14031/A Place to Fight

A Place to Fight
Date of Scene:	21 December 2021
Location:	Mercy's Garage - Fort Joseph, Haven
Synopsis:	Kit takes the first step in learning to fight by enrolling at a Dojo that was suggested to him by Mercy.
Cast of Characters:	Kit Killovarras, Mercy Thompson, Cannonball

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Kit Killovarras has posed:
It's about an hour on the train the wrong way to head home for the Yeen, that's how he got to this part of town last time, right? Last time he was tired, he'd spent the night stalking and fighting people and maybe, just maybe, fell asleep in transit, but he remembered the stop he got off on and he remembers the way more by the scent of the world around him than anything else. After all, everywhere has a scent all it's own.

Where he ends up this time though? It would be easy to miss this place if you didn't know it was there and it's on the suggestion of a friend that he even knew to look. A little nondescript place a short drives distance away from the garage, something that someone would probably miss if they weren't from around here. This is the place that the yeen walks into, brushing back his hood as he enters. He's in his typical attire today, hoodie and jeans as per the usual and until he'd walked in, he'd been carrying himself the way he normally would too, but once he's inside? Well, he's looking for someone specific. Besides, she told him he'd be welcome here, right? Time to test that particular invitation.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
Everywhere does, indeed, have a scent all its own. Whether the place happens to be the garage she works, her apartment above, the dojo she practices at or any other place that a person might venture. To be able to know the difference in the scents of those places often requires a keen nose. And a keen nose happens to be something that Mercy is possessed of, and it's something that she relies on in a number of different ways.

The dojo is an easy enough place to be missed, given where it's tucked away at. And given that the sign announcing it could use repainting. Mercy's been coming here for a number of years, though -- ever since she came to this area. She does happen to be here, wearing a gi with a purple belt. Judging by appearances, it would seem that there is some open sparring happening at the moment. The sensei is present and walking amongst the students, making some corrections where he sees a need for them to be done. It is only a brief few seconds after the yeen has entered when Mercy does a foot sweep to bring down her sparring partner. She helps him back to his feet, and the pair exchange bows before Mercy excuses herself to head towards the door. Her black hair is in her typical pigtails, and on her way towards the door, she lifts a hand to offer a wave to Kit.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie was told about the place by Kitt, and offered to meet him there to check it out. Sam drives the motorcycle complete with side car into town, and after a bit he eventually finds the place. It may take him a bit longer than Kit, but Sam does find it, and walks in looking about his hands in his jacket pockets, and scans the room.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit watches the exchange between sparring partners with a little smile and when Mercy starts towards him and waves? He just waves back, offering a warm smile. "Hey, been a while." he says with a little chuckle, "Figured I'd finally come check this place out."

When Sam walks in, Kit looks over his shoulder and gives a wave, "Hey Mr. Guthrie, hope you didn't have too hard a time finding the place." One of his ears folds to one side with that comment, leaving the other up still though he's still smiling. A lot can be gathered from the way the yeens ears move if you know how to read them properly. All the same though, he gives another little look around before his attention turns back to Mercy. "So..." there's a little pause for a moment as his eyes wander again. Confused yeen looks a little confused, but that's probably because this is about as far out of his element as he's been in a while.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
There's a glance that Mercy casts towards the fellow that she doesn't know, and she gives a single nod of greeting in his direction. Yet her attention returns back to Kit, and a smile touches at the corners of her lips. "It's been a while, yeah," she agrees, taking a moment to look him over briefly. "I'm glad that you decided to come and check it out. There aren't many people here right now since it isn't a class time slot, but you're welcome to watch some of the sparring. It's shisei kai kan," Mercy explains, a smile easily coming back to her features.

"Sensei teaches other forms of karate as well," she adds, lifting a hand to swiftly push back one of her braids. She takes note of the positioning of his ears, then glances towards the other fellow. "A lot of people have issues with finding the place, to be honest. The sign out front has needed to be repainted for a few years, now," Mercy comments, a thoughtful note to her voice. "Come in and be welcome," she offers, gesturing slightly for them to do so.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie nods, and removes his shoes at the door, seems the young man who does not look like he fits here does know some of the etiquette at least. "Well Kit, Ah said Ah would come by and check it out with you, did not quite get to the point where Ah was going to have to call and have you wave me in at least." He will offer Mercy a nod, and once closer he will introduce himself "Sam Guthrie, Ah'm a friend of Kit's.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
"Shisei Kai Kan?" Kit says, his ears twitching slightly before he gives a little shrug, "Only fighting style I've even heard of is Muay Thai, so pretty much anything else is Greek to me, but I'm willing to learn." The comment of 'not a class time slot' gets a little chuckle from the yeen and a simple, "Well that sucks, though it does give me a chance to see what I'm getting myself into I suppose."

Sam gets another glance and a nod, "Well that's good at least. Thanks for coming along, by the way." Then the yeens attention goes back to wandering a little, looking around at the few people who are here, probably partially trying to identify who the Sensei is, but the faint wiggling of his nose might also be a good indicator that he's doing a lot more than just looking: He's cataloging the scents here.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
There's a smile that quirks the corner's of Mercy's lips as she notices the removal of the shoes, and she gives a nod to him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sam," she says, then offers out her right hand. "I'm Mercy Thompson. Also a friend of Kit's," she adds. Odd, perhaps, that she considers him a friend after only meeting him once, but it would seem that she does!

Then she looks to Kit and gives a nod. "Mmhmm. Shisei kai kan. It's a form of karate that's designed for fighting against multiple opponents. Sometimes sensei refers to it as 'reach out and break someone'," she explains. She takes a moment to watch Kit, and a smile tugs at the corners of her lips anew. "The sensei is the man with the black belt, making corrections to the blonde boy," she adds, after a glance across the room. There are a number of scents here, though nothing that is likely unusual or out of place for such a location.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie does watch the lessons for a moment, and while he may not have trained in a specific martial arts, he has trained to fight and trained with some of the best fighters around, one who even claims to be the best there is at what he does. Sam takes a few mental notes, but is then back to listening to Kit, and MErcy chat.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
When Mercy points out the Sensei, Kit gives a little nod and gives them a momentary study before turning his attention back to Mercy, "Sounds useful," he says with a little chuckle. "Knowing how to fight properly when outnumbered would probably make what I do a bit easier too, honestly."

After a moment or two, the yeen will walk over towards the others, staying far enough away that he's not going to be in the way, aiming to get a closer look at what's going on. After all, curious yeen is almost always curious.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
One of Mercy's eyebrows quirks up, and then she gives a nod to Kit. "It's quite useful, I've found. I'm in the middle of the range, skill-wise," she offers, a thoughtful note to her voice. "For me, it started out as just a hobby. Sometimes it works out to knowing just enough to keep from getting hurt in a worse way than what I end up getting," she comments, a bit wryly.

There's a flicker of curiosity that passes through her eyes, and she tilts her head a touch to one side, studying him. "What is it that you do that you end up outnumbered?" she asks. She walks along with them, closer to the mat area where the others are sparring. It only takes a few moments for the sensei to finish with what he had been doing before he approaches them, easily stepping around the students. He's a middle aged fellow with dark brown hair, only an inch or so taller than Mercy. "Welcome. I'm Ian Chen," he greets them, looking over each of them in turn then adding, "Friends of Mercy?"

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie nods to Ian, maybe a slight bow, but eyes staying on the other man. "Ah just met her, but it seems my friend here is." He informs the teacher. To Mercy, he will say "Gets himself in more trouble than he should." Not telling what it is Kit does, but it does seem he maybe a bit protective of the younger man.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
"Humanitarian aid work." The answer given isn't exactly a lie, nor is the added, "You'd be surprised how much trouble you can get into when bringing supplies to the less fortunate." There's a little shrug that follows as he gives a quiet chuckle. "But what can you do? Knowing how to protect myself better might actually make it easier to deal with it."

Sam's description of what he does gets the man a glance and a moment of the yeen playfully sticking his tongue out at the man before he muses, "Hey, at least I've only wound up in the hospital three times so far.. In a little over half a year, I'd say that's a decent record."

Then the sensei comes up and introduces himself, to which Kit bows his head slightly, offering, "A pleasure to meet you, I'm Kit." in response when the man introduces himself. "And yeah, she helped me out a little while back when I wound up out this way by mistake."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
The half-native woman turns her attention to Sam, a flicker of curiosity returning to her features. "I would be rather curious indeed to hear just how much trouble he manages to get into," Mercy says, a thoughtful note to her voice. She studies him for a moment, recognizing the protective air that is about him, and she gives a small nod, which seems oddly to be approval.

Her attention turns over to Kit, considering what he's said in explanation of what he does, and she gives a small nod. "Knowing how to protect yourself is important. It's a lot easier than spending time in the hospital. And often less painful, too. Three times in six months is quite often," Mercy says, a touch of concern rising to her voice. "I would definitely not be surprised by how much trouble one can get into. Trouble always knows exactly where I am when it wants me for anything," she adds, sounding amused at that.

The sensei gives a nod to Sam, a brief look to Mercy, and then his attention turns to Kit. "I would be surprised if she didn't help. It is her way," Ian says, giving a nod. "How can I help you?" he asks.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie is quiet for now. He is just watching the interaction. His arms casually crossed across his chest. "Sadly I think trouble knows where most of the people I know."

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit just shrugs a bit at the comment of 'three times being a lot' and smiles. "Not really when you're working in a more dangerous area, especially when you look like I do. People do stupid things when they panic." There's another little chuckle with the last part of that statement. When Sam makes the comment he does though, Kit gives him a glance and a tilt of his head before nodding, "Yeah, more than likely. Then again, trouble tends to find those who are willing to put themselves in between it and others."

Mr Chan's comment and question get a nod and a little smile as he muses, "I could tell." with a playful tone, though he gets a little more serious when he answers the question with, "I'm interested in studying here. I know a little bit about how to defend myself, but I figure you can never learn too much."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
"Trouble keeps tabs on a lot of people, I think," Mercy agrees with a touch of amusement, giving a nod to Sam. "Do you do a particular style of fighting?" she asks, curiosity coming to her voice. There are times when Mercy has a lot of curiosity. Her attention shifts to Kit, and she tilts her head a touch to one side, studying him. "They do. And some people are a bit more prone to panicking than others, it seems. Or fighting," she comments, her brow knitting briefly. "I seem to have a knack for putting myself between trouble and others," she adds, lifting one of her shoulders in a bit of a shrug.

The sensei gives Mercy a look at the last of what she says, and he gives a small nod to agree with her. "You do. Often," he says. Then his attention goes back to Kit. "There is a such thing as knowing too little, but there is never a such thing as knowing too much about defending or protecting yourself and others. If you wish to see a demonstration, then one can be provided," he offers.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie shrugs a bit and says "Not sure, if Ah got a particular style, have seen a lot of folks fighting .. on tv" He adds to try to make it seem as he has not seen a lot himself. "But me, Ah am probably more a brawler than anything else. Ah run a bar is bushwich, and while Ah aint a James Dalton, Ah can hold my own."

Kit Killovarras has posed:
When Mr. Chen mentions a demonstration, Kit offers a nod and a simple, "I wouldn't mind a demonstration." Mercy gets a glance and a little nod when she mentions being prone to putting herself between trouble and others, "So do I. Can't really stand the idea of others getting hurt when I could do something to stop it from happening."

The name 'James Dalton' gets a bit of a confused look from the yeen when he looks to Sam, though he just sort of chuckles and muses, "Sort of in the same boat myself. Only fighting experience I really have is what I've been forced into."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
"TV's a good place for seeing a lot of fighting, and in a lot of different styles, too," Mercy says with a smile. There's a good variety of things to choose from. Westerns have old fashioned fisticuffs, and there's old martial arts movies as well as a considerable range of other movies and shows with fighting. "I haven't been to many places in Bushwick. What's the name of your bar?" she asks, curiosity coming back to her voice. "Being able to hold your own is always good." Mercy looks to Kit, and then she gives a nod to agree to what he's said. "I tend to see it that way, too," she comments, a smile quirking the corners of her lips.

Ian chuckles, and then he gives a nod. "I am not immune to being swayed into stepping into things, myself," he says. He takes a moment to look from one to the next of them, ending with Kit. "A demonstration, then. I will have Norman come out from the back room and he and I will spar," he adds, inclining his head slightly towards them.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over and says "Club Evolution." He adds "Friend of mine bought it a few years ago, and I have been running it since." He explains. He looks over to Kit, and says "Remind me to consider adding roadhouse to movie night." He makes a mental note only for the older kids.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
"No better way to be in my opinion." Kit says with a glance to Mercy and a bit of a grin. "Thankfully, it's not every day that I have to." he says with a little smile. He won't mention the fact that he goes out of his way to FIND situations where he can help people though. Or the fact that he often goes looking for people who are in trouble.

Sam's comment about a movie he's never heard of? The yeen just nods and grins, "Will do. Speaking of movie night though, I should probably pick up some more scorpions before then." Then his attention turns back to Mr. Chen and he gives a nod.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
"I'll have to make a point of stopping by there at some point, to see what it's like," Mercy says, giving a nod to Sam. "That must be pretty wild sometimes, to run a nightclub," she adds, a touch of curiosity to her voice. It's hard for her to imagine what it would be like, even though it isn't what she would consider to be a ideal job for herself. Her ears are too sensitive to make it something she would appreciate or enjoy doing. Her attention turns to Kit, and she gives a nod. "Thankfully there's that, or there might be more trips to the hospital. Or for me, trips to see a friend of mine who happens to be a doctor. And he wasn't too happy about the last time I happened to show up with an injury," she comments, a bit wryly. If she happens to look for trouble, she's not saying either. She raises an eyebrow at his mention of scorpions, though, and she can't help but to ask, "Scorpions?"

Ian takes a moment to look across each of them, and then he turns to make his way across the room and towards the back room. Some of the students practicing move aside and off the mat, and others only move off the mat when both Ian and Norman come back from out of the back room. Norman is a bit taller than Ian, younger as well, his black hair kept a bit longer. Between the two of them, it doesn't take very long to have the rest of the students cleared from the mat. Only once no one else is on the mat do the pair of them face each other and bow. And then they start to spar, engaging with each other as might be expected of men of their skill.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over and says "Luckily it is not too rowdy of a place, Ah have had some friends help with the security and all." He smirks and says "Somewhat a protein popcorn for him." He offers in explanation of the scorpions. "The club has been a good thing, helps out the community and has been a stepping stone for some of the local musicians.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit gives a little grin and nods, "Yup, scorpions." he muses with a little chuckle, tilting his head a little as he adds, "I did mention that I eat bugs last time we met. They actually make up the majority of my diet in some form or another." There's a little shrug as his attention turns to Mr. Chen, though his words are fairly obviously still directed at Mercy, since Chen's already started walking towards the back room when he muses, "Mr. Guthrie's right too, I tend to eat scorpions for a snack whenever I'm watching a movie."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
There's a nod to Sam for what he says about the club, and a smile comes to her features. "Those sound like good things. I'll have to make a point of stopping by to hear some of the local talent that you've got playing there," she comments. Her attention then turns to Kit. "I've never tried them before. Scorpions, that is. Or other insects, really," Mercy says, quirking a smile. "I've heard that they're an acquired taste and that they're crunchy, but that's about all I know about eating them," she adds, giving a light laugh. Her attention turns to both Norman and Ian, as they bow to each other, to watch.

The pair of men don't take their attention away from each other, which is perhaps not surprising. This isn't the first time that the pair of them have sparred with each other, and it won't be the last. It's a match for demonstration purposes, and they don't go all out against each other. There's a flurry of blows exchanged between the pair of them, attacks and parries, and the there's a bit of a slower exchange that happens between them. There's no question about the skill of either of them, although Ian has a smidge more experience which ends up coming out at the end. After the match, the pair of them bow to each other again, and while Norman heads for the other students, Ian crosses over towards Mercy and Kit once more.