milliways_bar | Out by the lake: Elaine's sword lesson

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Out by the lake: Elaine's sword lesson

*Alanna stands by the lake, humming and examining a set of throwing knives. Elaine's next sword lesson is scheduled to start soon, and Alanna keeps an eye on the bar door in the hopes that George, Svava and Archie put in an appearance as well.*

[OOC: Anyone is welcome to come watch or join in. :) ]

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Elaine skips over from where she's been talking to Ryan, and grins. "Good even, Alanna. And what is in the plans for tonight?"

She's terribly enthusiastic and in a wonderful mood.

*Elaine's mood is apparently contagious, as the previously subdued Alanna suddenly remembers how to smile. She bows.*

Good evening, Elaine. Tonight? *She pauses, her smile teasing. As she speaks, she starts stretching.* What is tonight?

Elaine isn't fooled, and nothing can really get her down. "Lessons, silly." She laughs. "Oh, I'm so glad to be back."

*Alanna grins, motioning for Elaine to start stretching as well.*

And I am doubly thrilled to see you again. George might wander out at some point. He's an expert with knives, so I thought he might be able to show you a thing or two as well.

And exit the Valkyrie from the bar. Svava spots Elaine and Alanna, and heads over with a wave. "I'm not late, am I?"

"Good even, Svava!" Elaine says. She's really looking forward to her lesson tonight, and she stretches carefully.

"Throwing knives sounds interesting...and good for a surprise if someone doesn't know you can do it."

Not at all, Svava. We aren't operating on a strict schedule. I'm glad you're here. *Alanna looks at the valkyrie for a moment. Eyes steady, she smiles.* I'm eager to watch you spar with each other. I can pay closer attention to form that way.

*Alanna swings her arms at her side.* Svava, you want to use your own blade, correct? I have extra practice swords just in case. I was just explaining to Elaine that George might join us. He's a knife expert.

"If there's a practice blade like my own, I'll use that." A nod, unbuckling her sword belt. "Though as long as your blades are just normal, you can use those with out worry."

A bit of a wry smile. "I frightened Meg with that, a while ago."

Svava's short sword/long knife is a seax blade- two feet long, with handle. The usual uses for those were work, plain and simple- it was just made big enough to use as a weapon when needed. It could be compared to a machete from other regions/times- definitely a hacking sort of tool.

"If you would like me to use a practice blade as well, I can, Alanna. I'd rather use my own, though."

Elaine's blade is heavy and just the way she likes it, and now she's very used to working with it.

*Alanna looks back and forth between them before reaching a decision.*

Svava, I want you to train with your own weapon for as long as possible. That is the blade you will need to be comfortable with. I suggest you use it for all drills and light sparring, but once we really start getting underway, I'll need you to use a practice blade. Or... *She pauses.* One of my swords.

*Nodding, she unsheathes the fairy sword and swings it beside her. A sense of urgency overtakes her, and she drops back into a guard stance.*

I think tonight we will focus on attacking. But first, we warm up. Elaine? The Crescent Moon Drill? Svava, stop me if you have questions. *A look of total concentration on her face, Alanna begins the initial movements of the drill.*

Svava nods at Alanna, pulling out the blade before setting the belt and scabbard on the ground away from the practice area. "The weapon I'll aways be using... so yes. I know it best."

Biting her lip, she watches the other two women, their foot work and motions.

Most of any 'training' she's had has been the School of Hard Knocks, and bar brawling- then a stint of war and battles when she was on Arithon's world. Anything formal, like drills and sparring? erk... no.

A bit of a nod to Alanna, and she watches the other two. Biting her lip, getting a faint idea. She watches their feet first- it could be like dancing, right? And starts copying that, getting it down before she starts on the motions with the weapon.

Elaine's face becomes quite serious, and she begins the movements of the drill, saying the moves in her mind as she does them. She has a wonderful quality of concentration.

While in the back of her mind she knows there are people watching, they are firmly in the back of her mind.

Her stance has become almost second nature, and she only needs a few corrections that she instigates herself.

*Bigby exits the bar carrying a human-shaped Millie, and spots the entourage of women carrying weapons. He heads over.*

"Awww man, come on Indy. It'd just be for a second. She totally wouldn't mind. Especially if we took pictures."

Why yes, that is the sound of a whiney Mike as he and Indy round the edge of the building. They have yet to see the Sparring women folk.

Svava manages to glance over, and give Bigby and Millie a nod and faint smile, before back to watching Alanna and Elaine, to follow and copy their movements.

Faith is near the lesson, watching.

She is also sharpening a very large sword.

*Alanna's eyes gleam as she moves through the positions and motions that she's practiced since childhood. Her muscles remember the moves and flow from one to the other automatically, leaving Alanna free to watch the other two women. Elaine arcs her blade up and around and Alanna nods with approval. She shifts her eyes to Svava and feels a momentary sadness.

Alanna really hopes she can make a difference for her friend.

Bringing her sword around in a side strike, Alanna grins. If her invisible opponent is Hannibal Lecter, no one else is the wiser for it. She shifts her body to the right and ends the drill, sword held in a two handed guard stance.*

Well done, both of you. Elaine, you've improved greatly. Svava, you are having the same trouble Elaine did initially. Keep your elbows up, and your wrists firm. But otherwise? I'm quite impressed. You are graceful, and pick up the foot work easily. Any questions before we start sparring?

The growled reply speaks volumes through tone alone. "How many times do I have to say no. And shit... you take pictures and they'd be round the bar in no time. Poster-size probably."

He pauses at the sound of metal clashing and looks over to the women. Being somewhat pre-occupied with the task just accomplished elsewhere (http://www.livejournal.com/users/mnt_mike/2745.html), they have strayed rather close to the group.

Indy freezes as he spots Alanna, making a low strangulated noise in his throat to bring the predicament to Mike's attention.

*Meg heads out back for her daily practice with whatever weapon she feels like practicing with.

She stops and starts waving enthusiastically, however, when she sees a bunch of other people out there with swords. Yay!*

*He nods at Svava, and approaches during a break. Millie watches a bit, fascinated.*

Mike turns towards Indy, and responds with the same noise, on his has a higher inflection at the end. A question, if you will.

With wide, fearful eyes Indy nods very surreptitiously towards the gaggle of females. Specifically, to the knight in charge.

Good evening, Bigby! *Alanna grins.* And Millie, of course. How are you?

His brow furrows in confusion, until he slowly turns to see what Indy is gesturing at.

"YIPES!"

He slaps both hands over his mouth, a look of panic now totally replacing the confusion.

Faith! *Alanna trots over.* It's a shame to sharpen such a fine sword unless you intend to use it! Come join us. *She grins.*

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Out by the lake: Elaine's sword lesson

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