“Well, sadly enough most of my ability with Chi is limited to minor speed, strength, and endurance increasing. My father, though skilled in his own right, is not very adept at the more… esoteric side of the Art,” Ranma confessed. “Despite that handicap, he has created many powerful techniques that utilize Chi. He is reluctant to teach them to me, however, because they are very dangerous, even deadly.”
“We will most likely have to start with some base Chi theory lessons, fill in any gaps in your knowledge before we go on to any real Chi training. Trying to manipulate your body’s energies without proper knowledge and training is like handling live explosives… and the results can be just as messy.”
“And that would be bad,” Ranma nodded.
Suddenly, Cologne looked away from her adopted son, eyes turning instead to the sturdy sliding doors that lead into the training room. Moments later, the solid thump of feet could be heard from behind the door, giving little doubt to who it was approaching.
“It seems that your sparring partner has arrived,” Cologne said with a freakish grin.
Ranma blanched.
The door opened with a thump.
{Elder Cologne, I have arrived for my training as you requested,} Dowel said with a cheerful grin. {I am greatly honored that you find me worthy of your lessons, Honored Elder, and will do my best to learn all that you have to teach me.}
Silence reigned in the room as the other two occupants stared at the large woman.
Dowel was clad in thick leather pants, and an equally thick leather vest that did a valiant job of hiding the woman’s large… talents. Her feet were clad in durable leather boots with thick soles, the toe reinforced inside and out with heavy steel plating.
And to top it all off, a heavy oak staff—easily four inches across and reinforced with bands, studs, and caps of iron—rested in the easy grip of her right hand.
To tell the truth, she looked more like a burly blacksmith than anything. Which, coincidentally, was what she did when she wasn’t being an amazon warrioress. Amongst other pastimes that may or may not include boulder-juggling.
You know, Ranma thought to himself, I’d almost feel sorry for Pops, if it weren’t for the fact that he really deserves the shit I put him through on a regular basis. I’m slightly worried that this will be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back, though…
{Hello, Dowel,} Ranma said with a small wave. {Nice of you to join us.}
{No need to be so formal,} the ‘woman’ said with a cheerful smile. {Call me ‘Mother’!}
Oh yes, perhaps hitching his father up with this woman hadn’t been the brightest of ideas he’s ever had. But, then again, it did put him in the rather unique position of being able to learn many closely held martial arts secrets that would aid him greatly in the many years to come.
He mentally sighed at the ‘sacrifices’ he made for the Art.
{How… lucky I am to have two mothers with me in the same room,} Ranma said carefully. {But should we not get to the training, Mother Cologne?}
{Yes,} she nodded, enjoying the boy’s discomfort. {The day only lasts so long, after all. I think we’ll start with a nice friendly spar between you two, so we can see what areas we need to improve on. How does that sound?}
Dowel was all to eager, though Ranma seemed to have some reservations.
“Oh, and no special abilities, Son,” Cologne told him.
Damn.
Though Ranma had no question that he could easily beat Dowel in a straight-on fight, he knew that her inhuman strength and endurance would make it extremely difficult. Right about now would have been a good time to know a few Chi tricks to make this fight a little easier.
But there was no helping that at the moment.
With a heavy sigh, Ranma glided up onto his feet and walked into the middle of the room, the mountainous woman following so close behind him that he could smell the oils on her leather.
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(Posted Sat, 13 Nov 2004 07:33)
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