[Training] Knife 101

Bask in the Light of the Stars

As they reached the spot that Zen had picked out, he turned to Zavien. He was grateful that the Dragoon had agreed to teach him. It still confused the Demi-god as to why he had been targeted. Between the lack of any clear items on him, empty pockets, and broad build, nothing about him screamed 'easy pickings'. Perhaps the thieves had simply been desperate. The opportunity to learn a disarming technique was the only positive result of the encounter. Particularly since it had seemed to cause the thief a respectable amount of pain. A nice bonus.

Stars once more sparked into existence beside him, adjusted to be as legible as possible for Zavien. (How do we start?) Zen had watched training sessions from the stars, but this was first on the ground.

Or be burned by their light

Zen

I take everything seriously,

Nodding in approval at the open space, Zavien turned to Zen in time to see the starry words form in the air between them. He had noticed the shift in their shape, how they had sharpened to something less elegant and more legible. It was helpful while being somewhat embarrassing that the young man had clocked his difficulties. At least he hadn't said (written?) anything about it, easily adjusting to accommodate him. 

Zavien stood in front of Zen, already planning out how to explain the technique. "I'll start by walking through the steps on you. Just tap my arm if the pain gets to be too much, or if you have any questions." He didn't want to genuinely hurt the man, and he knew it could be confusing in the twisting of limbs. 

Stepping forward, he held out his hand for Zen to offer his arm, a sudden thought coming to mind. His eyes narrowed, the circles in his eyes making him look more serious and seasoned than usual as he said, "The main point of this move is to disarm or incapacitate. It can be used to seriously injure, but I want your assurance that you will only use this in self-defense. Are we clear?" If the man refused, Zavien would leave now. He wasn't in the business of teaching people how to spread harm, and he didn't know Zen well enough to know his intentions.

Zavien

but I also take it lighthearted to recognize I can't control it.

Bask in the Light of the Stars

Zen offered his arm without complaint, tensing slightly halfway as Zavien's tone shifted. The Demi-god's narrowed eyes scanned the man for any signs of a possible threat, relaxing as he processed what the Dragoon was saying. Zen considered his response for a heartbeat.

The Demi-god had been drawn to the maneuver for its disarming aspect. And Zen was certain that he would learn new and perhaps easier means of causing harm in the future. As such, he didn't see any reason why he couldn't make a note to himself to only use what he leaned today for self-defense. As such, when Zen agreed to Zavien's terms, he was being truthful.

Nodding firmly, he fully outstretched his arm to Zavien. (I understand.)

Or be burned by their light

Zen

I take everything seriously,

Accepting the man's word, Zavien gave a nod of his head. "Good. Then let's get started." He placed a hold around Zen's arm, tight, but not cruel as he used the opposite side to grasp it palm down. Without any other delay or preamble, he began. "To successfully pull off this move, you need to grab their arm in a way that minimizes wrist movement while allowing you to manipulate their forearm. If you grab too low, they could slip out of your grasp, or they'll have too much control of their forearm to give you a proper advantage. But if you grab too high - especially if they have a weapon - they could move their hand enough to cause you injury." With each description, Zavien moved his hand up and down Zen's arm, showing him where exactly the markers were, and where the proper hold should be - just above the wrist joint, where the side of his hand would restrict any drastic movements of the hand.

"In order to gain leverage of the extremity, you want to pull it close to your body so that you can use that extra weight and proximity to stay firm." For emphasis, he pulled his elbow close to his side, making his hold stronger while making Zen's weaker. "Then, if you aren't already behind them, take a step or two to put yourself in position." He did so as he spoke, moving the man's arm slowly to the back with his redirection. It would start to feel uncomfortable, although not painful. 

Now towards Zen's back, he made sure to speak more clearly. "From here, if you don't gain control, they'll start fighting against the pulling of their shoulder by trying to turn around. In order to keep them facing forward, use your other hand to brace their shoulder or - as you saw me do - their neck." Zavien placed a flat palm against the shoulder of the same arm, pushing just enough to keep him from spinning or removing his arm. "Once you're in this position, you can lift the forearm up to incapacitate, or just enough to force their hand to release their weapon." He lifted just enough to feel tension, knowing that Zen would feel the strain of his shoulder before letting go and stepping away. 

Offering out his arm, he gave the man an encouraging nod. "Why don't you give it a try? Nice and slow."

Zavien

but I also take it lighthearted to recognize I can't control it.

Bask in the Light of the Stars

Zen's brow furrowed lightly as Zavien explained proper hand placement for the maneuver. It felt strange to have a stranger touch him and he kept one eye on the Dragoon's face for any shifts that might be concerning. The man seemed to truly be teaching him and not plotting. As such, the Demi-god let himself turn his entire focus on the lesson.

A slight grimace flashed on his face as Zen felt the tension in his shoulder. His form stiffened now that this practical stranger was at his back. There was an internal, instinctual flare of alarm at the mention of grabbing his neck, but when Zavien instead went for the shoulder, Zen relaxed and continued to listen to the Dragoons' words.

When he was released, Zen shook out his arm, rubbing the shoulder briefly as he felt the echoed strain in his muscles. He broke the steps down in his mind as he did so. Grasp their arm, pull it close, and get behind them. Keep them still and unable to turn around while you lift their arm. The Demi-god was ready.

Nodding, he reached out and grasped Zavien's arm, adjusting the placement of his hands as best as he could to align with what he'd been shown. Pulling the Dragoon's arm closer, he took a few steps to get behind the man. One hand came and firmly held Zavien's shoulder to hold him still. Zen then carefully lifted the man's arm, stopping and holding as soon as he saw the first sign of discomfort in the Dragoons' body language. Stars formed in front of Zavien as Zen stilled. (Is this right?)

Or be burned by their light

Zen

I take everything seriously,

Zen was a meticulous learner. He could see it in the way his eyes catalogued every movement, walking through the steps like they were a recipe with specific measurements and motions. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as he practiced enough for the thoughts to become muscle memory. Otherwise, in the heat of battle, he might blank or freeze.

Letting the man manipulate his arm, Zavien looked for any mistakes or weak points. With the slow, careful movements, he didn't have many criticisms, but as the words floated before him, he noted one. He nodded his head in approval. "Good, although try to make sure you lift the arm only up rather than out. Their hand should be nearly flush against their back the entire time, otherwise they can lean forward to loosen the hold." Just to show him, Zavien hinged forward at his hips, the strain on his arm weakening enough for him to pull at Zen's hold on him. It would have been simple to rip out of his grasp, but the Dragoon straightened again as he said, "Try making the adjustment."

Zavien

but I also take it lighthearted to recognize I can't control it.

Bask in the Light of the Stars

Zen's brow furrowed as Zavien easily escaped his hold. Such a small error had rendered his efforts nearly useless. When the man straightened, the Demi-god nodded and moved to try again. Feeling slightly more confident, he moved a fraction faster this time. Grabbing the Dragoons' arm, Zen stepped behind the man. His other hand came up gripped Zavien's shoulder again.

Keeping his hold steady, the Demi-god raised the man's arm. He made sure to only pull up, and not out. As he did so, Zen noticed an error. His grip felt awkward, less secure than his previous attempt. Studying where his hand was on the Dragoon's arm, it was difficult to determine just what was wrong with his grip. He attempted to adjust it but it still seemed off.

Or be burned by their light

Zen

I take everything seriously,

Zavien felt the mistake the moment the demigod wrapped his hand around his arm, noting the placement but not saying anything yet. He watched the flow of the other steps, nodding with approval as he made his way behind. When he felt Zen start to shift and struggle, he finally spoke, "Your movements look good, but grip is everything when it comes to grappling and control."

He pushed back just enough for the man to feel the lack of control he had. "Grabbing too high on the arm makes it harder to hold." The hold wasn't as high as his elbow, but it was certainly more around his forearm than his wrist, and his muscles contracted underneath. "For one, I can do this - " He pulled his arm, Zen's hand sliding down towards his wrist, disrupting the placement enough to show that Zavien would be able to launch a counterattack or escape entirely. "And second, grabbing closer to the wrist gives you a 'hilt' of sorts so that your hand doesn't slide down. It's also better because your hand will be able to wrap around better." Even the largest hands couldn't wrap entirely around a man's forearm, making the hold weak and ineffective. 

"Try again." His voice wasn't as bright as it might have been if Sol were there, but it wasn't harsh, encouragement still evident in every syllable.

Zavien

but I also take it lighthearted to recognize I can't control it.

Bask in the Light of the Stars

Zavien easily slipped his poorly placed grip and Zen's jaw tightened. He had realized that it was incorrect, but the Demi-god had been entirely unaware of how vulnerable to a counterattack he'd made himself in the process. It was a mistake he refused to repeat.

When prompted, Zen tried once more, taking an extra heartbeat to ensure he had the proper grip before repeating the maneuver. Pulling the Dragoons' arm back and sliding behind him, he raised the arm until he felt tension. The steps felt smoother, and his grip felt solid. With this third attempt, he was slightly faster than his second. It was steady progress. If he had the technique down now, the Demi-god's next attempt would be at the normal speed required to successfully perform the maneuver in a true situation. Zen's stars sparked in the air again, (Better?)

Or be burned by their light

Zen

I take everything seriously,

He watched the improvement, felt it against his skin in the way Zen gripped his arm just above his wrist. It twisted behind him, the tension starting almost immediately. There weren't any weaknesses he could feel, no blatant mistakes that needed to be addressed, just a standard precision that would work when faced with an inexperienced opponent. Once he added speed, it would be difficult to stand a chance. 

The starry word floated before him, still more legible than before, but taking him a second to read regardless. When he gathered the meaning, Zavien gave a nod of his head as he said, "Better." Once Zen released him, the Dragoon rolled out his shoulder, feeling the soreness of his tendons starting from the strain, but he still gave another nod of encouragement. "One more time. A little faster now." This time, he didn't offer out his arm, expecting the man to treat it more like a real fight.

Zavien

but I also take it lighthearted to recognize I can't control it.

Bask in the Light of the Stars

Zen was satisfied that Zavien agreed on the improvement. The Dragoon called for a repeat and from how the man stood, it was clear that this was the real test. The Demi-god would need to take this seriously.

Zen's eyes narrowed briefly before he was in motion. Surging forward. he took hold of Zavien's arm, taking care to secure his grip without losing speed. There was still a heartbeat of adjustment before he pulled the arm close. Twisting himself, he got behind Zavien. One hand came out and firmly held the man's shoulder in place. With a slight raise of the arm, Zen completed the maneuver. It hadn't been as fast as he'd like, but it felt right. And speed would undoubtedly come with further practice.

After giving Zavien a moment to test for any weakness, Zen let go and stepped back. Stars bloomed once more, holding still in the air. (Good?) He thought he'd mastered the basics, but the Demi-god was curious to hear the Dragoon's opinion.

Or be burned by their light

Zen

I take everything seriously,

This time, Zavien didn't make it as easy for Zen. He didn't offer his arm, and he gave enough resistance for the man to get an idea of what it would be like to use it in a real fight against someone who really wanted to escape. 

The Dragoon was satisfied with the initial hand placement, feeling it press against his wrist in a way that would make it difficult to escape. As he pulled his arm to the back, Zavien tensed his muscles, pulling enough to disrupt if the technique was incorrect, but Zen had been paying attention, and he succeeded in properly pinning the arm. The strain on his arm was enough to hurt, but he stayed silent, waiting until the man had released him.

His green eyes drifted to the word, a single question that was easier to make out. Nodding his head, he met Zen's eyes. "Good. You seem like you've got it. Just work through it over and over to build the speed and muscle memory." It was the same advice he'd give to anyone, the same advice he'd given to younger Dragoons, the same practice he'd used to grow his own skills.

With the moment passing, Zavien could feel the discomfort returning, the straining of the companion bond pulling at his emotions. He swallowed, rubbing his shoulder a little as he considered the man. "If it's okay with you, I think I should get going. As much as I'd like to talk and get to know you, I'm not in a great mindset right now, and it's a little difficult to read your messages." As he'd already picked up on. Nodding his head, he added, "If you're ever in Stormbreak, feel free to come find me. I'll show you another move or two."

Zavien

but I also take it lighthearted to recognize I can't control it.

Bask in the Light of the Stars

Zen mentally noted the need to practice the technique, stars blooming beside him. (Thank you.) The maneuver would surely prove useful, and he was grateful that Zavien took the time to teach him.

The Demi-god had noticed a restlessness in the man earlier but had brushed it aside as a personality trait. This was still their first meeting and certainly didn't know Zavien well enough to say if it was out of the ordinary. Apparently, it was, and Zen eyed the man carefully for a moment. He wondered how much of it was a reflection of what was happening in Stormbreak, and what was simply personal. The reminder that his words were difficult to read changed his potential response to a simple nod. As he passed Zavien to continue into the city, he gave the Dragoon an encouraging pat on the shoulder before disappearing around a corner.

-[FIN]

Or be burned by their light

Zen