yoga_werewolf (yoga_werewolf) wrote in tiberiusswann, @ 2009-06-22 17:20:00 |
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Entry tags: | fenrir, tad |
Saturday: 11/24/2007
Who: Fenrir and Tad
Where: The Weight Room
What: Two Tough Guys Work Off Some Steam
When: Friday Afternoon.
Although the day before had been amazing, having dinner at Heather's apartment, the full moon was fast approaching and thoughts of Dante were dancing through his head as he pushed up the 500KG barbell with minimal effort. It was hard to find enough weight anymore to really give him any difficulty, which was why he generally went out into the woods to train. But this was only a light work out, and the enclosed feeling of the weight room took away his pleasant edge and let him focus. He may not have been planning on going after Dante but he wanted to be prepared in case he ever had to face the man again. Or any of the supernaturals for that matter. He didn't like being caught off guard.
Finishing up his rep, he sat up, sweat just beginning to bead across his forehead. Reaching over, he grabbed the towel sitting next to a gallon jug of water and wiped the traces from his face. As he removed the towel from his face he saw something strange walking through the door, something truly unexpected. A small boy, couldn't have been more than 12. He almost burst out laughing at the sight, but he instead decided to watch and see what the boy would do. So as not to be suspicious, he picked up the fiftykg dumbells and began doing arm curls as his eyes fixated on the small child.
---
Working almost every day with dirt this week was tough, but Tad was determined to get this right. He knew he made progress and that was enough to keep himself going and focused on the task. Becoming stronger was important, so he needed to find a way to work his body as well as his mind and the ability he possessed. The question was, how could he do this? Was there a place where he could become physically stronger? He walked down the hallways, musing this over, when luck happened to go his way. The door opened and he saw a strange place inside, with a tall ceiling and lines on the floor. Intrigued, he walked inside the room and looked around to explore it.
He happened to notice someone lifting a strange metal item in an unexpected way and saw how strong the man looked. This had to be what he wanted! Tad headed over to an empty area to grab one of the smaller weights. That was much too light! He needed something more challenging and tried to pick up one of the largest weights there. Wow, that was heavy. Tad chose a weight he had a little trouble carrying and sat down to lift it in the same way the squareish tough man was doing. It might not be as difficult as he thought. He could do this!
Every once in a while, he glanced over at the man to see if he was still lifting the weight at the same speed and continued with what he was doing. A serious, intense look appeared on his face. Yes, he felt the muscles in his arm working hard... this had to be the way to make himself tough.
---
The determined look on the boys face said more than the weight he was lifting to Fenrir, as he watched the boy work with the weights. It was clear from how he was lifting them the boy had no experience with such things. Also the fact that the boy hadn't known how much weight he actually needed. Most people had a good idea from the get go and wouldn't have gone from too light to too heavy. Still, he let out a chuckle watching the boy work, and he could tell from the way he glanced over that he was trying to prove something. Fenrir couldn't help having a little fun with him.
Strolling over to the weight rack, Fenrir picked up the weight that Tad had failed to lift, and with two weights now in tow, he walked over to a sit up bench, and set it so that it was on the steepest incline it could hold. Then, sitting on the bench with the weights against his chest, he began doing sit ups, going as fast as he could. He wasn't one for showing off, to be sure, but he wanted to see if the boy really was trying to imitate him or if it was just a coincidence.
---
Tad glanced over and saw that Fenrir had changed his exercise, moving over to grab that heavy weight. Oh dear, he wasn't sure he could manage to sit up with weights like the man was and he needed to think of something impressive to do. Obviously getting more weights was in order and so he walked over to get one of the same weights he had as well as one heavier one he had a lot of trouble lifting. He was not going to give up just because the man was doing something he couldn't yet.
Placing both lighter weights on his feet after he sat down, Tad lifted the very heavy one to his chest and above his head with all his strength. Doing so was a lot of effort, but he tried it again, this time raising one foot at a time. He managed to do it three times before he felt exhausted and then changed his style to lifting it only to his chest. The man didn't have to be so impressed, as long as he knew that Tad was as a determined weight lifter as he was. Not going to stop unless he collasped, that was what he was going to do.
---
Fenrir let out a chuckle at his determination, but now it was getting a bit serious. He knew that if someone didn't take precautions, they could hurt themselves with weights. And it certainly seemed like the boy wasn't going to stop until he either proved his point or killed himself. Letting his legs loose, he slid to the floor and set the weights aside on the floor. He stood up and walked over to the boy, staring down at his small frame. After all, he was still a teacher in some senses. He couldn't let the boy get hurt just because it was funny. He picked up his water jug as he walked over to where Tad was sitting.
"All right, stop showing off. You're gonna hurt yourself. Do what you can do and build up." As was characteristic of him, he didn't phrase it as a question, just a demand. He didn't care if the kid was young, he needed to know it was wrong, and coddling the boy was only going to weaken him. "Just because I can do it doesn't mean you can. I'm stronger. It's just how it is."
He took a long drink from his water jug and then held it out to the boy. "You need to drink water too. Or you'll hurt yourself." Of course, Fenrir didn't know that Tad was an elemental and didn't need to drink water, but that was unimportant. He knew what he knew, and that's what he needed to know.
---
If he hurt himself, Tad would get past it. He had done so in the past and it did not matter because it was just a sign he needed to practice more. The man moved, he saw out of the corner of his eye, and walked closer to him. Out of habit, Tad tensed and continued to lift the weight to his chest. Fenrir then broke the number one rule - don't tell him what to do - and earned himself a glare from the boy. "I'm fine!" His voice came out loud enough to echo in the small room. He was not sure what the man meant by build up, as clueless as he was about weight-lifting.
To make matters worse, Fenrir hurt Tad's pride and said something that proved his ignorance. "Stronger now. I will be stronger than you." One day in the future, he meant. He was a little impatient and wanted to be stronger now, but the world was cruel and did not work like that. He had to be content with working up to a high level although he did not like to admit that to himself. Fine, he supposed he could drink water at least. Tad dropped the weights from his feet and set the larger weight down so he could take a quick swig. Then it was back to lifting the heavy weight to his chest.
---
Tad's tensing did not go unnoticed by Fenrir. He was a hunter, it was his job to notice such things. Still, the boys determination even in the face of his fear was admirable. His persistence in getting himself injured was not. The boy may have been prideful, but if he wound up in the medical wing, it was only going to make things worse for everyone. He at least took the water, but that was not what Fenrir had first ordered. And he was not a man used to being ignored.
He strolled over to the weight bench and grabbed one that was half way between what Tad was lifting and the one that had been too light for him. The boy needed something that was comfortable but withing his limits. He then walked back and forcibly grabbed the weight Tad was lifting and pulled it from the boys grasp. It wasn't hard to do, being that Fenrir could destroy a tree in a fit of rage if he wanted. Holding both weights now, he held his hand with the lighter weight out to the boy, a grimace on his face. "I said build up to the weight. You start with what you can manage and work with it until you can manage a heavier weight with ease."
---
Fenrir was not about to tell Tad what to do, that much was certain. He glared as Fenrir walked to the weights, took one and promptly removed the weight from Tad's hands. The man was strong so he didn't know how much he could yell at him without being attacked. The new weight was not going to work because it seemed too light. If it was too light, he would not become as strong as he wanted. Building up sounded like a slow process. "No! That's too slow!" he exclaimed. "I have to get stronger now so I can fight him!" He did not understand why the man was telling him this nor trusted him even if he had Tad's safety in mind.
Tad grabbed the original heavy weight he had been lifting and grimaced a little at the feel of it in his hands once more. That did not matter. Training was more important than pain and he attempted to lift the weight to his chest just to prove to the man he could. He grit his teeth and started to move on willpower alone, because that was what he did. He continued despite what everyone told him as that was what he wanted. He could do it and become stronger no matter what Fenrir said, proven by the fierce look in his eyes as Tad glared at him.
----
Fenrir was so not playing this game. He didn't know who the boy had to fight nor did he really care. That was Tad's problem, not his. When the boy proceeded to pick up the heavy weight again, Fenrir was less than pleased. He expected to be listened to. This youngling was not. He again ripped the weight out of Tad's arms, this time letting out a growl as he did. His patience was being greatly tested.
"Using more weight won't go faster, it'll take longer. You get more reps out of less weight. More reps, more muscle build. Listen and you might learn something. I won't tell you again." He put emphasis on the last part, his face the same blankness it usually held. However, he had put himself in between Tad and the weights, and was not about to budge. "You can work on heavy weights when you get through me." He made it a challenge, and didn't hide any meaning in his words. Sometimes children had to be taught a lesson, and if Tad didn't want to learn one way, he would learn another.
---
He was just as stubborn as Tad, and a clash of wills had already started with fierce blows. Tad frowned as once again Fenrir took the weight from him and wondered if he had irritated him to the breaking point yet. Yet he seemed to know what he was talking about when referring to the weights. While Tad did not appreciate the tone the man used, he considered what he had to say for a little while. He could do more with less weight, building more muscle? That made sense, maybe, and he wanted to be stronger, so... He extended his hand to the lighter weight. "Okay."
Was that a challenge from the strong man? Tad met Fenrir's eyes and gave a slow nod. "That's a promise." Good, another goal. Stronger physically, stronger ability and he'd defeat them both. He was tired, but when he rested, he'd lift weights once more and practice moving dirt. The goals for the future lifted his spirits, drove him forward, and no one was going to stand in his way. It was important that the man knew his name now, for later purposes. "I am Tad. You should remember my name." With that, he brushed his sweaty palms on his trousers and met Fenrir's eyes with the same determination as earlier.
-----
Fenrir didn't smile as he handed Tad the lighter weight, but he was glad the point had gotten across. He wasn't one for drawn out battles, he preferred them over with quickly. That included clashes of wills. He drained half the remaining amount of water in his jug before bringing his eyes back down to stare the small boy straight in the eyes. "Hmph, I'll remember your name when you have something to back it up. I'm Fenrir. And you will remember my name." It was the little things that set the two apart. Tad had a large amount of self confidence, but didn't yet know how to fully apply it. Fenrir had a large amount of practice not only looking the part of the big bad wolf, but sounding it as well.
"Just remember boy-" He stressed the boy, indicating that he knew Tad's name, but chose to call him boy, "that strength of will alone won't win a fight. You can want to win all you want, if you don't know how though, it'll never happen. Strategy. Composure. Knowing when to strike. That's what's important. Knowing when to choose your battles. That's important. You can be the strongest person in the world, but there are things in this school that don't fight with strength alone. No matter how much you believe you are strong, if someone overpowers you then they prove what strength really is."
It was directly contradictory to what another of his teachers had told Tad, though Fenrir didn't know that. If he had known what "The Rockman" had to say about strength though, he would have liked him even less.
---
His gaze remained firm on Fenrir, fully intending to prove himself in a matter of time. He was deluding himself if he expected Tad to call him by his proper name because the boy only did it to people who deserved it. Fenrir may have proven to have knowledge about weights, but that was not enough just yet. "Maybe," he said to be difficult on purpose. Innocence set on his features. Sure, the man looked like he could rip Tad in two and that was what made it thrilling. A delicious rush. Fenrir was just a tall and angry man.
He had no idea what strategy or composure meant, or knowing when to choose his battles was exactly as well. "That's why I'm going to get strong," he told him. "I can move dirt and blow up rocks and I will beat Dante with that stuff." The goal of his slipped out without him really thinking, although it was not much of a secret. Maybe it was all right he said it to Angry Man. It was true the two teachers had different views on what it meant to be strong and Tad still decided to follow his own beliefs... using a couple choice pieces of advice, of course. "I want to fight him and you can't stop me, Angry Man." Just so he knew what the facts were.
Tad rested the weight on the bench because lifting started to be much too difficult for him due to his fatigue. He wiped hair off his sweaty forehead and sat down in the most menacing way possible (coming from a twelve-year-old looking boy, that wasn't much).
----
Fenrir didn't need Tad to acknowledge him by name. Actions were more important than words. The fact that he wasn't rising up to challenge him meant the words had stuck. Fenrir knew he could tear the boy in half if he wanted too, but he was too young and that would be cowardly. He only needed Tad to listen, not to fight him. However, when Tad brought up Dante, Fenrir grew very stern. Whatever mood he had been in before melted into a look of pure hatred.
"You want to beat Dante? The electric man?" His hand clenched so hard on the water gallon that the cracks of plastic rung out through the empty weight room, like trees cracking in winter. Would Dante kill a boy? And why would the boy want to fight Dante? It was a situation that confused Fenrir, but he knew well enough that people needed to fight their own battles. He wasn't going to discourage the boy. "You make sure if you fight him, you fight for keeps. Take that bastards fucking head off."
His face was dead serious, so that not even Tad's ridiculous attempts to appear macho could phase him. It was amazing he hadn't broken anything yet at the mention of Dante. "You kill him, or he'll kill you. End of story."
---
Tad did not expect Fenrir to know Dante as the concept of a community where many people knew each other was still over his head for the most part. He stared at Fenrir with curiosity, wondering if he had fought Lamp Man in the past. "Yes. One day," he said although he preferred that 'one day' to be 'now' instead. Fighting for keeps was a phrase he did not understand, or think it was possible to take off someone's head. And then there was that word that sounded like a magic curse - maybe he wanted to practice magic as well.
"Did you fight him?" he asked. He was too curious to keep the question inside for any longer. Kill? Did fighting Dante really mean one of them was going to die? Tad just wanted to become stronger, but maybe there had to be a use for all of this strength. "How?" With just bare hands or did he have some sort of magic too? Something told him Fenrir needed an extra advantage. "Lamp Man uses magic so you need magic too." Tad reached into his pockets and pulled out some of the dirt with which he'd been practicing. "This is mine." It wasn't so great and he was a little embarrassed he couldn't do so much yet, but it was only a matter of time.
He crouched down and dropped the dirt on the floor, slowly nudging it to form a thin rectangle. "I will make the dirt help me." Tad stood once more and looked upwards at the man. "Are you going to fight him again?" His eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Can I watch?" After all, it might be very interesting indeed to see the two of them fight with great magic.
----
Fenrir wasn't much for subtlety, or for controlling himself. Even with his striving to be a little more human, some things brought out his inner demons too much. "Fight him? Oh I fought him. Bastard couldn't win in a fair fight so he cheated. My mistake for not fighting to win. Next time, I won't give him the chance. I'll kill him." The truth of those words was evident in the bloodlust that swam in his vision. He was envisioning it even as he talked about it. "I don't need magic. I've got my fists, I've got my plan. That's all I need." He flexed his fingers, the bones cracking.
"He uses magic because he's a coward. He cannot fight with with strength alone. I have powers too, but I don't use them unless I need them. He uses them because he depends on them." His words, though laced with malice were controlled and calculated. "You fight with dirt, it is dirt that wins, not you. He did not beat me, lightning did." Fenrir was completely uninterested in Tad's powers. As he was with most peoples powers. They were all tricks. "If we fight, everyone will see. They'll see what happens when people use magic to try to pull a fast one on me. Everyone will see that he should have left me dead when he had the chance."
---
The cheating was something Tad did not quite understand. His power was a part of him and was an advantage, so why not use it? This was different from his opinion and he mulled over the man's words as he heard Fenrir would kill Dante. He and Dante were not close and so he did not have so much emotional attachment to the man but he wondered what happened. "Does killing make you happy?" Tad wanted to know. It was a reasonable question because blowing up rocks made him happy, so the two had to be related. Would he have to rely on his fists in order to win? Somehow, he doubted it.
Hearing Fenrir saying using magic made a person a coward lifted his spirits because he thought of Edward. Edward depended on his magic to create Tad, who he needed apparently. "The dirt and me are going to win," he said with emphasis. "You fight with all you got and that way you can win." Winning was what counted, right? It was good to know that everyone would be able to see if Fenrir fought Dante and Tad wondered if it was possible to beat a person with just their bare strength. He wiped his hands on his trousers and started to walk to the door. "I will get strong and fight you and him." Okay? Okay.
----
Such a strange question. Did killing make him happy? The answer was no. He actually hated to kill. Had been raised to avoid it. But when you were in danger, you eliminated those threats. Dante was a threat. "Only people who are sick take pleasure in killing. Death is a part of life. I don't like to kill, but some threats must be eliminated before they can harm you. You should kill only to survive. Only cowards kill when it's not necessary." Honor, pride, these things were central to Fenrir's way of life. "I hate death. But it is a way of life for all hunters."
He huffed when Tad mentioned that him and the dirt would win. "Then learn to do it on your own. You won't fight me though. I don't fight cowards who use magic. Only fighters." With that, he turned his back on Tad, a sign that he wasn't worth paying attention to, and then stormed off. He wasn't going to sit there and listen to more talk of using powers against powers. It was all pointless. Only fists were necessary.