( 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

[winscenario]

Ah... both, I guess. We have weapons that can be fired from the distance, but often we end up in close quarter fights where I have to rely on my fists."

Jim pauses, then adds as if to further explain. "I should point out that people don't really get into a lot of fights, where I'm from. Minor disagreements and such do happen, but we live largely at peace, thankfully so."

[needsnoheadsman]

So someone who’s versatile enough to switch between both styles at the drop of a hat, then. Robb isn’t as good at archery as some people are (like Theon), but he’s passable enough. What he’s best at is swordsmanship, and battle strategies. Command is—something that he knows, well enough, but it’s not something he wants to get back into any time soon.

“Where I’m from, we’re at war,” he says. “It’s best to keep something on hand besides your fists, if it ever comes to a fight in close quarters.” He takes a training sword with blunted steel and tosses it at Kirk. “I can show you some of the basics right now, if you wish. I’ve more time than I know what to do with, here.”

[winscenario]

"Seems that way with a number of people here," he remarks. At the training grounds he's come across plenty of people who're used to battles the likes of which Jim can only hope to never see in his lifetime, and they're easy to spot. Like the man now in front of him, for one.

He takes the sword, liking the way it feels light in his hand. He has a feeling it'll feel heavier soon enough, but for now he thinks he might just be able to handle it. "Alright," he nods, then adds quickly. "I'm Jim Kirk, by the way."

[needsnoheadsman]

Robb spent most of his life in summer, in peace, but his father had rebelled before Robb was born and put down a rebellion when Robb was a boy. That had left a mark on Lord Stark, one Robb hadn't fully understood until he too went to war. Now he's seen victories and defeats, death and dismal failure.

"War seems like one of the few things that remain constant across the universe, aye." Robb practices a few slashes with the training sword he's picked up—it's not quite the longsword that he's used to wielding now, but it'll do. "Robb Stark," he says, nodding to Jim. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jim. Now: show me how you'd hold a sword. Not use, just hold."

[winscenario]

"Unfortunately so," Jim adds. Even his universe has conflict, and it's still a more peaceful place when compared to other realities he's heard of while here.

He looks over his sword, not trying to imitate Robb. He's got a feeling he'd manage to hurt himself somehow, when he has no idea how to even wield it. At the instruction, Jim nods, shifting his feet around into a balanced stance, then lifting his sword up, tip tilted forward only slightly, both hands curled around the handle in a firm grip.