perfectsymmetry

After last week's truthful phone call, Crowe's daring to venture outside again. He really hates wasting the nice summer weather, after all. So it's time to get back to life as usual in Mayfield. As usual as it ever gets, anyway.

A) How does Crowe vent frustration? SPORTS! Well, in this case, martial arts practice. Crowe's been training religiously in Mayfield in his long stint here, and has had a few different trainers. Today, he'll be teaching the boxing equipment a lesson it'll never forget, complete with some yelling as he throws some punches and kicks. Who knew Crowe had it in him? That meek personality hides a fierce fighter underneath. He tries to go to the rec center just as it opens, hoping there will be less people for him to bother with all the noise. But there's bound to be some other early birds there, right? Maybe some who want to see what's going on, or maybe even spar.

B) Later that day, exhausted from his workout, Crowe heads to his usual hangout, the park. He's working at a picnic table in the shade, and in front of him lies his dozens of newly-developed photos. Crowe takes pictures of all non-droned people in town, and has been doing so for months. He's looking through the new ones, pictures spread out on the table that anyone passing by could see. You might be in there, or someone you know. He has his old albums there with him too, and is sorting them all away. His iPhone is sitting on the bench next to him, quietly playing music. Some of the older ones he flips through, looking over the ones of his now droned friends sadly. Once in awhile, a breeze picks a photo or two up, and he has to chase after. Maybe it blows your way?

Tucked away in one of the albums is also a piece of paper that you might find him looking over. Ciel gave it to him months ago, and he's still trying to figure out what it could mean.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

........I'm not sure what those last few words mean, but eight feet is pretty impressive.

[Still, Leder surely had topped 10 feet, right?]

Maybe I should practice fight with you first to see if I can handle it.

Ah, he's a solider who fights in space and other planets, I guess. Practically built for war. I figure if I can't learn from him, I'm hopeless.

Sure, if you'd like.

A space soldier? Is he an alien, then? He's not a robot like Mr. Sideswipe and Mr. Jolt, is he?

Gosh, I'm not sure I could actually try and hit you, though...

No, I don't think so. I think he's... mostly human?

It's okay. Personally, I've been more working on my speed than strength, so I doubt I can hit hard either. [This isn't true, he just really has no idea.]

Oh, I mean... I'm not sure I would feel right about possibly hurting you. I'm not exactly strong myself...

It's alright. It's all in the name of practice, right? It's not malicious.

... I-If you're sure. Sorry to spring this on you. Um.

[Lucas will stand a little awkwardly and shuffle before raising his fists a bit.]

Like this, then...?

[Crowe will look Lucas over, then walk over to make some adjustments in his stance by slightly moving his shoulders and fists.] There. Don't stand with your chest forward, or you make yourself into a bigger target, yeah? Stand a little sideways, like this. [He'll demonstrate.]

[Lucas sucks in his non-existent chest and stiffly moves his legs a little.]

I never really thought about any of this that much before... Is this better?

A little better. Loosen up your shoulders a bit, cuz you're going to throw a punch. Stand a bit sideways, like this. [Crowe stands next to him and takes a tae kwon do stance.] (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJL6Sa-WvBI/TaE6q0ujlwI/AAAAAAAAAVg/OEEIboKUtIQ/s1600/stance+854509829_eaf85642be.jpg)

[Lucas manages something very similar to a tae kwon do stance, if the practitioner of martial arts was an adherent to the principles of Repeated Apology and Minor Reluctance.]

Hiyah.

[Crowe chuckles.] Come on now, if I can do this, I know you can too. Step forward into the punch, give a yell when you do.

[He demonstrates again, throwing a fast punch and letting out a kihap when he does.]

[Lucas takes a deep breath, then puts some force into a quick punch that is brought back to his body a little too eagerly.]

Yah!

...I never know what sound to put in front. 'Yah' sounds kind of silly. Maybe 'hah'...

Whatever comes to your mind. Mostly it's just a good way to make sure you're breathing, and to sound intimidating.

I think I might need to wait a few years to manage 'intimidating'...

[His next attempt is more reasonable, though. A few sparks even fly out from his fist when he thrusts it out.]

O-Oh, hey, that was pretty good. Nice touch, too.

I got that back from the last regain. It's just to show off, mostly.

Well, it looks impressive at any rate. See, you can use that to your advantage.

It hurts a little bit.

[The flash of pseudo-electricity returns to his fingers as he zaps himself with it briefly.]

...Maybe a little more than a little bit. I was never strong enough to fight directly, so I used tricks like this. I'm guessing Mr. Garviel wouldn't approve.

You have to use what's at your disposal, though. Mayfield doesn't play fair, you know as well as anyone.

[For no particular reason, Lucas will step forward and go for a side kick of sorts. Surprisingly good form with that one.]

I think part of the reason I started slacking is because fighting like this never seems to work against them...

A-Ah, maybe, but there's not only Mayfield itself to worry about, but some of the people who live here. They're not always nice.

True enough...

I'm just not very fond of hitting anything at all. I guess it's necessary, though. ...Maybe I could give them pig masks to put on...

[Lucas follows this up with a slow spin and a strong kick from his other leg. Duster had taught him that one.]

Me either. I never even thought about martial arts until I got here. [Seems like he's got a talent for it, at least.]

Ah, you seem to work well with the kicks. Maybe tae kwon do would be good for you too, eh?

I had a friend who really liked punching things and a friend who really liked kicking things. They forced me to learn to use one.

Is that what tae kwon do is about?