Someone doesn't want a Jungian adventure

[mindofathief]

Who: Duster and anyone
Where: Hero Training Facility
When: Month of November
What: Not only is Duster anxious about how his Shadow might act, he's also upset at Santa's betrayal during the Night of the Thirteen Moogles. He's not sure what to do apart from sulking alone, but he does have his job at the Hero Training Facility he can't ignore.

The cold wind did not help Duster's mood. It bit at his nose no matter how often he readjusted his red scarf. It covered his ears, increasing the regret of not bringing a hat. Not that he cared about going back home to grab one. Every morning, he felt that the heat of his frustration would fuel enough warmth. Every morning, he realized that it was not to be so.

A man from a warm seaside town will never be used to Aqures Ixen weather.

Thankfully, the building that house the Training Facility was warm, and Duster felt relieved to be in a comfortable place that did not demand self-reflection. No secret side to confront, no former friends to split off from. All that he needed on his mind was tactics. All that he needed to do was to kick things hard and teach people how to kick things hard.

He took up his usual spot at the end of the room, setting up a red punching bag, and warmed up with several easy kicks. The sign outside pointed out to potential students where hand-to-hand combat lessons were being taught.

Self Defense Classes
Learn martial arts from Duster
Taught here all day today.

That old almost-a-haiku was still up.

Comments

[fearlessherosheart]

"I had wondered... have you any tasks you need performed? I feel..." Tazendra paused, considering this. "You provided some assistance while I was possessed, and I would like to return the favor."

Mind control made this hard. It wasn't quite a debt, but Tazendra was aware that she could have easily killed Duster, and that he had taken a risk for her, if nothing else.

[mindofathief]

"Uh..." Duster folded his hands. Was there something? He recalled that his room needed to be cleaned, but he hated having anyone else dictate how to organize it.

"You can help me put away the training equipment at the end of the day," he suggested. "Sorry, it's hard for me to come up with something on the spot."

[mindofathief]

"Just like that? Were your parents okay with it?" He didn't know how old Donnel was, but he looked young. And everyone had family that would be worried. In Duster's case, his father urged him to go on his quest. In Lucas's case, the family he still had didn't pay attention.

...Duster's smile turned into a flat line. Donnel might not have a family to go home to in the first place.

[pot_head]

But despite it all, Donny kept on smiling.

"It's just me and my Ma now, and it took a bit to convince her, but she finally agreed. Long as I promised to come home. And when I do, I'll make sure she's real proud of me!"

[shinra_dog]

Ah... so this really wasn't going to be a traditional fight. Good. Reno found himself grinning as both of their stances defied the "normal" hand-to-hand form he'd frequently seen. It made things interesting.

Duster was fast. Faster than most of the people Reno had faced, except for perhaps the Remnants. They hardly counted as real people. It was a good thing Reno was fast, too, as Duster came up on him and Reno realized what he was going to do. It was a close dodge as Reno jumped the kick and sent his own toward Duster's shoulder. If the other man was as good as Reno thought he was, he was sure it would be blocked. Still, he was a show-off.

[mindofathief]

Oh Donnel, too good to be true. "You kind of remind me of someone from home," Duster said.

"Anyway, we should probably get started. Start off by showing me some of your moves."

[pot_head]

"... Well, I guess since this is hand to hand stuff, I ought to only use my hands." Which meant no spear. He'd left that against the wall moments ago. He'd always fought with a weapon, so this was going to be unusual. In fact, the entire army back home never fought with their bare hands.

But he tried to imagine his companions in the Shepherds - like the beautiful and strong Libra with his axe - and mimed holding an axe, with fists stacked on top of each other. With that, he charged forward, intending to strike Duster up in the chin.

[mindofathief]

Duster shifted to the side, along the direction of Reno's kick, and lifted his forearm to block the attack. He hadn't equipped the Monk Job in months, not after being possessed, and he could feel Reno's leg pushing into his skin. He'd done something wrong when switching out Dragoon for Santa Claus.

But that didn't mean he'd give up. Duster took the opportune moment to take advantage of Reno's vulnerability and reached out to grab him by the shirt for a follow-up attack. He'd twist the man around and kick him.

[mindofathief]

...That certainly was one way to land a hit on a person. Not that it was effective at all. It merely took a quick swerve to dodge.

In addition, throwing his weight into it left Donnel unbalanced. It was easy for Duster to grab hold of him. He did not make a move after that.

[pot_head]

"Whoa!" Captured within seconds, huh? He blinks a bit, trying to understand what just happened.

"...Uh, I'm guessin' this is gunna be a long day for us both."

[shinra_dog]

Reno had to remind himself that this was part of the plan. Not that he was planning on throwing the fight and letting Duster win, because that was just insulting. That, and Reno wasn't sure he was capable of it. His pride was strong. But sparring against another skilled person simply meant that sometimes you'd land a few, sometimes you'd take a few.

Reno took this one. Still, he had to applaud Duster's reaction -- internally, at least.

As the other man's leg connected with his middle, Reno curled in on it and latched on. If nothing else, he'd take Duster down with him.

[mindofathief]

"I have time," Duster sighed. It was better than stewing in frustration all day. "We can start with basic stances and move on from there. Now," he said as he let go of Donnel, "show me how you'd get ready for a fight."

[pot_head]

Amusingly, most Shepherds didn't 'get' ready for a fight, they usually wound up in one by accident or traps. But Duster didn't need to know this.

"Y'mean like exercises?"

[mindofathief]

Reno was a better fighter than Duster expected. Most other Heroes could barely block an attack without help, but here was a guy that knew what he was doing. It had been a long while since the last challenge. Without forgetting his training, Duster adjusted his center of gravity by crouching.

But this put him at a disadvantage. With his leg trapped, he was limited in his attacks, though Reno was unable to leave the ground during that. He rolled backwards. If Reno were to get up, Duster would have a better time lying on his back than on his front.

[mindofathief]

"...Yeah, exercises." That was another way to start besides working on Donnel's stance.

[fearlessherosheart]

"Should I have sent a letter ahead?" Tazendra asked.

[mindofathief]

"No, no." He shook his head. "Most people come here to practice fighting, not to clean up."

[fearlessherosheart]

"Ah, well, I normally drill on my own," Tazendra said.

[mindofathief]

Duster nodded, his head bobbing towards the dummies.

"Maybe we can drill together? I can't use swords, but we can try practicing our techniques on each other."

[shinra_dog]

Ah. Well that was helpful. Reno rode the inertia of Duster's roll, moving with him and releasing to briefly straddle the man. With a little kiss to Duster's nose and a sassy wink, Reno was gone again, kicking off to continue tumbling forward over Duster's body.

He rolled to his feet close by but waited for Duster to rise before making another move.

[mindofathief]

Duster prepared to block an incoming attack, raising his arms for a punch. Instead, the kiss broke his concentration, and he threw a punch at Reno's face. Not much thought put into it, but he was not in the mood for fooling around when he just broke up with his boyfriend a few days ago.

It was a good thing Reno waited for Duster to get up, because he needed time to recover from that dirty trick. He rolled to the side before pushing against the floor, arching his back as he leaped back onto his feet.

With renewed vengeance for that kiss, Duster gives Reno's knees a strike from the side.

[fearlessherosheart]

"Yes, though I would need some substitute so as not to injure you." Tazendra had already figured they would have to temper any blows, as even a fist or a foot at full strength could be quite painful. Swords offered more power than a fist, even if one ignored the edge.

[mindofathief]

Duster put in hands in his pockets and eyed the various equipment lined along the walls. "There's the bamboo swords. I've seen Chrom practice with those. Then we can both wear padding in case that's not enough."

[fearlessherosheart]

"That would be wise," Tazendra said. "And I have access to healing magics. In case of accidents."

NO, that's not as reassuring as she means it to be.

[mindofathief]

It was reassuring enough. Lucas was a powerful physical attacker with his weapons and had access to the most powerful healing magic. If it was true for a young boy, it would also be true for a large lady warrior.

"I'll grab the things," he gave her a thumbs up, took down shin pads and soft body vest, and handed the larger set to Tazendra. "Don't aim for my head, and we should be good."