fandomhighdorms | The Gym; Tuesday Afternoon.

Ami got the call from Setsuna and listened to the message. Maybe the other girl did want to do this after all?

Not one to disappoint, Ami went down to the gym after lunch at the appointed time.

Setsuna, not nearly as into the throes of forms as she was last time, waved to the other girl when she saw her. //"Hello, Ami-chan! Are you warmed up and ready to go? Or do you need a moment? I plan to kind of get right into it, but I know this is kind of last moment."// She chuckled a little, shyly. //"Sorry about that..."//

//"That is alright, i understand. I think i am ready?"// Ami really had no idea. She had stretched in her room, to not have to bore her teacher with that and had lightly jogged to the gym itself, so in theory she was ready.

//"Excellent,"// Setsuna nodded, and then moved with a cock of her head. //"Come with me over to the practise swords and we'll pick you out one that's best for you...Do you know much about how to tell when a sword feels right or not?"//

Ami shook her head, following Setsuna. //"Not at all... Though in the movies they hold them up and check for balance?"//

//"Balance is important,"// Setsuna agreed, //"but you'll find that most of these are already well balanced, with a few thrown in that aren't as sort of a loop. What's more important is weight and length. I've never been one for...technicalities on that, really. If you've ever really gotten a good look at Yuunagi, she's technically ridiculous when it comes to technicalities for my size and build, but she's always been what feels right. One very important thing about my methods, Ami-chan, is that a connection between the warrior and her blade is more important than almost anything else. These are just practise swords, and this is a principle better applied to live steel, but you still want to start off on the right foot by getting a sense for what sort of connection you might have."//

...Setsuna cleared her throat, and hoped Ami was understanding all of that.

//"Alright..."// Ami had in fact noticed that Setsuna's sword was huge~~not dirty~~, but had not commented.

//"Is that why your sword has a name, because you have connected with it?"//

Setsuna nodded. //"And so much more than that. Fighting with a nameless blade is like fighting without armour. It gives the weapon an intentity, a soul, a purpose. It gives it life."//

//"Literally? Or metaphorically?"// Ami picked up a practice sword and held it. //"So... um, will i just know?"// It sort of felt funny in her grasp.

//"Well, metaphorically,"// Setsuna chuckled lightly. //"I've seen a lot of strange things, but a living sword is still not among them. And, theoretically, yes, you will just know. It should just feel right."//

//"Not this one then."// Ami put the sword carefully away. It was a practice sword but still. Swords were like books, best treated with respect.

She picked up another one and then another. This one was off. //"I think this one is bad in some way?"// she handed Setsuna one of the badly balanced ones. //"Not sure what is wrong with it though."//

Setsuna looked impressed as she gave the sword a little test herself. //"Very nice, Ami-chan. You've picked out one of the unbalanced ones. Here, just real quick, take this and one of the others at once and see if you can feel the difference."// He hand the sword back to her.

Ami stared at her in bafflement. But she took the two swords and felt them both in her hands. //"Oh. I think i see."// She tried to remember that the way in which the two swords felt differently was an issue of balance. The information would come in handy later.

//"I'm sure someone like you,"// Setsuna said, her tone admirable, //"so attuned to science and mathematics could figure out exactly what about the sword makes it unbalanced, or more so than the others, but, really, for me it's all guesswork, and going with my gut..."//

Ami nodded, sizing up the sword again. //"I think perhaps applying mathematics would be over thinking it. It is like applying physics to billiards, you over think and do not make a shot."//
She picked up another sword, took a practice swing with it and put it back. Same with another and another. The next one she took a practice swing with and then did so again. And a again. //"This one."// She had no idea why, but she did know it.

And something about the firm assurance in which Ami swung in conflict with the slightly confused look on her face told Setsuna that Ami just might be getting it. //"Good,"// she said. //"Let's move out to the mats and I'll show you a few warm-up forms. We've cooled down a bit standing here, but the forms are still useful as more than just a warm-up."//

Ami nodded, and followed Setsuna. She was very nervous about doing this wrong. Or possibly about doing this right, she wasn't sure. //if i stick to just copying what she does, maybe i won't mess up...//

Setsuna carefully went through a few forms, making sure to show them clearly and explain them thoroughly, including why they were important. She lead her through a series of sturdy, downward chops from a position of the sword over their head, crucial to arm strength. Deep lunging staps that would help with steadying the blade and stretching the legs. Sharp, switching, crossing swipes in front of them, to work on more strength and speed.

Ami carefully did what she was shown. In the slow and steady exercises, Ami appeared to be a true novice, unsure of what she was doing and unpracticed.

Which, after the display of talent last week, left Setsuna a little disappointed. But it wasn't a bad start, at all. //"Good, we're warm. Remember those excersizes. They're simple, but important, and you'll want to practise them often."//

Ami nodded. She felt all awkward and unsure as to what she was doing. which she did not like one bit. but at least it made sense. //"Every day often?"//

//"Every day would be optimal,"// Setsuna nodded. //"Although not necissary. Do what feels right for you. Do...do you feel ready to try a little bit of sparring now? I figured, after last week, that would be a good approach."//

//"I... yes. But... how?"// Ami had no idea how to spar.

//"Well, don't you remember last week?"// Setsuna frowned, worriedly. //"Just do what you did then. You did really well last week."//

//"Oh, so you are going to attack me again?"// That made more sense.

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