Overconfidence undid his usual dexterity with a sturdy walking stick and Jigano overbalanced on his swing, striking wide of the target and swearing softly in Sylvan as he recovered himself and planted the staff on the ground to glare at the target as if it had deliberately jumped out of the way. It was a better story than his clumsy swing-and-a-miss, and he couldn't stop himself from grinning in rueful acknowledgment that the tale might yet be embellished up to something suitable for a night with drinks in hand and friends across the table.
At least he wasn't alone in his graceless stumble, a sly look at the other students leaving him relieved to note that they had all struggled with this lesson. Perhaps it was the staves themselves that were to blame. Faulty equipment?
Or just faulty footwork.
The break was unexpectedly welcome. Jigano might not have been tired physically, but the mental burden of focusing on such different weapons and tasks made the water break and careful stretching all the more necessary. He moved slowly, more concerned with control and smoothness than speed, but once he felt the flow settle into his muscles he returned to the dummy and let the staff settle into his hands. Arching a challening brow at his opponent he once again attempted to push the foe back, then slip to the side to lay a hefty strike down towards the nefarious strawman.
At least he wasn't alone in his graceless stumble, a sly look at the other students leaving him relieved to note that they had all struggled with this lesson. Perhaps it was the staves themselves that were to blame. Faulty equipment?
Or just faulty footwork.
The break was unexpectedly welcome. Jigano might not have been tired physically, but the mental burden of focusing on such different weapons and tasks made the water break and careful stretching all the more necessary. He moved slowly, more concerned with control and smoothness than speed, but once he felt the flow settle into his muscles he returned to the dummy and let the staff settle into his hands. Arching a challening brow at his opponent he once again attempted to push the foe back, then slip to the side to lay a hefty strike down towards the nefarious strawman.
