Amir wasn't entirely thrilled with the way the nights' events had transpired. his meeting with Xephier had gotten him the information he'd wanted, or some of it at least, but he had come away feeling less chipper than he'd hoped, and even draining a human dry on the way home hadn't cured the worst of his injuries.
Normally he'd have given himself a day and a night to recuperate but as luck would have it, it was Friday. Dana had expressed interest in learning, Bao had deferred to him, and he had agreed to help. He wasn't about to change his mind.
What he was going to change were his clothes. He'd carried them with him when he'd left Xephier, discarding them on the way back to the Manor. He'd had to slink into his suite bruised and furry to replace them and a hot shower hadn't helped anything either. Hot water on recent wounds was a bitch.
He made his way down to the arena, taking stock of his own scrapes along the way. Most of the cuts were closed and nothing was bleeding. The bones in his wrist that had crunched were mended but still fragile, he suspected. There were two nice gouges across his back that would require another meal or two to heal properly. His gait was a little bit awkward as a result of mostly regenerating a muscle in his thigh. Nothing really terrible by a longshot.
Subira, ever-present in the back of his head, would have reprimanded him about the wrist. There weren't any major arteries in his back; cuts there were acceptable, but wrists could be deadly to vampires as well as humans. Too much bloodflow; too easy to drain yourself inadvertently. He should have taken that bite much higher on his arm.
So deep in thought was he that he didn't notice Dana sitting against a tree, didn't hear the music she played. He continued on by her, holding his left wrist as he prodded it gently with the fingers on his right hand, the sleeve of his sweatshirt pulled up slightly, the scars on the inside of his left arm slightly distorted from the recent bite.
What a Girl Doesn't Know... (open/attn: Amir/Bao)
She could be wrong, but Dana was quite certain she had never seen this particular building before. She stood outside the building Amir had directed her to the night before, dressed in black yoga pants, a green bikini cut sports bra, a red sweater, and her first and only pair of flip flops. The girl in the athletics store had talked her into them, when she'd asked for comfortable shoes to slip on and off for travel to and from her lessons.
In one hand she held a small black duffel bag, containing a change of clothes, and in the other her guitar case. She was just under an hour early, mostly due to being finished with her other tasks. It was not enough time to start anything, or go anywhere, so she'd grabbed her guitar and headed out here.
Finding a relatively clear place beneath a tree, she pulled the sleek black instrument from its case, took a moment to tune it, then began to play whatever came to mind.
Amir
15 years ago
Dana
15 years ago
Dana strummed lightly through what she could remember of "American Pie", humming along with the verses and singing with the chorus. As she began the second chorus, she sensed movement to her left.
Looking up she was delighted to see Amir, that is until his odd gait registered. Then he passed her by with out looking up. How very unlike him. In her experience he was always very aware of his surroundings, and did not let his attention become so...focused.
Worried, she stood, gathering case and bag in one hand while pushing the guitar to her back with the other.
Not wanting to startle the man, she debated for a moment between calling out and not. Not wanting to be the recipient of his instinctual reaction to her proximity, had her speaking his name.
It was her normal speaking voice and he should have heard it. She was slightly disconcerted when he did not stop or even look over his shoulder. She spoke his name again, a bit louder and received the same result. Now more perturbed than concerned she spoke his name sharply and with volume.
Looking up she was delighted to see Amir, that is until his odd gait registered. Then he passed her by with out looking up. How very unlike him. In her experience he was always very aware of his surroundings, and did not let his attention become so...focused.
Worried, she stood, gathering case and bag in one hand while pushing the guitar to her back with the other.
Not wanting to startle the man, she debated for a moment between calling out and not. Not wanting to be the recipient of his instinctual reaction to her proximity, had her speaking his name.
It was her normal speaking voice and he should have heard it. She was slightly disconcerted when he did not stop or even look over his shoulder. She spoke his name again, a bit louder and received the same result. Now more perturbed than concerned she spoke his name sharply and with volume.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir spun at the sound of Dana's voice, quickly pulling his sleeve down over his wrist and assuming a more casual stance. The sharp notes had him confused for a moment until he realized that she must have called out to him several times.
"I'm sorry Dana," he said, a soft smile coming surprisingly easily to his face. "I wasn't quite here."
He nodded to her guitar case, smile turning a little regretful. "And I should have been. I don't like missing out on a concert."
Amir slid his right arm around Dana's waist and tugged her close. He hardly thought she'd be foolish enough to hold his lack of attention against him. Surely he could be forgiven a moment or two of preoccupation.
"Are you ready for a lesson?"
"I'm sorry Dana," he said, a soft smile coming surprisingly easily to his face. "I wasn't quite here."
He nodded to her guitar case, smile turning a little regretful. "And I should have been. I don't like missing out on a concert."
Amir slid his right arm around Dana's waist and tugged her close. He hardly thought she'd be foolish enough to hold his lack of attention against him. Surely he could be forgiven a moment or two of preoccupation.
"Are you ready for a lesson?"
Dana
15 years ago
Shrewd eyes scanned him as he spun around. She did not miss him adjusting his clothes, and how his body relaxed into a pose she was more familiar with.
"Not to worry." She found herself returning his smile, despite her worry. "Are you alright?"
She chuckled softly, shrugging one shoulder. "I'd be happy to give you a private concert anytime."
It was easy to let him take her into his arms, her own free hand wrapping around him carefully.
"I am, but the question is, are you ready to give one?"
"Not to worry." She found herself returning his smile, despite her worry. "Are you alright?"
She chuckled softly, shrugging one shoulder. "I'd be happy to give you a private concert anytime."
It was easy to let him take her into his arms, her own free hand wrapping around him carefully.
"I am, but the question is, are you ready to give one?"
Amir
15 years ago
"Of course," Amir answered Dana's question. He was fine; or he would be within a day or so.
"Maybe later? If you're not too sore," his eyes crinkled a little at the corners as he grinned a little impishly at Dana. her company was quickly restoring him to a far better mood than he'd been in. Not that he'd been in a bad mood. Had he?
He shrugged a little apologetically. "Work," he said by way of explanation. Dana understood. He'd made it clear from the outset that there were things he couldn't be open with her about and this was one of them.
He dipped his head to kiss her slowly, just once, a release of tension for him, and then drew away to walk with her down the slope toward the arena. "I'm always ready. I don't know about Bao though."
Amir's face grew slightly wicked at that. "It's been a long time since I really worked him."
"Maybe later? If you're not too sore," his eyes crinkled a little at the corners as he grinned a little impishly at Dana. her company was quickly restoring him to a far better mood than he'd been in. Not that he'd been in a bad mood. Had he?
He shrugged a little apologetically. "Work," he said by way of explanation. Dana understood. He'd made it clear from the outset that there were things he couldn't be open with her about and this was one of them.
He dipped his head to kiss her slowly, just once, a release of tension for him, and then drew away to walk with her down the slope toward the arena. "I'm always ready. I don't know about Bao though."
Amir's face grew slightly wicked at that. "It's been a long time since I really worked him."
Dana
15 years ago
Her brow crinkled for a moment in concern for her person, and was instantly smooth again. Of course she would be sore, this was a new kind of movement for her body. She would not be harmed.
His one word explanation was enough for her. She would not question further, except to make sure he was well healed and to inquire of his needs. She could understand his lack of explanation, just as he would accept the same from her should she ever need to give it.
A soft sigh escaped her as she leaned into his kiss, letting it soak into her. It was exactly what she needed, putting her in a place to be relaxed and learn.
Falling into step with him, a throaty chuckle carried across the grounds. "I look forward to the show."
His one word explanation was enough for her. She would not question further, except to make sure he was well healed and to inquire of his needs. She could understand his lack of explanation, just as he would accept the same from her should she ever need to give it.
A soft sigh escaped her as she leaned into his kiss, letting it soak into her. It was exactly what she needed, putting her in a place to be relaxed and learn.
Falling into step with him, a throaty chuckle carried across the grounds. "I look forward to the show."
Amir
15 years ago
Amir was glad Dana didn't press him for information. He'd never outlined the nature of his employment to her, and she seemed to take it in stride that his work was quite the opposite of Bao's. He smirked a little to himself at the idea of Bao being injured on the job. Oh no, a papercut! That really smarts!
Bao was no slouch though. Subira and Amir had both seen to that and Amir had chosen Bao for both his mental and physical capabilities, even as Subira had chosen Amir.
"I don't think it'll be too horribly exciting," he said to Dana, lifting one shoulder slightly.
In all honesty to himself, he wasn't entirely certain he'd be much of a match for Bao tonight. He was tired, he needed to feed himself again, and as much as he wanted to ignore his injuries, non-life-threatening as they were, they were still painful. He shook his head at himself. When had that ever stopped him?
They strolled down the walkway, entered the well-lit arena with its mats and mirrors and endless pieces of equipment. This was a place Amir was very comfortable in and enjoyed.
After a moment's consideration he pulled his hooded sweater off, folding it neatly and placing it on one of the benches to the side. Catching a glimpse of his back in the mirror he snorted. Xephier hadn't pulled that particular punch. The gashed extended from the top of his right shoulder across his back to just over his left kidney. They were mostly closed though. And there wasn't anyone here to question him, aside from Dana and soon, Bao.
He crouched to remove his shoes, gesturing to Dana to do the same. "We may as well start with some basics."
Bao was no slouch though. Subira and Amir had both seen to that and Amir had chosen Bao for both his mental and physical capabilities, even as Subira had chosen Amir.
"I don't think it'll be too horribly exciting," he said to Dana, lifting one shoulder slightly.
In all honesty to himself, he wasn't entirely certain he'd be much of a match for Bao tonight. He was tired, he needed to feed himself again, and as much as he wanted to ignore his injuries, non-life-threatening as they were, they were still painful. He shook his head at himself. When had that ever stopped him?
They strolled down the walkway, entered the well-lit arena with its mats and mirrors and endless pieces of equipment. This was a place Amir was very comfortable in and enjoyed.
After a moment's consideration he pulled his hooded sweater off, folding it neatly and placing it on one of the benches to the side. Catching a glimpse of his back in the mirror he snorted. Xephier hadn't pulled that particular punch. The gashed extended from the top of his right shoulder across his back to just over his left kidney. They were mostly closed though. And there wasn't anyone here to question him, aside from Dana and soon, Bao.
He crouched to remove his shoes, gesturing to Dana to do the same. "We may as well start with some basics."
Bao
15 years ago
Formal as always Bao was dressed in a crisp white gi complete with the black hakama. It would not even have occurred to him to dress otherwise for a combination practice/training session. He was not terribly looking forward to dealing with Amir. While he had kept in shape and in practice, as was his duty, it was very likely, there would be points of weakness. Ah well perhaps if they focused on Dana he wouldn’t take too much abuse, tonight. If unsatisfied with his performance there was a distinct possibility Amir would want to practice more.
His maker and Dana had arrived early, but apparently only just. Bowing as he entered the room, he saw the gash across Amir’s back. Taking off his shoes and setting his bag down he quietly asked,
“Did you have a meeting tonight?”
He must have. At least he didn’t look like he would be needing a meal, which was some relief to Bao who hadn’t fed in several days. He would, of course, assist if asked it would just mean there would be some pressure on him to find a meal of his own.
“Good evening Dana.”
His maker and Dana had arrived early, but apparently only just. Bowing as he entered the room, he saw the gash across Amir’s back. Taking off his shoes and setting his bag down he quietly asked,
“Did you have a meeting tonight?”
He must have. At least he didn’t look like he would be needing a meal, which was some relief to Bao who hadn’t fed in several days. He would, of course, assist if asked it would just mean there would be some pressure on him to find a meal of his own.
“Good evening Dana.”
Dana
15 years ago
Dana set the case of her guitar down, and gently cradled the instrument with in it. After flipping the latches down she pushed the case against the wall, tucked her bag in the gap between the neck portion and the floor, and removed her shoes.
It took a great deal of her hard learned self control to not gasp or exclaim over the injuries upon Amir's body. She wondered just how long ago he'd gotten them and if he needed to feed to help in their repair. She should offer herself to him, it would not be the first bite between them and she would be more than happy to give to him.
Her contemplations were interrupted by Bao's arrival. As her thoughts were not completely reigned in, her body took over and she offered Bao a respectful curtsy. "Good Evening, Bao."
It was as she straightened that she realized what she'd done and sighed in exasperation with herself. Really she needed to keep her head more firmly upon her shoulders when around Amir.
It took a great deal of her hard learned self control to not gasp or exclaim over the injuries upon Amir's body. She wondered just how long ago he'd gotten them and if he needed to feed to help in their repair. She should offer herself to him, it would not be the first bite between them and she would be more than happy to give to him.
Her contemplations were interrupted by Bao's arrival. As her thoughts were not completely reigned in, her body took over and she offered Bao a respectful curtsy. "Good Evening, Bao."
It was as she straightened that she realized what she'd done and sighed in exasperation with herself. Really she needed to keep her head more firmly upon her shoulders when around Amir.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir nodded at Bao's question and made little effort to keep his voice low when he answered. Dana understood and hadn't questioned. He didn't think she would; nonetheless he kept his response vague; it wouldn't be polite to rub in the fact that he and Bao knew things Dana didn't. He would give Bao the details later.
"You know me. Work, work, work." He flashed Bao a quick grin.
Facing a line of mirrors he beckoned Dana and Bao to stand on either side of him. "First things first," he said to Dana. "You need to learn to breathe."
It sounded unusual, but over the centuries Amir had discovered that vampires, for the most part, began to disassociate breathing and bodily function. Instead they associated breathing with speech and singing, forgetting that breathing was an essential part of any physical activity. Not to supply oxygen to he muscles and remove harmful gasses, no, but because one had to know when to breathe in or out to supply momentum at the proper times.
Explaining that theory for Dana's benefit, he began a repetitive movement similar to some of the forms of tai chi. Bao joined him at once, and he assumed Dana would pick it up as she could. It was a very simple 5-step pattern focused on expelling air during particular motions.
It also, along with Dana's company earlier, helped him distance himself from his evening activities, a fact which would soon allow him to analyze his meeting with Xephier in a more unbiased light.
"You know me. Work, work, work." He flashed Bao a quick grin.
Facing a line of mirrors he beckoned Dana and Bao to stand on either side of him. "First things first," he said to Dana. "You need to learn to breathe."
It sounded unusual, but over the centuries Amir had discovered that vampires, for the most part, began to disassociate breathing and bodily function. Instead they associated breathing with speech and singing, forgetting that breathing was an essential part of any physical activity. Not to supply oxygen to he muscles and remove harmful gasses, no, but because one had to know when to breathe in or out to supply momentum at the proper times.
Explaining that theory for Dana's benefit, he began a repetitive movement similar to some of the forms of tai chi. Bao joined him at once, and he assumed Dana would pick it up as she could. It was a very simple 5-step pattern focused on expelling air during particular motions.
It also, along with Dana's company earlier, helped him distance himself from his evening activities, a fact which would soon allow him to analyze his meeting with Xephier in a more unbiased light.
Bao
15 years ago
He couldn’t help himself he smiled at the curtsey and bowed again, this time to Dana rather than to the room in general. He gave Amir leave to being interested in her.
To his maker he only said,
“As long as it went well. Perhaps, however, you need a hobby.”
It must have gone well though, as he wasn’t dead and he was almost cheerful, although that could have been somewhat forced for Dana’s sake. Regardless, Bao didn’t push for more details it would wait.
Out of long habit, he assumed his accustom place by Amir and started in on the familiar movements. It was something he didn’t need to give his entire mind to and he found himself watching Dana closely making sure she understood and was comfortable with the set they were doing and ready to help correct or help should she need it.
After some minutes, without breaking the pattern he offered,
“Stretching and falling?”
One didn’t always have the luxury of stretching, but if you had the time, it was a very good thing. Knowing how to fall though, that was essential.
To his maker he only said,
“As long as it went well. Perhaps, however, you need a hobby.”
It must have gone well though, as he wasn’t dead and he was almost cheerful, although that could have been somewhat forced for Dana’s sake. Regardless, Bao didn’t push for more details it would wait.
Out of long habit, he assumed his accustom place by Amir and started in on the familiar movements. It was something he didn’t need to give his entire mind to and he found himself watching Dana closely making sure she understood and was comfortable with the set they were doing and ready to help correct or help should she need it.
After some minutes, without breaking the pattern he offered,
“Stretching and falling?”
One didn’t always have the luxury of stretching, but if you had the time, it was a very good thing. Knowing how to fall though, that was essential.
Dana
15 years ago
Learn how to breathe? Dana knew how to breathe and also how not to breathe so that she could go completely undetected. However, she was here to learn. She took a moment to simply watch Amir's movements. She found the pattern there, and began to follow.
It did not take her long to discover how the inhale and exhale of her breath actually helped the movements her body made. She gave herself over to the pattern, the ebb and flow of her breath through her body, the give and take of each muscle.
Dana was continent to simply follow at this point. She would let Amir choose their direction, but stretching sounding great to her, the falling...not so much.
It did not take her long to discover how the inhale and exhale of her breath actually helped the movements her body made. She gave herself over to the pattern, the ebb and flow of her breath through her body, the give and take of each muscle.
Dana was continent to simply follow at this point. She would let Amir choose their direction, but stretching sounding great to her, the falling...not so much.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir quirked an eyebrow up at Bao's interesting suggestion. "Stretching is for humans," he condescended, "but if it would make you both feel better, we certainly can."
He had yet to encounter a vampire with a muscle pull. They didn't require a warm-up like humans did and even in the event that it happened, the cost to regenerate such a trivial thing was momentary. Muscle pulls and strains lasted for an hour. Maybe. Less, sometimes. It was odd to hear Bao suggest it but then, a good deal of Bao's training had been from Amir, who was far more laid back than Subira.
"Falling will come," he assured them both. "But the breathing is most important for now. You're doing well," he added to Dana, who had easily picked up the knack of measured breathing.
"The next few exersizes will stretch you out suitably, I think," he said as he switched poses. Demonstrating a resting pose for Dana, feet shoulder-width apart, exhaling with his hands at his sides, he smoothly began another set of movements, slowly like a dance, much more complex than the first, that moved them in a rough square pattern from corner to corner.
This was a much more difficult pattern to adjust to, but Dana had picked up that last one with alacrity and he wanted to see how fast she would adjust to this one as well. It would help him figure out what pace she worked best at. That, and he had a feeling she would be insulted if he went easy on her. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her feelings because of some misconception that because they were sharing a bed some days, he would be lax with her.
He laughed inwardly; Bao could probably attest that it was more the opposite... because he regarded her highly, he was likely to be rougher on her.
He had yet to encounter a vampire with a muscle pull. They didn't require a warm-up like humans did and even in the event that it happened, the cost to regenerate such a trivial thing was momentary. Muscle pulls and strains lasted for an hour. Maybe. Less, sometimes. It was odd to hear Bao suggest it but then, a good deal of Bao's training had been from Amir, who was far more laid back than Subira.
"Falling will come," he assured them both. "But the breathing is most important for now. You're doing well," he added to Dana, who had easily picked up the knack of measured breathing.
"The next few exersizes will stretch you out suitably, I think," he said as he switched poses. Demonstrating a resting pose for Dana, feet shoulder-width apart, exhaling with his hands at his sides, he smoothly began another set of movements, slowly like a dance, much more complex than the first, that moved them in a rough square pattern from corner to corner.
This was a much more difficult pattern to adjust to, but Dana had picked up that last one with alacrity and he wanted to see how fast she would adjust to this one as well. It would help him figure out what pace she worked best at. That, and he had a feeling she would be insulted if he went easy on her. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her feelings because of some misconception that because they were sharing a bed some days, he would be lax with her.
He laughed inwardly; Bao could probably attest that it was more the opposite... because he regarded her highly, he was likely to be rougher on her.
Bao
15 years ago
Yes a pulled muscle or torn ligament was easily regenerated but it was still nice to do things appropriately. Of course, one should train without stretching too but this was Dana’s first time and it might help. He didn’t press the issue one way or another.
Bao settled into the roll of teacher’s aid letting Amir change the exercise and following along with the change. He, also, was trying to gauge Dana’s capabilities in case Amir should ask him to take over teaching her.
He found he was also closely watching Amir to see how he dealt with Dana in this setting. It was unlikely he could coddle Dana, but exactly how he’d deal with her was yet to be seen.
Bao settled into the roll of teacher’s aid letting Amir change the exercise and following along with the change. He, also, was trying to gauge Dana’s capabilities in case Amir should ask him to take over teaching her.
He found he was also closely watching Amir to see how he dealt with Dana in this setting. It was unlikely he could coddle Dana, but exactly how he’d deal with her was yet to be seen.
Dana
15 years ago
She chose not to comment on Amir's opinion of stretching. It was not a practice she engaged in when doing any other physical activity. However, as she had only done minimal research on this particular subject, and therefore did not know the protocols, her opinion would not be useful here.
A nod of her head acknowledged Amir's appraisal of her skills, as she put herself into the rest pose he showed her. Once more she chose to watch, as he went through a round of the next set of poses.
As she watched, she removed the red hooded sweater she wore and tossed it to land atop her guitar case. It was enough that it was out of the way, she would fold it properly when they took a break.
When Amir came back to the first pose, she joined him, using her new found knowledge to pull with the inhale and push with the exhale as they moved around the floor. This was a lot like stylized dancing, and having grown up dancing, and subsequently dancing in court, her body enjoyed the movements she asked of it, and picked them up quickly.
The only disconcerting part was the two sets of eyes watching her every move. She supposed it was necessary for them to ensure she did things properly, but she couldn't help feel that there was more to it than that.
A nod of her head acknowledged Amir's appraisal of her skills, as she put herself into the rest pose he showed her. Once more she chose to watch, as he went through a round of the next set of poses.
As she watched, she removed the red hooded sweater she wore and tossed it to land atop her guitar case. It was enough that it was out of the way, she would fold it properly when they took a break.
When Amir came back to the first pose, she joined him, using her new found knowledge to pull with the inhale and push with the exhale as they moved around the floor. This was a lot like stylized dancing, and having grown up dancing, and subsequently dancing in court, her body enjoyed the movements she asked of it, and picked them up quickly.
The only disconcerting part was the two sets of eyes watching her every move. She supposed it was necessary for them to ensure she did things properly, but she couldn't help feel that there was more to it than that.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir found himself amused at Bao and Dana's lack of commentary. In Dana's case he assumed she was, perhaps, deferring her opinion on the matter for any number of reasons; in Bao's he thought more it was an 'agree to disagree' sort of thing. However, in Amir's experience very few opponents were polite enough to stop and ask if you would like to stretch before joining in combat. They had been gifted with bodies that could handle that sort of situation; they should learn to be comfortable with it from the get-go.
Ignoring Bao for the moment, he watched Dana's tiny figure work through the steps of the exercise hesitantly at first, but very quickly adapting, and translating their breathing exercise to this one. He smiled; she would be pleasant to teach if she caught onto every lesson as quickly.
When they had gone through the set three times without misstep, Amir brought them to a halt.
"Nicely done," he said to Dana. "Now what we need to know, is what did you have in mind to learn? You can learn strict self-defense which might get you out of a scrape long enough to run or scream for help, or we can teach you any number of unarmed combat styles. With your frame, it might be good to look into aikido. It's one of several styles that will help neutralize any differences in size you might face, as it focuses mostly on throws, evasions, and joint-locks rather than brute force."
He didn't elaborate on that; obviously if Dana's attacker were human, sheer vampiric strength would be enough to help her out of that situation, trained or not. Amir had the foresight and knowledge to be aware that not all attackers were human, however. Vampires and werewolves both, and he would prefer her armed for whatever came her way.
Ignoring Bao for the moment, he watched Dana's tiny figure work through the steps of the exercise hesitantly at first, but very quickly adapting, and translating their breathing exercise to this one. He smiled; she would be pleasant to teach if she caught onto every lesson as quickly.
When they had gone through the set three times without misstep, Amir brought them to a halt.
"Nicely done," he said to Dana. "Now what we need to know, is what did you have in mind to learn? You can learn strict self-defense which might get you out of a scrape long enough to run or scream for help, or we can teach you any number of unarmed combat styles. With your frame, it might be good to look into aikido. It's one of several styles that will help neutralize any differences in size you might face, as it focuses mostly on throws, evasions, and joint-locks rather than brute force."
He didn't elaborate on that; obviously if Dana's attacker were human, sheer vampiric strength would be enough to help her out of that situation, trained or not. Amir had the foresight and knowledge to be aware that not all attackers were human, however. Vampires and werewolves both, and he would prefer her armed for whatever came her way.
Dana
15 years ago
A smile curled her lips as her lungs worked to catch up to their halt. "Thank you."
However, her brow crinkled as she thought on what Amir asked. Giving herself time to think it through, she crossed to her things and very carefully folded her sweater into a neat square. She placed it on top of the duffel bag, and stood.
Returning to her place next to Amir, she smiled again. "I think it best I know how to take down an attacker more than I know how to get away. If it comes to that, I have other means that would work as well or if not better."
She shrugged with one shoulder, this was not boasting on her part, her skills were well learned and had been used in such a manner before.
However, her brow crinkled as she thought on what Amir asked. Giving herself time to think it through, she crossed to her things and very carefully folded her sweater into a neat square. She placed it on top of the duffel bag, and stood.
Returning to her place next to Amir, she smiled again. "I think it best I know how to take down an attacker more than I know how to get away. If it comes to that, I have other means that would work as well or if not better."
She shrugged with one shoulder, this was not boasting on her part, her skills were well learned and had been used in such a manner before.
Celeste
15 years ago
Celeste puffed happily on one of her cloves. It was a lazy evening for the young vampire. She'd been wandering a bit aimlessly around the manor, just letting her feet go where they willed. She was even dressed down a bit, her hair loose from its usual slicked back style to fall in a thick blue black sheet to just above her shoulders. Her usual heavy black makeup was missing, making her pale skin stand out against the silky strands. The only jewelry she wore was a thick chain choker with her usual dangling charm, the symbol of the order of night stylized a bit industrialy in burned steel.
Seeing a light on ahead and hearing voices she perked up slightly. Bare feet made no sound as Cel stepped up to lean against the doorframe. Pulling her mostly finished clove out, she exhaled softly. Her icy blue eyes slid around the room and she realized she didn't know any of the trio.
Since she was dressed comfortably enough to appear like she was there for a workout in her black yoga pants and a snug black tank top with its sexy devil-fairy in the center, she didn't worry about appearing like she was spying on them. After all she hadn't blended or done anything to hide herself. But she kind of was spying. Maybe more a "scouting out the newcomers". Yeah that sounded good to her.
Seeing a light on ahead and hearing voices she perked up slightly. Bare feet made no sound as Cel stepped up to lean against the doorframe. Pulling her mostly finished clove out, she exhaled softly. Her icy blue eyes slid around the room and she realized she didn't know any of the trio.
Since she was dressed comfortably enough to appear like she was there for a workout in her black yoga pants and a snug black tank top with its sexy devil-fairy in the center, she didn't worry about appearing like she was spying on them. After all she hadn't blended or done anything to hide herself. But she kind of was spying. Maybe more a "scouting out the newcomers". Yeah that sounded good to her.
Bao
15 years ago
Bao inwardly smiled at Dana’s self-assurance. He wondered exactly what experience the small vampire had that would give her such confidence. He, however, agreed with Amir.
“Aikido would be as good as any place to start though. It will let you turn their strength against them and help keep you from injuring yourself in the process.”
Amir’s wounds were more than enough evidence that no matter how trained one could always be hurt.
He caught the smell of the clove and was momentarily distracted. It was a scent he’d found around his way ward daughter the two most recent times he’d encountered her. There was, however, no possible way she would be on the Anantya grounds. Still he was curious and allowed himself to look for the source.
It was not Pakpao but another small woman also with dark hair and blue eyes, but not the vibrant blue of the Evenhet and clearly not of Asian decent. Accustom to being observant his eyes quickly found the bit of jewelry that identified the new arrival as belonging to the order of the night.
He inclined his head slightly by way of greeting.
“Good evening.”
“Aikido would be as good as any place to start though. It will let you turn their strength against them and help keep you from injuring yourself in the process.”
Amir’s wounds were more than enough evidence that no matter how trained one could always be hurt.
He caught the smell of the clove and was momentarily distracted. It was a scent he’d found around his way ward daughter the two most recent times he’d encountered her. There was, however, no possible way she would be on the Anantya grounds. Still he was curious and allowed himself to look for the source.
It was not Pakpao but another small woman also with dark hair and blue eyes, but not the vibrant blue of the Evenhet and clearly not of Asian decent. Accustom to being observant his eyes quickly found the bit of jewelry that identified the new arrival as belonging to the order of the night.
He inclined his head slightly by way of greeting.
“Good evening.”
Amir
15 years ago
Amir nodded to Dana. She knew her abilities well enough, he assumed, and he knew of a variety of abilities that would give her the confidence to know what she was capable of. Eventually he would ask her about them, if and when she might need to figure out how to best utilize them, but Dana was smart. If she wanted inspiration she'd ask for it. Maybe not him, but someone.
"Aikido it is then." He moved in close, briefly, flashing Dana a mischievous grin. "I can't complain," he murmured.
"First things first," he said, beckoning to Bao. "I want you to see what you're getting into."
There were several basics of aikido, of any martial art really, that Dana should see and learn before trying. With Bao opposite him, Amir demonstrated vertical and sideways knifehand strikes.
Before he could get too far there was a diversion. Amir, gouged-up back to the door, had to turn to see who had entered. It was a young woman, dressed very punk-ish. She looked familiar but he didn't have a name to put to the face right off the bat. He nodded to her and turned away again, waiting for Dana and Bao to either return to the lesson or make their greetings.
"Aikido it is then." He moved in close, briefly, flashing Dana a mischievous grin. "I can't complain," he murmured.
"First things first," he said, beckoning to Bao. "I want you to see what you're getting into."
There were several basics of aikido, of any martial art really, that Dana should see and learn before trying. With Bao opposite him, Amir demonstrated vertical and sideways knifehand strikes.
Before he could get too far there was a diversion. Amir, gouged-up back to the door, had to turn to see who had entered. It was a young woman, dressed very punk-ish. She looked familiar but he didn't have a name to put to the face right off the bat. He nodded to her and turned away again, waiting for Dana and Bao to either return to the lesson or make their greetings.