Bottlecap Bay Inbox (to fix)

[fromsprouts]

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IC INBOX

You feel something reaching out and grasping at your mind...

A psychic connection has been established.

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Comments

[sharpjustice]

Umemiya's given really specific instructions, which should make this easy for Mayaka to (in theory).

"Don't laugh," she says self-consciously, as she attempts to repeat the drill a few times.

Sometimes she's just short of touching the dummy, and at others she misjudges the distance and her claw pushes against fabric. There's a lot of keep track of: how far she's moving in a step as well as where her reach ends, depending on the bend of her elbows.

"This is harder than it sounds."

[fromsprouts]

"I know exactly how hard it is. I've done the same drill myself. And once I thought I was good at it, I did it blindfolded. And then worked on kicks, but that's not something I'm asking you to do, because you don't want to be here to learn to fight."

He's working from experience, teaching her to learn her body the same way he did, except he came in with martial experience and familiarity with his body.

[sharpjustice]

Blindfolded?? Yeah, that seems a bit much for Mayaka at this point.

"I can see the usefulness, even if it's not for fights," she admits.

As she continues jabbing at the dummy, she says: "Ume-kun, you're lucky I'm not interested in fighting. It'd be even harder challenge to teach me since I've got zero experience." Unlike the Lucario who is watching her like a coach.

"Have you helped out anyone else with training?"

[fromsprouts]

"Of course. I like doing it. I'm not as good with schoolwork or anything, but this is an area I get to feel like an expert."

He moves to the other side of the dummy to watch her, smiling.

[sharpjustice]

Normally, this would be the time Mayaka offers to tutor Umemiya. However, she doesn't think that has much use in Bottlecap Bay, neither is she a star pupil. She will find a more appropriate time to lecture him about the importance of studying even if it's a pain.

"You've got to have other stuff you're good at besides fighting." She continues jabbing, and missing the mark by just a bit.

"... I'm not saying that just because I'm biased against it."

Well, maybe a little.

[fromsprouts]

"Gardening? I'm good at that. And pretty decent at cooking, as well."

Which aren't really school subjects. Well, his garden's on the roof of the school, maybe that counts for something.

[sharpjustice]

"Now that's more like it, Ume-kun!" Mayaka approves. "Do you have a garden somewhere here?"

She shifts her body, placing her right foot in front of her left. Maybe she'll have better luck controlling her movements if she switches sides.

[fromsprouts]

"Absolutely! The winter vegetable garden in Skull Town was my project. Flamebringer and I have been talking about plans for springtime--he's got more experience with herbs than I do. I really want to make sure we get an early crop of tomatoes this year, and some spring onions. Plus, lettuce might be fun to grow, too!"

You might get more infodump if you don't stop him.

[sharpjustice]

Mayaka is content to let the Lucario continue sharing about his garden. She knows that it involves a lot of hard work to set up and maintain, and respects the effort. Maybe she can offer to help out come spring.

With his rambling in the background, Mayaka continues practices her drill... and eventually finds a steady rhythm where her claw taps lightly on the dummy. She finally has a sense of how much force to put in her step, and the reach of her claws.

"Am I doing it correctly?"