Amir ignored Celeste and Bao to focus his attention on Dana. She did pick up on things very quickly, but he was not going to teach an overconfident student no matter how talented. He rewarded her proper use of technique by going easily onto his back, but as soon as she helped him up and they released hands he immediately turned and swept her feet from her. His face was stern, but not unkind, as he offered her his own hand in return.
He didn't feel the need to speak; Dana was intelligent and the lesson was clear: don't put the cart before the horse.
With his silky half-smile in place, he smoothly began to show her several more kata; clearly she desired more. He would flood her with knowledge if that was what she wanted. Later, she and Bao could pound each other onto the mats if they wanted. He focused on showing her many things at once, letting her string them productively together without getting ahead of herself.
Once she seemed to have the mechanics down, he flashed a grin at her. "Now the funner part," he said. "Time to learn how to fall."
He gestured to her, encouraging her this time to go ahead and try one of her throws on him. He wouldn't blame her if she tried to throw him clear across the arena.
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
Celeste
15 years ago
Solo play it was. For now, she hoped. Her desire was to have someone new to beat on and test herself against, not to be on display. Cel's lips quirked into a slight smirk as she began working through one of the advanced tae kwon do forms she liked. The Creole went with something familiar and well known that left her time to watch Bao and the others.
She moved slow and sure, her forced breathing timed with the smoothly performed moves. This particular routine focused on hand work, both open and closed fist and she liked it for the control she needed to move tight and evenly. Her small frame stepped lightly as she worked, the usual crisp snaps of cloth from a gi missing but it underscored to her the stealth she was able to move in as she worked through it and directly into a second one focusing on kicks and sweeps. She omited the sharp yells, not wanting to disturb Amir and his student with the sudden noise but instead punctuated the moves with hard exhales.
At the end of her second form she stopped, stretching some while she openly watched Dana working with Amir. Celeste noted how they were covering a lot of material, and Dana did seem to be absorbing it well. She made a small hmm noise as she digested that.
She'd let Bao decide when he was ready for some hands on play, until then she'd just be blatantly observing while she limbered up.
She moved slow and sure, her forced breathing timed with the smoothly performed moves. This particular routine focused on hand work, both open and closed fist and she liked it for the control she needed to move tight and evenly. Her small frame stepped lightly as she worked, the usual crisp snaps of cloth from a gi missing but it underscored to her the stealth she was able to move in as she worked through it and directly into a second one focusing on kicks and sweeps. She omited the sharp yells, not wanting to disturb Amir and his student with the sudden noise but instead punctuated the moves with hard exhales.
At the end of her second form she stopped, stretching some while she openly watched Dana working with Amir. Celeste noted how they were covering a lot of material, and Dana did seem to be absorbing it well. She made a small hmm noise as she digested that.
She'd let Bao decide when he was ready for some hands on play, until then she'd just be blatantly observing while she limbered up.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana was not surprised to find herself flat on her back with the breath knocked from her lungs. Smiling she took the offered hand, and sprang up on to her feet. She gave him a small nod in acknowledgment of the lesson taught and learned.
They continued to move through new material, and Dana was surprised at just how quickly her body picked up and gained muscle memory of the kata.
Dana wasn't sure learning to fall was the funner part of this, but she was game. With a small grin, she took a single step into Amir's space, planted herself and using his body weight, and momentum, rolled on to her back and tossed him up and over her body.
They continued to move through new material, and Dana was surprised at just how quickly her body picked up and gained muscle memory of the kata.
Dana wasn't sure learning to fall was the funner part of this, but she was game. With a small grin, she took a single step into Amir's space, planted herself and using his body weight, and momentum, rolled on to her back and tossed him up and over her body.
Bao
15 years ago
Catching a bit of action out of the corner of his eye, Bao closed his eyes and mentally shook his head. Ah well at Dana now knew that Amir wouldn’t be gentle despite their relationship. Bao would still like the details on said relationship, but that was a different story.
He watched Celeste and found he was pleased with what he saw. He also suspected she was waiting to actually spar. Bao, grinned to himself enjoying the anticipation. It seemed like she was ready. He wanted to simply attack but manners held him back. If she was an enemy, he would but she was family and this was impromptu practice. He bowed to her, enough to indicate his intent and waited for acknowledgment.
Receiving that he went on the offensive with a face thrust wanting to see how she would respond. She, after all, had had time to observe him he now needed to gauge her.
He watched Celeste and found he was pleased with what he saw. He also suspected she was waiting to actually spar. Bao, grinned to himself enjoying the anticipation. It seemed like she was ready. He wanted to simply attack but manners held him back. If she was an enemy, he would but she was family and this was impromptu practice. He bowed to her, enough to indicate his intent and waited for acknowledgment.
Receiving that he went on the offensive with a face thrust wanting to see how she would respond. She, after all, had had time to observe him he now needed to gauge her.
Celeste
15 years ago
Seeing the bow, Cel returned it from habit and then felt herself grin slightly. Hopefully they were moving into the sparring. Her icy blue eyes sparkled slightly in anticipation.
Bao did not dissapoint as he moved directly into their play and the younger vampire didn't hesitate to engage him. They were fairly matched in height which was a pleasant change of pace. Usually against a male opponent Celeste's short stature found her working with that size difference as a factor. This would be more fun than normal, she decided.
His opening move left her plenty of options but wanting to start off strong, rather than spend time with the cat and mouse "feeling out" stuff, she took a chance. Her body was tough, anyone who knew much about her fighting style knew that Celeste would take a hit of just about any kind head on if it gave her an advantage. So, putting herself into a vulnerable position didn't worry her like it might another. It made fights more interesting, she always thought.
The Creole reached out to wrap her hands around his outstretched wrist as she spun on the ball of her foot, the other sliding backwards between his, to place her back to Bao. Her goal was to use his momentum and her own strength to flip him onto his back while retaining a tight grip on his arm. A fast, hard foot downwards into his face while would be the follow up if she was able to get him down. No reason to play nice, they were all vampires here, so injuries were no big deal. Right?
((Permission for Bao to move / hit Celeste for sparring))
Bao did not dissapoint as he moved directly into their play and the younger vampire didn't hesitate to engage him. They were fairly matched in height which was a pleasant change of pace. Usually against a male opponent Celeste's short stature found her working with that size difference as a factor. This would be more fun than normal, she decided.
His opening move left her plenty of options but wanting to start off strong, rather than spend time with the cat and mouse "feeling out" stuff, she took a chance. Her body was tough, anyone who knew much about her fighting style knew that Celeste would take a hit of just about any kind head on if it gave her an advantage. So, putting herself into a vulnerable position didn't worry her like it might another. It made fights more interesting, she always thought.
The Creole reached out to wrap her hands around his outstretched wrist as she spun on the ball of her foot, the other sliding backwards between his, to place her back to Bao. Her goal was to use his momentum and her own strength to flip him onto his back while retaining a tight grip on his arm. A fast, hard foot downwards into his face while would be the follow up if she was able to get him down. No reason to play nice, they were all vampires here, so injuries were no big deal. Right?
((Permission for Bao to move / hit Celeste for sparring))
Amir
15 years ago
Nice throw, was the first thing that went through Amir's mind. Reflexes and training took over and he immediately relaxed every muscle in his body, something that was incredibly difficult to do without years of experience. The body generally liked to tighten when falling, resulting in a very hard landing that would break bones.
Willfully, he resisted turning himself in mid-air, something he would normally have done in order to slap the mat and regain his feet immediately, but that step would come soon. First Dana had to learn to relax everything.
Hitting the mat with his hip he rolled easily with the momentum she had provided and got to his feet that way instead.
"You see?" Dana was observant, that much he knew, but he pointed it out just to make sure she read the right lesson. "You need to let go of everything. When you tighten up, you break things. Don't fight the motion. Use it to propel yourself upwards again."
He beckoned her forward again, using his hip and sheer strength to lever her over him. He didn't exactly throw her, but guided her over as she went, carefully gauging her reaction to this new advice and generally watching to be sure she didn't bash her head in somehow as she went.
At the other end of the mats Amir caught Bao and Celeste out of the corner of his eye. He felt himself quirk up a little half-smile. Looked like Celeste wasn't planning to pull any punches. He hoped Bao didn't play the polite card with her, in that case. His child was more than capable of holding up his end of a sparring match.
Willfully, he resisted turning himself in mid-air, something he would normally have done in order to slap the mat and regain his feet immediately, but that step would come soon. First Dana had to learn to relax everything.
Hitting the mat with his hip he rolled easily with the momentum she had provided and got to his feet that way instead.
"You see?" Dana was observant, that much he knew, but he pointed it out just to make sure she read the right lesson. "You need to let go of everything. When you tighten up, you break things. Don't fight the motion. Use it to propel yourself upwards again."
He beckoned her forward again, using his hip and sheer strength to lever her over him. He didn't exactly throw her, but guided her over as she went, carefully gauging her reaction to this new advice and generally watching to be sure she didn't bash her head in somehow as she went.
At the other end of the mats Amir caught Bao and Celeste out of the corner of his eye. He felt himself quirk up a little half-smile. Looked like Celeste wasn't planning to pull any punches. He hoped Bao didn't play the polite card with her, in that case. His child was more than capable of holding up his end of a sparring match.
Dana
15 years ago
Following through the move had Dana up on her feet and watching Amir. She watched him hit the mat, and flow up onto his feet. Her mind processed how his body was relaxed and loose, as his hip smacked into the mat.
She nodded to him, letting him know she understood his lesson. It wasn't so much different than falling in other forms of combat, though it did mean she would have to concentrate as she had not weapon in her hand and mostly only knew how to fall with a weapon.
Stepping forward, she put herself into a fighting stance and then found herself propelled up into the air. Amir didn't really throw her, and that made it much easier to concentrate on relaxing her body and letting the momentum of the throw take her. It was not as easy as it sounded, and she hit the ground much harder than she was sure Amir had intended.
Still she used the momentum created to roll up onto her feet, and stood with her hip and shoulder aching. Her lips curled and she chuckled softly. "Shall we try again?"
She nodded to him, letting him know she understood his lesson. It wasn't so much different than falling in other forms of combat, though it did mean she would have to concentrate as she had not weapon in her hand and mostly only knew how to fall with a weapon.
Stepping forward, she put herself into a fighting stance and then found herself propelled up into the air. Amir didn't really throw her, and that made it much easier to concentrate on relaxing her body and letting the momentum of the throw take her. It was not as easy as it sounded, and she hit the ground much harder than she was sure Amir had intended.
Still she used the momentum created to roll up onto her feet, and stood with her hip and shoulder aching. Her lips curled and she chuckled softly. "Shall we try again?"
Bao
15 years ago
Very nice, it was easy to see that Celeste wasn’t shy when it came to sparing, nor was she a novice or shy about injuring him. Amir would like her.
Bao broke the hold she had on his wrist and allowed himself to fall but immediately rolled back to his feet ready to continue. Intent on continuing in one style he spun quickly and went to sweep one of her feet from beneath her while grabbing her right arm folding the hand back past the shoulder to lock the joint.
Bao broke the hold she had on his wrist and allowed himself to fall but immediately rolled back to his feet ready to continue. Intent on continuing in one style he spun quickly and went to sweep one of her feet from beneath her while grabbing her right arm folding the hand back past the shoulder to lock the joint.
Amir
15 years ago
"Yes."
Amir nodded to Dana in answer. Several more times he hefted her up and over, nodding with satisfaction as she improved with each toss. The problem wasn't her, tonight, it was him. Never mix business with pleasure - a lesson he hadn't learned well enough, apparently. he should have chosen another night for this, or another night to antagonize Xephier. The gashes on his back were splitting like poorly-stitched seams and his wrist was crackling each time he threw his new student. Both were uncomfortable, inconvenient sensations, and both were getting old. Ignoring them would only get him so far at this point.
He held up a hand to Dana, forestalling her from attacking again, and called to Bao when it seemed there was a brief lull in his action with Celeste.
"Bao. Fun time's over."
He and Dana had played with several different throws at this point, but he wasn't actually sure he could stand too many more hard tugs on his left wrist. Bao would have to stand in for now. Amir's tolerance for pain was pretty high, thanks to Subira's... rigorous... training, but he was getting cranky and that was no way to conduct a lesson. Dana deserved better.
It pissed him off to have to pull himself out of the action, but he'd be fine tomorrow night as long as he could find an unsuspecting snack to suck on later.
Amir nodded to Dana in answer. Several more times he hefted her up and over, nodding with satisfaction as she improved with each toss. The problem wasn't her, tonight, it was him. Never mix business with pleasure - a lesson he hadn't learned well enough, apparently. he should have chosen another night for this, or another night to antagonize Xephier. The gashes on his back were splitting like poorly-stitched seams and his wrist was crackling each time he threw his new student. Both were uncomfortable, inconvenient sensations, and both were getting old. Ignoring them would only get him so far at this point.
He held up a hand to Dana, forestalling her from attacking again, and called to Bao when it seemed there was a brief lull in his action with Celeste.
"Bao. Fun time's over."
He and Dana had played with several different throws at this point, but he wasn't actually sure he could stand too many more hard tugs on his left wrist. Bao would have to stand in for now. Amir's tolerance for pain was pretty high, thanks to Subira's... rigorous... training, but he was getting cranky and that was no way to conduct a lesson. Dana deserved better.
It pissed him off to have to pull himself out of the action, but he'd be fine tomorrow night as long as he could find an unsuspecting snack to suck on later.
Celeste
15 years ago
Neither vampire was holding back and both were skilled enough to make it an interesting match up. Where as Bao seemed to be limiting himself to one style, Cel switched between several fluidly and was having fun trying to find the right mix to work well against him. Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai and a little Varma Kalai all blended was working well but she weanted to try a few others to test them both.
Then she heard Amir and the Creole paused. Just when she'd started to really have fun, it got cut short. Celeste sighed to herself as she straightened up from a defensive crouch. It was over far too quickly for her taste. But, to be fair, she'd gotten a good read on Bao and liked what she'd seen. He was capable, which was nice. And, she had sort of crashed their little lesson session. Maybe they could spar again, when he wasn't previously committed.
Not bad, she said as she gave him a small bow. This one actualy seemed respectful, since he'd earned it. We should try it again sometime. There, that was an invitation, she'd see if he was interested. If not.. well why wouldn't he be?
Celeste turned and padded off the mats to drop down into her previous lounging position to watch some more. Now she could check out Dana and see how well the woman was progressing.
Then she heard Amir and the Creole paused. Just when she'd started to really have fun, it got cut short. Celeste sighed to herself as she straightened up from a defensive crouch. It was over far too quickly for her taste. But, to be fair, she'd gotten a good read on Bao and liked what she'd seen. He was capable, which was nice. And, she had sort of crashed their little lesson session. Maybe they could spar again, when he wasn't previously committed.
Not bad, she said as she gave him a small bow. This one actualy seemed respectful, since he'd earned it. We should try it again sometime. There, that was an invitation, she'd see if he was interested. If not.. well why wouldn't he be?
Celeste turned and padded off the mats to drop down into her previous lounging position to watch some more. Now she could check out Dana and see how well the woman was progressing.
Bao
15 years ago
Bao was enjoying this impromptu sparing match. Celeste was quite good, very fluid and quite obviously well trained; and in several styles. He was impressed. While not the front line soldier Amir was Bao still gave as good as he got and couldn’t fault his partner for holding back.
However, hearing his creator’s voice it was quite clear any further play would have to wait. He noticed Celeste’s bow as more appropriate this time and he returned it.
“I should like to arrange to meet again some time. If you’d like.”
He said to Celeste before returning to Amir and Dana. She would be a good sparing partner.
Returning to Amir’s side, he smiled slightly at Dana. He was certain the older vampire’s injuries were playing into this change in partner. Still one couldn’t say anything about that, nor was there reason to worry. It was simply a matter of conducting the best possible lesson and one couldn’t do that when one was hurt.
“Where did you leave off?”
However, hearing his creator’s voice it was quite clear any further play would have to wait. He noticed Celeste’s bow as more appropriate this time and he returned it.
“I should like to arrange to meet again some time. If you’d like.”
He said to Celeste before returning to Amir and Dana. She would be a good sparing partner.
Returning to Amir’s side, he smiled slightly at Dana. He was certain the older vampire’s injuries were playing into this change in partner. Still one couldn’t say anything about that, nor was there reason to worry. It was simply a matter of conducting the best possible lesson and one couldn’t do that when one was hurt.
“Where did you leave off?”
Dana
15 years ago
It did not take her long to gain a working knowledge of relaxing into the throw and after only a few more hard hits to the ground she was able to cushion herself and roll up out of the fall with little to no damage whatever. She was fairly pleased with herself. This self satisfaction did not keep her from feeling and seeing the slight giving to pain Amir showed.
His wrist made an odd sound on the throw before calling a halt, and she was glad he did. She would not tell him she knew why he asked Bao to step in, that would be smearing his honor under her foot and that was no way to treat a teacher or a lover.
She bowed respectfully to him and then to Bao as he joined them. Awaiting the next step to this journey.
His wrist made an odd sound on the throw before calling a halt, and she was glad he did. She would not tell him she knew why he asked Bao to step in, that would be smearing his honor under her foot and that was no way to treat a teacher or a lover.
She bowed respectfully to him and then to Bao as he joined them. Awaiting the next step to this journey.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir backed to the edge of the mats and crouched down near Celeste, balancing easily on the balls of his feet. He maintained that position as if prepared to spring into action at any second, but in reality the stretch felt good and the position was comfortable.
Having the chance to observe Dana and Bao together was good; he could see the slight drop of Bao's shoulder when it should be just a fraction higher for that sort of throw, and he could see Dana making both a conscious and unconscious effort to fall properly, depending on when and how she let her reflexes take over. She was a quick learner.
Turning to Celeste he let his lips twist up in a half smile. "I'm glad to know your family still has high standards for martial arts."
It was a compliment, in its way; Amir generally wasn't very free with them. But he knew of Celeste's family and he respected them. It wouldn't do to ignore this particular child. And her forms had been quite lovely.
Having the chance to observe Dana and Bao together was good; he could see the slight drop of Bao's shoulder when it should be just a fraction higher for that sort of throw, and he could see Dana making both a conscious and unconscious effort to fall properly, depending on when and how she let her reflexes take over. She was a quick learner.
Turning to Celeste he let his lips twist up in a half smile. "I'm glad to know your family still has high standards for martial arts."
It was a compliment, in its way; Amir generally wasn't very free with them. But he knew of Celeste's family and he respected them. It wouldn't do to ignore this particular child. And her forms had been quite lovely.
Celeste
15 years ago
Pale blue eyes had followed Amir as he moved over beside her. She had then turned her attention back to the mats and observed the other two quietly. Dana did show a good deal of potential. Her mind weighed giving advice now or offering to help later one on one. That might be better so she wasn't overwhelmed tonight, but then again Celeste really thought multiple people critiquing at once would be more beneficial. Could just be her, since she was trained that way.
Amir spoke to her and Cel turned back and gave him a slight, respectfully gracious nod of thanks in reply. It was a deviation from her usual facade but from what she'd been able to remember overhearing about Amir, the man was definately due it. Her lips twitched up slightly into a half smile that mirrored his own and she replied quietly, "Gustav demands perfection always.." A slight twitch of her eyebrow and tilt of her head substituted for a shoulder shrug. "I simply do my best to be ready to do whatever is required of me... and Elise is an excellent teacher, which helps." It was true. Her Grandmother was hiding, in Cel's opinion, serious martial arts skills behind her usual serene demeanor. Only in the dojo did the ancient's warrioress side show. It was a shame she hadn't used the knowledge to pound Gustav into a pulp before now.
The Creole had no idea what Amir's opinion of her sire was, but figured it was probably favorable. The man was good at being likeable when he wasn't ruining your life, she mused. It did make her curious though what he meant about 'still' having high standards.
"Do you know Gustav and Elise?"
Amir spoke to her and Cel turned back and gave him a slight, respectfully gracious nod of thanks in reply. It was a deviation from her usual facade but from what she'd been able to remember overhearing about Amir, the man was definately due it. Her lips twitched up slightly into a half smile that mirrored his own and she replied quietly, "Gustav demands perfection always.." A slight twitch of her eyebrow and tilt of her head substituted for a shoulder shrug. "I simply do my best to be ready to do whatever is required of me... and Elise is an excellent teacher, which helps." It was true. Her Grandmother was hiding, in Cel's opinion, serious martial arts skills behind her usual serene demeanor. Only in the dojo did the ancient's warrioress side show. It was a shame she hadn't used the knowledge to pound Gustav into a pulp before now.
The Creole had no idea what Amir's opinion of her sire was, but figured it was probably favorable. The man was good at being likeable when he wasn't ruining your life, she mused. It did make her curious though what he meant about 'still' having high standards.
"Do you know Gustav and Elise?"
Bao
15 years ago
Bowing to Dana Bao neatly picked up where Amir left off easily throwing Dan several times. She handled it quite well and kept coming up for more. She might be a beginner but she had some training some where along the line and she was relaying it relatively well, although once in a while he would stop to correct something minor. While he had greatly enjoyed his sparing match with Celeste there was a different kind of satisfaction in working with a new student.
“Perhaps before you have too many bruises to recover from we should try a change of pace.”
Actually, he was more worried about her getting bored or frustrated with being thrown and rolling than anything. And as she seemed to be handling herself competently, enough he decided to progress the lesson; Amir could yell at him later if he wished. Bao slowly showed Dana how to position herself, how to grab and hold his arm and how to execute the throw rather than just recover from it.
“Do you think you are ready to try?”
It might be a bit soon to have shown her this and to ask her to attempt it. But, Bao had enough faith in his own skills to recover from whatever mistakes Dana might make and keep from seriously injuring himself.
“Perhaps before you have too many bruises to recover from we should try a change of pace.”
Actually, he was more worried about her getting bored or frustrated with being thrown and rolling than anything. And as she seemed to be handling herself competently, enough he decided to progress the lesson; Amir could yell at him later if he wished. Bao slowly showed Dana how to position herself, how to grab and hold his arm and how to execute the throw rather than just recover from it.
“Do you think you are ready to try?”
It might be a bit soon to have shown her this and to ask her to attempt it. But, Bao had enough faith in his own skills to recover from whatever mistakes Dana might make and keep from seriously injuring himself.
Amir
15 years ago
Keeping one eye on Bao and Dana, Amir nodded to Celeste.
"I've had occasion to meet them."
Nodding his approval of Bao's decision to redirect the focus of the lesson, Amir elaborated a little to the (presumably) younger vampire next to him.
"My job for the Clan has brought me their way on several occasions."
Lots of travel involved in what he did. Amir liked that, though. He'd been something of a traveler from the time he was human, so it had only seemed natural to continue the trend in Anantya. Modern means of conveyance had shifted slightly, of course, but that was all for the good too.
Directing his attention back to the companion next to him, he tilted his head at her.
"What brings you to Nachton? I had always assumed he family would stay close to one another."
All Amir really knew about the D'Espionne family was that they seemed to be centered around the New Olreans area. He had never stayed for longer than was necessary, and his visits into that area hadn't been frequent.
"I've had occasion to meet them."
Nodding his approval of Bao's decision to redirect the focus of the lesson, Amir elaborated a little to the (presumably) younger vampire next to him.
"My job for the Clan has brought me their way on several occasions."
Lots of travel involved in what he did. Amir liked that, though. He'd been something of a traveler from the time he was human, so it had only seemed natural to continue the trend in Anantya. Modern means of conveyance had shifted slightly, of course, but that was all for the good too.
Directing his attention back to the companion next to him, he tilted his head at her.
"What brings you to Nachton? I had always assumed he family would stay close to one another."
All Amir really knew about the D'Espionne family was that they seemed to be centered around the New Olreans area. He had never stayed for longer than was necessary, and his visits into that area hadn't been frequent.
Dana
15 years ago
Sparing with Bao was much different than Amir, but not awkward or uncomfortable. Dana was ready to move on and was thinking to voice such when Bao did so for her. She wondered briefly if it had been her body language that caused him to change direction or if he too had had enough of tossing her about.
She walked through the movements Bao showed her. Letting them mesh with the knowledge she already possessed. She gave herself a moment to review them in her head several times, allowing her brain assimilate what Bao had shown her.
"Yes, I believe I am."
Her lips curled in a smile as Bao moved to pull her into another throw. She followed through in the steps of countering the throw and reversing it and with a soft grunt turned the momentum against him. This resulted in throwing her off balance, as her body lost the fight with gravity, she forgot to let go of Bao and pulled him down with her.
With cheeks coloring a bright red, she scrambled up from the mats and put herself back into a fighting stance.
"Again please."
She walked through the movements Bao showed her. Letting them mesh with the knowledge she already possessed. She gave herself a moment to review them in her head several times, allowing her brain assimilate what Bao had shown her.
"Yes, I believe I am."
Her lips curled in a smile as Bao moved to pull her into another throw. She followed through in the steps of countering the throw and reversing it and with a soft grunt turned the momentum against him. This resulted in throwing her off balance, as her body lost the fight with gravity, she forgot to let go of Bao and pulled him down with her.
With cheeks coloring a bright red, she scrambled up from the mats and put herself back into a fighting stance.
"Again please."
Celeste
15 years ago
Celeste split her attention between the man crouched beside her and the duo on the mats. Nodding with a soft mmm to acknowledge his replies, she seemed to be paying more attention to watching Dana's progess while she really was weighing his every word and considering it. It had been a while since the young vampire had had occasion to watch her words around someone but it was a skill not easily forgotten. She tilted her head, eyes looking off to the side at him as she wondered what to say.
Why was she here and not New Orleans? Certainly couldn't give him the real reason. Gustav would never want anyone to know one of his own ran away and came here to hide, like a naughty child behind their mother's skirts. Except this Mother was the Triad elders, probably the few people the old man was sure to not want to defy or upset. Had to give Amber credit for picking the best way to ensure her actions went without retribution. At least if she presented herself well and was a shining example of Gustav's wonderful family. And Celeste was here to ensure that... to observe and report, monitor and manage the "asset" as she always had. That was something she wasn't too keen on sharing. No one wants to admit they aren't allowed real free will.
Dana's tumble gave Cel a chance to think to on the subject as she looked back to the mats when she heard them both fall. She supressed a chuckle and just grinned slightly. Celeste gave Dana points for coming up and going for it again, took determination. All those falls and throws could add up if you weren't used to the punishment. Her expression was a mix of subtle amusement and admiration. After they resumed, she looked back to answer Amir.
"Ehh.. Family business brings me here, of course." She shrugged. Celeste gambled that answer wouldn't be questioned. "We do have people stationed in a couple places, though Nachton is new. My cousin and I have been here since around the time Katrina hit. Lucky us," she added with a sincere smile.
Why was she here and not New Orleans? Certainly couldn't give him the real reason. Gustav would never want anyone to know one of his own ran away and came here to hide, like a naughty child behind their mother's skirts. Except this Mother was the Triad elders, probably the few people the old man was sure to not want to defy or upset. Had to give Amber credit for picking the best way to ensure her actions went without retribution. At least if she presented herself well and was a shining example of Gustav's wonderful family. And Celeste was here to ensure that... to observe and report, monitor and manage the "asset" as she always had. That was something she wasn't too keen on sharing. No one wants to admit they aren't allowed real free will.
Dana's tumble gave Cel a chance to think to on the subject as she looked back to the mats when she heard them both fall. She supressed a chuckle and just grinned slightly. Celeste gave Dana points for coming up and going for it again, took determination. All those falls and throws could add up if you weren't used to the punishment. Her expression was a mix of subtle amusement and admiration. After they resumed, she looked back to answer Amir.
"Ehh.. Family business brings me here, of course." She shrugged. Celeste gambled that answer wouldn't be questioned. "We do have people stationed in a couple places, though Nachton is new. My cousin and I have been here since around the time Katrina hit. Lucky us," she added with a sincere smile.
Bao
15 years ago
The intent had been for Bao to end on the ground, and so he was prepared for it and ready to roll to his feet. However, there seemed to be some miscommunication as Dana hit the mats as well. Finding his feet he smiled at Dana, rather amused. Not soft or forgiving, but amused nonetheless.
“I think, perhaps, that was not entirely correct.”
Dana apparently agreed and he nodded at her willingness and desire to try again.
“Here, this is where you made your mistake.”
He demonstrated again, shifting his weight carefully explaining when the attacker’s momentum would be turned against him. Satisfied that Dana understood and could correct the error he attacked again.
“I think, perhaps, that was not entirely correct.”
Dana apparently agreed and he nodded at her willingness and desire to try again.
“Here, this is where you made your mistake.”
He demonstrated again, shifting his weight carefully explaining when the attacker’s momentum would be turned against him. Satisfied that Dana understood and could correct the error he attacked again.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir kept his eyes pinned to Dana and Bao, but his peripherals were focused on Celeste, and he didn't miss the length of time it took her to answer a simple question. This wasn't Amir's first rodeo; he knew evasion when he heard it. That said, he wasn't about to press. He had actually meant the question in the polite, small-talk sense. He glanced at her and nodded, his slight smile ghosting over his lips once more.
"Lucky indeed," he replied amiably. "Nachton has plenty to attract one to it."
An easy assignment though, truth be told. Nachton was such a night-oriented city, it didn't take much to blend in here. Amir wondered briefly if Celeste and her cousin were two of the younger in their family, for surely there were more difficult cities and towns to make a living in as a vampire. Amir recalled his indenture to Subira; three hundred years of watching and learning, the same as he'd asked of Bao. Only after that had he been allowed freer rein to take on his own assignments and fill his function within the Clan.
"Which cousin is here with you? If I recall, you have many."
He continued to watch Dana and Bao, nodding when Bao corrected Dana and nodding again when Dana respnoded to the correction with the proper throw. Quietly, and almost imperceptibly, he made a gesture to Bao, first making sure the younger vampire was looking toward him. It was the barest movement and he did not expect either of the females to pick up on it, for neither of them had studied with the same group. Bao would, however.
"Lucky indeed," he replied amiably. "Nachton has plenty to attract one to it."
An easy assignment though, truth be told. Nachton was such a night-oriented city, it didn't take much to blend in here. Amir wondered briefly if Celeste and her cousin were two of the younger in their family, for surely there were more difficult cities and towns to make a living in as a vampire. Amir recalled his indenture to Subira; three hundred years of watching and learning, the same as he'd asked of Bao. Only after that had he been allowed freer rein to take on his own assignments and fill his function within the Clan.
"Which cousin is here with you? If I recall, you have many."
He continued to watch Dana and Bao, nodding when Bao corrected Dana and nodding again when Dana respnoded to the correction with the proper throw. Quietly, and almost imperceptibly, he made a gesture to Bao, first making sure the younger vampire was looking toward him. It was the barest movement and he did not expect either of the females to pick up on it, for neither of them had studied with the same group. Bao would, however.