Gym, Saturday morning

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

After some coffee to wake up, Dean headed down to the gym and began to make sure things were set up for Karal's self defense lesson. He'd even managed to scrunch up two staffs to start with the weapons.

Now all he needed was a certain sunpriest to teach.

[for said priest, but open for all your workout needs]

Comments

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

After leaving Kerrigan and The Perk, Karal made his way to the gym. He was dressed for riding, so he went straight there, and when he bounded in the door, he was beaming.

Still.

"Good morning, Dean!"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean cocked his head to the side. "So I'm getting the feeling you're a morning person."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I'm used to being up before the sun, so yes?" he replied cheerfully. "I like the mornings, but this one is better than they usually are." He hurried over to stand in front of Dean. "Just tell me what to do!"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Well, first off we probably should get an idea of what you already know," Dean said. "So pretend I'm about to rip you in half."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

It was enough to shake him out of his gleeful daze and he sobered, moving back a few steps. He took a deep breath and settled into the stance Kerowyn had taught him, watching Dean warily. "But you won't, yes?"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean grinned. "Course not. And when I'm done with you, hopefully no one else will be able to either."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"That's good, I have a date tonight. I don't want to get ripped in half." He took another breath, then nodded. "I'm ready."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean circled around Karal. "Date, huh? Who's the lucky girl? Guy? Girl?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal moved with him, watching him closely, really, really wishing he'd practised since he'd been here. "Girl," he said, blushing a little. "Evey. She's wonderful."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean chuckled. "Man, you've got it bad." He feinted a lunge toward Karal but didn't actually follow through.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He ducked sideways, quick and sure-footed, and stopped when Dean did. "I might," he admitted as he watched Dean.

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean feinted again, then moved in the other direction, aiming an easy punch at Karal's midsection.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal spun out of the way, ducked back and kept moving, putting as much space between him and Dean as he could.

Even though he trusted Dean not to hurt him, this still made him nervous.

Towards the end of the lesson

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara entered as quietly as she could, wearing comfortable clothes, and began the graceful movements of her tai chi katas in a space out of Karal's direct line of sight. The exercises were well-remembered and reminiscent of home, but she still couldn't help glancing over occasionally as Karal worked with the other boy.

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

When they were done, Karal - sweaty and a little sore - walked over to watch, settling to sit cross-legged, just out of her way.

He really wanted to talk to Inara, but he didn't want to disturb her.

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

She opened her eyes and smiled as she felt his presence, altering her footing slightly as she turned to face him. "Hello, Karal."

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He smiled back at her with quiet joy, his earlier giddiness tempered by his workout. "Hello, Inara. What you're doing is beautiful."

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"It's a different kind of meditation. I can teach you sometime, if you'd like," she offered. Then she caught something of his mood, and tilted her head. "You're in an even better mood than usual. Is there a particular reason?"

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Evey kissed me," he told her, breaking into a huge smile.

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara almost tipped over, she was so surprised. "Who's Evey?"

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Evey is Evey. She's, I met her at the welcome picnic, and we went for tea and became friends, and she likes me just as I like her." He was doing a terrible job at explaining. "She's wonderful, Inara."

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Well, that told her exactly nothing. "What makes her so wonderful?"

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"She just is. She's smart and beautiful, and it makes me smile to see her." And when I touch her, it warms me down to my toes; when she touches me, it's like I'm flying. She's been through more than anyone one person should have to, and she's still strong and brave and kind, and when I make her smile, I feel like the world is a little brighter. He couldn't say any of that. "She's a good person, Inara."

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Where is she from?" Inara was reserving judgment until she met Evey for herself. Karal, after all, was a bit naive when it came to matters of romance and relationships.

Re: Towards the end of the lesson

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"From a country called England, which is across the water, so this world," he replied, smiling up at her with no clue what she was thinking.