xp_logs | Kylun and Haroun, in the gym, with the heavy bag, Wednesday evening (Reply)

They meet for the first time. Kylun is slightly wigged by the artificial legs, Haroun is slightly wigged by the wacky paganism, but hey, they both like to exercise.

Haroun walked into the Gym, wearing nothing but a towel around his neck, sweatpants, hi-tops, and wrist tape. He headed straight for the heavy bag, not paying attention to anyone else who happened to be working out in the Gym at the time.

Kylun paused at the other man's entrance, and slowly, under control, brought his arms to full extension before releasing the chin-up bar and dropping lightly to the floor. He paused for a moment, trying to match a name--or at least a journal--to the face. After the search failed to turn up anything, he shrugged. "Working out frustration?"

Haroun started, then looked over at the leonine thing by the chin-up bar. "Not precisely. I don't think we've been introduced - my name is Haroun al-Rashid. And you are ... ?" he asked with wary curiousity.

"I don't believe we have, no. I am pleased to meet you." Kylun bowed slightly. "I am Kylun. A guest of Professor Xavier's, and a relatively recent arrival."

Haroun walked over with his hand extended. "I'm sorry, my manners are not where they should be. It has been a difficult week." he said with an apologetic smile.

Kylun regarded the hand for a moment, almost imperceptibly confused, then nodded and shook it. His grip was firm, and his palm was leathery and callused. "All weeks are difficult in their own way, I find, and the small courtesies may be sacrificed at need without causing offense."

Haroun grinned. "Yes, but it's the small things that keep us civilized when times get tough. Do you mind if I work the bag?" he asked, gesturing towards the heavy bag. "I'm getting a little lax in my upper-body workouts."

"Not at all. We used different methods at my former home, but exercise is exercise. I find myself here more often than not, lately, for lack of much else to fill my days."

Haroun nodded. "Hrm. What do you prefer, workout-wise? I'm pretty flexible, although I don't need to do lower-body or cardio stuff much. If you need a partner..."

"We relied on the body itself, rather than external aids; the body will always be there, when facilities such as this will not be." Kylun cocked his head. "Why do you not work your lower body? That seems . . . unbalanced."

"There's a very good reason." Haroun said carefully. "My lower body is artificial. Working it is pointless, as the muscles do not grow bigger or quicker by being exercised." He studied Kylun's reaction as best he could - some people took hearing about the cybernetics a little funny, and his instincts told him that this Kylun character may be one of those.

Kylun's eyes widened slightly, and his gaze flickered down to Haroun's legs momentarily before he brought himself under control. "I have never heard of such a thing. Truly, the world is a place of infinite variety." He shook his head. "I . . . had a friend, once, a fellow warrior, who was bitten in half by . . . something best not thought of." He bowed again. "You are very fortunate."

Haroun nodded. "I am perfectly aware of that, believe me. It took two years and a whole lot of very hard work to get where I am now. I repay my debt by aiding others less-fortunate than I." he said with an easy grin. "Wait - I remember something from my briefings. You're the monk that Xavier brought back, right? Some sort of a pagan mystic?"

"A warrior," Kylun corrected. "My wife was the mystic, and my teacher. But pagan, yes, from certain perspectives." Kylun smiled. "That is a laudable goal--one of my own, in fact, for that once I was one of the less-fortunate and it is only through the kindness of others that I am not now."

Haroun nodded slowly. "I see. I myself am Muslim, but I like to think that I keep an open mind. And I've already met the witch, so one more Godless pagan shouldn't bother me too badly." he said, with an uneasy smile. "Allah will forgive me."

"He is known for doing so, if I remember your Qu'ran correctly. For myself, I believe all men of good will are brothers, no matter the texture of their faith."

Haroun nodded. "God is great and merciful." he said, almost by rote. "And while I'm not willing to go quite so far as you are, I will agree with the sentiment you meant."

"That is well enough." Kylun's quick grin flashed carnivore teeth. "We have, however, roamed far from the trail of your original question. I would be glad of a workout partner, if you are still willing; there is only so much that can be done alone."

Haroun nodded. "It can't hurt to train with as many different people as I possibly can." he said with an easy smile. "How would you like to proceed?"

Kylun shrugged. "Spotters, for the equipment, at least to begin? What are your preferences?"

"I leave the choice to you. I was just going to work the heavy bag myself." he said with a shrug. "Makes no real difference to me."

"Well, then, let us begin with that, and see how it goes."

Haroun nodded, and then moved over to the heavy bag. "You want to start, and I'll hold, or do you want to spot first, and I'll strike?"

"I will hold, I think." Kylun smiled. "You have delayed your workout already."