The Salle, Sunday Afternoon

[bitchprince]

Arthur could only loiter about for so long until the itch set back in. On Sunday, he had ventured into the salle. He hadn't removed his sling, nor had he any intention of attempting to using the arm (a fact that had absolutely nothing to do with a certain whisp of a boy who wouldn't stop moaning about the wound) and he took a light practice sword rather than his own, heavier blade.

One-armed was a handicap, but it was not insurmountable. Like he'd attempted on the beach several weeks ago, Arthur took to his right-handed sword drills with dedication and care.

It was a good distraction from the thoughts buzzing about in his head. Both the usual, and the tingling, nagging thought that perhaps he'd been unkind to Liir. It made him uncomfortable, and so he swung the sword again, adjusting his feet.

[[ open salle is open! ]]

Comments

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

Worf had come down to get some practice with his bat'leth and noted the student trying to use a sword while in a sling.

"You attempt to practice while still wounded. Very admirable," Worf commented.

[bitchprince]

"It wouldn't do to get out of practice," Arthur replied, a little strained. Or, perhaps, merely miffed.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Most humans would prefer rest and recovery," Worf replied. "Not many would take to your dedication."

[bitchprince]

"Rest and recovery I've plenty of," Arthur grunted, on a downswing that he quickly halted as it was clear Worf was intent on conversation. He sighed once, a breath of annoyance. "If I've recovered and yet I cannot hold a sword, I may as well be dead," he said, matter-of-factly. He looked up, ready to continue his diatribe... "...Sweet mercy, did someone pin something to your forehead?"

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"No. My forehead is a common feature among Klingons," Worf sounding slightly annoyed. "You were aware that not everyone on this island was human. Correct?"

[bitchprince]

"No," Arthur said, slowly, but for want of not starting another scene he might regret later, did not in fact yell. "I did not." He would mark that as 'not of his own people' because 'inhuman' was still a bit of a grasp. "Your people would be Klingons, then?"

He was in possession of some understanding of tact.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Yes," Worf said dryly. "A proud warrior race from another planet."

[bitchprince]

"Right," Arthur responded, equally dry. "In space, I'd imagine. What is that you're carrying?"

Because shiny, shiny weapons were far more interesting.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"This is a bat'leth," Worf said proudly holding it out for inspection. "Not unlike a sword. It has been in my family for five generations."

[bitchprince]

Arthur put away his sword for the moment so that he could approach. He eyed the bat'leth critically, attempting to intuit its use. "You don't grip it in the same fashion, do you?" he asked, because at the moment he was incapable of trying.

Stupid wound.

"How heavy is it?"

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Heavier than one of your typical swords," Worf replied. "However the grip is very much different. One may use it one handed or two handed and easily switch between the right and the left. It acts more of and extension of the arm."

As Worf said that he did a fluid demonstration of the use of the grips.

[bitchprince]

The word 'one-handed' blipped in Arthur's mind. There laid a slight grin in the way he was considering the weapon now.

"Impressive," he said, with actual admiration. "Have you any drills you can show me?"

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"If you are interested," Worf replied. "Though typically it follows the type of sword play used by the samurai or kendo. "

Not that Arthur would be familiar with that.

[bitchprince]

"I have absolutely no idea what that is," Arthur offered him, "So I'd be much pleased if you'd demonstrate."

Shiny, shiny weapons.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Certainly," Worf replied as he began to move through the first kata in a well practiced fluid sort of way. "Though it misses something when there is not an opponent."

[bitchprince]

"Fighting does that," Arthur said. He took watch with a critical eye, never taking his attention off the weapon itself. "There's only so often you can mime beating up a carpet."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

That made Worf pause.

"Carpet?"

[bitchprince]

"Or something else that just sits there," Arthur retorted, shooting him a look.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"I see," Worf replied. "So do you battle furniture often?"

[bitchprince]

"Miming," Arthur repeated. That look intensified. "I don't actually fight furniture, that's ridiculous."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Worf replied briskly. "Of course here that may happen so at least you will have experience."

[bitchprince]

"...You've fought furniture?"

Well, Worf had properly disarmed his upcoming righteous bitching streak.

"Are you delusional? Furniture doesn't come to life on a whim."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"I have not," Worf grunted. "And clearly you have not been in town long enough. This island takes perverse pleasure in torturing its inhabitants."

[bitchprince]

"Terrific," Arthur muttered. There might have been a fair bit of facepalming. "Would you be able to teach me use of that weapon?"

It suddenly seemed more pressing to learn the local weaponry.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Certainly," Worf replied. "However it requires you be familiar with the art of the mok'bara."

[bitchprince]

"And you're about to tell me what that is, I take it?" Arthur asked, not at all dryly.

Not at all.

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"A form of hand to hand combat," Worf replied just as dryly. "It is very disciplined."

[bitchprince]

"Discipline," Arthur said, sharply, "Is one of the cornerstones of Knighthood."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Knights," Worf replied. "From Earth's dark ages. There have been many advances to warfare since then. One might not be up to the challenge."

[bitchprince]

Arthur's eyes flashed at the challenge.

"Please," he said, eyeballing the weapon, "I can tackle any of your advances. I've been trained to kill since birth."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"As have I. That does not mean you are prepared," Worf replied evenly. "How were you wounded?"

[bitchprince]

"It means I'm well capable of picking up a discipline," he said, obviously prickly. "I might not be in the best shape but don't insult my aptitude."

Unconsciously, Arthur reached up to rub his shoulder. "I was attacked by a Questing Beast that had been attacking the kingdom," he answered. "We slayed it, but not without cost."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Questing Beast?" Worf said raising an eyebrow. "I'm not familiar with this type of animal."

[bitchprince]

"It is a mythical beast," he explained, "Head of a serpent, body of a leopard. And really bloody fast."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

Worf actually looked impressed by that.

"Have you any visual medium of the beast?"

[bitchprince]

"What, like a drawing?" Arthur asked, puzzled. "We didn't bring any books."

[sonofmogh.livejournal.com]

"Unfortunate," Worf replied. "Very well. Once you have healed from your wound find me and I will teach you."