“They say ‘manners maketh man’, but I’d like to think that the sentiment extends to words too. Surprisingly, we can’t settle all disagreements on the mat. Or elsewhere, for that matter.” A sly grin remains intact as Terry amusedly observes the shorter figure, pondering over what exactly had been relayed to Toguchi, a one-sided story undoubtedly overly skewed as opposed to an ounce of unjustified balance. There’s always two sides to be told, and regardless of its overt lack of nuance or grace ( replaced by intimidation & harm ), loyalty had been the cornerstone of the overall ordeal regardless of external perception ( apology be damned ). The lofty man can understand why the Okinawan had joined the fray, but he wonders just how much the other is prepared to dedicate himself to this little cause given how everyone has their limitations, a factor that hadn’t been considered when first proffering ‘Sensei Joe’ with the opportunity to be his righthand man - deception is bittersweet when the tables are turned, acrimony and vitriol gnawing away beneath the surface for having allowed himself a semblance of vulnerability ( a fool’s mistake - never again ).
“So judgmental,” he croons with a feigned expression of disappointment, splayed fingertips poised against layers of material enveloping his chest, mock surprise on full display. “You see them as mindless when I merely believe that firm discipline is required to instill key values. Those which are needed before a hold can be relinquished. Children need structured guidance, not nonsensical pampering.” Eyes sharply narrow with the attempt of degrading and probing at any trace of Terry’s desolation, the man opting to look past such endeavours as he reasons that he did have those in his life who cared for him ( didn’t he, or had he pushed them all away..? ). “Spoken like a man who didn’t drop every single responsibility in his life to tend to a… friend.” There’s a pointed emphasis to the latter word, gelid eyes looking through Chozen as if sifting through a multitude of thoughts printed in ink and readily accessible to be read, head amusedly canting to one side. “You left your own students behind and came running at such short notice. You’d think you were practically waiting by the phone…”
“Hai, in Okinawa, honor is settle to death. Specially when honor is disrespected like you disrespect anything that is not your own.“ Like Miyagi-do, Miyagi-sama’s memory and everything his own uncle taught him. Daniel-san’s teachings and will are being broken for a man that is not worth to be broken with. It angers him, but he knows better now than react like a child who gets a rise out of anything. He can let it simmer, linger until the right moment. He scoffs under every uttered under his words, children perhaps need structured guidence, he did. And he agrees, up to an extent.
“Children are children. A tree does not rise under the hard sun alone. It needs tenderness and care. But you would not know how to provide. Not like a teacher does.“ When a student needs help, a teacher aids, it helps them grow until they no longer need a teacher. Being a Sensei was a way of living for him, something he learned in order to become better than the shadow of a man he once was. Eyes shift forward, posture aware of the insinuation ( this time, a correct one ). He does not need to outright say it in order for Chozen to become aware the man knows. “Students needed vacation too. If need of training, Uchi-deshi will help them until I return. I trust them. Do you trust yours not to break ranks?“ He wish to deflect again the insuation. He is not ashamed of his feelings.
Lips curve into a smile as the other keeps on the insinuations. “Hai. Like you with your former partner, so I heard.“ And from what he heard, it would not be the first time Terry Silver drops everything to help John Kreese. He understands that from the man, at least. Loyalty, and devotion. “Some calls are worth the trouble. I will not be shamed by a man who betrays his friend, thinking it’s a weakness.“