[Training] That Holiday Spear-it

The look Tal shot at Deimos held wounded pride and a huff of annoyance; wisely unvoiced. He'd started to figure out at the end that sideways was better than back, but with his axe it had been mostly forward; the weapon lacking the reach of blades or claw-tipped ursur arms and by necessity requiring closing the distance to make the most of short-range fighting. The spear required the opposite sensibilities; required more footwork, more distance, a thrust with a point rather than a chop with a blade. None of his years of ingrained instincts availed him now. It all had to be learned from scratch, and often against his former habits - much to his chagrin.

Not that he was given much chance to process all of that before the General, relentless in ensuring his charges would be able to defend themselves, sent his proxy once more into the fray.

There was no yelp this time; no surprised flinch or stumble away. Tal was learning Deimos's teaching style and had stayed on guard. He remembered the feel of that last thrust and he stepped accordingly, circling deliberately left this time instead of stumbling into it. Light and quick, it was easier this time to find the moment of balance and lunge; not content to simply pierce the target's chest, but instead to plunge through it and out the other side with gritted determination.

And then began shaking the spear in a sudden panic as he realized the dummy was stuck on it and wasn't coming loose.