Elite Comic Universe PBP

The ring didn't really require Raul to be that physically strong. He could manipulate magnetic and bio-magnetic fields around objects and people, so most of his fights in the arena involved him getting close, connect, and send someone flying off in the opposite direction. Hitting them harder wouldn't change the impact of the blow in any meaningful way, but it would keep his body in peak condition to appeal to the right demographics, so spending a few hours in the gym every day was necessary.

Besides, it felt good to earn something without relying on his powers. Not to mention seeing the progress he's made on his own. Took some time, but he already added hundred pounds on his deadlift from the start. It was all very impressive, for sure, but like with any typical routine, the first place he headed to was the treadmill to get in mile or two to build himself up, placing in some earbuds to block out the clanking metal sounds and grunting noises from the other students.

Perhaps on the other end of the spectrum, Camilo went to the gym not to look good, but to improve his body and to fuel a healthier addiction. It was evident from his sweat shorts that used to be pants and faded t-shirt that appearance took a backseat in Camilo's life. His mestre back in Rio had conditioned Camilo to crave that feeling of exhaustion after a good workout or spar long before his emergence. People often mistook capoeira to be a lazy or vain martial art, but that couldn't be further from the truth... Well the lazy part at least, there were plenty of peacocks back in Rio.

He too made his way to the treadmills for a warmup, sending a nod Raul's way while trying to figure out the controls on the treadmill.

"Hola." He says with a wave. "Ese es un bigote bastante impresionante." He motions to his face. "That's that's a hell of a stash you have, man. Wish I could grow mine out like that, but that doesn't sell too well in my market. Either grow a full beard or go clean shaven."

Camilo responded with a chuckle while smoothing one side of his mustache with his knuckles. "Gracias, it is a... labor of love. Yes." his thick Brazilian accent betraying him. "So you work down in the market? Very strict boss? It is very clean. Brings in the customers. Unless things are different here? Not many Africanos com bigodes no? Maybe even better?"

As he spoke to Raul, Camilo managed to get the treadmill started and increased the speed to a brisk running pace without affecting his speech.

"Nah, I fight in the ring. Did the Elite Fighting Ring last year. First year did okay, got up there in the ranks. Decided to put it to pause and joined this concurso to get into the team. Who knows, maybe I'll go back if this doesn't work out, come in and get a larger fanbase so I can use it to buscar balas, that money. The promoters, though, they want you to have a clean shave or a little fuzz only to promote you more; gets more eyes on you and into the seats." He smiled at him and spend up as well. "Ahh, you're a Brasileño! Sorry, I can't even attempt Portuguese; sounds like you got the Spanish, down, though. Nice! Ya, but I'm, I'm American. Don't know what they got going on here; just arrived recently and I didn't even do any checking on the locals before I arrived."

"Ah, American, very good. I might have seen you fight in the EFL?" He proudly tweaks his mustache with both hands while keeping pace on the treadmill, "I may have been told I should fight in the EFL, but I would not let them touch meu bigode. I would show them how to draw the eyes and fill the seats. But alas, I was busy last year as well. I was in Rota at the instituto de UNJE and now I am here in Mudaba Adin. But perhaps we fight in this concurso and we see if I could be in the EFL?"

"Good thing to be busy with, man. I never bothered with college, myself. Wasn't planning on it, but it came with the package deal, so I figure...why not." He paused and looked away from him and kept up pace. "Had nothing to do mami threatening to beat me over the head with a cast iron if I didn't take some university classes, no sir..." He chuckled and shook his head and sighed.

"...I'm doing it of my own free will." Raul turned his head and cracked a smile. "But hey, that thing's established enough on you that could probably get in just fine. If it comes part of the package, they'll probably make a exception or market you that way." At the mention of a fight, he smiles widely. "Ahh, there we go, always up for a few rounds up; got to keep myself in practice in the meantime. Maybe even get a friendly spar in before then, just to shake off the cobwebs from the trip."

A touch of melancholy came over Camilo with the mention of Raul's mother and her tender encouragements. It had been around five years since he'd last seen his family. His mother wasn't the most nurturing, but she was still his mamãe.

"Ah yes, la chancla.

Escola was not for me either. I loved to play, to sing, to dance. Mais que isso, I love capoeira. I practice, but it's not the same as my old club back in Rio.

What do you practice? American boxing ou wrestling? Are you the luchador?"

A tall skinny man approached another treadmill and began jogging at a leisurely pace. He greeted the other two with a wave.

Camilo returned the wave with a nod, "Oi... sorry, hey."

He'd fallen back into Português after speaking with Raul. Seeing as this gym session was turning social, Camilo pulled out his handheld and set it on the treadmill's console to act as translator if needed.

"That isn't necessary." the man said in flawless Português. "My name is Arturo."

Taken aback, Camilo switches languages back, "What a pleasant surprise Arturo. I thought I would be stuck speaking English or using the translator when I left Rota. Now I have two new friends who I can speak decently with." He switches to Spanish, "Although my friend here speaks Español not Português. I assume you speak Español? It always seems Português speakers know Español, but Español speakers can't manage to learn Português." He raises an eyebrow to Raul to accompany his statement.

"My name is Camilo, and I just realized I didn't not give you my name or ask yours my friend." the last part directed to Raul.

He switched. "I am Filipino. There is a significant amount of Español in my native tongue. But, I can actually use any language."

Camilo Batista wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 10, 2025 11:13 am

~~snip~~

Babble wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 10, 2025 12:50 pm

~~Snip~~

"Hah, no. I don't really have a style. Doesn't mesh with what I can do too well, so I improvise. Probably wouldn't hurt to learn one, though. He kept up the pace and nodded to the other guy, speaking English. "Hola, new guy. Qué bola?" He listened to him speak Portuguese and nodded. "Look, man, I picked up some French, so it's not like it's impossible for me to learn another language, but Portuguese...man, I don't get it at all. It's just all over the place to me. I just don't get it. Not trying to be mean about it, though. Would love to go to Brazil and speak it down there during during Carnival. Lots of mangos down there, I bet."

He extended his hand to the two while keeping pace. "Raul. Didn't know that about the Philippines, actually. That's pretty cool."

"Most of the islands had their own language once upon a time." he shrugged. "When España showed up and took over, they expected everyone to learn their language. That didn't really work, but a lot of Español got absorbed into the local tongues. The same could be said for the Chinese around that time or the Americans and Japanese after."

"That's the way of it isn't it. They come in, take over, and expect us to give up everything. Our language, our religion, our culture.

I guess we can't complain too much as the losers. We probably would've done the same if we were the victors."

"Too true, I guess. Worked out in the end, I guess." He shrugged and sped up a little. "Part of the competition as well, Arturo, or just a student?"

"I don't know how well I'll do, but I intend to compete." He answered. "And, learn."

Camilo nods hos head approvingly, "Yes, always something new to learn."

He started to cycle his treadmill down to slower speeds, "I'm feeling warmed up, who wants to hit some weights or head to the mats? I'm a healer by the way, so feel free to push yourself around me. Happy to give you a boost or set any broken bones."

"I've only taken a few kali classes. I doubt I'd be much of a sparring partner."