( open ) practice makes perfect

[winscenario]

Who: Jim Kirk & YOU!
What: Jim wants to learn how to wield a sword (and some other weapons)
When: Now-ish
Where: Temjask arena
Rating: PG-13 for possible mild violence, fighting and minor injuries


While not unfamiliar with using weapons, it's fair to say that Jim's well out of his depth here. Barring the use of magic, there's nothing even remotely resembling energy weapons, and even projectile weapons are nonexistent. He's checked out what's on offer but some of them he doesn't even recognize, and those that he does...

Well, he can't really remember ever holding a sword in his life, for instance. But he's definitely curious. He goes to the arena to train, keep his body in shape and possibly look for someone willing to spar with him, and after he's worked up some sweat, he heads out to where all those weapons are on display, looking over the selection with interest.

He picks up a sword at one point, a smaller and lighter-looking one, but not knowing what to do with it, he'll put it back down unless someone approaches or cuts in. He also walks around the training grounds, watching others use those same weapons, admiring from a safe distance at how skilled they are.

A more elaborate or showy move will no doubt get an impressed sound from him, and he tips his head at them. "That was brilliant. You're really good."

Not that he'd know the first thing, it just looked impressive.

Comments

[captainmaterial]

Finn has been practicing with his staff as of late, having gotten tired of using his usual weapon combination of mace and shield. And it's almost kind of cute how he's unknowingly mimicking Rey and how she practiced with her staff on Ahch-To. Using precise control to stop just before striking the dummy in front of him. Part of him as noticed Jim's idle wandering, but doesn't quite know it's him yet, just that there's a body moving about.

He pauses just after completing a strike, maintaining his pose as he looks over at his fellow space traveler. He straightens up, leaning on the staff after planting it in the ground and realizes he's worked up a sweat. Wiping off his face as he speaks, "Not as good as someone from my home."

Finn's tone here is kinda sad, but a buried sort of sad, he hasn't...quite dealt with Rey's leaving Asgard. "She was good. Really good. I...do well enough." Don't listen to his modesty, he was top of his class pretty much in everything. "What brings you out this way?"

[winscenario]

"Can't really draw a comparison," he says with a shrug, and smiles. "I just think you're really good at it."

He makes his way over, looking the staff up and down before turning to Finn. "Nothing much. I was training before, and thought I'd check out the weapons here. I'm not very used to... well, any of them, to be honest with you."

dropped the thread but finn would've showed him the shield he can summon it's nothing fancy

[captainmaterial]

Jim's honesty gets a light laugh out of the former Stormtrooper, "Thanks. I'll try not to let it get to my head." Even though he, himself, was self-proclaimed 'a Big Deal'.

A nod from him, "I feel kind of lucky that the First Order trained us the way they did. They didn't give us weapons that wouldn't work in an unpowered environment." Silly lightsabers... "Even if I do prefer blasters," another light chuckle at himself and then he holds out the staff to the other man.

"Here, I'll walk you through some beginner things with a staff and you decide whether or not you like it enough to continue," sounds like a plan, right?

works for me!

[winscenario]

"Yeah, same for me," Jim agrees of the blaster. He misses his phaser a bit, even if so far he hasn't needed to actually use it. Part of him hopes that won't change either. But in case it does, he needs to know how to use other weapons, so he won't be completely useless, especially when his powers could be anything.

He accepts the staff with a nod, testing the grip but not trying for any moves just yet. "Okay, so... how do I get started?"

[ragnarsson]

Ivar is there, of course. Where else would the little nutcase be? He's in his wheelchair and practicing with a bow and arrows. He's always been better at using long-range weapons then those that are up close for the obvious reason of the limited mobility he had. He's got a keen eye and fantastic upper-body strength, so his shots are all in a neat cluster around the bulls-eye.

He's facing one target when he suddenly turns to the side, shooting off at one he barely had time to aim for. Humans don't stay still on the battlefield, so shooting at multiple targets is the next-best thing to being in actual battle conditions. He turns when he hears the compliment from Kirk. There's sharp, fierce grin that's actually genuine. "Thank you. If I wasn't, I'd be dead by now."

[winscenario]

Jim's not at all surprised to find Ivar there, honestly. It'd be his kind of place, wouldn't it? The wheelchair does catch him a little by surprise, but from what little they spoke, he would expect no less from the viking than to lead his life as though that kind of handicap doesn't slow him down at all.

"I can imagine," he tips his head with a small smile, heading closer to Ivar once the bow is slightly lowered. He'd rather not get pierced through with one of those arrows, even by accident. "The weapons in my time are very different. The ones here all look pretty impressive, but I'd probably look like an idiot wielding them."

[ragnarsson]

Indeed, Ivar's never let his legs or brittle bone syndrome define anything in his life. Learning to shoot a bow while sitting down was not an easy task for anyone, but Ivar had been determined to learn so that he could not only be good, but even better then the brothers he measured himself against.

Ivar eases one of the hands covered in fingerless gloves underneath his chin, sizing Kirk up. He's trying to figure out what weapon would best be suited for the man from the future. "No one is born knowing how to handle weapons. What were you thinking of picking up?"

[hikikomori_king]

Turgon tips his head in a bow as he finishes the exercise, the longsword in his hands coming to a neat rest.

"Thank you for saying so. Are you a swordsman yourself?"

[winscenario]

"Oh, no," Jim shakes his head, lifting a hand. "I've never wielded a sword in my life, actually. The weapons I'm used to are very different from the ones here."

He does look pretty interested, that much is clear.

[hikikomori_king]

Turgon looks curious at that.

"Oh? I do confess I find it most interesting to see what Men have come up with over the years.
What do you use instead?"

[needsnoheadsman]

Ser Rodrik isn't here to yell at Robb for going for the impressive, flashy move rather than the practical one, so that's what he does: he feints like he's about to strike from the right, then twists around to strike from the left. It's definitely flashy, and in a real fight against a real person instead of a dummy it would get him killed, but he already did die, so.

Then he hears someone else, and turns to nod to Kirk. "I was taught well," he says. "Were you waiting to use this?" And he jerks a thumb over to said dummy, which looks pretty banged up at this point.

[winscenario]

"Oh," Jim shakes his head. "No, actually. I'm... yet to learn how to wield a sword properly. The kinds of weapons I know how to use, can't find those around here."

He gestures to the dummy. "Please, don't let me interrupt you."

[needsnoheadsman]

"What are the kinds of weapons you know how to use?" Robb asks, putting the sword back into the rack. Then he pauses, and says, "Or rather—did you prefer to fight from a distance, or closer to the enemy? The closer a weapon is to what you know, the easier it will be to learn."

He leans against the rack, his fingers tapping restlessly against his elbow. He hasn't done much more to his beard than trim it, and between that and his height, he looks somewhat older than his sixteen years. More like a man who's seen battle than a boy who grew up too fast.

"You aren't interrupting me," he adds. "I was finishing up anyway."

[demonicbeauty]

For Ariadne, seeing swords and training equipment was actually a little piece of home. True, she'd never actually used a sword, but she'd spent plenty of time watching the knights drill in the courtyard. It was a somewhat soothing hobby--counter-intuitive though that might seem. She liked the idea of seeing noble men and women prepare themselves to fight for Valeria, to fight for the little bastion of freedom left in the realm.

So she was right at home in the arena.

The real reason she was there, though, was to test the limits of her new abilities.

Ariadne couldn't explain it, but when she woke up in the morning, she felt more...like herself. Somehow. After some experimenting, she realized what it was. Somehow, in some way, she'd regained her ability to shapeshift. It was exhilarating to realize it. She didn't have to cover her skin any more, didn't have to hide under blankets and cloaks. She could hide in plain sight.

But, of course, it wasn't that simple.

After ten minutes or so, she found herself exhausted, her body reverting back to its natural state. Clearly, whatever power she possessed, it wasn't the one that she had had since her childhood. She was going to have to feel her way through it. And it was only after a few hours of isolated practice that she felt ready to try it out around people. The arena felt like good training grounds. People were easily distracted. She could easily slip away, if she needed to.

What she hadn't counted on was someone taking up her old hobby of watching.

He didn't seem to know a lot about swords. That much became clear to her as she observed. But he seemed to want to learn. And so, Ariadne decided to test herself for real. She changed her form, shapeshifting into a Human body. And slowly, she approached him, coming up to his elbow, her head canted to one side. "If you're hoping to learn, I don't think watching is the way to go."

[winscenario]

Jim noticed the approach only when he heard the voice. It didn't startle him, though he turned to the side swiftly, looking down at the woman and offering her a warm, friendly smile.

"No, probably not. But I'm not exactly sure where to start, so," he shrugged, pulling his hand back from the hilt of one of the swords. It was too heavy for him, anyway. "I thought I'd see what my options are. Maybe eventually ask someone to show me the ropes. Do you know how to wield a sword?"

[demonicbeauty]

He had a pleasant voice. And eyes like an Elf. Something about that combination put Ariadne at ease, more than she would have expected. Clearly, she was a little bit homesick, even if she would never admit it. Not aloud, anyway.

She laughed a little, shaking her head. "No. I don't have the build for a sword. Anyway, I prefer using a sling."

It was less fatal, for one thing. And it was much sneakier, for another.

Another fact she wasn't going to admit out loud.

"But there's something about watching a good swordsman," she added, nodding out in the direction of the others. "They're so graceful. It's like a dance."

[channellings]

Having discovered his telekinesis earlier in the month, Klaus has been doing everything he can to hone his skills. A new arena to practice in has certainly helped, he's used it to his advantage whenever possible (like the days he isn't working on the house in Honir with his friends), bringing along the dagger he'd picked up during the weird items-are-falling-from-the-sky shenanigans and picking out three of the smallest knives from the weapon stands.

So far, one of his main problems has been concentration. He finds the focus but always seems to lose it a split second before the bulls-eye on the target and the blade veers hard in a different direction. Never too far away from its intended target, yet just enough it's starting to become slightly frustrating. This time, it's because he feels someone watching him throw, doesn't acknowledge it right away, as he figures they'll keep on moving. One of the smaller knives hovers above his tattooed palm, the slightest tremble rattling it until he steels himself and flings forward— Oh, Jesus, he's saying something!

Fwump!

He cracks an eye toward the target, lifts the same eyebrow and instantly opens the opposite eye, mouth falling open with surprise. Huh, that's an absolute direct hit. “...thanks,” comes out in a breathless laugh then Klaus turns to face Jim, mouth curved mirthfully. “But honestly, I think that was a lucky shot.”

[winscenario]

For a moment, when the guy flinches slightly, Jim actually feels bad about speaking up and disrupting his focus, but then the knife sinks right into the center of the target in a perfect hit. That, coupled with the smile he gets from him, is enough to ease his mind, and he smiles back, just a sliver of teeth barely showing.

"Does that mean I'm your lucky charm, then?" He can't help but tease, even if Jim doesn't really believe in such superstitions. Luck is what you make it, after all.

[channellings]

Jim needn't feel bad, honestly, Klaus shouldn't have lost focus. If he does that during a battle, who's to say what might happen? Thank goodness, it's just a training area and there are only fellow Wanderers around at the moment. The one that's approached him has all his attention, though.

His grin widens somewhat, “Hell, if that's the case, I'm gonna have to ask you to stick around for a while. Could use all the luck I can get, to be honest.” Then he shuffles a couple steps closer to Jim, briefly abandoning his training. “Would my new lucky charm happen to have a name?”

[ikols]

Away from the sword-toting crowd, Loki uses a target for his own practice and lays in ten daggers on the wooden model at various places; eyes, throat, groin. Groin again, and ... well, there are three goals in mind down there. He plucks the knives free and tosses them around like sticks when idly watching others train, going back to his own routine with a casualness that radiates complete comfort with his weapons. He's not one to sniff at a fancy sword (his own Gram is beautiful, after all) but one blade isn't as useful as a dozen. Ever.

His attention cocks to Jim when complimented and he offers a dagger, turning the handle around with a flip.

"Want a go?"

[winscenario]

The offer comes as a bit of a surprise, Jim's eyebrows lifting. He's smiling a little, standing more upright as he steps closer, taking the dagger carefully though not immediately preparing to throw it.

"I'm good at darts," he admits. "But I have a feeling this won't be as easy as that."

[ikols]

"Same goal, different technique. Here, let me show you ..."

Stepping to one side of Jim, Loki shows him how to straighten his arm so that the blade points forward from the right angle, lightly patting here and there to adjust Jim's stance, reticent to let his touch linger. He guides him to stand barely two arms' lengths away from the target.

"Finger laid over the top of the blade to guide it, you want to aim downwards to begin. That's the easiest angle to aim from because gravity will always be pulling your shot low. Use a slicing motion to throw it."

/Arrives 15 minutes late with Starbucks

[momsboy]

[ Peter trains every week too but that's not the reason why he came to the arena. Watching others and learning how they fight and move teach you about their strengths and weakness, it's something Peter learned a long time ago while growing up with the Ravagers. So every now and then he comes not to train but to observe.

Seeing Finn and Ivar around doesn't surprise him, there are others he doesn't recognize and then his eyes land on Jim. Oh, he's not someone Peter sees every day here. ]

More used to guns too, uh? [ Peter says amicable, watching Jim pick up a sword with a look of casual confusion in his face. Sandy isn't visible at first glance but it the blond man pays attention, he might spot a white and grey hamster pocking her tiny head out of the front pocket of Peter's jacket. ]

it's never too late! <3

[winscenario]

[ Jim looks up from the sword and smiles the moment he sees it's Peter. He shrugs, lips slightly pursed. ]

Yes, but a few people have been helping me out, so I'm not as useless with these now.

[ Still, he lowers the sword and turns to face Peter properly. That's when he notice the little ball of fur poking out of his pocket, and he coos at it. ]

Oh, what's that? What a cute little thing! Hello!

[ He beams at Peter. ] Can I pet it or is it gonna bite my finger off?

♡♡♡

[momsboy]

[ Peter has gotten increasingly more familiar with sorts lately, given that proper guns are nowhere to be found in the city, yet those are more Gamora's thing. He's still trying to find a weapon he's comfortable using and more often than not defaults to crossbows, but even those are too slow for his liking. ]

It takes time, I'm still learning the ropes and I've seen Gamora use swords on the daily. [ Peter smile brightens at Jim's reaction after seeing Sandy and the hamster raises her nose as if to say 'hello!' ]

That's my familiar. As long as it's not bigger than a dog, she can change shape into any animal but I think you've only seen her as a corgi. Nah she's harmless...well, as a mouse now. She won't hurt you, extend your palm.