[open] comfort comes to those with faith in mysterious ways

[worldsaway]

who: Thor and open for people looking to train/garden
what: Thor extends an offer to help train people, desperately pleads for help with gardening
when: during or after the butterfly effect event, up to you guys (he's not changed).
where: The Gymiest place there is, Communal Housing
warnings: Violence? Sadgardian.


i. Training
[Thor allots time with everyone who takes interest in his offer to train together. Usually it's an early morning, but he's flexible depending on when Search and Rescue needs him. He locates a gym and arrives early, setting up with punching bags and make-shift, training weapons that resemble small, sturdy pool noodles. It's not easy to find a lot of swords here.

He's requested the ability to have a private room, away from sweaty people on treadmills, and the need is accommodated given both necessity and charm.

He's dressed casually. Sweatpants, a grey cotton shirt and his hair pulled back tight in a ponytail with a silver clasp that he rarely removes. Anyone who knows him as the glorious, cape-wearing god will probably be taken aback by the fact that he looks like a hippy gym teacher.

He'll be happy to see you when you arrive.]

ii. Gardening
[If you take Thor up on the offer to help him with gardening, he will gladly invite you to his communal housing room. He has a set up of various wilted plants in the sunlight of a window, gardening magazines strewn about.]

Comments

i.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco's never really been a gym guy, to say the least. It's just not really his world, not the kind of environment he feels comfortable in. When he'd first seen Thor's offer to train people, up on the network, he'd dismissed it automatically. That sort of thing is meant for other people, not him.

But then, as the day went on, he kept scrolling back and rewatching at it. The wall and the perimeter guard do protect everyone, it's true. But they're not perfect. And it's not only the monsters out in the forest that Cisco is worried about. In his own experience, the most dangerous threats are the ones you don't realize are threats until it's too late. The ones that sneak up on you when there's no one around and no hope of help.

So, in a moment of blind impulsivity, he asks if Thor can meet at a particular time, and turns up to the agreed-upon spot at that time, looking distinctly uncomfortable. He's wearing workout clothes, his hair pulled back in a tiny bun. He stops at the door, almost bails. He probably would have, except that he'd texted in advance and Thor is waiting for him and in the end his desire not to be rude overcomes his anxiousness. ]

Hey, uh. I'm here for, um. The training?

[worldsaway]

[Thor is utterly judgement free when it comes to signing people up for his strange, personal training unit. He's mostly relieved that people are interested, and that he can occupy himself with something more fulfilling than partying and drinking coffee (not that he intends to stop doing either of those).

Cisco is one of the first people Thor makes a time with, so he's extremely glad to see Cisco show up at the door. He smiles warmly, holding out a hand for a firm shake.]

Cisco. I'm very glad to see you. [When he pulls his hand away, he folds his arms over his chest.] Why don't we start by talking about your previous experiences? Have you done any sort of hand to hand combat before?

[franciscoramon]

[ It just figures, that the guy from the video would be a super tall, super muscley dude. Cisco doesn't know if his self-conscious feeling would be better or worse if this were a class with a bunch of people. On the one hand, he could try to sink into the background a bit more. On the other hand, there'd be more people to see when he inevitably embarrasses himself.

But Thor seems nice enough, though, and Cisco shakes his hand enthusiastically. ]

Um. No. Not really.

[ He's pretty sure that trying and failing to fight off bullies when he was in high school, and having a messy brawl with another nerd (back when Hartley had tried to run off) don't really count as hand to hand combat experience. ]

Total beginner. Total klutz too, so. You've really got your work cut out for you.

[worldsaway]

[Thor barks out a laugh at Cisco's introduction, shaking his head as if he believes it was all a joke.

He suspects it isn't, though.]

I've never been one to shy away from a challenge. We should start by getting your heart pumping, before we delve into anything too complicated.

Are you familiar with a "jumping jack"?

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco laughs, too, partly because Thor's laugh is infectious, but also partly out of nerves. His nerves don't get better when Thor asks if he's ever heard of a jumping jack. He has a few seconds of War Flashbacks™ to middle school gym class, but he pushes on through and nods. ]

I've heard of them.

[ And he demonstrates a few times; when Thor doesn't stop him he keeps going for a little bit, glad he'd thought to tie his hair up. After a few minutes of that, enough to get him warmed up, he asks: ]

Um, what next?

[worldsaway]

[Thor, fortunately, knows nothing of middle school. Though he would be an extremely ruthless coach, had he somehow come upon that lifestyle.

For now, he's happy to lean back on the wall and watch Cisco warm up. He's already had his own warm up routine, so he's content to sit this out.

When Cisco finishes, he straightens up and gestures at his midsection.]

Now. Strike me with all of your might, so I may gauge your strength.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco feels a tiny bit more confident, after those jumping jacks. It's easier to feel like he actually belongs here, now that his blood is going a bit, and nothing has immediately turned disastrous.

He hesitates, though, when Thor just gestures towards himself and tells Cisco to gutpunch him. Like he's a living version of those carnival games with the giant hammers. Cisco has no illusions about being all that strong, but he's not gonna just up and punch a guy without double-checking, first: ]

Wait, for real? This is like, a Tyler Durden moment, here? You want me to hit you as hard as I can?

[ It can't be, right? But when Thor gives the affirmative, Cisco shrugs, curling his hands into fists and exhaling slowly. He starts to punch but hesitates, arm stopping before he even makes contact. He glances up again at Thor's face, jaw setting, and squares up again to punch. He doesn't even start to throw one this time before his shoulders slump. ]

Okay, okay, I'm gonna do it.

[ He just has to not think about the fact that he's hitting a nice stranger who he doesn't really know anything about. He should just... pretend it's Hartley. Or Eobard. Or any of the other people in his life who he really would've loved to punch, but never got the chance to.

That shift in focus is enough to get Cisco to finally just punch Thor in the gut; he's not a weakling, or anything, but it's pretty clear he wasn't kidding about that complete lack of experience. ]

googles: how to punch better

[worldsaway]

[Thor is getting better at comprehending jokes and references, but he has absolutely no idea what Cisco is referring to in that moment. He furrows his brows and levels a confused look on Cisco, but he doesn't move out of his stance.

He watches Cisco's posture, barely flinching when the punch lands on him. He straightens back up and rolls his shoulder, no derision in his expression. It's just business as usual.]

Keep contact with the ground, don't try to push yourself forward with a strike. [He pushes Cisco's shoulders upward.] Inhale as you move and exhale as you hit.

👍 rp : fun AND educational!

[franciscoramon]

You want me to hit you again?!

[ Then again, it's pretty clear that that first punch had done basically nothing. Which is pretty damn humbling. Cisco didn't think it would knock the wind out of him or anything, but he hadn't even taken a step back.

So he listens to the advice, and does his best to follow it. He plants his feet, and lets Thor adjust his shoulders. It feels weird holding them in that position, but he tries it, and tries not to lean forward as he punches a second time. This time, at least, it only takes one try. The knowledge that he's almost certainly not going to actually cause any pain helps him to overcome that hesitation.

This time, Cisco can tell the hit lands a little harder - it certainly feels like it on his knuckles, anyway. ]

Am I seriously not hurting you, dude?

[worldsaway]

Yes.

[Thor says plainly. There's no humor in his tone, though he has a wry smile on his face. He wants Cisco to know he's completely serious, but he's struggling not to show his amusement here. It isn't becoming of a supportive teacher!

Thor doesn't flinch, although he does note that Cicso hits harder this time. It's better, but form is really the last in a long line of things Thor wants to impress upon his students.]

If you could hurt me with no experience on the first class, I would not be fit to teach it. [Thor steps toward an array of weights, gesturing at them.] It will do you well to have some strength behind your punches. Start with something light, to begin, and follow my lead.

[Thor takes significantly heavier weights, of course, and he lifts his arms toward his chest and up over his head. Repeatedly.]

[franciscoramon]

[ Well, when Thor puts it like that he has a point. Cisco feels a little less bad for hitting him twice, then, and goes over to the indicated weights. His pride wants him to pick up something from the middle range of the weights, but he is smart enough to figure how fast that is going to backfire. He might not be weak, but he isn't strong in any kind of systematic way. He doesn't want to have to switch to something lighter after a few reps.

So Cisco chooses some handweights that are on the lighter side, and looks over at Thor, mirroring his movements. It feels ridiculously easy, at first. Cisco really focuses on copying the movements exactly, precisely. After a few reps, however, those light weights start to feel much heavier. But he keeps going, talking as he does (no one told him not to, after all, and he hadn't shown up only to train. He has questions, too) ]

So... I know we're just getting started on basics. But I was wondering. Since there's all sorts of superpowered and magic folks here. Are there any techniques that are good in a fight against people with powers. Or like, for people with powers?

[ Not that he's one of those people. Obviously. Nope. Just a plain ol' regular human right here. ]

[worldsaway]

[For as long as Cisco can keep it up, Thor is there doing the same movements. He returns conversation, with ease, although he hesitates somewhat when Cisco poses a complicated question.]

There's no one way to win a fight against a powered individual, particularly when it could be any number of powers. [Thor shrugs.] Sometimes, the key to survival is knowing your limits. Knowing when to pull back and lick your wounds, rather than pursuing a fight you cannot win.

[But he still smiles.] Even the most fearsome warriors have difficulty comprehending that.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco smiles, and if it comes across as a little strained, well, hopefully Thor will just blame the weights for that. It's a good answer, and advice that Cisco would give to just about anyone, too (Barry is so bad at knowing his limits). But it's also profoundly unhelpful. He doesn't want to give up yet, but he knows there is some risk, rephrasing the question and asking again. He'll have to be a little more specific, and it will also be harder to pass it off as just casual interest.

He thinks about it as he keeps on with the reps, arms burning a little with the exertion. By the time he gives up, panting a little, he thinks he's found a solution. He drops the weights, catching his breath, and asks: ]

What about... with weapons... do you just do hand-to-hand? I got... got these gloves I made... they shoot like... shock waves... knock things back...

[ Could it really be as simple as that? Come up with some high-tech looking gauntlets and just bullshit that his powers are coming from them and not his hands underneath? It seems way too simple, and also way too dangerous. But he can't think of any other better way to learn to fight, powers and all. Since telling the truth isn't even on the table. ]

I mean, I still wanna learn the punching stuff in case anyone catches me without 'em, I'm just curious.

[worldsaway]

[Thor is a little bewildered by the sudden line of questioning, although Cisco has probably been thinking about this for a while. He reaches out to put a hand on Cisco's shoulder when he drops the weights, just to steady him a little.]

If you want practice with them, you are welcome to use them against me. We may need to find a bigger space, however.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco can tell that Thor's a bit nonplussed but he doesn't ask a lot of questions, which is a relief. Best not to push that any further; he's already taken a bunch of risks in this conversation. So he just beams, smile lighting up his face and says: ]

Maybe next time? I really appreciate it, man.

[ And he straightens up, grateful for the steadying hand on his shoulder, taking a deep breath as he squares his shoulders. ]

Okay... what next?

[ Cisco looks around, eager, as if he's ready to take on just about anything. ]

Where'd you learn to fight, then? I mean, if you don't mind me asking.

[worldsaway]

That is what we're here for. [He made an offer to help and he didn't lay any specific conditions. It certainly doesn't trouble him to add something different into the mix.]

I want you to strike at this punching bag until your arms can no longer stand it. [He leans down to level his face next to the bag, grimacing menacingly when he does.]

Pretend as if it is your mortal enemy. [He then pulls back and stands up straight.]

On Asgard, of course.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco's mouth twists into a little irrepressible smile, when Thor grimaces like that and tells him to wail on the punching bag like it is personally responsible for everything that's gone wrong in his life. But he nods, schools his features, and tries to really summon up that emotion. Pretend the bag is Dr. Wells. Easy as punch (pun intended). ]

Asgard, is that, like... in Norway or something?

[ He spaces the words out between his punches; it's an easy enough division of his attention, asking Thor questions while he punches away. He doesn't start off too hard, but after a couple strikes he gets into it, planting his feet a bit firmer, holding his wrist a bit stiffer, and really putting some muscle into the punches. ]

[worldsaway]

[The question gives Thor pause. As it dawns on him, he starts to laugh.]

Asgard is a planet- a realm of its own. [He folds his arms over his chest.] I am as native to Earth as I am to Riverview.

[franciscoramon]

[ Realm is a new one for Cisco. He's heard people talking about different planes, different universes, but realm is not a term he's heard before. Planet, though, he gets. Which would mean: ]

So you're an alien who looks like a human?

[ He asks the question mainly for confirmation, since it's pretty clear that that was what Thor was implying. A moment later he realizes how it sounds, though, and he hastens to add: ]

Or you know. Humans look like your people. We all look like each other. Doesn't matter.

[ Cisco is having a hard time now, balancing the conversation and his task of punching the bag with plenty of aggression and drive. It's not so much that they are talking, as it is that Thor just got about twenty times more interesting to him. ]

So is that why it didn't hurt, like, at all when I punched you? You've got stone skin or super strength or something like that? Or... am I just super weak?

[ Probably a little of both... ]