[thread] Let's training!

[flipping_bird]

Characters: OU: Robin/Dick Grayson (Teen Titans), OPEN TO ALL but especially directed to people who've volunteered/expressed interest in the training/a fight.
Where: The Park.
When: Morning.
Summary: Robin's in the park, getting started on the day's training session.
Warnings: None! But the OOC post I've written does go on a bit.
Notes: Because

Comments

[gm_kragok]

"So some of the people here can learn to fight," Kragok said, leaning back against a tree in the park, crossing his arms. To tell the truth, he found himself horribly unimpressed by most of the hand-to hand fighters present, but then no one save his universe's version of Knuckles had ever been able to equal him and defeat him in combat. He found himself looking forward to continuing Robin's training, to teaching him Echidna-fashion martial arts. The red-furred Grandmaster almost hoped Robin would be able to defeat him. Maybe then he would finally have another equal, a rival worthy of matching in this place.

"Your lover has also requested that I spar with her and teach her what I can of fighting," the Echidna replied, glancing down with a smirk to the human below his perch.

[flipping_bird]

It took Robin a few seconds to process the Grand Master's statement. Surely anyone could learn? Why was that a surprise? He bit his tongue though. Kragok's scorn of humans was no secret, and Robin turned to the echidna, intending to greet him politely and coolly.

Kragok's next words defeated that endeavour entirely.

WHAT. WHAT.

[gm_kragok]

"What's the matter, Robin?" Kragok asked, the sneer obvious on his face, "is your tongue having trouble working? Your lover won't appreciate that, I'm sure!" Was he trying to get a rise out of the boy? Yes and no. He was really wanting to see what the lad could already do when he went all out, and this seemed as good a way as any to rile him up.

[flipping_bird]

Or make Robin flee.

"I can speak just fine!" he protested, caught somewhere between mortification, anger, and panic -- in the end, it was the knowledge that Harley had been in the compound that kept Robin from just deciding that discretion is the better part of valour. "And not only is that none of your business but you're not exactly helping us any -- we're keeping things quiet. With Harley here, anyone close to me could end up a target."

[gm_kragok]

"If this Harley tries anything, she will have some of the most powerful fighters here after her," Kragok said with a sneer, "and she will have me to contend with besides. In the end, she's only a human, Robin." Was that condescension in his tone? Very much so, as Kragok's opinion of humans as fighters ranked down there among the lowest regards the grandmaster had.

[flipping_bird]

"It's not you I'm worried about," Robin said, unimpressed. But then, when Persephone's safety was at issue, he tended to be unimpressed.

The Grand Master's attitude wasn't doing him any favours this morning. Robin could have predicted the insult -- he could even have delivered it for the echidna. Robin doubted that Kragok could have made his biases any clearer, but he said nothing. Kragok's teachings aside, he was a close friend of Persephone's. Robin would be polite -- not give Kragok the satisfaction of getting angry. "If you don't mind? I'd like to get back to work. I've got some new drills to introduce, then we'll break up into smaller groups, and you can have your sparring partner." He paused, a thought occurring to him. "How's progress going on your group?"

[gm_kragok]

"I am trying to pull the other Mobians together as best I can, but in the end they are all too willing to let personal opinions supersede common sense and basic survival. Some of them are too comfortable in their current lives, not exactly eager to do anything. Of course, my sister and Doctor Finitevus are the exceptions to this, continuing their training, and their preparations. When the time comes to return home, we intend to be alive for it." Kragok scowled and glanced at the students on the grass, lunging, moving and shifting through forms and stances.

"Do you really think they can make a difference here, Robin? Even if they can learn to fight, they are still but students, facing an enemy that physical and conventional weapons seem to do nothing against!"

[flipping_bird]

Robin nodded slowly. Sounded like the Mobians faced the same problems in pulling together that the rest of the compound faced -- although he wasn't sure Kragok would appreciate the comparison.

Kragok's question pulled him out of his thoughts. "Of course," he said with some surprise -- wasn't it obvious? "The fighting's only a small part of this. We're learning each other -- when the Entropi come, we'll fight them together. Whatever weapons we have, and I agree with you that we'll need them, we'll be more effective as a group if we can act as a group. This is only the foundation."

[gm_kragok]

"Might I recommend something, then, Robin?" Kragok asked. "A means of coordinating units together and training them in the method of working together."

[flipping_bird]

"What do you suggest?" Robin asked, interested. From Finitevus's reaction, the Grand Master was a leader to be reckoned with in his own world.

[gm_kragok]

"Take your most skilled pupils and have one or two of them fight groups of your least skilled pupils." Kragok didn't bother hiding the grin that came to his face when he offered the plan. "It's the best way. We're fighting an enemy that can easily match ten of our best, so I hear, so put them in that same boat."

[flipping_bird]

Robin considered the idea carefully. At first thought it seemed problematic, but after he thought about the possibilities -- "I don't think we're near that stage just yet," he said slowly. "And I'm sure Master Chief has thoughts about battle simulation -- that could be a very good next step, however."

[gm_kragok]

Kragok shrugged. "You are the mentor here, not I, but it is not about skill here. Following a scheduled program for something like that is foolhardy, for the Entropi will not adhere to any schedule of our own. It's not a test or a gauge of skill or strength, but a demonstration of the importance of, if necessary, ganging up on an opponent. A valid tactic, and yet one that can be pulled of quite well if one learns. Only my suggestion from my years of leading the Dark Legion."

[flipping_bird]

"It's not about skill," Robin agreed. "Right now, it's about knowing our capabilities -- and those of our training partners. With everyone's level so different, it's hard to gauge, especially for the newcomers. I'll definitely be putting your idea into practice though -- or," he paused thoughtfully. "Would you like to try your hand at that particular training session?"

[gm_kragok]

"I think I would appreciate that very much, Robin! At the very least, I can have some fun," Kragok replied with a laugh, smirking at the thought. Whip these humans and humanoids into a team capable of knowing and working with each other? Kragok actually liked that idea.

[flipping_bird]

Robin was very nearly as shocked as he had been by the 'lover' comment -- of all the reactions he'd been anticipating, the Grand Master laughing had no been one of them. After a startled moment, as he realised that yes, Kragok had accepted the offer, he grinned.

"I'd better get back to work then," he said, nodding towards those practicing. "We'll want to try and make this interesting for you after all."