The Salle, Friday afternoon

[future_sandworm]

As usual, Leto was in the salle in the afternoon. While waiting to see who would show up, he did some practise himself. No blades today, just two knives and a dummy, which was too easy, really, but gave him the opportunity to work on subtle details of movement. He hadn't slept well, and his mind seemed inclined to wander, and the drills failed to really catch his complete attention.

[Salle is open. Leto are expecting a few, who may show up and practise handwavily if they want.]

Comments

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Azula entered the Salle, it wasn't a place she frequented preferring the open space of the beach. She paused upon seeing Leto, she watched him for a few seconds before saying, "You seem distracted."

[future_sandworm]

He looked at Azula over his shoulder. "What makes you say that?"

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Your actions reflect it," she replied.

[future_sandworm]

He smiled a little, spinning the knife in his hand. "How perceptive of you."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"You'll find I'm often am," she told him. Azula stepped on the mat. "I believe there was an offer of a spar."

[future_sandworm]

"And the offer still stands." Leto approached Azula. He certainly wouldn't back down on an offer given, and it might be a good thing today.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Two questions," she said as Leto approached, "First, Bare-handed fight or with weapons?"

[future_sandworm]

"Which do you prefer?" he asked, then smiled a little. "I can do both."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Hand-to-hand," she answered, "Second, formal spar or informal?"

[future_sandworm]

"Again, I let that be your decision," Leto replied, now standing in front of her. "Although formal and informal can be defined differently in different cultures."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Very true, let's just see where this leads us then," she began with a formal Fire Nation bow because Azula was a stickler for some rules. And he was royalty. Then she fell into a stance.

[future_sandworm]

He inclined his head slightly in return, then began to circle her slowly to study her movements.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Azula lunged forward, arm snapping forward. The punch more of gauging his response.

[future_sandworm]

He spun back to avoid it, using the turn to kick her,

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

She avoided the kick, using the momentum to power her leg sweep.

[future_sandworm]

He dodged her leg, the stepped closer aiming another punch. She was very good, Leto noted, and he grinned.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Getting in close with an opponent was not a problem for Azula, she stepped in equally close before unleashing an elbow strike to Leto's ribs. She also had a smile, more of a smirk, really.

Of course she was good.

[future_sandworm]

Rather than trying to dodge the elbow he took the blow, and gasped at the pain. This sacrifice did let him punch back at a close range, however.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

She knew she was going to pay for that move and pivoted on one foot to if not evade the blow, at least rob the punch of its power. Azula hissed as she felt his punch, glancing though it was, hit the side of her face.

She flowed into another stance and quickly snapped a roundhouse punch to his kidneys.

[future_sandworm]

That would hurt too much, and he backed away, quickly, waiting for her next attack.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

It came quickly with a one leg rising for an outside kick and the other leg following with an inside kick to his head.

[future_sandworm]

He dodged them both, but it forced him to keep a distance, and his following kick and punch suffered from that.