Can you please teach me something already?! [BG] LBA's (Jie)

[Thread PL: 256,031. Base: 512,062/256,031]

[Dou Furu's PL: 179,221]

(Using my mansion and my dojo)

Jie Shan stirred. His black eyes blinked once, twice, waking from their pseudo-sleep brought on by the glassy, ghostly glow of a computer screen. He ran a hand through his newly shortened hair, still silver and thick. Jie Shan felt an energy approach, the soulful wisp of a familiar being. Cleopatra, he thought dully. The desert rat was returning to him, at least for now. With a sign, Jie Shan rose from his seat and stretched, arching his back like a cat. The hybrid's hand went to the computer screen and gently tapped a button on the rim of the screen, the white light of the screen suddenly giving way to pitch black as power left the machine.

Jie Shan looked into the screen and admired the distorted reflection of himself for a moment: Saiyan tail swayed behind him, looking almost mismatched against his new Earthling-made clothing: a simple grey frock that the Earthlings called a "hoodie" paired with a new pair of denim jeans. Jie Shan had had Rudieri order these clothes for him. As he was becoming more and more active on Earth, he thought he ought to look the part. When on Earth, he thought, do as Earthlings do. He was quite proud of his new look, though it was a bit... odd. How many years had he spent in the military grade garments of his Saiyan ancestors? Too many, he remarked in his mind. Fluffing the silver head of hair on his head, Jie Shan smirked and gave himself a thumb's up. And with that, he made for the door, making sure to pick up the blade that sat by his desk. He would be needing it soon enough.

He made his way through the hallways of his home, walking briskly. Briefly, he sent a brief mental message to Dou Furu, the first of his apprentices. The man was tasked with meeting them in the courtyard. Today, he thought, would be a good day to get some training in.

It was not long before Jie Shan arrived in the courtyard of his home. He stood there for a moment, admiring the sky above. But it was not long before the idyllic air was broken. First by the harpy-call of Cleopatra in the courtyard and then by the rush of Dou Furu's footsteps over the flagstones.

"Master Jie Shan!" He called out, "I came running as soon as you gave the word!"

Jie Shan grimaced; he had asked the man not to call him master. But he said nothing, instead choosing to give the boy a simple nod and an appraising look: the Earthling was dressed for combat, as per usual, with a blade at his hip. Good, thought Jie Shan, at least somebody was prepared.

"Good, Dou," said Jie Shan simply, "Glad you could make it. There is somebody I would like you to meet." Jie Shan pointed to Cleopatra. "That," he said, "Is Cleo. Another one of my students. I think you two will get along swimmingly."

Dou Furu bowed twice in rapid succession, once to Jie Shan and once to Cleopatra. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Cleo," said the apprentice, "It is wonderful to meet another of Master Jie Shan's students."

Jie Shan once again grimaced, but shook it off. Instead he turned his attention to Cleo. "Glad to see you here, Cleo," remarked Jie Shan happily, "I was starting to worry you'd wandered off into the desert again."

He flashed the girl a toothy grin, wide and full of mirth. "So," he continued, "If you're ready to train, I think it would be an excellent time for a little practice. Wouldn't you say so, my fearsome disciples?"

Dou Furu nodded with excitement, head bobbing up and down like a happy dog.

"Now," said Jie Shan, "Why don't we start with a few simple drills before we get into the big lessons? Both of you draw your blades."

Jie Shan drew his own blade as he gave the command, steel glinting in the sunlight, as if it were the silver fang of some great dragon. He hefted it before himself, holding it in a low gated position that was common in many schools of swordsmanship across the universe.

As if a marionette that sprung to life at his master's command, Dou also drew his blade and held it in a similar fashion, as if to parrot Jie Shan.

WC: 735

@cleopatra