[Training] In My Sights (Open!)

"What kind of tricks?" The hunter was wary, still. Kel could appreciate Zeph's strength even as he bristled at his own weakness, and the memory of the Ascended jerking him around between purred smiles and sharpened threats had left him even more hesitant to trust than he'd been before. Was Zeph like that, looking to build up a sense of false security only to jerk it out from under him?

Kel flexed his hand, but given that he'd already lost once there wasn't any harm in seeing what the other man had to say. Maybe he'd even learn something new. Age brought experience and sometimes wisdom, after all; if Zeph was being straightforward with him he could gain some insight into being better next time. And if not, well... losing a second time would be frustrating, but no worse than losing the first time.

He took the offered hand and though his grip was strong and he was braced to resist he didn't fight to push back against his opponent. Not yet, at least.

zephyr

"Here. Watch." Rising up a little bit, you angle your knuckles upwards to give yourself leverage, knowing the pressure it places on his wrist will make it weaker, easier to pressure down. "Your turn. Show me." You wait for the return demonstration, watching his face to see what he'll think.

And then, when you're satisfied, you offer your hand again. "Then y'curl the palm in. The trick's t'make it harder for 'em t'keep their wrist steady." Again you demonstrate, moving your hand to cause his own wrist to curl back before waiting for him to do the same, anticipating the strain.

burn all the things you have to burn
save all the people you're supposed to save

He hadn't known what to expect, but he was still surprised when Zeph didn't press him back but simply shifted the grip slightly. Not a huge difference, barely noticeably at first, but Kel's attempt to maintain his brace was suddenly more difficult and he drew in a surprised breath, studying the other man's grip with renewed interest. At the invitation to try it himself he nodded and licked his lip, brow furrowing in concentration as he sought to angle his knuckles the way Zeph had, but opposite to the other man's direction; a mirror, to account for facing the other way. For a moment he almost forgot his wariness as he realized the usefulness of the little trick, and something that was almost a smile lightened the corners of his mouth. "How's this?"

The second technique was harder to follow; even at the weaker wrist joint Zeph was still stronger than him and Kel struggled to find the right mix of pressure and angle of his palm to succeed where the other man could simply overpower, but eventually he seemed to catch the hang of it and he curled his palm while tilting his knuckles up to take advantage of the lesson the way Zeph had demonstrated. "What if the other guy knows the same trick?"

zephyr

"Not bad, kid." It isn't bad, really, though it remains unpracticed: but hey, the kid could be a champion yet. Or at least a contender. An A-for-effort-er. You won't be putting money on him anytime soon.

He doesn't do great with the second trick you show, which is maybe for the best, because you don't want him getting too good. You need that hide, after all. "Then y'go for speed. 'Specially if they're stronger'n you." Still he isn't bad, mostly getting it by the end. Maybe the next round will be a challenge for real.

Placing your elbow back on the table, you square your stance and extend your hand. "Ready fer round two?"

burn all the things you have to burn
save all the people you're supposed to save

Kel snuck a glance up at Zeph's face at the compliment, unsure if it was sarcastic or sincere. He couldn't read the old man well; he didn't know him well enough to guess what was going on in his greying head, but his tips were useful so the young hunter bobbed his head in cautious acceptance of the words before moving on to the next technique up Zeph's sleeve.

No words of encouragement the second time around, which Kel understood. He wasn't doing great with that palm-curl, but he was trying. He'd need practice for it to come easily, but it wasn't as though he arm-wrestled on a regular basis.

Not like he had anyone to practice with, really, either.

But Zeph set his elbow again and Kellan mirrored him, setting his shoulders as he nodded. "Yeah. Two outta three, right?" If he could win this one he could at least tie things up...

He reached for the other man's hand, squeezing down hard as he angled his knuckles and tried to manage that palm curl even as his bicep bulged and he pressed hard and fast, trying to bring the three lessons together into one swift strike.

zephyr

Whether you allow him to win or he's actually improved... well, you certainly aren't going to be telling anytime soon. The point is that this time when Kellan takes your hand it's with a little bit more finesse, a little bit more speed- and enough of both to bring your arm pressing down onto the makeshift table, felled as surely as the tree had been however many years before.

"Point t'you, kid." There's amusement in your eyes as you acknowledge the success, crinkling the corners of your eyes. Releasing his hand you shake out your fingers, wrist rotating dramatically as though to undo the kinks left by the strain. "All tied up. Y'ready for round three?"

Again your elbow hits the table, hand outstretched to invite his.

burn all the things you have to burn
save all the people you're supposed to save

The match began, and Zeph's arm went down - not without a struggle, not easily on Kel's part, but down fast enough that the hunter felt a swell of excitement and a little shock that the tricks had actually worked. He hurried to release the other man's hand, but at the smile and dramatic display a shy grin was tugged from Kel's initial wariness, amber eyes bright with pride that he'd won.

Not everything. As the old man said, they were tied and the contest wasn't over yet. Nor was Kel likely to catch him by surprise again (if he'd even really managed it the second time - but he didn't let himself think about that.)

"Ready," he agreed, a bit more confidence in his bearing as his grin took on a competitive edge. He settled his elbow on the log and reached for Zeph's waiting hand, and as they met he tilted his knuckles and creased his palm again, trying to make lightning strike twice - and hoping that youth and speed might be a match for old age and cunning.

zephyr

His bright enthusiasm at success warms something in your gnarled old-man heart, something that feels almost bad about the fact that you're about to rob him of the most profitable part of his hunt.

Almost.

Of course, you don't intend to fall for the same trick twice- especially when it's your trick. That would be embarrassing, and besides, it would do little to teach Kellan about Torchline life. Adaptation and adjustment and staying one step ahead: these are the true tricks the lad will have to learn, if he is to survive in this place for long. So this time though he strikes with speed and trickery, it is not enough; your arm remains resolutely in place, waiting for him to tire enough that you can push the knuckles back down to the table.

"I win."

Standing abruptly, you offer a hand to pull him to his feet. "Not a bad show, kid. Now let's get this down t'town before it gets dark, eh? I think you've got half a hide to skin for me, before the day's up." Clapping him on the back good natuedly you turn to the fallen creature, ready for your prize.

burn all the things you have to burn
save all the people you're supposed to save

He hadn't expected it to go so easily the second time, but he'd hoped. Muscles bunched and tightened as he tried to get the leverage he needed to repeat that unexpected win, but this time Zeph was ready for him. He might have been almost fast enough, but he still wasn't strong enough. Struggle though he tried, his arm was pushed inexorably back...

and back...

and back, until his knuckles brushed the bark for the second and final time.

Frustration flashed across his face, a flicker of petulance that came and went as he sighed and nodded, unable to dispute the outcome. Having lost not once but twice there was little else he could do but acquiesce to the deal he had agreed to. "Yeah, yeah... you'll get your hide." A loss of profits that he desperately needed, but it couldn't be helped. Besides, he'd learned a thing or two. One of those things was that he might almost like the old man, but that was a dangerous way to think after just one meeting. Taking the slap on the back with more grace than he expected, he turned to help lift the beast so they could get it down the mountain. "Do you want the front or the back?"

{Finished}