(video) he's back......

[invinciblemikey]

(a video, in the kitchen of the dojo. nothing much here - those who have not yet seen manjiro since he's gone home will notice that long, black hair replaces the blonde strands, pulled up into a mess of a bun, and a newly done tattoo.

this is not about the shit he has done, he just wants to get busy, make some money, maybe.)

Dojo's open for training and classes again, for Kyokushin karate—classes in the afternoon, till my nap time, and at night, between nap times. Just schedule with me directly. Payment in food, pastry, sweets, or money, but preferably in pastries.

That's it.

(click, bye.)

Comments

[invinciblemikey]

... Is the karate part that is confusing, or is the Kyokushin part?

(listen, this is important to hear first - so many different people, so many different worlds. at least he has claude experience.)

[everblooms]

Well, it's gotta be Kyokushin, right? I've never heard of that before. Karate, I know that's fists.

[invinciblemikey]

Funny thing is, I am usually a kick person.

(he's gonna take a moment to think on how to put this without going too... technical?)

Karate got a bunch of styles. Kyokushin is one of them. Full contact, and focus on physical strength and endurance. So, basically, get fit, get hit, go hit.

[everblooms]

Oh, really? [ her point of reference is her best friend, who is more of a "beat it up with your fists" kind of gal. ]

Okay, endurance and physical strength... Got it. What kind of contact experience would you recommend starting out with?

[invinciblemikey]

Yeah, I'm tiny, it's easier to reach with the legs.

(literally her height, but alas.)

I gotta meet you first, see how your endurance is.

[everblooms]

[ hmm. let her switch gears mid-conversation. ]

I've got a friend who you'd probably want at your dojo if she showed up. How about I see what your endurance is like first? I could pay for her to come in upfront. If she never does, free pastries are pretty nice, right?

[invinciblemikey]

(excuse him)

I'm the master of the dojo and high dan, that tells you enough.

... I'll let you pay up front for her, and if I lose, I'll pay back.

[everblooms]

[ briefly, she considers asking him if he'd like to fight five guys in high heels like tifa did... but then, no, she decides. that's a little mean. ]

Against her, or me?

[invinciblemikey]

Her, isn't she the one you're paying for?

[everblooms]

[ oh THIS she has gotta see ]

So it's like a bet, then? You must pretty confident! Sure. What's your favorite kind of pastry, then? Orrrr are you not picky?

[invinciblemikey]

I've never lost a single fight, you know? You gotta match the dessert with expectations.

Surprise me. I'm waiting.

[everblooms]

Uhh... what about a hint, at least?

[invinciblemikey]

Nope.

[everblooms]

That's no fun.

[ she's whinging. aerith sighs. ]

Have it your way, then!

[invinciblemikey]

To you, I'm thrilled.

( :) )

I'll be in the kitchen, I'll leave the sidedoor open.

hey im here to torment mikey

[everblooms]

[ The sidedoor, he says. Aerith knows how to find it, then, if only because it implies a direct: The side of the building. Her arrival is announced with a chipper, loud call in her girlish voice. Hellooooooo? Around the loop of her elbow rests a wicker basket, woven together tightly with a slice of red and white picnic fabric peeking out of its mouth. Mikey, she thinks. She finds him, and beams in a way that betrays an overeagerness. ]

Found you! I'm Aerith. Aerith Gainsborough.

[ Thrusting the basket into his face, she tells him, ] Take it. It's for you. [ Beneath the lid, he'll find a stack of pancakes, nestled next to wrapped pads of butter, a vial of real maple syrup. They're homemade, the hotcakes a little too brown and thick looking. ]

Just like my mom used to make for me as a kid.

[ ...except, they're quite bad. Dense, dry, crumblier than a too-wet sandcastle. Atrocious, really. ]

[invinciblemikey]

(he can't fuck up tea, so that's what he does in the kitchen as of now - the timing couldn't have been more perfect, as the kettle starts to whistle its melody once aerith arrives. she... sort of reminds him of his sister emma, not in looks, definitely not in age, but in that joy that she brings in her voice, and the demanding way she just shoves the basket at him.

upon first glance, it doesn't look so bad. presentation is definitely on her side, and manjiro will be thoroughly disappointed in the evening when he makes it dinner. at least, she got him syrup and butter, which is going to act as the undertone of forgiveness when he does try it.)

I'm Manjiro Sano, but Mikey's fine. You into tea? Just about to make some.