One two one two (open)

[Jung Roojin]

Roo huffed and went for another round with the punching bag, keeping time with the song playing in her own head. It was late in the evening-- most of her peers would be getting out of dinner around this time. She hadn't felt hungry, though. So for the past half hour, she had been in the workout rooms. First stretching, then pullups... She wasn't comfortable attempting to use the weights when she was by herself, but the punching bag was ample company for now.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason had come into the workout rooms in hopes that Zairen would be there, but there was no sign of his vibrant green wings or golden hair anywhere. The only other person here was a younger girl he didn't know, who was pounding on a punching bag with single-minded determination. He paused to watch, eager to make a new friend but not wanting to interrupt her.

[Jung Roojin]

Roo hopped back and turned her body to slug the punching bag with a hard right swing. She wasn't strong enough to make it move much, but as she stepped back to take another swing she glanced up and caught sight of the newcomer. She flinched and bobbed her head in a nervous little bow.

"Um, h-hi."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason smiled as the girl turned to face him, but it faltered at her flinch. He held up his hands in an "I come in peace" gesture, and didn't move toward her when he spoke. "Hallo. Sorry for startling you."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo let out a nervous little chuckle. She smiled, a little more genuine, and shook her head.

"No no, it's fine. I just need t' learn to be more aware of my surroundings." She stepped back from the punching bag and raked her damp hair back. "D'you need the bag? I can move on to something else if you'd like."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason shook his head. "Danke, nein. I was just looking for someone, but he's not here. I'll gladly stay and talk, though." He held out a hand. "I'm Jason."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo took off one of her gloves as she stepped forward, and shook his hand gently. "Jason." She smiled. "My name is Roojin."

She tipped her head. "Who were you looking for?"

[Jason Hiller]

"Nice to meet you, Roojin. I was looking for Zairen -- I don't know if you know him. He's a year younger than me, and half swan, half dryad. Huge green wings, blond hair with green tips, green eyes, greenish tint to his skin..." He laughed. "That's starting to stop sounding like a word."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo's grin started tilting to one side out of amusement. "So Zairen is... very green, from what I understand." She rubbed her forearms and shrugged.

"I've seen him before, I think," she offered, "Just not today."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded and smoothed his skirt a little. "I'll find him eventually. So, do you work out often? I mostly come in here to watch Zai. I've always been more of an artist."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo blushed a little. She wasn't very comfortable in skirts or dresses, and honestly felt like she wouldn't look very good in them. Nowhere near as cute as the older boy was, at least. "I work out when I'm having trouble with schoolwork, or when I'm having a bad day. I like being able to assure myself that I don't have to be complacent if someone attacks me."

She rolled her shoulders a bit. "The Baratoges promised they would teach me more wrestling moves in the near future, and Tebryn has been showing me pressure points and how to avoid hurting myself in a fight. I'm not very strong as far as hitting goes, but I know what areas on the body are most effective to hit and my choke holds are good."

At least that's what Kuma-kun had told her. Kazari had been too busy laughing at the sight of little Roo hanging off of her brother's neck and shoulders like a koala.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded, looking at her with interest. "Sounds like you've got a lot going for you. I know a few self-defense moves that I could teach you, if you wanted. My father taught me. He used to be a soldier, and one of his comrades taught him a bit of martial arts."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo's eyes seemed to sparkle she perked up. "Oh, would you? That would be so cool!" She held her fists to her chin and bounced a little, like a child that had been presented with tickets to a Universally Popular Theme Park Based Upon a Successful and Unnervingly Powerful Family Entertainment Company.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason chuckled. "I'll start with the one I know best. I don't know what it's called, but it's very useful if you're being grabbed from the front. If you do it right your attacker is forced to their knees, on pain of breaking their own wrist if they try to break free."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo nodded and backed towards the more open area in the room.

"Do I need to put pads down?" She gestured to the blue floorpads that were stacked against the far wall.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason shook his head. "I don't think we'll need them. We won't be throwing each other across the room."

He tilted his head, thinking aloud. "How to do this... I just wonder if I should demonstrate on you first, or teach you how to do it on me. It's a pretty simple move."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo nodded and held out her hands. "Do it on me first. That way I can see it in action."

She tipped her head and smiled. "So I just... Go like I'm grabbing the front of your shirt, yeah?"

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded. "Ja. Don't just pretend, actually grab it. It'll work best that way."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo nodded and paused for just a moment before curling her fingers into the fabric of his shirt with one hand, then the other, and taking a steady stance with her feet.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded, explaining what he was doing as he moved his own hands. "Good. Now I take your wrist like this, and turn it this way... push down with my other hand, like so... and you are on your knees." He held her there for a few seconds before carefully letting go. "Ready to try it on me?"

[Jung Roojin]

Roo nodded and straightened up. She rubbed her wrists and looked at Jason, then followed his instructions to duplicate what he had done.

"Take the wrist, push down... Oh!" She smiled. "It works!"

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded and grinned at her from his position on the floor. "Very good! You learn fast." He stood up when she let him go. "Let's see, what else can I teach you...?"

[Kazuo "Kuma-kun" Baratoge]

Kazuo heard voices as he approached the door to the workout rooms and peered in curiously.

"Oh, hey Freckles." His gaze slid from Roo to Jason, and he smiled. "If you guys are beating each other up, try to stay away from the mirrors. We don't want glass everywhere. Also, hi." He gave Jason a little wave.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason looked around as someone else entered the room, and waved back to the man who stepped in, one he knew by sight but not name. "Hallo. We're not beating each other up, don't worry."

[Jung Roojin]

Roo beamed at the familiar face.

"Ah! Kuma!" She turned to face him and waved with both hands. "Oppa, are you free? Jason was just showing me a hold."

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