I Know Kung-Fu (Open)

[Deleted]

Naozumi had made it routine to stop by the training rooms at least once a day, depending on his schedule. He usually liked to go in the afternoons as he typically had more energy then, but sometimes he had things to do right after school, like club activities. Sometimes he just had too much homework and he needed that time for that. During these particular days, Nao would go train in the morning. Sometimes he'd be by himself while other times he'd have company. This was one of those times that he was by himself.

He was working on his katas, on his forms, moving his limbs slowly and controlled through each step, then doing it again faster and more fluid. It was half training for his martial arts and half training for his powers. Theoretically, he should be able to run through them at an unnatural speed, but the poor 14 year old did not quite have that control yet. He would start, get about halfway through it, then misstep or overshoot or skip a step. Sometimes he would just stop and hold a stance while he thought about where he was going next. Strangely enough, when he moved at a normal pace, he had little problems remembering the form. It was just when he tried to speed up. Idly, Nao wondered if that might be a side effect of his power....maybe?

Nao had taken a break for a few minutes but was now ready to start again. He started with his breathing form. Then bowed and announced the name of his form. Then he positioned himself into his starting stance. He held it for a few moments, gaining focus and replaying the sequence over in his head....then he began, at a speed much faster than a normal person should be able. To him, though, it felt like he was Neo from the Matrix. The only difference was between Nao and Neo was a vowel...and the fact that the world didn't actually slow down for him.

And unlike Neo, Nao was perfectly capable of tripping up. Which he did. Which had him sliding across the floor and into the wall.

Ouch.

[Greg Mackenzie]

New places rarely faze Greg out. After all, his dad rarely stays in two places at once, with each of Greg’s summers after the divorce spent in a different region of the world. It was Barcelona when he was eight, Tokyo when he was eleven, Sao Paulo when he was twelve, and Johannesburg when he was fifteen. These stays, however, were finite – they usually average around three weeks, with Florida being the longest at six and Macau the shortest at four days. After the trip, he’d go back to Banff, the town he was born and grew up in, and go back to normal life.

Or at least what his definition of ‘normal’ was.

Vermont, however, was different. His ticket was a one-way trip. He had two carry-ons and two large suitcases, with a box (or three, depending on how good Randolf was with packing) following within a week. The city itself was quaint and the Institute rather respectable, but neither could erase the dread the brunette was feeling. Unlike most his trips, this one had no discernable end time. His goal was to control his powers within two years, but considering how things were progressing, he could be stuck in the Institute’s four walls his whole life.

He was lucky enough to arrange that he start on Monday instead of on the day of his arrival. He needed some time to get comfortable with the campus, to reflect and take all the events that’s been happening to him in, and maybe even meet with a trainer beforehand so he can at least have some elementary control of his telepathy and actually focus in class for once. The flight he booked arrived midnight on campus though, so he slept the first night he came to Hammel and explored campus the next morning.

Which wasn’t so bad, since it meant less people and less loud ‘noises’ in his head. He was impressed with the facilities the Institute had to offer – the administration (and the US government) spared no expense in making sure they honed their powers to the best they could. Oh ‘Mericans and their love for the military.

He was just about to move on to the cafeteria (the brunette was hungry) when he heard a loud thud. Walking to the next room over, he saw the source – an Asian boy who wonderfully tripped. Not usually the one to help someone else but figured why the hell not, the telepath walked over the kid and instinctively offered his hand. “You ok there bud? Need me to call the school nurse or something?” Not that he knew where her office was (nurses were usually female right?), but hey, learning experience right?

[Deleted]

Naozumi was fine. Yup, just fine. He'd taken falls before and luckily he was short so it wasn't that big a fall to the ground.

Also, the first thing you learn in Aikido and several other martial arts is how to fall and not hurt yourself. So even if he did stumble, Nao was more than capable and trained to redirect his own momentum so that he rolled into it safely rather than hitting the ground hard. Because if you hit the ground hard, then the ground was going to hit back. Hard.

And a human body was nowhere near as tough as the ground.

So when he'd fallen, Naozumi curled himself into a roll, hoping to get back on his feet right away. Unfortunately, he had 1. misjudged his own speed and inertia and 2. misjudged the distance it was to the wall. Therefore when he hit the wall, Naozumi was upside-down with his feet in the air, his butt vertical against the wall, and his back on the floor.

He stayed there for a moment, not noticing that there was an onlooker until the other boy spoke up. Nao looked up at the taller boy with a vacant face, still somewhat disoriented, but not enough that he didn't manage the passing thought of "Hmmm….he's pretty nice-looking."

Nao didn't say it though.

Instead, he nodded and allowed himself to slide down from the wall across the wood training floor and twist himself upright into a sitting position. "Hi," he said simply.

Yup, that was Nao. The boy of infamously few words.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Greg would like to think that he’s reached a point in his life that he’s able to take compliments well. That he’s no longer that weird little thirteen year old who’d freeze and stare at you blankly should you give him an honest-to-goodness praise. He’s emotionally stable after all (overlooking the ‘minor’ setback that was his manifestation), and one of the hallmarks of being such was the ability to take acclaim and be able to thank the giver in a sincere and totally-not-egotistic way.

Opening paragraphs like these usually mean, that well, Greg did the opposite.

The thought wasn’t missed on the brunette and, being unable to instinctively discern which were spoken and which were thought of, just stood there unblinkingly for half a second or so, towering above the small boy. It was only when he felt his cheeks warm up a bit did he realize what he was doing and let out an exasperated sigh. “Oh god sorry about that,” he said with an unsure smile, rolling his eyes, “I mean, thanks though. Appreciate it.”

Maybe it’s the shock of the new place, or the fact that reality hadn’t fully sunk on him yet, but normally Greg would’ve stopped there. Take it and go. And in this case, it would’ve been the wiser choice.

“You look pretty adorable too, I guess?” He bit his lip right after he said those words. One, he realized how creepy they sounded. Two, his tone was unsure and thus could come off as rather insincere and rude. When did he become socially inept? God he really needed to get his shit together. “Greg,” he added, extending his arm out for a handshake.

“I didn’t know we could use the training rooms even without supervision,” he said absentmindedly, “Unless of course you’re like twenty-five and actually a trainer. If then I’m sorry.” There were a number of Asian families back in Banff, so that race’s shared superpower of not aging wasn’t new to him, but even then this guy looked way too young. Unless of course his superpower’s to be arrested at age ten that is.

[Deleted]

“You look pretty adorable too, I guess?”

Nao wasn't sure what to say to that, but he was suddenly in a bit of a fluster. And a panic. Had he accidentally said that out loud? That couldn't be! Nao was practically mute, there's no way he would have accidentally uttered something without his own knowledge!

But what if he did? Oh, god, oh god, that was embarrassing! Whatever shall he do, this handsome looking tall drink of water knew that Nao was thinking of him that way and had complimented him back for it!

Of course, while all this was going on in Naozumi's head, the boy himself only widened his eyes a tad and allowed his cheeks to flush as he was struck even more silent than before.

Nao looked at the hand before him, now wondering if it would be better to take it or to leave it. Slowly, Nao lifted his hand and shook the older boy's, his mouth slightly agape as he tried to find his voice. "….I'm Nao."

He shook his head slightly, confirming that, no, he was not secretly twenty-five. "I've been in Aikido for five years. Sometimes I practice by myself." Which in actuality explained nothing to the reason why there wasn't a teacher present. But Vincent, his Shihan and powers trainer at this school, would likely show up later. Realizing he was still on the floor and being a little self-conscious about it, Nao picked himself up and dusted himself off.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Oh shit. Did he just make things awkward?

Greg didn’t need to be a telepath to see that the compliment might not have been the best way to ease his way into conversation. Then he realized that maybe that wasn’t the kid talking but more his thoughts. Which was an ‘oh fuck’ moment for Greg that made him even more, well, tense than he already was.

Hindsight being fucking 20-20 was so not helping him at the moment. Like he needed to feel guiltier invading the little kid’s head more than he already did. He needed to get control of his power stat, lest he risk becoming something akin to a pariah. And a pariah was something that was just not suited for Greg. Not now, not ever.

“Nice to meet you Nao,” he said with the friendliest smile he could muster. He thought of leaving just then, but he figured that would make things more awkward than it already was. Brush it off and pretend it never happened was better than dashing off and making things look bigger than they actually were. “That’s cool. My ex does judo. He’s like a brown belt, I think. The ranking’s the same for Aikido, right?” Word vomit. One of Greg’s specialties. Some people find it awkward but he’s done it for so long it’s as natural as breathing for him. It’s how he made his best friends back in middle school after all.

It’s still weird referring to Richard as my ex, but oh well. That’s life.. It’s only been two days after all. Didn’t even have the decency to call me. That jerk.

…tall drink of water… His telepathy was still on, and well, it’s not the finest tuned in the country so unless he really tried or was really stressed out, fragments of thoughts were what he usually picked up. “You thirsty? I think I saw a water fountain just outside. I don’t have a cup though so…”

ooc:
Greg's as untrained as a telepath can be so feel free to say that Greg projected his thoughts if you'd love to. Haha. Thanks a lot Pheli. <3.
- Peanut

[Deleted]

Nao was still a little flustered, but his near stoic face hid it well, save for the tint of color still residing in his cheeks. While he himself was wanting to run away, Naozumi was also a little too polite to do so and merely stayed put to offer conversation with this person, especially since he seemed to express some interest in his practice.

The 14-year-old shook his head. "Aikido doesn't use belt colors. Some schools do, but usually no. Just black and white." Then they took a test to rise to the Dan status and were granted to wear a black belt and hakama. While Naozumi had been practicing a long while, he wasn't at black belt yet. Almost, though. Just a couple more years, since there was a minimum age requirement. "But…I think I would have the equivalent of brown."

It’s still weird referring to Richard as my ex, but oh well. That’s life.. Didn’t even have the decency to call me. That jerk.

Now, Naozumi, not being the brightest or sharpest crayon in the box, didn't notice that Greg's mouth wasn't actually moving when he "spoke" those words. Richard? Ex? So this person was…? Naozumi wasn't sure if he should comment on Gre's irks towards his ex-boyfriend(?) or not, but he at least came up with "I'm sorry." And gave him a comforting pat on the arm.

Again, not being particularly perceptive, Nao did not connect Greg's comment with being related to any of the idle thoughts that Nao was having about this boy Greg and simply thought that Greg was making a helpful suggestion. "Yeah," he agreed with a nod. "I should get some." He had been working out for a while. Nao scampered off without another word or even an invite to accompany him, though did leave with the thought "Wow, he's really nice. I like him." Naozumi would return in about a minute provided Greg didn't follow after him.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Breathe in. Breathe out. In. Out. In. Out.

While he wasn’t really in a state of panic at the moment – a rare one for the telepath these days – Greg felt like he needed to consciously suppress his power. He’s already known too much about Nao unconsciously – twin siblings, a golden retriever, his love for a certain lunch lady, and him being part of a gang(!?). As much as he’d want to know if he’d done something wrong that led the other boy to have such a straight face, the telepath had to remind himself that ‘normal’ people take nonverbal cues to know their companion’s real mood.

Which probably meant spending more unintentionally awkward moments with Nao.

(It’s not Nao really. Greg adored people with Nao’s seemingly nonchalant personality, but only when they’re at the point where he and that other person’s already close enough that Greg knows he can’t do anything to offend said person. And if he did, said person would tell Greg about it. Anything before that is an ordeal he hates with a passion).

“That’s cool,” he said with a huge smile on his face. He didn’t usually smile like that, but he figured a little exaggeration won’t hinder the whole befriending process. It worked for Harrison, his best friend back home, so he figured it wouldn’t hurt. Greg was a little baffled with the whole ‘I’m sorry’ comment (did he say or do anything?) but didn’t think much out of it.

Greg simply sat on the floor, back up against the wall, as Nao went on to grab water. He seemed like he knew where to get it anyway, and it’s not like grabbing water’s arduous enough to merit help. He’s quite adorbs, he thought as he watched Nao walk away. He couldn’t help but laugh when he realized what he just thought about Nao, and while the smaller boy was away, he grabbed his phone and sent his best friend a quick message.

Holy fuck you’re right. I’ve caught a slight case of yellow fever. Darn that Richard yo.

“Been in Hammel long?” he asked when the kid came back, “How’s school anyway? I’m guessing class schedule itself is flexible?” It’s probably class time after all and Nao’s out. He’s never been in a boarding school before so he didn’t know how things worked, but hey, he figured if you have all your kids in one place, classes starting at 6PM and ending at 8PM wouldn’t be that much of a hassle.

Hopefully he didn’t have that though. He hasn’t checked his schedule yet darn.

[Deleted]

Nao nodded. Yes, he thought it was pretty cool too. He hoped that maybe this person would ask more questions about his art. Nao wasn't very talkative but he it'd be his pleasure to explain such a refined art form to someone who was expressing interest. With luck, maybe Greg will give the practice a try. It was always exciting initiating a brand new person into the classes. Then the veterans could practice with the younger members and enhance both their own training. Being able to teach the art and in a delicate and directive way, so that the student can pick up the correct motions and forms just from physical interaction, was a skill in itself and one that Nao hoped to procure.

Plus, if Greg decided to join the self-defense club, then Nao could enjoy looking at him everyday. But that was the selfish reason for wanting to explain.

As Naozumi wandered away, he thought he heard something else, something that would have had him blushing again if it were clear...but it was probably just his imagination. A few minutes later and he was back in the training room, completely refreshed and re-hydrated.

Naozumi shook his head when presented with the next question. "No. I've only been here three months," he said in a soft voice and a slight smile. He pondered a moment before answering the next question, being reminded of a conversation he had with a nice older gentleman shortly after he first arrived. "I like it. Everyone's really nice and the resources are exceptional." He didn't really understand what he meant by flexible, though. Were there different kinds of scheduling for high schools? He blinked a few times before moving on.

"Where are you from?" Greg was obviously new. Nao wondered what his power was.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Unfortunately for Nao, Greg’s interest in self-defence begins and ends in watching guys in their gear practice their stances together. The grace and power, as well as the synchronicity when said guys are in a group, just captures the brunette in a way a crowd might be enraptured by an orchestral performance of a Beethoven symphony or a marble statue from Ancient Greece.

As for actually participating, well, Greg figured with the bulk he’s gained from playing hockey and football, he won’t actually need much training. But who knows, maybe the Asian speedster can change his mind.

You perv. Found an Asian charity case again? You disgust me.
xoxo.

Charity case?! Greg didn't know if he should be insulted or what. Sure he agreed that Richard needed some work with his social skills, among other things, before and Richard might've mentioned how Greg was instrumental to his ascent in the social ladder, but he never really thought of it that way.

But before the telepath could reply, Nao was already back from his trip to the water fountain. Greg quickly put his phone away, lest Nao think he’s boring the telepath, or that the telepath’s rude. Sitting on the floor, legs crossed and his back to the wall (right where Nao was lying upside down just a few moments ago actually), the telepath said, “Oh really? You seemed like you’ve been here long. Guess Hammel isn’t really that different from a normal school then?” The idea of having a majority of the students as residents was a little scary, as you really can’t escape classroom drama anymore. He’d love to ask Nao about it, but he seemed a little too young to be preoccupied about such things. “How’re the trainers by the way? I don’t know mine yet, but are they like military-like grouches?”

“Banff, Alberta,” answered Greg with pride, “Cute little town. Almost like Pilot Ridge really.” But it’s not. Sadly. “How ‘bout you?”

[Deleted]

Nao just shook his head lightly. Hammel wasn't really all that different from other schools, but again, Nao had only been to one other high school. And that one wasn't one of the better ones in the city. He himself didn't mind the boarding aspect. It was actually very convenient for him, he didn't have to walk to school for forever and a day every day. Well….if Nao had his speed back at home then it still wouldn't have been a problem. But…he had to be here regardless, so guess it didn't matter?

Nao tilted his head. The trainers? He'd only interacted with one trainer here, Meian-sensei, who Nao was fortunate enough to have as both his powers trainer and martial arts instructor. "Meian-sensei is strict but very nice," was about all he could say. "I don't know about anyone else."

He nodded slightly when Greg said where he was from. Alberta. That was in Canada, right? Nao was still hopeless at direction and anything having to do with it, including geography. "San Jose, California."

[Greg Mackenzie]

“Meian-sensei.” Greg mouthed slowly. He wasn’t sure if he was pronouncing it right, or if he even heard it right. He didn’t want to sound like a typical crude Caucasian male who can’t pronounce Asian names. Even if it’s true. (He struggled with in pronouncing his boyfriend’s last name for about three months. And it’s not like it’s new information – they’ve been friends for two years before they even dated). “That’s cool. I’m guessing he’s also your tai chi master too?” He picked up ‘trainer and instructor’ and he wanted to clarify. Not ‘cause he’s being a racist jackass and thought that you only use ‘-sensei’ for those teacher types.

Oh yes, he just called what Nao was doing ‘tai chi’. Even if he was just told that it was Aikido a few minutes prior.

“Yup, Canada,” the telepath answered with pride. He always makes it a point to correct people when they think that he’s American. He always thought their neighbors down south were a little barbaric and he wouldn’t want to be mistaken for one of them. “California? Woah. That must be a huge change for you, temperature-wise at least.” Banff was roughly as rough, or even more, like Pilot Ridge, so it’s not big.

[Deleted]

Nao had gotten used to the failed American pronunciations of Asian names, rarely doing much to correct them unless it was completely off. He knew his own last name was sometimes difficult to pronounce from the sheer number of syllables in it. And his first name, Nao, was often confused with the English word "now". Somehow, seeing it written differently made it harder for people to wrap their tongues around, which didn't make any sense to Nao. But Meian-sensei too, had a long stream of vowels in it that some people had trouble with. But Greg here had at least gotten the gist of it.

The tai chi thing, though. Didn't he just tell him it was Aikido? Nao shook his head. "No, I don't take tai chi. It's Aikido." Though Meian-sensei didn't teach that specifically, his was a more generalized martial arts class, specializing on matters of self-defense. Nao had heard there was a dojo proper in Pilot Ridge, but he hadn't ventured to it yet. He was fine for now with self-practice.

Naozumi shrugged slightly. It was a change but not one that bothered him too much. There was only one difference that he found noteworthy outside of the aridness and temperature difference. "We don't get a lot of snow in San Jose. So that was a nice change." It snowed in other parts of California though. After all, California spanned over more than half the latitude of the United states. It held several different climates.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Of course Greg would mix it up. He would. Within minutes of being told what Nao was doing. Damn. Now Nao’s going to think I’m an asshole. Well he had his moments, but he’s sincerely trying not to be one. At least right now.

Being a new kid is so hard I can’t even. Why?

Oh what he’d do to not have been a meta-human right now. He didn’t even know they existed outside the movies.

Every bone in Greg’s body would just want to call it a day, apologize to Nao and leave. But, that’d make him seem more asshole-ish as he already was, so the brunette told himself he’d give himself one more chance. If he fucks it up again, he’ll take it and just avoid the adorable little Asian kid for the rest of his stay in Hammel.

Or he could switch to one of those other schools. Ella said 85% of people in Kocher don’t speak English but at least they had cute blonde boys. Or they should, right?

“Oh, yeah aikido. So sorry.” He tried to think of a good way to transition to a new topic, but he couldn’t, so he’d have to settle with an abrupt shift in the conversation. If I become anymore of an awkward turtle, I’d be growing a shell on my back in the next few minutes. “So what do people do for fun around here?”

Greg decided to simply drop the snow question. He picked up the part about different latitudes and snow and gave himself a mental face palm. He’s had more than his fair share of embarrassment for the day and it’s not even noon.

[Deleted]

Nao wasn't thinking Greg was an asshole at all. He was aware that Aikido wasn't exactly as common as some other practices, like Tai Chi, Karate, Kung Fu and Tai Kwan Do. So there was plenty of reason to be understanding of the mix-up….

There it was again! The thought that he'd heard something but wasn't quite sure that he had. Especially since Nao was now very aware that Greg's lips weren't moving along with the words.

Nao shrugged it off for the moment, though. Not to be polite or because he'd figured out why it was happening, but merely because his brain was processing the reality of it too slowly.

He did, however, offer a smile that was more than a slight in the hopes of providing some reassurance to Greg.

Ah! there it was again.

Nao decided to answer the question really quick first. "I think a lot of students go to do things in town together. Also, there's a lot of things to do in the lounges at the school and in the dorms. But I think most people are involved in clubs." Like the art club, or football, or dance. Just like how Nao was practicing his Aikido here. He considered this fun.

But now that that was out of the way, Nao jumped to ask his own question. "I can hear your voice in my head. Is that on purpose?" It didn't even occur to him to just ask what his power was first to at least confirm it.