Training Montage?

[twiststheblade]

Outside by the lake, barefoot, gritty soil between her toes. She barely notices, except in a vague way, noting that the traction is good. Eyes closed. Each movement gradual, controlled. Graceful, almost balletic. The total muscle control moving so slowly and yet precisely requires would only be appreciated by a few.

With each iteration she speeds up. Faster and faster each time, until her form is blurred.

There is only one set of footprints.

Comments

[twiststheblade]

"I suppose so." She looks around.

"But it's nothing like this. The city is dark and grey and eternally wet."

[the_lioness]

Alanna thinks of Corus' colorful marketplace, shining Temple District and spectacular city gates with a wistful smile. Even the Dove, dark and smoky though it may be, brings to mind memories of warmth.

Homesick as she is, dark, gray and eternally wet is the last way she would describe Corus.

Even in February.

"It's springtime in Corus, and I'm missing it. The king has ordered me to stay here for the foreseeable future."

At least until she can finish a fight without wheezing.

[twiststheblade]

"You won't miss it, though, will you? You'll get spring here and spring there, when you leave."

This seems sensible to Miho.

[the_lioness]

She gives Miho a considering look.

"I suppose you're right," she mumbles. "It's just that I could be perfectly happy here so long as I knew I could leave."

Restless, Alanna looks a bit trapped. She tightens her grip on the sword and finishes the drill she had started earlier.

"Do you train out here often?"

[twiststheblade]

Whilst Alanna was finishing the drill, Miho had crossed to her jacket, and picked up one of the bokken. Now, she hefts it idly, and nods.

"Most days."

[the_lioness]

"I used to train a few people here, but only a foolish fighter would boast of having nothing left to learn."

She grins, holding the last position.

"Certainly not a fighter attempting to retrain her muscles. Mind if I watch once or twice?"

[twiststheblade]

"Of course," Miho nods.

"We can spar some, if you like. Not full strength, if you don't think you're up to it. There's a lot to be learnt from half-speed combat though."

[the_lioness]

Always one to push herself, Alanna nods eagerly.

"Aye, I'd like that. It's been far too long since I heard the clang of steel on steel, even at half speed."

[twiststheblade]

Miho grins a little ferally. "Sounds like a plan to me. Although it'll have to be wood on wood, unless you have a spare sword with you?"

[the_lioness]

Alanna coughs.

"As it so happens, I do."

Looking around, she jogs to a tree a short distance away and grabs onto a low hanging branch. She swings herself up, slowly and carefully, and pulls something from a shadowed spot where two branches form a 'v.' On her way back, she pulls a sword from a simple black sheath and offers it to Miho.

"I have been a little on edge lately."

[twiststheblade]

Mih blinks a little, laughs a little, and takes the sword with a small bow.

"Thank you." Then she hefts it, trying it's weight and balance.

[the_lioness]

The sword is nothing fancy, but Alanna is a stickler for good balance. She tilts her head and smiles, nodding with approval as she hefts her own sword.

Assuming the guard stance, "shall we?"

[twiststheblade]

"We shall."

Miho bows once more, deeper this time, and takes up her own stance. Loose, relaxed, perfectly poised.

And proceeds to try Alanna's skill and, the balance of the sword.

She finds herself greatly enamoured of both.

(OOC: and wrap?)