[OOM] The Dragonfly, Cargo Bay.

[stuck_mynock]

Atton's found wooden swords for Guppy and Will (for Guppy, so that he can learn with them, for Will, so that he can help teach Guppy without cutting Guppy's sword up accidentally), and cleared a large space in the cargo bay.

"'Kay. Adjust your stance, slightly," Atton says to Guppy.

Comments

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"No. Is a kata," Atton thins his accent, this time, to get the point across. "It's called a kata, and I'm so glad we're practicing with wooden swords here, otherwise both of us would be nine-fingered. Try again."

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy does, without signs of losing any body parts this time.

[will_scarlett]

Will stands up to show Guppy a move he knows that fits rather well into the kata,

"Might be easier for ye cause ye're na as tall as Atton."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

As Will stands up, Atton heads back to sit on a pile of boxes, watching.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy has a go.

"Is the kata the type of sword or the collection of movements?"

[will_scarlett]

"Tis the movements. I just call 'em sword forms. 'ere I'll show ye one I know."

Will goes through a series of movements which are similar to the kata Atton did though their style is different since they're meant for a smaller sword.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Will's closer in height and build to you, remember, and his sword is a lot closer in size t'yours, too," Atton says. "But remember to go slowly. Speed isn't any good until you have precision down."

[guppy_sandhu]

"What about lack of physical strength on my part? What am I aiming at?"

[will_scarlett]

"Tis 'bout control most o'all, the sword will do the damage for ye."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Remember, it's sharp, and most things you'll be cutting are relatively fleshy. You don't need a great deal of force behind the blows." Atton says. "At the moment, you're not aiming at anything, but run through that kata and I'll let you hit Will." Beat. "If you can."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Okay." Guppy tries again, trying to think of the sword as an extension of his body.

[will_scarlett]

Will nods and gently moves Guppy's stance,

"Will be easier on ye."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Watch your footwork, too. S'just as important as the arm movements."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Is it the same footwork as hand to hand combat?"

[will_scarlett]

"Nay, tis different cause ye need to support the weight o'the sword an get leverage."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"If you don't support the weight properly, your balance'll suffer. Hold on."

He stands, unsheathing his sword and moving into a slow set of movements, so that Guppy can see his footwork for each move.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy copies, as best he can.

"Keeping the enemy in front of me."

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, canna leave any openin's."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. Best to keep a tight defense, keep your enemy in front of you, and only attack when you see an opening."

[guppy_sandhu]

"What's a good target?"

[will_scarlett]

"Torso if ye can or leg or arm. Make it so they canna 'urt ye anymore."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"The torso is the largest, easiest target available to you. Arms and legs are more difficult. There's the neck, too - it's only a small target, but a single blow to it can win a fight."

[guppy_sandhu]

"So I should aim for arteries?"

[will_scarlett]

"Oh aye though dinna worry too much 'bout accuracy if will distract ye."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Accuracy and precision are good, but remember that it's still very sharp, and people are flesh and bloody. If I," he hops to his feet, picking up his sheathed sword and miming a slash across Will's stomach. "Cut across Will's stomach, missing every artery or important organ there, I've still secured an eventual victory. He'll lose blood, the pain will hamper his movements. If he doesn't make a hasty retreat, his performance will diminish more and more, and I'll cause more wounds. If he does make a hasty retreat, but can't patch up his wounds, he'll be in trouble anyway."

Pause. Atton paces about, slightly. He mimes another slash, across Will's arm.

"If I make a cut across his arm, but don't hit anything important, I've still practically crippled one arm. His balance will suffer, and if it's his sword arm, he'll have trouble holding it. Another victory."

Turning and resting his sword on the ground, steepling his fingers over it.

"Arteries aren't the largest targets ever. You need to be as precise as possible, but you shouldn't be worrying about it enough to let that distract you."