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Post by leslie on May 30, 2007 1:53:26 GMT 1
[If anyone wants to join this - please do! I desperately want to RP but Tray is having his birthday. Plus I want to get to know some people. Fight, not... talk - doesn't matter to me!]
Canvas brushed against itself as a pair of slender legs strode down the quiet hallway, the sneakered feet squeaking momentarily as they paused at a doorway that seemed to lead upward into the light, the young girl gazed over the door then turned her head to the left and right to make sure no one watched. A hand moving out from the long black sleeve, she sought the cool metal handle that would open the portal upward, turning it with a swift movement only to pause once more as a wave of warm air washed over the delicate, covered figure. Freedom was something Leslie was not afforded very often – and when she found it, it was coveted as nothing else was. Once again looking down the hallway to reassure herself she was not being watched, she took a hesitant step forward – then another, then another – until she had passed the door and it had closed behind her. Momentarily she thought over the possibilities of why the door had been open to begin with instead of being locked as so many others were in the school but the draw of quiet was enough to make her ignore and overcome any other hesitance.
Hands reaching out on both sides so that her fingertips ran over the warm edge of the old brick, her long fingers bending backward as she rocked from side to side. Each side was well worn from age, stairs leading upward to the left and a small nook sheltered from the sun to the right. Not wanting to stop her exploration, Lin stayed to the left and began to walk casually up the stairs, one hand still pressing against the sun-warmed brick while the other once again found itself tucked into her large pocket along with her latest book.
Two flights of muted steps later and Lin’s wind barely touched, she emerged from the covered stairwell into the brilliant sunshine. Not one to revel in the brightness of such a sunny day, Lin began to look across the rooftop to find some sort of shadowed place for her to rest and spend her free period.
“It’s beautiful up here. Almost as expansive as Tomio’s roof.”
A rarely seen but radiant expression gradually wormed its way upon Lin’s face, lifting the corners of her mouth and exposing two rows of glistening teeth in a smile. Moving to the side of the roof where she could look out upon the city, she scooted against a large ventilation pipe then sat with her legs dangling over the edge – sneakers bobbing as she leaned over to look down. I could stay up here all day. And I would if Tomio couldn’t find out.
“Days like this never last. Or they simply go to quickly.”
Bringing her book out from its place in her pocket, she flipped through the pages then paused as a bit of text popped out at her. It was one of her more favorite bits of literature – a simple poem written by a poet she admired for her ability to be alone and yet still make her mark upon the world, Emily Dickinson. Once again, though smaller and briefly this time, her lips quirked upward and she read aloud the collection of lines,
“Hope is a thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all…
…Yet never in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.”
Slowly placing her thumb at the bottom of the page, she shut the book then closed her eyes and repeated the line she felt needed to define her, “Yet never in extremity it asked a crumb of me.”
A feeling of complete relaxation gradually surrounded Lin, her eyes blocking out the world as she descended into a meditative state. A euphoria of sorts. Tucking her book back into her pocket, Lin pushed herself up then moved into an open space - breathing slowly while lifting her hands then lowering them once more in a defined tai chi movement. Turning her head to the side, she moved her hand outward and shifted her weight onto her outer leg - still moving her arms only to move her leg back comfortably and forward. The movements were fluid, perfected by hours of repetitive practice. Step, clear your mind. I am as the water. I am balanced like the wind... I am as the water...
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Post by jdmthe1st on May 30, 2007 3:04:29 GMT 1
Deciding that after he made a friend on the roof already, he wanted to see if he could meet more people. It seems like all the best people in the world are on the top. But then again you cant always be at the top. Antonio finds his way to the roof and hears a voice.
“Hope is a thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all…
…Yet never in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.”
Poetry? Antonio didnt know. He wanted to find out eventually but then all the sudden this girl went into a meditative state. Antonio didnt know much about martial arts in general besides what each style focuses on but he didnt need anyone to tell him to be quiet. Wearing his mask as usual he sat down and watched this girl do Tai Chi. He thought to himself:
'Martin does something like that. I think thats really good for your health. Man I wish I knew something like that. Im always getting hurt and it makes me wonder if I can always be a luchador.'
Sitting down still he doesnt say anything but the girl might notice him after awhile. Antonio in the meantime just waits. Its funny how many interesting people you can meet in one small place.
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Post by victor on May 30, 2007 3:07:46 GMT 1
Victor had been reading a library book-Paradise Lost by name-when word began to go around of a new student arriving. Intriguing. A new student? Well somebody would have to meet her, wouldn't they?
Victor was in a much better mood then he had been in awhile. His mood had been better, there wasn't much homework to be done, and life was just generally grand. Ah, it was good to be alive! He put the book back on the shelf and started towards the roof.
None of the students caused him any trouble as they normally did. Good for them and good for him. He was in a very good mood and he wasn't in the mood for a fight. He just wanted to see this new student. Victor generally wasn't interested in such matters, but even loners needed company.
Victor opened the door at the top of the stairs which slid open without a creak. Further across on the roof was a beautiful girl who seemed to be of Japanese decent. Victor smirked a little bit to himself. He was no casanova-he spent too much time by himself to tend to a girl-but he did enjoy the company of females in general. Of course, due to his shyness around girls, he didn't generally go near them.
Victor stayed back in the shadows, taking out his I-pod and selecting a J-pop tune to listen to, keeping it quiet so the girl wouldn't hear him. He closed his eyes and began to meditate where he stood, letting the music take him into another world.
He almost didn't realize it, but he had begun to softly sing the lyrics, having memorized the song.
Victor's head jerked up and he almost dropped his I-pod. As much as he wanted to meet the girl, he wanted to meet HER, not the other way around! He fumbled the I-pod back into his pocket and gasped out a small, but audible: "Hello there."
He sure could do stupid things sometimes.
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Post by leslie on May 30, 2007 3:24:33 GMT 1
The wind gradually picked up, blowing a few rebellious strands of black hair into her face that she simply ignored for the time being. She knew the pattern backwards and forwards thanks to her uncle and his knack for drilling perfection into everything and everyone he touched. Leaning forward toward her feet even though her weight never shifted from the arch of her feet - flat and steady. Just as slowly as she had leaned forward, she lifted one hand, then another toward the sky before levelling her breathing back to her original rate. It was then she felt the sensation of being watched, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling though she forced herself to finish the exercise.
Hands shoulder width apart, she slowly raises her arms - eyes closed - and lowers them again, gradually opening her eyes to turn toward the source of her disturbance.
Immediately caught off-guard, she shyly pulled her cap further down over her eyes and struggled not to shift from side to side.
"Hello there."
Lin drew in a deep breath, facing the male though her eyes never rose from the ground. She was still too nervous around men in general to idly speak to anyone she didn't know with a nonchalant manner. But, that didn't mean she could ignore a polite enough greeting.
"Oh, umm, hello."
Turning her head selfconsciously, Lin caught sight of another figure standing a good distance off in the shadows and flushed a light rose in her cheeks and down through her neck. It didn't take much for her to realize that they had been watching her pattern exercise - what she didn't know was what they wanted. If they were going to beat her up for 'intruding' she wouldn't have any hope of help... Why now? I was having such a good time!
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Post by jdmthe1st on May 30, 2007 3:39:57 GMT 1
(IC: Short post but I cant really say anything since Victor is right there. Wouldnt be fair to him not to let him talk.)
Antonio clapped for Leslie in a corner but he stayed over near where he was. His body language was very friendly except Leslie might be too nervious to approach a luchador so he kept his distance until she came over to great Antonio or if Victor didnt leave her alone. Antonio gave a friendly sort of smile just to show that he wasnt going to do anything but wait for this girl to talk to him.
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Post by victor on May 30, 2007 3:54:49 GMT 1
Ohgodohgodohgodohgod, she had noticed! Victor blushed visibly and sighed. If he had just kept his mouth shut she wouldn't have noticed. Well, no sense backing out now. It was time to put up or shut up.
Victor took off his trench coat and slung it over his shoulder and began to walk towards the girl. The closer he got the more nervous she seemed to become. Either she had anxiety problems or something had happened to her long ago. Then again if something had happened, it wasn't any of his business. Victor may have been a shady character, but he understood discretion well enough to know not to pry into somebody's private affairs.
Victor approached the girl, unaware of much else around him. He felt like a prisoner walking up to the gallows. God, why did he have to be so nervous with girls?
"Um..." Victor began, shaking a little. His father knew of a few Japanese customs and had taught him a few, so Victor obliged by bowing at waist level and saying "K... konnichiwa. It's nice to meet y-you..."
Victor suddenly shot up and stepped back. "If I offended you, then I'm sorry! I am so, so sorry!"
He took a breath and collected his composure. This was so unlike him. "But I do want to say I mean you no harm. I just wanted somebody to talk too..." His voice was as nervous as ever.
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Post by leslie on May 30, 2007 4:17:22 GMT 1
Leslie's head had turned from the figure in the shadows to the male who approached, her eyes warily sizing him up for possible weapons as well as his very posture to see if he posed a threat or if he was merely being polite. The pair didn't seem to acknowledge eachother - thus a connection could not be readily established... something she wasn't quite sure she liked. If she knew they knew eachother or if they didn't it would be much easier to react and to gauge them but as it was, she would have to do her best. Reaching for her hat, she tugged it down once more, pushing her bangs into the brim to keep them out of her eyes in case she needed to move in a hurry.
As he removed his trenchcoat, Lin became even more wary - the fact that he was removing clothes a hint that he might be readying to move OR, she thought to herself, he might just be hot? Skeptical, she held her arms at her side then unconsciously relaxed as he spoke - his voice reassuring her that he was as confident as she was. Which wasn't at all.
"Konnichiwa."
Lin smiled slightly, bowing with a bit more grace as the corners of her lips twisting upward in a faint expression of pleasure at his quaking greeting in her native tongue.
"A pleasure."
However, as he stood up suddenly and backed away she too stood stock straight and moved away - shy once more until she began to understand what he was saying.
"Offend me? Oh no. Iie, you did not. I just did not know you were there. I thought I was alone."
Shaking her head along with her words, her hat shifted once more, allowing her feathered black hair to fall from its confines onto her neck and face - blowing lightly in the wind while her eyes glowed in the brilliant daylight.
"You - you surprised me is all. You and your friend."
She turned toward the still-shadowed figure, taking a chance in acknowledging the other in case they were trying to corner her in some way.
"You both did."
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Post by jdmthe1st on May 30, 2007 4:26:24 GMT 1
"You - you surprised me is all. You and your friend."
Was she talking about Antonio? Who knows maybe he can get a chance to talk now. He walked up to this girl and said
"Hi. I dont know him actually. But I would like to know you both. I havent been in this school for long. If you ask about the mask its because I am a luchador. Not really much to me anyways. Nice to meet you uhhhhhh......I dont know your name but Im sure I will soon."
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Post by victor on May 30, 2007 16:41:49 GMT 1
Victor chuckled as the figure came out, though not in a mean way. He didn't know this person, but he wasn't territorial. He was more than willing to let somebody come into the conversation.
"I don't know who you are, but it's nice to meet you. Feel free to add anything, amgio." he said to the figure in the mask. Like always, Victor had an odd habit of mixing his native Spanish in with his English, although he was fluent in English. It was just another one of his eccentricities.
"It's customary for one to give their name first, right?" Victor asked the girl, remembering another custom his father had taught him. He bowed and said, "Me llamo Victor. That means 'my name is' if you don't know Spansih. And I am sorry for suprising you."
He chuckled again, feeling more than a bit nervous. The girl was very pretty and had gorgeous hair. That combined with his timid nature towards girls made him rather squeamish. He only hoped he didn't do something embarassing.
"Sooo..." Victor began. "Care to tell us a bit about yourself, or should we tell you about us? I do hope I'm not being rude or intrusive!" He was as nervous as a cat.
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Post by leslie on May 31, 2007 8:01:53 GMT 1
Lin turned her head toward the emerging figure with a mixture of curiousity and bewilderment. As he stepped forward and into better light, she could see the mask upon his face but didn't recognize it as a Noh or a Kabuki... thus she wasn't quite sure what it was for. Her delicate face smoothing out the puzzled expression from her gentle eyes and soft brow, she smiled back at the male then paused long enough for him to speak.
Once she had been reassured that he meant her no harm and that he was more interested in knowing them than causing trouble, her posture grew more relaxed though her head momentarily turned to the side as she blurted out - rather rudely by her opinion - "What is a luchador? I'm... I'm not familiar with that word."
Realizing how rude she was being, Lin's cheeks flushed and she bowed unconsciously to apologize for her error - the habit resurfacing since Victor had bowed so politely at their initial greeting. "I did not mean to be impertenent, I just don't know what that word means. Or what it is."
Caught between two conflicting phases of greeting in both a formal and informal fashion, Lin turned back to Victor and attempted yet another smile, "Hai, family names and first names. The family so that others may know either of your family's success or their failure in raising you properly." Though the smile was forced, her lips managed to twist upward and her expression wasn't nauseating to behold. "-Me--llamo---" Stumbling over the word, she quirked a brow inquisitively at the explanation then nodded, "Me llamo means... my name is. In Japanese, we ask what your name is by saying, 'Namae wa nan desu ka.' then we answer by responding with 'Watashi no namae wa Natsuko Mai Aiko.' or you can say, "Watakushi wa Natsuko Mai Aiko desu."
A bit unwilling to enter into a one-sided conversation with anyone at that point in time, Lin wrinkled her nose then slightly shook her head, "If it is all the same to you, I would rather you tell one thing about yourself, then you another thing, then I'll tell something. It's easy - yes?"
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Post by victor on May 31, 2007 18:16:10 GMT 1
Victor smiled. She was quite shy girl. He wasn't surprised. The new students generally were very nervous on their first go round. He couldn't blame her at all. And she did seem very polite.
As she spoke about names and introductions, Victor seemed to notice she seemed... well... a tad melancholy. She seemed perfectly content, perhaps happy, but underneath there seemed to be pain. He could almost sense it by her seemingly forced smile and bow of apology to Antonio. He wasn't used to girls being like this. Most of the girls he had seen in this school were capable of taking care of themselves, so this traditional attitude struck him as a tad odd, though not quite unsettling.
"Sure. I'll tell you a bit about myself." Victor said, his composure coming back. "As said before, my name is Victor. My skin may not be brown, but I'm actually of Puerto Rican descent. I just tend to stay out of the sunlight when I'm home."
Thinking for a moment, Victor continued. "My personal interests are reading, cooking and playing video games. I also enjoy training with my father, and um... I'm an Aquarius by western zodiac and a Dragon by eastern zodiac!"
Smooth. Real smooth. She would probably think he was a total loser now...
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Post by jdmthe1st on May 31, 2007 22:07:26 GMT 1
"My personal interests are reading, cooking and playing video games. I also enjoy training with my father, and um... I'm an Aquarius by western zodiac and a Dragon by eastern zodiac!"
Antonio responded to Victor joking around
"Your a Dragon? Guess what animal I am?"
Antonio let Victor respond and he made a funny gesture but anyone could pick it up as funny and not rude at the same time. Then he though of how to end that joke and he said:
"I am an animal. Roar!"
Antonio smiled and then there was a question in his mind that he missed.
"What is a luchador? I'm... I'm not familiar with that word."[/b}
Antonio looked at her then Victor then looked back at her. Antonio thought to himself but it looked like he was in deep thought.
'She doesnt know what a luchador is? This girl doesnt look like she was raised around here but then again I wasnt either. I hope maybe she understands how I explain what the word means. If not she is going to think I am some lunatic. Oh wait I qualify for that role already, IM WEARING A MASK! Duh!'
He spoke up not sure how to explain but he tried to explain it from outside his point of view.
"A luchador is a masked wrestler. He doesnt fight like a typical wrestler. You know those big ugly nasty guys on tv that do real fights and fake fights? Im in both real fights and in fake fights but I dont use strength to fight. I basically do alot of running and jumping and I throw my opponents around like that. Thats basically it. I cant really explain too much about why I wear the mask besides the fact I would be in danger if I didnt wear it in public. In my home I have nothing to worry about ever."
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Post by leslie on Jun 2, 2007 0:41:41 GMT 1
Trying to turn her body in such a way as to appear equal between the pair, Leslie gradually shifted with her hands tucked into her pockets and her posture relaxed though her body was almost spring-loaded… prepared to react to anything unexpected that might occur with her head toward Victor than the luchador in turn. It was different, to hear a boy openly admit that he enjoyed reading and cooking. For the most part, the boys she had met during her own explorations of the city and the boys her uncle had introduced her to – they had all been ‘hardcore’.
“It is certainly good to meet you Victor. And you too luchador.”
Though she didn’t smile, the corners of her almond-shaped eyes crinkled slightly – the polite gesture of laughing in a culture that viewed any open expressions of emotions as shameful.
“Cooking is a valuable talent. And I read lots.” Slowly she reached into her pocket and withdrew her book, showing it to Victor only to allow her eyes to betray her amusement with his explanations of his astrological signs. “You are a dragon? I was born under the Hebi – the Snake.”
Turning back to the luchador, Lin nodded in understanding, still a bit confused though it was more logical to her to be told it was a masked wrestler than a foreign word like ‘luchador’. Once he had finished his explanation, Lin nodded once more then lowered her head in thought, trying to remember if she had ever heard of such a thing before.
“You are like a sumo? Only with a mask?” She offered her own logic in response to the confusing logic, mentally making a note to ask Tomio about the sport that luchadors engaged in. “And you wear the mask at all times because you are in danger without it? That – makes sense.”
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Post by victor on Jun 2, 2007 3:01:19 GMT 1
So she was a snake? Very interesting. If Victor recalled correctly, his father had been born sometime during the year of the rabbit. God help him, but the zodiac fascinated him so. He was not much for superstition or religion, but Victor did believe that there were forces beyond human comprehension. The zodiac was one of them.
"So your a luchador?" Victor said to Antonio. "I know a good deal of martial arts myself, though I can't say it's from the same division as you. I grew up learning Shotokan Karate from my father. He's taught me for most of my life actually."
Victor turned back to Leslie. "Yeah I forgot to mention that my father was in the army and he spent some time in Okinawa before I was born. He learned Karate there and he taught me from an early age so I could handle myself. Given the problems this school has been facing, he made the right decision."
He noticed Leslie did not smile with her mouth, rather instead with her eyes. Indeed she was introverted and shy. Still, what could be the reason for such a... traditional demeanor? Victor considered asking, but decided against it. He didn't want to be rude, and like before, it wasn't any of his business.
"So what portion of Japan are you from if I may ask? Are you from the main island or from Okinawa?"
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Post by jdmthe1st on Jun 3, 2007 3:13:02 GMT 1
“You are like a sumo? Only with a mask?”
Antonio joked around a little and he said
"I wear a mask but I wish I could eat as much as a sumo. I follow a very strict diet and workout routine. Im a skinny version of a sumo, who can fly, jump and run with a mask. Yeah thats about it."
“And you wear the mask at all times because you are in danger without it? That – makes sense.”
Well Antonio thought about this alot. Was he really in danger if he didnt wear the mask? Could his people even attempt to cross the border legally like he did and try to hurt him and his family. Probably not but it pays to be safe.
"Most people dont think it makes sense but it does. Who would try to hurt some guy in a mask you know? Its not like I did anything wrong ever. People just dont like me back where I come from. I hope maybe one day they can forgive not my family or I but themselves. They need to forgive themselves because we live in a very rough world and people like them think there are shortcuts to success. There are no shortcuts in life because everything is done with work and effort. Thats how I got to where I am today. I kept trying even though my family and friends doubted me. I kept trying and I finally got a chance and I proved it to them and they were stunned."
"I know a good deal of martial arts myself, though I can't say it's from the same division as you. I grew up learning Shotokan Karate from my father. He's taught me for most of my life actually."
Shotokan? He has heard of this style before because yes he has martial artists at his workplace and his home.
"Shotokan is a very interesting variant of Karate. The only part I dont like is the fact they dont work on standup grappling that much. If you can put a martial art like judo, jujitsu, hapkido or even Chin-Na in then you have complete control. The striking and kicking works I guess. I dont study the art, I just know how to recognize different arts just by looking."
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Post by leslie on Jun 3, 2007 3:50:02 GMT 1
Still trying to pay equal attention to the both of them, Victor and the luchador, Lin found herself turning her head more frequently than she would have liked – her vision spinning a bit until she simply looked ahead but continued to listen to the conversations rather than follow the speakers. Realizing that Victor had most likely learned what he knew of her culture from his father, it made sense how he acted. He was trying to be polite but the way he did it was more formal than gradually informal. It took getting used to, the way of speaking and the manner of addressing people, but he was doing well.
“Okinawa is so very different from mainland Japan, he did very well to engage himself in the culture rather than cut himself off like so many others do. But to learn karate in the time he was there – enough to teach you. He must be a quick study.” Her eyes betraying her amusement though her words were just as emotionless as most of her face, she slowly turned toward the luchador just in time to hear his explanation.
“That is very sad that you cannot trust others enough to show your face. They must be very bad people, the ones who want to hurt you and your family. I’m sorry that you have to live that way.” Politely apologizing for something she really had no control of was more of a reflex, her sympathies going out to the boy though she still couldn’t quite grasp the concept he seemed to accept whole-heartedly. Yet, as soon as she had finished expressing her condolences, she turned back to Victor to answer his question.
“I am from mainland Japan. The prefecture called Gunma. My father and brothers still live there…” Realizing she had stumbled over a hurtful topic – at least for her – Lin’s voice faltered then picked back up as she bravely continued, “But I moved here to live with my uncle. San Francisco is a very interesting place.”
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Post by victor on Jun 3, 2007 5:04:20 GMT 1
Victor knew about the problems Antonio spoke of. Distrustful of others and said people distrusting him? Lord, how much of that had he seen? Victor knew from much personal experience what it was like to be distrustful of others. The difference was his distrust was more out of the illness he had harbored since birth. It was amazing how long he had kept it a secret from his family. He imagined they would help him if they found out, but his pride would not allow it. Besides, his family was the one set of people he had ever truly trusted, particularly his father.
And what Antonio had said about people wanting to hurt his family? No, he couldn't say he knew about that from his own experiences, but he had heard plenty about it in the rougher neighborhoods. It was a cowardly act to target an entire family. Cowardly and completely dishonorable.
Victor decided it would be wise not to speak to Antonio about such matters, though he did feel sympathy for him. However, he was more than willing to speak to Antonio about his fighting style.
"True, Shotokan doesn't focus on grappling as much, but my father was also in the army." Victor said to Antonio. "He taught me techniques that no civilian dojo would teach and trained me like a real soldier so I could protect myself. I also know how to get to arm joints and pressure points, but I generally don't go for them unless I'm in danger of losing."
Turning back to Leslie, he said, "My father did spend a good deal of time studying Karate when he was in Japan. I'm not correcting you or anything, but he didn't just take the basics. He learned as much as he could from his Sensei. I would tell you his name, but I won't since that would be disrespectful, even though he was my father's Sensei and not mine."
Victor listened to Leslie explain her heritage. According to her she was from mainland Japan, specifically the Gunma district. She began to say something about her family when she suddenly faltered. It was for but a moment, but Victor could see a heart wrenching look of agony in her eyes. Judging from the hesitation, it wasn't because she missed them. Something had happened to her. Something bad. Victor had a hunch as to what it was, but he wouldn't say that out loud. Whatever it was was behind her. No sense reopening old wounds.
Leslie recovered and said that she lived with her uncle now and that San Francisco was an interesting place. Well, that went without saying. Still, he felt he should throw in a kind word. He would however, have to be very subtle about it. He did not want to make the girl unhappy.
"I've always wanted to go to Japan." he said. "I know it's nothing like manga portrays it of course. The people are generally very... reserved, even when angry or sad. Even when happy. I'm not complaining or anything. I'm just saying it's interesting."
He stepped a bit closer and said quietly, "It's none of my business, but I can tell you're in pain. It seems to... radiate from you. I'm just going to say that you shouldn't worry about what happened in the past. Just think about now and do your best, try to make friends and be happy. Like I said, it's none of my business. I should know. I have some problems of my own."
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Post by jdmthe1st on Jun 3, 2007 5:28:13 GMT 1
"True, Shotokan doesn't focus on grappling as much, but my father was also in the army."
The army? What army and how long was he in for? What a tough life. So Victor had a mother who took care of him? Antonio had too many questions race through his mind.
"He taught me techniques that no civilian dojo would teach and trained me like a real soldier so I could protect myself. I also know how to get to arm joints and pressure points, but I generally don't go for them unless I'm in danger of losing."
"Oh joint techniques and pressure points are useful. Its too bad my tradition doesnt allow me to do such things even for standup stuff. Well maybe if I modify my style one day I can get away with and even make it a clean technique. Techniques like that in lucha libre wrestling can be dirty techniques. Dirty techniques alot of bad guys use but I know how effective they are. Good guys can use them once in awhile and get away with it if its desperate like in your case. Im a good guy too."
Antonio kept listening. This guy wanted to go to Japan. Antonio has never been anywhere besides Mexico and the USA and he planned on staying in the USA for a long time. Japan sounded cool because there are lucha libre type of wrestlers in japan but their heritage is asian not latin. He was always interested in asian wrestling because they could pull off spinning grappling techniques but sometimes not as good as what Antonio can do but their standup was way past Antonio's knowledge of fighting so it evened out.
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Post by leslie on Jun 6, 2007 15:34:20 GMT 1
((Sorry it's taken such a long time to reply to this thread, I just haven't really known what to do. Victor, I'm still going to start that thread but you're going to have to overcome your observation. She doesn't like being intimate with people - and that was a very intimate observation on your part. Antonio - I'll see you in Stiff Joints with Jellar.))
While she understood that his father had taken martial arts from a sensei, it didn’t quite make sense to her how he had gone from learning to teaching in such a short period of time. Unless he had completely ignored his position in the Army and dedicated himself to learning, it would have been impossible. “Did your father continue in the States? With his learning?”
Just as easily as she shook off the pain of the past, she had tried her best to hide her emotions in a traditional way – but it was still in the back of her mind as Victor began to speak about Japan, “Reserved? It is not viewed as reservation but rather respect for others. If you burden them with your feelings then that makes their life harder. Makes it more difficult for them to concentrate.”
Watching warily as he moved closer to her, she unconsciously took a step back then seemed to freeze midstep as he spoke. It was hideously embarrassing to be told she was in pain by another who barely knew her. It showed that she was not only not keeping her emotions in check but also showed that she was being much too familiar with both of them. Stuffing one hand deep into her pocket while the other toyed with the end of her sleeve, she never looked up to watch him, her eyes clouding while her expression became as blank as stone.
Turning briefly to the luchador, she smiled then nodded her head – her eyes flitting over to the stairs that would lead her to a less stressful environment. “I, I need to go to class. It was a pleasure talking to both of you… but, I have to go.” Desperate to keep from embarrassing herself further, she stammered out her apology then fled across the rooftop and down the stairs, quickly ducking into the corner beneath them to curl up with her head on her knees… just breathing.
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