491/Test Your Might

Test Your Might
Date of Scene:	13 March 2020
Location:	Fogwell's Gym (New York City)
Synopsis:	Danny meets Elektra and a mandatory spar ensues.
Cast of Characters:	Danny Rand, Elektra Natchios

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Danny Rand has posed:
Despite enjoying doing much of his training in dojos and more oriental-styled arenas, its not uncalled for if Danny decides to go someplace more quiet and quaint like Fogwell's gym. its more towards the later evening, so the place isn't really busy at all. All the same, Danny was wearing sweatpants with a gray shirt on his chest. He puts his bag in one of the lockers and steps into the middle of that boxing ring.

He closes his eyes. He takes in his surroundings and seems to begin a fighting routine of the Shaolinquan variety...though he practices as if it were Tai-Chi. Slow and steady, yet with the underlying current that he could strike hard and fast whenever he wished to.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Elektra is the type that likes scouting out people. Specially people that may in the future turn out to be enemies if things turn sour. Millenia old enemies is an hard thing to surpass afterall.

So here she is, off on a more shadowy corner of the gym, using that manner of hers of going unperceived when she wishes to and delivering a few punches on a bag. It's a good routine to keep in shape. She is dressed in tight pants and a shirt, it already clinging to her skin due to the sweat of her training.

Yet then she notices the newcomer, watching briefly. Close to dismissing but then ..., those techniques.. It has been a time since she has seen something similar. A long time ago.

She approaches, folding her arms together. "Nice moves. Do they work in a real fight?" the corner of her mouth turned up in a smile, dark eyes studying Danny.

Danny Rand has posed:
Perhaps Danny was expecting him to have a more quiet day and not have anyone approach him for battle. Yet, when Elektra approaches him, despite looking like she already went through some training of her own, Danny actually has to do a double take. Why you might add?

Because she's stunningly beautiful.

Though Danny learned a long time ago that beauty is like the life beneath the sea: If its pretty, it will probably try to kill you at some point. Her question though gets a grin from Danny, who turns to look at her properly. "They work very well. Care to test them out?" He smiles to her. "Though uh, will I get to learn your name first or do I have to earn that one?"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
And in Elektra's case, she has that look that she might be able to know quite a few ways to kill someone..., or more than a few. A predator, through and through. No doubt there in the steel that her eyes show. But the elegant smile remains, continuing to watch Danny, up and down, almost as if sizing him up.

Which in truth she is. The techniques used are old. It might just be the one she was looking for, Iron Fist. But that western expression doesn't match. She was expecting someone asian, from Kun'lun. But very well, it should prove to be interesting regardless.

"Mmm, you are quite eager." she says, showing some accent on her tone, along with her amusement. Then a gesture towards the ring, she beginning to make her way there. A jump and then she slides between the ropes, agile.

"Everything worthwhile is earned, not offered freely."

Danny Rand has posed:
A smirk then from Danny as he steps into the ring at her gesture. Though hse is not the only one doing any sizing. Danny is looking her up and down, though for dual purpose, as if taking her measure as they circled each other. Though he does eventually enter a stance, he is not the first to attack. Perhaps a patience fighter or is Danny just indulging himself in some psychological warfare?

The questions are many.

But he nods. "I would be disappointed if it were otherwise. Though Danny's shirt dips just enough that she can see perhaps the tip of the Dragon's head, the tattoo on Danny's chest. Elektra may have found what she was searching for.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Elektra takes her time as well, getting that midnight-black hair up in a warrior's knot, the gloves on, her pacing slow about the ring, taking in the arena in where they face each other. The eyes dip towards the start of that tattoo but if she recognizes the only sign of such is a brow arching up in question.

But eventually she drops down into a stance of her own, relaxed at first, gaze staying on Danny's as it should be. If we weren't talking about a master martial artist like the Iron Fist her stance could perhaps look sloppy but far from it, more as if she is attempting to seem less than she might be.

"Your technique doesn't seem the type I would expect to find in a boxing ring." not that she waits for an answer, instead moving to attack, swipe kick followed by a frontal one.

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny already had gloves on! Like he was prepared for a fight either way. "Neither do you. Unless you've tried to take boxing to a whole new level." He chuckles, a sense of humor this one! All the same though, he quickly seems to turn serious. He leans out of the way of the swiping kick thats sent his way, the front kick that follows immediately behind it is swatted past with Danny trying to close the distance between them.

Why, you might ask?

So he can attempt to judo throw her to the mat.

Of course, she seems the type to be deceptively strong or crazy athletic, so she has about five oppurtunities to escape the throw.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"I am always trying to break barriers." Is Elektra's retort, moving swiftly between those two kicks, the swipe and then the frontal, her long hair swishing from one side to the other. The approach makes her throw one arm out as if in an attempt to keep the distance but that seems to create an avenue for the throw to be made.

Yet as she is being tossed over one shoulder, and where the normal expectation would be to fall down on the mat she instead seems to propel herself up on Danny's shoulder, her legs flying above her like she was doing a cartwheel and she falls on her feet.

The momentum of that motion continues though, she immediately pivoting around to attempt and deliver a leg swipe on Danny, breathing starting to pick up.

Danny Rand has posed:
Oh ho ho!

Nooow things are picking up! As soon as Danny seems so notice that she is ridiculouslyy athletic, considering how she does a cartwheel around his shoulders and watches as she lands on her feet. "Not bad!" Danny compliments his opponent, though its perhaps a sign that he's not taking this too seriously. All the same, the leg sweep is strong and swift, the momentum of the sweep actually knocking Danny off of his feet.

But Elektra is not the only one who is capable of gymnastic athletics.

though it looks like Danny is going to land flat on his shoulders, he seems to curl and flip, doing a sort of assisted backflip as he lands solidly on his feet and attempts a side kick to Elektra's stomach. Strike hard, strike fast!

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The Iron Fist doesn't seem like a bad opponent himself, yet the way in which she is able to connect that leg sweep makes Elektra's features curl up in that arrogant manner of hers. Maybe she can be a match to the fabled immortal fist of Kun'lun.... Or at least until there is that display of impressive gymnastics.

She was expecting to follow up with a pounce in and a quick punch to the face. But that only makes her go right into that side kick, she just barely able to lean so as to receive the kick on her side instead of full on. A ooof and then she gets driven back to the ropes, staying there a moment.

"Seems it's not all for show." Casual tone to her voice, but she seems to study Danny in a new light now, perhaps confirming her own suspicions.

Danny Rand has posed:
Not a bad opponent at all, though even Danny can tell that Elektra was trained by someone truly skilled in martial combat to challenge him so. Regarldess, his kick manages to connect and he watches her as she stays on the ropes for a second.

Standing up straight a bit, he nods. "Yeah...trained all my life. So, have I earned knowing your name yet? I would try and goad it out of you by compliments, but..I have a feeling you're not that kind of girl." He teases Elektra a bit with a wink.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"All your life, is it..?" Elektra brushes herself off the ropes, pacing about the ring, arms carelessly by her sides. "Not by just some ordinary master though. Those moves aren't of someone who's trained our here in the united states." one slender hand gesturing vaguely at the gym surrounding them. "Or a boxing gym.."

She moves close enough to a ballerina, not exactly on her toes, but with elegancy, continuing to size up Danny. Yet at the question for her name she finally replies.

"Elektra."

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny starts to circle as well, moving in the same direction as her. A small smile on his face as she seems very knowledgeable. "Very accurate of you to notice. I imagine you are much the same...but you're holding back." a small smirk.

When she says her name, Danny repeats it for memorization. "Elektra. Beautiful name, unique. Never heard it before, so you'll be easy to remember."

He gestures to himself. "I'm Danny. So, what do you like to do for fun? Beat up random guys at the gym?" He might be casually flirting.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"This is but a spar, Danny." Elektra opening her arms to her sides, "I only go all in when there is more at stake. Maybe one day." a promise? Or a threat? Maybe both! She can elusive like that on what she means with her words. But there's just the faintest whispers of a smile to her lips.

When Danny mentions not having heard her name she seems pleased. Good enough. Means there won't be a serious fight tonight. If her Hand connections were known it might not go well. But she always did enjoy playing with fire.

"Perhaps I was looking for you." she says. And in a way, she was. "Are you a random guy?"

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny chuckles and he nods a little bit to Elektra. "Well, lets hope that day doesn't come anytime soon, yeah? Are we not friendly?" Danny smiles a bit as he sees her lips angle just so for that elusive smile.

He has no knowledge of Hand connections. However, he does seem to chuckle a little bit when she reveals that she might've been looking for him. "And for what reason would that be? Am I handsome and don't know it?" He teases her a little bit. "In a way, everybody is a random person, yet paradoxically, no one is a random person. Its fun to think about, wouldn't you say?"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"I am always friendly. Do I look otherwise..?" Elektra wonders, still pacing about, predator facing predator but she making no further motion to attack the Iron Fist. She shakes her head slowly. "I can't help it that so many feel intimidated by me." or maybe it's by her sais. Good thing she doesn't have those with her tonight.

The question makes her let out a soft chuckle though, a low tone one. "Hell's Kitchen is filled with quite a few mysteries, Danny. I am always on the lookout for those, and this seems like a place where I could find interesting enough people."

But those last words make her consider, knitting her brows. "It depends. Some are said to be Chosen. No randomness there. Or well, one would hope there wasn't."

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny chuckles a little bit. "You do, actually. Namely the most beautiful person I've ever seen, but I didn't want to be weird." Danny rubs the back of his neck and shrugs. "But so far you've been very friendly." Danny gives a nod to her a little bit. He doesn't make any motions to attack her, though he does approach until he's about a half-step away, stopping at a respectful distance. "Why? Because you're a strong woman? I think that makes you more approachable, actually."

"But what do I know, I'm only me." Danny chuckles a little bit. "Same, actually. I've met a few people here, though they get more interesting by the second." he smiles then.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Who can truly say, right? But I like to think people are destined for great things."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"See, then we are in sync." Elektra says with some amusement to her tone. "And I thank you for the compliment. It won't be forgotten." but her amusement deepens. She laughs briefly when the man approaches her. "You are bold. That's something I can respect." but just as they are close she seems to elude to one side, moving almost like a shadow, her feet barely touching the ground.

"Have you? I can imagine..." Or maybe more than imagine those people he has met. She comes to rest by the ropes again, resting on elbow on it. "... Sometimes people are nothing like what they look like on the surface though."

The mention of destiny makes her grin though, "Fate and destiny, in life I have always felt we have to take what we want and not wait for it to choose us. Are you the same, Danny?" which might be an ironic thing to say, coming from her.

Danny Rand has posed:
"Nothing wrong with being in sync." Danny actually managed to bring amusement! When she calls him bold, he shrugs. "I'm bold when I can be. Though I can tell you are of a bolder sort than most. I want to use the term 'wild' but I don't know if I'm that confident in such a thought."

He watches her lean against the ropes and he angles himself to face her. "Well, rarely are things exactly what they seem. The eyes are deceptive."

She speaks of destiny and he nods softly. "I agree, to be honest. I'd rather identify my goal and set out to accomplish it, see what I want and wish to take it, instead of waiting for destiny. Guess I can be impatient. So what do you want?" He takes another step closer.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"The wild are bold when they have no business being so." Elektra muses, touching a finger up to her chin as if she was considering that then adds. "Perhaps that's the difference, mmm?" she turning about to face Danny as well, arms wrapping together and she resting her back against the ropes, balanced against them.

The question is easy enough for her to answer though, coming out without hesitation. "Everything." said in a visceral manner, showing teeth in that smile of hers. But then she lets herself slide down and over the ropes to jump out of the ring.

"I will be seeing you around, Danny. I am sure of it." She apparently being ready to go.

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny looks at Elektra with a curious look in his eyes. A chuckle, pethaps escapes his lips. He shrugs though. "Perhaps it is. Though I tend not to be too wild, if you will forgive me for such?"

He does seem to raise his brow though when she answers ?everything'. He cannot tell if she is serious and power-hungry, or if she is just being playful. "Interesting. I want peace." He tells her with a smirk.

"I'm very certain we will. safe travels yeah? but no kiss before you go? shame." He laughs a bit, clearly trying to be playful.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Peace. That makes Elektra grin in a rather devious manner. "It's just too bad we never get what we want, isn't it?" she wonders, reaching up to release her hair and let it loose along her shoulders, silky. "Have you ever found it? Peace?" curiosity there on her tone, she already walking around the side of the gym, barely visible on the shadows, eyes though still shining while she observes the Iron Fist.

"You'd regret that kiss in the future if there ever was one." Elektra retorts. But for what reason though, she does not say so. Instead she simply continues on the edges of the gym, close to slipping out.

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny shrugs. "Maybe it is impossible...but what is the alternative? We all slaughter each other until there is no one left?" He does ponder for a moment.

"I have found personal peace, or rather inner peace as best as I can manage." He does chuckle though.

"This is usually where I say something cheesy like 'but I can die happy' but then you would actually try to kill me for being that cheesy." he tries to be humorous.

Either way, he hates seeing her go but does not mind watching leave.