Log Title: Price of Progress
Characters: Jinx, Kamakura, Lifeline, and Low-Light
Location: Training Center - The Pit, and Dock - Escalante River - Utah
Date: 7-5-2023
TP:
Summary: Jinx watches Kamakura and Low-Light spar, than she and Kamakura have a serious conversation
As logged by Jinx
- LOG BEGINS
Kamakura comes into the training room, ready to get to work. He starts off on the treadmill, working his way towards the mat. He hums to himself and seems in a very good mood today.
Low-Light whistles at Kama. "Hey, kid!" he says. "Feeling better? Wanna wrestle?"
Kamakura smiles. "Feelin real good tonight." He heads over to Low-Light. "Sure. I'm gonna go easy on you, old man."
Once again, Kimiko is on one of the training mats, with her wooden, training katanas, and she is blindfolded. She is working out against a set of targets, her swords striking them about 85% of the time she moves to strike one, in between her movement and katas.
Low-Light snorts. "'Old man,' huh?" he says. 'I'll show you how old I am when I throw you off my lawn, punk." He grins. "Let's go."
"Watch out, Sean. He trash talks a lot," Edwin says. "He called me a bougie vegan, of all things."
Kamakura moves up to the mat with Lowlight. He crouches into a defensive position and makes a come at me gesture with his hand. "Its alright. I got it, Edwin." oh so sure of himself.
GAME: Jinx PASSES a DEXTERITY roll of Very High difficulty.
Low-Light looks over at Lifeline. "And I regretted it instantly," he says. "Found out the hard way that 'do no harm' does not mean 'kick no ass.'" He looks back at Kamakura. "Now you, gotta come up with something good to call you. Can't use Green Power Ranger, that's, like, so 2003..." He considers, tapping his chin. "...what to call you, what to call you..."
Kamakura grins cheekily under his mask "How about master of the mat?"
Kimiko's katanas flash out in a series of strikes at the targets, all four of them in succession. She than comes to a halt, removes her blindfold, and calls out to Low-Light, "Call him 'Can of Corn'. It might annoy him, and since he still fights like he is holding a can of corn... it fits."
Edwin laughs at Kimiko's little jab at Sean. "Oh! Wow, that was kind of a burn," he chuckles.
Low-Light grins back, opening his mouth and stopping when Kimiko comes up with a better one. "Li'l Sprout!" he says, taking her can of corn idea and twisting it through his TV addled mind. "Works! Ok, prepare to get a hot foot to the nibblets." He charges at Kamakura, going for a tackle, rather than a kick or punch. Because that worked so well against Edwin...
>> Low-Light succeeds with his generic combat roll on Kamakura. <<
Kamakura is tackled down to the ground, not expecting that one! "Alright, Cooper. No more playin around.." He tries to throw him off of him. "You're a slippery little possum.
>> Kamakura strikes Low-Light with Throw. <<
"Cooper! Stay low!" Kimiko calls out. "And beware his right side. It's his stronger side." Why is she helping Low-Light? She is still annoyed with something that happened awhile back, and this is her first chance to get just the slightest bit of payback.
Low-Light is thrown and lands hard, but rolls with it, coming back up to his feet....in his own time. He adjusts his hat on his head, grinning at Kamakura. He turns his head, nodding to Kimiko. "Ma'am," he says, then immediately attempts to come after Kamakura on his left side. "Possum punch!" he yells, swinging at Kamakura's side.
>> Low-Light strikes Kamakura with Punch. <<
Kamakura is hit backwards "Not the possum!" He says. He seems to be pretty playful today. He tries to block but takes the possum punch to his side. "Alright. Time for the sprout to get the possum out of his garden." He punches back at low-light.
>> Kamakura strikes Low-Light with Punch. <<
Low-Light whuffs as he's caught by the dreaded Sprout Strike. "Sonofa...ok, fine, lemme show you a move I learned from the greatest dirty fighter I ever knew," he says, bringing his knee up into the nearest bits of Kamakura. "Una Marie MacBride."
>> Low-Light fails his generic combat roll against Kamakura. <<
Kamakura sees the low blow coming at him and blocks. "Hands above the waist sunshine!" he says, trying to deflect the punch back towards Low0Light with one of his own. "Using Una tricks now eh? I do somethin wrong?"
>> Kamakura strikes Low-Light with Punch. <<
Kimiko just leans against a piece of training equipment and watches Kamakura and Low-Light train. She tilts her head slightly, and makes a mental note.
Edwin watches the bout from where he's seated on a yoga mat, doing some intermediate-level poses.
Low-Light never could get that move right... "Ow!" he says, grabbing for Kamakura's shoulders. "I dunno, Jinxie's mad at you. What'd you do?" He pushes back, trying to shove the younger man down on the mat and pin him.
>> Low-Light misses Kamakura with Throw. <<
"Jinxie?" Kimiko asks softly, mostly to herself. She shrugs. She has been called worse. At least no one recently has complained that she brings them bad luck.
Kamakura blinks "Kimiko's mad? Why? Hey. I can ask her when we're done okay? Unless you're cool with breaking it off before I hit a hip." Kamakura then rolls out of the way, going in for a leg sweep!
>> Kamakura strikes Low-Light with Kick. <<
Low-Light whahahas, landing flat on his back. "Ow..." he says, squirming a bit. "..freakin'..ow! Oh man...oh...oh wow, kid, I think I felt something snap... help?"
Kamakura actually stops, and holds out his hand. "You ok, Cooper?" He asks. "Didn't mean to get you that hard."
Low-Light swings hard, aiming to punch Kamakura in the face. Just one good hard thwack in the middle of Sprout's puss. Oh please, combat gods... Mother Ripley, guide my hand...
>> Low-Light misses Kamakura with Punch. <<
Kamakura moves back. "Too slow." He chuckles. "Fightin dirty eh?" He says. "Gonna let you get up now. Cause you know. Fair." he doesn't attack this round.
Kimiko sighs, "I told you to stay low." She shakes her head as Low-Light punches at Kamakura, and it is obvious to her that he is not going to hit. "Try more power at the start of the punch. Let the power bring the speed..." She is not really sure if she is being heard, but she is also not quite as adept at training people, as some other fighters are.
Low-Light grunts, getting to his feet. "Cause you know. Fair." he says in a mocking, older brother to younger brother tone. "Fair's for cotton candy, Sprout!" He hears Kimiko's instructions and absorbs it, attempting it with a kick this time, hoping to sweep Kamakura's legs out from under him.
>> Low-Light strikes Kamakura with Kick. <<
Kamakura winces. "That.. ow. Was a good one." He lands on one knee. "Lets see what happens when I give one back!" he moves out of the crouch into a high kick with the speed and accuracy of well. A ninja.
>> Kamakura strikes Low-Light with High Kick. <<
Low-Light huphs as he takes a *hard* kick to the breadbasket, sending all the air out of him in a whooosh. This time, he crumples, hitting the mat and doubling over. Yes, the damage is simulated but having simulated wind knocked out of one feels very like the real thing. Hoof..gonnna need a minute.
Kimiko moves closer to the sparring Joes, and shakes her head, "Low-Light, You really needs to work on your defense." She looks thoughtful, "Keep your eyes on his eyes, it will help you know when he is actually moving to attack. Use peripheral vision to know from where the attack is coming."
Low-Light ooghs. "..noted," he croaks. "Better...at...distances. Shooter, not a ninja." He slowly regains his breath. "Hey, Sprout, wanna call it a draw? I'll take you back to the dog park, huh? We can see if Bandit's there..."
Kamakura smiles. "Then don't let me get close next time." He backs off and bows. "Draw it is." He says. "Maybe later. There's something I need to check up on." he says. He heads over to Kimiko. "YOu ok, Kimiko? You seem like you might have something on your mind."
Kimiko glances around, and than shakes her head slightly, "Not here, Sean." What she means, is not in front of Non-Arashikage's.
Kamakura nods "Want to take a walk?" He asks Kimiko. "If I did something to offend, I'd like to know." he says.
Low-Light whuffs and gets to his feet. The damage is no longer being simulated, but he did get a good work out. And a solid reminder that he definitely needs to brush up on his hand-to-hand. "Good round," he says, to Kamakura. "Kimiko, thanks for the pointers. You ever looking to do some training, I could use the help. Obviously."
Kimiko smiles, and nods to Cooper, "I am not a very good teacher. Ask Sean here, I usually just beat on him until he learns something..." She glances at Sean, and nods. She motions towards the tunnel, leading to the docks, and arches an eyebrow in question.
Low-Light snorts. "If you can beat him, you could teach me," he says, giving a wave as the two ninjas head out.
Edwin is in some sort of yoga position, breathing in and out evenly. He seems very limber and relaxed.
<OOC> Jinx says, "Contemplative Medic? Downward Doctor? :D" <OOC> Lifeline says, "LOL :D"
Kamakura nods "She can beat me." He says without question. "I'm no where near Kimiko's level."
Kamakura then turns to the tunnel. "Ok lets walk. See you guys later." with that he heads on out.
Kimiko steps onto the dock, and moves down towards the end. She leans over the railing, and is patiently waiting Sean to come closer. She is also trying to decide if now is the right time to talk to him. She has been patient this long, might not more time to let her anger cool be smart?
Kamakura moves a bit closer. He frowns a bit to himself, having no idea why she would be angry. Is it the Tomas thing? Who knows. He moves next to Kimiko. "Hey, Kimiko." he says softly. "What's going on? Is this about the Tomas thing?"
A headshake answers that question, but Kimiko does elaborate, "No, Tomas is not what has angered me, although, I am not happy about people messing with my family." She than turns to look at Sean, and since he likely knows her better than most Joes, even some of the Clan, he can likely see the contemplation in her eyes, her manner. It is a common thought process. Should she patient, or should she act now?
GAME: Kamakura PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.
Kamakura does notice the contemplation. He gets serious. "Then what is it? If its anything I can help you with..."
Kimiko sighs, very softly, "I am not sure you can help me get over my anger, Sean." She turns and looks back over the river, "The person I am angry at is.... you." There, she said it.
Kamakura blinks. "Me?" he asks. "What did I do?" he asks. "If its something I can fix, or make better..."
"Have you been made a Master Arashikage, without my knowledge, Sean?" Kimiko asks softly.
Kamakura shakes his head. "Not that I'm aware of." He says. "Is this about me trying to take care of the dojo while the masters are gone? Figure I'd do something to help out."
Kimiko shakes her head again. She is silent for a long minute, than finally asks, "If you are not a Master, why would you give me orders, like you were expecting me to follow them? The night Interrogator came by the Dojo, and I tried to force him to leave.... you ordered me to back off." She sighs softly, "I know this is wrong of me, but.... I feel that you are treating me like many of the clan do, just because I am a woman, I am to be ordered around. Snake-Eyes, Tommy, Billy, and you... You four were the ones who did not treat me as inferior, and than, all the sudden, you give me an order, in the way of a Master....?"
Kamakura blinks "Oh...yeah that. I didn't order anything. I was just giving suggestions. You can always feel free to tell me to frag off, you know." He says. "I didn't mean to treat you as inferior. I definitely don't think that you are because of a woman. I overstepped my bounds, Kimiko. And for that." he bows deeply. "I deeply apologize."
Kimiko sighs softly, "I know I am overly sensitive to it...." She stares out over the river, "I have always dreamed of being the first Female Master Arashikage..." She sighs, "But I have never been able to learn the Arashikage Mindset. So it will never happen." She sighs, "So, I was angry when I thought you had been named a Master..." She shakes her head, "You owe me now apology, Sean. I owe it to you. I allowed jealously to cloud my mind, and I have acted with less honor than I would like... I should have spoken to you sooner, but I could not bring myself to face it rationally."
Kamakura nods "And you will one day. You're a lot closer then I am to it. If I knew the mindset maybe I could sort out this Tommy business...but I don't." he says. "Im sorry I made you angry and was oblivious to it. I just kinda..I dint want him to...yeah that's my fault too." He says. "I think I was just worked up because I thought he was going to hurt you. I was way out of line. Next time, I'll let you handle business. I'm sorry. I think. I think we're even then okay?"
Kimiko looks at Sean, and shrugs, "Perhaps... although, I did tell Low-Light about which side you were stronger from. Not that it really helped him."
Kamakura smiles. "He's gonna need a lot of training if he's going to stand up to either of us. Its good that you gave him an advantage." He says. He then looks out at the water a bit, looking oddly...tired.
"It is not really a competition between the Joes, Sean." Kimiko says softly, "Anything to make it so they survive the next fight they are in, right?"
Kamakura nods "Right. I mean Clan's important, but I'm also a soldier and gotta remember that side too. Yin to the yang."
Kimiko nods, and returns her eyes to the river, standing in silence, with Sean. Finally, after a long silence she asks, "Tomas... You see him more than I do... is he really Tommy? Or Tommy is really in his head, somewhere?"
Kamakura sighs "He's a little bit of both." he says. "Its like.. I know you didn't see it much when I came back as Broca." he says. "Its almost like two different people fighting for the same mind." He says. "He cured me with the mindset, but I do not know how to cure him. I'm getting used to treating Tommy and Tomas as two individuals, neither good nor bad. Yin and Yang again. If I want to help one I must help the other. That's what I told Edwin too."
"I don't know how to help him. Tommy is my cousin, I love him like he is my brother, but when I see Tomas, all I can think of is that he is holding my Tommy back, not allowing him to come home..." Kimiko sighs, "I have not been able to get past that, so I have not visited him, here in the Pit. I am failing the family, Sean."
Kamakura pauses. "Tommy lived a good life. The way his ghost haunts Tomas isn't right. I respect them both, Kimiko but I dont know how to help. Maybe if we tried accepting both not one or the other? Its hard, its confusing but that's how I've been doing it." he says. "I'm failing the family too. Kinda wandering blind here." He says. "Maybe together, we can keep things balanced at least until the masters come to their senses."
"If Tomas is a clone of Tommy, his entire personality is a construct, is it not?" Kimiko asks, "Does that make him a real person, or is he just Tommy's DNA, with someone's twisted ideas of how to make a person?" She sighs, "And I know I am not being kind... but these are the things that go through my head, when I think about Tomas, now that I know he is a clone."
Kamakura nods "That is a question. Is he a living being? Should he be given a chance? Or Should he let Tommy rest..." He frowns. "I don't see him going anywhere...I dont know. Maybe I accepted this too easy, too?" he asks.
Kimiko sighs, "I liked it better when death was final." She shrugs, "You could mourn someone, and move on." She looks at Sean, and says simply, "Now, things get muddled... I wish technology had remained at a simpler time. But the price of progress is moral quandaries, and things never before worried about, outside of Science Fiction."
Kamakura nods "We move into a frightening time. Heck, I've seen some AIs and BATs and stuff that are almost human too. Not quite to the level Tomas is. Whatever he is, he is flesh and blood. He is family. He just happens to have Tommy's mind in him. I ...really don't know what to make of it either." He says. "Its different and similar than what happened with me in the Broca incident. I'm giving him advice on how to handle it based on my experience recently, but its nothing like his. I hope I'm doing the right thing."
"And I have nothing to compare it to." Kimiko says simply, "So, there is little I can do to help him." She shrugs, and turns to head back inside, "I should go shower... I am sure I smell after that workout. Thank you for the talk Sean."
- LOG ENDS