justicereigns | [Voice / Action]

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[Voice / Action]

[There is absolutely no preamble to this, Smoker just jumps straight into what he considers the most important part in his usual growling tone. And he might be a little extra ticked off with his justice bro being gone. So there's that.]

I'm not sure which of you idiot pirates has my cuffs or what you're planning to do with them, but rest assured if I do not get them returned immediately, I will hunt you down to find them. And I will not be happy when I do. [He says like he's ever happy.]

For the rest of Luceti, welcome new feathers.

My name is Smoker and I'm still offering a variety of self defense classes outside the barracks daily, rain or shine. Jitte, kickboxing, it doesn't matter if you have no experience, if you want to learn you can stop by. Just because you're stuck here doesn't mean you can't keep getting stronger.

[And just like that he slams the journal shut, back to practicing jitte over by the barracks if someone wants to find him in person. He'll also be at the bar later that night drinking alone and looking grumpy.]

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Of course. The truth can always be found in the heart of battle.

[She's arrived by now, and stands outside the barracks, waiting for anyone who looks like the man in the video feed]

[Good, because he's got nothing more to say that. Just sort of an uneasy feeling that she's reading his mind.]

[He's already there practicing warm-ups by the time she sees him, swinging the jitte around, even though the plan is to fight barehanded.]

Ah, Smoker! Hello!

[She waves happily, walking up and admiring his swings. He's very, very strong...the whistling of the jitte as it swings alone tells her that much.]

[Grunts a hello along with a wave as he slides the jitte into the leather straps to hold it in place when he doesn't wear the jacket.]

Glad to see you found it easily enough.

It was shown to me by a friend before, so it wasn't hard to find.

[She smiles casually and offers a hand in greeting.]

Its nice to meet you. Is this your training ground?

Good.

[A nod.] The barracks aren't owned by anyone in particular and there are others who do some classes, but this is where I work out practices.

[Saori nods and smiles, assuming a wide legged, open palm stance.]

Then, shall we begin? As you said earlier, the best way to know a fighter is through fists.

[Nods.] Though I think you said that.

[He just said he wanted to test her skills. But that he seems ready for. That said, however, he completely falls into a defensive stance himself. He's not one to make the first move.]

[Saori begins circling, moving quickly around him to find a good angle to approach]

Did I?

[She's not usually one to make an aggressive move first either, but if Smoker isn't going to then...alright! Like a snake she darts in, one hand stabbing out in a knife-palm form while she spins at him sweeping her airy clothing to cover her movements. A simple feint, hiding an open palm strike aimed at his stomach...]

[Smoker goes to block it with his forearm and kicks a boot towards her legs, meant to take her off balance.]

[Saori's unblocked open palm connects with a thud, her unnaturally strong arm colliding with the mountain of muscle that was Smoker. The strength of the blow forced him back a few steps, and made his kick fall just short, the edge of his boot missing by a fraction.

She steps in close and continues her assault, launching a barrage of fast, light finger strikes aimed at his joints like a swarm of bees. The proximity should keep him from using his superior reach, and to make him feel unbalanced himself.]

Edited 2012-07-20 20:56 (UTC)

[While he's not unbalanced, he does have to go completely on the defensive, forced to stay on his feet to balance and move, and his arms go to blocking most of her shots. Much like with Straw-Hat's gatling gun punches, Smoker just takes whatever damage of shots he misses, but holds on strong, waiting instead for her to tire down or switch tactics. Waiting for an opening is best, especially when endurance is his forte.]

[The few strikes that make it through would bite deep if she was actually trying to hurt, weakening his muscle control. However, she's playing, and the strikes avoid pressure points, but...they may make him more tired than he might ordinarily be.

After continuing for a few moments, Saori skips backwards, putting some distance between them. Smoker's arms may feel a lot heavier after that exchange, but its his turn to take the offensive]

[Smoker narrows his eyes and takes note of worn down feel. So not just speedy but very precise. Hm. Interesting.

The wide sweeping sleeves made it harder to pinpoint her exact movements, but when Smoker pursued, he aimed his kick high and to the right side so she'd left. That way if she did there'd be a follow up blow waiting to push her further back.

Usually his blows were pretty heavy, but between her technique and wanting to keep it a friendly sparring match, Smoker held back, keep the blows light enough that even if they did connect they wouldn't do so much as bruise. He'd gotten used to training kids in this place and he didn't believe in teaching them by beating them up.]

[Saori didn't feint, lash out, or even move. She calmly accepted Smoker's kick, not even flinching. The boot is met with nothing but an unyielding wall of bone and muscle. Rather than retaliate with an attack, the stoic martial artist grabbed hold of the boot, ignoring the stinging that accompanied the strike.

Her hands firmly latched hold and she dipped low, gaining leverage by nestling her shoulder into his knee. She was holding back too, breaking it would've been an easy thing, so instead she started to spin, pulling Smoker with her...]

[Smoker arches an eyebrow in the split second she grabs his boot. That's definitely unexpected. He wonders vaguely if she has observational haki, and if so he better start fighting purely on instinct.

As Smoker gets pulled off his feet, he frowns and leans back to put a hand on the ground for balance, locking her in both legs. He's not keen on such a thing, with the proximity of his knee to her neck, it's too dangerous; risking more damage than he intends. So the second leg goes into a kick near her abdomen, meant to knock the wind out of her, or get her to back off, but nothing more.]

[Saori again accepts the blow, twisting to take it in the side and stumbling sideways a step under the force, but she does not give anything more than a grunt. Her retaliation is simple: she keeps spinning in a half turn, lashing out with her leg to trip Smoker up. As his balance goes, she keeps spinning, flipping underneath him and rolling into a throw, sending him sailing a few yards through the air]

[And there he goes. Up, up, and away.]

[The sky is so blue today...]

[Smoker's not one to underestimate women's strength: Tashigi is the strongest person in his crew, and Hina could take down a thousand men or more without thinking about it. And certainly Boa Hancock could more than hold her own. He did underestimate Saori however, much in the same he underestimated a few pirates. Hardly based on looks, but overestimating his own skills.]

[There's a couple blinks as he gets to his feet and holds a hand up.]

All right, I think I can stop assessing your skills. [Have a rare almost-grin.]

[Saori finishes her spin as he sails, dropping her stance and offering a half smile of her own. Tightly, she closes her legs and dips into a gracious bow]

And, what is your verdict? Am I good enough to train with you?

[Snorts in amusement.]

If you think I'm still good enough that you can learn something, then yes. I'd love to keep training with you.

Smoker, you're many years my junior but I'm sure there are things that we can learn from each other. I know nothing of jitte fighting, its not a weapon common to my home region. And if you're willing to learn...

[Arches an eyebrow at being her junior. By "many years"? It doesn't seem possible, but Luceti gets all types. And he nods his head.]

I am, so it'd be my pleasure. What times are good for you?

Anytime in the afternoon should be fine. I'm not too busy, and I think I can squeeze in practices with you, or help your students out if you're busy.

Sounds like a perfect plan to me, thanks Saori.

[He'd salute, but despite being a marine, that is not a thing he does. Worst marine ever.]

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