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* Summer is pacing in the main room of the hall. Her hands are clasped behind her back, her braid held in one hand gently being tugged. * Aeryn approaches the Meade hall. Stopping at the door, he whispers something to it, and the lock clicks. Opening it just enough to enter, he closes it behind him. * Summer glances up and nods to Aeryn. "Good evening Aeryn." * Aeryn nods in return. "Good evening, Summer. How has your day been?" <Summer> ::shrugs:: Restless. Yours? <Aeryn> ::flexes his fingers:: Heavy. They had us unloading ships again. <Summer> At least you had something to do. ::she sighs and then smiles to him:: Did you want some dinner? <Aeryn> i have eaten already, but thank you all the same. Might I trouble you for a mug of water, perhaps? * Summer nods and goes to get a mug of water. She brings it over to Aeryn. "So what brings you by then?" <Aeryn> I had little to do and wondered if you might like some company, is all. ::looks at her:: I hope you do not mind. <Summer> ::Smiles again:: Not at all. I like it here, but not being able to leave is about to drive me mad. * Aeryn pulls up a chair and sits. "Well, consider the alternative. But you have nothing at all to do? Nothing to practice?" * Summer shakes her head and continues to pace. "Just my magic, and I think Rhys would have a fit if I practiced that here with all his wards and things." <Aeryn> Small wonder you are bored, then. Might I suggest what I mentioned the other day? <Summer> ::Raises an eyebrow:: What was that? <Aeryn> Training in the fighting arts. Of some sort, at least. <Summer> Oh. Well I suppose. Would give me something to do at any rate. * Aeryn grins. "Oh, it would. It depends on how expert you wish to become, but at the least it will take some time." <Summer> ::nods:: Well I don't anticipate needing to become an expert, as my magic should really be my defense. But it wouldn't hurt to know a little hand to hand. * Aeryn nods approvingly. "And that is how it should indeed be. In a serious fight, what do you believe the first principle of hand to hand fighting is?" * Summer chews her bottom lip a moment and then shrugs. "Being quick?" <Aeryn> ::one of his throwing knives appears in his hand:: If it is a serious fight? Your hands are the *last* thing you should be using, unless they are your preferred weapon. <Summer> ::Frowns:: Why would you call it hand to hand if it was not, well hand to hand? I mean what other preferred weapons would you have? <Aeryn> What I mean is, bare hands should be your *last* resort. Not your first, unless you intend and are able to merely incapacitate. <Aeryn> Against a common thug, who I did not wish to kill, I would use my hands. Against someone with a blade, or an orc? ::the knife flashes the length of the room, embedding itself in the staircase:: * Summer nods and rocks back on her heals, looking thoughtful. "So it should be a weapon of some sort, like your knives?" <Aeryn> Aye. And in your case, magic. Hand to hand comes last, for when that is exhausted, or you intend restraint. * Summer nods and glances to the knife. "Makes sense." * Aeryn heads over to retrieve the knife. Pulling it out of the wood, he looks at the thin slit ruefully. "{Oops.} Remind me to think before doing that again. And tell Rhys it wasn't you..." * Summer smirks and nods. "Perhaps..." She turns and disappears into the kitchen, then returns a moment later with a large log. She carefully places it standing up near the wall. "There. He hopefully won't mind that so much." <Aeryn> ::shakes his head:: Well, unless you would like to learn how to throw these, I do not think it will be needed. And for that, we would need a bigger target. * Aeryn shakes his hand and the knife vanishes. * Summer shrugs and nods. "Well just in case another demonstration is needed." <Aeryn> ::smiles slightly:: Very well. To resume...there are many ways of using ones hands. Most depend on the person and their skills. * Summer nods and watches Aeryn. <Aeryn> Most rangers depend more on speed and agility than brute strength, and this is probably fitting for you, as well. * Summer smirks and nods. "I would agree." <Aeryn> Here, let me demonstrate. ::sets his feet and demonstrates a quick movement of the forearms:: Doesn't look like much, does it? * Summer watches and then shakes her head a bit. She attempts to duplicate his example, with little success. <Aeryn> It takes some practice to get it right. ::he corrects her arm position:: It is very similar to a cleaning motion ::he demonstrates again:: * Summer nods, watching him intently. She tries again with a bit more success this time. <Aeryn> ::motions her closer:: Now, see how it works in action. Try to hit me; closed fist, not open. * Summer nods and moves to stand in front of him. She watches him a moment before swinging at him. <Aeryn> ::Using the same motion he had demonstrated, he taps her hand by the wrist, diverting the punch neatly to the side:: <Aeryn> Speed, technique, and timing. <Summer> ::nods:: Well done. <Aeryn> And, of course, there's an even older trick. If you'll try again...? * Summer nods and takes a moment, then swings again. * Aeryn just shifts his weight to his back leg and moves his head back, away from the punch. * Summer falls forward with her motion, into Aeryn. <Aeryn> ::surprised, the ranger grabs her by the shoulder to keep her from falling:: Easy, there! You do indeed need to put your body weight behind a blow, but never so much that you over-balance! * Summer nods, looking flustered for only a moment before pulling back. "Guess I just really wanted to hit you." She smirks at him. * Aeryn grins back at her. "Well, effort counts for something. Now, you try that move again, but this time with something to aim at. I'll move slowly." <Aeryn> ::He makes a fist and raises an eyebrow at her:: Ready? * Summer swallows and nods slowly. * Aeryn starts his fist moving towards her at a very lazy pace. * Summer repeats the motions he showed her, easily avoiding his hand. <Aeryn> Not much movement involved, is it? <Summer> ::Shakes her head a bit: No <Aeryn> And when you consider that most people will have the majority of their weight behind it... <Aeryn> I had an instructor, back in ranger training, who could knock an opponent down with one finger, and then keep him there with his own hand. All by using the man's own strength against him or subtly misdirecting it. <Summer> ::her eyes widen a bit: Wow <Aeryn> It is an art, close fighting of this sort. I am nowhere near his skill, but still adequate, I suppose. Now, the other side of this is hitting the other person. You saw what happened when you missed? * Summer nods * Aeryn looks at her. "Never commit yourself to a point you cannot return from. Not all blows will reach their intended target. There is a point between striking with your weight and striking with too *much* of your weight." * Summer flushes slightly and nods "I noticed." <Aeryn> ::He measures the distance between them with his arm:: Know the reach of your arm. Within that reach, you can strike fast, but without power. Just beyond it, you can strike with your weight. * Aeryn puts a hand up to the side, at head height. "Here, try it. Strike to touch, then strike to hit." * Summer nods and makes a fist. She studies his hand and then strikes, just barely missing it and brushing just past the side of it by a few inches. <Aeryn> Aim for the center, girl, and do not worry about my hand. Try again. * Summer nods and takes aim again. They continue on, Summer getting increasingly better with each try. After a few hours and many mugs of water each Summer falls into a chair panting lightly. Her hair has come apart a bit from her braid and she is slightly sweaty. She look to Aeryn, who is much less winded than her, and shakes her head "You make it look so easy." * Aeryn smiles at her. "It took me four years of training. Three hours out of the day were devoted to this alone, and even now I practice for an hour each day." * Summer nods and pulls apart her braid, shaking her hair out. "Well I will, not that I have something to practice." She looks to Aeryn and smiles. "Thank you." <Aeryn> That said, you show quite a bit of promise. You learn quickly. * Aeryn bows slightly. "It is a pleasure." His face goes a little harder. "Especially since there is little else I can do." * Summer nods a bit and looks to the floor. After a moment she looks back to him. "Well I welcome your company, whenever you can spare the time." <Aeryn> ::quirks an eyebrow at her:: You really have so little to do here? <Summer> ::Shrugs and nods:: Read is about all. What else could one do? * Aeryn looks thoughtful. "In that case I shall come whenever I can." His face darkens. "Outside of the work shifts, of course." <Aeryn> ::he brushes his hair back behind his ears:: * Summer nods and stands. She gathers up the mugs and moves over to him, reaching to place a hand on his arm. "It'll be over soon. Hopefully you'll want to stay once it is." She give him a bit of a smile. <Aeryn> ::he smiles:: Aye, I believe I may indeed. |
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