Dodge ball or self defense?

Shadowborn

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May 21, 2015
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@Keen

The feline stood in the center of a football field with generic gym coach outfit, with the students in neat little rows. "My name is Da'lon Sela'nia and I am here to teach self defense."

"The akt of self defense is first and foremost about how one evade an attacker or potential damage. So the best one can do to avoid danger is to run away. For today's lesson I want all of you to run around the football field." To her right was a table of bottled water and to her left was one of those common container where you store footballs "I will throw a ball at the last one in the race and the first ten to complete the race gets a bottle of water" Of course she would never aim to hit as the exercise was put in play to scare the kids, making them use their adrenaline to push faster, like in a real situation but never actually hurt them and she always intended to give all the students water to quench their thirst once they finish.

"Remember, it isn't an endurance run, it is all about running fast." She said as she watched and threw her next ball and she kept throwing them with some pause between each throw, at worst case scenario the student would feel the wind from the thrown ball though they never landed on a student.

Once everyone finished she came clean "Note that no ball ever landed on anyone of you, that was by design, a design meant to simulate running away from an attacker, I also lied to emphasize said design, you can all have a bottle of water." She was likely to get an earful from the principal or the authority of the program for scaring the student like that, though she believed that she could get away with a warning this time. "Now if you want more lessons I offer off school lessons that has nothing to do with this program however you can still learn more self defense with me."
 
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Keen

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Rei had been signed up in the school's self-defense program for sometime now. It was not where he expected himself to be on this island, but he had to be prepared. The island was dangerous, and with talks of anti-demon bullying and assaults, as well as Citizens Against Evil, Rei needed to know what to do in case he was ever threatened. A small part of him knew this would be helpful once he returned to Hell too. Part of why he was not allowed out the house back then was because it was dangerous. The risk of assault and all sorts of other horrible acts was high if he left unprotected. He needed to know how to defend himself back down there too.

That motivation was not enough to keep him from being in last place during the race. A few times he flinched when a ball swooped past him, sending a sharp, but ultimately painless rush of air against his neck. Why did he have to run? He was one of the younger students, and he was still getting used to his charm. He could do most everything other kids could do, but running still felt awkward to him. Though, nowadays he felt more comfortable moving around with his charm than without. He had more mobility, in a way.

After the race ended, Rei felt no shame about pouring the bottle of water he was given over his body. Most of the other students guzzled down the water eagerly, but that would do nothing for Rei. His body needed to be hydrated, and the only way was to pour the water on his skin. Sure, it made his hoodie and pants get soaked, but they would dry up eventually. Other students had their own weird quirks for their biology anyway.

Now Rei was fully dehydrated and a bit more energized. The soreness of his legs was beginning to settle in now, but the pain was ignorable for the moment. He still felt a passion to keep going. He was a good student and coming in at last place messed up that reputation. While everyone else may have been ready to pack up their stuff and leave, Rei eagerly raised his hand when the teacher asked if anyone wanted more self-defense lessons.


 

Shadowborn

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May 21, 2015
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Looking at what Rei did with the water, pouring it on themselves rather then drinking it, Da'lon gave a knowing nod. She knew or thought she knew at least partially, with her own experiences. When it was summer or whenever she was really hot and away from home where she could take a bath, that to cool down it was good to pour some water on her fur.

She grabbed another bottle out of the few remaining, walked up to Rei with a friendly advice "You should drink some too, it helps cool down the body"

The schedule for the additional lessons where decided in a first come first serve manners, though even then they had to mix up when the students had the time with whenever Da'lon could reserve an outdoor field much like the football field they where in. There where also the option to teach of campus grounds though if the student where under the age of sixteen they needed a paper signed by their parents.

"I feel I haven't made myself quite clear." She spoke, with her voice a little louder to reach all of the students willing to take her lessons "I will come once a week to teach self defense as per agreement with the programs authorities. What I am offering are extra lessons, you can of course teach you the same material to advance faster, but I am also offering other things, you need only come to me and ask"

To the first to complete the race, she gave the advice to join the track team if they weren't already a member. Da'lon gave a few similar advice to others and for those who still opted to take her extra lesson she offered ideas and listened to what they had to say about what they thought needed.

First on Da'lon's schedule was Rei, because fate had it that the other students had more free time later to take lessons. But before anything she wanted to make sure she gave her idea to Rei about what she thought was best but as always made sure to mention that it was still up to him to choose. "Since you where last, my advice for you is to take up parkour but it is your choice."
 

Keen

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Rei gave an awkward smile when the teacher gave him another bottle of water. "Oh... uh... this is how I drink water. I don't do stuff like humans." A part of him was annoyed about having to point that out. If he wanted to drink water like humans, he would have done it; although, Rei did appreciate that Da'lon cared enough to make sure he was hydrated.

He watched silently while the other kids got advice based on their placement in the race. I can't be blamed for losing, he thought to himself as he watched with envy. Some people were born to be fast. He knew plenty of kids who were predators meant to chase down and capture their prey quickly. Rei was a predator himself, but he worked better in water than on land.

When his turn for criticism came, it was not as bad as he thought. Not much was said to him, actually. All she said was for him to take parkour, which he found weird. "I don't think I need parkour... I'm still getting used to legs." He only had them for a few months, and now he was expected to take up something as complicated as parkour? "I'll just run more. Get better at running and climbing and stuff. Um, I can go out to the park." He was still at that age where he could play on the swings and monkey bars, but he hesitated on the idea. Doing all that kid stuff would make him look immature."


 

Shadowborn

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From her own experience, most of the species that could be cooled down from the outside also needed to be cooled down from the inside but then again she just may be biased due to her species so she opted to not say anymore on the subject.

She wasn't one for arguing especially when it came to how others handle their training since it is their bodies, Da'lon could only advice and teach others, not decide for others as easily she does for herself. She thought that something that activates his body like parkour would be good for him, maybe something else like aerobics. Aerobics training consisted of spinning, running, swimming, walking and hiking, all thing good for exercising ones body, which Da'lon got the impression Rei needed, to be precise she got the impression that he was just getting used to his body and in that case then aerobics could help.

"May I give another advice then? I would suggest aerobics to build up control of the body. The best way to defend your self is to avoid damage, today's lesson, I just think you should focus on it for awhile which is what I have based my suggestions of off. Just know it is your choice, I can't make you train something you don't want to."
 
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Keen

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Rei nodded, his eyes focused firmly on his teacher's to show he was paying the utmost attention. "What do aerobics do? And... um... where do I learn it?"

Was he going to have to take multiple classes? Rei's schedule was already busy with his clubs and this class. At least this one was optional, and his elementary classes were a breeze to get through. Going to the gym sounded a bit bitter, but being surrounded by everyone taller and more fit than him just made him feel bad. As long as he could keep his hoodie on, he might be willing.


 
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Shadowborn

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May 21, 2015
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"You mentioned the park, we can train there" Thinking that it was perfect, since she worked there as a gardener, she would be very well acquainted with the surrounding and if necessary, if for whatever reason Rei needed some space, she could pull some strings with coworkers to seal of a portion where they would train, though this was the first time meeting Rei so she didn't know that much about him and decided to do nothing, Da'lon took an active choice in cleaning up all the balls and putting them away before she left, in case someone from her defense lesson changed their mind, wanted to ask her something or if Rei was curious about something.

[OOC: Time skip to park]

Da'lon came early with the perfect spot in mind with a backpack of the remaining water bottles.While she waited she cared for some bushes close to the opening, so that Rei could easily find her. Though her back would probably be the first thing Rei would see of her, her feline appearance would be hard to miss.
 

Keen

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Rei came right on time to the designated area. It was even easier for him to find his teacher based on her unique appearance. He came with a backpack, though it was mostly empty aside from some water bottles and his phone.

He looked up at his teacher with what was supposed to be an impatient expression but showed too much of his anxiety for what was about to come. "I think I'm ready. What first?"


 

Shadowborn

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May 21, 2015
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@Keen

"Next up is walking." Da'lon was serious, though she knew of a shortcut she would show to Rei when they where done, walking was on the lesson. She would guide Rei to the innermost bits, the furthest they could go within the park, hoping the terrain would aid in the training. They would eventually find their way to a sandbox with a few benches around it. In the sandbox you would find typical things like a swing stand or an animal bicycle you can rock back and forth. Though before it was a hill, which was even longer down then it was up on the other side.

To repel silence as they walked Da'lon stroked up a conversation "I actually work here, I take care of the greenery and do the odd jobs here and there". If Rei would inspect it further he would notice that the grass, threes, flowers and what not had a pretty vibrant shade of color which could only come from manually care for it, which also was very hard to maintain due to all who come to the park.
 

Keen

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Rei hesitated to follow his teacher. Was she serious about just walking? It made sense, but he wondered if there was a more complicated test that she had hidden. Whatever, he needed the practice with his legs anyway. He preferred starting off easy than spending all of his energy immediately.

It was nice that she walked with him. When she brought up walking, he thought he would be alone and she would wait for him at the finishing line, wherever that may be. Having someone to talk to made this feel less like a workout session and more like a relaxing strolling with a nice bonus at the end.

As Da'lon spoke, he observed the park. For the season, it looked beautiful. He bet that she was not the only one working to keep the park nice, but whatever she was doing must have been wonderful for the plants here. When she finished speaking, he was quick to respond. "I don't know a lot about plants. I have a friend who does, but his family are Earth elementals, so it's in their blood. That stuff... uh... I think it's called botany? I don't think it's my thing. But, uh, what's an odd job?"


 
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