Video (+Action)

[sightlessly]

[VIDEO]

[Matt is notably less enraged than the last time he popped up on the network. Hell, he even manages a smile this time. No dark glasses, no immediate evidence of his blindness. He's dressed casually as far as anyone can tell -- t-shirt visible in the shoulders-up view the camera offers. He's a bit uncentered on the feed, but other than that.]

So I've mentioned it to several of you already -- that it might not be a bad idea for people to learn a bit of self defense. Especially people who aren't used to fighting, or people who aren't used to relying on physical strength.

Doesn't matter how old or young you are, how big or small, man or woman or anything in between.

[So. Here he is.]

I took some time to find a decent space. It's run down, but I've managed to clear it out. Got a couple things that'll do as mats and pads. So here it is.

Anyone interested in self defense, I'm teaching. Ways to get out of holds, quick escapes, ways to use an attacker's size against them. [A faintly sheepish smile.] I learned to fight as a kid, so it's never to early.

Any takers?

[Attachment: training-gym-location.gps]


[ACTION]

[And anyone who doesn't feel like talking, can feel free to show up at the location Matt provided for some hand to hand training. Matt will be there, wishing he had a heavy bag to go a few rounds with.]

Comments

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[toiletseat_girl]

[George strolls in wearing a tshirt and yoga pants]

Hey. I am in. So in.

[sightlessly]

[At the sound of her entering, Matt turns in her direction and offers a grin. He ducks his head, smile only widening.]

Great. Glad to hear it, because it's gonna be a work out. I'm not going to lie; you might be a little sore after, but it should be worth it.

[He holds a hand out to her offering a greeting handshake.]

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[roseofthetyrells]

[Margaery seems uncertain for a moment, then steels herself]

I think perhaps it might be a good idea for me to learn such things. Just in case.

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[sightlessly]

I think it'd be a great idea.

[Matt is quick to agree. He'll do what he can to keep Margaery safe, but he can't be with her every instant. So he'd be really happy to know she had some self defense skills to fall back on.]

I won't go easy on you though. [A teasing smile at this.]

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[nonscriptum]

[This might be the Softest™ look that Matt, Lawyer-By-Day and Masked-Man-By-Night, has ever worn. Sort of makes Nate wonder a.) how he even found clothes that look that decent in all this when b.) he's blind, and c.) what prompted him to take his glasses off? The last one probably has something to do with building trust and breaking down barriers, or something. He's not a psychiatrist.

But he doesn't respond immediately, because if Matt is offering combat it's the perfect fit for someone who is in desperate need for physical exertion outside of bedroom activities. Not that those aren't great, but. You know. Sometimes a guy just needs to punch something.

Nate raps on the jamb to give notice as he steps in, though Matt probably heard him coming. He's got that super hearing going for him.]

Hey. Roof ninja.

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[sightlessly]

[He's kind of in his element here. The glasses had to go because they're terrible for being punched while wearing. That and the fact that the purpose they serve is a signal to those around him that he's blind -- take the focus away from any slip-ups he might have when he perceives and knows things he shouldn't due to said blindness. But he's dropped that facade since his last post to the network anyway. Less reason to keep the dual identity here.

He does hear Nate coming before he gets there, and he's gotta admit he sure didn't expect Nate to show up for self-defense class. The other man struck him as someone who was more than capable in a brawl.

Though now there's an idea. Because Matt would not turn down a good sparring partner.

One corner of his lips curls up in a grin.] Grappling hook. How's it going?

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[the_fourteenth]

[The voice on the other end is young and soft-spoken, but don't let that dissuade you.]

I've been noting a few people in the last few months offering up teaching. I think I'd like to do the same. Would this space be open for others to teach, too? I can teach sword fighting.

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[sightlessly]

[Huh. Sword fighting is a new one for Matt, and actually he's fairly curious himself.]

I can't think why not. People need to be able to defend themselves, however that might be. I don't have any weapons here, aside from a couple sticks, but there's room to store a few for practice if you need it.

[It's an old shop that he's cleared out, using the open floor plan. But in time it could become something more. Matt doesn't exactly want to stay in this place long term, doesn't want anyone to be trapped here long term, but he can't help but plan ahead a little.]

video; /threadjacks hi

[toiletseat_girl]

What kind of swordfighting can you teach? I have a katana that I need to learn how to use other than just swinging it like a baseball bat at monsters.

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[naw]

[Kyrii's already been showing her how to fight with a knife, but it wouldn't hurt to learn more from someone else who has (assumedly) different experiences. best to know different ways of self-defense if there's even a slim chance of war breaking out in the city.

plus, while it isn't necessarily a bad thing, Kyrii isn't much for conversation. at least Matt seems more talkative. so Nah shows up a while after the video is posted, phone in hand and footsteps light.]

Hey, you were offering to teach self-defense? Well, I'm here to learn. The name's Nah.

[sightlessly]

[Matt hears her coming, so he's already half turned towards the door. He offers a smile in greeting, lifting a hand to beckon her over.]

Yeah, that's me. I'm Matthew. Come on over.

[Another student. No hiding the fact that he's pretty excited by this.]

So, tell me a little about yourself. Do you have any fighting experience?

text

[puzzlingly]

like that would work

「not in the best of moods huh?」

but i wish you luck

[sightlessly]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

It's more helpful than nothing.

voice;

[multivitamins]

Oh you're really doing this?

[ Pauses and mulls it over. Eddie can already hear his mother shouting at him for this one. Don't you do it, Eddie, think of your asthma - ]

Can I join in still?

voice

[sightlessly]

Yeah. It could be helpful. At the very least, it can't hurt.

[Well. Okay it can hurt there will be bruises, but you'll be fine, Eddie.]

Of course. I was hoping you'd still be interested.

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[knifecollecting]

[Well, she never thought she'd hear a blind man offering to teach people to fight. And yet, lots of things here surprise her.]

Need any help?

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[sightlessly]

[Come have a friendly round in the non-existence ring with him, Jo. He'll do his best to surprise!]

I certainly wouldn't turn it down.

[Someone else, different techniques, different perspective. Yeah, Matt thinks that could be helpful.]

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[storyseeker]

[Elena has to do a double take before she realizes this is the blind guy she helped buy soup. Huh.]

I'm pretty good at defending myself, but I wouldn't mind brushing up, or helping other people practice, if you need anyone.

[sightlessly]

[Hey that was still very helpful. He can fight, but he is still pretty stumped by labels and printed pictures and documents.]

I would happily take all the help I can get, honestly. And maybe we can teach each other a thing or two, too. It never hurts getting a second perspective.

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[bythewaves]

[ Maglor tips his head curiously ]

You mean, without weapons?

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[sightlessly]

That's right. Not everyone knows how to wield a weapon. And sometimes all you've got is your own two hands.

[Matt offers a somewhat lopsided smile.]

That, and it's how I prefer fighting.

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[demonsional]

[Hayden is here...to fall on his face. He barely gets inside before he's already on the ground, smacking his head on the way down. Still, this only seems to stun him momentarily.]

Hello! I saw the message! I am here to learn, please, sir!

[This is not going to be easy but he'll try to be a good student nonetheless.]

[sightlessly]

[Matt winces, hearing the poor kid go sprawling. Jeez. He's moving in that direction already.]

Yeah, of course. But come here. Did you hit your head?

[They'll start there.]

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[hasadoctorsnote]

I know how to fight well with a sword but it can't hurt to brush up on hand-to-hand defense. Count me in.

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[sightlessly]

It's a good idea to have a good handle on being able to defend yourself if you wind up caught un-armed.

[Though well, Matt's default and preference is bare-handed combat anyway. Battlin' Jack Murdock's son grew up to be a brawler after all.]

Sounds good. Come on down, when you've got time.

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[64th]

I can help. I have almost 10 years experience teaching. Uh - it wasn't exactly self defense but I can teach people to fight and I can get them in shape.

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[sightlessly]

I'd love the help. I've got plenty experience fighting, but teaching is new for me.

[He's been trained as a kid, but it's not like he's ever tried to teach anyone else, take on an apprentice or anything like that.]

I'm Matt.