smashacademy | Gifts from the Whirlwind Wolfman oif London.

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jon talbain (darkstalkers)

Gifts from the Whirlwind Wolfman oif London.

[Jon's list was mercifully short, this year. Still, he had a little more cash due to his gainful employment so everyone's items were Brand New as opposed to the second hand stuff he usually got for people.]

Ziio - Enjoy a nice warm jacket with a fleecy inner lining. For those days when you would rather be warm.

Midna - A book on Duan Quan style Kung Fu.

Megaman - Oh Rock. He gave the previous You several Kung Fu books to assimilate and now he has to start all over again. Learn you a Thing, Rock, with this book on Hung Fut.

Jock - You get the gift that keeps on giving... a dead deer.

Hilda - Here's a book on Longquan Kung Fu. It's also known as Southern Dragon Fist style. You have Dragons on your team so... you know. It's. Um. Kind of a joke. Sort of. Yyyyeah... It's a shame there's no 'Giant pig on fire style Kung Fu' because that would have been more obvious probably.

Blaze - He gave you a Kung Fu book last year. This year, you get Jewelry. A small pendant made out of a used Fire Stone. Perfectly safe to wear around Eevee and Vulpix and Growlithe without inducing unwanted life changes, but still pretty and with a fiery shine to it.

[And should you feel the need of Holiday Type Action, Jon can be found around campus, town or woods. Wherever you want a Wolf, we can arrange for you to find a Wolf.]

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[Oooh, what's this? Being so new she hadn't expected anything, but it isn't just one but two gifts this year from people she's just met. Guess first impressions make all the difference after all. The book given to her by Jon on this style of fighting is much appreciated. Arms being longer, much longer, and much more useful than her legs in this state this is something she might be able to use.

She could thank him by message.. or perhaps by sneaking up while hidden in the cloak of shadows, not only avoiding any distractions along the way but seeing how well he perceives slight disturbances in the environment around him. Be it man or wolf, she would find herself satisfied enough to come across whatever form Jon assumes at the time being.]

[Jon was in his less fuzzy form, reading under a tree towards the back of the school. Normally, he's very observant - inhumanly so. (Strangely enough, right?) But today, he's absorbed in a study of Karate. Brushing up on his knowledge of unfamiliar disciplines - Hey, the new school year is going to be getting underway fairly soon. Best he get on top of his required reading now.

As such, he's entirely too absorbed to notice the gentle disturbance in nearby shadows...]

[Oh darn. Well, we'll have to make do with this. And though she had anticipated him being alerted by subtle changes in the shadow cast by light around him, to her surprise this wasn't the case. Then again, he did look engrossed enough in that book of his. Can't blame him.

Hopefully he won't freak out too much when..]

How many different kinds of those books do you have?

[Yes, there's a small voice coming out from the darkness cast on the grass at the other side of the tree he's leaning against.]

[Despite not having noticed her approach, if he was surprised to hear her voice he didn't let on. He lowered the book and glanced around calmly, looking for the source of the question. He knew the voice well enough, though.]

I don't own many. I tend to rent them from the Library at school or in town. The ones I give out at the Holidays are generally purchased online - You can find a good number of them if you look hard enough.

[He slipped a bookmark into the tome and set it down. He wasn't rude enough to continue reading when he was being spoken to, after all!]

[If he did happen to posses the ability to see behind him, he'd come across the shape of an imp/person, dark as the sky on a cloudy night, in the animated world but still so questionably visible with only a quick look it'd appear as if it was nothing more than a shadow.]

Well thank you for getting me the one you did.. I haven't read anything like it before, and I must say I'm interested in seeing the form put into action.

You're most welcome. I'm glad it's interesting for you.

[He had worried it might be a little too far outside her tastes to be enjoyed - considering he had little idea what her tastes.... you know. Were. But despite appearances, he liked to read and learn and he enjoyed passing those things on to others.]

If you'd like a demonstration, I can show you. It isn't my primary style but I know many of the taolu it uses to teach the proper motions.

[Does she want a demonstration? Well, is the sky above them blue?]

That would be.. great! Yeah, if you don't mind.

[Time to stop being rude for a few and come out of the shadows. Reverse pixelating back into the world, within a few moments what was once nothing more than a dark shadow under the tree is now the tiny creature that is her present form. Why must it be so bright out? Visibly distressed, though minimal at that, she keeps to the shade of the tree.]

I think I'll stay under here for now.

[Jon, ever one to at least try to be polite to a lady, didn't immediately start showing off.]

If you'd prefer, we can head for the wood in back? There's a great deal more shade there and I daresay you'd be much more comfortable.

[How nice of him! Here she was thinking she would need to deal with the environment, which really wasn't that bad, but since he was kind enough to offer..]

Can;t say no to that. Lead the way!

How about this...

[He took a step back and transformed - the grueling looking process taking a bare few seconds.]

Climb on and I'll give you a ride there. Ought to take much less time, plus we can stick to the shadier parts of the journey fairly easily this way.

[Oh sweet God's that be, this time has come once again. Why must he tease her so, bringing back memories of past she's so fond of. There's that beast form of his, all too familiar to what she's used to. But my, like what she had seen the first time, what a much larger, taller, even stronger looking form of a divine beast he takes. Only sparing a moment to gawk, she snaps out of those cherished memories of the past rather quickly and then complies.]

Sure thing, right.

[Movements very similar to prior, she floats upwards and then onto the back of his wolf form, holding on tightly. So fluffy and warm... and he didn't even try to bite her the first time!]

Let's go!

[If they're lucky, for old time's sake, maybe they'll encounter a few flying enemies along the way or something similar...]

[Jon grinned up at her.]

I hit a fairly brisk pace so make sure you hold on tight, alright then?

[.....aaaaaand he's off!

He was good to his word, sticking to the shadiest areas he was able to and avoiding the sunlight as though it were lava. Any brighter spots were met with increased bursts of speed as he bolted, on all fours, for the forest. Or at least, what remained of it.

In fact, he started to jump upwards and into the lower, thicker branches of some of the outlying trees, startling all kinds of creatures. So, if you wanted to take a swing at some eyeball bats and spiteful crows, Midna? Now's your chance!]

[That'll be no problem. With nothing more than an 'oomph' she's holding on, ready for whatever kind of maneuvers he may be pulling off. The path he's decided to take is so gloriously reminiscent of the good ole' days it could bring a tear to her eye.

And then there are those flying creatures.. winged bat like things and feathered fiends threatening to impede their travels. No matter, they pose little threat because with an extension of her hair which quickly forms to the shape of a very large hand to easily swipe them away, one after another, they prove to be no more of an obstacle as their path lay clear before them. This unlikely weapon of hers remains out and ready for whatever may come next, just in case.]

No pun intended, but that hair of yours is fairly handy.

[....OK so there was a little pun intended.

Luckily, or perhaps not so much, all the various nocturnal creatures who's slumber they were disturbing petered out the deeper they got into the remaining wilderness. Jon kept running through the trees, treating the branches as a pathway through the forest. Much easier up here than dealing with brambles and thickets down below.

Eventually he spotted a clearing and leapt from the tree into it. It was still shady as he hit the grass. Midna should be perfectly comfortable here.]

This alright?

[That earns a facepalm. Why, yes, it is in fact pretty handy, especially during times like now when at random curious, fiendish and probably hungry beasts meet their presence with open jaws and teeth showing. How cute.. too bad she has to smack each and every single one of them out of the way They'll learn to recognize that shade of orange and back away next time if she frequents these parts enough!

When they land, the rush over and the earth around them finally standing still, she hops off and surveys the chosen spot.]

It's perfect!

I aim to please.

[He stood up and shook out his coat, dislodging leaves and feathers and other accumulated bits and pieces so that he was some semblance of presentable.]

Now, if you've quite recovered - I believe I promised you a martial arts demonstration?

[she doesn't have fur or anything to brush off, not even clothes, but for good measure she wipes off some dust that may or may not have accumulated on her shoulders. Gotta get that dirt off your shoulder, after all.]

Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing this. When you're ready though, there's no rush.

[And if they're ambushed, well, whatever would be brave enough to come their way will regret it shortly after.]

Oh, I'm always ready to demonstrate a little craft.

[And it was true - he had enough stamina that it took a LOT to tire him out. He adopted a low stance, facing Midna and started to move.]

The style is quite old, comparatively speaking. It's not about defense - It's almost exclusively attacks. Your goal it to get inside your target's reach.

[His feet moved quickly, toes, heels and ankles moving and twisting as he went. He was quick, nimble, ducking and weaving to show footwork more than arm movements.]

You're never in one place for more than an instant. You never let your opponent know where you're going to strike from next. Targets are the kidneys, ribs, solar plexus and gut.

[Palm at her chin, floating in the air as if an invisible chair were keeping her up, Midna watches him demonstrate. It was certainly helpful to put what's in text into a live example, and after watching for a few moments she can swear she's seen this before. Maybe during one of her many encounters with various foes back on the field or in a temple; there were so many it would take a while to narrow it down.]

It would be most beneficial to have the advantage of speed on your side for this, then?

Absolutely. Speed is essential - You'll have a hard time staying inside someone's reach without getting injured if you're not fast.

[He was moving very quickly, performing the taolu with gusto. The noise his hands made as they zipped through the air was audible, even above the gentle noises of the forest.]

Performing this way, using the combinations presented in the book will improve your speed and strengthen the muscles you use in combat.

[How nostalgic it is to hear feet padding the forest floor as if in the midst of battle, the noise of air being cut by quickly moving limbs, or extensions of them as her memory serves. It brings a smile to her face, that one elongated tooth biting into her bottom lip.]

Heheh.. I guess like this, such tactics wouldn't be beneficial in the form I'm at. I'm better at crowd control, you could say.

But maybe when, if, I visit my home again, I could practice more adequately.

Are you going to incorporate this into your classes for your students by chance?

Aye, I am. This and Muay Thai... which I'm still learning myself. So that would be later in the semester.

[He stood up and rolled his shoulders, loosening them up a little bit.]

Why would you be better able to practice in your own realm? You've all the necessary parts to perform here. Actually, you've an impressive extra bit that I'd love to see worked into an established martial art.

[He'd love to see some hair-hand Kung Fu. That would be Outstanding.]

[Who wouldn't?? But she's only employed this exceptional appendage of hers to smack enemies out of the way or smash them into the ground, which is just as rewarding as anything. But maybe she could refine the motions to be a little more calculated and professional, adapting a specific style that isn't your typical hack and slash.

At his question she hums softly, thinking of exactly what to say that would accurately describe why.]

Where I come from, I don't look like this. My limbs are far more proportionate and make adapting to those fighting styles much easier. [Actually doing anything is much easier that way.. why she even succumbed to this just to be here--]

How would you propose that happen, anyway? It's just one extension, and just about everything I'm aware of requires at least two working in tandem to be effective.

You look different in your own world? That's interesting.

[He wouldn't mind seeing what she looked like, there. Hey, she'd seen both his forms, after all!]

Ah, but you've hit the nail on the head, haven't you? You've four standard limbs you could pair hair movements up with. Using it to block while adding additional attacks with your hands to an established style would prove interesting. It would certainly upset expectations.

[If she were to assume her original form here, with that attitude and that body, there'd be all kinds of new problems. Maybe this is for the best.]

If there was some might backing up these arms, sure. But alas, this body wasn't meant for fighting like that. Magic and the sort is more my style, but combining elements of both sides of the coin might make things more effective.

[Ah, the possibilities..]

..how did you get the ability to go back and forth between your forms at will like you do?

Through the martial arts. When I was younger, I found out about my curse and for a long time, it controlled me as opposed to the other way around. Then, I was taught some Kung Fu and instructed in the discipline required to master it. Kung Fu isn't just a practice relating to the body - It's equally important to have control over the mind. The senses. I found I was able to tap into my curse, bring it forth and control it as I had never been able to before.

[It wasn't the full story - he was always a little more brief about the details with people he didn't know that well. Besides, he didn't want to bore her.]

In short, the martial arts gave me control of my life. And quite possibly saved it in the process.

[So a practice in the fighting arts helped him overcome his curse? Maybe it could do something similar for her. Worth a shot, right? And she has this helpful instructional book to guide her along the way. Who knows.. maybe she'll be able to dwell in the light world indefinitely as herself without having to retreat shortly after.]

It's uncanny that you mention something about a curse, I can relate to that predicament. What do you think about it did that? Discipline of the mind and body, or maybe something more?

The curse I bear is in my blood. I inherited it from my Father, truth be told. As for what about the martial arts helped? Everything. Being forced to clear my mind. To find my resolve to be a better man, unfettered by fear and anger. Learning to control myself, right down to the very beating of my heart and draw of my breath...

[It hadn't been easy. It hadn't even been pleasant. But the end result was some measure of inner peace. Vastly preferable to what he'd been before.]

As for your situation, I can't promise it will do the same for you. If you wish to try, I'll gladly train you as I was trained. However, if it's just another form you wish to find, you would be better off attempting to talk with Max Powers and trying a Humanization item. They are.... far less labor intensive than my road to form control.

[Why is this Max Powers a name she thinks she's heard before?] Well if this item of his can combat the effects of dark magic born hundreds of years ago, sure! But then again, it's not so bad like this.

[Being small and able to float around and appear in and out of the light as she pleases is convenient. That handy trick of hers with the hair is another plus that isn't afforded in her original form.]

I guess we'll see~ time will tell, right? Maybe I'll get bored being like this or something.

Besides... if I go back, I can't learn anything involving this 'extra help' of mine I'm apparently gifted with. You know how easy it is to open up drawers and things way up high with this?

[And not to mention send any flying object in her vicinity at will far enough into oblivion with a hit, which is worth it every time.]

I've seen stranger things, believe me. [Magic was one thing, but most Humanization seemed to center around technology. It might work, it might not. Jon wasn't able to say.] Most items allow you to switch at will, so, you'd not lose anything by way of experience.

And, I can imagine it has some definite uses - putting the star at the top of the Christmas tree must be an absolute breeze for you, chum.

[Though he was right, still--] Chum, huh? Haven't heard that one in a while. Sounds like something my ancestors would say.

[Hopefully he can tell that's just how she plays, even if it means the teasing may poke a little too close to tender spots... among other things.]

And yes, that is one of the things I have found use in it. Also landing a fist full of comeback into the cheek of any big mouthed talkers. There's fewer things that are more enjoyable to experience. [Hee hee.. that is a good one, she'll attest.

She may not get a scenario just like that, hopefully, if she's good, here at the Academy but maybe something will come along requiring a moveset which includes that very action. Actually, this forest seems like a perfect spot for something just like that to happen.]

How many other people wander out into these woods like this?

Your ancestors, eh? I'll have you know I am a very wise twenty five. Certainly not old enough to be your ancestor.

[...the fact that he was born in 1940 notwithstanding.]

Aye, the feel of ploughing one's fist into the face of someone who's mouth is writing checks their body can't cash is indeed one of life's simple pleasures. Not many folk come back here on a regular basis - there's Ziio, the Sex Ed teacher and guidance counselor. An elf who's name escapes me, though he teaches poisons. A large dog creature by the name of Jock comes here to hunt sometimes. He's a nice lad, so, I let him...

[Just in case there was any doubt over who was the Alpha dog in these woods.]

Why do you ask?

Haha.. sorry, my ancestors weren't just old but they lived in an entirely different realm and spoke like that. [Until they were BANISHED, but that's what happens when a group of people plays with dark magic and upsets the powers that be.]

Just wondering! Thought it was just you, but if there's others what's the harm of adding another? This place is nice and quiet.. and reminds me a lot of a time before.

[It's no Faron Woods, but may as well enjoy it for the similarities.]

I won't burn it down or anything~ what, are you the forest commissioner too?

I've a few affectations left over from my homeland. I'll call folk chum, mate, lad, lass, fellow, old bean... the list goes on.

[He never actually ever called anyone old bean. Maybe he should start.]

Me? Oh, no. Nothing quite so authoritarian as that. Anyone is welcome to pass time here, so far as I'm concerned. The wood is meant to be enjoyed, after all.

[Old bean? There's something she's never even imagined hearing before. Would that even be a positive term to refer to someone as?]

Enjoy it I may... especially at night. Even with the creatures that only come out then, looking for food or whatever it is, the forest can be so pretty when bathed in moonlight and nothing else.

[She looks around a bit more, stuffing her field of vision into a mental picture, trying to find the best angle to capture.]

You like this place too? Does it rank among the top ten, even?

You'll hear no argument from me. I'm definitely more a creature of the night than the day. I feel far more invigorated during the later evening hours - responsibility, however, tends to keep me on a more diurnal schedule.

[He couldn't hold class at night.]

I've been a lot of places, so, perhaps I'm not the best one to ask. But it certainly ranks amongst my favorite places in this world. And considering I am entirely certain I'll be staying here for the rest of my days? It might as well be in my top three.

[Typically classes of any sort are offered during the day, maybe even the afternoon, but hardly ever night. Kind of kills it for the individual not being a morning person, but it is the schedule they know they're getting into.]

Maybe they'd make an exception~ not likely, but you never know, if you have enough support. It's not like you make your students get up at the first sight of dawn to do training -- or do you? [That might be.. evil. But it is the best time to work out? For most? Some?]

Hm.. that's good to know. Well, I don't know about you but I'm about ready to return. Unless you want to play hide and seek or something, but I feel I'd have an unfair advantage on you there.

[She has a lot to get to - like finding out who this Max Powers is and seeing if it's possible she can switch back to how she was. Not that the form she's currently stuck in isn't the most fun but it would be nice to get back to normal. If it's possible.]

I would absolutely make them get up that early if school rules allowed for it... Frankly, it would do some of them a great deal of good.

[Early to bed, early to rise, makes you healthy wealthy etc etc]

Aye. we can head back, if you'd like. Want to ride, again? Or are you content to make your own way?

[Hee hee.. well, that's true, but then as instructors they'd have to abide as well. It's appropriate to set a good example and all, but sometimes too early is too early.

Spending barely a second thinking on it she's up and on his back again.] Are you kidding? [She is NOT passing up an opportunity to travel in that fashion.]

Let's go! Maybe we'll come across more resistance on the way back. [Not something the average individual would hope for.]

We shall see!

[Unfortunately for Midna, they'd apparently used up their encounter quota for this afternoon. Spiteful crows and eyeball bats and all other manner of nasty having retreated at the sound of them running through the trees. On the upside though, the afternoon had worn on a bit and the shadows were longer, making their passage that much easier without exposing her to the sun.]

Not as exciting of a trip, but somewhat more expedient.

Can't be mad about that.

[The thirst for battle wasn't that bad this time around.]

I know the sun might be setting soon, but are you going to go back to reading under the tree now?

[Jon transformed back into his Human form, shaking out his hair and slapping the bark dust and dirt from his hands.]

Aye. I've very good night vision. I can read by moonlight.

[Benefits of being a werewolf!]

[Look at him showing off with those transforming abilities. It doesn't have Midna too jealous... but it's there.]

That is a rather handy skill, isn't it? [She can speak from experience; living in the world of Twilight means a natural-born adjustment to all things dark. Pitch black might be pushing it, however anything but isn't too much a problem.]

Well enjoy your read, Jon. And thank you. I did appreciate the demonstration.. and book, of course. [And the ride through the forest!]

I shall. You enjoy your evening, Midna. I'm glad we got to spend a little time with one another this afternoon.

[Hey, he was man enough to admit it. She was fun to hang out with. A good conversationalist and not afraid of a little action. Qualities he could admire.]

If you've a wish to go, I'll be up bright and early to run. I may see you then.

Maybe you will..

[With a little giggle she's de-materializing and sinking back into the earth beneath them, absorbing into the shadows created by the tree above that provided the space for Jon to sit against and enjoy his read.

And though he does plan on getting an early start to his day on the next, between that time Midna is going to go back to her studio, the work space provided to her by the Academy, and put what she's just seen and focused on remembering to action. Since it's winter break there isn't a chance of anyone else coming in to interrupt or question her piece, so well within a few hours she's able to produce a semi decent replica of what she can recall of that area in the forest - which is surprisingly detailed, though she did spend a few taking it all in - and finish it off enough to deem it suitable for framing and then giving.

Hopefully Jon isn't allergic to charcoal.. but who is?? Sometime in the middle of the night Midna places a landscape rendition of that clearing in the forest done in black and white, the spots where moonlight escaped through branches and leaves highlighted by the bright white of the canvas whereas the rest met with varying shades of gray and black in charcoal. It isn't something that had days put into it, but having the memory fresh in her mind keeps the scene as accurate as she can recall.

And with it is a note, smudged on the corner by tiny fingers blackened with the medium, reading 'Happy Christmas!! ..or whatever they say.']

[Of course, he found it just the next day, much to his surprise.

His room was known for being quite Spartan. There was not a lot in there as he didn't tend to keep a great deal of material possessions. However...

Should anyone ever happen to stop in for a visit, they would note the otherwise entirely blank walls of his Teacher's standard issue room now had but one picture hung on them. A beautiful landscape, gifted by a friend.]

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Gifts from the Whirlwind Wolfman oif London.

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