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Multi-Disciplinary Self Defense, 7th Period

Duncan stands at the front of the classroom. He looks much more serious than has been usual for gym class. He seems already stretched out and limber. Large mats have been lain out on the floor. Several punching bags have been added. A trunk in one corner holds padded safety gear, including helmets.

“Okay, first things first. I’ll read off the class roster, and you raise your hand when I say your name. Angel. Vala Mal Doran. James Ford. Susan Ivanova. Jack Harkness. Cameron Mitchell. Han Solo. Susan Sto Helit. Buffy Summers. Kara Thrace .”

After that is done, he stands at the front of the group. “I want you to take a look through the safety gear. Pick helmets and padding, both for close fighting and fencing. Also, a glove for you to trade off taking punches. Make sure these things fit. If they don’t, I’ll see about ordering new ones once we have you measured. Everybody needs these. I don’t care how good you are, make sure you have fitting ones.” He waits for everyone to choose their gear.

“These go in a locker. Within reasonable limits, I want you to care for your gear. If you need repairs, though, talk to me.”

"Attendance is required. You can't learn if you aren't here *regularly*. If you aren't going to be here, don't waste my time and yours. Detention will be assessed for every unexcused absence."

“For this class, we go a unit at a time, starting with hand to hand. We’ll do a bit of fencing later in the semester, and knife fighting, provided people are interested, with practice weapons.”

“First part of the class goes over technique. Second part is open sparring. If you like, you can stay on late for the second part to go longer. The TA position is still open. If you are interested, talk to me after class. I’ll select one or two TAs depending on the skill levels of those applying.”

“Start off with stretching and warming up. If you have your own routine for that, I want to see it. If you don’t, raise a hand.”

OOC: Please note that I have a stiff schedule, and I understand that you might also. I leave posts open for at least two days for attendance.

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Jack tries to imitate the strike. "I feel about as coordinated as your puppy."

"I'm sure my puppy could kick your ass," Angel agreed. He turned to face Jack. "Here, watch how this works. Aim that punch at me - slowly - "

Jack, naturally, ignores the slowly part (because what's the point of doing it slowly?), and tries throwing the punch at Angel.

Angel, schmuck that he is, takes the hit directly in the nose.

Jack yanks his arm back. "Oh, God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

"It's okay!" Angel hastily assured him. He gestured to himself with a confident and charming smile. "Vampire! Fast healer! Totally okay!"

As subtly as possible Angel turned around so he could indulge in a quick wince and mouth Ow.

"Okay, can we try again? I promise I'll go slowly this time. I don't want to hurt you."

"Nothing hurt," Angel said, lying like a lying thing that lied. He got into position again. "Okay. One more time. Nice and slow, and when you're done keep your arm out. I wanna show you how the knee thing can work."

Jack starts the movement again, then stops. "You're not going to get back at me for punching you, right?"

Angel hadn't been thinking of it, but since Jack brought it up....

"What makes you think that?" he asked, with a face that was too innocent to be trustworthy.

"Um, the fact that I have a naturally suspicious mind?"

"Huh. Yeah, that'd probably do it."

Angel grinned. "No tricks, promise."

"Okay," Jack says, and throws the punch Angel showed him, holding the extension.

"Perfect. Okay, see how now you're stuck here? You can't hit me again until you pull this arm back? If I'm good and limber and don't have my knees locked I can avoid you - " Angel slowly ducked down under Jack's arm " - come back up the other side, and hit you before you can stop me."

Angel mimed the rest of the move just as slowly. Though when he got close enough to get in hitting range he substituted his fist for a pinch on Jack's cheek.

The one on his face, pervs.

Jack grinned at the pinch. "So the solution would seem to be let someone else throw the first punch, and hit him when he's vulnerable."

"Sometimes, yeah," Angel said. "Plus sometimes the solution is actually taking the punch."

"And that gets you... what? Besides pain."

"Not all punches hurt that bad," Angel said. "And sometimes that's exactly what you need to hit the guy back even harder. Just like I showed you. He's stuck, so you can hit him while he's vulnerable."

Jack thinks about it for a minute. "Get him off balance, then hit him. Okay, that makes sense."

"See? You're better at this than you thought."

"Yeah, I'll believe that when I managed to duck a punch you -- hell, anyone -- throws at me. Last time I sparred, I was fighting Cam, and neither one of us knew what we were doing."

[[OOC: Going to bed, and I'm going to ping Cam to join in so we can act like idiot teenage boys. Pick up tomorrow?]]

"Well I'm a vamp so ducking a punch from me might be hard," Angel said possessed, as always, of no real modesty whatsoever. "But you're still doing better than most."

[ooc: Works. About to go to bed m'self.]

"Hey," Cameron protests when he hears Jack mention his name. "I'll have you know that Aeryn's been teaching me a few tricks. I'm not as clueless anymore."