Description: Now that Frei has managed to come to terms with his brother, he continues trying to return his life to a semblance of normalcy. Returning to old routines and responsibilities. Including giving chi lessons to his student, Kentou! The youth is further educated into the deeper mysteries of martial arts, given new insight to help his training and hints at what is to come.
Although he didn't *literally* construct such a list, in some figurative way Frei really has been working through a 'to-do' of people he needs to come in contact with since Kataki's departure from Southtown. Of course, in both cases so far it's been people that have come to him instead of the other way around; Alma's sudden invitation to a Neo League bout on the Center's rooftop, and Jiro's unexpected visit to the center itself. Both meetings ended in friendly bouts between Frei and his erstwhile teammates; both actual fights ended nominally in Frei's favor, though the margin was so close in either case that to call them a 'win' would be gross exaggeration.
What they did serve as, however, was a reminder -- or perhaps an indicator -- that from the pain and sorrow of recent events, the monk has forged something good, just as he encouraged others to do while it was all going down. The change has not been 100% 'good'; part of what Frei went through meant accepting and working through negative emotions he had, before, simply buried. Perhaps he feels regret, loss, frustration, and even anger more fully now... but from his perspective, the extremes of one make the extremes of another all the more meaningful. Before he had been fond of saying 'without darkness light, is meaningless' but didn't really take his own advice; in a way, what he's found now reaffirms his previous belief.
Presently he's enjoying the afternoon summer sunshine outside the ruined shrine outside Southtown. This is the first 'reunion' that's of the monk's own initiation, but it's an important one, as far as he's concerned. It's been ages since he last saw Kentou Ondori, and to hear tell from the boy's master Hotaru, there's been... some progress, since last the two met. Important progress, though since he has no details Frei doesn't have an indication of HOW important that progress really, truly was... or how much Kentou's training and diligence paid off for him in the end.
But as his 'teacher' -- in spirit, at least -- Frei wants to see how his 'student' has progressed, and sent a note to the fish shop at the harbor with just such an invitation. For now, he simply waits. Normally, the slight breeze would be blowing about the tails of his headband and long Chinese coat. Today, however, all it does is scatter his long red bangs and the dark green t-shirt he wears over grey long sleeves... still cut loose, but perhaps a little more 'comfortable'. And indeed, on his right temple is a small but noticeable scar... one he received in this very place, accidentally, from the individual he's here to meet.
Unquestionably, life has left no one unchanged amongst Frei's family or comrades. In the wake of recent events, he has reached a new understanding of his family and come to terms with his wayward brother. Hotaru has found herself in ways she had never previously predicted. So much hardship has fallen upon her over the last several months that the girl has become her own person.
While Kentou has not had terribly much hardship fall upon him per se, life has been extremely transitional. No vengeful siblings, no mind control. ...Only the frightening specter of high school. Which, especially in Southtown, is serious business. No longer a full-time employee of the Fish & Bait Shop, the boy has started to prepare for Summer School and he's beginning to think working deliveries all morning is easier than academia. The preliminary study work has been.. difficult, to say the least. Couple that with his unending training with Hotaru, which never eases up at any point, somehow the boy manages to have even less free-time than before.
To say nothing of his burgeoning fighting career, which has indeed taken off to a running start. Hotaru and Frei's teachings alike have been put to the test in the field of honorable combat, and even the World's Greatest have been duly impressed. So far.
It is not long after the appointed time that the sound of rapid footfalls along the nigh-endless steps of the Shrine can be heard. The boy racing along with nearly effortless ease, taking each step two at a time. His long braids flailing behind him with his arms outstretched at his sides in the manner of wings. One could even hear the slight 'bbbbpbpbpbbp' of airplane sounds from his lips as he approaches in the short distance, just relishing the great weather and being in the outdoors. Never taking for granted how pretty it is out here, with all his urban living. Any excuse he can find to be amongst the trees and to feel grass under his feet is a good one.
Not to mention, it HAS been awhile since he's seen Instructor Frei. He remembers when he first met the confusing Monk.. Every other word out of the guy's head was practically gibberish to Kentou. Now? ..... Well, okay, its still occasionally gibberish.. BUT at least now the boy understands more! The one technique he's managed to learn of Frei's has already served him very, very well. The boy is more than a little eager to see what else he can learn from him.
"Instructor Frei!" The boy announces as he crests the last of the steps with a triple hop. Coming to a halt a few steps away and landing in a deep bow. Fist to palm, "Ondori Kentou is prepared to begin the next lesson!" This time, that bold announcement is spoken a bit tongue in cheek. The youth has begun to relax a bit in Frei's presence. Just enough to offer the man winning smiles, at least just before the hard training begins.
"I think," Frei begins, rubbing the back of his head in embarassment somewhat at Kentou's formality, "I'm just going to have to resign myself to you doing that." However, his tones are warm, more the amused what-can-you-do than an actual condemnation. That and Frei lived in China for a good seven years, and there is something so very... Chinese about the way Kentou considers the master/student relationship. Well, the 'normal' master/student relationship, the monk amends to himself mentally. Frei's relationship with his own, now-gone master was anything but... normal.
And he's all ready for training! Yet being in this place reminds Frei that there were multiple reasons he brought Kentou here again, one of which looms large in his memory since it happened in this very spot. The young fighter was spared anything worse than Kataki's acid tongue, which is for the best as far as Frei is concerned. But the people he cares about -- namely Hotaru Futaba -- were not, and the actions that the chi sage's younger brother took came to affect Kentou's life just as suredly as if he'd plied his blade against Kentou personally. As far as Frei is concerned, the young man has a right to know what happened, and why... so he can come to his own decisions about what to do. Part of being an adult, after all, is learning to deal with things other people do you can't control... and understanding that in the end, what you personally can do is the only thing inside your control.
The green eyes fall a bit, Frei glancing off to the side with furrowed brow. "Listen... there's some things you need to know, first." A pause, a deep breath, before he turns back to Kentou with a wan expression... not quite a smile, but enough of one to let him know that worse things have happened, that this was the 'good' outcome. "I don't know how much Hotaru told you. Kataki's... gone. We convinced him to leave. I don't know where he's gone, and I don't know if he'll be back... or if he'll be a changed man afterwards, either." Glad that he was able to convince him to go, to think things through, to possibly change... fearful that it might not happen. All of that and more, reflected in the dullness of Frei's gaze.
Taking a step or two closer, the monk ducks down a bit, bending both knees. "I went... home. I've learned a lot in the past few months. Partly with your help. There are things I can do now that I couldn't before, and in part that's because of you. So I wanted to say thank you," he says quietly, pausing a bit before adding, "for believing in someone who didn't really believe in himself."
Another pause, and then he stands up... and this time, his smile is genuine. "I wasn't ever sure that it was worth it, learning from me. Not because of you, but because of me... that I was giving you something incomplete or flawed, somehow. Knowledge I didn't believe in. But... you proved me wrong. Or so I've heard. I'm interested in seeing the results of your hard work."
As Frei languishes beneath Kentou's incessant attempts at formality, the boy can't help but grin just a fraction wider. Chortling at only a faintly audible level as he straightens once again. The difference in teaching styles between Frei and Hotaru are fairly wide. While they are both warm-hearted individuals, Hotaru prefers discipline and formality. Doubtlessly part of how she was raised and trained herself, and Kentou can certainly understand that. His own parents, in the rare moments they did train him, similarly expected a level of decorum from him. He understands it and it comes natural to him.
Frei's teaching structure is far, far looser than he's used to. Which, at first, confused the heck out of him. But, over time, he's begun to understand the ins and outs of what kind of student the boy should be in the Monk's presence. Even still, the boy always politely waits for Frei to make his opening welcome.
However, as Frei's expression seems.. dour.. The boy's reverie slowly dissolves into concern. Nodding slowly at Frei's request for listening.
Ah.. Kataki.
Kentou's mouth parts with an 'Aah' expression, nodding slowly as details emerge. The boy had known that the matter had resolved, but he wasn't certain precisely how they had ended up. The youth continues to attend to the monk's words, his eyebrows lifting with surprise as the traveler reveals how far he had gone recently. And, just as surprisingly, what part Kentou had to play for the Monk's resolutions.
This wide-eyed expression lingers, even as Frei explains more of his gratitude and newfound understanding.. The boy's smile spreads with pleased glee.
Of course! Not once has Kentou ever doubted Frei. Perhaps, the boy doubted his ability to learn anything Frei had to teach, but the Monk proved that he could. Frei is the wisest person Kentou has ever met, and while his brother was a very.. difficult and personal case, Kentou knew Frei would help heal his brother and help fix everything. He -knew- it. Which is why the boy never seems terribly concerned - Not to make light of Frei's travails - But simply the confidence that the Instructor would find precisely what he needed inside of himself when the time was right.
"I.. Aah.." What does one even say to that? The boy stammers awkwardly for a moment, cheeks somewhat flustered as he tries to think of something appropriate to this soul-stirring confession, "..Its.. Hey.. Its alright.. I mean. You've taught me so much.. You've already helped me so much! That I could help you even a little bit.. I.. I'm really glad. I mean.." Okay, that was weak, the boy inwardly flinches, "..No, really. I'm just happy that you finally saw in yourself what I saw in you."
At that, the boy nods in affirmation. As for hard work? The boy's smile evolves into a sly grin, "He Hee.."
His hands flourish in a complex display of speed. Whirling about in a cup before thrusting forth before him to the sound of rustling cloth and displaced air. A brief globe of emerald light gleams within his cupped fingertips before dispersing. Just a very small use of Hizashi. Enough to demonstrate that the boy has all but mastered that one move now, "I.. think its starting to pay off a little.." The impish grin widens a fraction.
Oh ho! How bold of him!
Bold, indeed. However, it's enough to show Frei the *ease* with which Kentou has managed to apply what before took such concentration and focus. Smiling faintly, he shuts his eyes for a moment, clearly proud of his student. After all, that was the one lesson Frei was REALLY trying to teach him all that time. Not to be able to control chi like a Dragonball character -- grunting and sweating, all attention on it -- but to turn the manifestation of his will into a reflex action. Yes, he has done well.
And then he opens his eyes and, provided Kentou doesn't skitter out of the way, brings his fist down on top of the boy's head very lightly, a chiding gesture.
"You SHOULD be happy about that, kiddo," he says, bringing his arm back and crossing both arms over his chest. "But it's just a first step. A burst is a basic shape, if that makes any sense. When we think of energy being released, that's a common human way of thinking about it. That's what you're doing, is gathering chi and then letting it explode out. Instinctive now, right?" he asks, hoping that the young fighter is keeping up with this. It's always been his way not to bog down TOO much with explanations, but Frei has never liked treating Kentou like a child, either; in part, he thinks that if his expectations for the youth are high, then he'll strive hard to meet them.
Putting some distance between himself and Kentou, the monk puts up a hand palm-out, and a little burst of gold light -- an echo of the technique that Kentou learned -- bursts there. "See? It's like... hmmm. Like a spring. I think I've used that analogy before. You put tension on it then remove the tension, and... poof!" He spreads his arms wide, mimicking the motion of something flying off in the distance. "Explodes outwards, by jumping in the case of a spring. But... the longer you can keep control..."
There's a deep breath, and then Frei brings his hands together, palms in, before spreading them apart. The space described by the distance between his extended palms becomes alive with energy -- that same emerald color Kentou just used -- but rather than being a single spherical form, it's a swirl of spectral 'leaves' of luminescent green, moving first unpredictably, then following Frei's right hand in a jagged line as he moves it around a bit, like a ribbon attached to his finger. "Then the possibilities of what you can do with it open up quite a bit."
Nope, Kentou doesn't skitter out of the way. Rather, the boy takes that solid bomp right ontop of the head with a small 'oof' and wince. His arms falling at his sides as he offers a sheepish grin in apology for his uncalled for demonstration. The boy IS proud of that. To this day, Kentou hasn't gotten over the fact that Frei taught him how to use chi. Sure, for fighters like Frei and Hotaru who've been doing it for years.. it's old hat and not a big deal. For Kentou? It's only been a month or two of hard work to even manage that one move. Now that he's more or less has it under his belt.. He loves using it! Just as much as he loves using Hotaru's amazing techniques in battle. To -feel- that light erupting from his hands and illuminating the area.. Its an amazing experience. He can't get over the fact that he can summon energy to his fingertips just like a real, serious, Neo League fighter can. Which.. matter of fact.. he is one now.
The boy loves what he does. He loves this hobby, this sport, this way of life. As much hard work as it is, as much time and effort as it takes, Kentou loves it. He can't help but relish these new-found abilities as they come to him. Even if .. Right.. Balls of energy are not toys. ._.
"H..Hai!" Kentou replies then to Frei's lecture. Straightening up a moment and listening carefully to his words as the instruction begins in full. His joviality erased from his features as he attempts to be as attentive as possible.
As Frei takes a few steps away, the boy continues watching him carefully. Ever alert in case he needs to move or take an action at any moment should Frei request it. And, with a simple gesture, Frei proves once more just who's the Master here. Kentou can't help but exhale a fraction as Frei manages to summon forth that ball of energy with one hand in an off-handed gesture. A tenth the effort that Kentou requires to do the very same thing.
And then.. Frei demonstrates just how incredibly advanced he is. Crafting a perfectly controlled storm of leaves between his outstretched palms. The youth can only stare at the display with disbelief. Kentou knows how hard it is to just make that little burst of tensed energy. To create a ribbon of fluttering energy leaves dancing between his hands?
Kentou can only gape. "..H...Hai.." He murmurs breathlessly.
With a chuckle, Frei lets the energy go and shakes his head, bringing his hands to his sides. "I wanted to tell you something else, though," he finally says after a moment's pause. This, as far as the monk is concerned, is the important thing... the thing that, like the previous 'ritual' he and Kentou shared on this spot so many weeks ago, might be a 'breakthrough' moment for the young fighter. He doesn't show it, but that gaping expression actually makes Frei wince, interally anyway. He hadn't meant to impress, only to demonstrate... as he has discovered recently, 'impress' can often imply 'this is beyond you'. Something that kills motivation rather than builds it.
But.
Giving himself a little more room, Frei sets his foot behind him and gets into a loose defensive stance. He hasn't used sparring as a teaching tool, not yet; at first he was simply determined to get Kentou to learn how to do the basics he needed before any sort of combat applications could be done. But as his own master taught him long ago, all the theory in the world won't matter if you can't put it into practice... and Frei became a fighter not because he's good at actual physical combat -- quite the contrary. He became a fighter because there is a synergy between using chi on the battlefield and learning to control its finer points. That, and one other, crucial little detail...
"Okay. Throw something at me. Not chi, by the way... a normal, everyday, physical strike. Something complex that took you a while to master." Is he asking to be hit? Sure he is. But as far as the monk is concerned there's a method to his madness... that, and he's confident that Kentou can't do anything TOO permanent to him in way of harm. "I can handle it, don't worry. Just give me your best shot. Take all the time you need."
COMBATSYS: Kentou has started a fight here.
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Kentou 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Frei has joined the fight here.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kentou
If Kentou was detered by awesome displays of power that he cannot accomplish.. The boy would have quit this line of business long, loooong ago. The boy has become pragmatic enough to understand his limitations. And, most importantly, he's learned not to let them keep him from training as hard as he can to do it himself! Frei, himself, has taught him that no matter how hard or how impossible it may seem.. With enough time and effort.. It -can- be done. All this amazing display does is affirm once more that Frei is definitely -the- man to consult on matters of Chi.
As Frei adopts a defensive stands, Kentou nods his head to the request for a strike and settles into his own stance as well. A look of determination crossing his features as he replies, "Hai!"
Worthwhile to note, while Frei has seen this before, the boy's stance really is becoming much like Hotaru's own. Loose on his feet, his arms spread with his fists at shoulder-level. The only significant difference is the closed fists verses Hotaru's softer open-handed style.
As far as Kentou worrying.. Ha ha! Oh no. Kentou isn't worried about Frei's safety here! If anything, the boy is only nervous that he may not execute the attack well enough for Frei's approval. The boy is very used to attacking on command, as often Hotaru would test the boy's progress by dealing with his assaults first-hand. The youth takes a deep breath to clear his anxieties, attempting to still his thoughts. Choosing one of his original family techniques, which did take him longer to master than Hotaru's, the boy lunges forth! While Frei asked for something 'normal'... He also asked for something 'complex'. While the two don't seem to go together terribly well, the boy errs on the side of his better attacks.
The assault occurs in the blink of an eye. The boy -vaults- off his trailing foot, shooting across the distance like a bullet. His fist stretched before him with some authority as the dust rises in his rapid wake a second after, "SHINSOKU YARI!"
COMBATSYS: Kentou successfully hits Frei with Shinsoku na Yari.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Frei 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Kentou
Well then. There may be another reason that Frei hasn't used a lot of sparring in training Kentou: it's hard to concentrate on three things simultaneously. Of course, once he gets around to actually expressing this it's only going to reinforce his point. That doesn't erase the fact, however, that he was attempting to 1.) keep track of his body, 2.) worry about how to explain this to Kentou, and 3.) watch out for Kentou's strike. The combination does not help him at all, so when he goes to deflect Kentou's attack, he does it completely wrong; rather than pressing down on the boy's fist to direct him toward a less nasty target he moves his hand right past Kentou's fist at the same time he's leaning forward to do it. The result is that the young fighter's quite fast attack smacks the monk right in the nose, hard.
Thankfully, even in failure Frei is pretty resilient, but there is an amusing and cartoony moment where the redhaired head snaps backwards dramatically, before coming back and slumping forward. Coughing a few times, the monk suddenly brings his head up and starts laughing as best he can while wiping a hand under his nose to get off a tiny trickle of blood. Sharp and unexpected! "Hahahaha... oh, that did not go as planned at all..." he says with some amusement. Nothing broken, nothing even continuously bleeding, but perhaps a nice slice of humble pie for an instructor who maybe got too much of what he asked for.
"Ow. Dang." He pauses, then wipes a hand under his nose again. He's still smiling, though. "Well. That was a good start. And there's nothing wrong with that attack. But I don't think it's a good example for what I mean. Try again... gimmie something with a lot of steps to it. I mean, that was impressive, but it's very basic. Explosive motion, right? Moving really fast to deliver a... well, a somewhat humbling punch to your instructor's face. Now try something a little more... I don't know. Intricate."
And then he waits. If he wants to make this point work, it's going to have to be perfect.
COMBATSYS: Frei takes no action.
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Frei 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Kentou
Ever have one of those moments where time stops and you realize you just screwed something up huge? Kentou is having one of those moments right about now. Certainly, the boy is not the untrained waif that Frei easily dismantled the attacks of in the past. Of course, a good chunk of that is due to Frei's training! The God-Speed Spear may have been a wee bit too serious an attack to use for a simple demonstration. Frei DID ask for a 'normal' and 'common' attack. The boy shouldn't have used the fastest attack in his arsenal that he can use with no build-up. In the moment immediately after his fist connects with Frei's face.. The boy's expression loses all color. His eyes widen a moment after as he skids to a halt with his fist outstretched. Looking utterly aghast, the boy immediately snaps out of his stance and straightens. A bumbling apology almost managing to stumble out of his lips, but he manages to keep his jaw shut. How insulting would that be for a student to apologize to his master for hitting him? Kentou knows if Frei wasn't distracted he'd never have let that attack through. As is, he simply swallows and tries to reciprocate Frei's good-natured humor by hazarding a sloppy half-grin in turn.
Ah. Okay, this time a more detailed request. Kentou's family techniques are all about explosive speed and hard striking. All of the more complex moves would be from Hotaru's tutelage. Deciding to stick employ one of those, the boy nods again firmly, "Hai!"
THIS time, the boy returns to his stance and approaches more carefully. Telegraphing his attack a bit more carefully to make sure Frei is ready this time. Taking another deep breath, the boy expels his anxiety with a single word, "HUT!"
In a single hop of motion, the boy's pirouettes with whirling arms. Windmilling in a complex, distracting fashion, "Soushou-" And then a hard strike for Frei's middle at the culmination of the dizzying maneuver, "-SHIN!"
COMBATSYS: Frei blocks Kentou's Soushou Shin.
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Frei 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Kentou
Now this, Frei knows... mostly because he's seen Kentou's other teacher use it herself. That being said, it's also the perfect example for what he was trying to convey to the young fighter, and thus he is a LITTLE less distracted this time in terms of defense. He very carefully ducks backwards from the pinwheeling blows, letting the final strike impact on the center of his outstretched palms rather than his stomach. Thus what would probably be crushing force -- it seems unlikely that Kentou realizes the force with which he's capable of striking -- is reduced to stinging force. However, even had he taken that attack full in the face, the monk's purpose here is fulfilled.
"Good! That's perfect. Now..." He pauses, stopping to rub his slightly numb hands on his pants leg for a moment before continuing. "Think about what you just did. Heck, think about both attacks if you want. Tell me everything that went into that from your point of view. I mean, pretend... pretend you're the teacher for now." It's not even completely false, either; Frei is more of a grappler than a striker, and even that comes from a bit of tai chi training and a considerable degree of flat-out fighting instinct rather than long-developed fighting skill. Of course, lately his fighting -- divorced from his chi-using abilities -- has improved quite a bit... and it's that process that's led him to try this somewhat unorthodox technique with Kentou today.
"I know this might not seem applicable, but bear with me," he adds, thinking that through. What does punching have to do with chi? Everything, but he's got to make Kentou see that as well. "And don't be afraid if you can't think of everything. But I know you learned that attack from Hotaru. How? What did you practice? What do you have to DO to perform that technique? Lay it out for me as best you can."
Even if Kentou telegraphs this move with eye contact and a generous lead-in to the attack, Hotaru's techniques are still very potent tools. Even though his execution is leagues beneath Hotaru's, the fact that his fist strikes Frei's forearm solidly is a testament to her skill through proxy.
Just as the fact that the powerful blow dissolves into a blip on Frei's defenses is eyebrow lifting to the youth. Surprised at the remarkably sturdy defense, Kentou hops back a step with his hands still up in the defensive. Always ready in case Frei follows through with a counter-attack. As no follow-up transpires, the boy's arms sink to his sides. Exhaling with a bit of relief as it seems this time the demonstration went off without a hitch.
With a nod, Kentou's head bows. Thoughts stirring behind his shifting eyes, familiar with this teaching technique of Frei's. The Monk used this method in the past, getting Kentou to process information and reciprocate it in turn. The boy used to be confused about this method - After all, isn't it up to Frei to tell HIM what he should be thinking? - But, over time, he's come to learn the wisdom behind it. To not simply recite information, but to actually think about it and understand it.
The series of questions are complicated, however. That's a lot of information for the boy to recant, as his thoughts process over what had just transpired, "I..." His eyes narrow in focus towards the broken shrine stone, "..Well, for my first attack I.. I really wasn't thinking at all. I've used that technique for so long its just.. just second nature for me. I just.. Its like how you don't really think about walking. You just.. Walk. You know?" His mousy eyes lifting to meet the Instructor's, hoping that explanation meets with some measure of approval.
"For.. The other. Hotaru's Soushou Shin.. Well. I used to worry a lot about getting it right. But now.. It's not quite that easy for me but.." His hands whirling in the air slowly, demonstratively, "..I can sort've feel this.. This path. Its like this movement that feels guided. Like.. I'm in control but I'm not in control.. Like.. Its like.. catching this wave. I can feel how it moves.." Slowly using the technique again, his hands slowly following the invisible grooves of force within the technique, "...Its like.. I just ride it through. I didn't feel anything at first.. when Hotaru first showed me. But now.. Its like.. I just know when I catch it juuust right.." And then the boy's hand culminates in the technique once more. Fist outstretched, ".. Bam."
Was there a 'right' answer to Frei's question? Not really. But if there was something close to an *expected* answer, then Kentou nailed it without much trouble, and the smile on the monk's face certainly reflects that. In fact, Kentou's decision to use an instinctive, reflex attack as his first choice has come around to be surprisingly helpful, in the long run. Curious how things work out that way, but in Frei's mind that's the benefit of an organic method of teaching. It has its drawbacks -- Kentou is bright and driven, the type of student who responds to it best; with someone else it might not work as well -- but it can also be effective in ways not even the teacher might imagine.
"Okay. That's a good start. So... I bet you're wondering how these relate. Right?" He pauses, then throws out a quick jab at empty air. It's... okay. Probably not the type of punch you might expect from a fighter with Frei's level of experience, but it's not an idiot's punch... it's just a punch. "Not very good, is it?" he says with a wry grin, giving Kentou tacit approval to agree. "It's alright, but while I was your and Hotaru's age, I wasn't learning how to fight with my fists... I was learning how to hold a sword, and they're much different. Most of it's forgotten, though some of the old instincts die hard." He pauses, lips pursed, as he thinks through some of the memories that evokes.
Shaking his head, he puts his hand to his hip. "But think about what you just said. The first strike you chose was something familiar, second nature... the other one is a little more complex, so you have to control it more. Right?" He pauses, then extends his hand a bit, doing nothing but splaying his fingers out. "That move of Hotaru's -- Soushou Shin -- moves according to a flow that martial artists have always taken advantage of. Swordfighting is the same way, actually; ask a European fencer sometime about 'lines of attack'. Like you said, you found the natural flow of movement and you controlled yourself into it. Chi is the same way. The move you already know is just a natural control and release... but you can make it more elaborate, control it better, if you think of it like you think of physical techniques you know how to do already. Apply the same training and mental exercises... just when you do it, use the chi energy around you instead of your body."
Again Kentou nods with growing relief. Happy that they've managed to put his little mishap in the past and get back to the lessons at hand. At the notion of how these things are inter-related, the student's eyes squint in consideration. Not entirely following but certainly attentive to the explanation.
As Frei then judges the punch he just threw, Kentou blinks visibly as if snapping out of a trance. The boy doesn't speak anything disapproving or judgemental, the truth is the attack was.. Well, it was quite plain. The boy figured Frei was just hurling a half-hearted jab as simple gesticulation for a point he was making. The boy didn't realize that he was supposed to judge its merits! As is, the boy simply offers an apologetic smile. Deciding to err on the side of agreeing with the Monk.
The fact that Frei was raised and taught differently than Kentou was certainly makes worlds of sense. Somehow, the boy could never picture Frei the sort to study Karate from Japan or Northern Shaolin from China, or similar hard-striking arts. Frei wears his particular disciplines on his sleeve, whether he'd be embarrassed or proud to realize.
As Frei diagnoses Kentou's description, the boy goes quiet once more. Listening carefully to the Monk explaining the student's own explanation. And, apparently, the boy stumbled haphazardly into a fairly important concept of martial arts.
As Frei describes that this 'natural flow of movement' applies to Chi as well, this certainly gets Kentou thinking. His brow furrows while his head bows, processing this new wrinkle with some serious thought. Applying this new spin to everything he's been taught so far with Chi.. And it does make sense. He only really started to learn the Hizashi when he found the pattern of movement that helps 'collect' the ambient Chi correctly.
"...L.. Like ... Like a ..." His hands waving about, as if trying to conjure forth an appropriate word for the abstract concept, ".. A key. A .. Movement Key.. Sort've.." He ventures a guess.
The tilt of Frei's head to the side is almost Valley Girl-ish as he considers the concept of a movement 'key'. Maybe not the words he'd put to it, but considering it's Kentou that needs to learn the actual movements and techniques, not Frei, it stands to reason that using terms the young fighter will understand is probably for the best. Thus, he nods, somewhat. "I guess you could look at it like that. Think about... a fast-moving stream. Working against the current is hard; you have to expend a lot of energy to move even a little bit. But if you want to move with the current, you practically don't have to do anything at all. The 'key' is knowing where to insert yourself in the current. But..."
There's a pause, and then Frei takes a step back. This might not turn out exactly as he'd planned, but it might be good to show Kentou an example of the results of his *own* training. "I've been working with doing this myself, lately... putting fighting principles and chi principles together. I think it's best if you think about actions that are natural. There's a reason you use your hands and not your feet when you do that Hizashi variant of yours, right?"
Frei's hand drops to his side, fingers tight together and pointed, as if he were going to do a knifehand. On cue, an aura of cold, gold-silver, almost metallic light flares into being around said hand, though he keeps it at his side. "Like, if you wanted to use your chi to 'cut', you'd consider a physical motion that resembles cutting, right?" And then he... sweeps his hand through the air, upward, in a parabolic arc, as if 'slicing' the air between himself and Kentou. It's slowed down quite a bit for training purposes, so Kentou can get out of the way... of course, if he doesn't, the combination of the physical strike and the air-slicing metal chi aura that glitters in its path are not toned down one bit!
COMBATSYS: Kentou dodges Frei's Houken.
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Frei 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Kentou
Its a good thing Frei did demonstrate his glowing hand ahead of time. It's the only reason why Kentou just baaaaarely managed to twist out of the way!
Frei's slow approval of Kentou's description makes the boy scratch the back of his head sheepishly. Realizing that probably wasn't the best description, but rather than take another stab at it the boy simply nods again attentively as the Monk tries to make it work. Adopting the additional twist of the 'stream', the youth considers that description works much, much better. Yes... The techniques do have a 'flow' to them. The youth can see where Frei is coming from there..
However, as Frei ignites his fingertips, the boy tenses, "HaiiiIIII!" His voice terminating in a sharp squeak as that metal-energy blade slices straight at him. The attack may be casual and slow for Frei, but for Kentou, he needs to act fast. The boy slides on his heel, twisting his body a full 90 degrees as the blade passes an inch beyond Kentou's face. The very tips of his bangs shorn in the abrupt movement as his mousy eyes widen.
Comically, having just barely evaded; his eyes roll over towards the path of the blade into the wilderness beyond, down to the quarter inch of brown hair floating to the ground, then completing the circuit to Frei. "R..Right.." Kentou stammers a moment after. In truth, the boy doesn't really want to learn a 'cutting' technique. An attack designed to pierce and slice flesh just seems.. Unnecessary. Pummeling his opponent into submission is one thing. Leaving wounds that take weeks, if not months, to heal just seems.. uncalled for. While it seems to be a popular thing with fighters these days, even ones who think themselves noble, the boy has no intention of stooping to those sorts of attacks.
Not to say he thinks of Frei in this way! No, the teacher just wanted to demonstrate a principle, and the demonstration was most certainly understood! And it does make the boy consider certain motions of his family techniques that.. Hmmm...
COMBATSYS: Frei has left the fight here.
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Kentou 0/-------/-------|
Even as Kentou is jumping back, Frei is straightening from the forward-leaning crouch that particular attack tends to leave him in, coming back up to a full stand and letting out a slow breath. Kentou himself might not know it, but Frei adapted 'systems'... adjusting from the Japanese style of elements to the Chinese system of five. It's not that his old way of doing things has disappeared; rather, he realized he was adopting the principles of onmyoujutsu as a sort of artificial tether to his past. Still, 'metal' is not an element in the Japanese way of thinking, but to the Chinese it is... and the properties of that particular attack are still having the proverbial kinks worked out.
Still, he seems pleased -- but not surprised -- that Kentou evaded the strike. While he might not be the expert on physical combat Hotaru is, he IS an experienced fighter, and seeing Kentou excel still does him good. Proper defenses, after all, require focus... and focus, more than anything, is among the principles Frei is trying to impart.
"That's just one example of 'flow'. But flow doesn't need to just be physical. Have you ever noticed that attacks seem to move in lines?" He pauses, then thrusts his hands out toward (but not INTO) Kentou, palms out. "Straight lines..." He then swings a hand down in a chopping motion, before bringing it back up in a rising motion. "Vertical..." Finally he hops back a step and swings his foot around in a quick roundhouse kick. "Circles. And naturally, if you want to make a physical strike with chi around it, that's one thing. But if you're using chi to attack someone, why not use those lines of flow?"
Certainly skill is part of it. Being attentive at just the right time can make all the difference in the world. Not to mention, being ready to jump and move at any given moment because one never knows when or where the next attack will be. Still, as it becomes clear that Frei is not following up that attack with a renewed offensive, the boy begins to relax just a fraction more. His eyes wide as he listens to the explanation carefully.
The one thing that Frei seems to so easily grasp is the ability to invoke many other types of energies than simply a fighter's trademark. There's certainly more to simply waiving one's hand and following a set pattern to conjure up a form of energy contrary to one's own being. The fact that Frei can adapt to so many wildly different 'grooves' goes a long way towards affirming his own mastery of such things.
However, as Frei demonstrates these lines of attack, the boy flinches a fraction. Half expecting those to be legitimate attacks, the youth tenses up with every completed motion. Only relaxing once more by the third type of 'line'.
Unlike the previous, the boy admits that this is something familiar to him with a slow nod. While never explained in precisely those terms to him, the student has noticed certain trends to attacks. Especially ones empowered by chi. "I.. I see.." He muses. Almost all of the attacks of his family arts are straight. Direct. To the point. Nearly all of the moves he's learned from Hotaru have been circular. Rounded, elegant movements. Much as Hotaru always preaches, combining the two philosophies has afforded him a much greater variety of options at his disposal. Multiple ways of attacking his opponent and defending himself in turn. As his eyes slide skyward, moving back and forth as if following some invisible practice routine, all of the various techniques he's learned over the last year play out on his head. Labeling each in turn as 'straight' or 'circular'.. Hmmm.
There's a pause while Frei examines Kentou for a moment. There's a lot of hmming and nodding, which at least means the boy is paying attention and *probably* understands what the heck he's talking about, but one last push might help to cement things. Putting a finger to his chin thoughtfully, he adds: "Think about the techniques you just showed me, anyway. That first one moves in a straight, powerful line. The other one starts in a spiralling circle and then ends in a short, sharp straight line... kind of like the spiral uncoiling itself." Blinking, the monk digests what he just said, as if he were surprised to hear it come out of his own mouth.
But the physical isn't exactly what he came here to teach Kentou, and so he shakes his head to get back on task. "Anyhow. There's one more thing to remember. Not all energy is 'elemental', though there's usually similarities. But think about physics... have they gotten to that in school?" he asks innocently, totally oblivious of poor Kentou's sudden insertion into the world of public education. If anything, perhaps this will motivate him even harder to hit the books. "Anyhow. You know Hotaru's chi-throwing technique, right? That, I can say from experience, is concussive force. It's not necessarily 'elemental', but it acts like kinetic energy. And it moves in a clear-cut, straight line when she throws it. But what if it were, say... lightning?"
To demonstrate, Frei improvises a bit, calling up an old technique of his and cracking his knuckles. "Here. Let me show you." Giving Kentou time to prepare, the monk waits until the young student is ready before attempting to step forward onto his knee... perhaps something similar to the Shinjou Tai that his OTHER master uses. But if he can get that far, Frei pushes off Kentou's body... and at the same time, an arc of purple-blue lightning drops out of the sky to give him a good zapping as well.
COMBATSYS: Kentou dodges Frei's Charged Throw.
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Frei 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Kentou
Amazingly, Kentou continues to nod to Frei's descriptions of the techniques he had just used. Indeed, those very thoughts were going through his head.. Even if he couldn't describe them quite so eloquently, "Hai.." The boy slowly responds to this, rubbing his chin with his first knuckle in careful consideration.
As Frei suddenly goes all Science Class on him, now the Monk earns a blank look from the boy, "..Uuuh..." The youth murmurs as his hand falls from his chin. Sheepishly taken aback by the jolt of mathematical reality and empirical science to a trade that.. well.. Is often described as 'Magic'. "Y..Yeah.." Grabbing onto the tail end of the explanation, the part he can grasp, "Hotaru's... Doesn't burn or anything. It just.. hits really hard. Mine is kinda the same way I think.. I can't set anything on fire or that kind of thing.." Able to offer input on that.
And as Frei sees fit to prepare himself to demonstrate another move, Kentou definitely gets himself prepared this time! Eyes widening as he hastily assumes his stance. The quick step from the Chinese Magician is not avoided, but just as Frei pushes off of his knee, the boy uses that bit of force to actually let himself be thrown downwards. Folding his knee and -diving- at a diagonal angle from the man as he vaults back... And calls down the thunder!
The stroke of lightning crashes where Kentou was mere moments ago. The boy only barely able to avoid certain peril yet again, mostly because Frei is giving him ample time to prepare! Even still, as the youth rolls to a crouching stance with his arms held wide, the boy stares at the smoking, blackened spot where the energy struck mere seconds ago. "...Wow.."
The boy may be a neophyte, but he's pretty sure it doesn't say anywhere in his physics book that if you push off of someone's knee lightning doesn't strike! Apart from that cheeky reply, Kentou is completely amazed at this new technique. Yet another element that Frei can call forth at will! "S..So.. That was.. vertical?" The boy ventures as his eyes drift back up to Frei, still not standing yet from his low-stance.
Aha! At last, a chance to correct! Which is not necessarily about Frei's ego, but much more about the truism that we learn more from what we do wrong than from what we do right. Brushing a finger across the top of his nose, Frei shakes his head a little. "Well, yes, but... that wasn't what I was trying to show you. I used an attack that calls down lightning for a specific purpose. I mean, you've seen a thunderstorm, right? Lightning moves in vertical lines between cloud and ground... so if you want to attack with lightning, it's *easier* to work with the way lightning itself typically moves. Watch someone who uses electrical chi fight sometime. Lines, blades, and maybe small bursts... those are all ways lightning tends to move."
There's a pause, and then the monk runs a hand through his hair, trying to decide how to explain this. He holds out his hand and a small swirl of flame twirls around there idly. "I know we've talked about this before, but this isn't real fire, obviously. Chi aren't the same as the forces they mimic. But, that cuts both ways. If you want to make chi do something, then doing it in a way that... hmmm. I'm saying this wrong."
Closing his palm and extinguishing the flame, Frei looks at Kentou. "I don't think your chi is elemental, but it DOES have an elemental influence, I think. In the Chinese system, 'Wood' is associated with righteous fury, and courage, and renewal... it's a yang force, a positive and explosive force. So that bursting technique comes easy, because the form meshes well with your personality. If you want to do something more complex, you have to... well." He takes a deep breath, then throws out his hands, creating the storm of 'leaves' again. "Leaves in the wind... if I want a 'Wood' effect, it's easier if I do it in a way that's related to 'Wood'."
The youth blinks as Frei corrects his assessment. While Kentou seemed to be somewhat correct, the truth was sitting somewhere near it. As the Monk describes the real reason more fully, the youth then rises from his low stance. Returning to an attentive posture as his head tilts curiously. His memory of certain lightning users does serve him a bit, Benimaru being the most famous that he can name. Recalling the short-range bursts that handsome man typically uses in all his fighting footage in public fights.
As flame alights on Frei's hand, the boy immediately recoils. Hopping back, fully expecting an incoming incendiary blast as the next 'example'! But as Frei simply extinguishes the flame, only then does Kentou 'fwew' lightly. Getting a bit more nervous with every potential 'lesson' Frei might hurl in his direction.
Rather, as the Chinese Mage reminds Kentou of his own particular 'element' the boy pays extra special attention now. His eyes lighting with renewed interest, nodding enthusiastically as the description continues. However, as Frei shuffles forth yet another billowing cloud of leaves, the boy frowns fractionally in dejection. "I.. I see.."
Argh, Kentou can't make little leaves like that! Manipulating a hailstorm of tiny energy objects shaped in a particular way and moving in a particular way is outright impossible for him! Even the truly great fighters of the world, such as Ryu himself, doesn't possess that level of control. At least, that the boy's seen from that guys public fighting footage.
However! The boy doesn't let that get him down for long as he then posits, "..So.. I have to think of techniques in a.. leaf-like motion?" Seeming to half-understand what's been spoken. "Like.. Kinda.. A wave or something..?" His flatly spread hand making a back and forth gesture as it slowly sinks lower, in the manner of a falling leaf on a gentle wind.
Smiling, Frei can't help but pat Kentou on the head encouragingly, though the motion isn't likely to have exactly that intended effect on Kentou, who is still, as the kids say, 'growing up'. Still, the monk is not without empathy, and can get a sense that Kentou might be overwhelmed by all this even if he can't discern the specifics. And it IS an enormous amount of material to process all at once, so perhaps that's a natural signal that the training is at a close for today.
"It's a start," Frei says encouragingly, bringing back his hand. Even with his newfound sense of confidence, these are always the worst moments for him... the idea that he's filled Kentou's head with nonsense; that the young fighter, in his enthusiasm, is going to take it in some insane direction and get himself or someone else hurt. So he takes a breath, and tries to remind himself that the most he can do is arm him the best that he can and guide him the way that he knows, and let things happen as they happen.
"I think that's enough for now. Toy with it. Remember," he adds, pointing a finger at his head, "it all starts in here. How you visualize. Remember, it's your will that's letting you change the world around you to do what you want. If you're needled by doubt, it's that much harder. Just try to let things come naturally. Don't force it. And..." Here, his smile comes back, but feels slightly older and more weighty than before. Events have changed him, after all. "Don't be afraid to fail."
Kentou's soaring palm is interrupted at the pat on his head. Bobbing with with the motion as Kentou's head shrinks to his shoulders, a somewhat embarrassed fluster crossing his expression as he chuckles under-breath. Okay, so.. Kentou isn't the best at describing things. Cerebral linguist he ain't. But, as Kentou vainly tries to comb his hair back into place with his fingertips, he does smile sincerely with this bit of encouragement.
While, there's more to it than just simple experimentation, at least now Kentou has a frame of reference. A guideline that he can follow as he learns other techniques in the future and continuously refine the techniques he already knows.
"Hai, Instructor Frei!" Kentou replies as the Monk declairs this training session ended. Indeed, Frei has done much to conquer the doubt the youth has about his ability to learn the more mystical and subtle aspects of martial arts. Through this teacher, the impossible has become possible, and new worlds of understanding has opened to him.
And then, Frei finishes the sentiment with that simple statement. A piece of advice that's easy to understand but extremely, extremely hard to take to heart, "..Hai.." Kentou replies in a much more subdued, understanding tone as his smile gains a measure of serenity. His fist quietly placed to his palm with a slow bow.
Log created on 21:51:34 06/29/2008 by Kentou, and last modified on 02:12:08 07/02/2008.