Second Feather

[kawkaw]

Sender: Crane (Tsuru no Ongaeshi) | Master Crane

Recipient: Everyone

I'm considering the idea of offering Kung Fu lessons in the Index. I've studied Kung Fu extensively for many years, and I've helped teach Kung Fu to students back home. So I'd like to see how many people might be interested in learning.

I should probably mention, though, the style of Kung Fu that I specialize in isn't about physical power or raw strength. It focuses on defense, evasion, precision, and redirecting your opponents' strength to use against them. If anyone is interested in learning, let me know and we can try to arrange something.

Comments

From: Junpei | Bear Prince

[blazeoflife]

Oooh are you some kinda kung fu master then?!

I'd be interested! I kinda do the more 'brute force' kinda fightin so mayb learning defensive things would be good!

[kawkaw]

You could say that.

[ It literally says "Master Crane" on the entry post stop trying to be modest. ]

Well, I'd be happy to teach you. I would like to meet first and see what you can do, so I know how best to help you.

From: Shizuo | Frankenstein's Monster

[hatesviolence]

[It actually takes Shizuo a little bit before he finally musters the courage to respond.]

I might be...but I have question. Would it help in learning how to control my strength? I'm getting better at it, but it's still a problem.

[kawkaw]

Well to be honest, this style is more about giving those who aren't as physically strong an advantage.

But if control is what you need, I'd be happy to come up with lessons to help you with that as well. The style I practice is often balanced against another style that deals with more powerful attacks, so I'm used to working with it.

[ He and Tigress were often paired together for training because their styles complemented each other. ]

[hatesviolence]

I'd appreciate it, but I don't want to be a bother or get in the way of your other lessons.

[kawkaw]

It wouldn't be a problem. It looks like I'll be working one-on-one with people, so lessons would be made to suit the individual anyway.

[hatesviolence]

Then I'll sign up.

How much do I pay you?

[kawkaw]

I would rather we meet up first, see what techniques would best help you, and we can discuss the price from there. Sound fair?

[hatesviolence]

Yeah, sounds fair. I'm pretty flexible, so when and where would be good for you?

[kawkaw]

I have some time later this afternoon, if that isn't too sudden. And maybe on the edge of the Index, right before entering the woods? There's some open space there that would be ideal.

Kou Ichijo | Cinderella

[learningtostand]

Do we really need fighting skills in this place? If so, I might be interested. I've never really fought before.

[kawkaw]

Well, I've only been involved in one story so far, but I found that my Kung Fu abilities did help. Plus, it's good to have other skills to fall back on. The powers granted by our Essences work well enough, but it's never a good idea to rely on just one thing, especially if a situation can become dangerous.

[learningtostand]

I'm not even sure how useful my essence's abilities will be. I guess I can talk with animals or go undercover if needed.

I'd like to take lessons, if you'll have me. I do sports, so I have some agility at least.

[kawkaw]

You might be surprised by what could be useful. There are many ways to help that are non-combative.

But I would still be happy to provide you with lessons. I would like to test what you can do, if you don't mind, so I know how best to start.

[learningtostand]

Yeah. Guess I'll see once I get into a story, eh?

Of course. Just let me know where and when and I'll be there.

[kawkaw]

I have some time right now, if you'd like. My house is by the lake.

[ Crane then proceeds to provide a...rather elaborate map of the Index, the area where the forest is, and a spot indicating where his house would be. ]

[learningtostand]

Sure! I'll be there soon, then.

[He likely won't get lost with a map this detailed.]

[kawkaw]

All right. See you soon then.

[ It'll give him a chance to tidy up as if there was any mess to begin with. ]

[learningtostand]

[It does, as Cinderella's mansion was a bit further away from the forest in other part of the town... but it doesn't take him more than half an hour or so to get there.]

[kawkaw]

[ By the time he arrives at the cabin, he would find Crane, in his natural form, standing by the lake. From a distance, he would look like a regular bird, except for the rice hat on his head. But as he comes closer, Kou might notice that he's practicing some martial arts forms, even if he doesn't recognize any of them. ]

Fuuka Yamagishi | Princess (East of the Wind & West of the Moon)

[cookingmechanic]

This is wonderful! I was actually told recently I should train on how to defend myself. Your style sounds what I need! Especially since I am not very strong.

[kawkaw]

Strength isn't always physical. I'm sure you're strong in other ways.

But yes, if you would like to learn, then I'm willing to teach you. Do you have any experience at all with any kind of training? It's all right if you don't, I just want to know so I have an idea of how much work we'll need.

[cookingmechanic]

I have friends who are very strong and have a lot of skills...so I have seen them fight, but I haven't actually done any training myself. So I will be a definite beginner to all of this, unfortunately.

But learning anything would be helpful. I will be a dutiful student, Master Crane!

[kawkaw]

All right. Let's arrange a time to meet, so that we can get started.

[cookingmechanic]

Excellent! I don't have much a schedule now, so whenever you are free.

[kawkaw]

Maybe sometime early this evening? If that's not too sudden.

From: Coriander Bliss | Second Wife

[rhododendronhoney]

Redirecting actually sounds perfect for me! I bet Ryota'll be surprised when I come back showing off that I can do martial arts too!

[kawkaw]

I'd really rather you didn't use Kung Fu to show off. That's not what it's meant for.

[rhododendronhoney]

Okay, okay. I just think it'd be neat to be able to talk martial arts with Ryota. He's more of a capoeira guy, which isn't as much my style.

[kawkaw]

Ah, I see. [ He doesn't actually know what capoeira is, but that sounds a little better. ] Well, comparing styles is all right then.

Do you have any experience with any kind of physical activity? There's no problem if you don't, I only ask to know where we're starting.

[rhododendronhoney]

Well, I don't actively exercise much, but I am a baker. It does take some skill and strength to carry all those trays around, you know?

[kawkaw]

I do know, actually. I have a friend back home who worked at a restaurant that did help some with his own training.

[ Even if it had taken a while to really discover that. ]

We'll be able to work on everything else you'd need as well.

[ He's used to working with less. ]