tvklogs | Be a man! [Closed]

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Be a man! [Closed]

WHO: Issei and Lancer (Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.)
WHEN: Afternoon, October 24th.
WHERE: The park
SUMMARY: Issei would like to not die so easy, so he's going to pick up the sword apparently.
RATING: PG for training!
WARNINGS: They'll be swinging swords around.

Issei was ready for this.

...Well, no, he wasn't really.

He had done research about the proper ways to hold a sword, by Googling it. And he had found heavy objects like metal pipes to practice getting accustomed to carrying their weight. But he wasn't actually ready to train with a sword. He just didn't want to completely embarrass himself on his first day.

He wasn't one of the best students in Homurabara for nothing, though. He was studious and attentive. He would listen to every word his teacher spoke and put it to memory, and he would be able to get better.

He had also gotten there an hour early. Better safe than sorry.

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Better that than be late, right? [He held one of the swords out to Issei with a smirk, keeping one for himself.]

They're not perfect, but they're good enough quality to last a while.

I see.

[He took the sword as he would a two-handed sword, holding his right hand tightly below the guard and gripping the pommel with his left hand, tightly with the... which fingers was it... Pinky, ring, middle finger? And a little tightly with the others?

Thank you, WikiHow.]

...First lesson. That sword's meant to be used one-handed.

[Good try, Issei.]

A two-handed sword would be heavier, with a longer reach. A claymore, for example.

Oh. Um.

[That was thumb and first two fingers, right?]

Sorry.

No need to apologize. This is what we're here for, is it not?

[He twirled his own sword in one hand, carefully getting used to the weight and length of such a weapon after so long without using one.]

Starting with the basics. Now, it's important to note that any weapon should be treated as an extension of yourself rather than simply an object in your hand. Just as one uses their entire body in the simple act of balance while walking, so should you use a weapon in combat.

If you begin to regard it as something separate from yourself, you won't be able to use it to its full potential. Is that clear enough so far?

Yes. I understand so far.

[He was no stranger to the art of combat.]

Excellent. Now, let's see if I can actually remember enough of using a sword to be of any use to you.

I'm sure you understand it's important to know the reach of your blade no matter what weapon you're using. If you would, take a few swings with it and try to get used to that much--I'll watch for the moment and correct whatever's necessary.

Of course.

[Then Issei would just take a few swings and focus very carefully. He wasn't a beginner at all when it came to focus - he just was unused to this particular part of him being the center of his attention.]

Hm...better than I'd expected. I admit I'm impressed. Though you're leaving yourself open on your side, be careful of that.

Yes, sensei.

[He'd just fix that before it became a major problem.]

...You really don't need to call me that. [He laughed quietly, amused rather than mocking.] Just Lancer is still acceptable.

If you say so. I don't want to be disrespectful in any way.

Formality isn't necessary, though I admit I'm a little flattered you'd think so.

You are my teacher after all. I'll call you as you like.

[So how about that practicing.]

Fine, I suppose that's settled. At any rate, let's not waste time. How would you say your reflexes are when it comes to intercepting a surprise attack?

Decent enough - I've survived this long fighting Shadows hand-to-hand after all.

[And after hearing something like that, he's definitely on guard.]

Good, that's all I needed to know.

[And strangely, he didn't follow that up with anything more on the subject.]

Moving on, I'm sure you know any weapon can be used in defense as well as offense. These swords are short, but they should be able to repel or parry a strike easily enough.

[Lancer shifted into a defensive stance, watching Issei carefully.]

Try to land a strike on me. I'll be happy to demonstrate.

[Protip: The Fianna didn't fuck around with training.]

...

[If you expected not to be able to land a blow, you were not going to be able to land a blow. Issei knew this. He also knew that Lancer was well enough capable of taking care of himself in combat.

Therefore, although he fretted a little about actually hurting Lancer with live steel, he still was going to try his best to hit him. Better to do his best in combat and apologize profusely afterwards than to hold back.

After studying Lancer's stance, he came at him as best he could with a slash to the upper arm.]

[Lancer would have been sincerely worried about his skill in combat if he actually believed Issei would inflict a serious injury on him. Calm and collected, he met Issei's blade with his own, blocking and pushing it aside in one swift motion.]

And now you're wide open.

So I am.

[Issei withdrew his sword to hold it in a better defensive position.] I expect most attacks have some degree of risk.

Naturally. Everything's a risk in combat--usually it's simply a matter of taking the action that's least dangerous.

Which is part of why beginners are more dangerous than experts. No expert would do some things that are unbelievably stupid.

...Which is why I'm not sure why we started off with live steel. I mean, I practiced beforehand, but...

You seem more than intelligent enough to not do anything unbelievably stupid. I really don't see any problem with it.

[Didn't. Fuck. Around.]

If you say so, se- Lancer.

I do know what I'm doing, Issei. Even if swords aren't my specialty.

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