He hadn't been sure how he felt about the new-look training room, but it had grown on him. Zeke could even appreciate it being a no-magic zone, because where would be the fun in that? Save the magic for the Dueling Arena, and he'd do his best to own in both.

Not for the first time since school started back, Zeke found himself in the training room, dressed in grey slacks and a black sweatshirt, his wand holstered at the wrist and his hands taped. Assuming the correct stance, feet positioned shoulder-length apart, Zeke cracked his neck from side to side and raised his fists - thumbs tucked in.

He started with a jab, before moving into a sequence of uppercut's, hooks, ducks and right crosses.

Arista was bored, it was an understatement. She hadn't really wanted to do anything to do because her bed had been calling her name and because at the time when she was being edged awake was to early. Why would she want to go run around the grounds at such an ungodly hour? Thomas was a weird one. So now she was roaming around the halls of Hogwarts trying to find something to do.

Not wanting to climb any stairs she found herself on the first floor. The redhead found herself near the dueling arena, okay cool... Seeing another room she walked in maybe she could find something to do in there.

Upon entering she noticed a couple things, mats were on the ground, and there were bags around the room...Did you hit them?? She looked around hearing something, oh look it was Zeke.

"Hey Zeke..." What on Earth was he doing...Staring at him for a second before looking around once more.

Defense Against the Dark Arts wasn’t exactly an entirely new topic to Olivia. She knew her father’s job pertained to it as an auror. Well her father and two honorary uncles, another a professor of the subject elsewhere. Though she wasn’t sure where it fell with her, or would fall with her as she delved into the subject that was a required mainstay course at Hogwarts. And so when she found her travels bringing her to the first floor and a particular corridor, the first year was simply observing.

She passed the dueling areas, quite certain they were out of her league being so young, but coming upon another training room of sorts, she stuck her head in curiously before her body. The Ravenclaw spotting two elder students inside and was almost quick to retreat back from whence she came, not wanting to disturb his or her concentration. Distractions weren't likely good.

Hit after his, his fists met with the bag, sending it swinging back slightly each time. He wasn't sure how long he'd been at it, and he was too far in the zone to notice if anyone else was sharing the space with him, at least, that was the case until he distinctly heard his name being spoken. After one last well-placed jab, Zeke bounced back a pace and dropped his hands, turning to see who had spoken.

"Arista, hey," he greeted between inhaling and exhaling deep breaths. "You come to have a go? Or are you just watching?" he asked, grinning now.

And it seemed the red-head wasn't the only one drawn to the training room, or was it him? it was probably him. "Good morning, Olivia," he called out, brows arched in greeting.

He ran the back of his hand over his forehead, the tape collecting and absorbing the sweat he had developed.

Arista's eyes widened as she watched Zeke hit the bag..Um was this what this place was. A bag hitting place? She almost hadn't noticed that Zeke had replied to her she had been too caught up with his fists repeatedly hitting the bag. She shook her head and looked at the boy once she noticed he had stopped hitting the bag.

"Me have a go! I don't even know how." Honestly did Zeke see her! She may almost be six feet but she had never once in her life hit something, picked up a weight, or done anything with exercise other than run and even then that was forced. What if she broke something too, ooo but then maybe she could get out of lessons. Probably not seeing as Healer Murdoch was rather good at her job anyhow.

She almost hadn't noticed this Olivia person enter. "Hello Olivia." Silently adding whoever you are in her head. She wasn't even sure if she had met the girl or not seeing as she couldn't really see her. But maybe she had met her, she had been quite friendly on the train. "Are you here to...hit as well?" She wasn't sure what it was called but it sure was....interesting? And Zeke seemed to be liking it.

It was only when he had stopped and responded to the Gryffindor that Olivia noticed the full face of the boy and recognized it. His greeting with the use of her name confirmed it. So it was too late now to try and head back out of the room. “Good morning, Zeke,” she greeted the boy from the bookstore back, trying not to appear sheepish that she was here, especially with his eyebrows arched at her.

And oh yeah, he was sweating.

The older girl greeted her by name too but she Olivia was sure she had never met. “Hello,” she greeted back to be polite. As for her presence in the room, the Ravenclaw shrugged. “Kinda just been exploring and came inside to look.” It wasn’t like the room clearly spoke up as something having to do with DADA lessons. From the looks of it, it was more personal training.

“Actually wasn’t sure what to expect.”

Arista was being coy, OF COURSE she could have a go. "It's not hard," he assured her, "I bet you could make it move if you tried." The first couple of times everyone was shoddy, he knew this for a fact... unless you went at it 110% in which case you would simply look like an uncoordinated troll, which she was clearly not. Not at all. Too... princessy, girly.

Olivia on the other hand, didn't strike him as such... though she was a first year, and that posed challenges of its own. It was interesting though that the girls had both found the space, out of curiosity. Were they still curious?

"Did it meet your expectations?" he asked the Ravenclaw, "Or have your expectations been surpassed?" He could see the latter being the case. Also, Olivia didn't exactly say no to 'hitting', perhaps he'd get to bask in some amusement after all.

Arista gave a face as she looked around the room, this place looked like it could break her. She looked down at her nails, what if she broke a nail... That would hurt, but she had done it before and it stopped within an instant the only bad part was that her nails weren't even. Looking back over at Zeke who had begun to talk. "It looks hard. You totally need muscles to do that kind of thing, like yours."Indicating to his and then held up her arm, "See no muscles, just skin and bone." She did have some because of her horseback riding but shhhh...

Turning around as the girl named Olivia made her full entrance she smiled and said "I don't believe we met but I'm Arista Royal." Following her introduction she gave a small curtsey and held her hand out. "I still don't know what to expect..." Eyeing the thing Zeke had been hitting she was tempted to give it a go because it had looked like fun but she also didn't want to at the same time.

Olivia nodded in agreement at the other girl's comment. "Me neither, " the Ravenclaw confessed. She had met a few older students already but none were the one before her. She would know. "Though nice to meet you. I'm Olivia Stone," she introduced with a polite smile though technically Zeke had already supplied her first name. But seeing as she had supplied a last name, it was only fair to return the favor.

Speaking of Zeke...

"Met them at least...we'll have to see about exceeding them," she admitted to the Gryffindor. "It does make it seem like it will be interesting to see what the classes are like." For the particular subject of DADA of course.

It seemed as though Arista was giving it some real thought. Serious though. And then there was that................ "Oh yeah, it takes strength and stamina." Mmhmm.

Zeke wasn't the type to blush, no, there was no man!blushing, BUT, he did very much appreciate the compliment. Biceps, he was getting them, had them, he had muscles. Mmhhmm. Of course, naturally he was looking exceptionally smug with himself now, though his head remained the same size, his ego was large enough to fill the room. She really was here to check him out. Tsk tsk tsk. And then she was holding up her arm for a comparison. He shrugged, "There's a bit of meat there," he noted, not ALL skin and bone, though most girls were. It was a thing, part of their own beauty he supposed.

And HA! Olivia. Expectations met... was that the room, or him? It was hard to tell now, but because she was an ickle he would behave himself and assume she WAS referring to the room. "It was different last year, more like an obstacle course with foam pits and bars and things... this does alright though, it's practical in its own way." She raised a good point though, classes. He never quite new how to receive new Professor's, he felt as though they needed to prove themselves to him before he made an effort to do the same. Still, he had an open mind. "Guess time will tell."

Jace kept his head down as he made his way to the Training Room of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom. Yesterday was the worst day ever for the first year Ravenclaw, with him ending up sparring excessively in the Room of Requirement, as he tried to grasp his calm center. Obviously, none of that worked because there he was, in his older brother’s old karate uniform, ready to release his frustration at one of the punching bags hanging.

His face is pink from crying moments ago, and his eyes stung from the tears. He tried with all his might to center himself, as he stood stiffly in front of the punching bag, tightening his belt in the process, and bowed to it. Yes, even if he was upset, he didn’t forget his dojo manners and showed his respect.

Silence filled the training room, and it was broken by a very strong kiai coming from a small form. With his hands balled into tight fists, Jace threw a few good punches, high kicks, and chops.

It’s a good thing he was alone in the room...or was there someone else?

No, Jace, you're not alone.

Hirsch had initially gone out for his usual daily jog before wandering up to his own Training Room to practice some boxing. This was a tight regime that the man had stuck to since he was fifteen and it hadn't changed ever since he came to Hogwarts. He was a Durmstrang boy, not even the cold was going to stop him.

What did stop him when he entered the room was the sight of a student in there.

The professor took a few steps further into the room but his eyes stayed glued on the small boy. He wasn't watching out for anything in particular, just how he was fighting. Or, in this case, how he was karate-chopping at the boxing bag. It was interesting, actually, since he'd mainly put it up for boxing reasons but if the kid wanted to use it to practice his karate skills, then so be it.

Uh, maybe he should say something? "You have a strong central form of energy," he said, leaning back against the wall but still keeping a hold on the boxing gloves in his hands.

Things were not okay. Jace was seething in anger as he eyed the punching bag, and threw more punches and kicks at it. He could feel his muscles screaming, but he didn’t mind it. What he could feel was his heavy heart pumping more blood to his veins, keeping his energy level high as he continued to release his feelings.

There was no way he could don his Kendo uniform, pick his shinai sword, and start smashing his bamboo sword against a dummy. He respects the sport so much, that right now, he felt he is unworthy to practice it. Not until he could quiet his mind...and balance his chi. Kendo is a sport of discipline, concentration, and an open mind. There was no room for outrage and frustration in that sport.

So there was that little Ravenclaw boy, grunting, punching, and kicking the bag with gritted teeth, cheeks flushed, and a good amount of sweat trickling down from his head to his face, mixed with angry tears coming from his eyes. “You're stupid Jace! YOU are SO careless! YOUmade the situation worse, and could’ve endangered the Headmistress’ life!!”


PUNCH, PUNCH, KICK!!

Then there was a voice. Jace stilled, and stayed that way for a few good seconds, his back facing the man who caught him in rage. The Ravenclaw was on the verge of crying his eyes out, but clenched his fists into a ball, commanding his eyes to stop producing tears already. Slowly, with his eyes on the floor, Jace turned to face his Defense professor, and gave him a full bow. “Ohayo, Hirsch-sensei.” Jace didn’t bother to correct himself this time. He’s too busy...wiping away his tears, but he did greet him a good morning though!

Huh. Will you look at that?

Hirsch tilted his head and scrutinised the boy's actions. Everything from his kicks and punches to his transitions between the two was taken into account but what intrigued him the most was the energy. There was a lot of it, anybody could tell that. And there were probably one of two reasons behind this: either he was that into martial arts that he always gave it his all or, the most common one, he was angry. Upset. It could make you do almost anything.

Oh Merlin, was the boy.......... was he crying?!

It was Roderik's turn to stand still. Yeah, that sure explained why he was putting so much energy into his kicks and punches. And this now put him in an awkward position since, being his professor, he's meant to be caring but other than some Defence or manly advice, the man didn't really have much to offer.

So, he simply smiled at the young boy and gave him a "Hello!" Good enough right?

"So tell me, Mr Reed," he said, leaning off of the wall and making his way towards the young boy. He paused a moment to look at the boxing back before casting a curious eye at the Ravenclaw. "What have the punching bags ever done to make you so mad?"

Jace’s ears turned pink, assuming that the Defense professor was mad at him too. Even if the boxing bags were meant for punching, he still should have been careful with his actions. It’s not as if he could punch a hole and destroy the whole thing, but he ought not to lose all of his cool. Jace knew the professor wasn’t impressed. In his class, it’s all about balance and control. Clearly, the Ravenclaw wasn’t showing either of those in his actions.

Jace blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. He kept his breathing under control, and his fists in a tight ball. The young boy did another bow in apology. “I’m sorry, Hirsch-sensei...I...didn’t mean to be...too aggressive.” His eyes were kept fixed on the floor, not daring to look up at the man. At that moment, Jace was put in a very difficult position. He wanted to say that he’s okay, but a huge part of conscience told him that he shouldn’t like to his teacher. It is, after all, frowned upon in Japan. Why should it be any different in his new school? “I am most grateful to be able to release my bad energy, sensei.” Jace paused, thinking that he must’ve sound too...philosophical. “I....I’m upset about my clumsiness...” Jace breathed in and out slowly, and prepared himself to be scolded.

Worst week ever, okay?

The first thing that Mason noticed when she walked into the room, was the mats and the dummies. There wouldn't be mats unless there was a change of falling down extremely hard or getting injured.

Mason had known what Duelling would be all about when she had sent her parents the Permission Slip. She knew that there would be a change of injury and all she hoped for was that she wasn't going to be one of the unlucky ones to take a tumble.

The boxing bags lining the left wall hung motionless. There were even ropes and dummies and all the equipment that they would most likely use. They had a room like this (only smaller) at the manor, where her father trained. She and he would sometimes spar if he had the time, so she wasn't all to shabby when it came to hitting things. The thought made her smile as she walked towards one of the punching bags.

Mason stood before the bag and raised her taped hands in front of her face. She sent her fist right into the middle of the bag, hitting the leather hard and making the bag swing slightly backwards. Then the other fist, then again and again.

Boxing had always vented her anger, even if it was just a silly Muggle-sport.

Noelle ventured into the defense training room for the first time. She didn't care about defense last year. It was more about charms and transfiguration. But now that she was back from the dungeons, defense was all the Noelle cared about.

So, when she entered the room, she looked tentatively around. Her eyes got wide with excitement as she took everything in. This place was amazing! Everything you could think of to practice your defense was here.

Noelle squinted her eyes as she saw a tiny girl in here. She recognized her from Diagon alley but for the life of her, could not remember her name. Walking over slow, she watched as she punched. Good form, or so Noelle thought. She wasn't trained in that. "Hey, you're doing really good." Noelle said with a smile.

While Jacen looked pretty upset from what the man could tell, Hirsch was standing there with a very calm and curious expression on his face. The cool was practically radiating off of him but he did cast a curious eye at the boy's pink ears and the way he kept bowing. The man wasn't about to stop him but, uh, he wasn't royalty. Just saying.

Too aggressive? Roderik let out a small chuckle at those two words and shook his head. "That's what the boxing bags are for. As long as you're not purposely beating someone up with your bare fists, I don't care how aggressive you are to the bags." Besides, looking at the boy's size, he doubted that the first year could do as much damage to the punching bags in the first place but he wasn't about to say that.

Bad energy. Now that was what he was talking about. "It's useful for doing just that. People think it's violent but I think it's great for doing exactly what you said. Whatever helps, right?" Clumsiness? The Professor cast an eye over the young boy, wondering if, with all of this, he'd missed something. If the boy had even done something to his training room that he should be aware of.

Merlin help him if he had to try and be stern after the way the boy was looking at him.

"What happened?" There. Simple and curious and if Mr Reed had done something mischievous then, well, that was something they would come to later.

No he's not going to cry. Samurais don't cry. Jace willed himself to be calm, and opened his mind to the possibility that this man could help him with his dilemma. Okay, maybe it would've been better if he told his dad about this, but he was sure Ryden would tell him to ask help from one of his professors. It has always been like that with that man. Besides, Jace wouldn't want another lecture about being independent. That stuff bored him. Merlin, he could board a train at age 7 all by himself back in Japan. That's how things are done in that place anyway.

Jace kept still as he listened to the man in front of him. "I don't want to feel violent professor. I don't like negative energy." It is bad, and it won't do any good for the boy. He has always known calm like the back of his hand, so this negative emotion is too much for him...too raw to handle even. But with how the professor approved of his action earlier, releasing it in a way that would most benefit him in the long run, isn't, after all, frowned upon. Now that that's clear between the both of them, Jace shuffled his feet, and moved on to the next topic.

"I'm...I'm sure you've heard of the hag? And...what happened during that one class with her?" the Ravenclaw would be surprised if Hirsch wasn't aware. He is the Defense Professor after all. "She commanded her raven to attack the students...and Professor Draper and Headmistress Moxley...I...tried to help by casting a Stunning Spell at the bird...but since I lost control of my intent...I stunned the Headmistress instead..." Jace trailed off...feeling all the blood rush up to his head. "It's all my fault, Professor. I'm sorry." Jace bowed to the man deeply, not wanting to look at him anymore. Merlin, confessions are hard to do.

As a man who was more used to dealing with kids who were trying to tone down their anger and raw outward energy and put it into a more useful force, this was confusing. He was too used to the bursts of anger, the kids turning a martial arts lesson into a 'beat-the-dummy-to-a-pulp' lesson so this........ this was different. Oh, how it was different.

So now, he was going to turn into the professor that gave out life lessons and talked about his own life, something that he wasn't even sure that the kid wanted to hear. Are you ready, Reed? "My first ever boxing trainer once told me that you can't have one energy without the other. Whether you like it or not, you're always going to have negative energy in you, just like you're always going to have positive energy in you. It's just your job to harness it and not let it ruin your life." Shrug. "Besides, believe you me, it'd get tiring if you're constantly having positive energy in you." Not to mention that those people were really annoying.

"Oh yeah, I've heard of the hag, alright." Despite himself, the man let a small scowl spread across his face at the mention of...... her. Merlin only knows how glad he was to be rid of that. No foul stenches were going to be lingering next to him while he tried to eat his dinner.

......... Right. The kid.

Clearing his throat slightly, Hirsch gave the Ravenclaw his complete attention as the boy launched into his story. To be honest, the man was impressed. And a little bit amused, if he was going to be honest with himself, but it wouldn't be appropriate to laugh, would it? "It's impressive that you managed to stun the Headmistress." And get out of there without being kicked out but, considering the boy's state, he wasn't about to mention that. Instead, he simply knelt down on the mat to get a better look at the boy. "Don't apologise," he said, waving his hand, "So you lost control of your intent and accidentally stunned the Headmistress. It happens to the best of us. Do you have trouble focusing on these spells when you cast them?"

Pause.

"What did she say to you afterwards?"

If the man were Professor Draper, Jace was sure that the man would have him clean the barn without magic for what he did. The Ravenclaw was actually relieved that Professor Hirsch wasn’t really mad. Jace could tell he’s curious...and was being a friend. Finally calming down, Jace sat on the mat Seiza style, palms down on each thigh, his back ramrod straight, eyes and ears on Hirsch’s words. He didn’t want to miss this life lesson at all.

The Ravenclaw nodded slowly, his eyes slowly shifting from Hirsh’s face...to his foot...then down again at the mat. It was true, negative energy is around him, as well as positive. “And I acknowledged it, professor. Only I...felt unnecessary hate toward myself. I didn’t do well that day really. I endangered the Headmistress’ life.” And it was a very HUGE mistake. “I...rather, we got lucky Professors Draper and Primeux were quick to respond...and one of them was able to revitalise the Headmistress.” Jace could feel his cheeks turn red as he revealed things to the Defense Professor. “Professor Moxley said it was okay...but...I know it’s not. She just said that so we can all return to the Castle.” One Jacen Reed can never be fooled.

The Ravenclaw shifted in his position as the man kneeled in front of him. Jace inclined his head even more when Hirsch acknowledged his feat. He did manage to stun the Headmistress because he also lost control of his emotion. “No professor, I don’t think so. I think...it has something to do with my emotions as well.” A very pregnant pause, and inside his gi, he got his wand out...and placed it in front of him and professor Hirsch. “Cherry wood, with a Dragon Heartstring core. I was advised that I must have control of my emotions or else I could be dangerous.” Jace obviously did not like the idea. “I was able to witness its power when I tried to stun the Hag’s pet raven...and ended up impaling Professor Moxley instead.”

The Ravenclaw sighed, and inched away from Professor Hirsch to give him a full kowtow. “It was still a mistake, sensei. It is worthy of an apology.” Sometimes, Jace found it hard to understand the people of the West. Don’t they apologise for the inconvenience they made?

Mason turned around and her mouth opened in a slight gawk. Wasn't this the girl who had been kidnapped? The same one she'd met in Diagon Alley? The one who's Pyg---

"Noelle!" she exclaimed and pulled the older girl into a tight hug. "When did you, you know. . ." she wasn't sure if she should mention the whole kidnapping thing. The older girl had been trapped for a few month or so, she didn't want to bring something that unfortunate up.

"When did you get back?"

She grinned at the girl's statement and gave the bag a soft tap. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a few things my dad taught me. . ." she gave Noelle a quizzical look, "What are you doing here, though?"

Noelle didn't seem like the kind of girl to be into this kind of sport. She seemed way too gentle for it. . . maybe she just wanted to learn how to defend herself if something like that ever happened again or something?

She tilted her head to the side and frowned slightly. Maybe. . .

When the kid sat down, Hirsch followed suit, more out of courtesy than anything else. And there was the small fact that his knees would start to hurt if he knelt there for any longer.

Unnecessary hate? Towards himself? The man tried to understand why, casually observing the boy as he did so. Maybe he was the type to take guilt onto those small shoulders of his. It would certainly explain why he was so adamant on blaming himself rather than simply letting it go. Now, what would this kid be like in a duel setting where he'd have to attack someone else, possibly even someone he cared about.........

............ Right. Jacen.

"Okay, so answer me this, Mr Reed: did the Headmistress get hurt in any way? Did she have to be sent to the Hospital Wing? Did she need some time off because she was stunned by you?" Hm? "No, right? So you didn't do any significant damage," he said in a soft voice, "The way I see it: you didn't do anything completely terrible. Nothing that means that you should be crying and beating yourself up over." Cue a small smile. Hint hint, kid.

Ah, emotions. Funny things, they were. They made you do the weirdest things sometimes. Roderik didn't say anything, he simply pushed his glasses further up his nose as he gazed at the wand. He had no idea what the young Ravenclaw meant with the wand description and, to be honest, he would have been thoroughly confused had the kid not mentioned the mening behind it. And boy, did that meaning really make the man perk up. "You know what that means?" he asked, picking up the wand and examining it as if he knew anything about wands in the first place, "It means that if you harness your magic in the right way, you could achieve some remarkable results." The wand was placed down again and he glanced at the kid again. "The only problem is: you need to harness it. In the meantime, random powerful bursts are going to happen and it's not something to beat yourself up about. It's just....... something that happens."

.............. What?

Uh.

Hirsch didn't know what to make of what came next. The kid was....... bowing? Except, on the floor? Sure, he knew that this wasn't a threatening move of any kind, but rather a sign of respect, but this....... this wasn't something he was used to. So he just, sort of, sat there. Hey.

"Did you apologise to the Headmistress?"

He felt his cheeks burn as he got up from his kowtow position, and kept his head hanging when the professor stared him down. It was the most awkward silence he got from a teacher, and Jace was sure that the man thinks he’s a sore loser. Jace clutched his knees, and waited for the professor’s words. If he were back in Japan, he’d probably get strong words out of his sensei for his clumsiness. It was never the way of a samurai to begin with, and it was clear to him that he’s sloooowly failing at being an accomplished wizard.

Maybe...maybe he should just go to a normal school. That way, he’d feel better about himself and not think about failure. “N-no, professor. I haven’t apologized to the Headmistress. I’m...I’m not sure how she’ll take me after what I did.” Because who knows? Maybe she eats kids too? Hopefully not.

Jace briefly glanced at the professor as soon as he spoke, and bowed his head again as he continued to listen to Hirsch. Silence was given to the man as he mulled over his words, and slowly...things fell into place. Jace sighed as he finally understood what his teachers taught him back in Japan: To live in the moment. The Ravenclaw looked up to make an eye contact with the man, and returned his smile with his own. “I understand, professor.”

Now that he’s enlightened, Jace shifted in his seating position, inching closer to the man. “Professor? Can you...can you help me harness it?” he said picking up his wand, “I want to be able to control my magic, be a true master of my cherry wand, and be an accomplished dueller.” Jace knew it would take time and practice, just like in Kendo, but he was sure he’d be able to accomplish it soon, if not, later.