Way of the Jedi (Jason P.)

[Vincent Meian]

The after-school self-defense program had steadily grown since he'd taken it up in January, and the Japanese man was pleased with how well it was progressing. The linking of the dojo in town had helped some of his more advanced students enormously, and those that came just for the basic course were equally improving. He wasn't teaching anything so far as combative arts, but Vincent had always believed that learning to defend one's self was tantamount to survival.

The course had ended for the day and all the students (and staff) had left to change out of their sweaty clothes and go about their days. This had left the trainer cleaning up what there was to, which basically amounted to cleaning up after a minor power mishap during the session, as there was little in the way of equipment needed for the course and his students had already put their towels and garbage in the proper receptacles. It didn't take too long, and after a few moments the tall man was back to practicing his arts.

A few moments in, however, he heard the door open and saw the reflection of someone in the mirror. Straightening up from the stance he'd settled into, Vincent looked to the young man and noted the dogtags. His father's, perhaps?

"Good afternoon," he greeted, turning to face the newcomer. "Is there a way I can help you?" English was not his first language, and the politeness seemed oddly structured and formal, but it got his point across well enough.

[Jason Prowler]

Jason was determined to get a hold of his powers by training nonstop. He decided that it was time to start searching out the trainers on campus; he’d train with multiple ones if necessary, this was now his primary focus at the institute. Jason heard of an after school program held by a trainer named Vincent Meian that consisted of self-defense. He didn’t think he needed self-defense training, he was already familiar with the basics and was a passive guy anyway, but a martial arts teacher would know a lot about control.

As he approached the training room he noticed some students walk out, the session must have been over but he wasn’t going to let that persuade him to leave. The trainer must still be there Jason thought as he proceeded to enter the training room. In his more relaxed attire Jason was wearing his black tank top as his dog tags rested around his neck, he never took them off in fear of losing them. Jason’s posture was perfect, however, regardless of what he was wearing. He saw a Japanese man practicing his kata, the motions were accurate yet slow, very slow in fact, and Jason couldn’t help but wonder what the purpose such forms could have.

The man took notice of Jason’s presence and greeted him with great poise and politeness. “Yes sir there is.” Jason returned the respect, when it came to adults, especially those with titles, he was taught to speak with great esteem. “I am looking for a trainer named Vincent Meian, I was told that I would be able to find him here.”

[Vincent Meian]

Vincent had always been taught that to master any physical task, one must proceed with care and caution, each movement perfect. In part this came from his training with the sword - other parts had come from Aikido. Perfection of the movement gave the best groundwork for perfect technique, and once someone had mastered technique, they could move in full speed with confidence.

Additionally, lower speeds focused the mind solely on one aspect and closed out all others - an exceptional meditative device.

The trainer was surprised to hear the youth call him "sir". Such politeness was a rarity in this school, and it was refreshing in its own right. He was also equally surprised to hear that the young man had been looking for him specifically. "We speak together," he replied, then hesitated for a moment as he gathered his words again. "Please forgive me; I am Vincent Meian."

This boy was not one of the veteran's students, of that he was sure. Perhaps he had simply missed the club? Instead of repeating his earlier question, the tall man asked, "Have you arrived for the self-defense course? It has ended for the day, however I do not object to an additional lesson."

Dressed as he was in white gi pants and a equally colored (albeit slightly damp) tank top, the trainer wasn't terribly interested in going anywhere for the time being. He had time to stay.

[Jason Prowler]

Jason raised an eyebrow at the man’s initial response but shrugged it off as a language barrier thing, it was obvious that English was not this man’s first language. “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir, my names Jason. “

Jason shook his head, “I wasn’t aware of when the self defense class met, you see I came to find you specifically, I hear that you’re the martial arts teacher here at Hammel. “ Jason was eager to cut to the chase. “It’s not really self defense training that I need, I can’t seem to control my power as much as I like.” He clenched his left fist and looked down at it, relaxed it and continued his thought. “I have super strength and I’ve been having a rough time controlling it. Can you help me?” he asked hoping the trainer could be of service.

[Vincent Meian]

The trainer bowed his head, acknowledging the name and return greeting. "Very well, Jason."

The fact that he'd been searched out specifically as a martial arts instructor and not a self-defense teacher intrigued Vincent, and his brow furrowed in curiosity as he took in the boy and his words. Extraordinary strength was not an uncommon power, and the Japanese man had trained it before with a good amount of success, but this boy was not his student. Who was his trainer? Could they not help him?

Best to ask directly than speculate. "What of your trainer?" he asked. "Have you expressed your concerns with them? While I would be pleased to accept another student, it is not my place to train you without their knowledge."

"However, if it is merely martial arts training you wish to receive, I am not opposed to aiding your practice. What school do you practice?" Given Jason's age, the older man would not be surprised if he had only one martial art of his own. In fact, he would have been more surprised if the young man had more than one at all - he could only be seventeen, perhaps eighteen at the oldest. Children did not learn such difficult techniques quickly.