Posted by Lieutenant Commander Daggum Hammor (Chief Operations Officer) in Gymnasium - Working Out The Kinks

Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in Gymnasium - Working Out The Kinks

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Daggum Hammor (Chief Operations Officer) in Gymnasium - Working Out The Kinks
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

As her fingertip slid across his emerald skin, the big man shuddered slightly, took a sharp, surprised breath in; and then took a small, involuntary step back… not out of embarrassment, but more out of ‘decorum’.

As Hammor took a step away, Viyara let her hand drop to her side again. But her eyes remained on his scars a moment longer before she looked him straight in the eyes again.

“I was born on Orion… and an orphan. Orphans don’t do well in that society. I spent my first twelve or so years in the Pits… gladiatorial fights. I won, I ate. I lost, I didn’t. These -” and he pointed to several of the brands, “- are the marks of the people or Families that owned me.” The brands were numerous, going all the way up his left arm and disappearing under his shirt. “The more brands a fighter has, the more often they had been sold. More they had been sold, the better they were in the ring.” His voice was conversational, but there was an undercurrent of anger. “So that’s where I learned to fight… what about you? You know your way around that heavy bag, so you learned somewhere.”

Hammor

Her expression thoughtful, Viyara nodded a little here and there as she listened closely. In a way his life made her own past seem almost happy in comparison. It also surprised her how openly and and easily he seemed to be able to talk about what he had been through. In a way she even admired it that he could talk about his past like that. But how could she answer his question? Pulling the elastic out of her hair and shaking her head a little, she tried to buy herself some time to reply. Time to think what she wanted to share.

Eventually Viyara placed on hand on her hip and gave a small shrug. Trying to sound nonchalant, she replied, “I didn’t exactly have what you’d call a “normal” childhood either. I thought myself how to protect myself and eventually even managed to fight back a bit. But it wasn’t until I left home that I promised myself that I wouldn’t let anyone hurt me again and that I really learned how to fight.” While she managed to keep her voice even, she wasn’t quite as effective in keeping all emotions of her face and out of her body language. Her posture had shifted ever so slightly towards a more defensive stance and there was a hint of anger and pain, maybe even fear on her pale face.

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

Outside of learning how to fight, the Pit taught Hammor several other very useful skills… among them how to read people very well. His eyes took in her posture, micro-expressions, and shift in stance. Instead of pressing, he just said “I’m sorry you had to go through that.” It wasn’t pity… it was simply a genuine empathy that she had suffered. He took a breath and said “Ok. First lesson. Stand like this.” and he faced her fully so that there was only barely a hand-width between them, his feet shoulder with and his arms at his side. “Again, just mirror what I do… breathe with me.” He took several slow, deep breaths; his eyes never leaving hers.

Viyara simply nodded and then mirrored Hammor once again. It was odd. As tense and uneasy as she felt right now, she also felt a hint of relieve about having shared this small part about herself. Maybe there was some truth in what people said that talking did make things better? Or maybe it was that he didn’t pity her or ask more questions. Closing her eyes for a brief second she pushed all those thoughts towards the back of her mind before locking her gaze with his again as she inhaled and exhaled in rhythm with him.

He led her through a breathing exercise and some small movements designed to increase blood flow and focus the mind on things outside the body. After a few minutes, they finished and he said “Not bad, but we can work on your form some. I bet if we do this on a regular basis you’ll find a lot more flexibility and less… you know… tension. You up for it?”

Hammor

Exhaling one last time, Viyara chucked once. Tense was a word she never had used for herself before. But if she was truly honest with herself, it was probably one that fitted fairly well. Who would have guessed her daily work out would turn into such an introspective session. With a curt nod and her charming, trademark smile back in place she replied, “Any time. Just tell me when and where and I’ll be there.”

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

“How about here? Say every other day? Same time?” and he looked down at the almost sports bra she was wearing and he smiled slightly and looked back at her. “Um… may want to wear something less constrictive next time. Some of the movements can be difficult. Loose, unrestrictive clothing is best.” and he chuckled softly.

“I may have something like that in my wardrobe,” Viyara replied with a grin and wink. “And some time every other day sounds good to me. Thank you,” she added with sincere gratitude. Not only for the offered lessons. But for everything that had past between them that night.

He picked up his hoodie from where he had dropped it on the floor and tossed it onto his shoulder. “So what are you up to now?” he asked.

Hammor

“I hadn’t planned anything but my daily workout,” Viyara replied with a shrug as she finally pulled her gloves off. “How about you? Anything you have planned or would like to do?”

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

Hammor shrugged and said “I was gonna go take a shower and then head over to the station to grab a bite. Wanna come?” he asked, and then caught himself and said “To eat… not the shower.” and he grinned.

Hammor

“What a shame,” Viyara faux pouted and then winked and grinned rather mischievously up at the tall man in front of her. “Something to eat does sound good, though,” she added. “Meet you in 10 at the docking port?” The workout had made her hungry and she never said no heading anywhere for a drink and good food.

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist