deercountry | (closed) february catchall

[ Let him pretend like he's thinking about that question for two seconds. ]

--Yeah. [ Yeah, he is. He's somehow gotten a man near his fifties to get on a skateboard to learn how to ride, and he's going to make the most of this he can. Hasn't he been a good boy? Doesn't he deserve this day off from misery and suffering for a little fun?

But there was a point to his poking joke, which: ] You don't want me to keep it up, you behave with the jokes too. [ Bossing the old man!! But it's the lightest version of scolding to be had, with Robby continuing with the lesson. ]

Now, just get used to how standing on the board feels, wobble your feet a lil'. [ Just like Robby's doing, shifting his weight slightly to make the board rock with him; before turning his feet slightly... ] And when you're ready, you roll the board like this.

[ With the back foot coming down and pushing against the ground, wow!! Watch Robby go riding a very small amount before coming to a stop. Easy enough to follow. ]

[ He's even being bossed around now!!

Do you see it?! Does anyone see it?! No, because there's no one else around to witness this lesson. Which Daniel mostly considers to be a good thing, since he doesn't exactly feel like showing the entire world that he's skateboarding over here, but he would have liked to have some witnessed who could confirm Robby is bossing him around. Being so cruel to a man who is just trying to do his best to be a good sensei.

At least Daniel does know better than to make jokes about how much Robby is like his dad, because god, if this doesn't ever make him think of being near-kidnapped to a dark warehouse and made to shovel coal while someone is telling him to shut up (although in a much, much more gentle way here)...

.. but he doesn't know well enough to shut up altogether.

Please, that has always been the one thing Daniel is terrible at. Leaving well enough alone. Shutting his mouth when necessary. ]

Five minutes of power, and he's already turning into a tyrant.. [ No, there is no having with these jokes! Daniel is a rebel in his fifties!!

Though he's also a rebel who can at least listen to instructions at the same time. Truly multi-talented. Which means he can put one of his feet back on the ground, pushing it off against there, before quickly putting it back on the board as he rolls forward..

.. just a little bit.

A pathetic amount, really. But at the same time it also means Daniel isn't falling off the board and onto his face, so.. that's a good thing, right.

Right. ]

You really think I couldn't do this much, Robby? [ He steps off the board for a moment, just to be able to turn and properly look at the other, which is clearly important to stake his claim of-- ] Balance is my entire thing.

[ If only they did have witnesses today, so it's not only Robby who gets to witness cool old dad Mister LaRusso on a skateboard. But that's okay, Robby has his omen with him--who is recording a lot of memories for the future. You're welcome, Mister LaRusso!!

Robby knows how to be quiet, or he doesn't sass his sensei -- his student today!! -- when he's over there sassing about him. He just gives him some raised eyebrows, a look of 'Really?' that might be undermined by the smile Robby wears, or the small chuckle that he can't keep in.

Even if the man continues, and really can't stop, can he. Listen to him now--! ]

Alright. [ Alright. Challenged accepted, and Robby pushes himself level with Mister LaRusso, and quick: ] Show me what you've got.

[ --And there Robby goes, no longer rolling along a small amount but kicking speed into his wheels, and letting himself be carried by it further down the road. Not by too large amount, but Mister LaRusso will still need to shout if he wants to communicate,

Once Robby stops, that is, bringing his board to a halt. Will Mister LaRusso know how to do that once the time comes?

Whatever the case, Robby has his hands on his waist, waiting. ]

[ Daniel will clearly get his revenge when "party dog" shisa get some choice party hat pictures of Robby in during his birthday in a few days..

But not right now. No, right now Daniel is being called to prove himself, and despite not being as impulsive as certain people, he can't quite resist that call all the same. It means that he does spend a moment looking at Robby's example, though it does seem relatively easy to replicate, it's not like the other is doing anything too complex.

And then Daniel tries it himself. Positioning himself on the board once more, moving his foot to kick against the ground to gain some more speed than his elderly person pace of a moment ago, and then pulling his foot back onto the board to let it roll with him on it. It's going surprisingly well, especially since Daniel is not making these balance claims for nothing. Balancing on a board while it's moving? He can do that.

...

The only problem is stopping, of course. Or the fact that Daniel only realises it's a problem by the time he's almost at where Robby stopped.

Not that he doesn't try to stop. Daniel can improvise! H-He can do it! He moves a foot off the board, trying to put it against the ground to hopefully make the board slow down due to sheer friction..

... except the only thing that does, of course, is just knock Daniel clean off the board. The board keeps on rolling without him as the man himself falls over, right onto his back on the ground.

The smack he lands with isn't exactly a pretty sound either - though it's followed up by a groan, so. You know. At least it didn't break his spine and kill him? ]

[ Robby sorta saw this coming. Not to the extent it did (maybe he thought Daniel would come to a more fumbling stop, or end up jumping off the board in a very awkward fluster), and to his credit, Robby is worried when he witnesses the man fall, a 'Mister LaRusso!' called before he moves off his own board and hurries over to him.

Even his omen is coming over to check on the old man, so enjoy two hovering presences over you, Mister LaRusso, with the omen closer to your face. ]

Are you okay?

[ Is this a bad time to say landing on your back is better than landing face first? Yes?? Okay, let's not go there. ]

[ At least he does think it's sweet that Robby is immediately concerned. And not just Robby the person either, judging by that second presence hovering over him. It's not often that the Omen comes this close, judging by how painfully shy it seems to be.. So it makes Daniel even more appreciative in this moment.

Enough to answer relatively quickly with a: ]

Yeah-- Yeah, don't worry.

[ He even manages to sit back up a moment later, groaning again. Daniel does move a hand to rub at his back, but even though he's definitely at the age where you get a lot more stiff, it's not like he isn't used to being thrown all over the place. At least fighting all over the place gets you prepared for awkward and embarrassing skateboard falls, apparently. ]

Nothing I can't deal with. [ He even manages a faint smile, even though there's something a bit painful at its edges, but it fades more and more with each passing moment.

He reaches out to give the Omen the briefest of pats before he's already pulling himself back up to his feet. ]

Guess I should've thought a little more and asked you how to stop before starting.

[ The omen moves back to give Mister LaRusso room, though bumping into his head wouldn't really be a thing. But he's still in the range for pets, before he does take some steps to make room for the two of them and their skateboarding adventures.

Robby returns the awkward smile with one of his own. ]

You weren't that far off? You can use your foot to do it-- you just want to twist your foot on the board so you keep your balance. [ Here, he does mimic showing Mister LaRusso what he means, even if he's not on the board--one foot straight, and then the other slightly scraping the ground-- 'you keep applying pressure down 'til you stop'.

But after a pause, he does look back at Mister LaRusso, a sheepish-if-fun smile worn this time. ]

You could just practice handstands too. You did pretty well in the woods--I think you needed more time to get it.

[ As funny as it is teaching Mister LaRusso to skate....let's be real here, too. ]

[ I-Is that a hint of a genuine compliment in there? Is it? Sure, Robby is still smiling as he says it, and there's a faint air of joking around about it, but.. well, it's not like Daniel totally forgot how starry-eyed Robby had been about the whole deal during the dinner afterwards.

And what greater weakness could Daniel LaRusso have than receiving a compliment from one of his kids? Even if it's one of his kids who doesn't know he's one of his kids yet..

Still, it's enough to make the man duck his head for the briefest moment, an involuntary grin on his face. ]

I don't know, I've been practicing that one for decades. [ Sure, he did quit karate for a while there, but compared to how long he had kept up training with mister Miyagi before that.. It really wasn't that long of a break, technically. ] Maybe at a certain age you just get to the point where you can't quite pull off certain kicks anymore.

[ He pauses, glancing briefly at the skateboard before looking back at Robby. ]

.. or skateboarding.

You said Mister Miyagi did it. [ Sorry, Mister LaRusso, but your memory is right: Robby was paying good attention at that time, and he does remember that. So he's confident to give his sensei a friendly punch to the arm, no power to it, lips pulled in a sly way. ] C'mon. He can do it, but you can't?

[ No way, Robby won't stand for this.

Instead: ] In skateboard, if you fall off your board, you get back on again. That's how you learn.

[ It's not a Mister Miyagi saying, but it hits the right note, doesn't it? Especially when Robby says it so sincerely....or enthusiastically.

(Yes, he can be genuine and have fun at being the "sensei" of the day, why do you ask.) ]

[ At least Daniel foregoes telling the truth here - or the truth of his thoughts in this moment, at the very least. He can't help but think it's because mister Miyagi was mister Miyagi, because of course he could do it no matter his age, and that Daniel has done nothing but fall short of the guy in too many ways.

It's too depressing a thought to even just think, let alone voice out loud. So Daniel shoves it down as far as he can, getting it out of the way, so he can instead find it in himself to genuinely smile as he jokes back with: ]

Ancient skateboarding wisdom, huh?

[ Don't think Daniel didn't see what you were trying to do there, boy. ]

How did you learn how to do it using skateboarding anyway? [ Despite everything, Daniel still believes that to be the truth. Even if Robby may have had some ulterior motives to see him on a skateboard here, Daniel doesn't think the kid would lie to him about that part. Daniel has too much faith in Robby to question it. ]

[ The witty remark gets a widening of his grin, but as for the question? ]

That I'll have to show you, at the house. Think you're ready to try out your breaks this time?

[ It's just the same distance back, with Robby putting his foot back on his board. He could ride...or just use this to flip his board up so he can take a hold of it. It's up to an old man, here.

An old man and his poor back. ]

[ His back may have to endure more yet if he's seriously going to try to do a handstand again later.. but even with that knowledge in mind, and even though Daniel knows he most likely looks incredibly silly on that skateboard..

.. well, who could deny a Robby anything when he's smiling like that?

Certainly not Daniel. His heart is so weak. ]

I'll show you I can do it. [ He's even already grabbing the skateboard that escaped him when he fell so pathetically.. Daniel is Ready.

Or maybe not Ready, but as ready as he'll ever be. ]

You go ahead, so you can see my perfect stop.

[ Famous last words. ]

Edited 2023-03-01 21:31 (UTC)

[ Huh. Robby wasn't actually expecting this, and he wouldn't have blamed Mister LaRusso, or been disappointed in him backing out. But here comes the same drive, or whatever one would call it, that made the man willing to skateboard the distance before. ...to an unfortunate result, but you know. ]

Alright, [ Robby says, the note of interest not concealed; and he gives the man a nod, gets on his board proper. ] I'll see you down there. Just remember--it's a light scrape 'til you slow down.

[ Because Robby doesn't want a battered and bruised sensei, after all. But there he goes, skating off back to the front of the house. There's only Mister LaRusso and his board...

...

...and Robby's omen, watching him. W-who'll turn his head away and act like he isn't that interested if Mister LaRusso looks at him for longer than two seconds!!

(but he's definitely watching.) ]

[ Sorry, good boy Omen. Daniel definitely spots the way the dog is looking at him, even if the creature also quickly glances away - but it's nothing to get offended or disappointed over. Daniel has seen Robby's Omen around by now to know what the thing is like, and how he differs so much from his own little overeager pal..

So he recognizes it for the interest and concern that it is. The man's lips curl up just slightly, adding: ]

Don't worry, I'll be careful.

[ That's entirely for the Omen, of course. Robby is already gone, after all. But Daniel is not one to not return kindness with some of his own, so he does give out that last assurance before he sucks in a breath, getting back on the board again, remembering the proper way to put his first foot on it. He can do this. Come on, Daniel.

A moment later he's off already, building up speed before moving his other foot onto the board as well, letting it roll him towards his destination. Balance along the way still isn't much of a problem, though there is a tiny part of Daniel that's dreading the stop, especially when he's getting closer and closer to his final destination.. N-Nervously sweating on the inside..

But this time it's thankfully a whole lot more graceful. Sure, it's still not a perfect stop, but he does manage to slow down gradually enough that he doesn't flip off his board and onto the ground. Instead it's a bit more of a slow stutter until Daniel manages to stop the board right in front of where Robby is standing.

.. he can't quite hide the relieved sigh he lets out as he steps off the thing, even if he seems to try and paint it over by immediately adding: ]

Pretty amazing for a beginner, huh? [ Look at him grinning so widely, like there wasn't a trinkle of scared sweat down his neck a few moments ago.

N-Nervous? Daniel? No way, he wasn't nervous!! You were nervous!!! ]

[ Please take in how little this dog omen is paying attention with its focus entirely elsewhere, as if it's avoiding looking at Mister LaRusso for the rest of its life. ...or until he gets on the board and starts moving, but that's close enough to a lifetime.

But an omen can't truly appreciate the sight of a middle-aged man nearing his fifties quite like Robby can, even with a connection. Really, it's a shame Robby couldn't get the man a helmet and protective gear--it would've made this day perfect. He's smiling at Mister LaRusso regardless, where he stands waiting, his board tucked by his arm. ]

I would've taken that performance for a Christmas present. [ Yes, so good, Mister LaRusso. But, cheek aside-- ] It's okay, you'll get your own back. There's no way I'm not gonna fall.

[ But Robby is prepared for it, resigned even, so it doesn't show as much more than a joke. There's a side path around the house that helps to lead into the back, where some work has been done on the garden itself, and then also....there's a literal ramp. Because why not?

There's a way up from one of the ends that Robby takes, while his omen follows in after Mister LaRusso, sitting closer to the house to keep watch.

Let's just let Robby have a moment up here to stretch his limbs after putting down his board. But from up there, he will ask: ]

You ever get a dumb idea you know's dumb, but you have to try it anyway?

[ .. you know, now Daniel is witnessing the actual ramp this close up, he's starting to feel like Robby was merciful after all by just making him roll around on that skateboard for a little bit, rather than actually sending him up on that ramp.

Unless that's what's about to happen after Robby's own demonstration - though Daniel isn't so sure of that, given the prelude the boy is giving right now. It makes Daniel frown with something that's a little bit sympathetic, but mostly just concerned.

This is a man who didn't allow his own kids to jump on a trampoline without wearing helmets, after all. ]

Are you sure this is a good idea, Robby?

[ Because the 'dumb idea' thing sure is making him think differently now!! He's not here to see his ~~lil baby man~~ favourite student-son break his back, okay. ]

[ Robby, in all his infinite wisdom--and knowing Mister LaRusso will not be satisfied--gives his answer: in a shrug and smile.

That's all you're getting, sensei, before you get the performance of a real skater. It might seem show-offy to begin with, Robby taking himself down along the curve from one end to another, but it's got a purpose: getting comfortable, and getting ready to make his end move. Giving himself the right momentum, the mindset he needs, dodging the very top of the ramps by curving himself before he can be stopped by the edge.

(...okay, so maybe he just likes getting on a board and that's all this is about. so what.)

But as he makes his way back to the other side, Robby's arm is ready to help him grab onto the ledge, with his other grabbing the board. He keeps the pose for a few seconds before coming back down, the board still under his feet, and the tilt of the ramp giving him speed. Robby continues as he had before, not gaining the height he needs to do the trick on the other side, but--

But let him make it to that same side he did the invert on, and then there will be the clattering of the board, and Robby left behind on the top, held up and with his legs bent. His free arm starts to spread out, and his feet--

well, his feet end up toppling with him as his balance goes too far one way, and Robby follows down where his board is. There's definitely a grunt as he tumbles, but he really is used to falling around on his back, his board somewhere by his feet.

Because when Mister LaRusso comes over (we know he will), Robby will only have to say, somewhat aggravated: ] You see that? Nearly had it!

[ Robby, you have no idea about the kind of heart attacks you're almost giving this old man here.

Because.. sure, the display is impressive. Daniel can't deny that. Even with the very little he knows about skateboarding, it's easy to see that there's some skill on display here. Enough so that Daniel entirely believes for a moment that Robby's got this. He's up there, and he stretches out, and it looks like he's just about to make it, making Daniel's heart jump up in his chest a little with both excitement and pride--

--and then it all turns into instant panic and concern the moment he sees Robby toppling over like that. Out of a sense of nothing but sheer instinct Daniel already rushes a step or two forward, like he could somehow catch Robby right out of the air and into his arms.

(Which would just end with two injured people here, let's be real.)

But even though there's no catching the boy, Daniel does end up next to Robby's fallen form so quickly, looking down at him with a concern the man has always been terrible at hiding. Sure, Robby seems okay if he can have that be his first reaction, but..

...

Well, asking if he's okay would be an awful first reaction, even Daniel realises that. It takes a lot to surpress that urge within him, but he manages it. Do It For Him. ]

You did. [ He instead manages to say, the pride he felt a few moments ago instead sneaking into his voice. ] I can't believe you saw that back in the forest and then immediately applied it to this. It's..

[ His voice trails off. There's no real words for it. How does one express pride in their student to such an extent? It doesn't help that mister Miyagi was such a guy of little words, so he can't even take his example here.. ]

.. you were amazing. [ Daniel settles on.

Sure, Robby didn't make it this time, but does that make it any less amazing to him? No, of course not. ]

[ Aches and pains are nothing for a teen in all his youth. Okay, they still hurt, but Robby can pinch his features in the way he does and sit up where gravity has pulled him down to, where one fussy old sensei can hover over him, or close to. Where his words land and settle on Robby that much closer, and he can look up from rubbing his side, and see the man looking back at him.

He has to look away from the glow before long, like he's getting too close to the sun. Chuckling, a nonchalance: ]

It's called an invert. I remembered seeing what you did, and thought it'd be fun to try it like that--it doesn't matter how you train it, just that you get used to the motions, right? The right balance.

[ He tacks that on, but it's true--because learning it on his skateboard didn't help him set up the move in karate, but it gave him help getting there. Made him less afraid of the fall, or tumble. ]

You can do it too. [ ...maybe not with a skateboard, but a sap will inspire a sap, Robby looking back up with that reassurance. A belief, and why not?

Sometimes, you just need someone to believe in you to give you a reason to even try. ]

[ Oh no, this is awful.

The effect Robby has on Daniel, that is. It's always been like this, right? The very moment Daniel feels like something might be impossible after all, or he starts doubting himself, there Robby is. For all the boy seems to love teasing old men and getting them to ride skateboards, he can be so sweet too. It's a true double-sided trap too, with Daniel being so weak for this sweet boy's encouragement, but also just wanting to do the best for Robby at all times in general.

Isn't that why he opened up the dojo again in the first place, both back home and here? He had pretty much given up on karate after mister Miyagi's death, and it had purely been Robby's arrival into his life that brought it back.

How could he ever say no to this boy? ]

Well.. When you put it like that, I guess that means I'll have to get back to practicing it too. [ It's not just empty words - he means it, even smiling a little as he says it, before holding out a hand to offer to help Robby get back up onto his feet. ]

.. [ There's that tiny pause, and then, not without humor: ] Though maybe I'll leave the skateboarding aspect of it to you.

[ Robby likes watching the tiny--but telling shifts--in Mister LaRusso's demeanour following his words. The way they reach him, put the last knock into a stubborn switch; makes him consider it more than a half-hearted maybe as had been the feeling before. Is the move really a useful one for Mister LaRusso to learn? Maybe, maybe not.

But it's not even about that, Robby thinks. It's about more than that, something that Mister Miyagi had done, and Mister LaRusso had never reached. What would it feel like to the man to finally get there, and see that he can? Differently, he suspects, than how he'd felt pulling it off.

(And pulling it off during the tournament, too.)

Robby laughs though, a breathy chuckle at the added comment, looking down briefly before giving a sideways nod. He takes the hand to stand up, the board coming with him as he gets off the stage. ]

Guess it's not for everyone. [ As funny as it is..... ] It's easier doing it from a handstand, once you get used to it. Just not as cool.

[ Skateboarding is always more cool. Sorry, Mister LaRusso. ]

[ There's a roll of Daniel's eyes.

It's an affectionate roll of those eyes though. Especially since it could never seem truly offended - or even dramatically offended - when Daniel is smiling at the same time as he's rolling his eyes in the first place. ]

Guess I'll have to get used to not being very cool.

[ Which is clearly new to him.

Because obviously Daniel is very cool. At all times. Which Robby knows. ]

So should I be the one to suggest a tea break as the uncool one here?

[ Robby laughs, small as it is, but it's there; at Mister LaRusso having to make do, and alas. He twists the skateboard in hand, an itch in him to get back on the ramp and to do a few more moves, but he can resist.

What he can't resist, however: ]

No handstands first?

[ Listen to this faux-pout, Mister LaRusso. He'll give in, but an old man deserves some light teasing. As a treat to them both. ]

Come over to the dojo before class tomorrow if you want to see some.

[ The 'before class' part is very important here, okay. It's one thing for a sensei to fall flat on his face in front of one student who already saw him falling off a skateboard today, and it's one thing another to leave that impression on his entire group of students.. when most of them are still so young and impressionable..

But despite the joking tone in what Robby says, there's something serious in what Daniel says, especially when he cocks his head faintly to the side.

Like a challenge. ]

[ Ohhhhh. The smile already on Robby's face widens at that, and the fact he's getting a special performance here from his sensei isn't missed. ...a special performance of handstand attempts, but you know. ]

I really am your favourite student, huh? [ A fact that will be reiterated in the future to one Chozen Toguchi, but for now, Robby is the one to remember it. ] Okay, tomorrow. Right now, tea it is.

[ Aye aye, sensei. Please follow Robby over to the house, where the boards can be left outside and Robby can remove his coat with the warmer indoors. And that's how Sensei LaRusso was freed from being a man in his late forties learning to skateboard... ]

(closed) february catchall

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