#someday i'll stop being a coward and write some Actual Aikido Training lol

[kittlesandbugs]

Just training (AO3 link) Pairing: Some hints of complicated Chargestep Warnings: None Word Count: 1060 Prompt: from @sidestepping, POV switch: rewrite / riff on a canon scene from Rebirth or Retribution, but from the perspective of another character present rather than through Sidestep's eyes. Summary: A re-write of the scene in Rebirth where Ortega first meets the puppet, from his perspective.  Dialogue and scene flow cribbed directly from the book to match, everything else is me lol.

I can't believe my luck when I step out of the changing room for my usual session and catch a glimpse of familiar auburn curls in the corner. Familiar short, curvy form accentuated by the white belt cinching the dogi tight at her waist. 

Why is she here now? 

Making contact is something I've been chewing on for a while. Doing it at Joes is too suspicious. Can't randomly accost her on the street, that's just creepy. Especially for a woman of her stature. Training at the same dojo presented opportunity, and I’ve been building my cover as a regular member, but the opposite sessions presented a challenge: I almost never make it to the afternoon class. Just showing up there late and approaching seemed too suspicious. 

This is the chance I've been waiting for. She's the one out of the ordinary here. My curiosity over a stranger is only natural. It's a perfect cover. 

I watch quietly from the corner of the side mats as she practices forms in the mirror. Her motions are jagged, tight, frustration clear in every step, every movement. Light glances off her cheeks, is she crying? 

She is.

I almost feel bad for this. But it needs to be done. I've stalled long enough. Things are moving and I need to find out what, no one works with Mortum for fun. 

She steps off the mat, buries her face in a towel, and I take the opportunity to approach. Just a concerned stranger, that's all I am. Wait until she's calm, starting to collect herself and… 

"Are you alright, miss?"

She startles, looks up with wide bottle green eyes. This is the closest I've ever gotten to her. Even red and messy from crying, she's beautiful, soft round face, a button nose with a smattering of freckles dusted across her pale complexion. 

"I'm not sure," she says, low voice wet and uneasy. "Just stress, I think."

Something going wrong on the job? Work the angle, maybe I can get something. Put on a charming, disarming smile. 

"Are you new here? I've never seen you before," she asks, answering my smile. Dimpled cheeks, perfect straight white teeth, a tilt to her hips, she's good at working the same angles. She has to be in her line of work. 

"I'm a member."  No lying here, too easy to expose and blow me out of the water. Keep circling. "I usually attend the early sessions. Need to wake up somehow. Coffee rarely does the trick anymore."

"Ah, that's it then." Slightest tremor in her voice. Nervousness? Relief? I can't be sure. "I'm not usually here this early, but I needed to get some frustration out. Bad night."

Did something happen last night? Shit. Should've been working, but I still couldn't believe Riley—  No, focus, idiot. Turn on the charm, widen that smile, work the angle. Riley isn't here. She is. 

"Well, let's hope your bad night comes with a silver lining." I pause for effect, widen my smile, a little wink. "Or does that only work for clouds?" 

"Mixing metaphors already?" Her smile turns cold, voice hardening. "Aren't you supposed to be drunk for that?" 

Wrong move, maybe flirting wasn't the way to go. Might be something used with her too often with those looks. Better pull back. 

"I suppose you've got a point."  Let my gaze fall, show some vulnerability. I'm not a threat, not a creep, just a sympathetic stranger having a conversation. "Not that I would mind a drink. Got enough problems already."

"Oh?" A shift in her stance, green eyes widening, inviting me to open up, and damn, I can see why she's so good at her job.  Building that veneer of trust and openness. 

"It's nothing, really."

"Try talking about it. It's better than a drink this time of day, trust me."

As much as I would like to talk about my problems, talk about Riley, Chen would make a much better ear. This is definitely not the person to give any kind of ammunition to. 

I shrug. "It's just that a friend ended up in some trouble, and I'm trying to work out how to fix things."

"You one of the good guys then? To care that much about your friend?" 

Put my smile back on, don't let it show that I noticed that choice of words. Does she know who I am? It wouldn't be out of the question, I am what amounts to a celebrity in this town, but why keep the dance up? Does she suspect something? 

Turn it back on her, throw her off balance. This is no different than being on the mat or in a fight. "You don't have friends who do?" 

She scowls, bullseye. "I work too much for close relationships."

Something I can more than sympathize with. "That kind of ambition can be stressful.  Sometimes it's nice to have friends, even if it's just someone to fight who can't counter your every move." 

I flick my gaze meaningfully to the mirror behind her.  It lands and she laughs, relaxes a little. 

"Reflections do have their disadvantages, I suppose."

And there, there's my opening. 

"Want to train together, then?"  Hesitation wars with a yes in her eyes and the stark difference in our size and rank catches up with me. Not to even mention my mods, if she's aware of them.  I don't want to scare her off. "I'll be gentle."

Her eyes narrow, gaze turns challenging. Not so easy to scare off then. "Sure, if you think you're up for it."

"Wouldn't have asked otherwise." Give her a grin, challenge accepted. "I'm Ortega by the way. Ricardo Ortega." 

No flash of recognition at the name. Only anticipation, some fire in her eyes as she answers back, "Jolene." 

Ha! Flaming locks of auburn hair, eyes of emerald green. What an obvious alias. She either knows who I am already and is daring me to say something about it, or isn't aware of my identity as a Ranger at all. I'll keep the play at normalcy until she proves otherwise, if she does. Help her with training. Get her to want to come back for more. I can build on that, play the long con. 

Maybe have a little fun in the meantime, too. 

"Let me just find us a spot on the mat, then."