11431/Practice Ponderings

Practice Ponderings
Date of Scene:	05 May 2020
Location:	The Magic Box, Sunnydale
Synopsis:	A late night sparring session between Buffy and Nick
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Buffy Summers

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It is after hours for the Magic Box and from the view of the street, the place is closed for the night. But, to those who are inside the building, situated in the back, there is still some form of life going on in the form of various types of training.

One such person training is Nick Drago. Dressed in loose but well fitting exercise attire, nothing brand name but still just as functional, the musician is practicing with the Escrima Sticks he got from Buffy. While definitely not going to be winning any tournaments anytime soon, the time spent with them and the years handling their much thinnner counterparts show as he spins one stick in his hand, other held at the ready. He's still not using his powers which, considering the company he keeps, likely raises some questions but he's still working at it.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers is just finishing up counting inventory and balancing the cash, having closed for the night. She had let Nick the back door and had promised to meet him after finishing up things front side. Once she's finished locking up, she steps into the backroom, having changed into black leggings, white tshirt and comfy running shoes. "Hey Nick, how's practice going?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hearing Buffy's voice, the one stick stops spinning as a hand clenches down upon the etched wood. "It's doing alright." Nick replies, "Went through most of the drills. Shop close up alright?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, rolling her neck a bit, stretching her arms. "Busy day, with Anya and Giles away, seems I'm picking up more shifts, and over the summer I get more shifts at the Blue Lady too. Makes it hard to juggle everything. But I'll manage, I always do. How are the sticks? You seem to be pretty good with them.."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks to them, One side of the lips quirking up to form a half smile. "They feel comfortable." He replies, "Probably because of the years of working with sticks in general But there's a lot more I need to learn."

He glances over to Buffy, "I try to fit it in but I can't exactly practice like this on a daily basis. I have other responsibilities to keep up with."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, "Well, they do seem a natural fit, given your profession. But as a high profile musician, it's always good to learn some good self-defense, I'm sure you're a trouble magnet too, aren't you." she smirks, "I wonder what it's like, being in the spotlight like that all of the time? Must be exhausting, but I'll bet it's kinda fun too." Buffy does pull out her tonfa, twirling them in her hands, testing their weight. These aren't her favorite ones, these are just wood, no spikes or blades attached at the end. "But then that's why you're here, isn't it."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Buffy's query gets a bit of a shrug, half smile fading as the trouble magnet comment stirs up a thought of a particular Sunday evening. "Trouble followed me around long before I went into music, Buffy. But yes, the career can be a bit tiring," He admits, "But I manage it by not doing social media like others do. Those celebs tend to take the most fire in the tabloids."

He steps around, spinning the sticks again, "And despite how you've seen him, Wade's actually a good music manager." Sticks leveling, feet shifting, he waits for Buffy.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks and shrugs, spinning her sticks around. "Hmm, I wonder if my friend Katsumi struggled with that too? I'm pretty sure she did.." she sighs, "Dunno if you met her yet, used to be a professional wrestler.

I've always been curious what that scene is all about. I mean, if I were to fight professionally, it would be nice to get the attention, the glamour, the fame..But on the other hand, creepy stalkers and obsessed fans? I dunno.." she shrugs as she circles him and rushes quickly at him with several jabs followed by a quick low footsweep.

She's pretty much the equivalent of a black belt martial arts master, but she's taking it easy on him, trying to figure out his skill level.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Katsumi..." Nick repeats, "The same former wrestler you brought over to to the condo? Yeah, I think I fre-"

He stops talking as Buffy runs towards him quickly, facial expression shifting as he brings the sticks up to not stop the hits but to try and redirect the motion as his feet start to spin, trying to orbit around the attack.

The footsweep does cause for his spin to be disrupted, making him stumble back a bit. His head turns, watching Buffy as he tries to right himself. Eyes narrowed, he's quiet.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, turning around to face him again. "Heh, you're pretty fast and agile. I should have guessed." yes, she does like to make conversation while sparring, bad habit perhaps. She begins to twirl her tonfa around in complex circles as she nears him again, circling once more, eyeing his stands, his balance and how he holds his sticks. This time she waits for him to attack first.

"Yeah, I guess you met her once or twice. Nice girl. Bit of an attitude but I get it, I guess. She made a mistake and was thrown out of the wrestling circuit for good. Must be hard..For a professional.."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick watches Buffy carefully, making no move towards her, his posture still in the defensive. The feet shift accordingly, keeping his front facing towards her, "I developed a preference for not getting hit a long time ago."

The arms holding the sticks are raised, about even with each other. Quietly he steps, acting as Buffy's reflection as she circles, he does as well, the distance maintained.

"I've also learned that nothing is guaranteed. It's nice to have a backup plan." He finally says, breaking the silence before lunging forward, swinging one stick out to strike while keeping the other back to defend.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods, watching him as he circles her, carefully noting his movements, gestures, any tiny thing that might give away his intentions. "Where did you say you grew up again? Some dangerous part of town right? Was it Gotham or..?"

"Wise words to live by.." She nods again, bringing up her tonfa to block the next strike, stepping to the side and faking a quick high jab followed by another real jab or two to the mid section. She's careful not to jab too hard, just enough to knock him back slightly. Buffy's not sure how tough he is, and doesn't want to seriously hurt him or s end him flying across the room as she has done to Angel in their training sessions in the past.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
With the one stick already committed to the attack and just one stick left for defense, he does end up moving the stick up to block what could potentially come near the face. Buffy ends up being rewarded with the sound of the sudden intake of breath as he ends up taking the hit. Body turning to move with the hit in an attempt to try and lessen the effect.

The wrist holding the attack stick relaxes, providing him the movement needed to slide the stick off of the catching tonfa before a quick flick of the hand brings the stick back up, aiming for the wrist holding the stick.

"Gotham was the quiet one." Nick hisses, catching his breath.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers flicks her eyes back to his sticks, watching them carefully as she continues to circle him. "Oof, sorry! I hope I didn't hit too hard, you okay?" she pauses only briefly and in that moment, even as her slayer instincts kick in before she can think, still Nick's already showing some impressive skills with the sticks, flicking it at an unexpected spot on her hand and she stumbles back, nearly dropping her tonfa. Fortunately it IS supported by more than just her hand and she quickly regains traction on the tonfa stick, backing up, grinning.

"Heh, nice one!" she counters with a flick of her tonfa at his escrima stick, the one closest to her, used as offensively, attempting to twist the stick and his hand backward in an awkward position that, if successful might pull him off-balance, while at the same time attempting to knee him - albeit gently, controlled - in the stomach. Between the two moves it might be enough to disarm or knock him off-balance if she's lucky.

"Wait, you're calling Gotham 'quiet'?" she grins and shakes her head. "Been doing a couple patrols there lately, I wouldn't use that term to describe the place myself.."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Drummer thing." Nick replies, the wrist flexing with Buffy's stick, glancing over to it while bringing the other stick over to try and strike Buffy on the other side while her knee connects to the stomach.

"Oo-" He bites back the sound, reeling back in reaction. He takes a deep breath, shifting back to a defensive position.

"I was ten when I was moved out of there and my mom was like the way you are with Dawn. Granted mom did die there. But beyond that- Quiet."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks and nods. "Niiiice. I never thought you could learn to fight from playing the drums, but I mean..These weapons look more or less like drumsticks. Guess I can see where they were inspired for that!"

He strikes her on the knee and unfortunately she barely even feels it. In fact it kinda tickles! She grins, pulling back, and continues to circle him again, mirroring his own position.

"Hm, so what, she was overly protective of you?" she frowns, tilting her head. "Do you think I'm over protective of Dawn?" she has to think that over a bit because..Maybe she is? "I mean, I suppose you dont wanna stifle someone but on the other hand when you live a dangerous life like me.." Buffy just shrugs. "So where'd you move to after that?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"I think I got my sense of rhythm from fighting. So, circle of music I guess."

Nick does not attack, instead waiting for Buffy to make the next move. "Unless it was to head directly to school, church, home, the library, or a book store, I rarely got to set foot outside. So, Hell's Kitchen was a bit of a shock when I got moved there."

He shakes his head, "People can tell when you don't have any experience fighting. It just seems to draw them closer."

He waits...sticks held up, angled, one slightly higher than the other.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, "Right. A circle is a good shape..." she frowns, "Hell's kitchen I've heard about it, soo, you've had a rough childhood." she nods, "I'm sorry to hear that. But it probably helped you become more cautious, more aware of your surroundings." she smiles, "I was popular and pampered, not exactly what you'd expect of the Slayer huh." she grins, rushing at him suddenly with a complex twirl of her tonfa, jabbing quickly, high, middle high, trying to confuse and knock him off-guard.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Nothing to apologize for, it's been well over a deca-" Nick stops talking as he starts shuffling backwards to buy him as much time to process the assortment of hits Buffy throws towards him. The stick positioned higher goes to knock the first jab off course while the second moves to smack at the second strike. But with the first stick already deployed to the first position he doesn't have much chance to reset it and instead ends up pivoting on one foot to try and avoid the strike or at least minimize it.

But in his heart he knows he's going to get hit. Instead of trying to deflect the third hit, the wrist on the higher stick flutters and redirects towards the side of Buffy's shoulder.

"I have to ask. When are you going to allow Dawn to learn to defend herslf? When you're no longer around or while you're still here to help her when she gets in over her head?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, side stepping to deflect his latest attack, though she failed to disarm him, "Youre pretty fast, and agile too.." she nods approvingly as she steps back, circling him again. "Hmmm I suppose I should quit being so overprotective and just teach her how to protect herself..Just wish she'd take me more seriously.." she frowns ands, "I'll have to talk to her next time I see her.." of course she hasn't been at the Summers house since....She smiles a little, falling silent, lost in thought.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"It's easier when you know to be ready." Nick admits, feet adjusting to try and keep Buffy in front of him despite her steps. "If this was the real thing you'd be mopping the floor with me."

He lowers the sticks as Buffy considers the Dawn situation. "I think sometimes to get someone to take you more seriously you have to first make them feel like you take them more seriously. People won't want to try if they feel like everything they bring will simply be dismissed."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles and shrugs, "Sometimes it takes more than skills to beat someone. If you were using your powers, I literally couldn't lay a hand in you." although the rate they're going, looks like their sparring session is reaching its end. "That's true I suppose. I guess right now I'm not sure she takes me seriously, or the threats I'm faced in a daily basis. But maybe I don't take her seriously enough either. I suppose it's easy to dismiss her as the bratty baby sister who likes to run headlong into danger despite her better judgement, but she should learn to defend herself..." she tilts her head at him curiously, "Do you have siblings, Nick?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"As far as blood is concerned, I don't know." Nick answers honestly, sticks fully lowered. "My parents were separated by the time I was born and I don't keep track of my father."

He shrugs, "But, I consider Wade LIKE a brother. And I'm a bit protective of him as well. But I don't try and put him on house arrest, nor does he do it to me."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks, shaking her head, "Well I certainly never put Dawn under house arrest, she's free to come and go as she pleases, honestly my mom is the one who takes care of her as she lives under her roof." she arches a brow at him curiously, "Did she out you up to this or something?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"No," Nick replies, "Topic touched up on my mom, I cited your interaction with Dawn as an example to illustrate my mom's nature in a way you could relate to."

He shrugs, "You're the one who led the conversation to the 'am I overprotective' topic so I just went with it."

As Buffy has stopped with the circling Nick's posture relaxes, taking this as a cue that practice is over. "If anything, I think you needed the topic to be brought up because you needed someone else to say it."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers hmms and frowns, nodding slowly, lowering her tonfa, "You May be right, maybe I just needed to hear it from someone else." she shrugs, "But it's true, I can be a bit over protective of her. Can you blame me? But yea, it's definitely a good idea to teach her to defend herself, yes.." Buffy smiles, "Thanks for the sparring session, it's been..informative. Those escrima sticks suit you."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick gives a nod. "Thanks to you as well. I think I'm getting the hang of the weight difference between these and the drumsticks. I'm kind of debating abuout taking some extra lessons IN the city although that will probably cut into my work a bit."

Session done, he turns his back to Buffy, walking over to the bookbag he brought over. "Good luck with your sister."