Jun 27 20:14:21 105 PA
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Sat Jun 27 20:14:21 105 PA.
Saturday evening, a night of modest patronage for the Gym. A lot of people come to get in shape, though most are out doing what they can to get out of it. Desmond is here, clad in his casual gym clothes. He is off a bit to the side of the room, wielding a wooden practice sword. The faux blade is held carefully in both hands, the big feline still getting used to the grip of it. Practicing swings and parries, with an air of one learning about each movement, getting close to basic mastery. His expression schooled into a firm, stoic mask, he fixates on his movements, letting the base of them seep into his consciousness and become more and more natural.
Watching from across the room, practiced eyes observe Desmonds every move, mentally critiquing the movements and the cuts through the air. Not yet a true master of the blade, Hayate has seen his share of battles and has trained for most of his life in thier use. Still watching the big feline, he starts to approach him, stopping well out of strike range. "Trying something new Neko-San?"
Desmond doesn't seem surprised this time, to hear Hayate's question. Keeping in his stance, his posture as an ear flicks towards the small juicer. "It seems a favorable skill to develop," he replies steadily, moving through a series of cuts. While his blade technique is still rough, his stance is solid and his natural grace remains. "Many are the swords that could be useful when I need do battle." Pausing, a smooth pivot to turn. He pauses, looking toward Hayate. "You are well, yes?" Hayate nods as you look toward him. "I am well yes, I've been looking into the dissapearance of a couple from Electric Joy. But other than that I'm fine. I've uh... I have some skill with a blade. If you like I can give you some pointers, and a target. You need not worry about harming me." He says with a thin smile.
Desmond nods his head once to the note of what Hayate has been doing. Thoughtful as he looks forward again and starts to slowly move through his practice motions once more. "Perhaps another time. I am yet still too rough to absorb a true spar with these long blades. So too I must practice with two. It will be a difficult thing to get used to with the added length. I am more used to knives. Quicker they seem, though this gives a benefit in reach."
Hayate shakes his head, the growing mop of jet black hair flicking around his brow. "Not a Spar, a training session. You attack the way you think best, I defend so you get the feel of your blade striking something. Train your muscles to use the blade which I promise you is far different from claws or even knives. Then I can see what you're doing wrong, or can do better." He says with a shrug, the offer on the table.
Desmond considers for a few moments as he makes two more careful movements. He then pauses and glances towards Hayate. Considering the man briefly before he relaxes his stance, arms dipping to his sides. "Very well. We can attempt this, if you like. It seems a favorable idea." He glances down to his side, fingers toying with the grip on the wooden sword, letting his fingers tense and relax, cementing the feel of the longer blade.
Hayate nods, and he moves to get another practice blade, as the one on his back would sever yours like scissors through paper. He eyes your grip for a moment, then looks at you. "Make sure your grip is relaxed, comfortable. You cannot flow if your hands are tense." He tells you, then brings his own wooden blade up, and readies himself. "Begin when you are ready."
Desmond nods his head once. "The instructor I was seeing spoke on that manner of grip," he rumbles. His fingers feel about for a bit before he's pleased with his grip. The grip a good one. He's been practicing for a time. Once he feels comfortable, he lifts his other hand and brings the blade up in a textbook ready stance. Neatly held and lose. Relaxed. He is still for a moment before he snaps the wooden blade forward in a quick, tight slash. Again, that natural speed and accuracy make up for much of his rough skill with the blade. He follows it with a second slash, practice sword cutting a carefully controlled arc before him.
With the speed born of artificial adrenaline, and lots of it, Hayate's blade snaps in to parry both your cuts and he nods in approval. "Not bad, but you're a big guy, use your power to your advantage. The knife is for speed, the sword for power unless you have the skill to incoporate speed into it. Which you don't. Yet. Instead focus on the power aspect, the speed will take care of itself as you progress." He says watching your footwork. He brings his blade up again at the ready, holding it with just the one hand.
A slight frown comes to Desmond. "Within reason," he rumbles. "Were I to exert my force in full, I have no doubt one of these blades would snap." Not that he seems all that pleased by the prospect by his tone. "But I understand your meaning." He lifts the blade again and sets his stance. Footwork is something he knows well and he adjusts his own with the same deft alacrity as he has in any other aspect of his combat style. He brings the blade forward in an overhand sweep, giving it some of his considerable power. Keeping his stance loose and responsive for potential need of defense, quick to angle the blade at the end of the slice with the same readiness in mind.
Hayate nods. "I see your point, I trained with actual blades, save the edges were dulled. To give the actual proper weights and balance training." He says before your blade crashes down on his head. Or would have if his arm had not shot up with a mind of it's own and parried your blade, the sound of wood colliding echoing through the room. Hayate dances back with a spin and faces you again. "Good. Remember you need not memorize moves and techniques.. so much as train your body to follow those techniques and moves so well that you can devote your mind to strategy and outmanuevering your opponent. Train your body to fight on it's own." He says smiling.
"As it is in all battle," Desmond replies. "Often I practice katas that teach the body to move on instinct." He takes a step back and then drives forth with a firm powered thrust, sweeping the blade upward and toward Hayate at the end of it, lending power to the swipe. A step back as he adds, "Many are the parallels in combat, it is just the precise movements, the heft and balance that must be learned." Moving forward again, mixing in a bit of speed in a few quick swipes.
Hayate moves like even few juicers can, the tiny man's sword arm flashing as he parries your blows. "Kata's are useless. They are for show. True combat learned by repitition are not Kata's, but drills. There is a subtle but present difference between the two." He says, turning the offensive back on you. His wooden blade snaps out at your waist, then apparently anticipating a parry, he back spins and sweeps his blade at your knee.
Desmond parries the swipe, reacting tot he low slice with a leap backward, five feet of distance made before he touches down, crouched low, the sword held in a casual guard. "Repetition is repetition," he rumbles. "It has worked well for me, as has diversifying the scope of my experience." He moves forward slowly as he adds, "I learned of Boxing as a means to tighten my defense. An interesting, if simple style. Greatly focused on guarding and dodging."
Hayate watches you, nodding as you avoid his low blow. "I too have studied boxing. But I have studied kickboxing, and fencing as well. The kickboxing has it's defensive side, parrying with the legs and feet, but it's mainly offensive. And fencing gives me more of a repetoire for my blade."
Desmond nods his head slightly. "I know not if I will yet draw upon more styles. Already I have several new aspects that I have been exposed to. After I have become competent with longer blades, I believe I will spend some time letting these new ways weave fully with that which I was trained at the start." He considers briefly before he lets the sword rest in one hand rather than two. Holding the blade at a slight angle across his front. He moves forth, the practice blade swung into a smooth series of attacks. The big male falling silent as he moves through the attacks. Still a touch awkward about the slices themselves, but his ability is refining.
Hayate blurs into movement, Juicer speed pushing Hayate's body into overdrive. Your first strike is dodged, as the juicer simply leans out of the way. But the rest are ignored fully as he leaps high. Up and over your head he goes, feet fully towards the cieling. The flat of his blade taps you on the back of the skull and he lands behind you, and rolls away, spinning as he rises. "I'd say you need to know your weapons before moving on."
Desmond grunts at the tap, spinning about with the sword firm held in hand. "As I said, I am still learning. My lessons are not yet complete with these longer blades," he rumbles. He pauses, then relaxes his stance as he adds, "Still I must focus on the differing balance. Though the weight is not considerable compared to a knife to one such as myself, mastering the reach of these blades has proven a challenge. But it becomes more natural each day."
Hayate nods and tosses his blade back onto the pile in the corner. "That's enough for me for now. I must rest and look into this dissapearance more." He says easily. He bows to you and starts to head out.
Desmond nods his head once. "Very well. Good luck in your searches," he rumbles in response. Paused to watch the small juicer go on his way before he looks down slightly to the practice sword. Letting his hand shift slightly as he toys with the grip again. Ever exploring even that simple aspect of the blade. Ever seeking a more comfortable precision in just how he holds it.Tags:desmond, hayate
