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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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Duncan nods. He might have noticed that the accent thickened when discussing oaths. He pulls out a small pocketknife, cuts his palm, and holds it so that Angel can see it heal. "Mostly human, for all intents and purposes. But when someone like me dies, the energy goes to the closest person like us. The energy that was part of that person all their life. Not always good. If you get too much bad energy, it affects you. The effect is cumulative. I've been there, and it took a lot of effort and a lot of friends to bring me back. I know what it is to do things, evil things, and it's you but it's not you. And no matter what, you get to live with the results." His gaze is a bit faraway and sad. "I've dealt with it. I live with it. And I have at least some idea what you're going through."

Angel nodded, respectful and touched by what he'd been told. "Vampires from my world are evil. Pure evil. I'm the only one of them with a soul. All that darkness, all of Angelus's urges - that's still in me. The soul gives me a chance to fight it. To try to make amends for what I've done."

Angel gave a wry grimace. "The friend thing is new. I'm still getting used to that."

"Try to get used to it. I understand still having those urges. What makes you an honorable man is not giving in to them. Every day you don't do that, you are one day farther away from what you were." He pauses. "Including when you've hurt people who are your friends now."

(Amend to "And farther from a time when you hurt people who are your friends now." )

"This girl I know once told me if I gave up all I'd ever be was the monster," Angel said. "Some days that's the only thing that gives me the strength to keep trying."

"She's got a point. But the fact that you're here, doing your best, tells me that you *are* more than the monster already."

"Trying to," Angel said. "And hey, got a puppy out of the deal. That's gotta be good for something."

Wry look. "We're supposed to get puppies? I've been cheated. Speakign of doing your best. You know what you're doing in self defense. I want you to get things out of being a student, too, and I'll work with you myself. You seem to have a talent there. But also, I need a TA. Looks like something you'd be good at. Interested?"

Addendum: As he asks, Duncan has that great wide "help me out here, pal" grin designed to make it hard to say no.

"What? Yeah, sure, if you want." Angel was surprised to be asked, but didn't mind. "What's it entail?"

"You, lucky student, get to help me out during class. In exchange, tutoring after class. You'll be effectively my second, but you won't have to follow up on out of class things."

"That I'd like," Angel said. "I've had training but it's been too long since I've practiced." Half to himself but still loud enough for Duncan to hear, Angel muttered, "Guy can torture and try to take over the world but can he hit the gym once in a while? Ohhh no."

Louder, Angel said, "So whatever you can help me with would be great. Once I graduate I want to go right back into the slaying and demon-fighting. I'll need to be in top form.

"Actually, that brings me to what I wanted to ask you. As a vampire I'm stronger and faster than most people in this class. You can tell I still need the lessons, but are you still okay with me being here and practicing with normal students?"

Duncan grins at the mutter. "Evil is lazy, mostly. I'm okay with it as long as you can control yourself, which I believe you can. In my experience, working out with someone faster and stronger just makes you more ready for the more usual opponent. You know how to pull your punches, and you know the difference between sparring and combat. Which I don't bet on with Solo or Thrace."

"Yeah, saw that," Angel said. He rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully. "You know, I can work with Kara if you want. I know she got hurt recently and - " he gave an apologetic look " - years of being a sadist mean I know how not to hurt people too. As for Solo, have you thought about pairing him up with Buffy? She knows how to handle herself and something tells me he could use a lesson or twelve in how to respect women."

He grins widely. "That would be good. Especially since I think you can do it without pissing her off. And yeah, he could. I was thinking of a friend in town, Amanda, but Buffy is also good. Someone female and petite. My kicking his ass wouldn't do any good, but I'm sure other ways can be arranged. In fact, possibly Buffy, then Amanda, though I have to talk to administration about Amanda first."

"Bet you Buffy'd love to help," Angel said. "As for me, use me where you want me. And teach me whatever you want too. I don't suppose we could work some actual weapons work in there? Last time I held a sword I was fighting off this really big dog thing in 327. I'll need to do better than that if I'm going to be in shape by the time I get home."

"Oh, I might have a bit of experience with swordwork." His voice is far too innocent. "I think that can be managed."

(Need to break for sleep, can continue tomorrow if you like or stop here.)

"Excellent." Angel stood up. "Thanks. Uh - what should I call you?"

[ooc: Feel free to have Angel leave after he knows the answer to that =) ]

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