(OOC: O.K. everyone who may or may not join this thread. Please keep in mind that this could affect a large part of Iesland's rping things depending on how this turns out. What is happening is that Iesland, a regualar eskrima master, is looking for a place to practice his awsomeness. Little does he know that this particular dojo is looking for an assistant eskrima teacher. Just for those who don't know, Eskrima is the philipeno art of stickfighting. Thats pretty much all you need to know for this thread, but if you want to do research I wont deter you. The job interview is interrupted when a couple of students protest to Iesland getting the job they have been working towards for years. You can guess what happens next..... ESKRIMA FIGHT TO THE DEATH!!!!!!!!! Other than the final battle/challenge, the thread is your oyster. Oh, and when the fighting breaks out, feel free to jump in and start kicking some ass, kung fu style!)

Iesland walked into the martial arts studio, and prepared to ask the same questions all over again. Although he had a punching bag in his room in the Mandir, it was not enough to keep himself in shape. Wacking an inanimate object over and over again did not improve skill much, and it was hardly worth doing in Ieslands opinion.

So for the past four days, Iesland had been going from dojo to dojo, asking if they had an Eskrima training class. The answer had always been the same: an emphatic "NO". Most asian-style martial arts masters did not consider Eskrima a real martial art, and so dismissed it as mere streetfighting. That was not the case, but Iesland was not one to tell someone how to do their job. This was the last dojo he was going to look into for the day, and maybe the last one he would look for in NYC. There can be only so many rejections before one gets downhearted.

Streak had spent enough time at the mansion. He needed a change of scenery. He had always had the plan of getting back into a martial arts form of one type or another ever since the camps had ended. He walked around checking out different places. There were enough around in this big city for Streak to find; however, it was more than just what they taught. It was how they taught that really decided whether or not he wanted to join that specific one or move on. Most of the dojos he'd found he didn't like.

He had just entered the last one for the day. Streak was getting tired of searching and it was getting late for the day. He entered the dojo and saw a familiar sight. A man with four arms. He'd remembered seeing him around the mansion during the beginning stages of the rebuilding process. The kids name slipped his mind at the moment but he was sure that if he spent enough time around him it would come back to him. He walked up to one of he instructors and said, "Hi. My name's Shawn," It seemed imperative that they didn't know that he was a mutant, at least not yet. "I would like to observe class today. I'm thinking about starting up again."

"Sure you can even join in the class if you want. We have many new comers who like to participate in a class before they sign up." The instructor said to him in his semi thick oriental accent.

"No, I didn't bring any clothes. I'll just watch today." He replied to the instructor. Streak went and had a seat over in one of the open chairs to where he could observe class and see everything that was happening.

Walking up to the Master of the dojo, Iesland pulled his pad and pen out of his back pocket, and wrote "Hello, master, I was wondering if you taught Eskrima here. I am an Eskrima practicioner, but have gotten out of practice and wish to train." Handing the paper to the Master, Iesland took a step back to watch his reaction.

"Oh, yes, we are one of the only studios that teach Eskrima in the entire United States, and are among the top five! You wish to join, yes? Well, perhaps you want to watch first to see what it is like. Please, take a seat over there, next to that other gentleman." The instructor showed Iesland a seat, then went back to teaching a class of Tai Kwan Do. "The next class starts in five minutes, so you might as well just wait here."

Walking over to the row of chairs that Streak were sitting on, Iesland took one with a space of one seat in between them. Iesland didn't mind sitting next to strangers, but many people find proximity to him and his arms... unsettling.

Streak could only hear tidbits of what the instructor was saying to Iesland. He was sitting off to the side looking at the class.

"The next class starts in five minutes, so you might as well just wait here." was just about the only thing that Streak cared to hear. He decided to wait.

Iesland sat down with one seat between both of them. Streak wasn't sure why he did that, but he didn't really care one way or the other. Eventually curiosity got the best of him. He turned to Iesland and said, "I'm sorry. You look familiar. Have we met before?" His silver eyes catching the light as he looked at Iesland.

Sitting next to Streak in silence felt strange to Iesland, but he didn't want to be the one to break the silence. Finally, just as it was getting the better of him, Streak spoke.

Pulling out his pen and pad, Iesland wrote "My name is Iesland. What is yours? And where do you think we met before. I will admit that I might be one that is hard to forget, but I'm no good with names and faces."

"My name is Iesland. What is yours? And where do you think we met before. I will admit that I might be one that is hard to forget, but I'm no good with names and faces." Iesland responded to Streak. Streak read the paper and thought for a minute then his face lit up with recognition, you could almost see the light bulb come on in Streaks head.

"I'm Streak. I remember. I saw you at the mansion when it was still in ruins. You were one of the first new kids I saw there." Streak said to him. "I'm just here to check out some karate classes. What about you?" He asked him. The class had just finished and they were waiting for the next one to start. People were milling around all over the place, waiting for rides from parents, gathering their weapons, or chatting with other people in their class.

With Streak's words a little collection of gears in Iesland's head started turning, and after a few moments contemplation, he remembered. It wasn't exactly a good thing for him, however. Not only had he chickened out on getting a room, but he had not even thought to ask Ghost when he saw her earlier. Just thinking about that made him bummed out.

Trying not to show any of this on his face, Iesland wrote "Ah, yes, I remember now. Karate, you say? I prefer Eskrima stickfighting, on the account of my arms. Gives me an advantage. You might want to check it out."

Turning back to face the class, Iesland noticed the instructor walking towards them. Standing up, Iesland clasped his lower set of arms behind his back and gestured with his top set, a sort of "?" motion, if you will.

"Yes, the class is ready to start. As today is friday, we are having sparring matches with dull practice sticks. No pads, so if you just want to watch I'll understand." Turning to Streak, the master said, "You might want to consider Eskrima. Not only is it a stickfighting art, but the same moves can be used with a knife, or even unarmed. HAHAHAHA, unarmed!!! What a laugh," He said, looking at Iesland.

"Ah, yes, I remember now. Karate, you say? I prefer Eskrima stickfighting, on the account of my arms. Gives me an advantage. You might want to check it out."

"That makes sense." Streak said. He knew how to fight to peoples own strengths and weapons would sensible work better for Iesland than for Streak given the advantages of his arms. Soon after Streak had said that the instructor came over to them.

"Yes, the class is ready to start. As today is friday, we are having sparring matches with dull practice sticks. No pads, so if you just want to watch I'll understand." Turning to Streak, the master said, "You might want to consider Eskrima. Not only is it a stickfighting art, but the same moves can be used with a knife, or even unarmed. HAHAHAHA, unarmed!!! What a laugh,"

"Thanks, but I'm more of a hand to hand fighter than a weapons fighter." Streak replied to him. He'd fought using weapons before and won but it was always a back and forth game. It wasn't a decisive fight like when he fights without weapons.

Nodding his head to Streak as a polite goodbye, Iesland followed the master to a flat area. The floor was covered with pads and was completely clear of people. About seven students were standing off to one side and talking loudly.

"O.K. students, we have a possible new student with me today. His name is Iesland and he is going to participate in our sparring match today."

Several students turned to Iesland and began sizing him up. Most of them gasped slightly as they saw his arms but three just smiled and shrugged, as if they knew that they would be able to beat anyone.

"Everyone, choose your sparring partner. John, I am going to assign you to Iesland. Grab some sticks and begin!" The master walked Iesland over to one of the cocky students and handed him four sticks.

The student pulled a stick out of his belt and settled into a defensive stance. Iesland swished the sticks around a bit, to test their balence. Satisfied, he settled into a forward stance and, at the sound of a bell, charged the student, sticks weaving an intricate pattern that would make a spider do a double-take. Put instantly into a wild defensive retreat, the student rapidly lost ground. Whipping one stick over in a wicked overhand strike, another into a knee-shot, and the other two into kidney hits. The student managed to deflect one of the kindey shots, and the head shot, but he others connected. The force of the blows sent the student flying back a foot, and he collapsed on the ground. Iesland put away his sticks, and bowed.

Streak watched as Iesland took the sticks and spun them around like a master. He was very good. So good he made the cocky kid he was paired up with look like a beginner. Streak only smiled at seeing Iesland take care of the kid. After the camps it seemed always satisfying for him to see humans become the fool in front of or against mutants.

(ooc: sorry its so short. cant think. I'll jump in when the trouble starts.)

(ooc: Np man, I know what you mean. Sometimes my brain just goes pfft!)

Setting the sticks down, Iesland walked over to where the student had landed, and offered him a hand to help him up. He got a scowl in return. The lack of manners in those who lose was always appalling to Iesland, especially when it was a contest where nothing important was at stake. One of his buddies helped him up, and, unknown to anyone but the three cocky kids (and maybe Streak ), handed him something furtively. The student turned his back to the others, and when he turned to face them once again his eyes were a little more bloodshot, and the other two quickly did the same.

The master applauded loudly and said, "Well done, well done! That was a rather smashing display of talent, wouldn't you agree? Iesland, may I talk to you in private?" The master said, nodding towards a corner of the mat. Once there, the master told Iesland, in a strangely soft tone, "Now I know you just found this place, and I know you came to train, but the skill you just showed compells me to ask this. We are in need of an assistant trainer. I would have asked one of my more skilled students to take the job, but you are obviously way above their level. The pay and hours can be talked about later."

Iesland was stunned. He had come to the dojo to find a class and train against some of his equals. Although there were none here, he still planned to stay and train. This offer of a job, however, was as enticing as it was intriguing. Not only did it supply him with a stream of money so he didn't have to dip into his college funds as much, it also would obviously give him the chance to improve his own tecnique by training others. After a minute of thinking, Iesland nodded.

"WONDERFULL! I'll tell the others." Walking Iesland back to the mat, the master gathered the students and said, "I know that some of you have been pining for the assistant trainer job, and so I know some of you will be very dissapointed with this news. I have decided to offer Iesland here the job, and he accepted. This is bec-"

"NO!" the three students shouted together, their eyes now so bloodshot that they almost looked completely red. "We will NOT stand for this! We have been students of this dojo for three years, and you give the job to this, this, FREAK!!" With those strong words, they each drew a sharpened, obviously lethatl, metal stick, and charged Iesland, who was caught completely by surprise.

(ooc: my brains working better)

Streak watched and cheered Iesland on as he beat the cocky kid easily. He watched as Iesland offered the kid a hand up and he blew it off taking the hand of one of his friends. As the kids friends helped him up they turned around. Streak couldn't see what the boys were doing but he had a feeling it was bad. He watched them closely for a while until the instructor took Iesland aside to talk. He heard snippets from their conversation and from what Streak could tell it was a good thing. Streak listened as the instructor announced that Iesland would be taking the assistant instructors position. He quietly applauded for him. It wasn't loud enough for him to miss or interrupt anything but he was happy for Iesland.

As soon as the three students objected he saw this wasn't going to end well. As fas as Streak could he covered his body in silver. This was done so fast no one noticed it since they were all focused on the argument at hand. They weren't far from where Streak was sitting so if things went badly, which it looked like they might, he would be there to help out. Having already created a staff once he was able to do it faster this time. When the three students charged at Iesland, Streak jumped up and ran towards the group. With his silver staff that he created in hand, he rushed in between Iesland and the kids. He got there in time to deflect the more than likely lethal shots away from himself and Iesland and towards the floor.

Streak started battling with the three disgruntled kids. Eventually he began losing ground because they were more skilled in using weapons than he was. "A little help here would be nice Iesland." He said still giving up ground to the three kids. He took a shot to the ribs and returned with hitting the closest kid across the face.

Iesland had completely not even seen Streak until he was right in front of him, guarding Iesland from the attacks. Still stunned, Iesland was capable of only watching for a few seconds. When Streak started losing ground, and said "A little help here would be nice Iesland", Iesland exploded into action.

Hooking his feet under the four sticks he had dropped earlier and flinging them up in the air, Iesland caught them deftly and stepped in beside Streak, taking the pressure off his left side. Leaving Streak to deal with the student he had hit across the face, Iesland took on the other two.

They came at him in a syncronized attack manuever, each one covering the other's weaknesses and seaking to trip him up or slice him across the legs while at the same time striking for his head. Any normal person, nay, any skilled martial artist would be hard pressed just to keep them off him, but not Iesland. Using his four arms to the best advantage he could, Iesland used two to deflect their attacks and the other two to sweep in swift and hard, catching them on the hips, legs, shoulders, arms, face, chest, and knees all in quick succession. Although they weren't very powerful hits, as he was still defending, there were a lot of them, and the students were getting weakened.

The battle was far from over, however...

Streak was glad when Iesland came in to help him out. He rested for a second when Iesland took two of the kids and left him with the one. The one took a second to recover from the blow to the head before beginning his attack at the silver man. He took a second to see who he was attacking. The kid was astonished to see a completely silver person but since Streak was helping Iesland he was determined to attack him.

He to knew that it was this was one fight that wasn't going to be over soon. That didn't stop Streak from blocking the kids attacks as much as he could. Streak was matching this kid strike for strike. Completely and utterly focused on him that no one else seemed to be in the room. This was mainly because the kid was so talented with his stick.

Finally, it looked like Streak was gaining the upper hand on the kid he was fighting. The kid was wearing out. He was slowing down but Streak wasn't. Streak had been in may fights, most at the breakout of the camps. However, he had built up his endurance and was ready for this to go on for a while. The kid was swinging wildly, missing by feet, and that is when Streak took advantage and hit him in the shoulder and then going for the leg. He swiped at the kids leg and nearly knocked him over. He just managed to regain his balance when he came charging back at Streak. The silver man easily jumped over the kid and landed behind him smacking him squarely in the back. He waited for the next attack to come.

Iesland was holding out quite nicely against his two opponents, deflecting their strikes with relative ease and getting in some of his own. Finally, he saw a major opening in their defence, and took a step forward. Still holding onto his sticks, Iesland punched out with all four arms in rapid succession, landing a flurry of multiple blows in a few seconds. Crumpling to the ground, the two students fainted out cold.

There was complete silence for a couple of seconds, during which the fifty or so people just stood and stared...

Then, with a roar, total mayhem broke out, with karate students attacking savate masters, tai kwan do masters attacking eskrima students, and everyone generally trying to beat the other types of martial arts up. Iesland was rushed at once by two tai kwan do students and a savate master, and could barely deflect their attacks with wild, broad swings of his sticks, and he didn't even have tim to ask for help before a kick caught him squarely on the jaw and sent him reeling back for a second. During that second a tai kwan do student stepped forward and landed a viscous elbow strike into his groin.

After a few seconds of dizzying pain, Iesland stood up straight again, sticks in hand. They had hit him in the balls, and now they would be repayed in kind.