Rising Phoenix Dojo

March 10, 2000

3:40 PM

NOTE: I see interesting possibilities for Paul, so with the encouragement I've gotten, I pressed on with this.

The weather was gray and overcast and cold when school got out, and none of it helped Ben's prickly mood as he got out of the minivan when his Mom pulled up in front of the dojo. Even in his winter jacket he shivered in the cold breeze a little as he reached for the door and walked in. At least it was warm inside, maybe a little too warm, making him shuck the jacket before the door could even close. It smelled familiar, though, once you got used to the stink of sweat, old and new. And if you knew what to look for you could catch a whiff of blood from an imprecise punch, or a sloppy block, or more probably a combination of both. It almost made Ben crack a grin, since he was more than able to recognize it from personal experience, in and outside of the dojo. If he was pressed, he'd probably say the smells weren't really that bad, even if that would make Gwen squeal about how gross he was. That thought did make him flash a brief grin. Then he remembered why the weather had been amplifying his fidgety state when he got out of the van, and it returned.

He wasn't really upset at being there, he had been looking forward to this day since the beginning of the year. It was just that he was ready, and he didn't like having to wait to get on with it. Ben walked quickly to the boys locker room with his gym bag and jacket slung over his shoulder so he could change. He avoided making eye contact with anyone, and was just focused as he came out of the locker room. That's how he would have described it, anyway.

He almost ran into Paul as he stepped onto the mat, and only realized it when the older boy made some noise.

"Hey Shorty!" Paul said just as Ben stepped through the doorway, followed by "Whoa, whoa, look up when you come charging out of there!" He grinned, though, as he stopped short of a collision by grabbing Ben by the shoulders.

Ben looked up as he stopped, too, and gave Paul a sheepish grin. "Oops! Sorry!"

Paul just let go and grunted "Eh", and walked to their usual place on the mat to stretch, with Ben in trail. Then he followed up with "You know, I know you really like being here, so why the sour face? What's up? Nervous about your test?" They both sat down and started their stretching routine.

Ben just snorted "Pfft! Me, nervous? Please!"

"Then what?"

"I just, I don't know. I've been kinda antsy all day. I just want to do the test and know I passed and I'll turn green and I can be in the tournament in May." All that rushed out, a bit to Ben's own surprise. "Know what I mean?" he asked as he ducked his head.

Paul grinned. "Antsy about your test? Don't be. Sensei holds us to high standards, he wouldn't let you test if he didn't think you were ready."

Ben looked up. "Yeah, I know you're right. I'm still slipping a little when I try the reverse spin kick, though."

Paul looked him directly in the eyes. "You're ready. How you do is up to you, though. Look, getting the first two belts may be almost automatic, but no one gets them without knowing the skills first. This is no different. Like I told you before, you got where you are by working, and listening. You're the only one from your group of firsties that's ready for green. The one that's left" and Ben got a small grin as he remembered what Paul said about that a few weeks ago - of the group, only one other kid was still at it. "... is about four months behind you. You're doing good. You've got this."

Then he got a funny look, and asked "What's the big deal about being in the tournament? There'll be plenty of others. Even as fast as you've been progressing, you're gonna be a green belt for a while, ya know." he finished with a smirk.

Ben huffed out a breath. "Yeah, I know. I know I've been pushing kinda hard, and I know Sensei is letting me do it a little faster than usual. And I know you guys" he saw Paul's face twitch a little at that, "are close to testing for blue, but if you don't before then, then I'll be in the same belt class..."

"And you think you can breeze past me so you can compete against her! Nice to know what you think of my abilities!" Paul finished for him with his good natured laugh.

Ben felt his face start to burn. "I don't mean it like that! I've still got bruises from the last time we sparred. I'm hoping I won't be in the same bracket as you and Gwen."

"And assuming she'll knock me out is supposed to make me feel better?" He laughed some more. "You're not very good at not antagonizing people, are you? ... Relax, I know what you're trying to say." as he noticed Ben's stricken expression. "Be careful when you stand up, you may end up passing out from that flush on your face!"

Paul got up and extended his hand. Ben took it and was a little surprised at how easily the bigger boy hauled him up. Paul was still grinning when he said "Focus on now, not the things you can't control in the future."

While they were talking Sensei had been seemingly wandering aimlessly around his dojo and somehow ended up behind them, and chose now to walk in front of them. "You are getting sound advice, Tenneyson-San. It's gratifying to see you listen and follow it. From all of the sources." He smiled at them briefly and turned to walk the rest of the mat area before class started, pausing to talk briefly with some of the other kids.

Ben was a bit gobsmacked by what Sensei said, but Paul was smiling broadly now. It wasn't often two students got a simultaneous compliment like that. Paul said "Told ya! You'll be fine. Just don't get cocky."

Ben snorted "Now you sound like Gwen."

Paul cocked his head to his right a little. "Really? I'll take that as a compliment." He paused. "I don't want to mess with your head, so don't answer if you don't want to. But, how are you two doing? Outside, I mean. I know you're both ok in here. Don't give me that, I've noticed." he continued as Ben was rolling his eyes.

"Sensei asked me to keep an eye out to make sure neither of you falls into any bad habits." Paul laughed. "You wail on each other with a little too much enthusiasm sometimes, but otherwise you're doing good."

Ben should have been annoyed about being watched, but Paul's explanation made sense, and his laid back manner was hard to get mad at. He nodded instead, and said slowly "I think things are OK?" but he still wasn't certain. Gwen's Friday visits were mostly the only times they saw each other outside karate, although there was that time a few weeks ago they went heroing to save that convoy near the new Army post. That was a blast! Except for her getting that lance burn...

The movie nights had started out pretty strained, but lately they had gotten into a routine he was OK with. And last Friday had been awesome! He still smirked at his music prank. And after they finished dinner and he played the new songs he learned for her, and showed her how the phone would work to play them back? Priceless. For that day, anyway, he had his old Dweeb back. They felt comfortable together, which was good, almost like they were at Christmas. There was still something about her that wasn't like it used to be, though. He missed that, but was happy that they were at least friendly again. And they were getting less twitchy with each other.

He didn't say any of that to Paul, though. Instead he punted. "I think I need to focus on today, like you said, OK? Maybe after?"

Paul watched Ben consider his answer and didn't press it. "No sweat. Another time. Remember what I said - you've got this!"

While the boys were talking they missed Gwen come in and go into the girls locker room to get ready. Ben saw her come out and walk their way, and he got a small smile. Paul saw it, and looked over his shoulder to see her as well. He turned her way and grinned, and called out a little louder than necessary "There she is! I was just telling the Squirt here that your extracurricular activities have been paying off!"

More than a few of the other kids who were standing around or stretching on the mat turned to look at that, a couple with a knowing grin, and both Ben and Gwen started blushing at the unexpected attention. Gwen walked the last few steps to them before she said "Our what now?" with more than a little trace of agitation. Ben just sputtered a little, good thing he wasn't drinking anything.

Paul had a wicked grin. "You know, the extra training for your karate-sei! He's gonna ace his test, thanks in no small part to you. Be ready to take a bow when he does!"

Ben saw his Dweeb relax as she replied "Looks like I'm not the only one helping out with advice! Maybe we should both do that!" And the smile she got lit up the room. Well, it at least adjusted his attitude in a positive way. Between that, and what Paul and Sensei said, he was almost bouncing with anticipation. He was ready.

Wait. "Hey! I'm the one taking the test, remember?" he said with fake outrage. And he smiled back at her.

Gwen grabbed the right sleeve of his gi and pulled him a little away from the rest of the class. She spoke to him in a quiet voice. "Remember how we practiced. Don't forget to keep your balance when you kick, you know how you tend to over extend sometimes..." While she was talking Ben heard some noise at the dojo entrance, but he ignored it.

"Yeah, yeah, I remember what you told me, Dweeb. I'm ready. I had great teachers!" he replied with a grin.

"I know you are, Doofus! Paul's right, you are gonna ace it! I'll see you when you finish!" Sometime during their conversation her hand had slipped down his sleeve and found his, and she gave it a quick squeeze before letting go. And the smile she gave him made his heart skip a beat. She looked over at the entrance door, and murmured "Oh good, they made it!"

Ben looked over with a slightly confused look, then he let out a small groan. "Ugh, I told them they didn't need to come!" as he saw his parents sit down.

Gwen slapped his chest lightly. "Of course they came! And you know you're glad they did." He looked at his parents and returned the smiles they gave him, and his Dad gave him a thumbs up.

Ben looked back at his Dweeb and said "You knew they were coming!" She just kept smiling at him but ducked her head a bit, and nodded. All he could say was "Thanks!" and smiled back.

Then Sensei walked to the front of the class, the room quieted down, and said "Let us begin." They walked back to join the class, Gwen to her usual place on the mat, and Ben in front of Sensei. He bowed, and Sensei returned it. "Are you ready, Tennyson-San?"

Ben took in a breath and exhaled slowly. "Yes, Sensei."

Since Ben was the only person being tested, it progressed quickly. He demonstrated the required skills well, with only a few slips and misses. None were enough to get more than a mild mention from Sensei; from previous tests he watched and participated in, he knew he wouldn't get any obvious praise for skills he may show particularly well, either. Still, when he either goofed up or did well, he would glance at friendly faces in the dojo - his parents, Paul, sometimes other kids he'd sparred with - and see encouragement and empathy. Most often, though, he'd catch Gwen's eyes, and see those sentiments. And more, a mix of pride, satisfaction, and happiness, along with her ever present smile. That, more than anything, added to his confidence as he progressed through the test. Between skills, he couldn't help but grin to himself and back at her, and the other faces. Unlike tests at school, he was enjoying this!

And then it was finished, and Ben was bowing to Sensei to end the test. He knew he did well, and hoped he did well enough, but it was always unwise to make assumptions when it came to Sensei. So he had to work at not letting his jaw drop when his teacher said, quietly enough so that only he could hear "You performed well, Tennyson-San. I am pleased with your progress." Ben could only bow just a little more and replied in barely more than a whisper "Thank you, Sensei!" The old man gave him a brief, tight smile as they straightened up, and said "Please rejoin your classmates."

There wasn't much time left for a regular class, so Sensei said they would work on some punching and blocking drills. It was just as well, Ben was a little worn out and was hoping for light drills, maybe even half speed. All thoughts of that went out the window with his drill partner, though, as Paul stepped in front of him with a smirk. "Congrats, Squirt, I'm pretty sure you passed. Now you get a preview of your tournament wish! Ready?"

"Aw, man!" he groaned. "Any chance we can treat this as if I just passed for yellow? Just for today?"

Paul's smirk turned into an evil grin as he said "Yeah..., nope!" and threw a right jab that Ben barely had time to deflect. "Little tired, are we?" he said with a laugh.

Ben collected himself and took a proper stance "You wish! Just one thing? At least give me some bruises in a new place" he said through his own smirk. He had time to glance to his right where Gwen was paired up with another kid, and he saw her looking and laughing at his predicament. The traitor!

When class ended, Ben and Paul bowed to each other and then to Sensei, as usual, then Paul stretched out his hand to shake Ben's and said "For real, congratulations kid! You did great! I'm proud of ya!" Then he turned and headed to the locker rooms, saying over his shoulder "See you on Monday." with his usual laid back grin.

Ben returned the grin and said "Thanks! See ya!" By this time his parents had caught up to him on the mat, and were both saying "Great job, Ben!" as his Mom caught him up in a hug. His Dad messed up his hair like he liked to do, and they both were beaming at him. Ben's grin turned into a full smile after his obligatory "Mom, Dad, please, not here!" whinge. Followed by "Thanks for coming, you know you didn't have to. It's not that big of a deal."

His Dad just laughed a little and said "Of course we'd be here! It is too! We always want to see proof that our money isn't going down a black hole. We're proud of you, too."

Ben broke free from his Mom's hug finally, and saw Gwen was standing next to him with a smile. He couldn't wipe the idiot grin off his face as he faced her. Gwen took a half step to give him a hug before thinking better of it in front of his parents, instead saying "Way to go, Doofus! I knew you had it!" He just said "Thanks, Dweeb!" and nodded, as his Mom sighed and rolled her eyes. He kind of figured he'd get a proper congratulations hug from her later. He hoped so, anyway.

After dinner, and they'd made it to his room to play some video games, his Dweeb didn't disappoint him.