Salle - Morning

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Normally Zuko would train with his real dual blades, but this morning he had picked out two of the lighter practise swords to move through his usual drills as he waited for Jo to turn up. He pretended to ignore and of the commentary Trick had been giving even if he did agree that it might be fun. Not that he was going to admit that out loud.

Comments

[wannabehunter]

If Jo felt the slightest bit nervous, which she didn't, really, when she came into the Salle, she did a remarkably good job of covering it.

"Morning."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Zuko finished the drill before straightening up and facing Jo.

"Morning," he replied, and apparently the antagonistic mood had stuck as he continued, "I wasn't sure you'd show up."

[wannabehunter]

Jo's spine stiffened. "I said I would," she said flatly. "Harvelles keep their word."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

He nodded and motioned to the side where they kept the practise weapons. "I had a look earlier, they have knives too."

[wannabehunter]

"Good," Jo said as she went over to pick out a couple of knives. "Wouldn't want to hurt you."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Zuko moved onto the mats, watching Jo to see which knives she was choosing to see what kind of attack he should be expecting. "I'm not worried."

[wannabehunter]

Jo carefully choose a pair of daggers that closely resembled hunting knives, along with a smaller danger she slipped into her boot. "You should be."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Zuko fell into an attack position, bringing his blades up and crossing them. "I doubt it."

[wannabehunter]

Holding the knives in a hammer grip, Jo circled Zuko. "That's what they all say."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"I can show you," he offered and swiftly closed the distance between them, bringing both blades down to her side.

[wannabehunter]

Ducking quickly out of the way, Jo flung the knife in her left hand just to the side of his head.

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

She was like Mai and Zuko only narrowly ducked the knife, rolling forward to the ground and twisting on his knees, making a sweet for her legs.

[wannabehunter]

It was amazing how things like jump-rope skills could come in handy at times. Eyes widening, Jo jumped up to avoid the swords. As she landed she aimed an elbow at his head.

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

In the process of getting up, the elbow hit his shoulder instead. He grimaced, but didn't let on anything else as he hit out at her side with the flat of his blade while trying to jump back and create more distance between them.

[wannabehunter]

Jo winced as the blade connected with her side, but focused on staying as close inside his reach as she could.

Of course there were probably more effect methods than trying to grab his clothing with her free hand and attempting to head-butt him.

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

What the...

Zuko's eyes widened as he was expecting this to be a knife and sword fight.

"Are you insane?" he growled, bringing his elbow down on her arm to get her to let go as he staggered back, his head hurting like hell.

[wannabehunter]

Jo backed up out of his reach. "No, but apparently it helps."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

He let out a breath and there may have been smoke escaping his nostrils. He circled her slowly, taking a moment to clear his head.

"Only for so much," he warned her, his eyes flickered as he charged forward, his right blade moving for her left shoulder as the left hit towards her hip. He stayed light on his feet, ready to jump back quickly.

[wannabehunter]

Jo managed to twist out of the way of the blade headed for her hip, but swore loudly as she was clipped by the aimed at her shoulder.

Her foot shooting out towards his groin was purely instinct.

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Zuko should probably be really really grateful for his reflexes at that point as he darted out of the way.

"For someone who likes weapons, you don't use them much," he remarked, circling her again.

[wannabehunter]

"Never said I was exclusive," Jo pointed out, ducking in long enough to aim a slash at his right arm.

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

He blocked the hit with his right blade, his other sword coming up to hit her upper left arm as he shifted to the left, not wanting to risk getting hit below the belt.

"I could fight with just one," he offered.

[wannabehunter]

"No, it's okay," Jo said, dropping and rolling out of the way. "Just more of a challenge is all."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"You'd do better with a sword too," Zuko pointed out. He closed the distance again, bringing one blade down to her shoulder, followed by a quick sweep with his leg to bring her off balance.

[wannabehunter]

"Yeah, sure, if I'd ever picked up anything larger than a Bowie," Jo agreed, aiming a blow with the butt of her knife at his knee as she went down.