Morning routines have been not-so-routine, so Hide forced herself to go out and do at least some kind of work at the gym. It didn’t take long to change into her athletic clothing, putting her real clothes aside in a locker. First up on the agenda? Well, stretches. But the real first thing after that would definitely be some basic weights and reps.

Dumbbell in hand, Hide began to do many reps, swapping her arms after a moment.

Nishda strolled through the mall when he noticed someone particular going to the gym.

He wasn't a real athlet so he did what a man of his status would do: Talk with the clerk to get a allowance to observe the facility in case he would want to do some sport.

As if that would ever happen.

He laid eyes on the compact lion. Akemi said she was interesed to join the crab. She got muscles, that's for sure. He didn't want to disturb her rountine so he just sat down and wantched her a bit.

Could she made squats with weights that were as heavy as Nishida and heavier?
Would Nsihdia make a note to never start a fight with her?

Maybe.

It didn’t take long for Hide to notice she was being watched. But she didn’t think the worst of it yet. She just turned her head towards the Crab that had come in and sat down, tilting it slightly as she looked at him questioningly.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Were you looking to use these? I’m almost done with the dumbbells if you need them. I was going to hit the bench press, anyway. Well if I could find a spotter.”

"Excuse me Matsu-san. I'm Yasuki Nishida, Akemi-san told me a bit about you. I've heard your an acquintance woth Eriko-san?

Also, I can spot you, if you like"

He said giving her a small bow.

Hide looked very surprised. People talked about her? Hopefully that’s a good thing. Hide placed the heavy dumbbells back up on the rack and turned around to offer a proper bow. “Ah, yes. I am Matsu Hide and a... Friend of Eriko-san’s.”

“I wouldn’t mind the spot, but you seem to have approached me with something in mind? I could take a quick break to answer any questions or whatever.”

"I'm no expert, but I know that taking too long breaks between sets was not a good idea. No real questions, I just wanted to see who you are and get to know you. At least I'm already convinced of your strength."

“Ah, then I wouldn’t mind the spot. But I gotta take it a bit easier than normal today. Getting back in the swing of things, y’know? Between all the events and getting a bit injured, had no time to come back here and keeping up with my routine,” Hide admitted, rubbing at the back of her neck.

She motioned for the Yasuki to join her at the bench, “So... What did you hear about me? You said Akemi-san spoke of me, yeah?”

Hide was looking over the weights, deciding which ones would be a good light workout to put on the barbell.

"I've heard that you might grow fond of a crab" he said with a smirk. "Inujred? Are you alright?"

“Oh, yeah, I’m totally fine. My Shugenja roommate had me covered. Still, don’t want to make her mad at me for overextending myself so soon after!” She paused after putting on one side of the weights, “Akemi-san told you that, huh? I mean, not wrong.”

"This hunt really was something, i'm glad your good."

He would move up to the bench to spot her.

"How much do you want to lift?"

“Yeah. Things get crazy out in the wilds. Would not recommend.”

Hide tapped the barbell before slipping under to get in position. “Normally I go for (215 lbs/99 kg). But I’m gonna hit Approximately a quarter under that.”

"Alright."

Nishida would put some weights on the barbell. He never did much lifting himself, so he was indeed a bit interested to see how Hide would manage to lift these weights.

She adjusted herself so her breastbone and shoulders were in the right position before taking the barbell off. She had the right form, and did about twenty reps before placing it back up on the rack.

While it was probably nerve-wracking to watch the compact Lion lift this much, she was used to more weight and probably didn’t absolutely need a spotter, but it was good to be cautious with weights.

D6: Fluff Athletics roll for LIFT.: 6d10o10k4 25

As it looked, Hide needed someone to supervise her.

"Despite your injury, you still show a lot of strength, Hide-san. I am impressed."

“Ah, thanks.” She grinned as she slipped out from under the bar that had been placed back. She sat up, giving her shoulders a good stretch after that lifting.

“So, you one of your Clan’s courtiers, I take it?”

"Yasuki often are, yes. Although the crane would probably call us anything but a courtier" he said with a smirk. "But we represent the Crab in court most of the time, the other families are more concered with the martial side of being a crab"

“Gathered as much. I mean, Crane don’t like calling our Ikoma anything more than brutish pot-stirrers.” Hide grinned, she had found some camaraderie with Crab in the past by doing much the same as now.

"If I could get a Koku every time a crane pulls his face when I have to explain to him that the supply of weapons is more important than his silk, I could purchase the Green Carp." he said with a chukle

“Man, a good supply of weapons is make or break for Clans like the Crab or Lion. At least the raw materials for ships and what not.” Seeing as the Lion currently have a shortage on the latter, Hide is well-aware of the worth. “But silk? Nah, I would take something good and sturdy over silk any day.”

"Right, but apparently the cranes have completely different problems. Tsk. As if it matters that the latest fashion comes on the market when the merchant fleet is shot down by 'independent pirates'."