For my students, lessons will be this evening at the barracks. I will see you individually for now.
[Which is where Sigmund will be spending his day today, should anyone want to test their skills against his. Especially you, Serious Red Haired Man Who Failed To Introduce Himself Despite Living With His Mother. He's looking forward to putting a dent or two in that lowlife's pride, if he should dare to show his face. While fantasizing about his impending moral victory, he marks off two large squares, one inside the other. The first is with chalk on the floor, and the second (nearly twice the size) with upright poles and a rope barrier. All of the training dummies are well out of the way - it seems he has no intentions of letting even beginners expect a stationary target.
There's also a good selection of wooden wasters on the floor by one of the poles. They replicate blades of several weights and lengths, from a longsword down to an arming dagger. Perhaps more impressive are the wooden shields hung next to them. One is a simple targe, but the other is a carefully carved, jointed and glued replica of his own shield, with a similarly carefully carved replica of his blade strapped behind it. Unlike the other wasters, it has been weighted to better mimic the balance of his sword.
For now, he leaves it be and takes up a position on one side of the center square with his real equipment at hand. After several moments of complete stillness and silence, he rushes forward in a sudden burst of activity. First, he lunges forward and swings his shield arm wide, smashing it into the face of an imaginary opponent. As soon as his hand has vacated the space in front of him, his sword is there, thrust forward with enough power to skewer a grown man. He draws it sharply upwards, his shield coming upwards to guard his face when his other hand joins the first on the sword grip. From above his shoulder, the sword comes down in a powerful diagonal swing. He lifts the foot to the rear of his stance while the swing follows through, and the momentum carries his whole body with it in a full circle, his armored foot kicking out as a serious threat to his pretend adversary's kneecaps. Now facing forward again, he needs no time to regain his bearings and instead lunges forward another two steps, sword pointing low and to his side. With only that short run-up, he launches himself eight or nine feet into the air, sword swinging up with him in a powerful arc. He lands in a crouch with enough force to set the plates of his armor ringing with the impact, sword held parallel to and just inches above the floor. Impressively, the toes of his foremost foot are just touching the opposite side of his chalk square.
More impressively, he has had his eyes closed the entire time.
A few students? He can handle that.]
((OOC notes I forgot the first time: *facepalms forever* this post is for the people who expressed interest in playing out a spar or a lesson. Like I said before, if you'd prefer not do that, just drop a comment here, or a pm, or whatever, with how your character's general skill level and how they'd act during the lesson so that I can get an idea of Sigmund's impression of them. It's kind of important to how he'd plan more lessons, so I'd really appreciate it.))
[Which is where Sigmund will be spending his day today, should anyone want to test their skills against his. Especially you, Serious Red Haired Man Who Failed To Introduce Himself Despite Living With His Mother. He's looking forward to putting a dent or two in that lowlife's pride, if he should dare to show his face. While fantasizing about his impending moral victory, he marks off two large squares, one inside the other. The first is with chalk on the floor, and the second (nearly twice the size) with upright poles and a rope barrier. All of the training dummies are well out of the way - it seems he has no intentions of letting even beginners expect a stationary target.
There's also a good selection of wooden wasters on the floor by one of the poles. They replicate blades of several weights and lengths, from a longsword down to an arming dagger. Perhaps more impressive are the wooden shields hung next to them. One is a simple targe, but the other is a carefully carved, jointed and glued replica of his own shield, with a similarly carefully carved replica of his blade strapped behind it. Unlike the other wasters, it has been weighted to better mimic the balance of his sword.
For now, he leaves it be and takes up a position on one side of the center square with his real equipment at hand. After several moments of complete stillness and silence, he rushes forward in a sudden burst of activity. First, he lunges forward and swings his shield arm wide, smashing it into the face of an imaginary opponent. As soon as his hand has vacated the space in front of him, his sword is there, thrust forward with enough power to skewer a grown man. He draws it sharply upwards, his shield coming upwards to guard his face when his other hand joins the first on the sword grip. From above his shoulder, the sword comes down in a powerful diagonal swing. He lifts the foot to the rear of his stance while the swing follows through, and the momentum carries his whole body with it in a full circle, his armored foot kicking out as a serious threat to his pretend adversary's kneecaps. Now facing forward again, he needs no time to regain his bearings and instead lunges forward another two steps, sword pointing low and to his side. With only that short run-up, he launches himself eight or nine feet into the air, sword swinging up with him in a powerful arc. He lands in a crouch with enough force to set the plates of his armor ringing with the impact, sword held parallel to and just inches above the floor. Impressively, the toes of his foremost foot are just touching the opposite side of his chalk square.
More impressively, he has had his eyes closed the entire time.
A few students? He can handle that.]
((OOC notes I forgot the first time: *facepalms forever* this post is for the people who expressed interest in playing out a spar or a lesson. Like I said before, if you'd prefer not do that, just drop a comment here, or a pm, or whatever, with how your character's general skill level and how they'd act during the lesson so that I can get an idea of Sigmund's impression of them. It's kind of important to how he'd plan more lessons, so I'd really appreciate it.))
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chasethestars
chasethestars
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Albert waited outside of the western entrance of the barracks, hands in his coat pockets as he looked out upon the village. He had contacted Caesar to meet him at the building, vaguely telling his brother that he had something important to talk to him about.
While he was still not looking forward to taking the first step into the world of swordsmanship, there was a vague satisfaction that he would at least be dragging Caesar down with him. With his little brother, he could afford to be petty once in awhile.]
He takes his time in showing up, of course, but certainly not as long as he might have taken if it were someone else. And Albert isn't very hard to spot when Caesar gets there.
...but something still doesn't feel right about all this. Hmm.]
Let's go inside.
[No pleasantries, no comments about last week. Albert just gestured towards the door and told Caesar to follow him.]
And see, Caesar's kind of stuck on that thought when he enters the building, so he doesn't quite realize the set-up of things. Or its purpose. But he's not going to like it when he does.]
Sir Silverberg. This is the other you mentioned?
You are correct, Sir Sigmund. This is Caesar. He will be joining us today.
[Wait, "other?" That gets Caesar's attention, more than the fact that hey, he remembers this guy. He turns to look at his brother, a bit of a frown on his face.]
For what?
Also, he doesn't particularly want Sigmund to wage war against him once he finds out that he's dating his mother.
Anyway, Kratos enters the barracks, his sword by his side and his shield strapped to his arm. He's wearing his knight (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/Inune54/ToS%20stuff/angelKratos.jpg) (minus the wings, and yes, knights wore this in the past) outfit which, unbeknown to most, is made with complex technology, so that the fabric, most especially the belts, act as an armor all their own. Kratos arrived for a spar, yet he's less than hopeful that it'll actually be that.
He watches Sigmund for a moment, mildly impressed by the form and power that he presents. Already, he rests his hand against the sheath of his sword, preparing to draw it when necessary.]
You have impressive skill.
Surprisingly, he sheathes his sword and begins unstrapping his shield as he walks over. He absolutely intends to rough his opponent up a bit, but a weapon is not something to be wielded flippantly. Sigmund doesn't make a habit of raising a blade against a man unless he means to see him dead, and he isn't going to start now.
That's all the acknowledgment he'll get until Sigmund has retrieved his wooden equipment and is tightening the straps on the shield. Then, he glances up and, flatly-]
It is an unworthy man that lives with another's mother without an introduction.
[For his opinion to get any lower, he'd have to chop its legs off.]
... Oh. Oh. Is that what this whole grudge is about? Kratos could give the world's largest facepalm right now, but he'll refrain. Instead, he raises his eyebrows before letting out a long sigh.]
... I apologize for that. It wasn't my intention to dishonor you or Svala. [Although he's sure he gave him his name... Oh well.] We were companions when she was here last. I merely wished for her to stay with someone she knew until another one from her world arrived. [He narrows his eyes a bit, hoping that his point will get across and be understood.] There are beings in Luceti who would not hesitate to raise their weapon against anyone. I did not want her to be defenseless against them, nor to be unaware of the dangers.
Actually, he can respect that reasoning. It doesn't make him any more pleased with it, because he doesn't necessarily want to respect a man edging in on his territory... but it's something.
He turns his back to Kratos and strides into the center of the ring.]
You might have informed me of her location. [And then spins on one heel to face him.]
Yes... It was wrong of me to withhold such information. [But how can he explain that Presea was practically in guard dog mode and Sigmund bursting in would surely set her off?] But there is no way for me to return to the past and undo it. All I can do is try to make up for my mistake in the present.
[Ah, here's a good waster. Kratos gives it a few relaxed practice swings and, satisfied, he moves on to the shields.]
Sigmund watches him closely, sizing him up. He doesn't miss the way Kratos tries to keep his blade close at hand, even after Sigmund has deliberately discarded his own. For a moment, he's taken aback by the implied lack of trust... but he presses his lips together, twists the grip of the waster in his hands, and settles into a comfortable starting stance.]
When you are ready.
Personal swordsmanship training is something Richard is quite used to by now after the string of tutors he had back in Balonia. Admittedly the circumstances here are rather different, but the idea is the same, and he's confident enough that he'll be able to handle anything Sigmund can dish out.
At least, he was until he saw the man in action. Now he's not quite so sure.]
He greets him with a tiny nod, sheathing his sword.] Are you ready to begin? [...No niceties here.]
I am. What would you have me do?
[It's a bit of a different setup than what he's used to, so he's not quite sure where he's supposed to stand or even whether he's expected to use a real sword for this lesson. He's used to training with a real sword, of course, but Sigmund may want to start off with something a little less hazardous. Richard wouldn't object to that in the slightest after that display of skill he just witnessed.]
[The first thing he wants to do is get a feel for the balance of that weapon, so as to better match him up with a practice sword.]
[He'll draw the rapier from its sheath and pass it carefully to the other man to let him examine it. One thing that will be evident right away is the craftsmanship; this rapier is a weapon forged of the highest-quality materials and no doubt cost quite a pretty penny... but is more decorative than suited for actual battle. It will do in a pinch, but it's not really meant to be used in combat. Realizing that Sigmund will be able to tell at least that much, he adds by way of explanation:]
It's more for show than anything else-- I didn't often need to use it back at home.
Can you manage something heavier?
He's been standing off to the side watching the other set this little training arena up and just waiting for him to be ready. There's nothing better for him to be doing anyway, and it's been far too long since he last had a decent spar.]
There's something he hasn't seen before, and it doesn't look like a promising thing to be on the business end of. 'Never raise a blade against a man you aren't prepared to kill' is a wise philosophy, but all the same... he doesn't particularly want to be fending that off with a stick. If it can be fended off...]
You were planning on leaving enough to teach with. [No, that is not a question.]
Only a fool would maim the first sparring partner he's had in a long time.
We'll need to go outside.