17th Combo - [Video]

[redcladidealist]

There! I-

[Locked from Eridan]

-did it! Good. That'll keep him from listening in on this. Thanks, Genis. I owe you one.

[Yup, somebody begged his best friend to show him how to lock. That done, he turns his attention on the Dreamberry - and Somarium in general by extension. His expression is very serious, and perhaps a little chagrined.]

Hey, everyone. I... kind of need some help. I need to get stronger, so I need to train, but I also need help learning how to fight magic users. [He makes a face.] Especially magic users that can fly.

[No, he's not talking about anyone in specific. What makes you think that?]

Does anyone want to spar? Or have any advice?

Comments

[action]

[redcladidealist]

I can, but I'm not as good as if I have two.

[He exhales, grimacing slightly. Never fun admitting weakness.]

You'd probably wipe the floor with me.

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[laughs.]

Most likely. But that's what this training is for, right?

[action]

[redcladidealist]

So you think I should practice with just one sword?

[If he sounds a little reluctant, that's because he is. He much prefers fighting in a style he's used to, where he actually feels competent.

Unfortunately, Ace has a point. Ugh, he's really not good at fighting with just one sword.]

[action]

[knightofchanges]

It wouldn't hurt. At least know how to fend for yourself until you can escape.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd nods, though he's really tempted to grimace. He had a feeling he's about to get really sore pretty soon.]

You wanna go another round with me? This time with just one sword?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

If you feel up to it.

How about I'll stay on the defense and you just try some various attacks. I'll counter every now and then, however, just to keep things interesting.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

We haven't been sparring that long. I think I can handle another round.

[Outclassed or not, he's not about to just roll over and turn that challenge down.]

Don't underestimate me, Ace.

[Already sheathing one sword and unbuckling the belt from his waist.]

You ready?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[just chuckles as he gets into a stance, casually holding up his sword.]

Whenever you are.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

Then let's do this.

[Once he's put his other sword aside, Lloyd takes up position as well. He feels so awkward with only one sword in his hand, like he's off balance or out of position-

-and he is. Someone who's using only one weapon shouldn't be in a stance like that when they're about to attack. And when he lunges, striking out to test Ace's defense, there's a hole in his guard a mile wide.]

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[...yeah that's. pretty sad, dude.

in fact, Ace doesn't even bother to try and block it. he just shifts slightly to evade and brings up his sword to lightly tap Lloyd's side with the side of his blade.]

Maybe we should work on how you actually hold and use the sword first, haha.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd winces at the tap, not so much in pain but at the fact that he'd been tapped at all, with the full knowledge that that could have been a lethal attack if this had been real. Still, it doesn't stop him from flushing defensively.]

H-hey, I know how to hold a sword. I was using them just fine when I was using two, right?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[laughs.]

Well, yes.

[and Ace now moves so that he's standing next to Lloyd.]

Try holding it like this.

[and positioning himself so Lloyd can try and copy it.]

Since you're using one sword, you will need to change your stance since how you stand and wield the blade will be different.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[That... makes sense. Lloyd looks at Ace, studying him, and yeah, he's standing a little different. The teen adjusts his own position a little bit to mirror the other man.]

...I'm going to have to learn to fight all over again, aren't I. Even the basics? If everything's a little different like this...

[Man, that's a depressing thought.]

[action]

[knightofchanges]

Not really. You already know how to hold and use a sword, which is already several levels than a beginner. You just need to train a bit so that you're at least comfortable handling one sword just long enough, not necessarily be a master.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

Would you be willing to spar with me a few more times, then? At least until I get the hang of it?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

I don't see why not. This is actually rather refreshing for me, too. Normally I just have to fight with people rather than try and teach.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

It is kind of fun to spar and not worry about whether or not you're going to be killed.

You wanna meet up at a regular time? Or just whenever we feel like it?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

Whatever works best for you. I'm not really doing anything in particular for a job, so I'm always free.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

Then how about once a week? I don't have a job either, but I've been thinking about getting one.

[action]

[knightofchanges]

That works.

[muses.] Hm. I wonder if I should consider help teaching.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

Help? Like what kind?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

Well I'm only good at swordfighting and camping, so really it would have to be one of those.

On the other hand, there may not be a big need for it.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

I've done lots of camping! [Lloyd grins.] In fact, before I got here, my friends and I were on a journey that took us all over the world. We had to camp a lot.

[action]

[knightofchanges]

Oh, a journey? For what reason?

[action]

[redcladidealist]

To save the world. [Yup, simple and matter of fact.] That's what it started out as, anyway. Then it changed to saving two worlds when we realized there was another one tied to Sylvarant.