6 ♜ spar

[lawbender]

[action]

[ There have been notices going up in various places across the town... the bar, the grocery, here and there. They are very simple. They say that there is a resident looking for sparring partners. Preferably experienced, preferably with some kind of elemental ability. But really, she can't be too picky. ]

[ You might run into Lin hanging these posters, or at another time, Lin going for a run, wearing a plain white tank top, dark pants, and a pair of boots that have metal soles. Or perhaps you're answering her ad - in which case, you are in a nice large clear space slightly outside of town, where the smooth ground does not betray the strength she can bring to bear on it.

In any case, you should probably say hi. ]

Comments

[nopolicelikeholmes]

[ Yep, that's Shirley. That last thing. Answering the ad? That.

She had a feeling who had put those posters up, and now that suspicion was confirmed.

She waves. ]

[lawbender]

[ You'll have to forgive Lin's look of surprise. ]

I didn't expect to see you out this way.

[nopolicelikeholmes]

You're looking for a sparring partner, aren't you?

[lawbender]

... Yes. [ She sounds like she doesn't want to admit it. But hey. Maybe she's stronger than she looks. Lin should at least give her a chance. ] I didn't know you fought. What do you use?

[nopolicelikeholmes]

My fists, mostly! [ smacks her fist into her other palm. cheerfully! :D like, 'yay I hurt boys for fun!' ]

But also I can fence.

[lawbender]

[ Lin does fight hand-to-hand on semi-regular occasions. Sometimes you end up grappling with a suspect up close, as much as she tries to avoid the possibility. It might be an interesting challenge, to rely solely on her body rather than her bending. ]

Hand-to-hand will work for me. I never really picked up swordfighting.

[ She liked watching her uncle Sokka when she was young, but somehow that never translated to actual practice. ]

[nopolicelikeholmes]

Awesome, because I don't actually have a sword with me.

[ She uh... gets into a boxing stance. Does boxing have stances? Maybe I should do research someday. ]

... Let me know when we should start, because I'm used to there being a bell or something.

[lawbender]

[ A bell? Lin snorts. ] Any time.

[ She takes a stance herself, which Shirley will probably recognize as a martial arts one, her feet grounded and her hands straight and stiff. She doesn't know what Shirley's going to do yet but she tries to save the punching for later. ]

[nopolicelikeholmes]

[ Okay well um... this is going to be where Shirley Holmes learns that she doesn't actually know how to fight. I mean, she's surprisingly strong for her size and frame! Like, no, seriously, is she hiding secret muscles somewhere? It's like being punched by a rock. But apparently that rock does not know where or when or how to punch, because boxing is a sport and not a fighting style. ]

[lawbender]

[ It does not take Lin very long to wipe the floor with Shirley. Even going fairly easy on her. Shirley's attacks are so ridiculously straightforward. What was she thinking, trying to punch an earthbender? You might as well punch rocks. ]

[ She gets points for enthusiasm, though. At least there's that? ]

What style would you call that?

[ Lin might be kneeling down next to Shirley. To have a conversation. Apparently. ]

[nopolicelikeholmes]

[ That would be because Shirley is lying on the ground. If getting beat-up were a drug she would be so high right now.

But it's not so she's just kind of bruisey instead. ]

An inferior one.

[lawbender]

Well, yes. But it seems to be a trained art.

[ Shirley is not that beat up. She can probably stagger home under her own power, okay. ]

[nopolicelikeholmes]

[ Sure, right after she takes this here dirt nap. ]

It's called boxing. I don't know if I'd call it a style so much as... it's a type of fighting done for sport. And there are certain strategies and flavors, but it's not really a complete fighting style, I guess.

And I know it. I am a complete idiot.

[lawbender]

[ Lin shakes her head. ] You lasted longer than I thought you would.

[ High praise! ]

[nopolicelikeholmes]

[ This gets a smile. ]

You're even stronger than I thought you were.

[ Well, since Lin thinks she doesn't suck maybe she can get up now. ]

[lawbender]

[ Lin will even offer a hand, see. ]

Forty years of experience helps.