The Way of the Harmonious Spirt [Monkey King's School]

[Jared Vanders]

Life was beginning to settle down a little more. Married life was great, Rachel was doing significantly better after her healing even if she still had her issues, and and he was going to be a father. Jared was becoming a little complacent though. After he had spent time in the dojo with the kids at Nox's place, he realized he had missed training. It happened often with adults. You train, learn a lot, and then life gets in the way.  After earning his Nidan* in Aikido, he'd went into the Marines, then the Roswell PD, and then the Leigon. It hadn't left much time for training. Jared had kept up his skills, but he hadn't gone any farther. Being married to one of the richest people in Moscow helped with that particular issue. He had also put on a couple of pounds since the wedding.  He decided it was time to come back.

Jared had searched and The Monkey King's School of the Mystical Arts seemed to suit him.  It was owned and run by the famous movie star, Tan Li. That wasn't what attracted Jared to it. At least, Li's celebrity wasn't what attracted Jared to it. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that Tan Li didn't fake his stunts in his movies.  He knew his stuff and was quite adept at what he did.  The man was a true master of martial arts, including what Jared had studied - Aikido. The commercials also showed something else that intrigued Jared. It showed Tan Li channeling, and it claimed that he could show you how. Jared knew how, but no one ever stopped learning.

Jared arrived at the dojo.  He wasn't dressed in his gi or hakama, but he had brought the garments and had them in his gym bag. He wasn't a member of the dojo yet, but was just going to see if this is where he wanted to be, but he was pretty certain he'd fit in here. The building was two stories and he entered into a lobby on the first floor.  He approached the desk and spoke to the person there.

"Good morning. My name is Jared Vanders. I saw some of your commercials and I was interested in learning more about your school here. I have a Nidan in Aikido, and I'm looking for somewhere to train. I'd also be interested in learning some other arts as well. Would like to see what you're about."

[[OoC: The title of this thread is the translation of the word "Aikido"

*Nidan = Second Degree Black Belt]]

[Tan Li]

Li was dusting the collection of trophies from his Atharim hunts when a man walked in he looked like he could hold his own. He inquired about other things too. "Nice to meet you Jared. I'm Li. I'm happy to show you around
Talk about what we can offer. I howere can teach very little outside of martial arts and monster hunting lore. The other aspects I need to find a reliable and knowledgeable teacher." Li could barely touch the source but he had gotten better about with it but he was by no means close to an expert
He would never compare to the kid who had walked in here looking for help for his friend.

"Tell me about what you are looking for."

[Jared Vanders]

Jared gave Li a bow, fitting for the sensei of the dojo. It was customary to do so. "Would love to see what you have here and what you can offer. I studied aikido, picked up a handful of techniques from some other martial arts from my work as a soldier and cop. Would like to expand on that, I think. And who doesn't want to learn monster lore?" he gave a slight grin. "On a serious note, I've seen enough around here to think that it's not a bad idea to learn that as well."

Jared quieted for a bit. He had taught before, but not much on the channeling side. It would be a learning experience to do so, and one he was willing to do. [color=lightgreen]"As far as the other stuff goes, well, I've learned a lot. I've done some teaching of more standard martial arts," Jared seized his power, and crafted two spheres of light that orbited before his hand before he snuffed them out. It wasn't meant to show off, but only meant to show that he could utilized the power at need. "But I'm always willing to share what I know."

[Tan Li]

Li gave Jared a quick tour of the dojo. It wasn't much. It was mostly one room for the classes, and a smaller side office where he kept office things. There was a small museum of his treasures in the lobby and some space out back for some outside classes. But it was the middle of winter so it was useless. He lived upstairs, but that was closed off from the rest of the space.

"I have a couple beginner classes for martial arts. But nothing in an advanced lessons, but you are more than welcome to work out a schedule where we can spar and start an adult class that works best for you. I haven't had much interest in monsters or the other gifts, but that's all still very taboo and most people really don't believe."

"I've honestly only had one other potential client come in and he has yet to do so. Though his friend is far more skilled than I, and would be a far better teacher for him. I can tell you what I know of monsters as well, we can start a class for those as well. But without someone to sit it's hard to schedule a time. But if you are interested we can certainly set up times that work best for you. And I can add them to our schedule and see what happens."