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At a time that's not the time they're all in Metropolis, there is a pair of fishnet tights out in the training field.

They're being worn by Dinah, who is stretching and warming up and waiting to see who's going to turn up for a training session, which is really the only reason you'd ctach her at the farm these days.

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"Japanese for 'Master'," Dinah explains, nodding at each punch she approves of -which is fewer than there were, but only because her standards are raising. "and fairly pervasive in Western culture of my time. There's a lot more to it than teaching, but it's an ideal I like to aspire to."

Hm, fewer nods. Concentrating time! More of her attention is on punching than talking now, so it's a bit before she asks, "What's your time?"

The year Dinah gives is around the turn of the 21st century. Comic time is vague, yo!

O_O

There is a pause for boggling, though she's still punchin' away. (Losing her control briefly in the process.)

Dinah exhales sharply once, and steps back with the momentum.

"Too hard. Focus."

"Sor-" fjdsklfl.

"Y- yeah..." Should she switch hands or something?!

"Th- that's just... a really long way away."

Dinah shakes out her wrists and holds them up again, the pads on her forearms forming a target for punching.

"What year was it for you?"

"Year of Our Lord 1450."

OK, Dinah's still going, so that means that it's probably OK.

She starts back again with the baby-punches, though as she continues to not break any bones, she goes back to the almost-normal-human-power range.

"Bring it up a bit again," Dinah says. "If you can keep a good technique at this level for a dozen punches we'll do something that will actually be effective."

With a nod, she complies. Dinah seems to be able to take what she's throwing out well enough, so she'll trust her to let her know if it's too much.

Besides, she hangs out with other "gifted" people. That's got to mean she's experienced with idiots that have strength issues!

Dinah's entire extended family seems to consist of idiots with strength issues. She's used to a lot.

"Good!" she says, obviously pleased. "We can come back to extra light punches later. Now- I'm going to try and stay still, and you have to force me to take one step back. If I don't move, you're being too light. If I fall over or take two steps or otherwise lose my balance, it's too heavy.

"And that rib thing counts for all bones."

She already suspects she has a fracture on an ulna right now.

Gnyeep!

"Um..." Sonia is, perhaps, a bit pale. "A- all right..."

CAN WE DO THIS WITH A TREE OR SOMETHING OMG

The punches do not make Dinah move at first. Sonia's teeth are clenched in frustration.

Dinah sets her jaw a little in concentration, but mostly she's just smiling encouragingly.

"Work your way up gently," she says.

"r- right..."

OK, she hasn't shattered Dinah yet. (Hopefully.) Things were okay before when she was at... this level. So, trying that!

Dinah grins quickly and stays firm, although as Sonia increases it, Dinah's body starts tensing more regularly to take the punches.

"Pay attention to how that feels," she says. "What you're doing right now, I'm going to call them your level one punches."

She nods and grunts affirmation. (The muscles are like this, with about this level of effort... holding back here and here...)

"Level one." Now that she thinks about it, that works. It's like the first level in the castle... something that could knock one of the zombies there back.

"A little harder now, right?" Does she still want to to that knocking-back thing? Really?

"Right," Dinah says. "Build it up gradually."

All right...

She starts increasing the power.

I can do this... it's like before... Long as I just don't let go, it's okay. Seriously.

Just don't let go.

Just-

With a wince, she pulls back.

"I... need... need a break!" she stammers, withdrawing.

Dinah nods instantly, and drops her hands straight away.

"OK," she says, "I want you to train when you can with Mel, OK? And Clark if he's around? And tomorrow, we'll work on steadying at level 2.

She swallows, nodding. "o- okay..." Wait. "Clark?"

A few breaths and she's at least steadier now.

"He's not been around for a while," Dinah admits. "I think he's living full time in Metropolis now. That's OK, I'm just putting on your sparring list because I think he can handle you. So that's him, Mel, oh, and Johri, I think?

"Meanwhile we are going to be working on this control as often as possible. You're going to learn to fight a normal person without worrying about hurting them."

"Y'really think I can manage it?"

Confidence from other people? MADNESS!

"...thanks. A lot."

"You can thank me when you can do it," Dinah informs her.

"Now go for a few laps around the farm to burn off the energy you just didn't spend beating me up."

"Y-yes'm!" AND SHE'S OFF!

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