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[ifoundthem]

[Newt's communicator has no message; it just beeps. Chances of him actually getting a message are slim, given he doesn't know the network exists, yet.

But if you really want to talk to him, feel free to track him down here.]

Comments

[formerself]

That gets a genuine smile. He can't help it; he's always rooting for the underdog.

"Throw a punch," he says. "Try an' hit me."

[ifoundthem]

Newt shrugs and shifts his weight, assessing for a moment, before attempting a strike.

The punch itself is sloppy and lacking confidence, but fast. And, (possibly) surprisingly, his footwork is excellent. A little unrefined, but he keeps himself balanced and light on his toes and poised to move out of the way in a hurry.

[formerself]

Eggsy blocks him easily, letting his fist glance off to the side, but he notices the anomaly.

"You're good on your feet," he observes. "That's good. How come?"

[ifoundthem]

Newt gives him an odd look. "I, ah, may be better with creatures than most, but I don't actually want to be eaten."

[formerself]

Eggsy just laughs.

"Alright, alright. So I'm gonna show you a few basic blocks, and a couple of things you can do to get a bit of distance between you an' whoever's causing you trouble, okay?"

[ifoundthem]

"All right." Newt settles back on his heels and nods. He is, at least, very willing to learn about this.

I know precisely dick about self defence and I'm sorry

[formerself]

Eggsy takes him through, as promised, the basics. How to try and defuse a situation before it gets physical, something that in his experience often goes neglected - then onto what happens when that doesn't work. Deflecting blows, and using the most vulnerable spots on a person's body to get the most shock out of a single hit.

And yes, he's definitely inviting Newt to hurt him.

haha like I'm any better

[ifoundthem]

Newt's a good listener, and he's fast and fit and has excellent reflexes. He's a natural at dodging and decent at blocking. But even as his technique improves, it's pretty obvious that he's pulling his punches, even with his uninjured arm. It doesn't sit well, hurting someone unnecessarily. Even with permission.

[formerself]

"Mate, come on," Eggsy says, the second time he notices this. "You've got arms like spaghetti, you're not gonna hurt me. Hit me like you mean it, alright? Or else there's no point."

And then he throws another jab that will leave a (small) bruise if Newt lets it land.

[ifoundthem]

Newt skips back out of range. Eggsy's good, of course, but not as fast as an agitated hippogriff. He's doing pretty good at keeping out of range.

"I... can't say I've ever actually punched anyone before."

[formerself]

Eggsy pulls a face, then actually comes at Newt like he would at a real opponent - one jab for him to duck away from, then the real hit, into his ribs.

No, he's not 'agitated hippogryph' fast, but he's quicker than he's been letting Newt see so far.

[ifoundthem]

Newt reads the movements exactly as Eggsy intends; He ducks easily away from the feint, and right into the strike to his ribs. He staggers away with a grunt and his hand does, briefly, flit down to where his wand normally hangs.

[formerself]

"Sorry about that," Eggsy says, taking a step back. "But it ain't always enough to just get out the way, alright?"

[ifoundthem]

Newt catches his breath briefly, and nods his understanding. Eggsy's made his point, certainly.

So in response, he darts forward and tries to land a quick jab - one with some earnest power behind it (as much as his skinny arms can manage, anyway).

[formerself]

Eggsy deflects easily, snatching his wrist.

"There's your first mistake," he says, without censure. "Self defence ain't about winning a fight. It's about bein' able to get away before the fight really starts, yeah?"

[ifoundthem]

Newt looks just a smidge frustrated, though he's trying to keep it level.

"You did tell me to punch you."

[formerself]

"Yeah, an' you did. Didn't ask you to do it again, I just thought you was pissed off that time," Eggsy laughs. "Alright. Try it again, slower, an' I'll show you how I block it. Then you can try."

[ifoundthem]

"I don't really punch when I'm angry." Partially because he knows he'll lose most fistfights, but it's also just not in his nature. Besides. Violence solves very little when working with creatures. Calm and composure have served him well.

"All right. Now?" He steps forward again, clearly broadcasting the punch as it comes.

[formerself]

"Yep - watch my arm," Eggsy says, lifting to deflect, making sure that it doesn't land somewhere on his wrist or forearm that it's going to hurt. He uses it to push Newt's arm away, leaving him open.

"Okay, you see how I could get in a punch now? I could get in one hit that'd stun you, then get away before you got your breath back."

[ifoundthem]

Newt's attention stays riveted on the movements, nodding as he takes careful note of the movements Eggsy's making. Yes, he can see it. If Eggsy were a dragon, he wouldn't want to be as exposed and off-balance as he is at the moment. "Yes, I see it."

[formerself]

"Alright. Now you try it - "

He makes it last the hour, running through the most common ways most attackers will try to get a shot in, how to avoid it, how to land the kind of hit that'll let you put some distance between yourself and your attacker. Newt's not the most obviously physical type, but Eggsy's pleased to find that he's a quick learner, and he stays fast on his feet.

[ifoundthem]

Many of the concepts of self defense, Newt finds, are actually pretty easy to relate to the skills he already has in handling and disengaging from fractious animals. Only humans are capable of thinking differently - particularly more deceptively - than creatures. It's an interesting exercise all around, and - Newt has to admit - probably quite useful, given the state of things.

He's sweating by the end of it, and breathing harder, but he's still managing to keep up quite well.

"Thank you. Have you been doing this a while?"

[formerself]

"Yeah," he says, bright and encouraging. "A couple of years. I mean, professionally. I was gettin' in fights before then," he adds, with a crooked grin.

[ifoundthem]

"It shows." In Eggsy's confidence and clear instruction. "Thank you for teaching me."

[formerself]

Eggsy cracks an easy smile.

"No worries, mate. You can come back for a bit more in a couple days, if you want?"