Aoko....

Has found a pool. An indoor one.

And a room with a bunch of bathing suits nearby to boot.

"It's been too long since I've gotten to swim!" Aoko said, stretching her arms above her head as she walked towards the water wearing a simple one piece blue swimsuit. It was true.

She didn't often stay in hotels that were...nice enough for a pool. So she's quite pleased with this discovery. She tosses a towel and her bulky hand bag on a chair near the edge.

And there's the splash as she dives in and starts swimming some laps.

Anyone want to join her?

[So it looks like there's been a number of discoveries going around the Dressing Room lately. Aoko found a pool, Ghost Shinichi found 1412, several people found Ghost Shinichi...

Ran? Has found a gym.

She has also found Ran and Ran.

All three of them have been worried about Shinichi, of course, and have been paying regular visits to the study, so it's a bit surprising that they ran into each other here and not there -- especially considering that the gym is on the fifteenth floor and they all found it by accident. But that's the way it happened, and the way they figure it, it's just as well.

After all, how often do you get to spar with yourself?

It didn't take long at all for the girls to work out that Ran-kun has had more opportunity for training and learning techniques than the two of them have, which they consider a gross injustice that needs to be put to rights. It also didn't take much convincing to get him to agree to a small demonstration.

That led to a few walk-throughs.

Which led to a few practice bouts.

Which has led to a proper sparring round, with all three combatants taking part without any specific partner.

Ran-kun has his karate equipment with him thanks to his Shinichi, and he's lent his gi to Ghost Shinichi's Ran (a bit baggy, but it fits well enough when the belt is pulled tight). He's personally making do with a spare t-shirt and pair of track pants. DDD!Ran drew the short straw, and is practicing in a t-shirt and loose-fitting capris from her own closet. It isn't exactly optimal, but it's been working so far.

They're already well into the exercise, all three streaked with sweat, and those who know what to look for will be able to notice that Ran-kun seems to have the most power and experience overall. The girls aren't far behind, however; Ghost Shinichi's Ran has the greatest amount of technical skill, and DDD!Ran has the best mastery of balance and deliberate movement.

And all three share the same look of utmost concentration.

It's traditional, open-handed, no-holds-barred sparring with no protection, and the smack of flesh, slap of bare feet, and sharp kiais resound clearly and regularly through the full-sized gymnasium, marking out their own peculiar kind of rhythm as they turn and step and strike.

Kick. Jump. Punch. Pivot. Block. Followthrough. Dodge.

Come and watch?]

((karates_doors, is_not_watson, and stillpushingon will all be tagging this post~ \o/ They all use slightly varying styles of Kyokushin karate, also seen here.))