|
|
Post by enzair on Aug 24, 2012 2:49:53 GMT -5
A few people graduated to ‘Black Belt’ last week, and today four more people join the Jade Dragon Dojo. Every graduate has a choice of claiming their honorary Jade Dragon amulet, or continuing on in the advanced class to better ones self, one can reach the ninth Dan with this sensei the tenth Dan is the grandmasters level, and one can only become a grandmaster if the current grandmaster chooses that disciple for there is ever only one grandmaster of any martial arts at a time.
Sensei Wu, is the grandmaster if his martial arts and ancient art that utilizes the pressure and nerve points for defense but mainly meditation as gentle use of those points can be very, very relaxing. Violent use is well… dangerous and very effect in incapacitating the foe. The advanced classes range from first Dan’s to fifth Dan’s. The elite classes are sixth Dan’s to Ninth Dan’s. They are mostly people in their thirty’s and above. Every two or three years the person will graduate to a higher Black Belt level and once again is given the choice of staying or leaving.
However, the new ‘initiates’ are arriving soon, and Enzair had the liberty of preparing the ‘initiation’ ceremony. It was not complicated, the altar was already set up in the back room, he just had to prepare the items the initiates would receive. Anyone could leave whenever they want but it is an achievement to make it to the end, a three or five year commitment to the black belt is tough I different ways for everyone, for Enzair it was the discipline and patients while outside the Dojo Enzair is a rebellious violent young adult, but here inside the Dojo he is obedient and respectful to everyone.
The walls, floor and ceiling of the building was a classical reconstruction of ancient Chinese structure. The floor padded with traditional mats not the modern foam filled mats, these were made of surprisingly durable yet soft reeds. In the training room at least, the rest of the floors were polished wood. There were modern mats, they were only used in real duels or ‘tournaments’ as required by law, but for training or sparing they used the traditional mats of ancient times.
“Everything is ready Sensei,” said Enzair bowing momentarily in respect.
Sensei Wu only nodded his head in response before returning to his steaming herbal tea.
Before Enzair opened the traditional sliding door the Sensei spoke, “This Nell Shepherd… is she like you does she have the same gifts?” he asked.
Turning around Enzair asked, “You know?”
[color=gold=“I have always known, in my own country in ancient times beings like you were revered as demigods or demons,”
[/color] replied the Sensei. “Then I suppose Fire was considered a demon…” commented Enzair. “Most of the time, but what of Nell?” asked Sensei Wu. “Not exactly, her kind is weak to fire, she controls plants and rock,” said Enzair. “Ah, but one is never weaker than the other, she is strong in her own ways, she has advantages you don’t… strength is but a matter of power… the answer to who is the victor all depends on who has the greatest Will,” Explain the Sensei. “Perhaps there is a day when I will understand where your philosophy fits on what your trying to say,” Said Enzair not getting the point of who has the stronger will to be the victor, it made no sense to him. The sensei said nothing but smiled and returned to drinking his tea, with that Enzair bowed then left the room, closing the door behind him, and headed to the meditation room where he would relax to the sound of water and the recording of nature. Quite the something earth elementals would like but it helps for a calm relaxing atmosphere.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Aug 26, 2012 5:22:04 GMT -5
Nell had found some time in her schedule to hold up the bargain that she and Enzair had made in the vacant lot after letting off some explosives. She'd told her father about some new combinations, and he still was disapproviing of the acetone. Not like she'd ever listen to him, at least not enough to take a lesson from her. She wished that it could be different when she spoke to him, that she could still treat him like the man she used to think of him as and discuss things with him like his work without that undercurrent that always seemed to be hidden in their conversations. The electricity was palpable and incredibly unsettling, and she didn't know where to start when it came to repairing their relationship. So much had passed between them in the past years they'd been reunited, so much that she couldn't begin to organize it in her head. Nell knew they needed to talk, but she didn't know where to begin. The last time they'd tried it had turned into something else entirely. That was a usual thing of course. Nothing could pass between them without it turning into some kind of argument.
And she thought this as she left his house that day to go to the dojo that the Fire graduate had told her about. She'd worn what she believed to be the best outfit, sweats and a t-shirt as she usually wore when going to the gym. She covered it up with a light jacket that came down mid-thigh. The summer weather was nice, but she didn't like going around looking very slovenly. Around the house she rocked sweats all the time, but outside she wanted to keep an air of professionalism about her. She wore what she liked, but she always made sure that it did not make her look like some sort of street child. It was a sense of pride she had gotten from the time she was little, when she tried on her mother's heels or knotted her father's ties. Always look presentable. Except when you're in a dojo. Then she figured that her sweats would be acceptable. Or maybe she should have gotten an outfit herself or something? Suddenly she was concerned that she was making a fashion faux paus or insult the people there. She tried her best not to get anxious, because that's the last thing she wanted. Nell wanted to approach everything with an open mind, so that when she made mistakes she would not be let down.
Her knowledge of Asian custom and culture was limited to paper cranes and origami. She'd taught herself the art of paper folding when she was little and she had since started making her own original creations. As an Earth student, she really enjoy doing flowers, but she could always stray, find new things to make. The simple act of creation enthralled her, from her element to restoring her Pontiac, to making food. She liked the power she held as a human being to make something out of nothing. That was art in itself, even if other people didn't think things like building cars to be art. Considering it this way, the definition of art was anything aesthetically pleasing to the person viewing it. And cars were aesthetically pleasing to certain people. Origami was an art, but she didn't know how prolific of a practice it was nowadays in the Asian continent since she did not live there herself.
Her knowledge did not include anything about martial arts. As a pacifist, she restricted any violence to...well, none. She didn't fight. She barely argued, except when backed into a corner thanks to that pride that made her dress nicely. But the offer of learning something new drew her in, and she'd done some research on it. What piqued her interest was the fact that it concentrated more on defense and subduing an opponent. Not direct violence. It didn't make her feel any less nervous. She had a strong core, but she did not have any experience in fighting. All she did was play a lot of sports and that gave her a little bit of power. It was considerably unexpected considering her stature and how unimpressive she looked. A chipmunk, at best. She even had the babyfat cheeks to create the illusion of a tiny woodland creature. Thinking about it, she had never even seen a chipmunk in the wild before, but judging from pictures she considered that it was a good comparison to make to herself.
It nonetheless thrilled her to approach the place, looking around as if entering a strange new world. She did not know whether she should enter the place or not, but she decided to take a chance and slid open a door. Stepping inside, she remembered that she should probably removed her shoes and untied her sneakers, slipping them off and letting them dangling from her fingers. She padded lightly through the halls, hoping she would not get lost in the place. It didn't take too long to find Enzair, sitting in a room with recorded sounds of birds and other wildlife. Calming and soothing, though she did not need a recording to feel those things considering it was her natural setting. ”Hey,” she greeted, her voice quiet. ”Hope you haven't been waiting for me.” They might not have been friends, but she made it a point to always be polite. She had manners and she liked to believe she was a good person sometimes, so it was natural that she'd worry about someone spending time waiting on her. Nell did not like to be an inconvenience.
|
|
|
|
Post by enzair on Aug 26, 2012 18:23:01 GMT -5
Opening his eyes and turning his head to meet eye to eye with nell Enzair Smiled. Leaning to the side he turned off the sound and stood up to face Nell. Enzair was wearing Black silk clothing with his Black belt tied around his waist it had a Chinese symbol on each end, it meant ‘second’ as is Second Dan, he to was not wearing shoes but tucked in his belt were two thick and stretchy silk like socks so to speak. The socks were an new addition to a Dojo, the Sensei lived here with his wife and his wife was one hell of a gerafobe, so they would wear them whenever traversing the wood floored halls and any other place with no mat.
Bowing Slightly for a moment with his hands together, “Welcome to the Jade Dragon, here patients is a virtue, as is respect, besides you the first of the four who should be here today, your just early, which is perfect. Now come with me and we can get you prepared and perhaps give you a tour while ‘waiting’ for the others,” said Enzair putting a little joking tone in the word ‘waiting’.
Slipping on the black socks which rose a few inches above his ankles and under his black silk pants. Enzair headed out of the room and a few doors down on the left of the way Nell came he opened a door, it was more of a closet than a room a walk in closet so it was rather big. It also had a couple changing rooms in it.
The room had many wood lockers double stacked, each had Chinese and American symbols on it, sizes, the top was shirts, long sleeve, and pants, all of these were white, one side of the wall was men’s the other side female. The socks were on shelves, the socks were smooth to the touch yet the outside was coated with something that gave it enough grip to the floors so one does not slip and injure themselves. Enzair did not know what it was he was not that sciencey he only knew explosions but he did not care what it was. But the inside of the socks was smooth easily slipped on but a bit hard to get off considering they are very snug.
“Shirts are on top pants on bottom, sock things on the shelves right there,” said Enziar pointing at them.
Turning around to face Nell he crossed his arms, “find what fits. Anyway, the Sensei is in the room at the end of the hall, once your properly outfitted he would like to see you specifically, i’ll accompany you… he can be quite puzzling sometimes, their all white, it is for the normal class, from white belt to First Dan, the black cloths like I got is only given to you if you take part in the advanced class, advanced class will teach you more about nervous system, more advanced defense moves and the whole lot, you can’t just join the advanced class you have to be invited by the sensei”
Sitting down on a bench near the door he then closed the door and continued to speak, “not any initiate gets to meet the sensei before the ceremony… it is not much really you just get your white belt, a ceremonial flute, and a 3 foot rod carve to a perfect image of an Asian Lung, colored Jade as well, it’s a dragon in case you don’t know. There is nothing to the Asian lung rod, it is just a gift the sensei carves them.”
|
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Aug 28, 2012 12:48:14 GMT -5
Nell watched with a little smile on her face as he stood, completely pleasant and airy. Even with someone she didn't necessarily like, she was the paragon of manners and politeness. Even while being upfront about such things. She saw no reason to lie to anyone, and so she didn't. When Enzair bowed, she hesitated a moment, wondering if she should bow back or if that wasn't right and she'd end up embarrassing herself, so she just stood there like the American bred girl she was listening to his introduction that welcomed her to the dojo. Well, patience and respect, she supposed she's got that down. Off to a good start it seemed. "Uhm....thanks," she said in her response to the greeting. The hesitation may have just been because she was out of her element, but it wouldn't take too long to adjust. She was adaptable. "Sorry if I'm a little too early or anything." She apologized a little too much, but she couldn't help it. She didn't want to be an inconvenience, and that would be something else to embarrass her.
She waited as Enzair slid on his socks before following him down the hall from whence she came, to a closet. She was relieved that she wouldn't have to provide her own wear, though she supposed she was mistaken for thinking sweats would cut it. They were the outfits she'd expected and she was ever the keen listener as he spoke again. He spoke of the sensei, then went back to the clothes throwing her off a bit as she processed the information. At least she wasn't intimidated and enjoyed meeting new people, so she figured she would fare well enough with the sensei. She nodded as he went along and said, "I still don't know yet how far I'll go. I guess I'll have to see if it's my thing. How long did it take you to get to the advanced lessons?" The whole fighting this was still a turn off, but she would see if she actually liked it before making any assumptions. And questioning Enzair about it would certainly help her.
She turned when he sat down on a bench and listened as he continued to speak. "Hmm, didn't know that. But thank you for the information!" Nell went into the closet and pulled out the required garments, hoping that she would put it on right. It wasn't like she could ask Enzair for help. "If you'll excuse me..." she said before slipping into the changing room and switching clothes, pulling on the pants and shirt, also the socks. She remembered that she didn't really like wearing socks unless she had to, and would rather just free foot it. But seeing as this was what you had to do here, she would respect the customs. Nell walked back out the rooms, holding out her arm and looking at her clothes as if she had changed into a new skin. "So I suppose I'll be meeting the sensei now?" she asked him, still very curious about everything that would be going down today. She always liked an adventure, though, and she could considered this one even though she wasn't going anywhere.
|
|
