8848/Float like a butterdish...

Float like a butterdish...
Date of Scene:	18 August 2019
Location:	Turtle Lair, Williamsburg
Synopsis:	A little hand-to-hand training between the Fox and the Hound, followed by a heart-to-heart, and some laughs.
Cast of Characters:	Pippi, Alopex

---

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi had been working hard. She drilled katas almost as often as Leo did. She did chores (though someone had to remind her what her chore was after the changing day, she always seemed to forget). She had done agility training one or two nights a week on the buddy-system and only had to bend bars in the aging jungle gym in New Lots twice.

    She was progressing, and it felt good.

    She was in the training area now, drilling by her lonesome. Her form had gotten better, and she slid her feet along the mat with familiarity with the movements. Muscle memory as she humed tunelessly to herself. She's begun to grow out the slightly curly fur on her head, everything else neatly shorn down and velvety smooth.

Alopex has posed:
    Not a single detail of all that practice had been missed. There had been a teacher ever looking on in moments thought alone. With katas so improved, and training so well received, it was clear another step was in need of being taken. A very good step.

    As Alopex slips into the training area, there's a light clearing of her throat. Once she's sure she has Pippi's attention, she starts to speak. "Well, Pippi, I have to say I'm pleased by the improvements I've seen in you. Your form is getting better every day, your stance is balanced and well rooted, and even the agility drills that we came up with are going incredibly well." Probably due to a previous profession in a different life! "As a result, There's two things I'd like to start working on. One: Actually sparring from time to time. However, that leads to number 2. I know you're worried about your strength, so control is going to be rather important if we spar. As such..." she holds up a rather thick board. "I'm going to bring one of these to you every so often. The goal, however, is not to break it, only to crack it."

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi hears the throat clear, and she gives a momentary start. Alopex speaks, and the slightly shorter canine's tail gives a wag before she spluts down, mindful of how the turtles regard Splinter. Her head tilts a moment, and the idea of sparring actually unnerves her.

    ... and then the board comes out. Her ears flatten back slightly, the eyeridges rising up.

    "The boards? Again?" she questions.

Alopex has posed:
    Smirk. "No, not really, but I was wondering how'd you react, to be entirely honest." The board is just tossed to one side. "I honestly think you're ready, and I trust you, Pippi. I can deal with a few bruises if I have to, but the challenge there? You actually have to hit me, don't you?" The fox rolls her shoulders a bit. "If you want to try something else, I'm all ears, however."

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi gives a bit of a grin, and she hops to her feet.

    "I was gonna be okay with it! I mean, we figured out that I can hit with like, ten *tons* of force. Donnie even built the better punching bag to withstand the training!" Pippi gives a grin as she stretches her arms slightly, already warmed up from doing kata as she looks at Pex.
    "I... don't really wanna hit you though, 'Pex." Pippi states, uncertain. "But if it means being a better fighter, right?"

Alopex has posed:
    The fox gives a slow nod. To be honest she didn't want Pippi to punch her either, but as she said, the pup would have to hit her first. "It's alright. Think of it as a way to ensure you are getting better, that's all." She planned on wearing a little extra padding once the canine could start landing hits, but she wasn't sure Pippi would start landing blows too soon. ... HOpefully.

    "Lets just start out slow, then. We can both take a stance and we can trade. I can throw a punch, you can throw one, and we can just alternate to start."

Pippi has posed:
    "Sounds good to me!" Pippi states enthusiastically, her tail wagging as she takes a deep breath, and drops into a ready stance.

    And then thinking better of it, she gathers hersel fup first into a hasty bow -- hey, she respects the heck outta Alopex, after all!

Alopex has posed:
    The fox gives a nod, ready for what comes next. When Pippi hesitates, then bows, the fox is more than happy to bow in reply. Once that's done, she takes her stance. "At your leasure, Pippi."

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi breathes out, but she pulls her punch well, aiming or a quick jab to Alopex's arm. She keeps her fist and wrist properly formed, and if she had been going at full strength and hit, Alopex might have gone through a wall.

    Pippi's only hitting with a little bit of that massive power though, and as thus she's not moving her arm terribly fast.

Alopex has posed:
    With how much Pippi's pulling back, and the direction of the strike, it's simple to shift to one side to avoid the blow. She appreciates that Pippi's trying to ensure the safety of her sensei. That's why after she slips out of the way, her own arm rushes forward, darting for Pippi's shoulder. What Pippi may notice, if she doesn't duck away, is that her distance was so well placed that the blow would tag shirt, maybe fur, but not press all the way to a full on blow.

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi sees the movement, and ducks the blow, though Alopex's hand might brush a little bit of ear. Pippi then raises her muzzle slightly, shifting her weight to one foot as she brings another blow in, low and quick to Alopex's middle, looking to tap the fox's stomach!

    "DId I tell you I found out Ghost Spider's real name?"

Alopex has posed:
    So much for trading slowly back and forth. The fox doesn't mind, in fact she's pleased by it. Pippi seems to be comfortable with the spar thus far, a good thing! The jab for her midsection gets the fox to hop back, "You didn't, actually. If she told you that then she must trust you a great deal. Most of those masked heroes do not give up such information easily," Alopex comments.

    She's been side-stepping while talking, taking in Pippi's stance, how she adjusts to follow Alopex's movement. It's as Pippi's turning, possibly taking a step to turn, the fox's arm darts out again, coming around from one side toward Pippi's side.

Pippi has posed:
    "Nope. It was an acci--DENT!" Pippi gives a surprised sound as the arm connects. She straightens up, looking surprised, and then with renewed vigor she brings another jab to Alopex's close arm. It's kind of a wild throw, though, not likely to connect!

    "I was passin' 'neath a warehouse and I thought I heard her voice. Met a friend of hers. Trustworthy redhead -- seems like everyone has redheaded human friends!" Pippi jokes.

Alopex has posed:
    Alopex expected the counter-blow, but not so much the speed of it. Alopex was VERY sure that when Pippi had been fully trainined she would be a force to be reckoned with. One step at a time, for now. The one step that Alopex takes barely puts her out of the way of Pippi's strike. It grazes her arm, and she -feels- it. There's no wince, there's not even a change in her expression, but in her mind she's wincing. That would have hurt.

    "Hmm. They were together, then, and you recognized her voice?" Alopex asks, getting clarification. It makes sense that recognizing her by voice could occur. The fox hadn't thought about it before. Huh. "Heh, they aren't as common as they seem, but it is an interesting coincidence you've come across," she admits before curling her arm downward for a midsection strike.

Pippi has posed:
    Would have, but Pippi is still pulling her punches hard.

    "They're in a band. Or something. They had instruments an pizza." Pippi replies, and she brings her arm down, with her palm to try and push the strike to the side, and she tries something she's seen elsewhere. She takes a bit of a step forward, putting herself off-balancee, and tries to push Alopex away!

    She's not using very much strength at all. It's almost weak.

Alopex has posed:
    A shove isn't at all what Alopex expected. She's listening to the banter when Pippi moves in, deflects her strike, all of it surprising the fox. The shove does the same, sending her stumbling backward a fair bit. "Ah, that wasn't a punch now was it?" she asks, smiling the whole time she's asking it. After a moment or two Alopex takes a stance again, considering what to do next.

    "Ah, pizza, the eternal lure of everyone that lives here, I think." Except the fox, but she wouldn't ignore free food when the brothers left a few slices behind. "Musically inclined? Interesting. It never hurts to have a small hobby, I say." This time, Alopex's strike comes fast, and with the intent to firmly land against the pup's shoulder. This time it was Alopex's turn to step forward into a blow.

Pippi has posed:
    "Err... n-no, it wasn't." Pippi huffs, and rubs the back of her head as she draws back into a stance, and decides to let Alopex go first. She wasn't quite ready though, and she feels the firm blow to her shoulder, pushing her back a little bit. She follows up with a slight crouch to her form as she brings a loose fist up and out at Alopex's middle again, aiming for her side!

    "What's a hobby?"

Alopex has posed:
    The fox is still smiling, "Pippi, there's nothing wrong with what you did. I gave you a rule, sure, but in combat there truly are no rules. That's why I'm happy about what you did. People aren't always going to fight fair. Learning to fight how -you- want is the best thing you can do." Pause. "I'd just prefer not to take a full on hit if you don't mind." Still smiling.

    She waits to let Pippi try again after her own strike lands. The blow grazes again as the fox tries to drift out of the path of the blow. It's a graze because the question surprised her. "It's something people do when they don't need to do anything else. Something they enjoy doing as a way to pass time." She doesn't try to attack again, waiting to see if Pippi does. If she doesn't, the fox may take a stance to give the pup another bow. "That was actually pretty good, Pippi."

Pippi has posed:
    "So, like how Leo meditates and Donnie tinkers and Mikey has the videogamethigies?" Pippi questions again, she doesn't make another move to hit Alopex, though she's in a defensive position.

    When Alopex bows, Pippi straightens up, and quickly follows suit, although her bow is not nearly as tight or crisp.

    "Thanks, Alopex! I have good teachers." she gives a grin, her tail giving a little wag. The canine's obviously pleased.

Alopex has posed:
    The bows are exchanged and then Alopex explains a bit more, "That's right. The brothers all have something they enjoy and they get to do from time to time. Usually when training and other things keep them from doing it. I can't really offer a lot of suggestions if you're curious about hobbies, only what I know others tend to do which you seem aware of already. ... Ah, you're welcome, Pippi. I'm pleased to have such a talented first student."

Pippi has posed:
    "... I like eating. Does that count?" Pippi asks and she purses her lips as she straightens up. "Probably not, because then I'd just eat all the time." she recounts, and she gives a huff as she rubs the back of her head. "Although hobbies probably take a lot of time... an' I just don't have a lot of it between chores and training."

Alopex has posed:
    "Not so much. Everyone has to eat, Pippi, so that doesn't really count. A hobby is just something you find you enjoy. It's likely you'll stumble into it sooner or later. To note, however, you may not feel like you have time for it now, but eventually you may find the spare time here or there once your training has gone along so far that you're able to hold your own pretty well. I'm certain you will reach that point, and once you do, you'll have a bit more free time for yourself. I know I tend to fill my time with roaming rooftops and patrols, but that's just me. I enjoy the fresh air."

Pippi has posed:
    "Heh, I do like going topside..." Pippi states, and she spluts right down, her legs forming the W instead of sitting cross legged or kneeling properly. "What if the only other thing I'm good at *is* eating, 'Pex?" Pippi asks, incredulous, but she's trying to hide her goofy, joking grin.

    "Or maybe I'm really good at sleeping. Throwing cars? Is that a hobby?"

Alopex has posed:
    Once Pippi takes a seat, Alopex does the same a few moments later, resting on her knees. The fox is smiling as the two keep talking back and forth. "Heh, I'm sure you'll find something you like sooner or later, Pip. Just be paitent about it. "Ah, sleeping? Not so much. Throwing cars? Mmmm... Maybe. That depends on where you are doing it, what kind of cars, if you're doing it with other people..." still grinning. Smirking? "Not sure how many other people throw cars around, Pip."

Pippi has posed:
    "I could find some. We'll start a club. The Car Throwing Club. We'll have t-shirts made up." Pip replies, sticking her tongue out at Alopex. "You can join as an honorary member, we'll get little ones to throw. Like the little round ones." she grins, and stretches her arms upwards.

    "Alopex, do humans keep trying to rub your ears?"

Alopex has posed:
    For once, Pippi gets to hear her teacher laugh. "I'd wear that shirt, and I would happily throw around those little cars they sell in stores," she decides. She can't imagine that Pippi would go through with this, especially with the tongue she gets to see. If the pup could find a hobby, Alopex would be happy to support her.

    The ear question gets her to quirk a brow. "Ah, no, I think it's because I started out life as a fox. Humans don't see foxes as pets, as far as I know. However, since you start out as a dog, I imagine that's something they offer because they think you will enjoy it."

Pippi has posed:
    "Mmm." Pippi replies thoughtfully, and she leans back. There's a soft 'creak' and a satisfied sounding 'pop!' sound, and her ears flop about as she gives her head a shake.

    "I mean, it felt good, but weird. Just like 'oh no, everyone wants to rub my ears arrrgh they're going to get jealous 'cause my ears are awesome!'" Pippi gives a squeaky voice to her inner thoughts, and then she flops backwards (still with her legs splut out), and she flails her arms in the air.

    "And then the ninjas will steal my ears, Alopex!"

Alopex has posed:
    This is... so amusing! The two had talked a lot before, but this heart to heart was something rather endearing. "Ah, no, I don't think any ninjas will be stealing your ears." Pause. Consider. "However, if they do? They'll have -me- to deal with. And possibly the brothers. Maybe even Splinter! How dare they steal our friend's ears. It will not be tolerated!"

Pippi has posed:
    IT's the first time that Pippi's been so open and comfortable.

    "And they'll steal your tail! 'Cause your tail's like the best tail! An' I've seen a lot of tails, 'Pex. A Lot of tails. And then we'll have an epic battle and it'll be like 'pzzow!' and 'kersmackity!' and we'll get the ears and tail back and celebrate with a million tacos!"

Alopex has posed:
    "My .. tail?" Cue mock-horrified look. A look of such shock that its clearly fake, even as Alopex slowly looks at her floof, then back at Pippi. "They can't have my tail! They can't have your ears either! If that happened I would take hold of The Shard and shake heaven and Earth to ensure we get them back!" Tacos? "And then a million tacos! And probably a pizza cause you know Mikey will demand a pizza. ... A taco pizza!"

Pippi has posed:
    "A TACO PIZZA?!" Pippi sits up. "With Baconfries!" she gasps! She puts a hand over her mouth.

    "With /nacho cheeese/." she adds in a whisper, and then gives a solemn nod.

    "As it would happen if someone stole my ears and your tail." she agrees... and then opens one eye... and busts into giggling.

Alopex has posed:
    There's a sage-nod from Alopex. "Truly the most perfect of pizzas. I think even Michelangelo would agree." Nacho cheese? "... Truly a master piece." Another pause. "So it would be." ...... Pftthahahahahahahahaha.

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi catches her breath, and she draws her legs up, setting her muzzle on her knees as she takes a deep breath, and wipes at her eyes. Laughing so hard that she was crying.

    "Thanks, Pex."

Alopex has posed:
    In truth, Alopex hadn't felt that great in a long time, "Ah, thank you too, Pippi. I'm glad we could talk like this," the fox states, gratefully. "How about some dinner, hmm?"

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi gives a grin, and hops to her feet.

    "Sounds good to me!"