Box Clever [Cooper & Costa]

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Gym Cooper]
Even her low tone didn't disguise her disgust for the men she'd met in the ring. Brody knew he'd be no different, so why was he even trying?

As she gave him her first low velocity punch he reacted instinctively and blocked it. At this speed it was easy but he was aware it wouldn't stay that way. He had inhibitions to throw a punch, too, so he warned her. "Watch out."

His left fist was directed at her chest but his thumb was inside his fist. Then the right one followed. Both at only 50% power.

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Gym, Deck 227]

She had of course meant men in general, and not specifically those she encountered in the ring. But she was aware of Cooper's assumption, and so she merely just continued to watch his approach and reactions.

He blocked her as easily as she expected, but when he began his return movements by warning her of his intentions, she frowned, strafed to the side, but then back off a little. "Hold up?" She said, her tone inflecting upward like she was seeking permission.

She held her hands up, and her expression gradually softening from its harsh, piqued anger. How was she supposed to stay angry at someone who warned her, during a boxing match, that he was about to hit her? At someone who was liable to break their thumb if they continued for much longer?

Costa had stopped her circling movements, and moved closer to him, her hands still up in temporary surrender. "First of all, Coop, dun need ta warn me afore ya hit me. Second, ya'll break ya bones punchin' like tha'." She gestured toward his wrapped hands and then held her own open, looking to hold his. "Can I show ya?"

[Fells Halgerdur]

[NPC Cooper gym]
At first he thought her coming closer might be some fight trick. Of course he was wrong.
For a moment he was confused as to what he had done wrong now when she held up her hands in surrender and came closer. Was he that bad that he only got a one minute match? No. But she seemed to soften a little when she corrected his attempts.
Brody let his fists sink and opened them allowing her to take them.
"Okay....why? What did I do wrong?"
It was a little embarassing that he had no idea but at least it seemed to make her less angry.

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Gym, Deck 227]

She reached out and took his right hand between two of hers. Once his fists were open, she curled his fingers in on themselves, then rolled them into his palm. She pointed to his thumb, which was outside the fist he'd almost made. "Ya keep tha' inside ya'll do damage, but only ta yerself."

With his fingers bent inward, his hand looked tight, secure. "Now, bend the thumb down so tha' it falls across the top halves o' the index an' middle fingers." She pursed her mouth as she studied the fist, then continued. "Tha's nice. Thumb placement ain't all tha' important, s'long as it's tucked under an' not hangin' loose. 'Kay..."

Costa stepped backward and then held her palm outward toward him, at around the height of her ear. "Try."

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Gym]
It felt almost a little weird that she was taking his hand and correcting his fingers so he wouldn't break his own thumb. It made him a little nervous and it also showed that she cared...at least a little.

He focussed on his fists and then targeted her open hand. It felt alright.
So Brody nodded. "Thanks for showing me. Ready for more? Now that I've got my hands sorted."

He started circling her like he had seen it and threw a combination of three punches. They weren't hard because he was too worried to accidentally hit her and never get a chance again.