Willow Step

[fistsofchange]

Who: Bai Lin, Akira Kurusu, and various
What: Fight Club and also some other stuff
When: The week leading up to the trip to the next fissure
Where: Outside the station
Warnings: It's getting kind of cold out

[Open]

Summer is definitely out, but the weather getting colder hasn't stopped Lin from holding classes on martial arts on the lawn of the station. Her credentials as a teachers consisted of eleven years of intense training at the temple of the Soaring Fist. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at ten in the morning, she gets as many people as are interested out in front of Keystone Station. Lessons are two hours long, and are usually about evenly split between the parts where you're actually learning techniques and the parts where you're practicing meditation or listening to Lin's rambling speeches about morality.

After all that, there was usually a free sparring period during which people could practice against each other at their own pace.

[Closed]

One of her students had consistently stood out to her from the others. Not necessarily in terms of raw talent, but certainly in terms of dedication and determination. This student seemed to be of sound moral character, as far as Lin could tell, and unlikely to use her lessons irresponsibly.

Thus, after the lesson was done for the day and free sparring period had begun, Lin pulled Akira Kurusu aside.

"You've been doing very well, Akira. I'm wondering if you'd be interested in trying something a bit more advanced?"

[Network, text]

I feel like I shouldn't have to say this but we also have some people who seem to hate the idea of taking care of themselves, so just in case:

If you don't have any cold weather gear, you really should get some before we go up that mountain. If anyone tries to climb up there in a sweatshirt or something I swear by the Buddha I will drag you back down myself and make you change. Hypothermia and frostbite are no laughing matter.

Comments

Network, also text

[whatsmytalentagain]

Seriously? We have to remind people to bundle up?

[Come on, you guys should know better.]

[fistsofchange]

Not everyone comes from places that get very cold. They might just not know.

Optimism is all well and good, but optimism and a nice jacket will take you even further.

[whatsmytalentagain]

Oh. You do make a good point there.

Do we have enough clothes for everyone? I already got some clothes from Incendia for the trip but IDK about everyone else.

[fistsofchange]

Just ask Izunia or Ardyn. They probably have enough clothes to outfit the entire station hidden in their armigers.

[whatsmytalentagain]

Ooookay, what's an armiger?

closed

[hairpincurves]

These lessons were something Akira took incredibly seriously. She always listened closely to the morality speeches, had turned the meditation into a daily task, and did practice outside of classes. The classes were honestly something she looked forward to.

She wasn't entirely certain what to expect when Lin pulled her aside at the start of the free sparring period. Her expression lit up at the question and she nodded.

"I'd love to!"

[fistsofchange]

"There's a number of things I can do that some people view as 'supernatural'." She began. "The willow step...probably isn't one of them. It's not as flashy as a lightning punch or as dramatic as the cloud body technique, but it's saved my life on several occasions."

[hairpincurves]

She listened carefully, tilting her head to one side as she did so. As much as Akira did enjoy the dramatic and the flashy... practical things were just as important, too. And the mention that it'd saved Lin's life several occasions was enough to make sure Akira was paying particular attention.

"The willow step, huh... what is it, then?"

Some things came to mind already, based on the name alone, but Akira didn't want to make assumptions.

[fistsofchange]

"It's not an attack. It's a way of moving and thinking. Of erasing your presence from people's minds. It's not exactly invisibility, but it's a way of making people have trouble being able to tell exactly where you are unless they're already right in your face."

Useful for dealing with guys with guns or pesky sorcerers.

[hairpincurves]

"So it's good against someone coming at you--ah, in a matter of speaking--with a ranged attack of some kind..." Well, it's got her attention already. She's already imagining situations where something like that would come in handy...

"Sounds pretty useful."

text, username: clearwater2000

[nojohnyouare]

Also. Those who think light jackets are enough... Only on TV. Wear the heavier ones. Not fashion ones.

[fistsofchange]

Yes! Big thick jackets! Wear layers! And get good boots. Sneakers or sandals won't cut it up there.

[nojohnyouare]

It's cold where you're from as well?

[fistsofchange]

The summers are hotter back home, and it's starting to feel like the winters are also colder back home.

un: magitechsupport, text

[nor_iron_bars]

ok but like
define "cold weather gear".

[The fact that you even have to ask this is probably a bad sign.]

[fistsofchange]

[Oh No.]

- Good waterproof boots
- Heavy jacket
- A hat or a jacket hood
- Pants that are at least somewhat waterproof
- Gloves
- I will check on you later to make sure you're not doing something stupid.

[nor_iron_bars]

ok in my defense i actually got all that except the jacket.
but more important:
am i ever not doing something stupid??
like, c'mon.

[fistsofchange]

THE JACKET IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!

Network, Text

[have_hat_will_travel]

... I will try to come up with something for solidarity's sake. Unless you think the temperature will drop below 40 below?

[fistsofchange]

If it gets that cold I don't think we should be going up there even with good gear.

But yes I don't care if demons don't feel cold, I'LL feel cold if I see you walking around up there in your usual get-up.

[have_hat_will_travel]

I'll come up with something that I can properly move in. Probably a few layers... Oh, I need to keep extra blankets in the portable lair for warming people up.

un; jetshard

[dubiouslychthonic]

o)+ Thanks for thinking of this, Lin.

o)+ I might stiLL do a rundown of "how to teLL if you're in troubLe" but when it comes to hyPothermia, Prevention is the best remedy.

[fistsofchange]

I'm entirely familiar with nasty winters.

There's a story from back home of a man who got lost in a blizzard. He tried to call for help, but it was so cold that the shout froze in the air, and no one heard it until it thawed out the next spring, which was far too late to help him.

[dubiouslychthonic]

o)+ When I was a wiggLer an oLder kid tried to convince me that the dark season was so dark because the sunLight froze before it couLd Light anything uP.

[fistsofchange]

Probably about as true as my story but it's a good way to get kids to take the cold seriously isn't it?