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* Summer is sitting in her room in the hall. She's perched on the chair looking out the window and over the street, being careful to stay back enough that someone looking in can not see her. After a moment she sighs, stands and begins to pace. * Aeryn checks the street carefully for watchers before stepping out of the shadows. Stepping across to the Hall's entrance, he whispers something and opens the door just enough to slip through. * Summer paces the length of her room once more before heading out and down the stairs. She smiles as she sees Aeryn. "I was wondering if you'd be coming again to practice with me." * Aeryn doffs his cloak and tucks his hair behind his ears before smiling back at her. "Of course I would come again. I was here on Sunday, too, but you were busy." He hangs his cloak over the back of a chair and begins tying his hair back. <Summer> ::looks thoughtful:: I was? I don't remembering you stopping by? <Aeryn> ::shrugs slightly:: Well, lady Glossaria--the one with the green hair?--was here, and I spoke to her at length. You did not come down, so I believed you to be asleep or some such. <Summer> Oh ::she moves to sit at a table:: Well you should have come up and checked. I don't often come down unless I know there are others here, that I know. <Aeryn> Very well, I shall do so in the future. ::he grins wryly:: I must admit, she gave me much to think on. <Summer> Oh? <Aeryn> ::nods somewhat bemusedly:: Aye. Mostly on the methods and means of training you, and the way I think in general...which brings us to the point here. Tell me, can you use magic properly with an opponent at close range? * Summer nods. "What I know how to do I can at close range, but probably not if someone was engaging in hand to hand with me." <Aeryn> What if they were not attacking you yet? <Summer> As long as I can concentrate enough, yes. <Aeryn> ::nods somewhat absently:: I see. Very well, let us begin. ::he stands:: * Summer nods and stands as well. She brushes her hair back and quickly braids it up. * Aeryn shows her some basic warm-up exercises, then gets down to business. "First, let us go over what I taught you. Strike," he holds out his open hand, "first from the arm alone, then with your weight." * Summer nods and takes a step back before going through the motions of both strikes. It's obvious she's been practicing a lot and is much improved from the last time Aeryn worked with her. <Aeryn> ::nods approvingly:: Very good. Now, the block. * Summer nods and brushes a bit of hair from her face as she steps back, prepared to block Aeryn. On this too she is improved from the last time. * Aeryn directs a few punches at her, picking up the speed as he goes. * Summer keeps up for a few minutes but the faster he goes the more she makes mistakes. <Aeryn> ::after pulling one blow she did not manage to block, Aeryn steps back slightly:: More practice is needed here, I think, although it is more difficult than simply hitting someone. * Summer nods, panting slightly. "Yes I agree." <Aeryn> ::grins:: Aye, but to which? <Summer> ::smirks:: To both <Aeryn> Time and effort is all. ::steps back towards her again:: So, you say that you could cast effectively on a belligerent person at this range? * Summer nods eyeing him "Yes, but if I did here Rhys would probably appear and confine me to my room or something." <Aeryn> ::smirks:: Possibly. However... ::he reaches forward and takes a firm hold of her wrist:: What about if the person grabbed you? * Summer raises an eyebrow. "My casting requires concentration, not the use of my hands." <Aeryn> Oh. This is news to me. So if someone came up to you and grabbed you like this, you would have little trouble disabling him? <Summer> It would depend on how broken my concentration was. If I was being attacked I would probably have some trouble, yes. <Aeryn> Not being fully attacked, no, but someone... say... trying to press his attention and not wishing to take no for an answer? ::raises an eyebrow:: <Summer> ::raises the other eyebrow:: I would probably have a bit easier time defending myself. <Aeryn> Meaning...? * Summer smiles, her eyes locking onto Aeryn's. After a second his hand where it is grasping her starts to burn. * Aeryn snatches his hand away quickly. "I see." * Summer reaches for his hand and presses her fingers to it. He will feel an immediate cooling sensation. Summer looks up at him. "Sorry, but you did ask." <Aeryn> ::grins:: That is indeed a pointed way of telling one you are not interested, provided he is not belligerent enough to strike at you for it, anyway. And yes, I did ask... <Aeryn> So do you wish to skip the lesson on breaking holds, with that ability? <Summer> ::She smiles:: And soon I will be able to easily block that blow as well. And no, as I said, if my concentration is broken my magic does not work. So I need to be able to react physically as well. <Aeryn> ::nods:: I see. At some point I would like to learn more about magic and the way it works, I believe, for I know little of it at present. ::he grasps her wrist again:: Now, try to break my grip. * Summer nods and then attempts to twist her arm away from him. <Aeryn> ::nods slightly as his grip is nearly broken:: Close. But there is a weak point in my grip you should learn to exploit. <Summer> ::nods:: I used to be much better at exploiting weaknesses in men ::she looks up and winks at him:: <Aeryn> 'Used to be'? * Aeryn points out the point where his fingers and thumb meet. "Twist your arm through this point, using the motion of the body instead of just the strength of the arm. Three methods are possible, depending on what you wish to do afterwards." * Summer nods and studies his grasp for a moment. She then twists and her wrist slips free of his grasp. <Aeryn> ::nods approvingly:: That is one, if you wish to run afterwards. The others bring one closer instead of further away, but offer other possibilities. Here. ::he offers his arm:: <Summer> ::She takes his arm in both of her hands:: <Aeryn> ::blinks:: Well, that is another lesson entirely, but still... brace yourself a little. ::he twists his arm slightly, presenting the narrow edge of his wrist to the point where her finger and thumb meet, and then knocks her hand off his with the heel of his hand. Then, using the same twisting motion of arm and body she had earlier, he slips the grasp of her other hand.:: <Summer> ::Summer's eyes widen a bit and she looks from his hand to his face and then back again:: Do it again? <Aeryn> Very well... ::He complies, this time slowing down his actions so she can see what he had done.:: Although what I had intended to show you was another means of breaking a single-handed grip. * Summer nods as she flexes her hand where he hit her. She looks thoughtful as she does so, as if trying to puzzle out exactly what he did so she can remember the move. * Aeryn demonstrates it a third time, slowly again. "You see? Once again, the weak point of the grip, although a blow instead of a twist to remove it." <Summer> ::nods:: Yes I think I understand. ::She glances up and smiles at him:: It hurts more too. <Aeryn> ::smiles slightly:: Aye, that it does. And if we will return now to single-hand holds, I will show you a few more nasty little tricks... * Summer smirks and nods. * Aeryn demonstrates the two other means of breaking the single hold, both bringing the user into striking range of the belly or another likely location. Then he demonstrates one way the grip itself can be turned against the person, bringing an opponent to the floor by his own wrist. * Summer pays close attention and they repeat the moves a few times. They spend the next hour or so practicing what Summer knows so far. At the end of the time they have gone through many mugs of water. * Aeryn wipes off his brow and takes a few deep breaths. "Aye, quite a bit of promise. If you are still interested after the current troubles are over and we could find softer ground, I would be happy to teach you how to throw an opponent." He finishes off the last of the latest mug. "Now, we should warm down, to prevent aching muscles." * Summer nods. "Ok." * Aeryn takes her through some gentle warm-down exercises, then takes a seat and flips aside the few hairs that escaped his ponytail. * Summer settles in the chair next to him and lets down her braid. "Aeryn, I wanted to thank you for spending this time with me. I truly appreciate your efforts." * Aeryn shrugs. "It is no great thing, really. And one thing I believe I have not emphasized as much as I should--and my talk with lady Glossaria brought this to the point--is that fighting of this nature will not be your true skill." <Summer> ::frowns a bit:: I know that. But isn't it better that I have the ability in case I ever need it? <Aeryn> Aye, but if actually caught in such a fight, your goal should be to get away as soon as is possible, not to try and beat your opponent. That you can do from a distance, with your magic. <Summer> ::nods a bit looking to the floor:: Listen Aeryn, you don't have to spend time practicing with me, if you don't want. * Aeryn frowns slightly. "That is not what I meant, Summer. I enjoy teaching you." * Summer looks to him and nods. "And I enjoy learning from you. I know that magic is where my strength lies, but I also know that catching my opposition in surprise is also to my advantage. Being able to fight hand to hand will help me do this." * Aeryn nods thoughtfully. * Summer watches him and then reaches to place her hand over his. "I do appreciate it." * Aeryn flushes slightly. "It... well... I can do little else but wait, these days, and teaching you gives both purpose and enjoyment." * Summer smiles and nods. She stands and leans to kiss his cheek softly. "Thank you and goodnight." She brushes past him and up the stairs back to her room. * Aeryn flushes even more as he watches her leave, caught well off guard. Then, one hand coming up to touch his cheek, he goes to get his cloak. |
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