[closed] "getting three gorgeous men to protect you during training is impressive..."

[gotyourbach]

Who: kaede akamatsu (gotyourbach), qrow branwen (blodsvorr), goro akechi (grakraka), gundam tanaka (gundamned), ryuji sakamoto (ryuji)

Where: the dojo!

When: pre-Candlenights log

What: Nervous about taking a weapons class for the first time, Kaede invited several of her friends to come with her. Like, half of them are there for entirely different reasons, though.

Content Warning: Ryuji is a vulgar boy, also Akechi is here? So who knows, really. Possible spoilers for DRV3 I guess.

[Welcome to the dojo! While this particular room might be soundproofed from the outside, the inside is anything but restful and contemplative. The high ceilings and slightly-springy mats reflect the sound back inside, the crack of wood against wood and metal against metal as others train inside really creating the atmosphere that this is a place to learn how to fight. Or wallflower. Or watch out for weird perverts. Hey, whatever you're here for!]

Comments

[gotyourbach]

1.

[Regardless of any ulterior motives some of the others here might have (Ryuji, Qrow), Kaede is genuinely here to try to learn. She's tugged her long blonde hair up into a ponytail and donned a comfortable pair of leggings and a flowing tunic at an attempt of being functional. Cute! Looking cute is important! But functional. Her gloves are thick enough that she feels a little more at ease holding a quarterstaff in both hands as she lingers near the edge of the mats, trying to work up the courage to actually step out there.]

2.

[After she's had the chance to run through some warmups, and her fingers are, miraculously, still intact, she can be found sitting on the side with a water bottle, already exhausted, but still cheerful! Things are going well, after all, and even if she smacked herself in the legs a few times with the staff, at one point so spectacularly that she tripped herself and went sprawling face-first, she's still looking forward to the next bit. Even if this teacher seems a little harsh...]

Here, did you bring any water?

[She offers it up to whoever's wandered close enough with a bright smile.]

I'm not sick or anything, so it's fine to share it.

3.

[At some point after Qrow has disappeared into the professor's office for some kind of discussion, Kaede is... kind of at a loss? And feels terribly guilty, because if she'd been a better student, then Qrow wouldn't have felt the need to step in like he had.]

Aaah, jeez... this isn't what I was expecting at all...

[Now she's bruised, exhausted, and embarrassed... F.]

4. Wildcard!! [i forgot one until farrah's toplevel]

3

[ryuji]

[...]

Holy shit, I haven't been this second-hand embarrassed since I dreamed I had to give a presentation in Kawakami sensei's class in nothing but undies and a trucker hat.

[What? It's true.

What the hell is Qrow doing?

Oh, he should probably clear up what he means for Kaede- he wasn't embarrassed at her by her attempt at training.]

Er... not you. You did pretty good? I mean, I dunno. It's your first time, right?

[gotyourbach]

Mmmmnnnngggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!

[It's a long, drawn out noise of embarrassed frustration as she grabs her staff and falls back to the side, wishing for nothing more than to just disappear. Ryuji's right, it's embarrassing!! But saying it out loud gets him an annoyed pout until he clarifies. Even then, the annoyance fades, but the embarrassment still stings.]

It's okay, you don't have to make me feel better...

[She really was giving it her all out there, but it didn't feel like she was making much progress with someone who didn't seem to understand that no, she's never worked with any weapon before, and while her coordination for hitting piano keys is nearly unmatched, trying to twirl a staff is a lot harder than it seems for someone as unathletic as she is!]

...Is everyone still looking at me?

[The other students, she means. She's not looking up from her toes to see what kinds of judging stares the other students might be leveling at her. Having a guy who's almost old enough to be her dad step in on her first day training?? That's NOT the reputation she wants to have for her first day at school!]

[ryuji]

[He's supposed to be getting a second chance at not making himself look like a totally socially inept outcast- he kind of talked to Dave and Akira a little bit about why he wanted to go to Academy to begin with, and it was to finish what he started back home. To make his mom proud, yeah, but... also to just be proud of himself, for once.

Flies out the window when Kaede more or less lets on that she's a little scared to know what other people think of her performance. He can see a few people looking in their direction, and his focus will shift from her- to them. He flashes a menacing gaze, and shakes his head- a warning to them not to fuck around and go find something else to do in the meantime. Ryuji, when he wants to, can look pretty threatening, and it's only ever made worse when there's someone he feels like he needs to protect. It's pretty effective.

Snapping back to reality, he shakes his head at her.]

Nah, no one's lookin' at you at all. Probably just tryin' to figure out how bad they're gonna be when they have to try or somethin'.

[This whole situation is kind of a mess.]

Why do you wanna use a staff, anyway?

[gotyourbach]

[Ryuji, NO she does not deserve him ruining his second chance at not having a punk reputation.]

Oh... that's good...

[She's honestly not used to people not looking at her. She usually stands out! And while it's a relief in some ways, knowing that they're not looking at her judgingly, it also means she's not worth their notice, either, right? No, that can't be right...

Kaede exhales a sigh, runs a hand through her hair to push sweaty bangs away from her eyes. She's glad she opted for leggings under her uniform skirt, with as much as she's tripped over the staff already, but now she's sweaty and gross.]

Because... I want to be able to defend myself. If we're really supposed to be doing, like, missions and stuff... I don't want to let anybody down or force anybody else to protect me.

[She definitely doesn't feel like she deserves that.]

[ryuji]

[It's okay. He honestly didn't care that much for it to begin with. It was only a matter of time before his true nature came out anyway; Ryuji can't actually hide who he is or where he came from.]

Huh.

[She still looks a little dismayed, and it crosses his mind if she masochistically wanted people to be looking at her? He doesn't really understand the inner workings going on here, but again, Ryuji doesn't care about other people.

He tilts his head, looking at her, investigating. He remembers the way she held that knife and how the form was all off- shit, he knows what holding a knife looks like... he's watched Akira do it for what felt like hundreds of hours.]

Lemme see your hands.

[He holds his out to take hers, if she'll let him.]

4. you're not the only disaster in this class uh... you.

[gundamned]

[Relying on a weapon in combat had never been Gundam's prerogative. He utilized a power far more becoming of a Supreme Overlord.]

Emissary of evil... In accordance with our ancient contract... The time has come to lend me your aid...!

[Look. It's not like he's never wielded a staff before. Although he was expecting some sand or dirt. It's sort of difficult to draw a summoning circle that will hold it's shape in this soft mat isn't it?]

[gotyourbach]

[What is he muttering about...?]

Aaaah, Tanaka-kun!!

[Forgetting she has her own staff, with which she could have knocked away his, she instead makes a grab for his arm with her free hand.]

You can't damage the floors like that!

[gundamned]

[These floors clearly deserve to be damaged if he can't etch a summoning circle into them! Maybe he needs to keep a piece of chalk or a marker around for these very situa--!!]

GCK--!!

[Gundam recoils his arm from her grip so forcefully, he actually smacks himself in the head with his staff.]

[gotyourbach]

Eeek!!

[She recoils when he recoils, very narrowly avoiding tripping herself with her own staff as she stumbles back.]

Aaaah, jeez!! Are you okay?!

[What a disaster these two are.]

[gundamned]

[That's not the worst head wound he's suffered, he can say that for sure. He is absolutely embarrassed though. What was she even thinking?]

How many times must I implore you not to lay your impetuous hands upon me! You shall wither and you shall die if you do!

[Maybe this is an invitation he should not have accepted.]

[blodsvorr]

a

[Qrow, who is absolutely wearing the school uniform entirely because he had to but modified it extensively to be Punk, is at the back of the room, leaning against the wall, one of his feet pressed against it, his arms folded. It is very much the vibe of a Rebellious Teen Who Rejects Authority Figures, but he is no teen. He is, unfortunately, an adult. At least in body.

Anyway, for about the first half hour of the lesson, Qrow is going to linger there at the back, watching. While some people (Ryuji) may find this concerning, further inspection will reveal two things: one, that he's wearing a serious frown, complete with a scrunched up nose of distaste, and two, that he's not watching Kaede. He is watching the teacher.

And the longer things go on, the scrunchier that nose gets. Someone is disapproving, but is determined to give it a half hour before stepping in. Chat before he does?]

b

[It is after that half hour that the entire class is treated to a beautiful drama as the local Adult Goth kicks off from the wall, hands in his pockets, and steps between Kaede and Professor Schimmrigk by catching Schimmrigk's staff as it's about to come down.]

Right. Because this is the teaching method that's gonna work. Ever heard of adapting to suit your students, Schimmy?

[Unsurprisingly, this does not start this conversation off on the right foot.] "I have. Have you heard of something called consistency? It's how children learn new things."

Yeah, no, this is just being an inflexible ass. Every student's different, and you're gonna let them down if you don't adapt your teaching style to them and let them adapt their combat styles to suit their personalities.

"Adapt their combat styles to suit their personalities? Yes, and let's just let chaos unfold while we're at it. Teaching like this will keep them safe in the field."

Teaching like this will get them hurt in the field because you're not teaching them anything. But hey, if you want me to show you have to do your job, I'd be happy to step in.

"It's sweet you think you could do better than me teaching. I can smell the whiskey on you. Are you sure it's safe for you to be armed around children?"

I'm not sure it's safe for me to be armed around you.

"I'm terrified. Why don't you prove it?" [The staff has been yanked out of Qrow's hand and pointed his way. Someone is in a fighting mood.]

[Qrow draws his own weapon. In a whirr of mechanical parts, it extends to the form of a large two-handed sword. Anyone who still has soul-related powers may sense that the Aura of Qrow's soul has shifted to envelop his body.] Age before beauty, Schimmy.

"Then put your weapon away, and we will fight."

Yeah, I'm gonna—what. [Hold on he did not plan for this. What. Qrow is now staring.]

"An honourable duel is conducted as hand-to-hand combat. That's the way of my order."

[...................................Shit. Qrow was Taiyang Xiao Long's teammate for long enough to know what happens if he has to go hand-to-hand against an expert in the field. He isn't winning this one. Time for Plan B. Because only one of the kids in this room will realize what Qrow is about to do, and honestly, Qrow's pretty sure that Akechi will approve.] I'm not a monk, I'm a Huntsman. I'm not doing hand-to-hand.

"Scared?"

Schimmy, you'd kick my ass at hand-to-hand. I'm passable for when I'm disarmed, but I'm a goddamned s—

"Please watch your language around the children."

[Qrow just. GROANS at this point, putting Harbinger away.] Look, I'm not going to fight an expert in a field that I've only practiced in often enough to keep an ex-teammate off my back about it. Let's deal with this like adults and talk about your pedagogy in private. Alright?

[Schimmrigk, who is a man of honour, agrees to these more civilized terms. Qrow gives a little wave towards the children and says, "Be back in a bit, kids!" but there is a brief moment where he—makes eye contact with Akechi? and seems to be grinning a little? Maybe you imagined that.

Or maybe Qrow is about to live up to the name of a crow collection. Some time later, after an unfortunate conversation, Qrow comes back with his hands in his pockets, whistling idly.]

Alright, kids. Looks like Schimmy is gonna take a sabbatical after an accident with someone's familiar and some exploding pocky. I'll be teaching you for the rest of the session, and if you want to find someone else to instruct you after, I can help you pick them out.

[Wow Qrow just murdered a dude to take his job!]

c

[obviously you can wildcard him at any point in this nonsense]

[gotyourbach]

[Hey, guess who's been stewing in guilty frustration since someone stepped into the middle of her training? It's this girl!! The second Qrow finishes addressing the class, she's stepping forward until they're almost toe-to-toe, hands balled into angry fists at her sides to match the glare.]

What did you do to him, Qrow-san?

[She's not entirely stupid, and while poor, dearly departed Schimmrigk had been kind of strict and frustrating to try to learn from, he didn't deserve whatever Qrow had threatened him with!]

[blodsvorr]

[Wow?? How could you accuse him, an innocent bird man, of doing anything?

Qrow's eyebrows lift, but in many ways, he respects Kaede's outright bravery and determination in this moment. It suggests a strong sense of morality and the backbone to support it. That's good. It is never, in Qrow's books, a bad thing for a child to be able to stand up to an adult.]

Look, the guy was clearly stressed out. He even knocked his water on me while we were talking. I think he was due for a break, and that glitter bomb made him realize it.

[gotyourbach]

Mmmnnnggghh...

[It's the same drawn-out pouting noise she'd treated Ryuji to earlier, except this one is even more annoyed. That guy was a teacher! A jerk, but a teacher!]

You could have at least let him finish the lesson...

[She doesn't buy it. Local birdman disappears into a room for a friendly chat with a guy he'd tried to duel, and only the challenger comes out? It's fishier than one of Mozart's operas being played by the Lisztfish!]

[blodsvorr]

[He is an absolute innocent who has done nothing wrong, in his life, ever.

Also, he has nieces. Pouting cannot defeat him. He has stood strong against the most powerful protests over the years.]

He agreed to the conversation, kid. We teachers love talking pedagogy. If you don't believe me, you can go ask Schimms yourself.

[Schimmrigk is doomed to forever get nickname variants from Qrow, yes.]

[gotyourbach]

...

[She doesn't want to ever see that teacher again, to tell the truth!! Considering Qrow stepped in once already, she doesn't know how she'd ever look him in the eye. Honestly, she'd consider quitting the class and figuring out something else to train with...]

Still... that doesn't explain how sudden it was. Is pegadogy a fancy word for threats?

a is for asshole

[ryuji]

[You know who is an actually rebellious teen, with a whole lot of issues with adults doing skeevy shit around teenagers? He's casually up against the wall next to Qrow, proper attire and all (his cardigan is two-three sizes too big, he hated the form fitting design that the gnome insisted on, and eventually caved to his bickering demands), completed with a Windsor knot that he definitely didn't tie himself. A reformed punk. Maybe post-90s anarcho-capitalist punk. Who cares about labels anymore, anyway?

And he's watching Kaede try her goddamned best at learning something that definitely doesn't come natural to her. Ryuji pretty much picked up a baseball bat, a lead pipe- eventually the replica of Sun Wukong's staff- and it was a breeze for him. Hitting shit was almost his calling.

Like kneecaps.

Arms crossed, out of earshot from Kaede, he pulls off the over defensive asshole like he is-]

So, uh. Got anything you wanna say about this?

[blodsvorr]

[Shooting kneecaps is fun too.

Qrow is not surprised to see Actual Rebellious Teen Ryuji show up.]

A lot of things, but I figure I owe him at least another fifteen minutes of failing Teaching 101 before I have a talk with him.

["a talk"]

[ryuji]

[Rebelliousness is a weapon! Who woulda thunk it.]

Nah, ain't what I'm talkin' about. Either you got some real twisted way of talkin' to girls or you gotta watch your phrasing.

[He's not looking at Qrow directly, still keeping his eyes on the training that's unfolding. Never having anything really formative about his own style other than what felt right, instincts, the power behind his swing, all of this is really foreign to him.]

[blodsvorr]

[....?????]

You wanna run that one by me again?

b

[gundamned]

Interesting.

You are an entity that seeks conflict in all realms regardless of context.

[It is unfortunate that she had to be the one who bore the brunt of that situation though. One only needed to look at her for a brief moment to see that she was out of her natural element and struggling to adapt. Survival of the fittest reigns of course, but her effort was genuine at least.

He can't blame her for being upset with Qrow though. He'd of been infuriated himself if someone stepped in on his behalf.]

It's unbecoming to insert one's self into another's battle.

[How soft.]

[blodsvorr]

[Qrow has already been scolded by Kaede, so he realizes how he fucked up here. He runs a hand through his hair in quiet frustration.]

Yeah, well. That guy needed to stop being a teacher ASAP. Now it's taken care of.

[gundamned]

[Honestly? Gundam was sort of waiting for the moment she was going to start laying into the guy. She certainly wasted no time in berating Supreme Overlords any time she got the opportunity. What this being lacked in physical strength and weapon prowess, she certainly tended to make up for in tenacity.]

It's for the best. Had he faced me next, he would have never been able to show his face again.

[Said the liar.]

[blodsvorr]

[Sure, Gundam. Qrow definitely believes you.]

Someone sure would have. You sticking around now that that's done?