Rocky theme

[wheesockies]

Training & Sparring Meme

Step up. Show your skills. Mortal combat? Nope, a little less than that, but still a way to prove what you're made up.

Enter the sparring ring for some training.

HOW TO PLAY
● In your top level comment, let everyone know any relevant information or limits you have.
● Be respectful of everyone's comfort levels.

• PIN: muse one pins muse two to the ground and straddles them while training together.
• SWORD: muse one invites muse two to engage in sword fighting practice with them.
• AIM: muse one and muse two go to target practice together (using any weapon of choice).
• GUIDE: muse one readjusts muse two’s stance and posture with their hands while training together.
• STRIKE: muse one aims a blow (via either their fists or their weapon) at muse two.
• BLOCK: muse one blocks an on-coming attack from muse two.
• ARMOR: muse one helps to show muse two how to wear and take care of their armor.
• PREPARE: muse one guides muse two through some pre-battle stretching exercises.
• CHALLENGE: muse one challenges muse two to a sparring match/actual fight.
• TEND: muse one and muse two tend to one another’s wounds in the aftermath of a fight.
• RESTRAIN: muse one physically restrains muse two from attacking someone else.
• FEND: muse one adopts a defensive position that stops muse two from launching an attack on them.
• PUNCH: muse one punches muse two (to an unknown degree of success or failure).
• KICK: muse one launches a kick at muse two (to an unknown degree of success or failure).
• TACKLE: muse one physically tackles muse two during a fight.
• DRAG: muse one physically drags or carries muse two away from a fight.
• UP: muse one extends a hand to the fallen muse two to help them to their feet after a fight/sparring match.
• BACK: muse one stands behind muse two while in the midst of battle in order to help them fight off their enemies.
• ARRIVE: just as muse two is about to lose hope and become defeated, muse one arrives at the last minute to help them fight their enemies.
• EXTRA: muse one hands muse two a spare weapon during a fight to give them a better chance after they break or lose their own.
• WALL: muse one slams muse two against a wall during a fight/sparring match.
• COVER: muse one lunges forward to throw their body over muse two and shield them from harm during a fight.
• POWER: muse one and/or muse two use their powers during a sparring match in order to develop and enhance their abilities.
• UNLEASH: muse one, while fighting with muse two during a physical confrontation, uses their powers in an effort to gain the upper hand.

Comments

[maskpowers]

[The sound catches him unaware, breaking his concentration mid-jump. And Corey ends up clipping the root with his sneaker - not quite clearing, missing it by that much - arms flailing a bit as he tumbles to the ground. Sorely disappointed at first, but the panic sets in once he hears that sound again. It's much closer and nastier than before and he doesn't like it one bit.

His reaction time might've been slow back in the garage, but the adrenaline pumping through his veins from the run is enough to kick some of his instincts into gear. Before he hits the ground he manages to tuck his arms and legs in so he can roll. There's the dullest throb in his ankle where foot connected with tree, and he doesn't want to do much more damage.

It all happens so quickly - literal seconds - but to Corey it seems like moving in slow-motion until his side hits the ground. Then he's breaking out of his stunned state, scrambling for something at his back, under his jacket. Fishing around blindly in the dark.]

[departmentk]

[Freshly dead leaves crunch under Kane's boots as he yells loudly for both Corey and the bobcat to hear. With long-practiced reflexes he pulls a pistol out from the holster under his shirt - the one that goes everywhere he goes. He's breathing hard from adrenaline and sheer fucking shock, but his hands are steady. Not warning Corey was a mistake. He won't make another.

The bobcat meanwhile leaps nimbly onto the fallen branch Corey almost made it cleanly over, yellow eyes reflecting the glow from Kane's fast-approaching headlamp. Crouching over the prone young man on the ground and hissing from deep in its throat, the animal's haunches bunch as it gathers itself to attack.

He sees it - in one fluid motion stopping where he stands, planting his feet in a shooting stance, and training his light and gun both on the target. It doesn't even look his way. Taking aim, Kane's mouth sets in a grim line as his finger tightens on the trigger. Man and animal both move at the same violent instant - Kane firing, the bobcat pouncing.

Kane's shot catches the bobcat in mid-leap but somehow it keeps going, driven forward by momentum and whatever dark frenzy's possessed it almost unchecked by the force of a bullet which by all logic should have thrown it back several feet at least. With an eerily human scream the mortally wounded creature crashes squarely down on Corey, limbs splayed and twitching but trying even in its death throes to sink its fangs into the soft flesh of his neck.]

[maskpowers]

[The bullet doesn't stop the animal, but it does manage to slow it down some. At least that's the illusion that's cast. Perhaps it's still a result of everything running in slow motion for him? The sound of the gun barely registers with Corey - his heart is pounding so loudly in his ears and he's running off of pure adrenaline as he snatches the knife he keeps in his waistband after a few failed attempts.

Only once he's gripping the weapon by its handle does he roll onto his back. Just as the bobcat is lunging straight for him from above. And he finishes off the crazed animal without a second thought, the rather large blade glinting in the low light as it sinks in as deep as it can go. The sound the bobcat makes is terrible, causing him to flinch, but he doesn't let up until the thing stops moving. Then he shoves it off of him, blood soaked down his front.

He doesn't say a word as he sits up. Visibly shaken, but still retrieving the knife and cleaning it off on his shirt a few moments after.]

[departmentk]

[A strangled sound, somewhere between a curse and a hiss of dismay, escapes Kane's throat as his shot his the mark and still fails to stop the raging bobcat out for Corey's blood. It's still alive, it's on top of the kid now, and he can't shoot it without a chance of hitting the much larger body pinned underneath it.

Heedless of the danger, Kane charges into the fray hoping to save as much of Corey as he can. It's a futile effort and he knows it; he's too far away to help now and the issue of whether Corey lives or dies is going to be decided in the next couple of seconds.

It doesn't even take that long. Corey's familiar shape hits the dirt, and -- in its place, another one rises.

Catching himself mid-charge, his breath hitching at the silver flash of a knife in Corey's hands, Kane can only watch incredulously as the kid he thought he knew stabs a pigsticker Kane didn't even know he had straight into the thrashing animal's body. No trace of hesitation about it. The bobcat's yowls rise in pitch but Corey doesn't relent. From his vantage point, he can even see the glint of the knife's tip as it pokes out from the skewered creature's back. To its last breath, the bobcat lashes out at its killer.

Gun still in hand, Kane crosses the remaining distance between them and silently shoves aside the bobcat's dead body with one boot. His headlamp's still on, his expression lost in its glaring light as he looks at the knife for a long time and then at the face of the bloodied young man holding it.]

If you're gonna carry a knife that big, we're gonna need to get you a sheath. [He comments, breaking the silence with his usual lack of preamble as he offers his free hand to help Corey up.]

[maskpowers]

[After a few swipes of the knife against the fabric of his tee, the motion stops, and the knife remains there in his hand, bundled slightly in the now messy cloth. Corey doesn't withdraw it, doesn't make to slip it away. He stares straight ahead, chest silently heaving. What remains of the animal is strewn across his legs. He doesn't make any attempt to move that either. He just - sits. And stares. It's only once the light of Kane's head lamp shines in his eyes that he's roused from whatever state he'd been thrown into.

He blinks a few times, then he squints, shaking his head a few times and raising his free hand to cover his eyes.]

A what? [There's some more squinting, then he glances down at the knife, slowly pulling it away from his shirt.] Oh.

[He's visibly rattled. All out of sorts. So much hesitation and - confusion? He isn't quite sure what to do, and he ends up staring at the proffered hand for far too long before finally accepting it.]

Yeah - alright. [No smile. No emotion of any sort, not even the faintest trace. It takes some effort - thanks, busted ankle - but he gets up from the ground. The knife ends up back in his waistband where it was retrieved from.]

[departmentk]

[Towering over Corey's sprawled form, all he can do is stand there, gun dangling limply from his fingers and heart in his throat at the look he sees on the kid's face. Kane knows that look — the glassy-eyed stare of someone physically present but mentally off somewhere else. He's seen that look before. Worn that look before, even. The surprise of the knife threw him, but it takes him only a second to recognize that look and even less time to understand.

There's nothing for it now but to holster his gun and wait. Stock-still, hand outstretched, head lamp trained on the distant face in front of him.]

C'mon, kid. Come back to me. [He's not sure how loudly he says it, or if he even says it aloud at all. Corey's lined features look cadaverous as light and shadows play over his face.

At the sound of his voice, Kane exhales through his nose in relief. Reaches up with his gun hand and flicks his head lamp off its high setting.]

Corey. Look at me. [He puts a little authority into it to cut through the mental fog.] Focus on the sound of my voice. It's over. Copy that? It's over. It's okay. You're okay. You did good.

[He can't tell if anything he's saying registers until he feels the weight of an empty hand finding his own. Hooking a firm but gentle arm around the younger man's, Kane helps his trainee to his feet, taking it at Corey's pace and catching him by the shoulder once he's up.]

Your foot's banged up. [Frowning at the realization, he dips his head and clicks the lamp back on high to assess the damage.] How's it feel? Hurting, or numb?

[maskpowers]

I'm here.

[A white lie. He's not completely here, but it's a start. The more Kane talks to him, the quicker he's snapped out of whatever trance he'd slipped into.]

I'm here. [The second time is more to convince himself. Yes - he's here. He's fine. Pulling himself back out of the darkness that grabbed him just moments before a little bit at a time. The physical pull, coupled with the support of a much stronger grip both help. He barely stumbles once he's on his feet. And he's careful putting weight on his afflicted ankle, taking a moment to test the waters just to answer his teacher's question.]

Hurts a little. It's fine. [Corey's been through worse, but he doesn't have to say that part out loud. It should be understood by this point if Kane's truly been paying attention to the kid's troubles.]

[departmentk]

Good. That's good.

[Good, hell, it's like feeling a tug on the other end of a lifeline thrown into the dark. Out of sight, but not out of reach. And if he can still reach Corey, he can help him climb back out.]

That's it. Right on me. [He laces the encouraging words with just a hint of command this time. Something besides the knife to hold onto if his outstretched arm isn't enough. Keeping himself straight-backed and leaning forward enough to keep the only point of contact between them steady. The warmth of a smaller hand presses against his palm and he takes it firmly into his own, giving Corey just enough heft to find his own footing. Once he's satisfied his trainee's leg isn't going to give out under him, he lets him go, giving him space while standing ready just in case.]

Yeah. Your jumps need work, but at least you've got taking a licking down. [You know, because the kid was almost bobcat lick there and all. Too soon? Probably. Does he care? The sidelong glance he gives Corey says it all -- not even a little bit. Kane is officially out of fucks to give.]

[maskpowers]

I'd say I'm a pro at this point.

[If Corey means it as a joke - his delivery is rather dry and serious. Usually he jokes with at least the faintest makings of a smile.

Maybe he's just tired. Still frazzled. Why would't he be? Look what just happened.

When he's standing on his own, there's minimal hopping as he tests out his ankle. It hurts, it's whatever. He doesn't seem bothered by it too much. He stands there, steadying himself, letting out the longest exhale.

He's quiet for a bit - possibly too long. And then, unprompted:]

What're we gonna do with it? [He gestures at the animal.]

[departmentk]

[Maybe it's a joke and maybe it isn't. Maybe the thing a good teacher would do right about now would be to change the subject.

Maybe, maybe, maybe. Kane snorts. Maybes won't do Corey any good. He meets it head-on.]

You'll be a pro at handing them out by the time I'm done with you.

[The grin he shoots down is more teeth than humor. It's a look that makes it clear he isn't joking one bit. Not this time. Some early morning bird calls from the canopy; ignoring it, he settles into position, alert but at ease.

Guard duty - he slips into it like a well-worn coat. Motionless in the long silence, until it breaks with a question he has to blink at.]

Do with it? [A second's confusion evaporates into a hearty laugh and a shrug.] It's your kill. What'd you want to do with it?

[maskpowers]

[That's the idea behind this whole hare-brained scheme isn't it? Turn this simpering weakling into something much more dangerous - or at the very least somewhat of a threat.

Corey doesn't say a word, doesn't react to his teacher's shark-toothed smile. Barely even flinches.]

Mm. Yeah. [What to do with it? After a moment his expression finally shifts - from blankness to something with a hint of unease. It's slight, but it's obvious he's uncomfortable here.] Seems awful just to leave it here.

[departmentk]

[It's a good cause. Showing a bully magnet how to fight back. If he was a better person, that's all this would be. But there's no use pretending he isn't getting something out of it too.

Kane's gaze locks on his trainee, lips still peeled into something sharp and feral. Bared violence fades into his usual indifferent expression when the kid holds his stare without fear. He nods once, satisfied.]

Why? Something would come along and eat it. [Nevertheless, he slings the carcass over his shoulder and motions with his free hand in a let's-get-moving gesture.] That's just nature.

[maskpowers]

Yeah... [A rather distant look on his face, followed by a very delayed nod.] Doesn't mean it deserves that.

[Despite the fact that it nearly killed him just a minute ago. But Corey doesn't elaborate any further, just hobbles along to keep up. Not quite as dazed as before, still feeling a bit... off. It's not every day a while animal comes at you from out of nowhere.]