The Sweet "Shocking" Science [Doc]

[Azrael]

Lungs burned, calves ached, and his joints were stiff. Azrael was grateful for the pause and reprieve that Kaiden initiated. Deep breaths stung, but were still welcome while both hands rested on his kneecaps, bent over in a resting formation while still standing. The oxygen mask certainly a help in trying to recover. Soon his bionic hand reached out to claim purchase on a building and grip the metal to steady himself. Beads of sweat touched the slight crimson visage of his face and forehead, feeling like cool droplets to the heat that raced through his body from the physical exertion. Gray eyes peaked up to see Kaiden not taking such a low and nearly collapsed stance as he was affording himself. The man was conditioned to do this on a daily basis, and while Azrael had been training with the Mandalorian Elite - track and field was not one of their sports. Militant formations, weapon mastery, and armed combat were the penchants of their creed. Still, he could keep up, and he wasn't one to ever give up. Slowly, the half blood rose his frame to a full standing stature and took shorter, more crisp breaths.

"The Mandalorians believe that only battle really challenges a person. The conflict of war is never about who wins or who loses, but it's a means to glory." Azrael commented, unsure how much this trained aruetii knew about the culture. "We'll fight for territory, or to defend our own - but the honor of battle is one of our founding tenants. A close parallel from the Echani people, though they stray towards the ideals of self improvement through battle as far as I hear." A small shrug was offered from beneath the half cloak he still wore about his shoulders. Kaiden's emphatic statement that he'd wreck him in the ring caused a smirk to rise on his face, shaking his head afterwards. "I take it you're not a fan of competition. I'm not up for belts or titles. This is another step in my service to the Manda." He owed the culture everything, and he'd put everything he had into repaying that lifelong debt.

Instruction on running was something Azrael saw the need for as well. He'd examined the patterns of and footpaths that Kaiden took in their hour long run from the Broken Tusk. It was an impressive display to see him so quick and agile when the man was clearly built for power as well. Azrael was shorter than Kaiden, by a few inches, but he was built in a similar fashion. Perhaps a bit more bulky thanks to lengthy time spent in the scrap yards, and the near constant weight of his beskar'gam. In point of fact he was far faster without the armor, as he'd of already stopped about midway if he'd been wearing the metal armor. He'd have to work up to the point where he could run as admonished while wearing the armor - only then would it really count where it needed to; on the battlefield. Focusing his gaze on Kaiden, he offered a nod of acceptance and began to mirror the movements of the shock boxer in performing similar stretches in order to keep himself limber enough for the run and return to the bar.

"And here I thought we were already having fun." A small joke between them for the time being.

[member="Kaiden 'Papa' Rohn"]

 

[Kaiden Rohn]

"Glory is what they told me when they sent my squadmates to die in one hellhole or another. Glory and for the Republic, they said."He turned to face [member="Azrael"], grimacing slightly."Life- challenges people. Life is the ultimate test. Life, especially between you, me, and anyone who's not some normal person. You see, whatever we do- wherever we go, whatever you touch, something will go wrong and you will have to either fight or run. Or both."He threw his tattooed arm out. The Havoc insignia shown through his rolled up long-sleeve cotton shirt, a sign of his dedication to the one thing remaining in his life."Fighting for territory- that's rich. The Republic did that. The Republic thought having the big blue blob in the middle was a means to peace."Kaiden seem to be mostly recovered. He began to stretch out his arms."You oughta find out what you're really fighting for, son. Because if it's not something meaningful- if it's not something real, besides just words you put in front of the thing you're doing, then I am severely disappointed in you."The truth was, Kaiden was very familiar with the Mando'ade. Not just out of tactical knowledge or the chance that the Republic and the Mandalorians would go to war (he didn't need to worry about that any longer)- he fought alongside many former or current Mandalorians. He considered an enemy of the Sith, an ally of his."Everyone likes titles. I don't have the luxury of having those- my deeds are done with black highlighters."He smirked. Paper. What a commodity and what a concept- secrets so well kept that they weren't even remotely digital.




"We'll eventually get to running with armor, don't worry. I know you won't be running in shorts and a t-shirt all the time."He nudged his head back towards the way they came."Hop to it."