( 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]

His pretty face may have gotten him out of a few tough spots, but he's learned a long time ago that it's not gonna keep him alive in situations of real danger. He's trained and practiced for years now, maybe not with these kinds of weapons but still, he's got some fight in him. And he fully plans on applying his skills to these new weapons, especially when they're all he has access to while he's here.

He nods at the instructions. Makes sense, it's logical. Jim thinks to himself he can also use the spear to simply sweep his opponent's legs from under them and bring them down, but he has a feeling Ivar would think that to be too tame. For the purposes of their training session, however, he holds the spear up, arm folded at an angle, then he thrusts forward, trying to remind himself to use the shield for protection while the tip of the spear slides between Ivar's legs.

[ragnarsson]

Ivar watches, making only a half-hearted attempt to sweep the spear aside. That's not what this is all about. It's turning Jim into a decent fighter. Ivar likes what he's seeing. "Good!"

He pauses a moment. "You're not so bad. You just need practice. Lots and lots of practice. For example--" He throws the axe with full force at Jim's chest, expecting him to get the shield up in time.

[winscenario]

He tips his hands in thanks, listening to Ivar. He's not wrong there, Jim definitely lacks practice when it comes to these sorts of weapons. But his reflexes are as sharp as they'll ever be, which is why he manages to react to that axe throw so quickly, lifting the shield up quickly. Even with both hands holding it in place, the force of the throw sends him stumbling back. He falls on one knee when he loses his balance, but quickly forces himself back up onto his feet.

"Hey," he shoots, panting slightly as he looks down at the axe buried into the shield. "We do get into a few fights where I'm from, you know? Maybe not the same kinds of fights you're used to, but still."

[ragnarsson]

"I don't think anyone here is used to the type of fights I tend to get into." The Norse were used to fighting revolving around their entire culture. They battled their enemies, and when there was none to wage war with, they fought each other instead.

He wheels forward and yanks his axe out of the shield with an air that looks almost effortless. Using his upper body to solely move around for the first seventeen years of his life did come with some perks on occasion. "Now comes the boring part. You practice stabbing and throwing about 5,000 times or so." Learning weapons isn't all fun and games. There's a lot of tedious effort involved.

[winscenario]

"Fair enough," he agrees, tilting the shield slightly and keeping it in a tight grip as Ivar yanks the axe out of it. It's impressive how easily he manages it, and his lips curl slightly. He's always been a little partial to certain shows of strength.

He sighs, then shrugs. "I figured as much. Had to practice a lot to learn how to use my weapons too, so that much I'm used to," he says, then tips his head at Ivar. "Sticking around to watch, or will I see you again later?"

[ragnarsson]

Ivar slides the axe into a holster on his back. It's easier to grab from there then it would be if it was by his side like most people would carry it. "I'm done for the day. I will let you get to it."

He gives one last pieces of advice before he starts to go. "And remember that fancy tricks are no match for basic moves if they are perfected." Tricks were for times to show-off to people during non-combat situations. Battle was all about killing the other person as fast as possible before they killed you.

[winscenario]

Jim nods. Ivar's given him some good pointers, and they'll no doubt prove useful in the future. It's also nice, knowing they can find that common ground they spoke of, even if it's only in this.

"I'll keep that in mind," he says, though he wouldn't have thought otherwise. For now he'll go back to practicing for the rest of the afternoon. Hopefully they'll run into each other at a later date, and he might just be able to impress Ivar with a few of his moves again.