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Post by Carveus on Sept 27, 2011 17:01:03 GMT
A half moon cast its pale light, causing small pools amidst the shadows under the trees. The lush grass appeared black under its light; the tree branches creaking ominously in the slight breeze, their leaves rustling and even the normally cheery play park looked sinister, the illuminating glow of the moon draining everything of its colours.
And in the middle of the grassy area, a young woman stood, wearing something you'd more likely see in a kung fu movie then the middle of this city, flowing robes in white, a high collar, long sleeves with narrow cuffs to leave the hands free for movement, loose trousers that came in at the ankles and those black shoes they always wore in the films.
She however, seemed unconcerned with what anyone might think of her, long black hair held back from her face with a simple clip. Her face was well defined with an almost delicate bone structure, of oriental birth. Short, but lithe; and currently going through the slow movements of a kata, her eyes closed as she focused, the slight breeze catching strands of hair, floating around her face almost like a halo as one position flowed into another as in the distance a clock struck one; surely a little late for practising kung fu?
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Post by Bal on Oct 14, 2011 18:53:01 GMT
The park was one of Emiko's favourite places to be after the sun had set, drunks and ne'er-do-wells tended to stay clear of it because of there being no alcohol and otherwise nothing to do, and it didn't feel claustrophobic or oppressive like the city streets. It was more... serene, and idyllic.
Besides that it was a longer walk for her on her way home which meant she could stretch the ache out of her muscles after an evening with her friend Laura... Rare was the night where she saw another living soul on her walk. Except tonight.
Rounding a corner she could see past a stand of trees the figure practising martial arts kata, though the movements did not correlate to any of the official styles taught in the City. Moving closer to the figure the teenage girl stood in silence and watched.
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Post by Carveus on Oct 14, 2011 19:23:12 GMT
"Can I help you?" the woman asked in somewhat accented English, Chinese most likely, not taking a moment to break those slow movements, with deliberate care and grace lifting one foot and then placing it back down as her stance shifted, hands moving through the air in practised motions. "I prefer not to be watched, but such is the curse of prefering to practise in the open air."
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Post by Bal on Oct 14, 2011 19:45:25 GMT
"Oh..." she said, stepping out from under the shadows of the trees and bowing slightly to the woman. Her own English was much better, due to the fact that Emiko was bilingual, raised speaking both English and Japanese. "I'm sorry I just... I didn't expect to see anyone practising out here so late... and your style is so... interesting. I don't reocognise it, is it a family style?"
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Post by Carveus on Oct 14, 2011 19:48:49 GMT
That question made her pause mid-movement, a few moments passed then she moved so she was standing normally, turning to face Emiko. "You could say it is so, yes. There are not many left of the family any more though."
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Post by Bal on Oct 14, 2011 20:03:06 GMT
Emiko took a few steps forward again, closing the distance between her and the other woman. Bowing again as she got close in traditional Japanese style she nodded her head slowly afterwards. "I see... should I leave you to your practise then... or... would you perhaps be looking for a sparring partner?"
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Post by Carveus on Oct 14, 2011 20:12:10 GMT
The woman, who physically looked barely older then Emiko, but had such an old air about her smiled slightly, even that action looked a little forced, as if she did not do it very often. "A sparring partner could be quite... Refreshing."
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Post by Bal on Sept 21, 2012 12:23:06 GMT
A smile came to Emiko's lips as she rose from her bow ti give a following, simple nod. "Well, in that case I would be more than happy to... my sister always says that I need to spend more time practising in the dojo than in the shrine..." It seemed this girl was quite the friendly, talkative one... the sorts that generally tended to e the ones that were better avoided, in case they decided to try and be 'friends'...
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Post by Carveus on Sept 21, 2012 12:33:43 GMT
"I often find that one can only get so far by mastering the physical forms. Time spent at shrines allows one to master themselves, which is just as necessary. And more deadly. I think you are wiser then your sister." The smile looked a little less forced now, the woman bowing curtly to Emiko, then exhaling, her whole body relaxing. "Shall we begin?"
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Post by Bal on Sept 21, 2012 12:39:07 GMT
"My sister has very rarely had time for the spiritual, I'm afraid," the girl offers with just a simple shrug, moving into a roll of her shoulders and then slowly drawing her palms together in front of her. S?he could not shake the impression that something was... amiss, about the situation, other than the slim chances of finding a random asian girl, about her age, practising martial arts in teh park she happened to walk through that evening. Providence? Perhaps...
"As you wish, I am ready whenever you are."
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Post by Carveus on Sept 21, 2012 12:53:33 GMT
There was a small nod, then the girl lunged forward with a flurry of blows, hands bent into claws as her arms swept out towards Emiko, body twisting to the side and around, her face impassive as she struck, moving effortlessly through the forms.
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Post by Bal on Sept 21, 2012 13:00:47 GMT
Eagle Claw. That was somewhat unexpected, it wasn't a widely practised style, and as such Emiko was on the back foot for a few moments, retreating back while bringing her hands and arms up to deflect as many of the other girl's blows as she could. It had been too long since she practiced her unarmed forms and it showed, but she was not to be easily bested.
A few strikes hit home, causing winces of pain across the girl's face before she slid into the rhythm, bending away from the strikes and around them, like a reed in teh wind, even finding an opening or two to follow through and attempt to klay her hands upon an extended arm to try and pull the girl through to be behind her where she could catch her off-balance and coutner-attack,
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Post by Carveus on Sept 21, 2012 13:18:15 GMT
Emiko managed to grab hold of the arm, but rather then pulling her around, the girl moved with her, feet barely touching the ground as she moved in complete control of her own momentum as she dropped and brought one leg around in a broad sweep.
And always that look of calm detachment, it could almost be mistaken for boredom if you didn't see the intense focus in her eyes, every small movement picked up on and adjusted for.
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Post by Bal on Sept 28, 2012 10:41:17 GMT
Usually, being caught on the back foot implied that there was a 'front' foot that one could have been caught on instead to prevent a situation such as this. However, in this circumstance Emiko found that her stance could not hold regardless of what she did. The look of shock rose on her face, accompanied by a small squeal of surprise as the leg hooked around her own from behind, and then the sky and ground both began moving rapidly in all the wrong directions.
She was planted on her back with a gentle thump upon the grass and an "Oof~!" of surprise and discomfort at the sudden, firm impact.
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Post by Carveus on Sept 28, 2012 10:47:19 GMT
A hand entered her vision, held out for her to grasp on to, if it was needed. "I could move slower, if you would like..." the woman's voice had an almost apologetic edge to it. "My only sparring partner for... Some time, knows how I move."
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Post by Bal on Jan 22, 2013 16:06:18 GMT
The girl reached up, taking the offered hand and slowly rising to her feet with its aid. "Dōmo arigatōgozaimashita."
Once upright again she carefully dusted herself off and shook her head, "Oh no, I wouldn't dream of asking someone to adjust their style to suit me... then you wouldn't be getting any real benefit out of the practise, would you?" she asked, smiling softly, "I think I'm just a little rusty, my sister always says that I need to spend more time in the dojo and less time... well... 'procrastinating' as she puts it..."
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Post by Carveus on Jan 22, 2013 17:42:22 GMT
The woman nodded slowly, a wry smile crossing her features. "A lot like my current partner then. But, there does seem to be more to life than practise, and your form is good. Just, as you said, rusty." She took a couple of steps back, the smile growing a little fonder. "Would you wish to go again?"
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Post by Bal on Jan 22, 2013 18:58:03 GMT
After brushing herself down Emiko just stood with her hands at her sides, studying the mysterious woman for a few moments while she spoke, "I would be very intrigued to see someone who was lax in their own practise who could keep up with you... even if they do know your forms..." she said, before the offer was given.
Smile turned to a slight grin as the girl gave a firm nod of the head, dropping smoothly into stance, "Oh, I'd be honoured, even if I do end up on my butt again."
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Post by Carveus on Jan 22, 2013 19:52:57 GMT
The smile grew a little wider. "I never said that she kept up, just that we had been sparring for some time." There was a small, curt nod before she dropped into her own stance, watching Emiko intently.
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