Battle Arena: Class for Hand to Hand Combat with Dustin Graves

[McKayla Johnson]

MK was a bit confused as the first night of camp had brought a lot to her mind as she had a moment with Zoren after the party that showed her how she really felt about him. But then again she also liked Dustin right? She had liked him for years and now she was torn. Trying to clear her mind she went to get breakfast before her class with Dustin but then couldn't eat anything. As her heart felt torn. Or maybe it was just the fact that she maybe had feelings for Zoren over the last few years and didn't know it. Love was a strange thing for sure and it was something she didn't really get even at her age.

Today was the first day of classes at Camp and the first one that was up was Dustin's hand to hand combat.  Hoping that some physical activity would help clear her mind and help her understand herself. Walking to the arena, she was in her green leggings with a green sports bra. Her camp t-shirt was in the bag she was carrying. 

 

@ Dustin Graves   @ Zoren Panganiban

[Zoren Panganiban Rare]

Last night felt surreal- He managed to tell her how he felt and they certainly had a moment that extended to his cabin. Zoren woke up an early bird and moved quietly around his cabin as to not awake his demigod siblings. Getting changed in a chestnut brown tee and a black Champion powerblend retro joggers, he figured he could go for a jog before camp activities start as a way to maintain his fitness and let out all this bottled happiness inside of him. His blue sneakers stepped on camp soil as he began his route from his cabin. He made laps around the lodging area before going to the lake, amphitheater, and went bouldering on the climbing wall. Zoren made a stop at the mess hall to look at the sea and for a moment remembered how he and McKayla went to grab a snack here yesterday and all the times they went together. Some campers had already denoted that he could be a third wheel to Dustin and her but that does not seem to be the case. The thought made him giggle after he drank water and he resumed his jog back to the cabins.

Speak of the devil, the first class of the day is hand to hand combat... with Dustin himself. Zoren could still stand him by a miracle but seeing McKayla there brought a smile to his face. "Hey." He called her in an eager tone. "You seem oddly excited for hand to hand." The young man was adorning a pair of black shorts and a blue tee. Black and white sneakers hugged his feet while fingerless gloves kept his hands in style for combat. If she were to look closer, it would seem that Zoren had gained more muscle since last year and the year before that become more fit than lanky. 

Edited July 30, 2022 by Zoren Panganiban

[Dustin Graves Rare]

The sun had yet to come up and Dustin was already out in the woods with some of his brothers. He had promised them before he called lights out that he would go for this fun run as they called it. They had built a little course in the woods so that they could practice more. Each having a little something that they needed to work on, Dustin at the moment was working on his hand-to-hand with his brother who was getting ready to be in his class. He huffed a couple of times as the other boy hit him in the side and ended up noticing the sun popping up in between the trees. He grabbed his brother in a headlock and told the others that classes were soon going to be starting and to hurry back and get ready for them. He gave his brother, that was in the head lock, a nice messy hairdo and let him go. Both of them ran to the class that he was set to teach in about five minutes. 

By the time he got there he had already taken off his sweat-covered shirt and had it thrown over his shoulder. His body was sweaty as well as he walked into the front of the class as he stretched out his arms. "Right," he said looking at everyone. "For those of you that don't know me, I'm Dustin. I'll be the teacher for this class. If you have any questions, just ask." He told them as he ran his hand through his hair, messing it up a little more than it was. He noticed MK there and smiled at her along with Zoren, though he honestly hadn't really spoken to him much at all. He answered the questions that people had and then started the class. "You all should get stretching, don't want to pull anything and have to have to go to the big house," he told them as he put himself on the ground to stretch out his legs. 
 

[McKayla Johnson]

MK was trying to play it cool as the night before had a lot of different feelings. Some she had no idea were there until the moment came to be. It was a lot to process, as she was only 17 years old and confessing herself to Zoren. Still confused on the fact that she use to think Dustin was the guy she like but now she wasn't sure. With her confession to Zoren last night she knew that was how she really felt. After all this time the feel was deep down and only need to be brought out. But something did bring it out of her that night. 

That was when Zoren came to class, a sweet smile on her face as she thought about the previous night. The thoughts of anxious toil was out of her mind. The feeling of being in his arms was there once again. "You know I am, hoping to get my first quest soon ya know" she said with enthusiasm. As a half-blood that was a great way of getting experience for the legion. She had of course defeated many monsters but nothing was as good as a quest. That was Dustin showed up without a shirt on, his body glistening in the light with sweat, her heart racing once again as she was trying to gain control over her emotions. Trying not to look to much she was blushing as she turned to Zoren with a smile "Let's stretch over here" she said giving him a wink. Taking a seat she began to do a split as she wanted to get her legs all warmed up. But then doing a V she would use Zoren doing the same to her to pull her arms towards him stretching the hamstrings. "Grab my arms and pull" she said with a smile. 

Edited July 31, 2022 by McKayla Johnson

[Zoren Panganiban Rare]

While they haven't spoken to each other at all, it does never hurt to interact with him. Several years since he started visiting camp and not a single conversation. Perhaps they made eye contact with each other but neither of them were interested in going further. Today, he decided to change that. "Hey, Dustin." He waved to him, noting his shirtless, lean muscular body covered in sweat. He must have exercised before class, he thought. Zoren did the same but much earlier than most campers. Should he look at him, he would give him a rather candid smile and a wink- something that he would not find himself doing before. It could be a feeble attempt to get them talking but at least it's better than just acknowledging each other's existence. Making friends with his girlfriend's crush would not hurt, right?

Upon her request to stretch in a vacant spot, he agreed to do so but he could already tell she preferred to avoid Dustin. Sure they professed their feelings last night but her thing for the Ares child is not going to go away overnight. Zoren understood that but still frowned upon it. After McKayla led them to their spot, the young man stood across from her and crouched down to perform a split for ten seconds. It had been part of his routine now to stretch since starting jeet kune do but he never intended on showing her until he could do a full one. He was able to do it a year since he began visiting camp. Seeing her do a V, Zoren did the same and connected their feet- leaning towards her to grab her wrists and pull her so she could stretch her ham strings. Once he was done, he allowed her to do the same with him if she were to.

[Dustin Graves Rare]

The 'hey Dustin' made him do a double take. He honestly didn't know what to think about it. It wasn't like they had talked before. "Zoren." He said as he went back to stretching out his body more. He knew him only because he was about the same age as he was. He watched as some people paired up and some stayed alone. Dustin was one of the ones that were alone. It wasn't that he couldn't pair up, he just liked to work alone sometimes and he was the teacher so he needed to be in front of the class. 

After all the stretching was done, Dustin stood up and clapped to get the rest of the class's attention. "Right," he started "Today is going to be normal training." He told the class as he started to pace around. So that people would be able to hear him. "One is going to be the blocker, the other, the attacker. If the blocked finds a way to become the attacker then take it. It will come in handy in a real fight." He told them as he stopped in front of the class again. "MK care to join me up front please." He watched as she moved forward and stood next to him. "Mk here is going to be the block, I, myself the attacker. I'm going to give her an obvious time where she will be able to flip the script on me," he said out loud as he turned to the girl and nodded his head at her asking her if she was ready for the practice round with him. He trusted her. It was the only reason that she was up here. 
 

[McKayla Johnson]

Maybe if last night would not happen, she would have been still oblivious to her feelings towards Zoren. But the magic of last night had shown her the feels had always been there but she just had to open her eyes. Letting herself see it had always been him. Maybe later she would be able to be close friends with Dustin once again but for now the feels she had towards him was just confusing. It wasn't something you can just shut off now that she was with Zoren. But asking him to go off to stretch together made her feel a bit better. 

But when she took a seat she watched as Zoren did a split "Whatttt? When did you learn to do that?" she laughed looking seriously impressed. I mean her as a gymnast, meant she was always very flexible as it was the thing they worked on all the time. It was amazing that after all this time knowing each other he could keep her on her toes. But soon enough he was toe to toe with her. With her hands out for him to grab her wrist which he did. "Yesss that felt good" she said when he finished her. So she did the same for him.

Once the stretching was done she was still sitting on the ground smiling at Zoren when Dustin began the class. Great so they were working in pairs which meant her and Zoren could pair up she thought. But then Dustin called her to the front with him. Looking at Zoren real quick she gave him a soft smile as she didn't know how he would feel about this. I mean he had heard her talk about Dustin for years as her crush. "Got it" she said rushing to the front as she moved her head from side to side to get it warm. Jogging in place she wanted to be super warm for this as this would take her taking on Dustin in front of everyone. Nodding back to Dustin, her did the hand sign for bring it on. Her face looked like her warrior face. 

Dustin and MK had trained quite often together in the past. He was one that physically would challenge her and she loved to show him up.

[Zoren Panganiban Rare]

Neutral, sure- but better than being enemies. Zoren preferred not having any grudges when he leaves camp.

What he did to even perform such a flexible feat was painstakingly difficult. Constant stretching and putting himself under a strict training regiment while taking high school classes, the child of Athena has been put in almost never-ending stress. He was beginning to feel that partaking in his extracurriculars and learning Korean has become is free free time, but nevertheless persevered because he wanted to defend himself and those close to him. When she began pulling him, he could feel a burning sensation in his posterior leg muscles and the muscles in the lumbar spine region. He held on for at least twenty seconds as a habit from his training before she let go and they proceeded to perform more stretches until the class instructor clapped. Of course, the sound brought his attention to the Ares camper. Though when he started pacing, he was smiling at McKayla but soon turned to Dustin when he was near them.

Working in pairs? That's great because he wanted to- Oh, she's going to demonstrate. Zoren became rather disappointed at his choice but it was hidden with a smile back to her as she approached Dustin. That would mean him finding another partner to which he had no problem with, but he preferred to be with his girlfriend. He observed as she jogged in pace, getting herself ready to defend Dustin's attacks. He already knew that they had trained together in the past and they still do now. Sometimes Zoren would watch from afar, making note of their moves- especially focusing on Dustin's but would gradually glance on McKayla's. Her giggles. Her smile. At least she was there to keep him in check.

He scanned the entire class for a potential partner for class activity and it did not take him long to choose one. He was fine with any camper but he did not feel like being left out for some reason.

[Dustin Graves Rare]

Dustin watched as MK rushed to the front with him. He smiled at her. He was the only one that he really trusted at the moment. He knew that if Krystal was here, she would show out and he would have called her up before MK in a heartbeat. Everyone knew that about him. He had been head over heels for Krystal since before they dated and still now after they broke up. He wondered if he was ever going to be over her. 

He jumped a little to get himself ready. His muscle flexed a little as he did. He was ready. He knew that MK was going to give him a hard time. It was one of the reasons why he picked her to come up there with him. He smirked when she gave him the bring it hands and so he did. Within a blink of an eye, he was on her. Him punching her and her blocking better than he had thought that she would. The smirk had never left his lips as he keep going. However, he left a spot open so that she was able to flip the tables like he had told her would. She took that time to hit him back and he was onto blocking her. However, within a split second, she had pulled a move that he had only seen Krystal pull, and for that moment. MK turned into Krystal in his eyes. His eyes widened for a moment before he got a little made and turned it around before he dropped them both to the ground. 

As they lay on the ground he had both of her wrists pulled above her head, he was straddling her and their faces were inches apart. A very Krystal glare crossed the girl's face and for a split second, he moved to lean down a little more. However, during that time he had let go of her wrist which allowed her space and time to push him back on his ass. He blinked as she got up and started yelling at him. His mouth only opened for a moment before letting his head drop down. He had sworn to himself that he wouldn't let the woman get the better of him and here he was allowing her to do that. 

It was at that moment when he looked back up that he saw the woman that he had been seeing in MK. He had a right in a way since they were sisters. She glared at him for a moment before turning to her sister grabbing her for a moment before MK seemed to push her away. Great. He thought to himself as he shook his head. Krystal again looked at him and puffed out her cheeks and went to go after her sister. 

 

 

GM right granted. 

Edited August 6, 2022 by Dustin Graves

[McKayla Johnson]

One of the things that suck about having so many half siblings was the fact that you get compared to them all the time.  For McKayla that had unfortunately happened with her half sister Krystal who was Dustin's ex girlfriend. It wasn't just the fact that she looked like her but they also had similar fighting styles. So many of the other campers were always comparing her to her older sister making her feel as if she would never get out of her shadow. This caused her to distance herself from her older half sister in many ways. One of jealousy of being considered the best Nike had to offer plus the affections from Dustin.

But today was a new day and MK knew that she would need to bring everything she got, if she was going hand to hand with Dustin. Slowing down her breathing as some of her older siblings had taught her. This would make sure she was clear headed as he began his attack. It was no time to think as it she had to react at first, as she deflected every attack he made her way, it seemed to shock him which made her smirk as she moved quickly with so much strength. Seeing an opening she took it to go on the offense as she was jabbing at him causing him to go back. Letting her hours of training take over it was her turn to see if he could keep up with her. Just then she did a move that her older sister had taught her once when she was younger but it took years to master. It was then she saw a change in Dustin who then dropped the two of them onto the ground. Feeling him get close, her heart raced as she was confused until it was too late.

Dustin had her pinned in front of the whole class with her hands above her head and him straddling her. Just then he moved closer to her but she felt herself freeze as she did not know what to do. Was he going to kiss her?  Feeling her internal temperature rising as Dustin had never been this close to her like EVER. But something that once she would have dreamed of was something she was not the happiest about. What was Zoren thinking at this moment? MK was glaring at him from the ground  when he let go of her hands "GET OFF YOU JERK" she said punching him back. Getting up she pointed at him "DON'T YOU EVER TRY THAT AGAIN, YOU HEAR ME" the anger in her was one of great proportions. That was when the tears began to go from her eyes down her cheeks. She was so upset in many ways, one Dustin had pinned her in such a way where he almost kissed her in front of her boyfriend. She felt helpless......that was when arms grabbed her. Hoping it was Zoren she looked up to see Krystal. "Get off me krystal, I don't need your sympathy" she said before running off.  

Edited August 6, 2022 by McKayla Johnson

[Zoren Panganiban Rare]

The child of Athena watched closely as the two performed their moves in a demonstration, fulling trusting them in showing the class what today's lesson is going to be about. And who could do it better than the two campers who trained often together, like a mentor and a mentee. Watching the two of them with arms crossed in his chest, he began to notice the direction the fight took after his girlfriend did the same move her sister did. He remembered her telling him about it- she was quite happy to accomplish something Krystal did as she was growing more and more like her sister. But to him, she'll always remain as the McKayla Johnson. When they wound up in the ground, he grew agitated-

"Hey that's Zoren's girl!" A camper in class spoke out as the Ares child was about to kiss his girlfriend, bringing a flush to his face. How did he know that? And judging by his classmates faces directed towards him for the moment, he found out they knew too. He could have sworn he checked the cabin area before the two of them went inside the Athena cabin. He preferred for people to know slowly but cat's out of the bag now. He needed to recompose himself. That doesn't matter. He quickly looked back at Dustin and McKayla, only for him to see her point at him and run off. He was going to intercept but he was so fixated at Dustin in the moment that he halted his tracks to look at him, but when he wanted to look back at her- she was already gone with Krystal chasing after her.

Pissed might be an understatement but that's probably because of that children of Ares affect. He didn't want to let his emotions cloud his judgment, not again to Dustin. Zoren unclenched his fists and approached the instructor with caution. With a deep breath, he began. "That was... quite a show you two put there, but that was uncalled for. McKayla... We're together. I'm mad, yes but I figured it's better to know what's going on with you. I was hoping we can reach and understanding today." He wanted to be different this time, wanted to know why are people are doing this. If he can accomplish this, then he'd like the possibility of friendship- something that could be unexpected between the Ares and Athena cabins.

[Dustin Graves Rare]

The moment he noticed the person glare at him, he knew that he had messed up. Krystal's face vanished at the moment and it was replaced with MK's. He let go of her hands and soon was pushed back. Being called a jerk by her. Honestly he didn't know why he did it. It wasn't like he was going to do that to her on purpose. Surely she knew that. He fell back on his ass and watched her leave, going into Krystal's arms and then pushing her away. Damn, he had messed up really bad. Surely giving her some space, he would be able to talk to her later about everything that happened. Even if it hurt her, he needed to get that out of the way. 

He shoot a the camper a look when he shouted that Makayla was Zoren's girl. He rolled his eyes and stood up, angry rolling off him at the moment. "Everyone dismissed." He yelled as he turned just in time to see Zoren approaching him. Dustin just stood there, giving him a side glance. Honestly he knew that he could have cause some major issues with some people. "I haven't nothing for MK, we're just friends." Well not now, he doubted she wanted anything to do with him. "For some reason," he started and sighed hard. "I seen Krystal in her when she pulled the stunt." he didn't glance back at the boy again. Anger rolled off him because he was pissed off at what he did. "I didn't mean to start anything, I didn't know she even had a boyfriend. So is a congrats in order?" He said as he put on his shirt. The Ares boy knew better than to start anything, and honestly he had no reason to. He would walk away from the fight if there was one because he had already messed up enough in the eyes of Lilythe and he wanted to prove that he was getting better.

[Zoren Panganiban Rare]

Zoren never intended to start one either as he wanted to give him a chance to explain himself. In a world where judgement can be made outright, he preferred to form his own after hearing him out. To pick up the why is sometimes better than to stop after the what. He stood next to him, listening to him with intent as the class slowly dispersed, each camper going to their next class or next activity they had planned on pursuing after this class. He was right to dismiss class because there are things that should not be heard in another's ears and what he said had proven that to be true. There's no anger anymore but melancholy instead.

To see his former significant other in another, especially since when they were loved more than they know... It's uncanny that McKayla and Krystal bear some semblance when they performed the same move. He did not know to what extent of their relationship has gone since he had only heard from fellow campers and McKayla herself. Zoren made the choice to stay behind and a smile curled the corners of his lips upon the question. "Actually yes, it is an order." He mused. "Silliness aside, I won't do anything. I just wanted to ask why you did that and you gave me an answer. Simple enough." He licked his lips. "I know that you two have been friends and I wanted to add- I apologize if I seemed antagonistic. I appreciate you telling me. Um-" Zoren paused. "Do you want to talk a walk with me? Figured we could talk, perhaps over a snack or an activity?" He was not sure if this was going to work but he liked talking to people and getting to know them, ultimately making him stand out in the crowd that judges.

[Dustin Graves Rare]

Dustin mused right along with Zoren when he told him it was in order. Dustin shook his head a little and smirked. "Well congratulations mate." he told him as he soon was listening to him once again. He hate that this was going to be so awkward. He wasn't going to be living this down for a while. That much he knew. Dustin waved his hand and sighed. "Na, it's all good. Don't worry about it. I would do it as well." he said glancing back over to where Krystal was standing just a few moments ago. Oh this was going to be interesting when they next met up. He frowned for a moment before glanced back over to Zoren who had asked if he wanted to take as walk or something. "You want to hang out with the guy that causes an issue with your girl?" he questioned him, why go with Dustin and not with go check up on his girl. "You wanna go check on MK first then meet up later?" he asked the guy. Honestly it wouldn't mind hanging out with the guy. He needed more guys friends in his life. "What did you wanna do anyways?" he questioned as he knew that he had to go help out in the strawberry fields soon.

[Zoren Panganiban Rare]

"A little odd now that you put it that way, but yes." Perhaps dealing with him had taken up too much of his mind that he had overlooked to check up on his girlfriend. He was focused on dealing with the situation at hand rather than chasing after her. "I suppose I wanted to make amends with you first but we should go check up on her first. It does not have to be awkward but seeing two important people in her life come for her is something that can be comforting. "I'll leave you guys to make up as well so we can go on our date. Come on." Gesturing him to come with, Zoren started walking in the direction where McKayla fled. The rivalry between the Ares and Athena cabins is alive and well but Zoren wanted to change that, starting with Dustin. Given that both are deities of war, it made sense but it did not have to be this way he believed. This is one of the reasons he had tried but to no avail... until now. "Well... It is the middle of the day. We can have a chat over some grub then do some activities together. Bouldering, canoeing, even sparring and dueling. I wanted to ask- What are some things you like to do? This is a judgement-free zone." 

[Dustin Graves Rare]

Dustin could only give him a strange look. He didn't understand it since he would have gone to check up on his girlfriend first but then again he wasn't Zoren and he was allowed to do whatever he wanted to do. So he just shrugged it off for now. "Yeah.." he started and shook his head a little. "Doubtful she'll want to talk to me for a while." He shook his head a little and then looked at Zoren with a strange look. Their date? That was a little much. "A date..." he gave the other guy a funny look before he laughed at the thought. "Sure, lets go." He said not really thinking about it much now. Though it wasn't as manly as he wanted to be. He would have to do some training later then. Zoren brought up some interesting thing and then the question was put on him what did he like to do. "Well.." He thought on it a little more. "I like to eat, wrestle, train..." beat up some other campers... But who was really going to count that anyways? He chuckled and shook his head. "Lets go grab something to eat." He didn't care what they did later. 

[Zoren Panganiban Rare]

Zoren gave him a sincere look. "Hmm... I'm sure she will come around. It's not like she is going to leave camp just for that. You two have been friends for as long as I remember. She won't let it get in the way." That was his attempt at reassuring him but he does not know what he is really thinking. Saying that it was a date might have struck a nerve on some male campers but seeing him chuckle made him think he can take a joke. He had his reservations about Dustin at first but their meeting had just begun and he seemed like a decent guy. He looked like the type of guy who would have those hobbies but he can work with that since McKayla had spoke of him before. "Of course." He began to walk in the direction of the dining pavilion and maintained a steady pace so they can talk on the way there though he won't admit that the food has his attention than his acquaintance at the moment.

"So how did you get acquainted with McKayla?" Zoren began with an open-ended question but he figured it's about time to know their history since he was not part of it.