[ Oh. Well, that's better than she was expecting to hear and she gives a fierce nod. She's holding herself maybe a little too stiff, but her stance is a bit better at least. ]
It's a little different from what I was expecting it to weigh... but I guess it is just a practice sword.
[ She needs to start somewhere after all. ]
If I was using a real one... the weight would all be the um-- the hilt, wouldn't it?
[ It's a vivid enough image that she loosens up a little. There. It's not perfect by any means -- she's hardly going to get there on a first try -- but it's definitely an improvement. ]
I know this'll end up being second nature but getting it into your head to begin with... it's harder than I was expecting.
[ Her face brightens visibly at the praise, even if it looks like she's trying not to let it show quite as much. She'd forgotten the rush of satisfaction that came with learning something new, learning to do it right when learning wasn't a matter of life or death. The novelty of doing things while her life isn't on the line still hasn't quite worn off. ]
As long as I make sure to practice, of course. Are there any... sets or anything like that I should be going through? Any sort of routine I need to stick to?
[Ardyn shrugged, bringing his own practice sword up to rest against his shoulder.]
I was never one for strict forms and routines. Drove my combat instructor a bit crazy, but it's always served me well. Generally speaking, the rule to follow is to remain adaptable; become accustomed to the weight of a weapon in your hand, and you'll be able to utilize it just as easily as part of your arm.
[ Ah, that sounds familiar. Suddenly, even more than she was before, she's reminded of Kurumi, red-faced and spluttering in protest over one too many prods and pokes over the shovel, insisting that it was just natural, once you used a weapon that much it just became part of you.
She thinks; He'd like Kurumi. When this is all over, I need him to meet Kurumi.
Letting out a breath she hadn't been really aware she was holding, Yuuri gives the sword a slow, experimental swipe through the air. It's not exactly proper form but it looks like she's just getting a feel for the weight of the sword. ]
Let's see...you should try to remember that your sword is a defense as much as it is a weapon. It's better for an oncoming attack to strike your blade than to strike you, obviously.
[He lightly took Yuuri's wrist to adjust her stance again, raising the sword a little higher to leave her guard a little less open.]
So when you bring it back after swinging it, be sure you've not left yourself open to a counter.
[ She nods slowly, gives the blade another slow swipe through the air and then brings it back up a little quicker, raising it to what she's sure is the same height he'd adjusted it to. ]
So... hm. I should be making sure my arms are flexible, even if my grip isn't? If I'm too stiff when I take a blow with the sword, it might end up doing me more harm, than good...
Exactly. I'd broken a few bones in practice like that before I learned that particular lesson, and I do not exactly recommend it. But that already looks much better.
I don't think Nari would be happy with me if she ended up having to put my arm in a sling because I couldn't handle a sword properly, do you? I don't even want to imagine the kind of lecture she'd give me.
[ And also, she can't garden one handed. She'd drop dead of boredom after about a week. ]
Do I need to be doing-- [ another quick swipe of the sword. ] -- this in any particular way? I'm honestly not really sure what I'm doing with it.
Things like striking angle and force exerted depend entirely on your target. Some aspects of that can't be taught and need to be mastered through experience. Or at least, they'd need to be taught by someone with a less careless fighting style than mine.
I'll ask her as soon as we're done here, then. I think it might help her out just as much as me. She's been feeling a little...
[ Another quick slash of the blade, just enough of a pause to give her a chance to come up with a word that doesn't sound quite so harsh as 'useless'. ]
I think she's feeling a little restless. And we're only able to do so much while we're here... I think it's really getting to her.
[ She eases out of that stance, her shoulders relaxing a bit and she lets the sword hang in her hands.
Does she look a little... guilty? ]
I said... a lot of things to her back on the Fantasy Sweet. The sort of things I'd say to Yuki-chan back home. Things about how she was our light and how we could keep going because we had someone like her with us. And I meant every word of it but I think now it was probably the wrong thing to be saying to her.
Exactly. I'm scared saying things like that to her have made her think it's all she's good for. And... if she can't put on a happy face, then she's failing us somehow.
[ Ah, are we speaking from experience there, Ms. Wakasa? Yes, I think so. ]
And I don't want her to feel like that. Arianna's so strong and smart and kind but I... I don't know what else I can do to help her. She's a bit of a fish out of water and it's not her fault at all. But I'm worried.
With any luck, 'concrete results' won't be something like 'a broken arm'. I always forget how strong she is -- so much more than she looks. She'd definitely be able to put me down in a fight if she wanted to.
[ the actual most terrifying survivor: Arianna Wakasa of Caledonia, apparently. ]
When we're done here... I'll ask her. I hope it's enough.
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[He reached over to adjust her hold on the sword, nudging her feet into a more solid position with one of his own.]
Your balance was a bit off, and you'll need to get used to holding the sword itself.
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It's a little different from what I was expecting it to weigh... but I guess it is just a practice sword.
[ She needs to start somewhere after all. ]
If I was using a real one... the weight would all be the um-- the hilt, wouldn't it?
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Try not to stand too rigidly, either--think of your stance in terms of a willow branch rather than a wooden plank.
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[ It's a vivid enough image that she loosens up a little. There. It's not perfect by any means -- she's hardly going to get there on a first try -- but it's definitely an improvement. ]
I know this'll end up being second nature but getting it into your head to begin with... it's harder than I was expecting.
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[what an excellent student he has]
It's just like learning anything else; you'll grow accustomed to it quickly enough.
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As long as I make sure to practice, of course. Are there any... sets or anything like that I should be going through? Any sort of routine I need to stick to?
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I was never one for strict forms and routines. Drove my combat instructor a bit crazy, but it's always served me well. Generally speaking, the rule to follow is to remain adaptable; become accustomed to the weight of a weapon in your hand, and you'll be able to utilize it just as easily as part of your arm.
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[ Ah, that sounds familiar. Suddenly, even more than she was before, she's reminded of Kurumi, red-faced and spluttering in protest over one too many prods and pokes over the shovel, insisting that it was just natural, once you used a weapon that much it just became part of you.
She thinks; He'd like Kurumi. When this is all over, I need him to meet Kurumi.
Letting out a breath she hadn't been really aware she was holding, Yuuri gives the sword a slow, experimental swipe through the air. It's not exactly proper form but it looks like she's just getting a feel for the weight of the sword. ]
What else should I be keeping in mind?
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[He lightly took Yuuri's wrist to adjust her stance again, raising the sword a little higher to leave her guard a little less open.]
So when you bring it back after swinging it, be sure you've not left yourself open to a counter.
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So... hm. I should be making sure my arms are flexible, even if my grip isn't? If I'm too stiff when I take a blow with the sword, it might end up doing me more harm, than good...
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[ And also, she can't garden one handed. She'd drop dead of boredom after about a week. ]
Do I need to be doing-- [ another quick swipe of the sword. ] -- this in any particular way? I'm honestly not really sure what I'm doing with it.
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[ Not that she doesn't trust King Dad but a second pair of eyes to vet her training might not be such a bad idea. ]
She's a little closer to my height, too and we're built a lot more similarly than you and me... maybe that might help?
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[ Another quick slash of the blade, just enough of a pause to give her a chance to come up with a word that doesn't sound quite so harsh as 'useless'. ]
I think she's feeling a little restless. And we're only able to do so much while we're here... I think it's really getting to her.
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[ She eases out of that stance, her shoulders relaxing a bit and she lets the sword hang in her hands.
Does she look a little... guilty? ]
I said... a lot of things to her back on the Fantasy Sweet. The sort of things I'd say to Yuki-chan back home. Things about how she was our light and how we could keep going because we had someone like her with us. And I meant every word of it but I think now it was probably the wrong thing to be saying to her.
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[ Ah, are we speaking from experience there, Ms. Wakasa? Yes, I think so. ]
And I don't want her to feel like that. Arianna's so strong and smart and kind but I... I don't know what else I can do to help her. She's a bit of a fish out of water and it's not her fault at all. But I'm worried.
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I think training with her will help. It should be something substantial for both of you to focus on and see concrete results from.
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[ the actual most terrifying survivor: Arianna Wakasa of Caledonia, apparently. ]
When we're done here... I'll ask her. I hope it's enough.