Gym Workout

Posted on Thu May 12th, 2022 @ 9:12am by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant Commander Rin

Mission: Season 5: Interlude: Darkness Abounds
Location: Deck 9 - Gymnasium
Timeline: MD 2
904 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

A thickly bound Sequus fist thrust into the side of a dull red punching bag, It's heavy mass buckling from the impact as S'hib took a few clicks back, constantly moving his hooves as he danced about, glad to have more room than he had in the small gym attached to the back of the security office.

His nostrils flared as he waited a few brief moments for the bag to slow its swing, flicking his tail up high as he shifted his weight onto his right leg.

Then in a flash, his left leg shot up and around, crashing into the side of the bag with a thunderclap that sent it rocking violently, almost winding him as he caught it, hugging it until it stopped moving.

Wearing a one piece athletic suit, Rin was punching holographic targets. Her motions might best be described as an angry Tai Chi: too stylized to be a combat practice, but definitely not tranquil, although she did seem to be quite in her own mental zone.

At the sound of hoof hitting bag, she paused to look back at what was happening, wondering if something was amiss or if someone just needed to take some frustration out on an inanimate object.

Another two thumps sounded out throughout the gym, with S’hib too engrossed in his technique to notice he had attracted a few eyes.

Shanyrria slipped into the gymnasium in silence wanting to do some work on the treadmills. She paused as she watched the Sequss work out.

Another frustrated snort left his nostrils as the bag began to swing wildly again, unable to cushion his blows despite its weight. “Red sands…” he mumbled, catching the bag with both hands, steadying it once more before noticing everything else in the gym had gone quiet.

He didn't turn, not at first… instead a single ear atop his head flicked back, studying the rest of the room as he walked around the bag, glancing around at everyone.

Suddenly, the room was full of awkward. Normally, Rin might have minded her own business, but the tension in the air was now palpable. Rin turned off her sparring program and approached S'hib. "Are you alright, Commander?" she asked quietly.

"Just having a moment..." He snorted, looking back at the punching bag with a great deal of discontent. "This gym wasn't designed for my kind..." at this he shook his head, flicking his loose mane about in an attempt to calm down.

"You could use the holodeck," Rin suggested. "Or the holographic fighting simulator." she tilted her head back toward where she had been working out.

"As amazing as they are," S'hib snorted as he rolled his bare shoulders, stretching his fingers before forming a fist. "They aren't real." He snorted while swinging a fist low, thrusting his fist into the gut of the bag violently. "Even with the safeties off." He added through gritted teeth, thrusting his other fist into the bag as it swing back towards him.

Rin refrained from pointing out that it's not like the punching bag was going to hit back. She gave a quick "Yes, sir," and walked back to her previous location.

He glanced back to Rin as she walked away, letting the bag swing back into him with a heavy thump. "Was that an offer to join?" he shouted, pushing the bag away from in and taking a few clicks in her direction.

"Are you looking for a sparring partner?" Rin asked.

“Well, I was going to ask you to hold the bag…” He smirked, throwing a thumb over his shoulder. “But you already walked back, so can I join you instead?”

"Sure thing. What are you looking for?"

“A challenge…” He snorted excitedly as he clicked over, readjusting the short yellow wrap around his waist.

"Right." Rin moved over to the sparring mats and started strapping on protective gear. Normally a difference in size did not bother her, but the difference here was huge. S'hib had 2 feet on her. Which meant go fast, stay low, and target her strikes.

Good thing she was a fan of challenges too.

"Just watch the nose, if you can even reach it." He snorted softly, raising his top lip in amusement.

Which, of course, she normally couldn't. But S'hib had the same problem in reverse: he had to get low if he was going to punch her. Get him to over-extend, and she would have an even better chance at at least his shoulder.

So she darted around, spending most of her energy being more of a target than a threat, turning the sparring into something akin to a wack-a-mole game. Hopefully, the exertion would be a welcome release for whatever was on the LCDR's mind.

Fast and nimble, something S'hib was not unless he was running in a straight line. "I thought intelligence was supposed to be good at dodging questions..." he said with a gravelly voice, despite intentionally pulling his punches. scared of hurting Rin despite the protective gear. "Not actually, dodging."

"I'm pretty sure one does not preclude the other. We fight smart. We wait for opportunity. And we're patient."

Rin stepped back and sidestepped another swing, jumped and clipped his shoulder with a kick - which, honestly, was about the best she was going to get in this match up.

Shany sat by the wall and watched with interest.