toxins built in the youth's lithe athletic form, hidden so well by the bagginess of that gi, though she might have a glimpse at the line of his chest when he strikes, the lapel slipping to the side with the /snap/ of a thrusting punch.
    She sends that strike to the side of his face and his forearm comes up to make the block cleanly, the impact of forearm against forearm jolting for an instan. His eyes tighten. No casual jocularity now. As if this was suddenly serious, the tension building as he focuses his breathing.
    A step, quick and planting as he turns with his own series of punches trying to test her defense as well. Though ending with a short sharp elbow that summons forth from him a sharp, "AIYAH!" As he gives life to that kiyai, the subtle feeling of 'chi' there between them.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
Nyssa arches a brow as she crosses her arms to block the last strike, finding herself needing to actually use some of her strength to brace herself against it. "Not bad," she says, voice even.

Now that she's taken a sort of baseline measurement, she steps up her speed with a few testing strikes toward his core. She's swift and sure, movements coming almost by instinct more than that. Her speed, though...She's fast. Very fast.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    She escalates, making that block, and then lashing out quickly. For a time he surrenders to that speed, trading distance for defense as he steps back, forcing her to gather, focus uncoil, pursue. There's a brush of her fist against his shoulder as he ducks behind his guard, then a turn of his hip as he tries to foul her stance with a low foot striking at her ankle.
    She's testing him more and more, pushing him past those small boundaries she's assuredly aware of. Better than most. She increases her speed, perhaps expecting to tag him quickly, to stifle that ego of his...
    Only for him to turn and make the block cleanly. And what is more as she strikes in his hand will try and catch her wrist, twist, and drop down onto one knee as he attempts to throw her over his shoulder and to the mat. A textbook throw. Yet she knows such a thing usually continues with a follow up. Instead he does not seem intent to pursue.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
Nyssa doesn't seem...thrown...by the throw. Figuratively speaking, that is. She moves with it, turning it into a roll over his shoulder and coming up to one knee herself with barely even a thump on the mat. Her eyes are sharp when she looks back to him, more speculative than ever.

One hand is reflexively by her ankle - a hint, perhaps, that she usually carries something there - and then she's moving forward again, this time seeking to press him as she strikes out at distant targets.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    For a brief moment she might see a slight twitch of his lip, not exactly cocky or arrogance, but recognition. And enjoyment. But it quickly fades when she maintains that stern manner, and when she darts forwards to press again. They are definitely gaining insight into each other. For she can tell that there are elements to him she has seen before.
    The way he slips to the side and strikes out at her supporting leg, aiming for that precise juncture of her knee with that kick. It's a small subtle difference that she may have seen from someone in the League.
    And when he turns and focuses himself with the low 'tsssahh-sha' of sound that escapes him as their arms come together, their wrists pressing against each other as they strain. It is a focusing technique that Shiva uses?
    Who is he?

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
The benefit of experience is that you know things. Recognize styles. And have probably been beaten by them enough to know how to counter them. There are so many eastern styles of martial arts to be picked up. But there has been fighting in other parts of the world.

Nyssa breaks free, and when next he strikes out, she sways back almost drunkenly. Yet there's a grace to the motion that speaks of control as she falls back onto one hand, letting her weight sink into it as she kicks upwards. Who knew that capoeira would come in handy?

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Perhaps he had been trying to make sure not to press too hard, too intensely. Or perhaps he had not faced Capoeira as often as he should have. For when he presses and she blocks, then sways back, he checks. The pursuit doesn't come, he draws back slightly...
    Only to feel the impact of her foot /cracking/ into the underside of his jaw. No casual sparring this, for it's enough to kick his head back and get him to sway, turning partially as he shakes his head rapidly to clear the sudden fuzziness of the world...
    Which gives her the angle she had been wanting since the fight started, with his back partially to her, and a sliver of an opening.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
It's the small opening that Nyssa needs, springing up and wrapping an arm around his throat. She doesn't hold too tight for very long - just long enough to make a statement - and then she takes a step back. "You," she drawls, a faint smile curving, "Are more than you seem."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As she made that grab, having seized that quick position, they both know any number of techniques from that point which would make things either over very quickly... or escalate very sharpy. So when she draws her arm around in place, and he tilts his head over his shoulder...
    She'll feel the subtle pressure of an elbow that had chambered, perhaps the shift of his stance as he readied to counter. But instead when words were given and she eases her grip, he'll smile. A breath brushes across her cheek as he exhales slowly.
    Then those eyes meet hers as he turns and he murmurs, "Likewise." And as quick as that, the veneer of the youth eases back. More the warrior standing there before her. No casual insults, or teasing. Perhaps replaced with respect.
    And curiousity.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
Nyssa bows, perhaps a bit dramatically. "It pays for a lady to be able to protect her interests," she says cryptically. "And I can see why you train here," she adds with a nod as she straightens. "It's difficult to find sparring partners at that level without being...rather obvious about it."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Well then," Alexander takes a step back from her and then slaps his hands against the sides of his thighs, a more formal bow, precisely executed again to signal the beginning of a session as he tells her, "Shall we make the most of this opportunity?"
    And with that they will be able to enjoy a true rarity for them in the world. A time when they can each match against an equal. Without a death in the offing.
    Outside in the world beyond the evening contiues. Businesses close, the traffic grows lighter, the moon rises behind its small haze of clouds. Enough that it changes the light in the dojo to just the little halogen halos offered by the lights in the ceiling, and that slender sliver of moonlight from the window. And through it all they trained.
    There was the sound of flesh and bone striking like. The short snap and rasp of fabric with each strike. The grunt of exertion and the occasional gasp or raspy breath. At times he would offer a loud /kiyai/ when a strike was proven telling or when he gained the advantage.
    And over that time there became an ease between them. An understanding as one learns more about how another moves, how they exert and strain when under pressure, and it was until that late hour...
    When there was a twist, a whirl of the world as she felt it twist as she was thrown to the mats. He was over her, hands upon her shoulders, legs to the side as he pinned her and even he was taking deep breaths as he tried to maintain that focus. But instead he stopped, smiled a little as he wiped a forearm over his brow, beadlets of sweat reflecting the healthy glow upon his body as he shakes his head and murmurs.
    "My point... but what's the score?" Since by now, they've likely lost count.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Scores," Nyssa laughs, "Are for people who think the world can ever be as simple as winning and losing." She knows too well that such things are all too often mixed together. A clear winner and a clear loser are luxuries, simplicities for people with small lives and small concerns.

Reaching up, she presses a hand to his hip in a light shove to give herself enough room to sit up and check the lights. "It's been quite some time since I had that much of a work out."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Rolling over and then /fwumpfing/ onto his back, Alexander takes a deep breath and looks up at the ceiling. "It was lovely," He offers, and pulls up the lapel of his gi to wipe at his features and his brow, then fans it to cool off as the air conditioner had automatically turned off at the 9pm mark, leaving them there without its hearty hum.
    Tilting his head to the side he murmurs, "We should do this again some time." Then he lets his head loll back, eyes still focused upwards again. Looking almost exactly as he did when she arrived. And looking just as drained, though she did help him push his limits much more so than training alone.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Indeed," Nyssa agrees, rising smoothly from the mat to offer a hand down to him once more. "I imagine your schedule is a bit less...fluid than mine is, with classes and school. Let me know when you're free and I'll rearrange my engagements."

Once he's up, she moves to claim her own bottle of water, taking a long draught before delicately wiping her mouth with the back of one hand. "I believe it could be of benefit to both of us."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Accepting her hand, he smiles as he rises and when she heads off to claim her bottle his eyes will follow her. For a brief moment his nostrils flare as he takes a deep breath, eyes tracing the way she walks, the casual movement of her athletic frame.
    She is a staggeringly attractive woman. Perhaps she might catch that glance given in the reflection of the window as she takes a drink of her water. But then she likely would catch him shaking his head a little and smiling as he looks away. As if chiding himself for letting his thoughts slip that way.
    Instead he walks over to his own bottle and gymbag, then settles on the bench cross-legged. He takes a swallow of the water, then spritzes some into his hand to lightly push through his hair. A nice feeling.
    "I'll send a text though Owara might be grumpy about us spending our time here."

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Grumpy? About training happening...in his dojo?" Nyssa turns with an arch of her brow, smile flickering briefly. "Well. If it's a matter of financing, I'm quite certain I can work something out. And if it's something else, than I'm sure I can speak with him. It would be somewhat inappropriate for me to invite you back to my place, after all."

She takes another drink, wiping the sweat from the back of her neck with the sleeve of her gi. "And if all else fails, there are many places in the city where one can train."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    From his seated spot the youth tilts his head to the side, "Grumpy because if we keep on keeping on then his other students might wonder what's up." His eyes distance as he murmurs thoughtfully, "And why they're training with this one guy, when someone like you is just over there..."
    That said he looks back to her and then pauses as she makes those last few comments. His chin lifts.
    "Would it?" He asks, if it would be inappropriate for her to invite him to her home.
    "I don't think it would." Not quite the casual foolishness of his usual manner, his tone is more somber. More controlled. Perhaps recognizing her as a peer and not someone he should affect that facade for.

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Ah, well," Nyssa laughs low. "I do not offer lessons, so that is one possible reason why. Besides, you're a known student here," she points out, taking a seat on the bench. Even seated, her back remains straight, her posture a relic of an earlier age when such things were noted.

"If one of his students can so closely match someone who seems to be skilled in their own right, then clearly they should continue studying with him." She takes another drink, making no comment on the issue of him training at her place.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "That might be a good way to present it," Alexander's head tilts back the other way, gaze distancing with thought as he draws his leg up, resting bare foot upon the bench and his hands upon that knee. She is rigid in posture, straight and controlled. While Alexander has that ease of manner, seemingly comfortable almost in whatever way he lounges.
    Though now he considers matters. Fear is not a thing he suffers, nor worries about. Which in turn might explain why he seems so at ease in so many situations. "Do you not feel any chemistry with us, Nyssa?" His brow furrows as he asks this, still thoughtful. Then his lip curves as he looks away, "Strange. I mean s'fine if not. Just I am usually better at perceiving such things."

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
Nyssa casts a sidelong glance in his direction, a sly smile curving. "I think when we first met I said you were a precocious child and //you// chided //me// for making assumptions," she points out, amusement rich in her voice.

She takes another drink, then lets out a breath, turning to face him more fully. "I find you interesting, Alexander. But I have learned to be patient. To weigh things. To take my time. I am a patient woman. And I am in no hurry."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Lips parting in a small smile as he turns to meet her gaze, Alexander gives a nod as he nibbles upon his lower lip, letting his thoughts wander. "I could see that. You..." He uncurls a hand in her direction, "You gauge, and measure your opponent..."
    His smile is warm as he draws his other leg up on the bench, sitting cross-legged before her. "As you drew me out and then struck once the advantage was yours. Perhaps that carries over into other aspects of your life."
    For when one fights another, they often gain insight into them as well. Though it's clear from the hours spent neither of them are simple beings.
    "I should..."
    Alexander cants his head the other way, "I am attracted to you. But s'only fair, I should tell you that I... can't feel love. Because of who I am. And some of those mysteries that we haven't shared yet."

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Well. That is novel." Nyssa doesn't seem shaken. That faint smile lingers. "Usually the youth are the first to declare undying love without thought for what it might mean. But. You needn't worry," she shakes her head, drinking again. "It has been a very long time since I allowed myself to entertain the idea of love."

She stands then, that smile remaining as she looks him over one more time. "Give yourself some time, Alexander Aaron. Grow into yourself for just a little longer."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Yeah, not to presume anything." Alexander smirks a bit as he looks at her sidelong, then it fades. "Just I've... had too many people get angry at me after we've spent time together. And then they find that out and feel betrayed and..."
    The Olympian lifts a hand and waves it off as he murmurs, "And I don't like making people feel bad." Then his smirk returns as he looks back at her, "Unless it's for a good reason."
    Then she rises and his gaze follows, "I'll be in touch, this was good. We should do it again." He gestures with his bottle towards the mats then back to her. "Take care, Nyssa."

Nyssa al Ghul has posed:
"Yes. I know that feeling well," Nyssa murmurs, rueful. "There are expectations of normalcy. But normal...is not, I think, something that either of us expects." She walks backwards toward the door, smile lingering.

"Take care, Alexander. You have my number. Call me when you'd like to meet up again." She turns then, making her way to the exit.