Gym, early Saturday

[1ordinarygirl.livejournal.com]

It was very early on Saturday morning, so hopefully there wouldn't be anybody else around in the gym. She needed to work out some frustration, preferably without being recognized by more people she had never seen before in her life.

She pulled out the mats, laying them down at a decent distance from each other, then stepped onto on one and thought for a moment.

Back-in, full out...



ooc: open!

Comments

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker came in and headed for the mats, seeing that the bag was in use, and started to go through her aikido warm-ups. She nodded to Aeryn and Sam, then shook her head at all the new people. "I think we're going to need a bigger gym."

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

Joxer watched Parker's warm-ups with raised eyebrows.

"What style is that?" he asked.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker raised her eyebrows right back, but kept her voice mild, studying his armor. "Aikido. Japanese martial art. More about the throws and blocks than anything, although it works well with a kicking-and-punching style." She slowed to rest, then put her hands on her hips. "What have you studied?"

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"Stick-the-sword-in-the-other-guy, mostly," Joxer said. "But my hands are lethal weapons. Self-taught." He put his hands on his hips and looked very smug. "They don't call me Joxer the Mighty for nothing."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker grinned, and then swaggered forward a little. "The Mighty-- what? Care to prove it?"

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"Prove it?" Joxer popped his neck in what he hoped was a manly fashion. "I wouldn't want to hurt you."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that." Parker was feeling highly entertained. "I'm tough. Ask anyone. My name's Parker, by the way."

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

The name clicked instantly in his head. Rory had definitely used the word 'scary' to describe Parker.

But no way he'd let on he was scared, no way.

"Well, Parker, what's the rules for a fair fight in these days?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"No hits below the belt. We use the padding; I'm sure your armor can take some hits--" Or not. "--but I don't have any. First one to call time or to hit the mat. No biting, no mortal or maiming strikes. I don't know what you're used to, but we usually stick to kicks, punches and holds. That work for you?"

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"Padding?" Joxer asked, looking around. "So, like, something that'll make sure I can't rip you apart with my bare hands?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker's eyes narrowed. "Something like that." She bounced on her toes, then walked over to where the padding was stored. "Helmet. Braces. Gloves. Need any help putting it on?"

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I've dressed myself for plenty of years," Joxer said, pulling off his own helmet and gauntlets. "I warn you, I'm the son of a warlord."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Reeeeeeeally." It was probably a sign of maturity that she only wanted to humiliate him a *little* bit. "Then by all means. Tell me when you're ready."

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

Peter turned to bow at Parker when she came in. "Or at least another heavy bag or two."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Definitely. How goes the day, English?" Parker stretched, and started to warm up, making sure her muscles were loose before starting her Aikido drill.

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

"Nothing to complain about though it seems like there are a lot of long faces around." He watched the warm up with interest, "what style do you work at? Not that I'm an expert, but I've never seen anything like it."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Ah." Parker's shoulders slumped for a second, then she rallied. "Right. A couple people left yesterday, graduating students. Angel and Logan. If someone wasn't upset about one of them leaving, they're probably upset about the other, or both." Her voice gets quieter. "They have a lot of friends here."

Straightening, she kicked out and said, "Aikido. Japanese hand-to-hand combat. Similar to jujitsu, but more emphasis on using your opponent's moves and strength against them. Have you studied any hand-to-hand styles?"

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

"Both must be good men to have affected so many people. I'm sorry for their loss. And yours."

"Interesting. That sounds like it would be a good style for la-" he coughed, trying to think of a better way to phrase it. "A good style for those whose height and strength does not equal their attackers. I've studied boxing and some wrestling but less intensively than swordwork."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Parker said briefly. "Hopefully they'll be in touch soon. Angel was off to be a Champion in his home dimension. Logan... just had a lot of rotten crap happen to him. Everyone's hoping they'll be okay."

Parker raised an eyebrow, studying Peter, her eyes glinting. "Yes. It is. Although it's also designed to handle multiple attackers at once. The Japanese police usually have some training in Aikido before they're allowed on the street." She paused, catching her breath. "Boxing? I have some experience with that."

Six years' worth. But hey, why mention it.

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

"I add my hopes then about both their safety and their honourable fight."

Peter attempted to pull the foot out of his mouth by collecting his thoughts before answering. "Definitely a useful style then. Have you studied it long? Are you a warrior, Parker? Or where did you learn your skills?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Aikido, I've only been studying this semester. Boxing-- somewhat longer." Parker grinned slowly, shaking her head. "A warrior. Hmm. I don't know if I'd say that. I'm more interested in strategy than in fighting all the time. I'll do it when I have to, though. And I believe in always being prepared." She shook out one hand, and tilted her head. "Care for a spar? We can stick to boxing, see how it goes."

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

"A tactician? My brother would like you," Peter said thoughtfully. He brought up his hand to salute Parker as if he were holding a sword. "I would be honored. Are there gloves? Bare-knuckled seems like we're asking for broken fingers."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Right over here. And helmets as well," Parker said approvingly. The best way to see if they had new fighters for the next time things got crazy was to test them out early. She picked up the gloves, and tossed them over to him. "To a call of time, or the first one down? We don't usually go for a beat-down here."

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

Peter caught the gloves deftly and strapped them on. He rather damned his fixation on swordwork in Narnia but figured he could start making up for that now. "To time if you don't mind. First one down is too false."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Time it is. Whenever you're set--" Parker punched her hands together, then nodded and took up a defensive position. "I'm good to go."