Post by Shawn Warstein on Jan 20, 2021 11:52:48 GMT -6
The door to an empty studio swings open. The bells on the door frame jingle as several footsteps are heard echoing. Shawn holds onto Atara’s hand leading her into the room, and followed behind them are James and Betsy.
“Not really the place I thought of when you said double date Shawn.” Clearly exasperated James pats Shawn on the shoulder. “Maybe next time leave the date planning to the person with a time machine.”
“If you recall, Excellence is part mine, since you know it was built from scraps in my garage, with basically a set of children’s tools.” Shawn smiles and continues to lead them to the middle of the room.
“Ok Dove, this is cute but I was promised tacos tonight.” Atara says while pulling her hand away. “And what is all this supposed to be anyways?” She points to the mirrors lining one wall, then spins around to see a giant mural on the back wall only barely lit by the lights coming from the outside. Her jaw drops and then she bursts out into laughter. Betsy and James both turn their attention to the wall as well, and they cannot contain themselves either. On the wall is a mural of Shawn dressed as a Karate Sensei in full gear, ready to strike. Soon the three of them are laughing uncontrollably, as Shawn facepalms.
“Whatever….” Shawn raises his hands up and claps them together. “NOAH, JAX. IT’S TIME!” Suddenly lasers and smoke fill the room as the music blares at an ungodly volume.
Noah and Jax come bouncing out in lock step. Both of them are clad in all black Karate Gi’s and white belts on either of them. Noah gives Atara a wide smile and an over exaggerated wave, and Jax seems to be just going with the motions. Atara gives Noah a small wave, while Betsy and James try to contain their laughter. Jax shakes his head and rolls his eyes when he sees the two of them. Shawn walks up to the two of them and gives them a bow. Then quickly spins around.
“BEGIN!” Shawn yells, as Noah and Jax take a fighting stance. Quickly the two of them square off in what seems to be an overly complicated Karate routine well beyond their skill sets. It’s more akin to two toddlers flailing their arms and legs around. Shawn drags out some pieces of wood and sets it up in front of everyone.
“Come on Shawn… Seriously?”
“Shh, shh, shh, they need to concentrate and stay focused.”
Noah takes a step back from their athletic display and gives Shawn a quick nod.
“Step-Mum… watch this!”
“I’m watching dove.”
After a quick deep breath Noah leaps into the air. With the full force of his heel, he comes down on the board. His foot ricochets off, causing him to fall to the ground. Shawn and Jax rush over to help him to his feet. Angrily he pounds the mat.
“I could’ve sworn that was going to be the time dad.”
“Sensei.”
“What?”
“In here I’m Sensei.”
“I didn’t agree to that.” Jax said as they pulled Noah up to his feet.
“Well I don’t know what to tell you man. I binge watched season three yesterday and decided that while in here, I’ll go by Sensei.”
Noah hobbles on one foot while leaning on Jax and wincing in an over exaggerated tone.
“Cunt, I think it’s broken…”
“There is no pain in my dojo!”
“Fuck me cunt… it’s swelling.”
“QUIET!”
Jax walks Noah over to a chair and sets him down. Atara and Betsy share a glance as Atara gives her an eye roll and quick shrug™.
“Oi! You owe dad money!”
“Not how it works dove. Rest your foot.”
Noah sulks as James begins to check over the board. Lifting it up and knocking on it.
“Shawn this board seems kinda thick for a first-timer.”
“That’s what she said.” Beaty said with a devious smile on her face. All eyes fall on Atara.
“I had no clue that Shawn was about to live out some repressed childhood fantasy.” She points towards Noah. “Shawn don’t you think this is a bit much? Noah got hurt again. First it was his quads, then he fell off the slide, and now you’ve got him kicking basically a wooden door. What is the point to all of this?”
“The point!?” Shawn was clearly taken aback. “The point is to toughen all of us up. The point is that while we are highly skilled in many areas, we are woefully under prepared for many different attacks. Here at the Legacy Dojo we can use Excellence to take us anywhere in space and time to prepare for anything and everything.”
Shawn stands tall in front of everyone when Jax chimes in.
“If you’re such a badass, break the board yourself.”
“Fine.”
Shawn brushes the front of his clothes and takes a stance by the piece of wood. Slowly he lowers his palm to the top of the wooden enemy. Quickly raising his hand and thrusting it down, stopping short, and then doing it again.
“Fifty bucks he breaks his hand.” James says quietly to Betsy.
“James… if he breaks his hand you’ll have to do more work.”
“I take it back.” James nods. “A thousand then.”
“Bet. I’ll take those odds cunt.” Noah hops on one foot and forcibly shakes James’ hand. “You don’t know what Da—- Sensei is capable of when he’s focused.”
Shawn raises his hand for hopefully the last time. With a feral scream m, he brings his palm down on the board.
**CRACK**
The force causes the board to shatter in a comically large explosion. With bits and pieces of the door scattering throughout the room. An audible gasp from everyone but Atara who just smiles.
“Pay up cunt!” Noah hobbles while shaking James by the shoulders. “Pay me my money….. In Cash!”
“Damn Shawn!” Jax walks up to the debris, kicking is aside with his foot. “How’d you do that?”
“It’s simple Jackson.” Shawn picks up a piece of the board and hands it to Jackson. “Here in the Legacy Dojo there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish. If we stay focused and on the right path, good things will happen. Unlike others who will see our bickering as flaws and not for what they really are. Growth. We all want each other to succeed. Sometimes our jealousy will show up, but what is good for one is good for all.”
“Oi cunt are you about to pro—-”Noah interjects but is quickly cut off by an elbow to the ribs from Betsy.
“You know it.” Noah nods. “Fall In!” Shawn stomps a foot to the floor with a resounding thud. The group all look around at one another, except for Noah and Jax who stand straight up with arms at their sides. “I SAID FALL IN!”
James, Betsy and Atara stand next to Jax and Noah. They aren’t quite as into it as they are, but they are going along for the ride. Shawn begins to pace back and forth in front of them.
“Here in the Legacy Dojo, we show no fear. No weakness. We are stronger as a unit then we are as individuals. Yet this week we are separated. We must fight for ourselves. Mrs Granger…. are you afraid of Miss Fury?” Shawn stops right in Betsy’s face.
“No Shawn.” Shawn quickly cuts his head towards Betsy. “Sorry. No Sensei!”
“Good.” Shawn continues. “This week I face off against the supposedly legendary Chad Vargas. A man with such a low moral character that he’s almost a meme at this point. Isn’t that right Jackson?”
“Yes Sensei! He is about as useful as tits on a pig.” Shawn nods agreeingly with him.
“That’s right! Since he’s shown his face during the Legacy Era he has been deemed nothing. Not a threat, but when he decided to go to the Barrows for a fight. What did we do Raven?”
“We brought the fight to him! Sensei.” James bellows out.
“Why? Because that’s what we do. The handcuffs were on us. We weren’t allowed to be free. Thanks to Mrs Granger we now have the full autonomy to do as we wish, with little to no regard on how it looks. So we gave him a good olé fashion beat down. We made him feel what it was like to be on the receiving end of a racially charged beat down. For everything he stands for, we don’t. Every bit of vile that comes out of his mouth is nothing but something to get a rise out of people. To play the bad guy. He plays the race card so much that it’s become a joke. He’s taking a stand on the wrong side of history. Just like the South lost in the civil war, he will lose to me. The North. As in if this were a map, we’d be at the top and he’d be somewhere near Antarctica.” Shawn stops in front of Atara. “What does that tell us, Mrs Themis?”
“Mrs Themis?” Atara quickly tilts her head.
“Sorry. What does that tell us, love?”
“Better. It’s a poorly executed metaphor that you are better than Chad Vargas, Dove.” Atara smiles as Shawn continues.
“What the hell man!?” Jackson said as Shawn continued on.
“Problem?”
“Yeah how come she doesn’t have to call you Sensei, but we do?” Shawn stops and looks at Jackson with a fire in his eyes.
“Because in this Dojo I make the rules, and the rules state Atty doesn’t have to call me Sensei but you do.” Shawn gives Atara a wink. “Now before I was so rudely interrupted. Now no matter what I think of Vargas and his abilities, I cannot underestimate him in the ring. He has revenge on his mind. We did emasculate him for the world to see. And Deana putting him here was just a formality. She sees Warstein versus Vargas as a money match. But why is it on an Inferno? Noah?” Shawn stops and points to Noah.
“Because Deana never saw the big picture. She was only focused on dealing with her family drama and never fully had a plan for Legacy. That’s why you are stuck constantly facing lesser opponents like Raging Dead last week. Vargas this week and Zybala at Adrenaline Rush, Sensei!” Noah proudly proclaims while standing up straight.
“Correct! Since the day we all came together we live by a single mantra. Class, what is that mantra?” Shawn stops and turns towards all of them.
“No one can beat Legacy but Legacy.” They all say in unison. Shawn fakes wiping a tear from his eye.
“That’s right! Since the day I walked in the doors and the rest of you followed it has been dominance. They think we are afraid of them, but with our collective training and preparation… they’ll never see us coming. Betsy will take out Mack, I’ll dispatch Zybala in quick fashion, and once again Legacy will reclaim our throne at the top. It’s going to be like the All Valley Tournament…. we are gonna crane kick these bitches square in the fucking face!”
“Wasn’t Daniel the good guy?” Jax asks.
“No. Everyone knows that Johnny Lawrence was the hero. Class dismissed.”
Everyone gives Shawn a quick bow, and he returns it. They disperse as Atara walks up to Shawn and grabs his shoudlers.
“Hey…”
“Hey…”
“Shawn….”
“Wake up!”
I was startled awake by Atara shaking me by the shoulders.
“Wake up you lump on a log.” She quickly grabs me by the arm and lifts me up to a sitting position. “You were rolling all around the bed, I’m trying to sleep over here.”
“Sorry.” Half awake I rub my eyes. “I was having an awesome dream.”
“Yeah? What about?” She quickly rolls over and begins to run her hand down my chest in a playful manner.
“It was about, how I’m going to crane kick Vargas in the fucking face on Friday, and then place his jaw on the bottom rope and American History X him.” I give her a half smile.
“Oh..” Clearly disappointed Atara stops running her hand and rolls over on the bed. “Your dreams are weird.” I sit there for a moment and contemplate her reaction.
“Wait… you didn’t let me finish…” I grab her by the waist and pull her close. “Just one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Call me Sensei…”
“Go to sleep Shawn, you’re clearly delusional.”
Fade To Black.
“Not really the place I thought of when you said double date Shawn.” Clearly exasperated James pats Shawn on the shoulder. “Maybe next time leave the date planning to the person with a time machine.”
“If you recall, Excellence is part mine, since you know it was built from scraps in my garage, with basically a set of children’s tools.” Shawn smiles and continues to lead them to the middle of the room.
“Ok Dove, this is cute but I was promised tacos tonight.” Atara says while pulling her hand away. “And what is all this supposed to be anyways?” She points to the mirrors lining one wall, then spins around to see a giant mural on the back wall only barely lit by the lights coming from the outside. Her jaw drops and then she bursts out into laughter. Betsy and James both turn their attention to the wall as well, and they cannot contain themselves either. On the wall is a mural of Shawn dressed as a Karate Sensei in full gear, ready to strike. Soon the three of them are laughing uncontrollably, as Shawn facepalms.
“Whatever….” Shawn raises his hands up and claps them together. “NOAH, JAX. IT’S TIME!” Suddenly lasers and smoke fill the room as the music blares at an ungodly volume.
Noah and Jax come bouncing out in lock step. Both of them are clad in all black Karate Gi’s and white belts on either of them. Noah gives Atara a wide smile and an over exaggerated wave, and Jax seems to be just going with the motions. Atara gives Noah a small wave, while Betsy and James try to contain their laughter. Jax shakes his head and rolls his eyes when he sees the two of them. Shawn walks up to the two of them and gives them a bow. Then quickly spins around.
“BEGIN!” Shawn yells, as Noah and Jax take a fighting stance. Quickly the two of them square off in what seems to be an overly complicated Karate routine well beyond their skill sets. It’s more akin to two toddlers flailing their arms and legs around. Shawn drags out some pieces of wood and sets it up in front of everyone.
“Come on Shawn… Seriously?”
“Shh, shh, shh, they need to concentrate and stay focused.”
Noah takes a step back from their athletic display and gives Shawn a quick nod.
“Step-Mum… watch this!”
“I’m watching dove.”
After a quick deep breath Noah leaps into the air. With the full force of his heel, he comes down on the board. His foot ricochets off, causing him to fall to the ground. Shawn and Jax rush over to help him to his feet. Angrily he pounds the mat.
“I could’ve sworn that was going to be the time dad.”
“Sensei.”
“What?”
“In here I’m Sensei.”
“I didn’t agree to that.” Jax said as they pulled Noah up to his feet.
“Well I don’t know what to tell you man. I binge watched season three yesterday and decided that while in here, I’ll go by Sensei.”
Noah hobbles on one foot while leaning on Jax and wincing in an over exaggerated tone.
“Cunt, I think it’s broken…”
“There is no pain in my dojo!”
“Fuck me cunt… it’s swelling.”
“QUIET!”
Jax walks Noah over to a chair and sets him down. Atara and Betsy share a glance as Atara gives her an eye roll and quick shrug™.
“Oi! You owe dad money!”
“Not how it works dove. Rest your foot.”
Noah sulks as James begins to check over the board. Lifting it up and knocking on it.
“Shawn this board seems kinda thick for a first-timer.”
“That’s what she said.” Beaty said with a devious smile on her face. All eyes fall on Atara.
“I had no clue that Shawn was about to live out some repressed childhood fantasy.” She points towards Noah. “Shawn don’t you think this is a bit much? Noah got hurt again. First it was his quads, then he fell off the slide, and now you’ve got him kicking basically a wooden door. What is the point to all of this?”
“The point!?” Shawn was clearly taken aback. “The point is to toughen all of us up. The point is that while we are highly skilled in many areas, we are woefully under prepared for many different attacks. Here at the Legacy Dojo we can use Excellence to take us anywhere in space and time to prepare for anything and everything.”
Shawn stands tall in front of everyone when Jax chimes in.
“If you’re such a badass, break the board yourself.”
“Fine.”
Shawn brushes the front of his clothes and takes a stance by the piece of wood. Slowly he lowers his palm to the top of the wooden enemy. Quickly raising his hand and thrusting it down, stopping short, and then doing it again.
“Fifty bucks he breaks his hand.” James says quietly to Betsy.
“James… if he breaks his hand you’ll have to do more work.”
“I take it back.” James nods. “A thousand then.”
“Bet. I’ll take those odds cunt.” Noah hops on one foot and forcibly shakes James’ hand. “You don’t know what Da—- Sensei is capable of when he’s focused.”
Shawn raises his hand for hopefully the last time. With a feral scream m, he brings his palm down on the board.
**CRACK**
The force causes the board to shatter in a comically large explosion. With bits and pieces of the door scattering throughout the room. An audible gasp from everyone but Atara who just smiles.
“Pay up cunt!” Noah hobbles while shaking James by the shoulders. “Pay me my money….. In Cash!”
“Damn Shawn!” Jax walks up to the debris, kicking is aside with his foot. “How’d you do that?”
“It’s simple Jackson.” Shawn picks up a piece of the board and hands it to Jackson. “Here in the Legacy Dojo there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish. If we stay focused and on the right path, good things will happen. Unlike others who will see our bickering as flaws and not for what they really are. Growth. We all want each other to succeed. Sometimes our jealousy will show up, but what is good for one is good for all.”
“Oi cunt are you about to pro—-”Noah interjects but is quickly cut off by an elbow to the ribs from Betsy.
“You know it.” Noah nods. “Fall In!” Shawn stomps a foot to the floor with a resounding thud. The group all look around at one another, except for Noah and Jax who stand straight up with arms at their sides. “I SAID FALL IN!”
James, Betsy and Atara stand next to Jax and Noah. They aren’t quite as into it as they are, but they are going along for the ride. Shawn begins to pace back and forth in front of them.
“Here in the Legacy Dojo, we show no fear. No weakness. We are stronger as a unit then we are as individuals. Yet this week we are separated. We must fight for ourselves. Mrs Granger…. are you afraid of Miss Fury?” Shawn stops right in Betsy’s face.
“No Shawn.” Shawn quickly cuts his head towards Betsy. “Sorry. No Sensei!”
“Good.” Shawn continues. “This week I face off against the supposedly legendary Chad Vargas. A man with such a low moral character that he’s almost a meme at this point. Isn’t that right Jackson?”
“Yes Sensei! He is about as useful as tits on a pig.” Shawn nods agreeingly with him.
“That’s right! Since he’s shown his face during the Legacy Era he has been deemed nothing. Not a threat, but when he decided to go to the Barrows for a fight. What did we do Raven?”
“We brought the fight to him! Sensei.” James bellows out.
“Why? Because that’s what we do. The handcuffs were on us. We weren’t allowed to be free. Thanks to Mrs Granger we now have the full autonomy to do as we wish, with little to no regard on how it looks. So we gave him a good olé fashion beat down. We made him feel what it was like to be on the receiving end of a racially charged beat down. For everything he stands for, we don’t. Every bit of vile that comes out of his mouth is nothing but something to get a rise out of people. To play the bad guy. He plays the race card so much that it’s become a joke. He’s taking a stand on the wrong side of history. Just like the South lost in the civil war, he will lose to me. The North. As in if this were a map, we’d be at the top and he’d be somewhere near Antarctica.” Shawn stops in front of Atara. “What does that tell us, Mrs Themis?”
“Mrs Themis?” Atara quickly tilts her head.
“Sorry. What does that tell us, love?”
“Better. It’s a poorly executed metaphor that you are better than Chad Vargas, Dove.” Atara smiles as Shawn continues.
“What the hell man!?” Jackson said as Shawn continued on.
“Problem?”
“Yeah how come she doesn’t have to call you Sensei, but we do?” Shawn stops and looks at Jackson with a fire in his eyes.
“Because in this Dojo I make the rules, and the rules state Atty doesn’t have to call me Sensei but you do.” Shawn gives Atara a wink. “Now before I was so rudely interrupted. Now no matter what I think of Vargas and his abilities, I cannot underestimate him in the ring. He has revenge on his mind. We did emasculate him for the world to see. And Deana putting him here was just a formality. She sees Warstein versus Vargas as a money match. But why is it on an Inferno? Noah?” Shawn stops and points to Noah.
“Because Deana never saw the big picture. She was only focused on dealing with her family drama and never fully had a plan for Legacy. That’s why you are stuck constantly facing lesser opponents like Raging Dead last week. Vargas this week and Zybala at Adrenaline Rush, Sensei!” Noah proudly proclaims while standing up straight.
“Correct! Since the day we all came together we live by a single mantra. Class, what is that mantra?” Shawn stops and turns towards all of them.
“No one can beat Legacy but Legacy.” They all say in unison. Shawn fakes wiping a tear from his eye.
“That’s right! Since the day I walked in the doors and the rest of you followed it has been dominance. They think we are afraid of them, but with our collective training and preparation… they’ll never see us coming. Betsy will take out Mack, I’ll dispatch Zybala in quick fashion, and once again Legacy will reclaim our throne at the top. It’s going to be like the All Valley Tournament…. we are gonna crane kick these bitches square in the fucking face!”
“Wasn’t Daniel the good guy?” Jax asks.
“No. Everyone knows that Johnny Lawrence was the hero. Class dismissed.”
Everyone gives Shawn a quick bow, and he returns it. They disperse as Atara walks up to Shawn and grabs his shoudlers.
“Hey…”
“Hey…”
“Shawn….”
“Wake up!”
I was startled awake by Atara shaking me by the shoulders.
“Wake up you lump on a log.” She quickly grabs me by the arm and lifts me up to a sitting position. “You were rolling all around the bed, I’m trying to sleep over here.”
“Sorry.” Half awake I rub my eyes. “I was having an awesome dream.”
“Yeah? What about?” She quickly rolls over and begins to run her hand down my chest in a playful manner.
“It was about, how I’m going to crane kick Vargas in the fucking face on Friday, and then place his jaw on the bottom rope and American History X him.” I give her a half smile.
“Oh..” Clearly disappointed Atara stops running her hand and rolls over on the bed. “Your dreams are weird.” I sit there for a moment and contemplate her reaction.
“Wait… you didn’t let me finish…” I grab her by the waist and pull her close. “Just one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Call me Sensei…”
“Go to sleep Shawn, you’re clearly delusional.”
Fade To Black.