Video

[lunarlegionnaire]

[8:30 PM. Stone Ridge Room 104's kitchen. It's early for V-Day but love's certainly in the air. Or rather, on the air. There's music playing from a room away as Marc grills some kebabs for dinner. He opens his window, waving smoke into the moonlit sky before turning to his communicator.]

Little advice if you're making that big confession on the 14th. Don't take 'no' too hard. The idea that they're the one for you isn't always mutual. Mope if you have to, but respect it and move on. [He shrugs.] Or try again; you never know. As long as you keep moving.

And if they say 'yes,' remember that the fairy tale's not over. It's actually just getting started. So see it through with all you've got. Sooner or later, you'll both know if you chose right.

[There's a second or two of dead air, suggesting a guy who either doesn't do this much or hasn't done it in a long time. Maybe both. Finally, the grizzled ex-mercenary clears his throat.]

...oh yeah, name's Marc. I teach capoeira at Sand Gym here in Gen. Not the most outspoken guy in any of the five cities, but I've been here around two years and seen quite a few faces come and go. I'm thinking not all of them have to stay strangers.

[That's the closest he'll get to "Nice to meet you. See you around." He looks back at his indoor grill and smiles right when an offscreen alarm goes off. Dinner's ready.]

Anyway, hope you're all having a good night. I know I will.

[Feed ends.]

Comments

[youfool]

[He'll take a minute to look up what "capoeira" is before getting annoyinglyproperly enthused]

A martial arts that combines dance, acrobatics, and music?

[He likes all three of those things!]

I'll be sure to enroll next time I see you there!

[lunarlegionnaire]

No problem. We've got two classes daily except Wednesday, morning and eve---

[Whoa. Wait.]

Mr. Satchel, are you sure about this? I may teach the art but I'll be the first to admit it's not the most practical one around. Not on these streets, and certainly not considering your... sideline.

[Private at the end]

[youfool]

[Last name basis, huh? That's cold Marc.]

Goodness, "Mr. Spector", we're using surnames now? Unless you find something pleasurably lyrical about it, please, drop it all and use "Ted" instead.

[He switches to private.]

Not practical enough for my "sideline", eh? And what of yours? Was capoiera not your art of choice when we were out exorcising?

[Private]

[lunarlegionnaire]

[He doesn't know you very well yet, Ted, even if everyone knows of you.]

I'm pretty sure it was judo considering how often Zabel sent me to the floor and I rolled with it. [Mumbled.] Stupid floor.

But yeah. I wouldn't advise those fancy, flashy kicks and spins you've probably heard about. Out there you'll want the quickest, most direct ways to end a fight. I'm afraid capoeira doesn't have those, no matter how amazing it might look.

Re: [Private]

[youfool]

Haha, well, I'm sure any art worth its salt knows ukemi.

I'm not sure even you believe in efficiency so much. The many swordsmen--very medieval--Genessia boasts certainly doesn't. If you did I'd think I'd see you sporting a firearm or something. You have a means, then, of achieving ends not quite so final as that?

video;

[moviemagic]

I'm just waiting for the day after when the chocolates come in super cheap.

[No confessions here just in it for the chocolate.]

Also capoeira... Interesting thing you teach there.

video;

[lunarlegionnaire]

Save some for the rest of us, okay?

[Her honesty's refreshing.]

Funny thing about capoeira: it doesn't so much teach you how to fight as it teaches you how to anticipate danger and react to it. It's always better to avoid the fight if you can.

[Says the vigilante.]

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[moviemagic]

No promises, I mean I could leave like one box for you, if you want.

[She's teasing, she could never eat that much chocolate.]

Ah, I see. Though I find sometimes you just cannot avoid it. But I agree if ou can deal with something without fighting it's better.

Re: video;

[lunarlegionnaire]

If it's not too much trouble, then I'll take you up on that. And I'll find a way to return the favor, promise.

[Neither can he, but he could use the energy on those long cold nights.]

Too bad we're usually left with no choice, huh?

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[moviemagic]

I mean there will be lots of shops selling them so you have a lot of choices.

[She nodded slightly.]

Yep, but even then my team always try and avoid killing.

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[brbgettingwrench]

You're right if they said no then one should respect the person's choice. Same if they say something along the lines of not right now. It's not a yes or no, but a later down the line.

Never try and pressure that person to say yes sooner.

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[lunarlegionnaire]

Right? You just might lose any chance you had at staying friends with them, if you're okay with that.

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[brbgettingwrench]

Exactly. I hope people understood the message you were trying to get across at least.

[notquitedracula]

Capoeira, huh? That's... the dance-based one with the kicking, right? I might be willing to give it a shot, if you don't mind teaching someone with unique abilities of their own.

[lunarlegionnaire]

[A non-native student? This just might be a first.]

The very one. What kind of unique abilities are we talking about?

[He might be ready for anything coming from a world of mutants, mutates, aliens, demons, and whatnot. But who knows?]

[notquitedracula]

Jumping in midair, limited flight, and a fair spread of magic. A lot more movement stuff I'd rather not go over on the network. Experience with weapons, training in iaijutsu, and quite a lot more besides. ...It'd probably be easier to show than to tell.

[lunarlegionnaire]

[He sounds like a metahuman with a wider skillset than average. 'Experienced with weapons' intrigues Marc most, being an arms savant himself. But he tells himself to stay focused on the capoeira. That's why the boy's here.]

It probably would. But I'll tell you right now, I won't mind a single one of those abilities as long as you don't use them during class. It, uh, wouldn't really be fair for the other students.

Using what you learn to enhance your skillset and better look out for others, maybe have fun along the way, though? You bet I'm all for that.

[Video]

[mother_of_monsters]

Nice to meet you, Marc, I'm Dray.

[The ears on his head move up and down for a moment, as if he's using them to wave a 'hi'.]

Sounds like you have experience with love.

Re: [Video]

[lunarlegionnaire]

Hi, Dray.

[He inclines his head to the side, giving his own quiet hello.]

To be honest, I should follow my own advice. [A wry, wistful grin here.] Just don't want others to make my mistakes or dwell too long on what could've been, is all.

[Video]

[mother_of_monsters]

[Dray smiles in return and then the expression soften at Marc's explanation.]

Ah, I'm sorry then. But I know how it is too. We can at least learn form our mistakes and be an example, as you say.

Re: [Video]

[lunarlegionnaire]

Right on. [He waves his hand slightly, a gesture that seems to take in the entire city.] These young lovers are gonna need it.

[His look turns thoughtful.]

Was there someone you just couldn't let go of, too?

Video - I hope late is okay

[greenmagick]

Is there someone that you're going to confess too?

[Her voice is soft and curious. Terra doesn't claim to know anything about love or what comes after but there is something vaguely familiar about the man on the screen that causes her to reach out with her question.]

There is no such thing as late \o/ \o/

[lunarlegionnaire]

[He had never met Terra personally, but Marc, too, vaguely remembers her from a long time ago. He smiles at her, shaking his head.]

Me? Nah.

But if anyone else here is, they should at least know what they're getting into.

<3

[greenmagick]

I suppose that is true.

[Her expression softens.]

Do you think it's a bad thing? To be alone during this time? This day celebrates a pair of people and I am sure there are different kinds of love but I only just arrive here and my memories are a little fuzzy.

I don't have anyone like that.

[lunarlegionnaire]

It's tough, isn't it? Seeing those pairs arm-in-arm, lost in each other and wanting some of that for yourself.

[He gazes down at his coffee for a moment, idly mixing it.]

It's not a bad thing, personally. I miss Marlene and what we had, sure. Doesn't mean I dwell on it too much. I've plenty to keep me busy.

[His smile turns encouraging.]

Not right now you don't. I'll wager you just haven't found them yet.