83

[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.

Comments

A

[grand-theft-moe.livejournal.com]

[Chizuko's been using the gymnastic equipment at the rec center instead. It's both thievery practice and an acceptable hobby for a young girl, in the eyes of the drones.

She jumps down from the pommel horse (not a sound) and watches from a respectful distance until he takes a break.]

You're pretty good, Crowe-san.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Oh! Ah, Chizuko. Um, do you think so? I've been practicing a lot since I got here, but I feel like I've been slacking a bit lately...

[grand-theft-moe.livejournal.com]

You may use me as a target if you wish. Since Abel-sensei left I have not been seriously attacked.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, I bet you're fast, eh? Maybe we should spar. Um, I'm a bit rusty though, since I haven't really had a sparring partner in ages.

[grand-theft-moe.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't quite be sparring as I doubt I could generate enough power to concern you. But i'm sure I can provide you more resistance than that bag.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

That's okay. I'm more concerned with speed over power anyway, yeah? I don't think I'll ever been strong enough to hit hard. But fast I'm used to.

[He throws a few punches in the air to demonstrate his point. Not bad at all, really.]

[grand-theft-moe.livejournal.com]

[Chizuko smiles and claps, then climbs over the ropes and into the boxing ring.]

Please try not to hurt me too badly.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe moves into a more martial arts style pose. He figures the tae kwon do might help here more than his street brawling moves.]

I would never. I'll even let you have the first move.

[grand-theft-moe.livejournal.com]

[This puzzles Chizuko. She's used to waiting for an opponent to attack, to give her some momentum to work with. She bows, then dashes forward and attempts to sweep his lead foot (http://judoinfo.com/new/images/animations/blue/deashibarai.gif). She's hoping for him to pull the foot away and react with a crescent or hook kick.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[That's a trick he uses a lot, so he sees that coming and manages to sidestep the attack. For now, he just wants to defend and see if he can be faster than tiny Chizuko.]

[grand-theft-moe.livejournal.com]

[Chizuko reaches up to grab his shirt just under his collarbone. If successful, she'll follow the momentum of his steps and drop underneath him to try to throw him over her shoulders (http://www.greenbankjudoclub.co.uk/drop-seoi-an.gif)]

letting this happen for the lulz

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He had no idea she could pull off such a strong move against a person that much bigger than herself. The next thing he knows, he's lying flat on the mat, blinking in surprise.]

A-Ah... wow.

poor crowe

[grand-theft-moe.livejournal.com]

[Chizuko instinctively tucks and rolls as they both go over, coming up to standing a good four feet away from him and spinning to face him. As soon as her reflexes resolve themselves though, she drops to her knees over him with a concerned look on her face.]

Crowe are you alright? I'm sorry!

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[His pride is more bruised that he is. He sits up, rubbing the back of his head, smiling sheepishly.]

Y-Yeah, just wasn't expecting that. Ah, nice work. I-I'll have to have you teach me that move.

[grand-theft-moe.livejournal.com]

Abel-sensei taught it to me.

[She extends a hand to help him up.]

Seoi-otoshi can be powerful even in the hands of a smaller person.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He takes her hand, and hauls himself back up.] Ah, and here I thought I was starting to move pretty fast. Guess I better keep practicing.