Training in an old gym (open)

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi delivered a hammer blow, followed by a knife hand jab, and an elbow swing, releasing a loud kiai with each attack. He then placed his feet together, covered his left fist with his right hand and brought them forward in a bow, exhaling slowly as he relaxed. He then grabbed a towel and dried his forehead as he took a swig from his water bottle. His sister was doing chores and he had been training for the last two hours, and while he was making good progress, his training had a sense of tediousness today. A frown appeared on Levi's face as he thought of a way to remedy the situation.

A change of scenery perhaps?

He nodded to himself, threw his training gear in a dufflebag and grabbed his keys. His sister walked in front of him as he made his way to the door, looking at him curiously. He smiled as he spoke.

"I'm heading out for a bit, need a change of scenery. Be back before dinner."

She tilted her head and smiled.

"Kay, I'm done with chores for today so I might go out too."

He nodded and placed his hand on her shoulder as he passed.

"Just be careful, and be back before dinner."

Miki chuckled and walked down the hall.

Levi took a deep breath of fresh air as he got outside, the cool air wiping through his sleevless gi top and his running pants ruffling with the breeze. He looked around, deciding which direction to go, finally turning towards the east. He tightened the strap of his dufflebag so that it was more like a backpack, resting firmly against his back, and began to job through the streets. He was unfamiliar with the town so this was partially a scouting expedition too. After passing a few surly looking groups and more than a dozen still open businesses, he stoppped dead in his tracks as he saw an old gym on a corner. A smile cracking across his face.

"Bingo."

He jogged over and took the boards in front of the windows down, the inside was a bit dusty, but it had plenty of punching bags and pads to train with, even a sparring dummy. He set his dufflebag down, kicking up a cloud of dust, and cleared the boards away from the windows, allowing the sun to pour in through the large windows and give the place a nice light and warmth.

"Perfect."

He smiled as he wrapped his hands with tape and walked up to the hanging punching bag, pushing it into a good swing before sending a volley of jabs and hooks into the bag, loud cracks echoing out of the gym as well as a kiai every few punches or so. After building a good rythmn he gave the bag a hard left reverse sending it away quickly. As the bag came back he stepped to the side and then forward and launching a firece roundhouse into the front of the bag, a loud crack echoing out of the gym, as the stitches came out of the bottom, sand piling up on the floor, the bag useless. Levi shook his head, folding his arms and letting out a sigh.

"See, this is why I need a sparing partner that doesn't explode into sand after a little abuse, though it was probably just an old bag..."

[Delilah A. Black]

Having been scouting the neutral territories for extra parts to put her little "project" closer to completion, Delilah was very much unprepared for the incredibly loud Kiai from across the street. She jumped, bending her knees and widening the posture of her legs, a hand on her knife as she looked around for danger.
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Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, but still able to hear the sounds of training a little ways off, the mechanic would raise an intrigued eyebrow and walk across the street to investigate the gym the sounds were coming from.

Delilah would enter silently, watching from the shadows as the Japanese boy beat the living hell out of a training bag. She would observe for a while, looking for something in his exertions that resembled technique. Just from watching his stance or posture if you like, she could assume he was accustomed to staying in one spot, marking him as a Karatedoka (one who follows the way of the fist) though the kiai gave this away as well. Another thing she noticed was how accurate his striking was. He was aiming for weak points, either to permanently damage nerve centres or pressure points or break bones. She found herself smiling. Some bad habits, but all in all, rather impressive. Especially when the sandbag imploded.

"See, this is why I need a sparring partner that doesn't explode into sand after a little abuse, though it probably was an old bag...."

That was her que.

Applauding lightly, Delilah would step out of the shadows and into the dim light of the ruined building with a friendly smile adorning her lips. She was wearing her usual attire of a grey tanktop and her mechanics jumper, though the lower half was tied around her waist and the legs were tucked into combat boots. Her arms and back would shine in the light with the scars she had accumulated over her short life and the palms of her hands were oli stained, the same color as her hair which she held in a clip behind her head. There were three knives at her belt, a bowie knife, a tanto and a simple pocket knife. Despite her harsh appearance, she seemed to emanate a sense of calm and poise that was reflected in her over bright blue eyes and full lipped smile.

She would stop clapping about ten feet awash from him and bow at the waist towards him. Unlike the karate style of bowing, however, her eyes would never leave his. Their arts might have similar heritage, but they were VERY different.

"I am Delilah Black," she would say as she straightened her spine. "I would be honored to train with you. Onegaishimasu. <Please show me>"

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi had just decided to start looking for a replacement bag when the sound of applause rang throughout the small gym. He could feel a presence, but it was not inherently malicious so his reaction was subdued as he turned slowly to see a woman in the doorway, walking towards him. He watched with an inquisitive expression on his face.

"hm?"

He was ready for the worst as this town seemed like the unfriendly type, though he had yet to figure this particular person out. She was well built, obviously trained, as he could tell that underneath any slenderness she had, was toned, fierc muscle. As she introduced herself and bowed he smiled, appreciative of the courtesy. He nodded and covered his left hand with his right and shook them towards her, a typical Kajukenbo bow. He spoke with the same smile on his face as he returned her courtesy in the same language, speaking calmly as he began regulating his breathing.

"Kayamei, Levi.....Hajime...<Begin>"

Levi's style was more reactive, but his style was not the cookie cutter variation of Kajukenbo, he had honed it to be agressive when the situation called for it.

Alright...let's see what the fighters in this town can do.

The 16 year old closed the gap between them quickly, keeping his shoulders square to hers as he brought his left fist up and kept it back as his right shot forth, a palm strike aimed at her sternum, as he brought his left foot directly behind his right then flipping the right leg out directly in front, a toe-kick aimed for her diaphram. The idea was that the right palm would disguise the kick as both attacks were simultaneous.

[Delilah A. Black]

Keeping her arms loosely at her sides, Delilah would simply pivot on her hips to avoid the palm strike by mere inches. Out of the way was still out of the way, even if only just. His leg kicked out to her sternum and she caved her midsection in slightly and the kick passed harmlessly in front of her, again though the kick wasn't far off from finding it's mark. She 'tsked' lightly.

Moving one of her legs in a quick circular motion before he completed his kick, she went to scoop his planted leg out from under him at the ankle with her boot, hands still loosely at her sides, still smiling as she had before.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi smiled as his attacks were easily dealt with, he was not dealing with an average fighter, a fact that motivated him to harder. If he hadn't prepared for the worst, he would have been caught completely off guard, and even though he was prepared for the sweep, his plan to counter was forced into a recovery instead. As his leg was taken out from under him, he shifted his body weight to the left, catching himself on his left hand, moving into a cartwheel and landing on his feet.

Okay, so much for warm up....better play to my stengths, attacking first isn't going to get me anywhere.

Levi assumed a foward stance, feet, shoulder width apart, left leg with the least weight on it, but flat on the floor. He kept both hands up facing Delilah a few feet from his chest. He waited patiently and focused on her center, watching her every move with his pereferal vision.

[Delilah A. Black]

She was impressed by the one hand cartwheels to recover. Most karate schools don't teach acrobatics like that, so it was a bit of a surprise. It struck her that he might have more than one art under his belt. Palm strike usually said kung fu or eskrima. Hmm.

As he reset his stance, Delilah quickly closed the gap, deciding the best approach would be "Ku no kata" or pattern of the void.

three feet away, she would quickly strike open hand at Levi's face three times in rapid succession. These weren't really designed tolland or cause damage, and were mostly there to obscure his vision. Still, if he did nothing about them, likely he would get hit, but they were easily countered.

With the third strike still in his face for him to deal with, Delilah's right leg would come up and kick out with the whole of her boot to his midsection. The attack was designed to look like she was taking an exaggerated step, entering briefly into hichou no kamae as she shoved her hips forward to knock whom off balance. Normally delivered with sternum cracking strength, Delilah only used 10%.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi reacted quickly to the punches leaning backwards to avoid the first two and grabbing her last attack with with his left hand and stepping in as he pulled the arm across her body and towards him, as he did this, he felt Delilah's kick plant into his sternum, Levi winced as pain shot through his chest.

Can't lose this chance!

He gritted his teeth as he made sure to not let go of the arm as his feet were forced backwards and up as she used her hips to throw him off balance. Pulling his weight around, he pulled her arm across his groin, placing his legs across her body, the left across her neck and the right under her arm and across her chest, putting her into an aerial armbar. He arced his back, applying pressure, being sure not to break it, though he had a feeling he wouldn't be able to if the Delilah didn't allow him to.

[Delilah A. Black]

Well, this was new.

The incredibly inventive arm bar made her grin with delight as he applied it, using his whole body to apply it. It also put her at an interesting angle with his leg.

There were other ways she could have gotten out of it. Of course, he had the proper leverage to cause her extreme pain, but she was stronger than he was. If she wanted to, she could muscle her way out of it no problem.

Instead, she decided to teach him a lesson.

CHOMP.

Her teeth would bite down on Levi's inner thigh hard enough to draw blood, but not enough to actually rip his flesh off. She figured she'd be nice about it. So to speak.

[Levi Kayamei]

As she forced her chin past his leg with brute strength he held on, knowing he still had leverage, he held on until she bit him.

How strong is this woman?

He yelled in pain as he drew his leg back and quickly aimed a series of kicks at her face. Levi knew he was only conscious because she had allowed it, but it was marvelous training to fight against someone so strong.

[Delilah A. Black]

As he released her head, she would pull the rest of herself free no problem, ducking under a kick while going to sweep for the only leg he was standing on in snow effort to knock him to the ground, flat on his back. Whether or not this actually worked, she would be chuckling lightly ssh the momentum carried her to her feet.

"Lesson one, " she held up one black stained finger. "Don't put yourself in a position you could get hurt in. It's like kicking your own ass. This happens when your position becomes fixed. What would have happened if I had friends and you tied yourself up like that?" she shrugged. Fighting wasn't fair. That was why she bit him. "Apply the technique and move on. That way, you don't leave yourself open to multiple attackers.

"Now. Again!"

Whether or not he was ready, Delilah would be on him with a simple and direct technique, a palm strike to his chin under his guard to take his spine and a harsh push down towards the ground as she palmed his face. Her own guard handwould be up as she did this, drawn up close to her neck.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi smiled as he hit the ground, this fighter was clearly holding back and was doing extremely well.

"Okay, lesson learned...lesson two...."

Levi rolled to his left, palming the side of Delilah's attacking arm, deflecting the attack and simultaneosly sending a kick with his right towards her ribs.

"Never underestimate your opponent."

[Delilah A. Black]

Both counters landed and she staggered slightly. She was pleasantly surprised...that actually hurt! She was sure she'd have a bruise from that. She chuckled.

"True enough."

holding back, were we? Tsk tsk.

Her arms would shoot forward to grab on to the front of his shirt. If he hadn't stopped her by this point, Delilah would fall backwards while lifting her right leg up to her chest, pulling him along with her. She would then plant her boot on the front of his shirt, and as her back would touch the floor, she would launch Levi over her head and towards the wall.

If not, it would depend on what Levi would do that would prompt a response.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi was glad his opponent was up to the challenge as she grabbed his shrt.

That's what I'm talking about.

Levi hands shot out between her arms, his thumbs aiming for her eyes. His intent was to actually aim where her eyelids would protect her eyes from any real damage but the pressure would still cause enough pain to abstruct the throw. He then placed a foot on her stomach and lifted his hips, hoping to throw her over himself. If successful he would kip onto his feet and face her, taking a horse stance and awaiting her next move.

[Delilah A. Black]

She changed her grip as his thumbs neared her eyes. THIS she liked! It was pretty damned similar to her own methods.

But they were through under estimating eachother and before he could contact, she changed her grip to grasp his shoulders as she kicked herself up off the ground in a hand stand on his shoulders. She would only be there briefly before she pushed off to perform a handspring off his shoulders to land lightly on her feet behind him.

The second her feet would touch the ground, she would aim a kick for the back of his knee to drop his balance before following up with an elbow strike aimed for the back of thus head.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi kipped up after Delilah let go of his shoulders, only to feel a kick to the back of his knee. Fortunately he never locked knees and while it did buckle, the damage and loss of balance was reduced. As he lost his balanced he turned his head to see the elbow coming.

Nice....

Levi pivoted left on his standing leg, taking the elbow just behind his right cheekbone, wincing from the pain as he continued to pivot, rolling some of the impact away. As he came to face Delilah he rushed forward, directing a knife hand towards Delilah's armpit with his right, keeping his left up, ready to guard.