iris message

[unstinting]

[Alcuin's grateful for one of the powers he inherited from his mother, for once- at least he doesn't have to show the whole camp how hard he's been crying. He looks as pretty as ever, but his aura of calm and happiness has been replaced by one of intense purpose.]

I need to learn to fight better than I do. Sword, dagger, bow and arrow, hand to hand- I need to improve my skills. Would anyone be willing to tutor me? I'll owe you a big favour.

Comments

[notagraveman]

[A broad smile, but with far more of an edge to it than his usual one]

Exactly. And I know a lot of nasty tricks.

[unstinting]

I'm sure you do. I'll learn them all, if you'd care to teach me.

[He's pretty sure he can't smile back without it breaking his face entirely. The idea hurts.]

[notagraveman]

Just say when, pretty boy.

[The last is said more as an affectionate nickname than to be teasing]

[unstinting]

[The nickname does make Alcuin's face soften a little, then he nods.]

Tonight?

[He wants to be tired enough to sleep.]

[notagraveman]

Sounds fine to me. You got a preferred weapon?

[unstinting]

I can use a bow, and I've been learning the dagger. I'm not very good yet.

[notagraveman]

Dagger's close enough to a knife for me. We can start with that. Knife fighting's dirty business anyway.

[unstinting]

That's fine with me.

[He doesn't want to fight fair. He wants to make them hurt.]

[notagraveman]

Tonight then. Bring a blade and meet me behind the Hermes cabin.

[unstinting]

Thank you.

action times ftw

[notagraveman]

[Mercutio's waiting, sitting on the edge of the roof actually. Don't ask how he got up there. He drops down when he sees Alcuin approach.]

Evening there.

actiooon

[unstinting]

[Alcuin does wonder at the amount of time people spend on the roof.]

Evening. You like high places, don't you?

[notagraveman]

I like being where I'm not exactly supposed to be. Besides, getting up high lets you see people coming sooner.

So pardon my asking, but is there a reason for the sudden desire to learn dirty fighting?

[unstinting]

The Red Room killed my guardian.

[He's pretty sure he can't cry anymore, but it's still hard to say. He has to force it out, so it comes out a little bit loud.]

I want vengeance.

[notagraveman]

Some day I'm going to sit someone down and make them explain exactly what the whole Red Room thing's about.

[But he's not blind to other's emotions, even if he often ignores them]

Now's not the time though, obviously. You got a specific target in mind, or is this a general 'Gaea's forces' kinda thing?

[unstinting]

I don't know who did it, but when I find out I'm going to rip their heart out.

[He says it very calmly, but very intently. It just seems appropriate, considering how he feels.]

[notagraveman]

[His eyes narrow, and he nods, once]

Fair enough. A little bit of everything then.

How do you feel about pain? Your own, I mean. Physical pain. Cause sometimes y'gotta be willing to take some to dish some out.

[unstinting]

I don't like it, but I'm not afraid to suffer if I have to.

[Hopefully that will be good enough.]

[notagraveman]

That's good. 'Cause knife fighting is always up close and personal, and that means being willing to accept risk.

[He pulls out the dagger he's gotten from the armory]

First things, first. Targets. Anything male, go for the groin. Most anything'll try to protect it, but sometimes you can be fast. And guarding the groin usually leaves the eyes unprotected. Ain't seen no one who can fight right with their eyes impaired.

[He gestures with the dagger as he talks]

But that's mostly obvious stuff. Practically traditional fighting. What most people don't expect is hamstring attacks. Being willing to fall and roll and slash out at legs and feet.

[unstinting]

[Alcuin's eyes follow the dagger as he listens. So, get fast enough to feint at the groin, then go for the eyes- that's not bad. The idea of falling makes him tilt his head.]

You'd be pretty exposed on the ground, wouldn't you?

[notagraveman]

That is the risk of course.

[He sheathes the dagger again and drops into a somersault from his standing position. He pulls his legs under him as the roll finishes and pops back up, now right next to Alcuin.]

It's all about being quick and knowing where your body is. Once you know that, it's easier to strike on the move. That's the other big rule. Never be where they expect you.

[unstinting]

So it's as much about movement and misdirection as it is about stabbing.

[He's fast and graceful already- not that he can do somersaults like that, but at least he has somewhere to start.]

So, what do I practice first?

[notagraveman]

Exactly!

[Mercutio's got a genuine smile here. It's been years and he'd still never gotten Romeo to get that simple fact.]

Do you know how to fall? And not hurt yourself of course.

[unstinting]

[Alcuin picks up concepts quickly. The physical side will probably take longer, but he can get the theory in a snap.]

Yes, I know that much at least.

[notagraveman]

That's a start.

[He gives Alcuin an appraising look up and down. ]

Are you going to get fussy if you mess up those clothes? 'Cause I think the easiest thing is to learn how to roll and such first. Then we can work on lashing out while you do so.