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[statementfuckingends]

You've reached Timothy Stoker, leave a message at the tone and I'll get back to you.

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[statementfuckingends]

[There's a good few moments of silence on Tim's end as he goes on a small face journey.]

...actually, you know what, that's probably a really good idea. Merlin finished healing me up, so I'm good to start whenever you're feeling free.

Not sure what I can offer in response, mind you. [Though his tone's a bit dry as he says it; he gets the feeling just helping someone is enough for Kiryu.]

[lone_horse]

[ Also one of his kids maybe won't get their brains shot out, that too. ]

My time is a little limited at the moment, but perhaps we could meet in the evening after dinner in the gym?

this shirt courtesy of Hats

[statementfuckingends]

[Given the multiple kids he's met in Kiryu's place and the fact the man probably has his own life, Tim's not terribly shocked by that news.]

It's a date. See you tonight, then.

[When Tim gets to the gym later, he's a little early so he can do some warm-up stretches, and he's found a delightfully terrible shirt to go with his black tracksuit pants.]

[lone_horse]

Kiryu is in his usual gym wear: a grey shirt with the Ryzap logo and blue shorts. He also has a little towel with a dragon design on it that he has hung around the back of his neck, held at either side. He'll toss the towel over towards a water bottle that's also his before he nods to Tim.

"How about you show me what you've got and we'll start from there."

[statementfuckingends]

He shrugs both shoulders bodily.

"I know how to throw a punch without breaking my fingers and I know a few spots to aim for when you're fighting dirty, but I'm not exactly Jackie Chan." He was a publisher.

[lone_horse]

Kiryu settles into a fighting stance. Then extends his forward hand and gestures for Tim to come at him.

"Let me see."

[statementfuckingends]

Tim just sort of stares for a second. It's not like he's under any impression he'll win, he's seen Kiryu's weights, it's just embarrassing being forced to act on it.

He'll come up to meet Kiryu in his own fighter's stance - generously, he does know how to brace his feet, left foot forward - and when he throws a straight punch at Kiryu's face, he twists his hips into it. He's at the very least fit.

[lone_horse]

It's a bit like hitting a brick wall, especially since Kiryu doesn't dodge. Instead, unless Tim balks, he'll pluck the hand away from his face and let it drop before nodding thoughtfully and looking at Tim up and down. It's obvious he has a few suggestions to start.

"So you like to go for powerful blows," he says, clearly thinking on that. He considers a few options before he gets to the question he wants to ask.

"Is that how you'd go about it if you were going to hit me again?"

[statementfuckingends]

He really doesn't like how people here keep no-selling attacks to the head.

He'll pull his own hand back, at least, giving it a quick shake from the impact, but he's not hurt.

"I like finishing fights quickly," he says, a little uncertainly. "Sooner it's over, the better for everyone."

Knowing the hits won't affect him means he's not feeling inclined to waste the energy on more full-powered ones, but he'll sort of slo-mo the punches to demonstrate. "If I was gonna follow that up, then... here-" and he mimes punching Kiryu's diaphragm, then his side beneath his ribs. "-and here. And probably knee you in the fork."

[lone_horse]

"A good thought... anywhere else," he says with a nod, because he doesn't want to discourage him or discount his thoughts. But he's got a few suggestions.

"You won't always know the strength or abilities of your opponent here," he points out mildly, but then he points down, to his legs, "but gravity is gravity. And most things will fall over if you disturb their balance. The lower you hit, the more force they'll need to correct."

He points to the ground.

"Once they're down, they're at a greater disadvantage. You can easily kick them in the head, use the strongest blows you have."

[statementfuckingends]

Until gravity isn't gravity, he can't help but muse, but the point's still valid.

"So we're going to be looking at take-downs, then?" he offers, and there's an edge of curiosity to his voice. He's genuinely pretty interested, in whatever Kiryu wants to offer.

[lone_horse]

"You're a warden," he says plainly, "your objective is to protect the inmates here, and yourself. Since you can't protect them if you're dead."

He's a practical fighter.

"They're least able to cause harm while disoriented and down. And it's the easiest to use your size and weight to potentially contain them."

He gestures to the ground.

"And if they're completely out of your capabilities, it'll give you and others time to run."

He gestures around the room, where there's plenty of things though obviously, no overt weapons.

"Why didn't you try a weapon?"

[statementfuckingends]

That gets a light scowl. "I hit him in the face with a fire extinguisher, I wasn't exactly in a position to get anything better when he snuck up on us in the hallway."

It's tempting to get an axe now, to prevent this from happening again.

[lone_horse]

He blinks, because that wasn't what he meant, and then shakes his head. No, no, not criticism.

"I meant with me."

[statementfuckingends]

Ah. He's too used to feeling criticised, apparently.

"Sorry. No, uh, it just. Didn't occur to me. Sort of feels like a bit much of an escalation for just. Training."

[lone_horse]

A quick nod.

"You may not have much time or many actions you can take before you'd be taken out or someone gets hurt. In a situation where you have to deescalate, a weapon will give you additional reach and let you hit harder. How hard and what you hit is something you'll have to gauge from what's happening."

He gives a wry tilt of his head. "At the same time, it'll also make you a target over someone who's unarmed."

He gestures around.

"Pick something here to use as a weapon."

[statementfuckingends]

Tim's ideal weapon, when he thinks on it, is definitely a baseball bat, or an axe. Good heft and a decent weight to carry. But given the lack of them in the fucking gym, he'll settle for something else.

He looks around for a hot minute, considering the gym equipment curiously. "About the only things that might hurt someone I can even carry are the kettlebells and dumbbell bar."

[lone_horse]

Kiryu nods.

"They're both good choices," he agrees, "though I'd probably recommend the bar over the bell. That one gives you reach."

He gestures down to his leg.

"And is easier to use for tripping."

He tips his head towards it.

"Go ahead."

Go get it.

[statementfuckingends]

Well, he'll just go and get it then.

He finds the smallest one he can, but that's still got more weight to it than he's expecting. It's not a problem, he's just gonna feel the burn sooner rather than later, and he brings it back to Kiryu so he can settle into his fighter's stance with the pole in both hands.

...and then immediately widens his stance a bit more because he can feel himself off-balance already.

[lone_horse]

That is the most encouraging thing he's seen so far.

"Good. Pay attention to what you're feeling most of all."

He backs up a few steps.

"I'm going to run at you. Take me down."

He backs up a few more before nodding at Tim. And then he's letting out a roar and charging towards Tim.

[statementfuckingends]

Holy shit--

The roar is a lot and Tim breaks stance to stumble back a step in shock, but corrects quickly to try and swing--

--where? His immediate instinct is to clock Kiryu in the face again but they were just talking about legs--

His panicked compromise is thrusting it out with both hands in a poor, hasty block.

[lone_horse]

Kiryu makes a decision; Tim's taken enough blows in the last few days. The point is to teach, not beat.

Which is why one hand reaches out to hold the pole in place while the other ends up with the knuckles about a centimeter above his stomach. And Kiryu, cool as ice, smooth as silk, looks up at Tim.

"The most important thing you can do in a fight is make your decisions quickly and decisively. You don't have time for a second guess. If you want to do something else, do it after your first move."

He draws back and lets go, then mimes what he read from Tim's body.

"Clock me in the face, and then, if that doesn't work, go for my legs. In a different fight, your impulses might be different. Follow them, then adjust. As you practice and learn and gain experience, your instincts will get better."

[statementfuckingends]

Tim's gut sucks in automatically at the very sudden presence in front of it, but there's no small amount of relief that Kiryu doesn't actually make contact; the degree to which his shoulders slump in relief when the older man pulls back is distinct.

But he mirrors Kiryu mimicking him as the man talks, making gentle ghost strikes at where Kiryu's head and legs had been, and gives a firm nod as he settles himself back into his stance.

[lone_horse]

Kiryu watches, and nods approvingly.

"Try it again?"

He's stepping back and away as he asks.

[statementfuckingends]

"Yeah. Think I might have it." Knowing Kiryu is absurdly powerful makes it easier to sort of lean into not caring whether he makes contact. "Try it again."