Heaven BBS | Text | Filtered from Leo

[deniles]

Date: June 27th
Posted by: Niles

- - - -

I need to be trained in close combat.

I prefer sharp weapons over blunt.

I'm available at any time.

Comments

[deniles]

[He's about to answer when Izumo decides to charge right for him.

Wait, what?!

He moves to try and get out of the way of whatever is coming. Because nope. Not dying.]

[toremainbehind]

[Ah.

Heh.

Izumo eases up a bit, giving Niles an apologetic smile.]

You're really not used to close combat, are you?

[deniles]

What gave that away?

[He takes a deep breath, looking at him.]

[toremainbehind]

You were a bit slow to react.

[Izumo shifts a bit.]

But don't worry. I'm not going to kill you or anything while we spar.

[deniles]

Yes, because I didn't expect you to charge at me for training.

[He huffs.]

Really? Because I'm not sure about that.

[toremainbehind]

Brawlers usually don't give you a chance to let you collect yourself before they attack again.

[Even so, that apologetic grin is still on his face.]

I'm really not. [He holds his hands up towards him.] Let's try this again, and this time, I won't just charge at you.

[deniles]

Do you need a reminder that this is my first time or was that not obvious the first time?

[At least you're cute. But note to self; hit on this one again at own risk.]

How about we first start with basics, hmm?

[toremainbehind]

I apologize. I've been training with someone and he can be a bit relentless on his own.

[Izumo's usually chill to not want to hit you, Niles. So you're good.

But that earns a laugh from him and he nods, walking over.]

Alright, alright.

[deniles]

So, deciding to repay it forward?

[He sees now. Shaking his head.]

You're lucky I brought nothing with me.

[toremainbehind]

He hits hard. [That's all he'll say.]

Well, you did say you want to learn hand-to-hand. Using weapons would defeat that purpose. [A pause.] Shame though. I did enjoy watching you do archery.

[deniles]

I've yet to give up the bow. You'll see it again. But it'll be no good if I'm dead because I couldn't stay close enough to fight.

[toremainbehind]

Then let's get started - properly this time.

[He'll definitely ease up on Niles. Wouldn't want to get the other killed one day because of his lack of hand-to-hand combat.]

[deniles]

Whatever it takes.

[He knows when to get serious, so he doesn't even give Izumo a flirty eye or hits on him. It's work time.]

[toremainbehind]

[Niles will probably learn quickly as to what kind of instructor Izumo could be.

While he can be patient and showing the other man some pointers and adjusting his stances once in a while, Izumo isn't one to particularly go easy on him either.

It might take a few hours - give or take - but eventually, there's a call for a break.

Izumo eases up on Niles, allowing him some time to breathe since they have been at it for a while already.]

[deniles]

[The hours go by quickly, and through out them, Niles gets more tired, and more weak. He's used to dealing with this sort of marathon training when it comes to prefered weapons. Hand to hand combat takes a lot more out of him.

He groans when it's time for them to break. He flops down to sit on the ground. His shirt and cape left a long time ago, so he's now sitting, shirtless and sweaty.]

...Maybe we should call it a day.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo chuckles a little breathlessly himself and sits down beside Niles.

He takes out a cigarette, lights it, and takes a drag.]

Exhausted?

[deniles]

[He just nods, moving to lay down in the grass now. Running his fingers through his hair, he lets out a sigh.]

I didn't think it'd be that difficult.

[toremainbehind]

[He peers down at him.]

A lot different from using weapons, I take it? But if you keep this up, you'll get the hang of it and your stamina will build up, too.

[deniles]

I'm used to having something do part of the work for me.

[He groans, rolling over, face planting into the grass.]

[toremainbehind]

[That earns a laugh.]

Now you gotta get used to doing something without a weapon in hand.

[deniles]

That'll take a while. A bow feels... natural.

[toremainbehind]

Mm, but that's what this training is for, isn't it? To fight without your bow or a long-ranged weapon.

[deniles]

I suppose... still, it's not exactly easy.

[But no one said it would be.]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo takes a drag.]

You never did say why you're suddenly interested in learning close combat.

[deniles]

How much does it matter to you? Do you really want to know?

[People sometimes ask without wanting to know. He just wants to make sure Izumo is aware.]