No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight
"It was an accident!" Koa protests defensively, arms raised with a laugh. "I set it right after, and she was totally fine!" At least he has the wherewithal to look properly chagrined, eyes widening into alarmed saucers as she threatens to never spar again. "I'll be careful, Dragoon's honor," Koa promises, eager as a puppy dog who fears the imminent denial of a game of fetch.
But then she agrees, rising to her feet; Koa bounces with enthusiasm and relief. "Okay, so the first tenant of self defense is to avoid conflict when you can. Maintain your awareness, don't engage in a stronger opponent, and if you're accosted by someone with a weapon, throw your wallet and run." Steadily steadying, Koa's boyish enthusiasm coalesces into a soldier's confidence; he looks to Lena for understanding before pressing on.
"Of course, sometimes that isn't possible, which is where these basics come in. Everything begins with your stance. Here-" Demonstrating, Koa sets his feet at a shoulder's distance, then takes one half-step. "You want your non-dominant foot forward, and your knees slightly bent. And then your hands should be here, and your head tucked in-- great, you're basically there. May I?"
Should Lena allow, the young man will circle her deliberately, making adjustments to her position until he's satisfied.
But then she agrees, rising to her feet; Koa bounces with enthusiasm and relief. "Okay, so the first tenant of self defense is to avoid conflict when you can. Maintain your awareness, don't engage in a stronger opponent, and if you're accosted by someone with a weapon, throw your wallet and run." Steadily steadying, Koa's boyish enthusiasm coalesces into a soldier's confidence; he looks to Lena for understanding before pressing on.
"Of course, sometimes that isn't possible, which is where these basics come in. Everything begins with your stance. Here-" Demonstrating, Koa sets his feet at a shoulder's distance, then takes one half-step. "You want your non-dominant foot forward, and your knees slightly bent. And then your hands should be here, and your head tucked in-- great, you're basically there. May I?"
Should Lena allow, the young man will circle her deliberately, making adjustments to her position until he's satisfied.
Koa
