Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Apr 26, 2014 14:40:53 GMT -8
Demetri- "Well, I was really hoping to have the other young Dragomirs get to training. I know Sarah has helped Tristan some small amount in this regard, but the others need help. Unfortunately, circumstances have thwarted my efforts tonight."
Francesca- "Circumstances?"
Demetri- "Yes. Indeed, with Vitus stealing a passel of youths for this 'therapy' thing, we are left with only two students. But that's enough to spar with, right?"
Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Apr 26, 2014 17:41:45 GMT -8
Demetri- "Quite right."
Francesca- "Pow pow!"
Demetri- "Since the class is all here, where to begin? The why. I'm sure you have both fought for your honor or for self-defense, perhaps just for fun. All of these are still possible, but you have a new motive as well - Fighting is one of the easiest ways to get blood, and the technique most Dragomirs favor..."
Post by Padmé AmiDaniella on Apr 27, 2014 8:15:20 GMT -8
For their honor? How funny. Sophie had actually fought only a handful of times- she could usually bluff her way through confrontations- but this was a learning experience, right?
Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Apr 27, 2014 11:34:21 GMT -8
Demetri- "You think taking two seconds to knock someone out and have a drink gets boring, let me tell you about other families' techniques... They involve socializing with humans constantly. Seduce like a Sombreta, build a network of loyal servants like Lepponens or the Greyburn ladies, ply someone with wine or hypnosis like a Marchese. The most efficient it gets is learning how to hypnotize someone to sleep, but is that more boring than a quick one-two with the fists? I believe it is."
Francesca- "Hey, if you like boredom, you can lay around all night and get away with feeding less often."
Demetri- "When I mention honor, I don't mean that silly 'way of the warrior' rubbish. The word is a bit antique these days, isn't it? How about pride, then? Did you ever fight because someone insulted you? That is all I meant, and I know you have."
Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Apr 28, 2014 16:41:12 GMT -8
Demetri- "That it is. The city is teeming with the sort of ne'er-do-wells who do not call the gendarmes when they get accosted by vampires, for fear of their own misdeeds attracting scrutiny."
Francesca- "Sometimes we play games, get up to no good. I'll show you one of my favorites later tonight, Sophie."
Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Apr 30, 2014 10:10:31 GMT -8
What you need is a montage. MONTAGE!
Demetri- "Very well! We'll start with stance..."
Francesca- "Kiii-ya."
Demetri- "No! This arm has to be firm, but flexible!"
Francesca- "This position can be used for sexy times too."
Demetri- "Fran, please."
Francesca- "Bring the pain!"
Demetri- "That's how you dislocate the arm."
Francesca- "...and the second rule of fighting is..."
Demetri- "You're going to need a lot more practice."
Francesca- "You could call it the art of fighting without fighting..."
Fran and Demy demonstrated their abilities with a short scary sparring match. They were almost too fast to see, alternating between ornate grappling moves and punches and kicks that sent each other across the room when they connected, and the fight ranged up to the ceiling and down again. When it came to instructing Sophie and Leo in a more personal or useful way, they hit 'em with lots of random bits, but there was a big focus this night on stance - positioning yourself for the best offensive and defensive ability...
"Ha, then I'll have to keep that position in mind.."
"I know I can get this! I won't stop until I do."
Leo tried to get a good stance going, but was constantly making small mistakes that only made her frustrated, but that much more determined. She made a mental note in the back of her mind to practice a little whenever she got back to the abbey. She was a slacker at heart but when it came to something like fighting, no slacking would be had.
Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on May 3, 2014 23:47:00 GMT -8
((As Danielle seems to have disappeared on us & the other peeps went off to take in a concert, we'll do some one-on-one stuff with Leo & an NPC.))
The night wore on. In the absence of the others, Sophie and Leo got a great deal of one on one attention from the sensei twins. Francesca was a fantastic martial artist and a terrible teacher - like she could do moves by instinct, but couldn't verbalize how she was doing them. Demetri was the go-to guy for useful instructions.
But Francesca could be useful for less verbal kinds of training, like slow-sparring and the like. Demetri was helping Sophie with trying to break through a instinct that was hurting her defense, so Francesca was available to work with Leo. She had a different suggestion for how to do things...
Francesca- "OK, here's the idea. You just do your best to hit me. You won't be able to succeed, but the effort could help you get, like, I dunno. A chance to get thoughtful about what's going on in a fight, that kinda stuff. What do you think?"
Leo briefly glanced over at Demetri, silently cheering on the inside she wasn't Sophie at this moment. She looked back as Francesca spoke.
"For a second there I coulda sworn you said 'hit on me.'"
"I think I see whatcher sayin'."
She was quick to bring up her hands, hardly wasting any time as she let one tight fist go. The quicker she got this over with, the faster she could understand it.