Salle - Saturday around noon - 6/6

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

After a brief exploration of the dorms, Fiona made her way to the salle, deciding that a bit of violence might be the best to get the itchiness out of her feet. She had her yo-yo with her, as per usual, but she put it aside in favor of working on the sword drills Arthur had shown her. Just three more days before she'd have to show it to him again, no doubt, and if she didn't have it down perfectly, he'd have even more to gripe about.

Regardless of her concerns for Arthur, she got a bit creative after a while. She added an extra thrust here, doubled her speed to put in a surplus jab where it felt appropriate, turned her blade to make a turn go faster. She'd have to remember not to do it while Arthur was watching, but it felt good nonetheless.

Which was starting to be rare.

[open as these things are]

Comments

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

Kenshin slipped into the salle, and after retrieving his sword, settled back against the wall to watch Fiona for a while.

If she asked him, when she was done, he might provide critique.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

She turned when she saw movement, but swept it into her drill to keep going. It was only Himura, after all.

She was practically relieved.

When she finished the drill a second time in front of him, she lowered her sword and looked over at the other boy.

"Just here to sit?"

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

"For the moment," he replied.

Sword, Fiona. You should know this by now.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

She knew he liked being with his sword, but sometimes he was here for more.

"Arthur's teaching me the sword," she told him as she gestured to the weapon.

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

"Ah. I had wondered," he admitted. "Keep your elbows in closer," he advised after a moment. "You're leaving your sides vulnerable."

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"I thought so," she admitted quietly, "but I wanted to do it as he'd shown me."

She ducked her head.

"Mostly."

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

"Save improvisation for when you can do the basics in your sleep."

It seemed like Arthur was a much kinder teacher than Shishou.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

She raised an eyebrow.

"I can do the basics in my sleep," she told him flatly. Her temper was a little high today.

"That's what I've been doing all week."

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

"And you're still leaving your sides open," he pointed out.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"I won't now that you've told me."

And to prove it, she didn't say another word. She just launched into the drill again. It was hard to do it with her elbows down; the sword she used wasn't much like the sword Kenshin used, and the arc of the swings didn't work well with his advice. Nonetheless, she made it work. She was stubborn like that.

She looked back at him once she was done.

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

"Better," he said with a slight nod. "If you were armoured, you wouldn't have to worry as much about keeping your arms in, but I don't think a yoroi would suit you."

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"I am armored," she mused before nodding to him. No, traditional armor wouldn't suit her anyway.

"This is harder. Thank you, Himura."

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

He gave her a nod.

"You're welcome."

[sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com]

Triela stepped into the salle and looked around. Her eyes were flat, but observant. She nodded to herself and set herself up in front of a heavy punching bag to do her homework for Mister Durden.

Which apparently consisted of lots of punching. Her moves were precise, almost mechanically so. That meant there wasn't much in the way of variation. Or imagination.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

Fiona glanced over at the other girl but remembering the cold discussion they'd had at the reserves, decided not to speak to her. Instead, she watched, willing to learn what she could.

[sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com]

Triela didn't really notice Fiona, which was odd, but Fiona might not realize that. As for learning something, there wasn't much to learn. Triela was strong, fast, and precise, but she wasn't actually all that skilled.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

Which was something to learn. It was also something they shared.

"You should try for a jab," she said quietly.

[sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com]

"Why?" Triela asked without breaking her rhythm.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"The more regular your rhythm, the easier someone can figure it out. Even if you're just practicing, it goes into the muscles and you'll be more likely to respond like you practice.

"A jab is a good break, and it's faster than a normal punch. They won't expect it."

[sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com]

Triela nodded almost absently and threw a jab into her routine.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"Should I leave you practice or" she wondered if this was wise, "were you looking to spar?"

[sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com]

"Just practicing today." That was her assignment, after all.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"Same here," she admitted, gesturing to the sword.

[sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com]

Triela darted a quick glance, but otherwise didn't seem to be all that interested. She seemed subdued, or distracted, or something that meant she wasn't really paying that much attention to what was going on around her.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

Fiona noticed.

"Something the matter?"