2015-02-22 - More Powerful Than a Locomotive

Kara brings Mia down to the Titans Gym. "Anyway.... and this is the gym. Not sure where all the Titans are right now other than Vic, and he's right now working on the jet apparently. But he did improve the weight system and said the force fields on the sparring area were boosted, so ... yeah, good timing for that!"

She points at the three sets of weights - one for 'normal' weights, from 10 pounds to 1200 lbs (for normal to just above normal human). Another set for superhuman - ranging from 1 to 200 tons, and the third machine, which they built mainly after Kon joined the team, but they then had to upgrade after Kara joined, which goes anywhere from 250 tons to 1 mega-ton of weight, mainly by using magnetic resistance. There's also a sparring area which seems to have force field inertia dampening emitters nearby.

Mia settles down onto her feet, her work boots clunking a little on the floor. She looks like a short-haired brunette with hair so dark it almost looks blue. No muscle tone to speak of, and she stumbles a bit when being set down. So probably a bit clumsy as well. Smiling at Kara, she whispers, "Do I need to wear a mask here?" as if she's new at all this.

Eyeing the apparatus, she doesn't seem to be the type to dive in and get started. Enthusiasm levels are not at heroic levels. "Also, I might need to get changed. I refuse to meet the Titans in workies."

Mia's cheeks are flushed red from laughing during the flight though, and her feet are a bit unsteady upon landing. While Kara was taking her here, she kept her eyes wide open no matter how fast the Kryptonian flew, and often told her to speed up. Landing has, however, left her a bit wobbly.

Over in the Acrobatics corner someone and pul up a tight rope and right now Nightwing is making his way across it blindfolded, yes he has his mask on underneath it. When he hears Kara's voice enter the room he summersaults of the rope and sticks the landing. he then bows ot the crowd that doesn't actully exist. He says, 'Hey Kara, good to see you with no one shooting at us." He then reaches up to take off the blindfold, "Who is your friend? Looks like she is new at this."

Kara Zor-El smiles a bit and leans over to Mia. "If you want. But it probably doesn't matter much. We have some people here who are trained by the best detective in the world, others who can see through stuff with x-ray vision - including me - not that that matters with you, and besides, we won't tell anyway.

She smiles when Dick comes over. He's so dreamy - if Kara didn't have a boyfriend already ...

Kara shakes her head a bit. "Oh yeah... Cira, this is Nightwing. Nightwing? Cira. Cira... apparently seems to have Kryptonian DNA and Human DNA. I'm not sure if it's like Kon or if she's from space or what. She might be from the future even. She sorta doesnt know since she's grown up on Earth, apparently. Had her come here to test out her powers a bit. It's a big mystery." She then looks at Mia. "And Nightwing is... well he's basically our leader. He used to work with Batman." She pauses so that she doesnt say anything that might embarrass herself.

Given the chance to react by Kara's explanation, Mia quickly pulls her shirt into shape. She tries to look as presentable as possible as Nightwing wanders over, standing next to one of the world's most beautiful people and wearing her work shirt and jeans. Bah. "Screw it, hi. I asked Kara to call me Cira in public." Holy crap, Nightwing and everything.

Seems to have forgotten about the reason she came here until she's reminded. "Uh...right, sorry. I'm stronger than I should be, so Kara thought we should get me tested and trained, and I'd really rather not accidentally shatter your skull or something if I hit you. I mean, because. reasons. Shutting up now."

Nightwing smiles to Cria, "Nice to meet you, Cira. And yes training is essential is learnign how to make the most of our abilities." He then says, "And Ireally hope you do not hit me. Being hit by a Kryptonian, or someone even partial Kryptonian would be a good way to ruin a day realy fast.' h hten says, 'If oyu tow wnat I can stick around and show Cira some techniques after the workout."

Kara Zor-El thinks. "Okay... so... speaking of that... I thought maybe first we can see how hard you can punch." She points to a chamber with a big red circle and a monitor beneath it. "This here is supposed to be able to gauge the pounds per inch of your punch. Go ahead and give it a try - I'd like to see if you're in the same area as Kon?"

Mia shakes off her distraction as much as possible, nodding as she's told to train by the group's ..well, Nightwing is probably the main trainer, from what she's heard. "I wasn't going to hit you, I mean, I'm not even really sure how to hit someone but it can't be that hard. I mean, you just hit and try not to get hit back."

Turning to the device she's directed towards, she grins at Kara and says, "Bet I can do as good as you did your first try?" She balls up her right fist, with the thumb inside the fingers and the fingers kind of loose, and walks toward the circle tester. "How good DID you do your first time anyway? And why do I get the idea I'm competing with you?"

Kara Zor-El makes a little face at that. "Um... I'm not actually allowed to test myself on that machine anymore. The first time I tried it wound up being expensive...." She thinks about what happened when she punched the gauge a year ago. On a previous machine.

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"I did... pretty good actually though. Higher than Kon....er... Superboy.. did." She walks over to Mia. "Um... by the way, just a little tip... you should keep your thumb on the outside - you could possibly break your thumb making a fist like that. Especially if you're superstrong and don't have any sort of super-healing ability."

Nightwing laughs at Mia's simplistic idea of fighting, "There is a lot more to it the n that. Especially if you run into somone who cna match oyu in power. Never hurts ot have the skills to fall back on. Right Kara?" H e gives the blonde Kryptonian a smile as he moves over to the machines to looks over the results when they come up. He then sees the fist she makes and shakes hsi ehad, "Who hold in there. First off you need ot learn how to make a fist that won't breake your thumb."

Mia has her fist pulled back, cocked to fire, when she's told to fix the fist. She stops, then lets the experts show her how to make a fist. "I've never hit anything before," she says. So TOTAL rookie. "To be fair, a knee between the legs has usually been all I needed to get guys to rethink their intentions on my amateur status."

Eyeing Kara, she adds, "I'll try not to break it. I can't afford to replace the pencil sharpener right now." Then to Nightwing, she mostly just blushes.

When she's got a fist mostly right, she hauls off and throws a punch into the bottom left of the circle. Aim might need work too. It doesn't look like she put her 'all' into it, but the red meter below the circle coughs a moment, as the building supports register a minor earthquake having hit. 224,284 tons.

Kara Zor-El looks impressed. "That's almost 2 1/2 times Kon's output, actually. Almost 225,000 tons per square inch." Lucky thing this thing is able to "theoretically" take up to a mega-ton of impact. "Yeah, you're definitely up there on the power scale."

Kara whistles a bit. "You know... if whoever was responsible for you did so with some sort of artificial way instead of just being born somehow to a human and Kryptonian, um.... they'd have much better science behind it. Or there's always the whole... daughter of a Kryptonian and human ... idea."

Kara Zor-El adds, "Actually it's probably even higher since the punch was a bit off."

Nightwing nods as he looks atthe machines readouts as they go into greater detail. He looks back ot the women, "Impressive, and try not to knee anythong with that kind of force it would most likely be fatal.' he says with a straight face going for a touch of humor with a deadpan delivery. He then says, "YEah once we work on proper technique we should be able to get that number higher. rememebr your legs are stronger then your arms so use them tohelp generate power." He oges over to a heavy bag and show the proper punching technique, "Put your whole body into it, not just your arms."

Mia eyes her fist like she's worried about touching things with it, and slowly puts her hands behind her back. Carefully. "Long as I didn't break it," she mumbles, wondering how much harder Kara did hit the thing. "Who's Kon?" she asks in passing as she listens to both her teachers. Because they are both, kind of.

"I'm pretty sure the only Kryptonians around are you and Superman. And Kon. So one of you would be my parent, unless future thing. Or what you said, about cloning and ...right, sorry."

Joining Nightwing at the bag, Mia very carefully goes through a punching motion, touching the bag with a light 'paf' noise. "I'm gonna break this thing!"

They probably had video somewhere of when Kara tested punching the machine and broke it. And she didnt punch properly back then either. Kara nods a little. "There's also Power Girl actually... but yeah. That sounds so weird though, the idea that I'd be having a child. Especially after Dedrick said he wanted to marry me one day." She looks over at Mia. "Kon is Superboy's real name. Kon-El. Most people here call him Conner, though. You know... or Superboy." She waits while Nightwing shows proper punching technique. She didnt ever play down the idea that fighting technique helped a lot. Especially after how, on Themyscira, Diana used to beat her in spars 4 out of 5 times despite Kara being technically stronger and faster.

Nightwing nods, "You will break it but don't punch it. That machine there is for force. This is more of a technique exercise." he then says, "Strength is only part of a fight. I have beaten many people stronger then me.' He the says, "Take kara for example when she started out she was about the same as you but she has gotten a lot beter. Not a world class martial artist but enough that can handle herself and her abilities."

Mia hrfs, the sound coming out like a grumpy kind of whistle. She turns into a punch, tagging the bag as gently as she can, which is pretty good and doesn't send it swinging at all. She pauses, then leans on the wall a moment and pulls off her heavy shirt revealing a blue one-piece swimsuit top underneath. Still covered and decent.

Mia takes the delay to think, then says, "I wonder if you two realize how lucky you are. You're apparently both ultra-gorgeous people, with people who love you, marriage proposals, the best teachers in the freaking universe. I've read enough comics to know it's not that easy, and all that just means you're adapting to being bigger targets."

"Thing is, until I got here and hit that button, I wasn't scared to touch things. Now I kind of am. I hugged my niece yesterday. Not totally sure I should try that now. I'm getting a little scared of all this."

Kara Zor-El rubs her head a little. "I don't think I'm 'ultra-gorgeous' actually." Being raised in a eugenic society, then coming to Earth and spending a majority of her time on an island full of gorgeous amazon warioresses, and finding that your alternate self from another universe has a figure quite different than you.... is always likely to give a person blindness on the obvious. "And um... you're pretty lucky too. You have a family that cares about you and havent had any planets blow up. But you don't have to worry about accidentally killing people with hugs - trust me. I think you'd have experienced a lot of tragedy way before now if you had THAT little control."

Nightwing walks over to Mia and nods, "Kara is right, you have some sub-consious control." He hten gives her an apraising look, "You may not be cut out for this life, not everyone is not even all those with powers. If you aren;t then well you get to be one of hte lucky ones with a normal life, but it does not change the fact that oyu are out there and information has a nasty habbit of gettitng to the worst people at times, So you need to learn at least some basic self defence for your best interests and everyone elses.

Kara Zor-El nods with Nightwing. "Personally I think you are totally cut out for this life after what happened on the bridge. But... and I'm not trying to freak you out or anything ... a little fear is actually sorta healthy. Trust me, I know what it feels like to think you're living in a world made of cardboard or something."

A sigh and a nod comes from Mia as she takes in the suggestions with as clear a head as possible. "Yer going to have to forgive a little hesitance. I worry more than most people, and they could have picked a more athletically adept person to give these abilities to, but I'm done with the whining. Okay? Is that good enough, and I can keep trying?" She eyes Nightwing, her expression less enthralled than it was a moment ago. "Put me in another test, or teach me how to do a judo chop or a klukar throw. You don't get to tell me if I'm cut out for the life, Nightwing. Even if I am a bit scared. I kind of like that family, I don't want to roll over in my sleep and kick."

Kara Zor-El thinks a little. "You could try the weights or the treadmill next?"

Nightwing ndos, "I didn't say you weren't or that you were.' He then says, "We are still learning that, so are you." He then points over to the tread mill, "Shoudl we see if oyu have speed like Kara's?"

Mia walks to the treadmill. She inspects the controls, mumbling, and says, "Okay first, thank you Kara. Second, no, I can't keep up with her, Nightwing. Can't believe I'm getting pissy at Nightwing, what the hell am I doing?" Hopping up on the track, she starts to run. And almost immediately needs her breath for running. She's got the stamina of a teenager who doesn't work out, and runs for maybe thirty seconds before having to walk. "Holy..crap..."

Since the treadmill is able to keep up with speeds that Supergirl is capable of - an even speeds that Impulse is capable of - it seems to be able to keep up with Mia as well. And while she's not at those levels, she still moves at an impressive speed until she needs to catch her breath. Kara smiles at Mia. "Not bad, really! Probably could work on the stamina but really cool!" She looks around. "Um.. we can try to see what you can press then maybe do a little spar where I can show you some stuff I learned from Artemis and Diana? Or maybe some beginner Klukor moves?"

Nightwing looks at the readouts once more, "Alright some speed but not Flash levels." he hten says, "Yes stamina is definately a target area.' He has a pen in his hand he got from ... shomewhere, those Bats is tricky and makes notes.

Kara Zor-El gives Nightwing a significant nudge to his midsection. "She was getting close to Mach 1 - it's nothing to slouch about."

Mia clocked in at 0.95 mach, which isn't anything to laugh at. She's showing overall as noticeably less than a Kryptonian, but well within the range that she NEEDS to be trained or she'll eventually be a danger to someone. Hopping (hobbling) off the treadmill, she says, "Always hated those things. Medieval torture devices, them and corsets and iron maidens. I'm built for noble pursuits, like sipping wine by a pool. So, someone teach me how to fall safely when I'm thrown. I read that was important and it makes sense to my poor, undernourished brain." She seems to be getting her sense of humour back along with her sharp tongue.

Nightwing umphs a bit and winces as kara gives him a friendly shot to his still tender ribs. "It is impressive.' he admits and hten he nods, "Yes that is a good next step, after all no matter how good you are you will eventually get hit." He looves over to Kara, 'Want ot tbe the trhower or the throwee?

Kara Zor-El raises an eyebrow at Nightwing. "Pretty sure I don't want to be the throw-ee..."

Mia is looking around for something, and nabs some water from a tap as she listens to them discuss the whole process. "Does it matter? I don't know which way is up, so you're both probably ...actually probably pretty overkill for rookie lessons."

Nightwing smiles at Mia's words, "Now that sounds like someone voluntering to be the throwee." He then says, "Well the basic lessons are the ones most important to get right becuase everything later builds on them."

Kara Zor-El shrugs. "Cira, I'm pretty sure that in order to do any sparring, you'd sort of have to spar with me or Kon until you know how to hold back in a fight. Really - it's not a waste of time."

Mia muses a moment. "I read a manga where the student was kind of slow, so their teachers decided to make him a martial artist that only knew the basics but knew them so well it made up for all the complicated moves everyone else knew and he ended up with the best overall form of anyone because the basics were so strong." She pauses, then looks at both of the people listening and blushes a bit. "What, nobody other than me reads popular manga? Okay, so it has to be one of you at the moment. I can deal." She heads for the sparring area. It's easy to find. The place with the force fields.

Kara Zor-El pauses. "Honestly I don't know what manga is. They didn't have that on Krypton. Some sort of book I guess?"

Nightwing says, "It a comic but from Japan, different style and clutre to it, but still the basicly graphiclly told stories." he then says, "Well Kara can start out with you I will take notes." he then says, "I will be grading Kara too just ot be fair." He smiles as he uses some good old fashioned Bat-motivation."

Mia throws her hands up. "Uneducated people. I'll show you some links, Kara." She gets into the sparring area and frowns. "Don't tear my pants. I didn't bring an extra pair." She's not wearing super-strong clothing, just a swimsuit and jeans.

Kara Zor-El nods a little, heading into the sparring area. "Um... sure, links to the manga. Like on the internet. Definitely sounds like a good idea. You know I actually have been going on the internet quite a bit lately - it's weird, they have a lot of pictures of me. They really must hate my uniform though. Airbrushing it off with such attention to anatomical detail."

okay she's probably messing with people saying that.

Mia hopes so. She reallllly hopes so. Rubbing her eyes with her knuckles to wipe the image from her brain.

Nightwing cannot help but laugh at that, "I don't think it is the uniform." He comments but does say anything more, "Don't wroyy I am sure we can find something that would fit you if the worst happens."

Mia nods to Nightwing, checking her outfit. "I call a break if I have a wardrobe malfunction. And food. Because I'm starving, as I was subtly hinting earlier. Kara, you are either a subtle genius at comedy or horribly undereducated, and I honestly can't tell which. So I'm going to pretend you never said that and get back to tossy tossy."

Kara Zor-El smiles. "Okay... so..." She looks around. "I guess first thing's first. Try to tackle or hit me - I'll do a simple Klukor move, and show you how to fall properly. And I'm sure Nightwing will have a few dozen things to say too." She smiles at Nightwing.

Nightwing smile, "Most likely but I thinkteaching will be good for you too, after all one of the best ways ot learn is to teach."

Faced with the chance to actually tackle someone, Mia doesn't exactly dive on in. It's kind of alien to her experience. "Tackle or hit. Right. Can do this," she murmurs and then tries to slap Kara in the cheek with her right hand. She falls back on the moves that she knows when she's uncertain.

Kara Zor-El looks at Nightwing again, then murmurs to Mia, "See, they still think I'm a newbie at this too. So much for being a pro at this right?" Then she waits for Mia to attack, at which point she just grabs Mia's hand when she tries to slap Kara and flips her across her hip.

Nightwing appluds, "Nice counter.' he then smiles to Kara he then watches Mia fall to see how she handles it.

Mia handles it by landing on the ground. Oddly, the ground isn't hard enough to hurt her demi-kryptonian body, and Kara is being understandably gentle. She lands with her limbs splayed and looks up at Kara from the floor. "Okay..." she says, looking up at the ceiling. And Kara. "See, that's an issue right there. I fell down instead of protecting myself."

Kara Zor-El peers down at Mia. "You're okay right? The dampeners worked fine and I didn't throw to o hard?" She nods a little. "Um... I found it's useful when falling to try to tuck yourself in to concentrate into a smaller surface area. Also helps you roll back to get up faster."

Nightwing chuckles a bit, "Well that is to the best fall I have seen, though not the worst either." He admits at the end there. "I take it you have not really been in many fights?" He nods, "that is a good tip Kara, also try to avoid landing flat that leaves you vulnerable.

Mia pushes to her feet from her hands and knees, getting up. She shakes her head, facing off with Kara, and says, "Again." Then she starts to swing, trying to pay attention. She wants to get it, but she's not a genius. But she is...trying.

With Nightwing's attentive help, Kara spends the afternoon drilling Mia on proper falling techniques. She has a good, quick mind and actually values what she's being taught, but she's also a teenager and tends to ramble when given a chance. But after a while, Nightwing sees that she's reaching the end of her endurance and calls an end to the session. With an alarm on his communicator, he needed to go anyway. And there's a gang war happening in south Tokyo that Kara's been hearing for a while, she needed to get to.

And Mia? Fast asleep on the couch, exhaustion taking its toll. She looks worn down, but with careful work...there's a hero in there. Eventually.