tushanshu | [VOICE | Backdated Pre-Event] Survey

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[VOICE | Backdated Pre-Event] Survey

[You wanna play it this say, Raph? Taking surveys to prove a point? Fine. Let's play.

It's not about who cares - well okay, to be fair, that's the MAIN reason they developed such fine-tuned stealth skills in the first place. But that's not the only reason a ninja should stay hidden. With enemies who would probably not announce themselves first, who would see him and his brothers on the Network and then proceed to silently hunt them down one by one...

The last time the team faced Shredder, he nearly killed them all, starting with Leonardo himself; the memory of seeing the intent in Oruku's eyes while facing down his blade remained a deeply chilling moment. But now Leo's team is down by one, they're not always together and they can't just stay underground here. If Shredder found one of them out in Keeliai, alone, with no way to contact the others for help...]

How many people have had their enemies show up.

[A question with the cadence of a statement. That's how you know he's serious, apparently.

If this survey turns up zilch? Leo will have to concede the point completely. But he doesn't really suppose that'll be the case. Let's find out.]

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[Their family dynamic is very interesting to Korra, being an only child and all.] Art? [Yep, she smiling now that her suspicions were pretty much confirmed.] Can't wait to hear about it. I'm always down for learning about someone's style. [She sips her floating fruit slush afterwards.]

Sure! I've got some extra time Leo. [Actually she had a lot of spare time since it took her about an hour to meet her fishing job's daily quota.]

[Yep, art! Leo catches the I think I know what you're onto light in Korra's eye, and returns it with a cocky grin: You're probably right - let's find out.]

See you soon.

[And like a freakin' ninja, Leo arrives slightly early - even daring the late hours of daylight to do so, barely the edge of twilight; he's getting bolder - scopes it out for hidden enemies or dangers, and settles into a darkening second-story building corner to wait.

As Korra might have noticed with Mike, green is excellent camouflage. The shadows have yet to deepen, though, so although Leo is as quiet and unmoving as the stone architecture surrounding him, he can be seen if only one looks up from the correct angle. It's still not easy though.]

[Grabbing her parka and heading out through the Metal, Korra wasn't one to be held up from reaching the Water Sector. In fact as the sunlight was starting to change to darker colors one of the local street gang members tried to accost her only to get the wind knocked out of them from a solid punch empowered by her momentum.] No time to play around jerk!

[She didn't even slow her running sprint as she continued past everyone else. When she reached the designated spot in the Water she caught her breath even though she was smiling. It was good exercise really. Giving a quick look around she couldn't see him at all.

She played this game with Mike too and wasn't fond of the idea of having the crap scared out of her a second time. Putting her hands on her hips she starting scrutinizing her surroundings, especially the shadows.] You boys and your hide and seek.

[After what felt like the fourth sweep of the area her gaze settled on the corner of building. It seemed like a suitable spot for someone with a shell to comfortably conceal themselves.] I promise I won't freak out again. Not like I have anything to choke on this time.

[Leo grins at the "hide and seek" comment but remains silent, curious to see if she can spot him. And hey, she's nearly on the mark. Leo finally takes pity; he's not out to scare her.]

Sorry. A good ninja never reveals himself first.

[There's a slight scraping noise as he leans forward to balance his weight; then he's jumping down with effortless agility, bouncing once off an adjacent wall to control and slow his descent. Leo lands in a crouch, the resulting thump muffled by oversized feet, then stands proud and straight to make the best of his 5'2" frame.]

Remaining unseen is an important part of ninjitsu.

[Showoooooff.]

Edited (short-term memory loss they name is MANA) 2013-05-27 01:54 (UTC)

[Watching Leo make his descent was just littered with martial prowess, something Korra could relate to. Partially anyways.] Is that what you guys train in? Nice. [She had to admit that the stealthiness of it was better than anything she could muster.]

All the arts used for bending are pretty straightforward. [Sure she managed to sneak past and go undetected by the White Lotus sentries, but seriously that kind of stuff wouldn’t even alert her master.]

[For some reason she was expecting him to be a little taller, but that wasn’t the question she had for the level headed turtle.] So why is yours blue and not red like Raphael’s and Mike’s?

[Because that’s the burning question she had to ask off the network. Don’t judge.]

Bending is a martial art? [Leo's face lights up - not that he'd been a wet blanket in the first place, with a cocky grin betraying just how proud he is of his skill (even though Korra ain't seen nothin' yet). He's getting a serious kick out of meeting other people his own age, too. Maybe Mikey was onto something with this "friend" stuff - fortunately Leo's judgment is better.

... Well. Their track records are debatable. But he's trying to make the right choices now.

He chuckles a little at the comment about his mask. Mike caught him off-guard with that, too.]

Actually, in my world, Raphael's the one with red. We all chose different colors. Mike's family all wears red - but, my Mikey? He wears orange.

It is; in its own way. But bending’s more of a martial art without the bending part. [Yeah, she can see how that probably didn’t make any sense.] Taking out the element makes it a fashion non-benders can use. Most benders don’t really think about it, but I use both. [Because more training is awesome to her. Why stop learning fighting techniques, ever?]

Oh, I was way off then. For some reason I thought they were some kind of ranking system. [Like belts.] All red… so that’s why it’s more like a cousin thing. Well if I had to pick one it’d be blue. [Obviously if you go by her light blue sleeveless shirt and navy blue baggy pants.]

So if you’re all related [Mostly.] where are your parents? [They all seemed to be in her age group. Was there a momma turtle? Maybe she shouldn’t draw up that image just yet.]

[Non-benders? That means that bending itself may be a talent you simply do or don't have. But Leo sure wouldn't mind learning whatever techniques are involved; Korra's from a different world, Leo would love to find out how their style varies. Also she seems enthusiastic about it, choosing to use both methods where she could probably bank on that bending stuff. Leo appreciates that dedication, and wonders how good she really is.

If they faced off, her bending would undoubtedly present a novel challenge; there's few things Leo loves more than an opportunity to stretch his skill. He prefers to win of course, but in lieu of that he's an enthusiastic learner, striving to get better all the time. Leo is determined to be a Master some day, just like his father.

Also? Blue is the best. These two have entirely too much in common.]

Well, I guess it could be a matter of rank. I am the leader.

[But that pride and cockiness fade when she asks about his parents. Having a single parent has never bothered him in the slightest - they're so fortunate to have Splinter, who's devoted his life to raising and training them. Without him they wouldn't have survived; heck, they wouldn't even be mutants, and their best-case scenario would have been the inside of an aquarium for the rest of their little four-legged turtle lives.

Leo wouldn't trade Sensei for all the parents in the world, and the ache of his missing father leaves a gaping hole in Leo's chest. It's been a good month and a half now, and he's never gone more than 24 hours without seeing or talking to Splinter. Leo's body language changes completely and his foot twists on the ground a little, a scuffle that turns into a small kick of gravel.]

He's... not here. He's back home. [Leo isn't sure if he wants Splinter to come here or not, but if what Tu Vishan told him in his dream is true - that they're really NOT missing from home, that time essentially freezes for them - then he fervently hopes to see his father in Keeliai some day. They need him... Leo needs him.]

[Oh his enthusiasm is clear as day with that proclamation and she can’t help but smile at it. Simply because that’s how she acts half of the time too.] Out of the two of you brothers that I’ve met, I think I can understand why you’re in charge. [Nothing against Mike, he definitely had his skills and snerks but leader material he was not.] So I guess I would have picked the right color then.

[Technically she would be the leader of Team Avatar, but really they never even got around to that stuff.]

Oh. I’m sorry. Both my parents are back home at the south pole too. [Ouch, sounds like just dad turtle to her. Judging by his reaction that’s a sore subject to bring up, mental note to not mention anytime soon.]

Hey. Thanks for not doubting me about all that ~~dirty laundry~~ stuff on the network. You’re one of the first I’ve met who’s actually taking that kind of threat seriously. [So many times has Korra wanted to slap sense into those who are either Amon’s allies or see him as being some kind of respectable person.]

What’s with the katanas? [Of course her first thought goes to Mike’s injury by a katana, but that thought is dismissed quickly since Mike said it was a foot that caused it. However the hell that works.]

[She can understand why he's in charge? Oh Korra, fluffing Leo's ego will get you everywhere. And her comment about her own colors piques his interest. Blue is awesome.] Oh? Are you the leader of your team? [Surely if she's talking about being a leader, she must have a team.]

[Leonardo is mildly surprised at her thanks for supporting her. Knowing what he did, how could he make any other call?] No problem... I mean - I don't really know what he's done, or what he's been like here? [His face turns grim.] But I don't have to. If he can control people like that, I don't want to have anything to do with him. [Leo knows full well that Sabriel bound Amon's powers, but this doesn't seem to make much of a difference.] And he's not coming near my brothers, either.

[Leo's voice is hard as steel for that declaration. It's not an abstract concern; the edge in his voice is fueled by memories of what the Rat King did to his Sensei. Leonardo has personal issues with anyone who would rob a ninja of physical or psychological control. Their art depends upon mastery of the mind and body, both aspects of crucial importance. All that the young turtle is, his entire identity, is built upon that philosophical foundation. And so his resolve to protect himself and his family against the threat posed by people like the Rat King and Amon is backed by absolute determination. Leo has an excess of that particular trait.

However his katana, unlike mind control or bloodbending, are a cheerful topic for discussion. He brightens for this topic; Leo loves martial arts.]

Well, they're - my weapons. I fight with niten ryu style, two katana at once. You could say it's my specialty. [Mastering niten ryu is no small task, and Leo is extraordinarily good. He knows it, too.]

I suppose I was. [Sort of.] Really though, we just had a lot to deal with back then so we never got around to official stuff like that.

[Yep, Leo definitely had a good sense about him since he wasn’t swept up in Amon’s philanthropic pursuits, like that clinic that HAD to be hiding something.] Oh he’s done a lot. I’m glad you’re looking out for your brothers; I’d say keep your distance and don’t buy a single word of whatever it is he’s selling. [Not that she’d have to worry, Leo’s affirmation was as solid as the sword he had.]

Oh whoa, like the dual dao swords style that Firelord Zuko was a master of! [Dao swords, the lesser known Chinese equivalent of katanas. Never did Korra think those White Lotus history lessons would be this helpful.] You must have had an incredible teacher! That must have taken lots of training, especially considering- wait, how old are you?

[Has he been training his whole life like she has?]

Heh - we, hadn't either? Until our first real fight. It... didn't go so well. [It was downright embarrassing actually, and because they couldn't fight effectively as a team, April and her father were kidnapped. At least they managed to rescue her and no one was seriously hurt - although Mr O'Neil remains a prisoner of the Kraang to this day, which isn't so great.] That's when Sensei made me the official leader, and we've done a lot better since then. [With a learning curve of course, but considering the team's accomplishments, Leo has a lot of solid ground upon which to base his pride in his job.]

Well I don't know who Firelord Zuko was, but niten ryū was developed by Miyamoto Musashi at the turn of - [wait, she probably wouldn't mean what "sixteenth century" means, since they're from completely different worlds. Ummm let's see, quick Leo do some math] - well, about four hundred years ago. He's a legend. [Leo's not the encyclopedia of Japanese warfare than his father is, but he knows his stuff, especially when it comes to his favorite technique.]

And yeah, Sensei is - amazing. [A simple, brief statement, but it carries more earnest admiration and pride than a million descriptions. Fighting Splinter is like trying to fight wind or water. Leo had THOUGHT he was finally catching up to Sensei when he managed to land a single punch during training, but shortly thereafter, they learned their father had actually going easy on them all these years. The skill that had so impressed the mutant turtle his entire life was merely the tip of the iceberg, and it was firmly impressed upon Leonardo that he still has a LOT to learn.] A Grand Master of ninjitsu. He's been training us our entire lives.

We're fifteen; what about you? [Korra looks older than April, he thinks, who has a year on them. So, seventeen perhaps?]

Wow, so he picked you right after you guys had the real deal? If he knew that off the bat he does sound amazing. [Korra pictured an older turtle with a long white beard that hurdled them through training sessions when they were younger. Oh god, little baby turtles. She can’t help but snort and try to pass it off as a cough.]

This Miyamoto guy sounds a lot like our legendary swordsman: Piandao. During the one hundred year war, Piandao left the Fire Nation Army and traveled the world mastering not only a sword style he created, but numerous others. When he came back to the Fire Nation to settle down their army sent one hundred of their best soldiers to arrest him for desertion and he defeated them all in one battle. [Of course she had to learn everything about the Avatar before her and the history that was involved. Since Piandao was one of the highest ranking orders of the White Lotus at the time, that came into play too. Normally history was pretty boring, but when cool stuff like legendary battles came up Korra was glued to her texts.]

A Grand Master; that explains a lot. [Nothing less could train very young students with such great results.] I was taught by the best of the best too. [As the Avatar she needed to be.]

I’m seventeen. Apparently some people seem to think eighteen is the age when you’re old enough to be an adult. [Yeah, she’s still a little sore about getting that impression.] You’re pretty mature for your age. [More mature than she was half the time, but she wasn’t about to say that.]

Eighteen? Really? Is... that how it works for most humans? [Leo has picked up a little bit of cultural context for the age of majority through media, but lacking experience with human society - aside from April - he doesn't quite get how the surface world's age of majority is supposed to work. Splinter let them go above on their own, which aside from their long-accomplished graduation to edged weapons is the most significant life marker that they're likely to get. The next level of accomplishment would probably be Mastership of ninjitsu, which will come much, much later.]

I'm glad Sensei didn't make us wait around that long to let us go topside. You know, he wasn't really sure we were ready at first, but - in the end we did just fine. [The corner of Leo's mouth turns upwards in a combination of reminiscence and pride. It's not strictly true that they did "just fine," but it's the end result that matters. And the fact that they've become bona fide heroes is a great end result.] Better than fine. We've saved a lot of lives since then.

[Leo thinks - not unreasonably - that if you're old enough to save people, you're old enough for them to treat you as an adult. Not that the humans they meet often think to treat them as children rather than threatening monsters, or that their accomplishments stop Splinter from grounding them when they behave like children, as they still do; Leo can be an immature brat as much as the next fifteen-year-old. But he knows full well he's the most responsible of his siblings, and lets out a single amused breath at her comment on his maturity.] Well, somebody has to be. Yaknow? [As if he doesn't get a gigantic kick out of being the big hero and bossing everyone else around. But it's perfectly clear from the self-assured smirk that he loves it, despite the phrasing that makes it sound like a chore.]

This Piandao guy does sound a lot like Miyamoto. He fought his first duel at thirteen - they say he fought over sixty of them over his lifetime and never lost a single one! [Leo believes it, and as far as history tells, he's right. He's palpably enthusiastic about this historical figure; Miyamoto is more or less the Jesus of niten ryū.]

Yeah, Sensei - he really is something. [There's no way Leo can hide the complete adoration he has for his Sensei, which is as much a clue as anything that his father and teacher are one and the same.] It's like he's almost standing still, but nothing can hit him - you'd be better off fighting the wind. [Leo's smile broadens, and his voice warms with pride.] But I did tag him in training a little while ago. It wasn't easy, and it caught everyone by surprise - including me. [The smile turns sheepish. He'd stopped cold out of shock and consternation at hitting the Sensei he respected more than anything, and wound up thrown and pinned for his lapse. But Splinter had merely issued a lesson about hesitation, and quietly left the boys to celebrate their victory.]

What about your Sensei - a Master of "bending," right? I guess that means you must be pretty good too. [Oh that smirk. He's just daring Korra to show him some moves - because he'd love to find out what she can really do. Martial arts that integrate the creation of fire? That. Sounds. AMAZING.]

I guess for most of the worlds the other foreigners come from. It’s pretty stupid to me, I’ve met a few older people I wouldn’t think of as adults. [Then again, she’s always gotten a free pass since arriving in Republic City so she’s probably just sore that it’s not happening here.]

Wow, so you guys are superheroes? [That word is really floating around in her head a lot lately since there were so many of those powered beings on the network.]

Fighting the wind?? [Korra’s eyes widen as she stares at Leo and her thoughts reach her lips in a murmur.] Like striking air; spiral movements… [No use in asking, Leo had already stated his master wasn’t anywhere on Tu Vishan. Holding herself from making a sigh at that unwanted reminder of her minimal airbending skills Korra folds her arms and gives Leo a grin.]

There’s been a few, but my current master is the only one who could instruct me in airbending. [And that new skill really needed to be refined and honed, but there was nothing to be done except keep practicing what she’s learned so far.] But yeah, I would definitely put me in the “pretty good” class. Back home at least. I haven’t even met half of the others here. [They kind of already talked about why she hasn’t earlier and that’s not her favorite subject of discussion.]

Edited 2013-06-01 22:32 (UTC)

Well I don't know about "super"heroes [the advantages of mutation aside, they don't have anything Leo would consider to be superpowers], but we're definitely Heroes. I mean, we've saved the city a bunch of times now... [He gestures, aware that some might not think it counts as being a hero if no one else knows what you did.] Of course nobody knows about that aside from our friend, but - but the truth is, there wouldn't be much of a New York left without us at this point.

[Leo's statement of the city's survival isn't boasting, and he doesn't hand-wring over the necessity of their secrecy (which he prefers). It's just truth backed by the sober knowledge that a lot of people would be hurt, mutated or outright killed without them working behind the scenes. He's proud of being a hero - it's what he's wanted to be since he first laid baby blue turtle eyes on a dramatic portrayal of daring-do - but saving people is a very serious responsibility, not a matter of egos or self-congratulation, or even the congratulations of others.

He's pretty sure he's missing something as Korra reacts to his metaphor. If Sensei were here, Leo might even try asking if he would allow Korra to sit in on a training session so she can witness the old rat's skill herself. There's simply no way his words can do justice. As for her masters, Leo would jump at the chance to see their performance as well. What could he learn from a practice like airbending?

Leo tilts his head as she mentions the others from her world. From her tone, Leo guesses that the feuding blood-bending brothers might be the only ones in town.]

Yeah, well they're not here. ["Here" as in this remote courtyard, not "here" as in Keeliai of course. The two of them are both students of masters in fascinatingly different techniques, stranded far from their teachers. There's clearly only one thing for the pair of them to do.

Leo smirks at Korra, a well-practiced cocky grin of challenge. He's itching to see what bending can do when integrated into martial arts, eyes bright with thirst for new knowledge... and maybe a new friend. One who won't turn on him.]

How would you like to spar with me sometime?

[New York City had to be the world capital of some world because she had heard of it from different people. But city saving she can relate to since it was her latest, biggest, crowning achievement since leaving the south pole.] Wow, that does kind of stink that you can't really celebrate that with anyone outside of one friend. Turtle friend or non-shelled friend?

[Raphael's mention of mutant was fairly vague for her, this really did confirm for her that they were unique in their world and not living in a world of turtle people. Also explains the secrecy and wariness that both Mike and Leo exhibited.] Maybe they will someday. Stranger things have happened.

[ Oh yes, she recognized that look on Leo's face, eager to learn and excel. After all, they had both been training since being toddlers.]

You're on! I haven't had anyone to spar with since, well since I got here.

[Over a week now. Had it really been ten days? And to think, she had already gotten used to the rationing.]

I just remembered. You guys don't have jobs, do you? I know times are rough right now, I mean I met Mike because he ran out of food. What I'm saying is I have extra food and also extra fish since that's kind of my new job.

April's our human friend - we ah, met because we saved her life. [Which explains why she knows them at all, instead of blissfully oblivious of their existence like the rest of the city - which, according to more than a few New Yorkers, might as well be the world capital.

At the offer, Leo's eyes brighten in the way that only those who scrounge for their food can match. Although April has recently spoiled them silly with human fare, for the majority of their lives it was either algae and worms or picking through garbage. Leo considers their native dumpster-diving a halfway decent way to get by, fruitful once you knew what you were doing - and the turtles are professionals.

However the competition for quality leavings is stiff in Keeliai, so pickings aren't always reliable. With the rations in place, people were also less inclined to throw out perfectly good food than they had been in New York. So yes, he is very interested in free food.]

Wow, that - that's really generous. Yeah, we'll definitely take you up on that. [Can't really afford to say no. Especially because Leo wants as much juulan as possible saved for a rainy day. You never know what plan might require a bribe or black market materials; additionally the ninja have supplies to maintain, their prior resources in New York being inaccessible. Leo wants to retain their options even as he branches out and makes connections.]

But in the meantime, how about a quick round? That is [he banters in the spirit of competition] unless you've got something better to do...

[If she agrees, Leo will recommend they re-locate slightly. Their network conversation in which he suggested this meeting place had only default-level encryption, and he doesn't want any uninvited visitors studying their fighting styles.

Leo's concern is mostly for himself, but he's also thinking of Korra. As far as he's concerned it's a basic precaution anyone with enemies should take, and she's the one with antagonists from her world already in Keeliai.

There's a location he has in mind, about a mile away; tolerably undisturbed, with enough distance from habitation that they can have a vocalized fight without alarming the local kedan. Or bringing down law enforcement.]

I don't know about you, but I'm taking the rooftops.

Saving girls and the city? You boys are just a bunch of heartbreakers aren't you? [Oh Korra knew Leo meant a platonic friend in every sense of the word, he seemed a little too serious when talking about her, but a chance to tease is never passed up. She choked down a giggle about it with some effort.]

You got it. Make sure to clear up some space and I’ll bring some extras over. [Buying more sea prunes wouldn’t be that hard at all since the kedan sold them at dirt cheap prices. An “acquired” taste for anyone who’s used to the average tasting meal. Getting more fish was inevitable and giving them half of her own catch outside of her work's demands was the least she could do.]

Sure! But somewhere a little less residential. [After all, she’s been arrested once for that kind of fun mayhem.] Sounds like a plan, but I don’t want to lose you while I’m down here. [Turning her ankle sideways and sliding it quickly forward caused small handholds to suddenly jut out from the stone bricks of the nearby building for her to climb up on.]

Edited 2013-06-03 13:44 (UTC)

[Leo sputters and laughs at the heartbreakers comment.] Yeah, not hardly! But I bet Donnie wouldn't mind. He's got it pretty bad. [At least April hadn't outright crushed the poor geek's ego, as one could reasonably expect from a pretty human girl who's the target of unrequited affection from a hideous freak of nature (as Raphael was fond of pointing out). April didn't encourage, but she also didn't seem too bothered. Which was a good thing because Donnie's ineptness at courting her had become somewhat legendary, and Leo's tone reflects his amusement with the situation.

Because HE'S never had a crush on a human girl in his life, nosirree.]

I think we can find the room. [They might get sick of sea prunes, but the boys will eat 'em that's for sure. And the fish will be a welcome source of free protein, always a prerogative when trying to maintain their class of high-demand physical activity.]

Don't worry, I won't try to lose you. [The reassurance makes way for awe as Korra rockbends for the first time; Leo's eyes widen. He'd planned on telling her how to get there and just pacing her from above, but grins as it sinks in that she can navigate the buildings alongside him. Korra moves well along her improvised steps, so hopefully she won't have trouble with the gaps. They can get pretty big on either side of the canals.] Now that... is a useful trick. [Murmured mostly to himself before Leo bounds up the wall in his own unconscious display of insanely capable acrobatics. When the right angles are available he can scale a three-story building within nearly as many seconds, so he'll probably beat her to the top despite the head start.

Regardless, when they're both on Leo's preferred city level he turns to locate the best landmark.]

See those two buildings? We're heading straight for them and past, about thirty-five feet. [He glances at her, eager to begin and see how she navigates his adopted terrain.] Ready?

[And the ninja turtle takes a short run for the building edge, jumping easily over the gap which easily spanned eight feet. He flips once for ease of trajectory, showing remarkable restraint; it's so easy it's hardly worth showing off. The maneuver is child's play; Leo's been known to work in a good seven flips over the appropriate terrain. He lands with a crouching skid casually braked by one hand and an outstretched leg.

Standing, he pauses and looks back to see how she's going to navigate the same obstacle.]

[Korra let the April topic drop, she got her kicks. Maybe one day Donnie would be on Tu Vishan (again) and she could tease him a bit too. Provided he wasn't like Raphael.]

Trust me, I think I can follow you just f- [Cut off mid sentence by Leo's nimble prowess, Korra had forgotten that much like Mike their shells were hardly a hindrance. Once she caught up on the roof she peers into the distance at the destination.]

Ready when you are fearless leader. [Greatly amused and excited at being able to do something like this with someone else, Korra was all smiles.

Waiting for her turn, Korra nodded a "not bad" and began her sprint for the edge of the roof. Small patches of brick popped up, boosting her heels as she took off over the gap and Korra indulged herself in something she had been wanting to try utilizing her airbending training; a corkscrew spin. Putting her arms before her in mid-air before hugging them to herself as she spun a full 360 degrees and then landed with her leg doing a circular sweep. Showing off wasn't what she had planned, but she could go with that.]

[An irrepressible grin of challenge broadens Leo's face as he sees Korra is perfectly capable of high-class acrobatics. Now they're really in business.]

Let's do this.

[And he takes off. Not at his mile-beating dead run, but enough to keep momentum between buildings. He tries to adjust his speed to whatever she finds comfortable; personally, Leo usually travels at a swift, low-riding "ninja run" that's just as useful pursuing cars along surface streets as it is traveling with energy efficiency.

As he makes his way from structure to structure it's obvious that this is one of his favorite things to do, and he's spent a lot of time doing it. Leo throws a corkscrew as well, just to prove that he can, and branches out to other fun stunts. He's utterly fearless and seems to like to bounce off as many surfaces as possible, and with the right momentum he can even run straight up a featureless wall.

But aside from simple fun, Leonardo's watching to see what Korra can do - reflexes, jumping reach, how she uses her bending to maneuver. He's not trying to be sneaky; it's just common sense to absorb as much information as possible before they face off. Even though she's not an enemy, it's an instinct drilled hard into his little turtle skull, and he fully expects her to be doing the same thing.

Approximately a mile later, twilight has eased into dark and they're a comfortable distance away from the sorts of people who would either interfere or raise an alarm. The run was a comfortable warm-up, and Leo pauses to stretch his arms and shoulders before they start.]

So, how do you want to do this? First round without armaments, or jump straight to the good stuff? [Leo's confident of his ability to avoid hurting anything he doesn't mean to hurt, but the last guy he sparred with requested he refrain from using pointy things during their first go-round. It's a prudent request, so he's sure to give her the option.]

[Taking her preferred method of running, Korra simply went with power, energy she had pent up for practically two weeks ready to be spent generated her mobility. While her boots and slightly baggy pants could be seen as a hindrance, they were actually quite comfortable and allowed her legs free movement and of course protected her feet.

Keeping pace with Leo isn’t too hard, but then again neither of them were over exerting themselves. Feeling a little need to show off Korra answered his acrobatics with somersaults and a few vaults off of building that left some brick crumbling behind her heel. When the next structured was at a taller level than the rest, Korra ran alongside the wall of it, halfway across it she felt gravity starting to claim her and she defied it by shooting flames from her fists downwards. Keeping her aloft she continued her sprint across until she leapt off to the next building that was at a close enough level for her.

When she landed next to Leo she was actually laughing.] I haven’t really had the chance to do this yet. [Actually she did, but doing it alone was pretty boring and usually drew unwanted attention.]

Armaments? [She gave the katanas on his back a raised eyebrow. But she wasn’t armed…] Oh, right. [It finally registered that he was referring to her bending. It was definitely weird that it could be considered the same as being armed unlike back home.]

The good stuff is what I’m used to then.

[”As long as we keep it to sparring and not chopping.” She thought to herself as her eyes drifted back to his katanas. That wasn’t something to be worried about though, she doubted Leo lacked the control and restraint needed. After all, he trained with his brothers a lot, right?]

[Leo sees her glance stray over his right shoulder and he smiles with confident assurance. Don’t worry, I won’t cut anything I don’t mean to is what he’d told another foreigner who expressed concern during their first spar. Korra, however, had the decency to keep any doubt silent, so Leo won’t do her the disservice of dragging unspoken mistrust into the light. After all, they both must trust each other; Leo will need to rely upon Korra not only to control her own powers, but to meet his attacks with skill and competence. Accidents can and will happen if someone gets careless.

Fortunately, despite his weapons of choice, Leo excels at non-lethal combat. Unless his life is on the line, his katana function primarily as tools of disarmament, providing an opening for Leo to issue a body strike with his foot or one fist (occasionally hilt-reinforced) instead. It’s been a very long time since any of his brothers came away with an accidental scratch, not since he perfected turning the blade so a surface other than the slicing edge makes contact when he intends to wing close.

None of his precautions make Leo a soft touch. Those techniques in and of themselves leave impressive bruises when the turtle’s playing hardball, and it will never not be dangerous to twirl blades around. A true competitive spark lights up as she chooses the Real Deal, and Leo smiles with a sense of wild fun he hasn’t enjoyed since before getting to Keeliai.]

Me too.

[Every dojo has its own rules. Leo can’t know what Korra’s are, but it doesn’t feel right to begin a friendly match against the student of a different master without that compulsory gesture of respect.

Displaying a smooth grace in anticipation of the spar, Leo shifts himself to the appropriate placement within their chosen arena and crouches low on one knee. His expression sobers and sharpens. Whether she returns the pose exactly, uses one of her own or does nothing, he meets her eyes and says a phrase that, being so highly ritualized in Leonardo’s context, may not translate precisely or automatically:]

Onegai shimasu. [Thank you for training with me.]

[Then with a green blur Leo’s on his feet, a single right-hand blade whistling through the air as it’s drawn and held arrow-straight towards Korra; he’s provided enough room so the tip comes no closer than the halfway point between them. Leo knows his reach, and this is his demonstration of it to his sparring partner so she knows the danger zone. After a heartbeat the tip sings through the air once more; Leo withdraws his blade from its extended position with a twirl and sets both the weapon and his body into a standard ready pose.

The young turtle’s blue eyes are hard-lined within the smooth frame of his mask, an irrepressible smile lingering beneath the edges. He’s inviting her to strike first and watching keenly for her reactions and form, but if Korra won’t make the first move then he doesn’t mind taking the lead.]

[All of Korra's sparring partners had been benders, so she never had to hold herself back during her thirteen years of training. As most of her master's agreed, she lacked restraint.

Most. All but one. Katara. Her waterbending master had never let her down before and Korra was hoping this trend held true here on Tu Vishan.

Placing her feet next to each other with toes pointing at Leonardo, Korra covered her her right fist with her left hand and bowed deeply so her head was level with them. As she lowered her upper body she extended her arms until they were taut.

Her left hand symbolized peace and that it entirely covered the right, which symbolizes the ability to fight, was a statement. "I restrain my fighting nature."

Korra did not understand what Leonardo had spoken, but she understood the sentiment. She was sure Leo would understand in kind.]

Gǎnxiè nín yǔ wǒ de xùnliàn. [Thank you for training with me.]

[Taking a moment to recognize exactly what Leo had shown her, Korra stood up straight and set her feet shoulder length apart; one foot before her with the other carrying the weight of her leg and hip. Knees bent and neither heel touching the ground.

An initial strike was something Korra would never turn down. The first step in her charge sparked a small trail of flame on the ground, though it was her left fist that gathered flame as she went for a strong over head strike. Fully intent on using the momentum behind it to propel a windmill kick from her right foot.

As always, she had taken power as her first option.]

video//private//basic encryption;

video//private//basic encryption; ---> action; AW YEAH

action; SNAP

perma-action; whoooyeah i have been hoping for a chance to thread with korra 83 /CREEPS

perma-action; And Korra’s collecting turtle interactions! But she can be such a doof sometimes.

Yes but adorable!doof and Leo can be too

YES. Leader turtles certainly can be.

Leos is Leos, that's for sure

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*pops in from vacationaitus*

!

pops in from vacationaitus