hatesthefood | Open action

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Open action

The evening was still a touch hot but the only allowance Ken gave the heat was the simple fact that he'd removed his tee shirt before he continued with his forms. He was obviously used to the workout, as evidenced by the ease from which he flowed from form to form, but the inherent grace masked the subtle violence of the motions until he allowed the forms to continue to full speed. It wasn't inhuman grace, but it was a sign of years of training and the scars decorating his chest and back were hallmarks of far too much experience fighting during those years, the newest bruises and abrasions from a recent match. As he moved, he unconsciously mirrored the ebb and flow of the waves lapping at the section of beach he'd been on for the last hour.

[ooc: Feel free to join him, either to spar or to chat! ^^]

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[SHODAN loved the beach. Slowly, she was learning to swim, and the sound of the waves was like a slow clock, like the electronic rhythm that once dictated her every action, every moment. This night, as she strode along the sand just above the reach of the tide, she spotted a figure fairly dancing over the earth, slipping between stances and motions with the utmost control. He looked familiar...

She should learn combat skills. The vibroblades against her hips were useful in an emergency, but not against someone with any actual skill.

She ascended up the shallow grade to the dunes, pushed aside some grass, and sat atop one of the little hills as the figure continued through his steps. Ah, now she recognized him -- but she wouldn't interrupt, not yet.]

[He paused for a moment, reaching up to push his shaggy hair back before he launched into a flurry of motion, his bare feet silent in the sand. His style was more than obvious, leaning heavily into hand to hand combat, thanks to the training he'd received in the past. Still, as he moved, if anyone was watching, they might see the constant give and take of his motion, as if he were fighting an invisible foe.

As quickly as he started, he came to a stop, breath a little heavy.]

[When he paused, she gave him a moment to catch his breath, then called out from the dune.]

You have obviously done this for quite a long time.

[If he was surprised by her presence, he didn't show it. He took a moment to pull a small smile on his face before he turned towards the voice, gazing up at her for a moment before he shrugged.]

You're pretty observant. I've been doing this for years.

[Standing, she made her way down the dune but paused at its edge, not stepping into his practice area.]

Observation is one of my preferred pastimes. How did you learn such skills?

[He pursed his lips in thought, bending down to retrieve his shirt from the sand.]

... I've always been good on my feet. Spent years playing professional soccer back home before I was recruited into a... private police force.

[Sighing, she sat back on the dune. Time, time, she had so much time but didn't want to spend it all in such a state...]

It seems useful here, especially given the riots and other curses. Yet, life here is fleeting, and one can only learn so many things in so little time.

What would you suggest, for self-defense in the City?

[He walked closer to her, rubbing at the back of his neck with the shirt. Int he back of his mind, he was happy she didn't press for more info. His scars alone should tell that he wasn't being completely honest.]

Basic self-defense? I'd say lessons. They offer than at the dojo, unless you want a private teacher.

[She brought her hands together, lacing her gloves -- the electrically chargeable gloves that packed enough power to take down any ordinary human should she decide to use them as such.

How did a man get by with just his fists, in a place of magic?]

Even with months of training, I would not be able to stand up to many of the residents here. The City requires more than just basic martial arts.

[Ken's eyes flicked down toward her hands at the motion. Even at ease, he was still very aware of the things around him, muscles tensing a tiny bit.]

It's a start. Like I said, I've been working like this for a long time now.

I have thought that perhaps weapons are the answer, given that even the greatest of fighters cannot throw a punch longer than his arm.

[She watches him look down -- such reflexes must clearly be trained. Most humans are oblivious.]

Are curses the main threat here? One might say that the power here is...somewhat intimidating. I hope you do not have to use that which you know, often.

[She'll go ahead and use that word. It makes her sound more plausible, and she has to admit it sometime that she is a bit afraid someone will just decide to kill her human body and be done with it.

And it will check for rivals with similar natures to her own.]

[Trained and years of having to watch his and his teammate's backs. The smile inched up a little before he glances back at a khaki colored bag just a few feet away from him. Without another word, he padded over to it and reached in, pulling out a pair of heavy, dark gloves. He had them on in less than half a minute, working his fingers into the heavy leather.]

Weapons are handy to have, but no. The real danger here is the other citizens. Half the implanted citizens here aren't human or are more than your average human.

[She raised a brow at the gloves. His message was ominous, but...]

You seem quite human, but looks can be deceiving. If the superhuman citizens here are the primary danger, what do you do when they confront you?

[He clenched his fingers into a fist, triggering a hidden mechanism in his palm. Several inches of steel slid free, giving the gloves six inch long claws.]

I'm human enough, but I've faced off with less than human adversaries back home. Surprise is the best weapon for a human around here. That and training. When you've trained for as long as I have, you can work past pain in a fight and then, it all comes down to stamina. Even the paranormal wear out sometimes. If I'm still standing when that happens, then they go down.

[The claws triggered instinctive alarm bells in her mind; she clenched her fists, the gloves charging to half-power. She wasn't very good at hand-to-hand combat, but she knew enough from her investigations here to throw a punch, and even a block would result in a shock. Though if he just cut through her arm, that would avoid her gloves altogether...]

An impressive set of blades. I'll keep it in mind.

[Both the blades and his advice.]

[He noted the motion, mind already ten steps ahead and in the midst of a quick plan of steps and strikes to disarm her. It took him a moment to blink and push away the thoughts, remind himself that she wasn't a target and for the moment, he wasn't Siberian. There were no orders for her life and he wouldn't kill outside of missions. Smiling faintly, he loosened his hands and let the blades retreat back into the gloves as his stance relaxed.]

Thanks. They're called bagh nahks. My weapon of choice, even though I'm pretty proficient with firearms, too.

Her recently freer time (thanks to Pendleton taking up her offer for assistant) had allowed Kate the ability to explore the City a little more. She was especially happy to get her routine jogs back into the swing, even if she had to take them later in the day rather than early.

The boardwalk drew to an end, and Kate slowed her pace before padding into the sand and stretching out her arms. The form in the distance caught her attention, and as she neared it to make out the movements, she grinned.

"Aww, look at the sand ballerina! Where's your tutu, prima donna?" In reality, Beckett is impressed with Ken's fluidity. But she's got to play the game, and existing in a career dominated by men, that meant poking fun and throwing the gauntlet.

He had noticed someone moving from the corner of his eye, but the voice was a dead giveaway. Still moving through a form, he snorted softly and flipped her off, continuing on until the form was complete. He knew the scars were a dead giveaway that he'd been more than a normal cop in his previous job, but he really wasn't one to hide anything anymore.

"Last time I saw my tutu, it was in your locker. I think it looks better on you anyway."

She laughed at the hand gesture, choosing to leave any comments about the marks silent. It wasn't her business unless Ken wanted to bring it up at some point. And the moment was intended for a light-hearted exchange, rather than deep thoughts.

"What can I say? I couldn't resist just how pink it was."

"Always thought pink would be cute on you."

Grinning, he turned to fully face her, shaking his arms along his sides. A quick glance told him she'd more than likely been running and he had to admire that. He was pretty fond of a nice long run for more than a work out.

"Evening off?"

"Newfound freedom. Pendleton's got the fort; kid's a whiz with the paperwork."

She hits pause on her music player, stretching out her arms afterward. Out here, it's easier to tolerate their little prison. She can pretend the water doesn't stop and that they're all just stranded, waiting for a rescue boat. "And I thought I told you to quit dreaming about me."

"Thank God SA doesn't have to deal with a lot of paperwork, or else I'd try and bribe him away from you."

He couldn't help but laugh at her comment, shifting to change the weight on his feet. The beach was one of his favorite spots in the city, thanks to its calming influence.

"Sorry boss. Can't seem to help it. Maybe you need to kick some sense into me."

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don't lie, ken totally wants to smack his boss down!

Only if he wouldn't get fired XD

she promised, and beckett keeps her word! prearrange; he can def pin her after the scuffle

Gotcha!

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