Punch it Out

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 4:18 pm

Aiden was feeling rather like a fish out of water at this school. There were no constant missions involving travel around the world, no readiness drills, no briefings. He was even beginning to miss the mountains of paperwork he'd begun receiving as part of his promotion prior to leaving Genosha. So to deal with his anxiety Aiden was in the rec center. He stretched and went through warm-ups before for a moment before starting a hand-to-hand routine with some of the super strength equipment in the Rec center.

10%

His blows began to move faster as he restarted going through the combinations, which looked like a mix of Kali and Muay Thai.

25%

His hands became blurred as he started the series of combinations again.

50%

His blows were just streaks as he started from the beginning again. The equipment turned on damper systems to avoid damage.

100%

Aiden hit the machine for about 30 seconds before the machine beeped out an alarm that the dampers were hitting their limit. He stepped back from the equipment breathing hard. He closed his eyes and worked to slow his breathing.

0%

((Open))

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:40 pm

"You'll never get much information if you just redline the machine," Sam says from the sidelines, quirking a ginger brow.

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:15 pm

"It's more about the undeniable sense of satisfaction than the readout," Aiden said looking over at Sam before picking up his water bottle.

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:15 pm

"Small wonder I smelled you from a mile away, then."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:23 pm

"I suppose when I am the only one working hard there is no way it could be otherwise," Aiden said before drinking from his water bottle.

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:30 pm

"Funny, I didn't see your name on the reports about the Brotherhood raid."

"If you wanted action, that's where it was."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:46 pm

"I was not aware my help had been requested," Aiden said, "After all the X-Men supposedly had it all under control."

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:48 pm

"Then maybe don't act like it's all on your shoulders, Atlas."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:53 pm

"And here I thought I was talking about the others in the gym, but indeed it was actually politics all along," Aiden said with his best politician smile.

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:55 pm

"The reason I sensed you was violence. People aren't getting violent with the treadmills."

"Mostly because Haley isn't here right now."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:04 pm

Haley?

Aiden thinks to himself not recognizing the name.

"So you came over to what exactly? Complain about my being violent with the machine that was designed for me to practice violence on?" Aiden asked quirking an eyebrow. "Would it you prefer if I demonstrated against it instead?"

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:05 pm

"Did I say I was complaining? It's more something that tends to get my attention."

"My issue, not yours."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:25 pm

"Pardon this praetor's confusion then," Aiden said curtly not believing Sam but also willing to drop the argument.

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:32 pm

"Think of it this way, don't you perk up when you hear your favorite music?"

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:35 pm

"And violence is your favorite music? Some would say that's a strange trait for a member of the X-Men," Aiden said before drinking more water.

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:38 pm

"I have to play with the hand I was dealt, aye? It's who I am."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:45 pm

"And who is that?" Aiden asked even though he knew who most of the X-Men were via intelligence reports and briefings prior to his arrival.

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:48 pm

"Sam. Or the Morrigan, if you're hung up on codenames."

"Turned out to be a bit more literal than I'd thought when I picked it."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:51 pm

"Did it? The Morrigan is not a... cultural or religious reference that I am familiar with," Aiden asked.

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:53 pm

"No? I suppose Genosha doesn't have much room for old pagan shite."

"War goddess from Ireland."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:59 pm

"Genosha doesn't have much use for or inclination against religion broadly or specifically old pagan shite," Aiden said noncommittally. "I'm Aiden Mitchell or Galahad. You can call me Aiden or Galahad because only the old guard cares whether you use a mutant name or family name."

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 11:17 pm

"I get the need for release, really. I took up drumming just to try to channel it into more... constructive ways?"

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 11:28 pm

Aiden was quiet for a moment a number of thoughts running through his mind.

"If it works for you," Aiden shrugged. "I think I've spent too long being a soldier to talk about channeling it in constructive way."

by **Samantha McManus** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 11:42 pm

"Is that how you wind up a praetor in Genosha? You're not any older than anyone here."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:01 am

"I've been in active service for four years, but I was trained to be a Praetor by my father for ten years," Aiden said, "Praetors usually are chosen from Genoshan's during mandatory civil service at age sixteen. There are two tests. One before basic training and one after. About ten percent of volunteers pass both tests."

by **Samantha McManus** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:02 am

"And this is what you wanted?" She quirks a brow.

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:13 am

"To be a Praetor? Yes," Aiden said, "It was my dream just like many Genoshan children. Praetors are the heroes of Genosha. We all wanted to grow up and be chosen. I imagine just like mutant children outside of Genosha likely dream of being X-Men."

Aiden paused considering something. There was something there a hint of some doubt, screams, blood, fire, and death. Then it was gone.

"Regardless, my duty is to my family and I was told to be the best Praetor. So I became the best Praetor."

by **Samantha McManus** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:15 am

"I'd imagine quite a few here would tell you their parents expected them to be something other than what they wound up."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:44 am

"Indeed," Aiden said, "The freedom you have here is enviable, but I am Genoshan and perhaps we value such things... differently."

by **Samantha McManus** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:47 am

"Enviable enough to apply here, eh?"

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:51 am

"I was sent here on a goodwill mission," Aiden smiled. "Show the world Genosha is not the boogey man."

"It is certainly the friendliest place I've been deployed though the weather could be better."

by **Samantha McManus** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:56 am

"So you're always on-duty, then?"

"Small wonder you need outlets."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:26 pm

"I suppose I am," Aiden said, "But when you represent something larger than yourself are you ever not on duty, X-Man?"

by **Samantha McManus** » Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:19 pm

"I'm not the only one here. I just have to be myself to the other people on the teams."

by **Null** » Mon Jan 28, 2019 8:15 pm

"Easier for some of us than others," Will said, as he entered the room.

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Mon Jan 28, 2019 8:45 pm

"Perhaps I just need a new squad then," Aiden said to Sam before looking over at Will. "And more difficult for you?"

by **Samantha McManus** » Mon Jan 28, 2019 8:46 pm

"Broader definition," she quips.

by **Null** » Mon Jan 28, 2019 8:47 pm

"Nah, I'm always me. It's everyone else who seems to have issues with things."

by **Aiden Mitchell** » Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:14 pm

"Must be a wonderful thing to have no doubts," Aiden smiled.

by **Samantha McManus** » Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:19 pm

"It's the sort of thing you get when someone wrings most of the uncertainty out of you."

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