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Davis Drew ([info]ninjaspider) wrote in [info]utr_logs,
@ 2010-01-17 14:57:00

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Entry tags:davis drew, levi slates

Who: Davis and Levi
What: Levi's first scheduled private lesson... in martial arts, duh.
Where: The London Youth Center; they own his soul.
When: Sunday, 6-ish
Warnings: None; just spirituality and martial arts, a peek at Davis' teaching style as well.



Davis walked into the empty studio space in the LYC and flipped the light switch on the wall. It was kind of strange being here on a Sunday, but he was okay with it. It was extra money, and he'd been meaning to branch out into private teaching anyway. It should be a learning experience for the both of them.

He took off his jacket and revealed a simple white tank, complete with his basic uniform pants with the black belt tied around his waist, bandanna tied to his head. He tossed his jacket over a chair in the far corner and began rolling out the mat on the floor. When all was set up, he stood and looked into the mirror in front of him, figuring he'd do a couple of stretches before the guy arrived.


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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-17 08:21 pm UTC (link)
Levi let himself in to the LYC, and nodded at the guy on the mat doing stretches. "You Davis?" he asked. Coming from the states, he had several layers on, but shed everything down to a simple blue T-shirt and black sweats. He usually wore jeans, but made the exception given that he was going to need to be able to move and stretch and whatever else.

"Levi Slates," he added, moving toward him with a hand out in greeting. Levi often felt socially awkward, but he thought he was holding his own, this time out. At least there was something to focus on, it wasn't just a random meeting with someone he didn't know.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-17 08:31 pm UTC (link)
Davis kinda snapped out of his zen moment for a brief second and then turned and smiled, offering his hand in return of a firm shake. "Yeah, Davis is me."

Davis motioned for him to move to the small table and chairs for a moment just after that. "Come and sit for a moment. I'm just gonna start you out with a brief consultation. As I said online, I do know several styles so I'd just like to make sure we get the best fit for you. Why don't you tell me a little about yourself and we can go from there?"

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-17 08:42 pm UTC (link)
Levi rubbed his palms on his pants as he sat, and after he sat. Nervous habit.

"What's to tell? I'm a singer. Not very famous, but I hit the hotels and casinos around Vegas, sometimes the clubs down in LA. I write my own music, mostly. I hate doing covers. Money's scarce, so there's a lot of stress about paying the rent, paying the bills. I've had a personal crisis recently, I'd rather not talk about, but that's why I'm here. Why I want to find something to help me find balance and whatever. I heard martial arts is good for that kind of thing."

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-17 09:07 pm UTC (link)
"It's all right. I'm with ya' there. Not one to talk about the past myself." Davis nodded in an understanding manner. He had his own share of personal crises. Everyone in this world seemed to be running from something.

"So you want focus, right?" Davis chewed his lower lip while he thought which style to teach. Ultimately he decided to do his own thing.

"I think I'm going to teach you a mixture of things. Mainly Tai Chi and Taekwando, with a few extras thrown about. The thing about Tai Chi is that the medical field has been studying it's effects for years because it genuinely does have healing properties on the mind and spirit." He stood for a moment and offered the other man a genuine smile.

"It looks like your spirit could deal with a little healing right now." He said, offering him a hand.

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-17 09:43 pm UTC (link)
"You have no idea," Levi took the offered hand in a firm grip. Hew stood, and ran his other hand through his hair. He hadn't pulled it back, so it hung loose around his face. If he was honest, it was something of a curtain to hide behind.

"I'm going to trust your judgment. I mean, you're the expert, right?" Levi offered a small, but genuine smile of his own. "And if something isn't working out, we can always change it, right?"

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-17 10:03 pm UTC (link)
"Well yeah. This is all just experimental right now. It's really up to you whats working and what's not." Davis nodded and let go of his hand, then turned and walked to the center of the room on the mat.

"So basically we'll start out with some Tai Chi exercises to free up your mind a little, and then we can move on to a few Taekwando techniques. They'll be the basics, and it might feel a little dorky... since it's just basic kicks and punches but we all have to start somewhere, right?" Davis let a soft little chuckle go and smiled.

"Okay. We're gonna start with a basic solo form. Spread you legs." He said, then coughed and quickly corrected himself. "...y'know, shoulder length apart. Try to stand as straight and still as possible..."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-17 11:36 pm UTC (link)
Levi nodded. "Like this?" He shifted, moving his feet apart, knees bent just slightly to give him a firm stance. His back was straight, though he swayed slightly. He would need a lot of practice to get his muscles to cooperate to stand still.

He hadn't done enough to feel any effect, but he was feeling good about the whole thing. he really thought, and really hoped, this was going to make a difference. Maybe he wouldn't get so wound up, before the moon.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-17 11:46 pm UTC (link)
Davis nodded and walked around him, placing a hand on the man's side and back to straighten out his back. "There." He said once he was satisfied with his positioning.

He walked back around to the front and got in the same position, like a mirror image to Levi. Then he brought his hands to the front and placed them side-by-side, forming a triangle between his thumbs and forefingers.

"Now put your hands in this position. This is the stance that you will usually be starting out in." He said. "Try not to bend your elbows. And once you're there, clear your head as much as possible. I'll teach you a few basic forms to move to, but it will basically be free-flowing. Like feeling your spirit move you."

He waited for the other man to comply and laughed a bit. "Sorry if I'm already overwhelming you. It takes some getting used to."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-18 12:26 am UTC (link)
His elbows bent, and he pulled back to try again. He got a much better form the second time out and nodded his approval to himself. "I'll do, or try to do, whatever you say." He didn't think mobility would be a problem, he was fairly limber, and even a little bit graceful. He could move without making a sound, but standing entirely still was still difficult.

"And it's fine. I'm a quick study. I'll let you know if you're going too fast." Which may or may not actually be true, but he'd pretend. He was a man, after all, and men were typically stubborn about admitting they needed help.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-18 12:50 am UTC (link)
Davis gave a half smile and then took his hands and made a slow, sweeping arch to one side, bending his opposing knee as he did so. Then he mirrored the motions with the other side.

"Still with me?" He asked, looking out the corner of his eye. He then continued, slowly breaking his hands apart, forming one into a fist and dropping it to his side while keeping the other directly in front in an open palm position. This was followed by a few more changes in stance, some wide and majestic, some low to the ground. He tried to go as slow as possible so that he wouldn't leave his student behind in the dirt.

"You can do these moves in any particular order really. Don't think about it, just... y'know, do it. Whatever feels right. It's meant to be yours and yours alone." Davis said, then crossed his arms. "Think you can do it? Try and clear your mind and let the energy flow through you."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-18 01:46 am UTC (link)
Levi nodded. He closed his eyes and pulled in a deep breath, let it out slowly. He adjusted his stance just slightly, and started to run the motions through his head as he continued the deep breathing.

After a moment, he opened his eyes and started, mimicking Davis fairly accurately. He deviated somewhat, adjusting the moves to suit him, as he felt led to do so. It was a good feeling, and when he stilled, he redirected his focus to Davis with a little smile.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-18 02:12 am UTC (link)
"Feels good?" Davis gave a half smile and looked him over. "How do you feel?"

Davis paced a couple of steps and then thought of what to do next. "Okay, now we switch over to some Taekwando. This ones going to be more linear, as there is a definate set of moves to memorize. But even if it's hard for you to memorize things, this first one is cake."

He then got into place and did a succession of two punches, two high and two low blocks, a step forward for each move. He then switched directions and repeated the process four times. "See? Easy. The only real challenge is keeping good posture."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-18 02:37 am UTC (link)
"Feels good," Levi said. he took a moment to stretch out his back. "I've a feeling my muscles are going to be sore in the morning. But it's worth it," he added, and set to commit the moves of the Taekwando to memory.

Admittedly it was a little harder to keep up with the structured moves, but he managed fairly well. he made a few mistakes but nothing he couldn't compensate for and keep moving forward without getting tripped up.

By the time he finished the reps, he was sweating, and he reached up to wipe his arms across his forehead.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-18 02:48 am UTC (link)
"S'alright. Need a break?" Davis chuckled and patted the other man on the shoulder. Then he moved over to his back and pulled out two bottles of water and an extra gym towel, handing him one of each. And he sat in the chair and took a deep gulp of the cold water.

"Go ahead and take a load off. We got the time." Davis said, nodding to the chair across from him.

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-18 03:52 am UTC (link)
Levi sat, and uncapped the water. he downed half of it before looking at Davis. "I can't tell you how glad I am to have found you. I really felt like I've been flailing for a while now, like a fish out of water. You know how they flop around? That's how I've felt."

He pushed his hair out of his face. He really should have pulled it back, but for the most part it didn't bother him when it was in his face.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-18 04:13 am UTC (link)
Davis could relate. He was on a massive downward slope a few years ago, what with the death of his mother and his ever deteriorating mentality. It's hard to get back into the swing of things.

"Like you're drowning on dry land?" He nodded, circling his finger on the bottle cap and looking at the ground. "I know the feeling. Trust me."

He uncapped and drank again from the water bottle, splashing a bit on his face before wiping it off. "If it wasn't for this new world. I'd probably have gone right back to flopping around."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-18 04:39 am UTC (link)
"If it wasn't for this new world, I'd probably have succeeded in the drowning on dry land." Levi sighed. He really didn't want to talk about the things that plagued him. He didn't expect the confession that he was a weretiger to go over too well.

"But I think this will help. Even just this little bit." He nodded, smiled. "I can tell it's going to help my sanity."

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-18 04:51 am UTC (link)
Despite their ability to communicate, the two men had several things in common. They both contained a beast inside them that would kill indiscriminately, and they both held a deep desire to let the past remain in the past. Still, Davis recognized that there was something in the other that reminded him of himself.

"I'm glad to help. Even just a little bit." He nodded to Levi.

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-18 05:19 am UTC (link)
"I think if I stick with it, you'll help more than a little bit." Levi said sagely. He took another drink, finishing off the water. "We going to go another round?" He was ready to give it a go, though he was tired, he'd manage. he was pumped up, and inspired, two things he hadn't really felt for a long time.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-18 11:50 pm UTC (link)
"Of course." Davis agreed, standing and tossing the empty bottle in his hand in a small bin beside the table.

"We can go over some basic moves. I'm sure you already know how to kick and punch, but I'll teach you to do it effectively." He reached into his bag and pulled out two pads with velcro straps on the back and began to fasten them to each hand.

He then proceeded to stand in a half-squat position in front of Levi, in order to steady his balance.

"Now I want you to punch this pad. Show me what you got, then I'll correct it and tell you how to do it better." He nodded. "It's a lot less douchey than it sounds, I promise."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-19 12:57 am UTC (link)
"No, I'm sure it's a good exercise." He was putting a lot of faith and trust into Davis, but he felt it was well placed. He took in a breath to prepare himself, and moved into position to assault the pad. His moves lacked any real form, it was more of an instinctive attack, than planned.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-19 01:26 am UTC (link)
"Well you got the basic idea down." Davis said as the other man punched at the pads on his hands. He wasn't thinking about it, which was good.

"Instinct is good. But instinct can be sloppy as well. Always remember to draw your force from your center of gravity. Otherwise you're just flailing your arms." He steadied his feet as he tried motivating the other man.

"Remember that it's your entire arm working together, not just your fist."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-19 02:13 am UTC (link)
Levi nodded. He took a moment to recollect himself, then went at it again, a little more focused, a little more strength behind his full armed swings. His feet were firmly planted and it was a full body movement, and it came from somewhere deep within.

Sweat beaded his forehead again, but he didn't pay it any mind. he was, as they say, in a zone. His concentration was absolute, for the moment,a nd he was riding the momentum of it.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-19 02:54 am UTC (link)
The corner of Davis' mouth raised a bit as he watched how into it the other was getting. He loved it when his students got inspired. It made him feel this glow inside, like he was doing his job right. It was strange, teaching and inspiring. Davis never thought he had it in him before he came to this world. Now it was what he lived for.

Davis was surprised that the blows coming from Levi's fists actually hurt a bit through the padding. Not enough to make him wince, but enough to make him smile and nod. "Good job. Congrats man, you've just learned how to effectively punch."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-19 03:30 am UTC (link)
Levi offered a slightly lopsided smile. "Probably ought to think about taking another break." He was proud of his efforts, but it was a lot to take in all at once.

He really hadn't been terribly active, in recent weeks. He needed to build up resistance again.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-19 11:32 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah. If you need to we can." Davis nodded in agreement. He would have re-stressed that he was there to work with him, but he didn't really want to sound like someones overbearing mother.

He moved to his bag and unstrapped the pads, afterwards cracking his knuckles.

"So is this your first time taking lessons?" He said nonchalantly over his shoulder.

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-20 12:50 am UTC (link)
"It is." Levi nodded. He sat and used the towel Davis had given him before to wipe himself down. "I used to go to the gym, but I kind of fell out of the habit, when I came here."

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-20 01:06 am UTC (link)
"I see." Davis said as he zipped up his bag and sat down in the chair, placing his head on his hand.

"You seem to be working with a lot of rage. Or pent up aggression." He noted. "You pack quite a powerful punch is all I'm sayin'. With a little practice you could be pretty good."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-20 01:17 am UTC (link)
"Thanks." Levi nodded, taking the compliment at face value. "I have," he nodded, thinking. "Issues. Things I need to work through. Some things I left unsettled, but I didn't really have the choice, when I came here. And I've just got to deal with the baggage that carried over."

He tried to smile. "It's been rough. But I've got this now. And my music. My music's probably the only thing that's kept me sane."

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-20 01:36 am UTC (link)
"It gets better." Davis tried to somehow convey to him that he really did understand. He didn't know Levi's problems, true. But he knew what he acted like when his own 'issues' started popping up. It wasn't all that dissimilar.

"I mean... I'm not saying I know what you're going through, and I'm not prying. But... it does. Get better I mean." He said in genuine understanding.

"I know what you mean. Before I came here, when I felt I had nothing else... I took up studying the more spiritual side of the arts. I'd studied many of them before but I was using them all wrong. And it developed into a genuine passion. It keeps me from going under."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-20 03:03 am UTC (link)
Levi ran a hand through his hair. "I appreciate that, man. It's just. Complicated, and personal, you know? Not easy to talk about." He looked down at the floor. Really not easy to talk about.

"But I definitely want to make this a routine. Every week. I need this."

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-20 03:16 am UTC (link)
"Well as long as you're game, I'll teach you whatever you want to know." Davis replied. And he meant it. So long as the other man needed some sort of spiritual guidance through the martial arts, Davis would be here. He always looked after his own.

"I mean it."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-21 01:26 am UTC (link)
Levi found a genuine smile. "I appreciate that. I did a lot of research, before I posted. And I'm committed tot his. I really think it will help, and I think I found a good teacher, too." He nodded to drive the point home.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-21 01:53 am UTC (link)
"Yeah well... I try." Davis chuckled in a humble manner. He hated to sound like he was gloating in any sense of the word, but having someone re-enforce his teaching skill on a personal level and not just in a classroom environment was pretty great. He tried not to look TOO glad that the other man that he taught well.

"But really, it's not all coming from me. All that positive energy is coming from you. I'm just here to help direct things."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-21 01:57 am UTC (link)
"That's why you're a decent teacher. So many of them think it's all about them, and the students are just an instrument to boost their own ego. I'm glad you're not like that, because I wouldn't be signing on for a repeat performance." Levi leaned back a little and ran a hand through his hair, combing it out on one side.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-21 02:07 am UTC (link)
"Wow... I guess you're right." He raised an eyebrow as he thought, then half-smiled. Now he didn't feel so bad about feeling good.

"I mean, I'm not sure how to teach any other way really. One... it's common sense. The student chose to be here so I shouldn't waste their time." He shrugged as he sprawled back in his chair.

"I guess I just have a different approach because of how I learned them. Not everybody trains in the mountains of China. It's a different world out there. Most of the modern instructors forget that first and foremost, the arts are about respect."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-21 02:20 am UTC (link)
"I'd say you're here, doing this, for all the right reasons," Levi assessed. He shifted, crossed his legs.

"The Chinese are on to something. I mean, they have some pretty good principles and techniques. I always wanted to go over there, just to see." He shrugged.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-21 02:31 am UTC (link)
"It's beautiful. Every part of it. From the tightly packed cities to the jungles. The only place in the world where I've seen a tiger run free." Davis reflected on his time spent in China, or really the entire Asian continent. It probably was one of his favorite places in the world.

"Why not go there? I mean, if it's just for a day, you can use one of those portal things, right?"

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-21 11:39 pm UTC (link)
Yeah. I could. I just. I don't know. I'm not sure China's the place you want to go, alone, you know?" Levi drew one shoulder up in a half shrug.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-22 01:08 am UTC (link)
"I could show you around if you're interested. We could say it would be part of your advanced studies." Davis said with a nod. He wouldn't offer that if he didn't think there was potential in someone.

"Since I do know my way around, and where all the important sights pertinent to your studies would be."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-22 01:40 am UTC (link)
"You make a good point." Levi tilted his head, studying Davis. "I mean, if it's something you'd really want to do. I wouldn't say no, but I don't want you to feel obligated, or anything."

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-22 02:19 am UTC (link)
"It's not like you'd be twisting my arm or anything. It IS one of my favorite places. And besides, if it would help you better understand your studies, then it really is my responsibility." Davis gave a mischevious smile.

"But really, it would be a pleasure."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-22 02:42 am UTC (link)
"Well, that's settled then," Levi nodded. He pushed a hand through his hair. "I guess whenever you have time. I don't really have anything pressing, to work around." Except the full moon, but he hoped that wouldn't have to be an issue, and hopefully the tiger in him would respond well to visiting China.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-22 03:02 am UTC (link)
"Well good. Next class we'll just have a field trip." Davis smiled, a little excited that he'd be returning there. Although he was pretty sure that Stick and his warrior clan would not be hidden in the mountains in this world.

"I'll find the right portkey and then contact you on where to meet up. It should be fun."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-22 03:23 am UTC (link)
"That sounds like a plan," Levi said with a little smile. "I should probably get out of your hair, now. Let you get back to whatever." He shrugged. he wasn't in any great hurry to leave, but he didn't want to take up the man's time if he had things to do.

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-22 03:31 am UTC (link)
"Eh... I don't have a whole lot to do. But if you've got someplace to be, that's cool." He said with a small nod.

"Either way, it's a pleasure working with you."

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-22 03:54 am UTC (link)
Levi shook his had. "I have no reason to run off. Just wanted to make sure I'm not keeping you from something." He tilted his head, looking at Davis. "I'm just really glad you were willing to work with me."

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[info]ninjaspider
2010-01-22 04:09 am UTC (link)
"Yeah well... I'm just glad to be able to do what I do. And it always helps when I have students who are studying for the right reasons, and don't just want to learn how to beat stuff up." Davis chuckled a little bit. He didn't know how many times he'd had little kids (or grown men for that matter) come in and tell him they were only taking classes to teach someone a lesson.

"And, I donno... you're relatively easy to work with. You might learn too fast and then have no use for me." He laughed again.

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[info]dreamsoffire
2010-01-23 01:31 am UTC (link)
"Oh, I doubt that," Levi said with a shake of his head. "I'm in this for the long haul, I think. For a while, at least." Eventually he'd probably figure things out on his own, but it was nice to think of having someone to help along the way.

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