2759/We All Start Somewhere

We All Start Somewhere
Date of Scene:	08 October 2017
Location:	Bludhaven
Synopsis:	Karen Page comes to the Greene Dojo to begin training with Beth. Dick Grayson stops in while they are cooling down.
Cast of Characters:	Elizabeth Greene, Karen Page, Nightwing

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Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    It had been a little bit of a surprise to Beth when she got the telephone call from Karen Page. She'd figured the woman wouldn't follow up on the offer. That would teach her to think. A time had been arranged. They met at the dojo where Karen was her only pupil. There was a class going on but another instructor had that one. Beth spent her time on the side working with Karen on the basics. Mostly it was about stretching, breathing, stances, and learning that there was an actual technique to falling as opposed to just flopping on the ground like a fish. It wasn't a strenuous workout in the normal fashion yet it was surprisingly wearing for those not used to such things.
    After two hours, Beth called an end to the lesson and set about cooling down. Another stretch of muscles to keep them loose. Both are dressed in the formal white gi although Karen's belt is white while Beth's is black.
    Beth is seated with her legs straight in front of her, bent over so her forehead is almost touching her knees, her fingers wrapped over her bare toes as she pulls the stretch further. "You did great, Karen. We'll get you to the more exciting stuff once you have the conditioning you need."

Karen Page has posed:
    Two hours.. even though it had mostly been about breathing and stretching and finding her balance and holding it, Karen was exhausted, with no doubt that she was doing to hurt tomorrow, if not tonight. She'd called Beth up impulsively after several goings on and things she'd witnessed had convinced her that she really did need to tend to her own self-defense. Plus, evverything she'd read up on the matter suggested that the boost to one's self-confidence was really the biggest benefit, besides the physical training. Not that she was flabby - but she was out of shape. Totally a 'can take a stroll in the park, or a brief jog through it' sort of human. Not unhealthy, but not overly fit either. Just riding that whole makes do line. Lately, she'd kind of wanted a little boost to her self-esteem. She'd surprised herself by calling Beth, but she was glad she had.
    "Easy for you to say," Karen offered laughingly, working on keeping her breath steady and even as she'd been taught, all while cooling down, moving herself through the stretches Beth ws showing her, not unlike the ones they'd started with. A fine sheen of perspiration covered her skin, and her hair was dfeinitely the worse for wear for the workout, despite having been pulled back off of her face into a ponytail. "Who'd have thought breathing and stretches would be so hard?"

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "It's because you never think about breathing efficiently when you are going through your day-to-day. When you start to focus, usually people are surprised," Beth says although she does allow herself a bit of a giggle. "Yeah, it's easy for me to say since I've been doing it so long. Dad started me out as soon as I could walk. But trust me, you'll get there. It just takes time and determination."
    She raises her upper body then spreads her legs apart at a forty-five degree angle, before leaning down to one side then the other all while conversing. There is a glow to her skin as well which shows that even for a professional, the things Karen was shown are still something that affects the sensei.
    "The falling and rolls will be our focus next time. You have to learn to fall since you'll be doing it a lot as you are learning. Oh, and don't think that's just newbies. We 'old timers' spend a lot of time flat on our backs wondering what the hell just happened too. Honestly, someone doesn't even have to be better than you in skill to take you down. It's all about strategies and taking opportunities. Think of it as chess. With more hitting."

Karen Page has posed:
    There's a soft groan from Karen. "Falling? That doesn't bode well." But the groan isn't terribly sincere if her grin is anything to go by. She moves into the new position with less ease thann Beth does, her body most definitely unused to the workout she's put it to. "I guess I never really thought about breathing all that much. Thought it was a singing thing to be honest. You know? Breathe with your gut." Which wasn't all that far off from what she'd been doing here. And, yes, it took a lot more practice and concentration than she'd ever considered just breathing could take.
    Slowly, she leans over, laying her torso out over her left leg, hands taking hold on the foot on that side as she held the position. "I thought I was in better shape. I mean, I take the stairs unless I'm in an absolute hurry." Which makes her laugh at herself.
    There's another soft groan from the woman. "If I die here, please let my bosses know. Oh, and tell Gwen she can have the apartment. Just pretend she's me on the lease. They don't care as long as rent is paid on time."

Nightwing has posed:
    The door to the dojo opens with a faint jangle from the bell on the door, heralding the arrival of someone in the foyer just out of eyeshot. Sure the place is normally closed at this time of the evening, but apparently someone either picked the lock... or they have a key. But any tension is at least partially dispelled when Beth catches sight of the young man who enters, leaning against the wall that divides the entryway from the dojo proper, one hand holding him up as he takes off his shoes.
    At a glance he's handsome, bright boy next door features with brilliant blue eyes and a disarming smile that's given to Beth. "Hey you," He offers even as he's unlacing his sneakers so he can step out onto those soft mats that line the floors of the practice area. Just a few moments and then he's walking out to meet them.
    With hands on his hips and his eyes shifting between the two of them, "Found another victim for your torments, Greene? I figured the Bludhaven PD would have learned by now of your evil ways and put a stop to your vile machinations."
    And then, to Karen he smiles and offers his hand, "Hi, Dick Grayson."

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "Hey, she volunteered for this! Can you believe it?" Beth says with a laugh as she sits up from her stretch to watch his approach. The way he moves is a marvel, all grace and power even when he doesn't mean to be. It's like one of those jungle cats. Although she sees him through different eyes since she knows the power he has in his form. She's fought him enough times, seen the acrobatics an power moves he can pull off like they are nothing. A non combatant probably wouldn't pick it up as well although they certainly could see his looks.
    "Kind of like you did. And besides, I have an in at the police department so they stay out of my busiess and I stay out of theirs." She bends her legs at the knees, putting the flats of her feet together and tugging them in close to her body. Then she presses her knees down to the outside.

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen isn't done with the stretch yet - one leg to go! - but she does tilt her head at an angle enough to see who has come in, and when the hand is offered, she lets that hold go and sits up, offering her own hand in return. "You're either foolish or brave. I'm all over sweaty from the workout. Karen Page, and yes, I volunteered for this, but in my defense some of my newfound friends made me reconsider some past life choices and make new ones."
    Once the handshake is over and dealt with, she returns to her stretching only the opposite leg. She might not be picking up what Beth has about Dick, but she can certainly appreciate his looks. She'd have to be blind not to. And last she knew, she was neither blind nor dead.
    There's more slow exhaling as she mutters, "I might regret it tomorrow, though."

Nightwing has posed:
    "She is a heartless taskmaster," He says as he affixes her with a glare, eyes narrowing sharply even as he speaks to Karen. "Why you should see the size of the... I mean this bruise..." He holds out his hands to the sides of his head, then pointing at his cheek even as his gestures are entirely too large for his head, so clearly he's maybe exaggerating a little. "I mean you can't see it now, but trust me, it was huge."
    The way he says this, however, it's definitely a man with a grievance. But it's a grievance rapidly dropped as he leans down to kiss the top of her head even as he settles down on the mats himself, pulling his legs together as he settles into a crossed legged posture, equi-distant between the two women.
    "To be fair, in all honesty, Beth is very talented. I'm lucky to have survived with that bare minimum of damage. So life choices regret... suppose that covers a lot of possible things."

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "You keep it up and I'll give you a bruise bigger than that," Beth says in a mock threatening tone. It would be more impressive if she wasn't smiling, especially when she gets that little kiss on the top of her head. As he settles in, she focuses back on Karen. "Don't let him lead you on either. He gives as good as he gets. Dick has some amazing skills and I'm lucky to be able to keep up with him on the mats." She leans forward as she continues to press her knees outward.
    Tilting her head up, she looks at Karen again then asks, "Care to share about the life choices bit or private? I can respect if it's private."

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen releases the hold and stretch on the right and follows Beth's lead by putting the soles of her feet together and drawing them in towards her torso before leaning forward, letting her back bow down, applying gentle pressure on her knees with her elbows, pushing them ever closer to the floor. "Long story short, I might be a trouble magnet?" She chuckles at the thought. "Some of it isn't really mine to tell." A slow exhale is given. "Well, one bit is. Ran into some trouble outside the city. I'd actually meant to ask you about it. It was kind of odd."
    Peeking up, she grins at Dick, "That big, huh? I didn't think bruises fell under the mandatory six inch story. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you were beaten to the mats by a girl." Ever so clearly teasing. The kiss not missed. "You two just friends, or am I about to become a third wheel?"

Nightwing has posed:
    Perhaps feeling a little left out, Dick seems to instinctively follow their movements, unfolding his legs and pressing the soles of his bare feet against each other as he presses down with his hands upon the insides of his knees, stretching a little and bouncing his legs just a tad as he eyes first Beth sidelong, and then Karen with a faint smile. "Trust me, my ego can endure a lot of things. So that's not /that/ big of a threat."
    But then she elaborates on what has her taking lessons with Ms. Greene and he gives a small nod, sympathetic with a faint smile as if he knows exactly how rough the city can be. "Well, there are few people who can teach quite as well as Beth. She's simultaneously charming and terrifying."
    That having been said it's at that last question by Ms. Page that the young Mr. Grayson looks over towards her and he asks with a quirked eyebrow, "I don't know, are we friends? I mean there are plenty of times we can't stand each other, and we regularly beat the tar out of each other." But then he looks back to her, "But trust no matter our relation I think we both can handle having another person around."

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "I think technically we're friends," Beth opts with a faint giggle as she unfolds her legs only to refold them in a cross-legged position. No stretch this time, just sitting for conversation. "It's that or we're married considering how much we fight. And I didn't get any rings so I know that's not possible." She tilts her head to the side as though contemplating. "Or siblings. But I have kissed you in the past so ewwwwww. No, we'll stick with friends."
    She looks back to Karen with a grin. "You aren't a third wheel at all, Karen. I'm guessing he probably just showed up to do just what we did. Get in some practice time." Her brow quirks upward as she looks over at Dick, the unspoken question there in the air. Usually that's what he shows up at the dojo for, a nice sparring match or three.

Karen Page has posed:
    More sighing from Karen as she maintains the deepest limit of the stretch she's going to allow herself, already feeling the tight line of muscles along her back, and the slow burning complaint of her thighs as she holds the position. "I don't know, depends on the kind of kiss it was? There's kissing and then there's kissing." There are notes of amusement in her voice, but any other telltale signs are hidden by her position.
    "She's been good so far," Karen says quietly, of Beth. "I probably could have used this ages ago if I were honest. And she's not been terrifyig to me." Yet. There was a whole lot of yet room to go in her future lessons..
    Finally releasing and sitting up, still holding her feet together and drawn in close to her body, Karen looks over to Dick. "If you two want to spar, I'm totally down with watching. I promise not to laugh too much. If your ego can withstand it." There's a full on grin now. "I can ask Beth my questions later."

Nightwing has posed:
    "Who me?" Dick touches a pair of fingertips to the white Gotham Knights t-shirt he's wearing at the moment, "I'm fragile." He says as he leans back and to the side, turning his spine slowly until it gives a faint series of aerated pops. He tilts back the other way, rolling his head leisurely through its range of motion and then looks back sidelong towards Beth, "But feel free to continue the lesson, I figured I'd stop by and see what's up."
    He looks back towards Karen and meets her eyes with that easy going smile offered so casually from him, "I'll stick around though, give some tips if needs be. To be fair," He looks back over towards Beth, his smile a little lop-sided though still warm as he considers her, "I've never actually seen her teaching someone."

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "And you won't be changing that trend tonight," Beth remarks to Dick as she leans her weight back on her hands propped on the mat behind her. "You caught us during the cool down phase. So no teaching. Poor gal's been at it two hours. And you say I'm evil." She shakes her head while making a tsking noise with her tongue.
    She shifts her gaze back over to Karen, tilting her head a little again as she considers. "What were you saying before about running into trouble outside the city? What sort of trouble and what was odd about it?" Sure it took some time to get back to it but she was paying attention.

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen's smirk remains as she informs Dick further, "The only fighting I'm going to be doing in the next 24 hours is getting out of bed tomorrow morning." She nods, though. "Yeah, we just finished. All I know is how not to breathe. Who knew something you've done your entire life was something you were doing wrong?"
    Feet still close to her body, she stretches up, arms overhead, pulling first one arm to the opposite side, then the other. "I'm not really sure what the trouble was. That's kind of the thing. But it was.. weird. Thought maybe you could help me look a few things up?"

Nightwing has posed:
    Bringing up a fingertip to lightly scritch at the side of his cheek, Dick looks thoughtfully towards Elizabeth, but then back towards Karen. He uncurls a hand towards the sensei who had run poor Karen ragged and says lightly, "Well, I did figure I'd get in some kind of a work out. Tonight things are probably going to be hectic with that PBS fund raiser thing, and then an early morning."
    He pushes himself to his feet, the movement casually smooth and fluid as he adjusts the hang of his t-shirt with the sweep of one hand, trying to make it hang better though it's entirely too loose for his lithe thin frame. A tilt of his head is given, "I can just head over to the weight room, if neither of you are going to entertain me with your presence or participation." His lip twists wryly.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "I don't think Karen is quite up for sparring with you yet," Beth points out with her own smirk. She pushes up from her reclined position, climbing to her feet as the gi swishes softly against the fabric of the mats. Once standing, she offers a hand to Karen should she want to get up as well. It's not something that will be offered in later lessons but she can be nice for now.
    "Up to Karen. Want to go hit the weight room? Or would you like to watch me kick his ass a bit to get an idea of what you will be able to do if you keep it up?" She leaves the choice in the hands of the other woman.

Karen Page has posed:
    Dick earns himself a grin. "I can be entertaining. But as far as participation goes, if it isn't a pint and pizza, you're on your own." She looks highly amused as she finishes her stretch and takes Beth's proferred helping hand up.
    "I don't think I could do the weight room if my life depended on it. Unless you want a cheering section, and even then I think I'd have to sit. But I'd love to watch the two of you?"

Nightwing has posed:
    For a moment Dick quirks an eyebrow sidelong towards Karen, since truly his fate rests in her hands. He then lifts his eyebrows as she makes her decision and he looks back across the way towards Beth, his bright blue eyes meeting her gaze as his smile slips wry while flirting with apologetic. "You see, normally I'd advice you against presuming the outcome of such a thing."
    But then he looks towards Karen, "But like I said, Karen. She's super mean."
    That having been said he steps away from the lounging redhead upon the edge of those mats, his bare feet crunching the fabric as he moves, causing the faint sound of compressed air to whisper with each footstep. Yet his stride is easy, his stroll almost jaunty one might say. But then he turns towards Elizabeth as she steps forwards onto the mats after him.
    A tilt of his head is given, then he snaps his legs together to stand straight, punching one fist smoothly into the palm of his hand and then bowing forwards as he holds his gaze on the woman, executing a smooth respectful bow. "Be gentle." He tells her, then smiles as he turns his hips to the side, flowing so easily into stance that it is almost as if he were water flowed into the shape of a man.
    It's just one smooth uncurling of hisbody, his leg sliding silently forwards, the ball of his foot pressing light upon the mats. Then the other turns and accepts much of his weight as he lowers his center of gravity leaning back. One hand comes up, palm flat and extending towards her, while the other slips low and to his side, ready and closed into a faint fist.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "I'll take it easy on you this time," Beth offers as she follows him onto the mats. She gives Karen a quick glance and a wink then turns her full attention to her opponent. With him, she has to. They are closely matched in skill levels. To not give him her full attention and full respect is to end up on the mats. She's learned that the hard way. At times, she suspects he is actually better than her yet when they spar it's been about fifty-fifty.
    She returns the bow, fist to hand, eyes locked on his until they both return to their stances. A shifting of her hips as she steps back, giving him her side. Her own hands are in a different position. The back one is in a fist, chambered by her side but the other is held at a low ready, hand open, palm toward the floor. Then she brings that hand up and flips it over, doing the classic 'come get me' flick of her fingers seen in so many martial arts films.
    They both know she usually likes to open the attacks so this is unusual for her. The smirk never leaves her lips.

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen, wise as she is in this matter, finds herself a place to sit and watch from, out of the way. Attention intent and rapt upon the pair, taking in the differences, and the similarities, trying to tuck them away for future reference when she has some sort of frame of reference to put them in. For now, though, it's all eyes, all the time. Plus a few more sitting stretches. They're easy enough and might forestall some of the worst of tomorrow's aches.

Nightwing has posed:
    As for Dick Grayson, at a glance he is subtle perfection in form. The way he stands is precise, balanced, and yet the severity of what they are doing is robbed of some of its intensity by the gentle smile upon the corner of his mouth. His dark hair is pushed back form his eyes and he holds that stance there, the subtle swell of his well-muscled form hidden faintly by his baggy clothing, perhaps to allow him some measure of innocuous day to day wandering. But now, in stance, at the ready, it's almost as if he were a renaissance sculpture of a warrior in marble brought to life.
    A tilt of his head is given as he weighs her stance, her chosen posture, the smile in her eyes. Then he shifts forwards a step, just one to bring him subtly closer after she makes that gesture. A small snort comes from him and then he breaks into motion.
    Turning smoothly to the side his body whirls like a gyre, leg tensing, chambering, then lashing out with the speed of a whipcrack as he fires that sidekick towards her, using it to get her on her back foot as he closes. A series of punches are fired, easily blocked by her as he steadily presses, trying to keep her reactionary while he attacks.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    He's entirely too amused. It's enough to make her nervous but Beth will never let him see her sweat. Literally maybe but not intimidated. As he starts to spin she is already stepping back, doing exactly as he indended as she moves out of range with her balance shifted to the rear more. The flurry of blows come in and her arms flash in movement. The sound of the gi cutting through the air, the slap of their flesh as she blocks each blow or dodges just enough so it misses her.
    He isn't giving her much time as punch after punch is sent her way, requiring all her concentration to keep them from hitting. Thankfully, it isn't all about fists. With him pushing her balance back, she is able to brace her rear leg and fire a forward kick directly for his midriff with a loud "CHIYAAA!".

Karen Page has posed:
    There's watching stuff like this on her old television that she has to hit from time to time to get the channels to stop doing the snowglobe impression, and there's seeing it up close and personal. Well, as personal as it's going to get until she learns more. Though watching it, the woman can't imagine being even remotely close to that in skill. Even if you account for how many years of practice they both obviously have. Beth by her own admission, and Dick? Well, you'd have to be blind, dumb, and stupid not to see he's got training, and for all her faults, Karen is none of those things. She begins to wonder just how this is all going to be good for her self-esteem when all she can picture is herself on the mats over and over again.

Nightwing has posed:
    As they focus on the bout, the rest of the world drops away. His intent is the woman opposite him. The moment seems to drift long as they observe the other entirely so closely. The world is merely him, and her, and the subtle sounds shared between them. The slap of flesh upon flesh, the short thump of bone, the crunch and crinkle of the mats under their feet, the faint sound of the air-conditioner kicking on. Even Karen is for the moment forgotten, when Beth lashes out with that loud kiyai, causing the sound to reverberate off the rafters.
    But Dick is calm in movement, utterly perfect in form, twisting like some lithe acrobat as he slips to the side and she'll feel a sharp forearm catching the strength of that kick and pushing it to the side even as he steps in. There is a short /chuf/ of focused exhalation as he tries to hook her lower leg to break her balance, then moves in with his shoulder to steal it from her.
    It may not be enough to knock her down but it might be enough to get her on her back foot, allow him to draw close and turn his hip, hands darting out for the lapels of her gi and crossing as he twists to /pull/ her sharply over his shoulder, seeking to throw her to the mats in front of him.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    He manages to avoid her foot and that puts her in a bad position all around. She is aware of it even before he makes his move but there isn't an immediate recovery. Her balance is off as he pulls her leg up with his arm then adds his shoulder. She manages to keep her balance.
    She would've been better off falling and trying to roll a distance away.
    The grip on her gi gives him the purchase he needs, combined with his physical strength. A shiftnig of his weight and she feels her feet leaving the floor. A moment later, she slams into the mats in front of him.
    That learning to fall thing she mentioned to Karen is apparent as she shifts her weight a bit and uses her hand to slap onto the mats, helping to let the pads absorb much of the impact while not letting the air get forced out of her lungs. Her breath is still being drawn in and out as she makes sure to maximize her oxygen. She rolls to her side, kicking a leg up in his direction to try to keep him from closing the distance and following up with a punch or kick.

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen winces as Beth is tossed to the mats, even if she's been told learning to take that fall is all part of the process. Even if Beth is totally capable of taking it. To her eyes, she can feel all the parts of her body that would have made contact with the mat, and the only appropriate response she can come up with is wincing, one eye shutting and the other squinching up as she draws back as though it were her taking that fall. "Ouch."
    The more she sees, the less certain she is she can do this. Even as she's totally fascinated by what's going on.

Nightwing has posed:
    As he had followed through with the throw he had drawn back once she had hit and rolled, slipping back into stance. But then she uncurls and lashes out with that leg, forcing him to shift to the side, ending up with him hitting the mats beside her, the leg of his sweat pants sliding up his calf as it catches against the fabric of the mats. One hand grasps her shoulder drawing her back against his chest as he winces from an elbow that she fires into his side. Hard enough that it might make Karen think twice about this whole fighting thing.
    But he endures long enough to slip his other arm around her throat as he /pulls/ back, locking one hand against the back of her head as he gets the choke in place and begins to tighten it while he shifts his hips to lift her marginally upwards, one of his long legs sliding over her hip.
    For a moment there's a small smile at the corner of his mouth as on some level... he's pretty sure that Beth is pretty mad about this whole thing. But then he focuses, tightens down again, trying to get her to tap.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    When he hits the mats too, Beth knows things are about to get dicey. She fights back, firing back elbows, trying to use her legs, but it's no use. He manages to get that hold on her neck then sets in the choke. As he pulls her back, she arches with him as she twists what little she can. There is truly nothing she can do. Although she can hit with those elbows, she knows he can absorb the blows and continue to tighten down until she loses concsiousness.
    They have an audience so their normal rules don't apply this time. Her right hand finds the mat and she taps it twice, the sound loud in the room as she indicates her surrender.
    It's a good thing he can't see her eyes or he'd know he's right. She's mad.

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen's not actually sure who wins until Beth taps out. Totally time honoured tradition of surrender there. Not that she's exactly certain what the rules of this were.

Nightwing has posed:
    And as quick as that, Beth is released and Dick Grayson lets her go, his arms opening as he leans back upon the mats and sighing in relief. "Man, that was lucky." He says over his shoulder towards Karen, perhaps trying to mollify Elizabeth before she gets a good mad on. But then again with her, it's hard to tell. But he rolls to the side once she's clear and then bounces to his feet, jouncing a bit on the balls of his feet as he rolls a shoulder, smiling towards Karen.
    "But you see, it just takes time and dedication. Also really, if you focus and know what you're doing at least vaguely, you can keep yourself under control and handle a situation. Way moreso than if you had no training at all."

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    As Beth regains her feet, she flashes a look at Dick to let him know he'll be paying for that. Her words to Karen are calm though, not showing that level of annoyance in her voice. "It's like I told you. There is always someone better than you. It's just the nature of martial arts. But you learn enough and most threats can be handled. Your common criminals don't usually have the level of training that Dick or I have."
    She moves back to the center of the mats and takes up her position. There is a look of determination in her blue eyes. "Even with just a little bit of training, you'll be able to handle most street thugs." She takes a ready position again, this time with her front arm more across her body and hand fisted.

Nightwing has posed:
    "Though really," Dick says as he steps back softly onto the mats, moving opposite Beth again as he talks to Karen, "Best thing you can learn is how to get clear of someone and get the heck away." A nod is given then he looks back towards Elizabeth as if to get verification for that sentiment...
    Only to see that look in her eyes and his own widen slightly. Uh oh.
    But again there is that short precisely executed bow, his eyes holding hers as he slaps his hands to his sides, just a quick recognition of the sentiment. Then he shifts to the side and affects a Shodan stance, with his left leg forwards and bent, the rear straight and back, his center of gravity low. He holds up one fist thrust forwards and down, the other is back and closed into an upside down fist, ready to thrust forwards.
    His eyes find hers and he says sharply, "Keiyu!" A bark of a verbailization signifying his readiness and his intent to attack...
    And then he steps forwards and lashes out with a straight punch, the movement formal and strong.

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen's observation is a dry, "Looks like a gun would be easier." Not that she has any desire to learn to shoot a gun. And she's read the statistics. You're more likely to.. all that. And the point of this, she reminds herself, wasn't to get into situations where she would need it. Mind you, she did seem to find herself in a lot more trouble than the average person..

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    Her focus pinpoints as the world fades once more. Her annoyance always makes her more aggressive in a fight. It tends to drive her to techniques that are a little more painful, a little more punishing for having bested her. As though it's his fault instead of her own. It's simply her nature. She takes in his stance, the choices he has made and she shifts her balance just slightly, weight to the rear but balanced more on the balls of her feet to prepare for quick movement.
    As that punch comes forward, Beth is stepping to the side and in close, her shoulder coming up against his arm pit. As she is taking that step, her chambered arm fires in an uppercut aimed for his jaw. It hits with a loud /crack/ and a slap of flesh on flesh. Her other fist comes in and goes for a kidney punch since she is now hunched against his side, giving her a clear shot at that vulnerable spot. It hits with a thud. Immediately, she is trying to use that arm inside his guard to hook his arm, as she moves to step behind him more and try to bring the limb up so she can try to maneuver him further into the hold she is hoping for.

Nightwing has posed:
    It's almost like clock work, the tight precise form as he executes that maneuver and the she comes in with the precise answer that the kata requires. Only this time she's not pulling punches quite as easily, letting him know when her fist snaps up under his chin and causes his head to jolt back. Not as hard as she could but enough to get his attention, even as she then lashes out into the punch at his side. He grimaces, and turns smoothly, trying to snap a backfist around through the space where her head was as she ducks and moves, only for her to make that grab and pull his arm back, extending him as she tries to go for that throw.
    It's all done in short jumps of movement, perhaps a little slower than before so Karen can see each motion, each step, and then the result there of. Only after she caught his chin with that punch his eyes narrow slightly, since it seems someone might very well be taking liberty.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    With him off balance and his arm caught as it is, she shifts her body lower and snaps her leg into the back of his knee. This should put him slightly off balance, allowing her to use that arm hooked with her own for the leverage she needs. Beth is strong, stronger than the average woman although she isn't a metahuman. There is a strength to her upper body that isn't the case wtih most women. With a flex of muscles and a shifting of her center of gravity, she twists her body as she yanks that arm back to monopolize his lack of balance. The intentnion is to get him on the mats first this time.

Karen Page has posed:
    There's so much to see! She doesn't know there's some deliberate slowing down for her benefit, but she is watching intently, the pace allowing her to see things she probably wouldn't otherwise. Even if it's still fast. "Right. Avoid these situation," she mutters under her breath. "Clearly he hasn't read my dossier." From what she can tell so far, it's a lot of getting the better leverage, which, she also notes, has little to do with size. So intent is she, that she doesn't even notice herself leaning forward, craning to get a better, closer view of things.

Nightwing has posed:
    There's the snap of fabric as she moves, her leg uncoiling to slam into the back of his legs, forcing one knee down sharply as she holds onto his arm. His bicep tenses against the imprisonment of that shirt sleeve as he draws back, turning to the side and trying to pull her towards him only for her to shift that hold and use his own strength and momentum against him. It's enough when she tenses fully and /twists/ to try and throw him to the mats that he is forced to go with her lest his arm snap in her grip.
    But they are no longer going slow anymore, ever since she sucker punched him ever so cruelly. As he flips forwards with that throw he doesn't only roll with it, he's able to twist his arm free as he continues with the motion, twisting onto his shoulder, then a hand and /pushing/ himself to his feet and scissoring his legs upwards, vaulting like an olympic gymnast into the air as he twists around and lands, bringing his hands up at the ready.
    For a moment his eyes are level wit Beth's and then they narrow. Oh yes, he plans to make her pay totally for that cheap shot.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    Beth manages to get clear as he draws on those acrobatic moves she cannot hope to ever duplicate. Her movements are more precision, power based. His are flowing and artistic, a totally different feel to his movements although they are obviously conflict based. Neither is better or worse. They are simply different. As his eyes narrow at her. Beth can't help but give him a tight smile. He makes her tap out, he gets punched. It was his fault for leaving hismelf open. Just like it was his fault for her failure to block his throw earlier.
    Basically, everything is Dick's fault.
    It only takes a moment for that exchange of expressions. As soon as he lands, fists at the ready, she is shifting her feet and tensing her legs. Her body starts to spin and he will know a kick is coming. Then she drops, low, foot brushing the mats, a whistle of gi against them,. The sweep is aimed for his ankles which should force him to jump up or backwards.
    She allows her momentum to carry her around fully, then fires those muscles she had tensed a moment before. She explodes up from the floor as her gyre continues. Her strong legs propel her a good three feet into the air as her body continues the spiral motion, bringing her leg up and around for a back kick aimed for his head.

Nightwing has posed:
    At this point, when dealing with Beth, he's used to it. Oh she's a decent enough gal, great cop. But the temper on that girl. Whoo. Unfortunately right now he knows he's the target of it, and as he holds himself there to the side, slowly circling her as she counters that same circle. They move in perfect time with each other, gauging, wary...
    And then she steps in. They engage once more, his own fist snapping out only for her duck and shift to the side, the toes of her foot slicing across the mat and seeking to slam hard into the back of his ankle.
    His counter is to leap back, flipping onto his hands and propelling himself further, only for her to expect it and break into a run rushing forwards, lifting herself up into the air and firing that rounding flying kick, the edge of her foot slashing towards the back of his head. It forces him to bring his arms up bracing one with the other and to the side as her shin /smashes/ hard into his forearm causing him to lurch to the side. A good block, but enough so she can seize the initiative.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    His movement to the side is followed as she steps in again for a punch to his ribs. He manages to counter, swinging a backhanded blow toward her head but she ducks under it and gets to a position more centered in front of him. Her fist strikes out toward his face and he manages to block, arm slamming into arm. Another attempted punch to from the other hand which he deflects. Each strike is met with a counter, deflected or simply absorbed when it isn't going to severely affect him.
    A leg snaps up, knee driving for his ribs again to be countered and pushed away, forcing her to spin around. She goes for the backhand only to slam her forearm into his own as he prevents her from reaching her target. A shift, spinning back the opposite direction to get in under his guard.
    Their movements are likely difficult to follow but the intensity is a palpable thing in the room as Beth lets loose fully.
    Then it happens. As he counters one of her punches, he leaves himself open for a fraction of a moment. It's all she needs. A bend of the knees, a shifting of her feet so they are further apart as she lowers herself a bit then she is driving her right fist for his midriff with a loud "KIYAAAA!"

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen lost the ability to follow single actions several moves back, now just watching the ebb and flow of the thing, knowing that what she's watching isn't particularly a normal bit of sparring. It's something they've done before, time and again - it's beyond clear in their movements. She'd never understood the whole fights described as a dance before, but she thinks she finally understands it some. Sure, it's violent, and part of her is already cringing at the thought of delivering blows like that of her own, but there's a certain elegance to it all, too. How the bodies move into and away from one another, action accomodating action. Even the strikes, when they hit, have a certain resonance to them that only adds to the dance. The passion of it all. It isn't quite the cool clarity she expected, but it is powerful to watch.

Nightwing has posed:
    It had been a clean series of movements, so rapid, so quick. Each time she pressed him he had countered. There was little sound in the room between them, just the crush of that padded fabric under foot, the thwap of flesh striking flesh, the faint grunts of exertion. He's able to keep pace with her, and at points his lip would curl up into a smile as he seems at points to be enjoying himself, yet assuredly infuriating his opponent with the languid grace with which he moves.
    She spins with that backfist, and e spins smoothly with the counter, their forearms striking. Then she clears his guard with that kick, giving him a faint opening that he moves in to take. His arm draws back as his shin lifts to intercept the kick he thinks is coming...
    Only for her to plant herself and fire forward powerfully, /slamming/ into his abdomen and causing him to curl around that strike with a /whuf/ of expelled air roughly torn from his lungs.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    By focusing her chi, Beth managed to get more power behind her blow and thus gave herself the upper hand. As he tilts forward, she doesn't even think about her movement. With his bent forward posture, she steps foward to wrap an arm around his neck in a side headlock, getting a good grip on his chin as she does so. He will know what she intends but there is no time to counter, to avoid. That punch to the gut left him vulnerable and she will take advantage of that opening when battling an opponent of her own level. Holding his chin, she twists her body around thus forcing his own to do the same.
    The whirl of movement brings them back to back, her hold upon his chin forcing his head backwards to rest upon her shoulder thus forcing him to look at the ceiling. The draw back over her shoulder forces his body to strech out, going on tip toe. Her other hand come up to his forehead and they both know it's over.
    The move she does is dangerous. It isn't for amateurs and if done wrong, it could kill him. Only, this is something she knows how to do and her movement sare precise and perfect. As she holds that grip on him, she drops her body down as she parts her legs, planting them firmly in a horse stance as she yanks him down. Only she stops the movement before it would be fatal, that precision and control evident. Holding him there, she brings her arms around and catches his neck in a lock, the choke put into place expertly. With a soft hiss of air, she begins to tighten down on that hold. "Tssshaaaaa!"

Nightwing has posed:
    It's an old technique, never used in competitions, only taught by a few. It's a technique that would end with the opponent's neck snapped over the shoulder of the practicioner, and it is only because of her long years training and his talent as a martial artist that she might even try such a thing. But another reason she may have chosen to use this technique is because... well it hurts.
    So when she whirls around, that smooth gyre of motion that ends with him reaching his arm back trying to grab a hold of her or her shoulder. But the execution is too quick, too clean. She holds him, twists, drops. And then there'd be that /CRACK!/
    Only now there is just him grimacing as he slides a leg back trying to gain purchase even as she tightens down with her arm around his neck. He reaches over and grimaces, meeting her eyes as she executes that hold perfectly. Then, almost grudgingly, he taps against the blade of her shoulder, surrendering the point to her.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    There is now amusement in her blue eyes as Beth holds him there, knowing that in a few moments he will lose consciousness from that hold around his neck. She gives a small smile then speaks, not looking away from him although she likely could right now. Her words are for the woman watching the show. "So at this point, he's in a lot of pain and he is tapping out. Not because of the pain. Dick's tough so he can handle it." She has an instructor tone to her voice even as she's standing there with him stretched out in a choke hold. "It's because if I keep this hold on him, he will be passing out soon. So I'm going to give you the choice as a student. Should I honor his tap out? Or would you like to see what happens when you successfully choke your opponent to unconsciousness?"

Karen Page has posed:
    Oh, that Karen understands. The martial arts version of the sleeper hold. And while she probably shouldn't be amused by it, she is. For a moment, she lets her amusement play out. "I guess that depends. If he passes out, can we write rude things on him in lipstick? I have lipstick." The offer is ever so helpful. It almost sounds sincere, even. "Ah, I suppose you should let him go. He did offer to help me learn. Wait, can we make that a condition of letting him go?"

Nightwing has posed:
    A small snort comes from him and for a moment Dick rests his hands upon her shoulders backwards, as if defying her. But then he'll again tap twice quickly upon her arm, his eyes narrowed and shooting daggers at her. But she's able to hold that stance, and hold him there for a time...
    Until she finally decides to let him go, dropping him from her shoulder where he rolls to the side and drops to his knee, rubbing at his neck and grimacing at her. He coughs a few times and points at her, eyes narrowing as if telling her he'll get her and her dog Toto too. But then he rises and dusts himself off. "I think we've shown Ms. Page enough for now?" He tilts his head to the side, looking back towards Karen. Oh she gets a glare too. Rude things in lipstick? Indeed.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    For a moment, Beth had considerd not honoring his tap. In truth, that is usually how they spar. If one got caught in a choke, they paid the price by spending a few minutes out cold on the mats. It usually led to an even more heated bout right after. Karen's analysis of them was correct that they do this often. It helps keep her sharp to take on someone on his level. Besides, it was quite simply a helluva lot of fun.
    His clare gets a serene smile now that she's managed to even the score. She hates him being a point up on her. "Yes, I think we have." She gives him a brief bow then moves to a pile of towels that are nearby. Taking one, she dabs her face for a moment to dry the sheen of sweat on her skin. Then she tosses a fresh towel in Dick's direction. Wrapping her own towel around her neck, she walks toward Karen.
    "In time, it'll be you out there. It doesn't happen in a day or even a week but you can go as far as you want with your training. From the basics of self defense to what you just saw."

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen looks utterly innocent when Dick glares at her. "What? I was going to tell her to let you go. And you did promise to help me learn." Not at all what he'd actually said, but she was enjoying making it become that.
    "I just want you to know, that if I'm ever in that hold, we don't ask him if you take the tap." Then she grins, but it only lasts a moment. "I don't know. You make it look both easy and hard. I think part of my gut ran back home without me. I can't actually picture ever getting there. I'm still failing at breathing, remember?"

Nightwing has posed:
    A smirk comes to his lips, and as easy as that with that smile even as he shakes his head and starts to walk towards the door that leads into the back and to the locker area, he'll say over his shoulder. "I am going to take a shower, you guys continue to cluck and gloat. I'll be back." He says the last with the token Schwarzenegger accent as he turns around and walks backwards. Then he grins and winks, and stops only long enough at the locker room entrance to grab a towel and swoop it over his shoulders.
    And once he shoulders that door open, he's gone.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    As he disappears through the door, Beth can't stifle a giggle. "He got me first so I don't see why he's grump. Probably the lipstick threat," she says, turning to look back at Karen again. Her voice softens a little, "Seriously, Karen. Don't stress like that over it. This is your first day. We'll start you out and get the basics going. Build you up at a pace you are comfortable with. We all started with breathing. And falling." Then the smirk is back on her lips. "Which you can see comes in handy."
    She rubs the white towel over her face again then works on her neck. "Did you have any questions about what you saw?"

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen smirks, and once he's gone gets out, "Sore loser. Didn't even invite us with him." Which gives her pause. "Speaking of, I probably do smell to high heavens. Who'd have thought breathing would make you sweat so much. And ache. Ugh."
    There's an easy rise and fall of her shoulders that ends in a small wince. "Like that. Ow. Questions? Oh about a million of them, only I have no clue where to start. But all of it. What was all of that anyway? And was it just me, or did things get really serious there in the middle somewhere?"

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    That earns a little laugh. Beth has the good grace to at least look embarassed. "Yeah, it kinda did. I hate losing. Well, I take that back. I can deal with losing in a well fought match but when I do something stupid and he can take me down that fast? It pisses me off. Which makes me fight harder to even the points. I spent time fighting competitively back in college and I think it was a bad influence on me." She motions in teh direction Dick disappeared. "We have a his and her locker room if you wanted to take a shower. I'll be doing so myself once I get everything put up for the night."

Karen Page has posed:
    There's a nod from Karen. "I didn't think to bring a towel?" Extra clothes she'd thought of, but she really wasn't a gym rat, the other didn't even occur to her, and the towels they'd been using for their faces weren't really that big. All of this was out of her norm.
    "Okay, then. About that. How'd he do it? I was watching and it all looked about the same to me. I couldn't tell what bits were.. okay, not orchestrated, but you know, you move this way, he moves that. Expected, maybe? So how did he sneak something in past you. It's kinda like you're playing chess with your bodies and he just trounced your king with his pawn from the opening row. Need help putting things up? I kept you here late, it's the least I can do."

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "Mainly I need to get the mats rolled up and pushed against the wall for the night," Beth says as she moves to start doing just that. She considers the way Karen explained it and nods as she catches the edge of the first mat and curls it upwards. "That's really it. You have moves and counter moves. There are multiple options. At lower levels, they are more obvious and frequent. At Dick's level, it's hard as hell to find one so you go for multiple strikes to try and force a mistake. An arm over just a little too much, a block that pushes off balance. The tiniest thing can be an advantage. Unfortunately for me, I left him an opening and he took it. Just like I did with him on the second round."

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen's eyes widen. "I saw that. Ouch. You do know kidneys don't like being banged around like that, huh?" The woman gets up and starts helping Beth gather up the mats, albiet slowly, even the short while she's sat upon the benches watching have stiffened her up some.
    "So he took an opening. But folks outside here aren't going to play as nicely, are they? Or is that the point, even if they don't play nicely, there's still the same counters?" Even as she asks, she seems to ponder the thing. "Actually, that might be a dumb question. The attack is the same, so the counters remain the same. It's just how far they're willing to commit to them. Like that kidney thing. Or that hold. They wouldn't have pulled, or stopped."
    She nods to herself, the thought making sense to her.

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "That last hold I did is not something you will reach for many years, if you choose to continue your studies. Honestly, it's a dangerous move that is meant to kill an opponent. It isn't allowed in tournaments and most places don't teach it. I only know it since my father runs this place and he was willing to teach me everything once my skills were advanced enough. If I didn't do it right, we'd be talking to the cops right now about the dead body on the mats." She leaves that hanging in the air as she finsihes with the first mat and moves it to a spot on the wall. Then she starts the same procedure with the next.
    "If you are attacked on the streets. we'll be teaching you some things you can do that are nice. And not so nice. The whole idea for you is to be able to get the bad guy down or away from you long enough to run like hell.

Karen Page has posed:
    There's a snort from Karen as she continues to work on the mat she's rolling up. "Well, I don't think we'll have to worry about me being there anytime soon. If ever. As it is, I feel kind of guilty for running off and doing this, but I don't know. I keep running into trouble. And my boss is kind of over-protective. Nice. But over-protective. Totally ironic if you knew him."
    She nods at the rest. "I read this is supposed to make you feel more confident. Not, you know, like I should be out in alleys hunting down the ne'er do wells to teach them a lesson." All of which makes her smirk. "I'm much better at yelling, to be honest."

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    "Yelling is an actual defense against attacks too, y'know?" Beth says as she finishes up the second mat. One more to go then they will be done with the task. She begins. "Make noise. Call attention. Do your damndest to make people look and see what is going on. Go for the eyes, the throat, the groin. Now, against someoned trained, that last one is a bad idea cause they expect it from a woman typically." She smirks a little. "That'll be the spot someone trained makes sure you don't hit." She manages to get that mat up and out of the way a little faster. Glancing at Karen, she frowns a little. "Why would you feel guilty about trying to gain some skills?"

Karen Page has posed:
    Beth gets a sheepish look from Karen. "You'd think that's what I'd do, right? No. Instead I march right on in and do the stupid." She shrugs. "Maybe he's right. Maybe I do need someone to make sure I'm not getting myself into more trouble."
    She puts her mat away and looks around. "Anything else?"

Elizabeth Greene has posed:
    That phrasing doesn't settle well at all with Beth. "No, nothing else. There are towels by the shower entrance if you want to us the facilities but if you want to go home where you can slip into pjs instead, I understand." She tilts her head to the side. "I don't think anyone needs someone looking over them like that unless they want it. I believe being self reliant is the best course. If I waited around for someone to protect me, I'd still be living at home with my parents instead of taking a step out the front door."

Karen Page has posed:
    Karen nods, looking thoughtful. "I might have a talk with him. Part of it is what happened to me before I went to work for him, you know?" She makes her way towards the showers. "I like being self reliant. And I'm tired of being afraid. All those nightmares." She shakes her head. "No. I'm glad I came. I'll just shower and head off. Won't be ten minutes."