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 He looks as pretty as ever, but his aura of calm and happiness has been replaced by one of intense purpose.]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

[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.

[unstinting]

[Alcuin crosses his arms and gives him a flat look in return.]

I wore these to work in, not dance in. I don't mind getting them messy.

[notagraveman]

[He shrugs, unconcerned at the flat look. It was a sensible question to ask]

Then on the ground with you. One knee down one up. [He drops down, demonstrating what he's describing.]

Best is to get used to dropping down into this position almost reflexively, but form's more important now. You'll roll onto the shoulder same side as the knee that's down. Full somersault, like a little kid, then come up on your knees again, ready to repeat. [he demonstrates, then stands]

Might take a few tries to get it right, but it becomes second nature pretty quick.

[unstinting]

[Fair enough, especially considering how many children of Aphrodite get about their clothes. Alcuin just has more important things on his mind right now.]

I think I can manage that.

[He goes down on one knee smoothly. Fortunately, like other demigods he has a certain measure of agility. It's not too hard to get the hang of the move.]

[notagraveman]

[Mercutio watches with both a critical and an appreciative eye. Critical for form, and appreciative of the other's obvious grace. ]

Not bad, but best to do it a bunch more times.

[He watches Alcuin roll quite a bit more, making adjustments here and there, until finally he's statisfied.]

Y'think if I randomly shouted 'roll!' at you sometime tomorrow or something you could do that perfectly?

[unstinting]

As long as you don't do it while I'm holding something.

[He straightens up and stretches.]

I think I've got that move down.

[notagraveman]

[He laughs]

Good, good. I'd say next step would be to learn to do it standing, but that'd just be boring right now. So how 'bout we add the attacking part?