[Suvai Pavilion] A Lovely Morning to Hit Each Other [Blythe]

[Ora Sa'vina]

Spring 25th, 511AV Pavilion Ora had settled down again on the island and found herself able to relax again. Stress seemed to melt away with the passing of each day. The island was peaceful and filled the Konti with new energy; something she had been greatly lacking. The young woman woke early to the bright sun shining on her face and the sweet smell of the sea filling her nose. The woman woke, cheerfully and bright eyed, she had a plan for the day, exercise! Not just any work out though, the Konti wished to better herself in the ways of the Suvai, if her short exploration into the world had shown her anything, it was to be prepared, even if it meant hurting someone, it was better them than being hurt yourself. The pale woman gathered her Suvai and left for the pavilion, it was a good place to practice, and perhaps she would encounter another konti with more skill at suvai, any advice or help would happily be taken. The woman walked slowly, her hip was feeling much better, it no longer had a stiffness from healing, it was as if just being home was enough to heal her completely. Ora reached the pavilion to see no one there, it was empty and quiet, the soft whistle of the wind passing by the door was all the noise Ora could hear. The young Konti walked into the pavilion, taking her shoes off and setting them aside, just through the threshold, balance and quick movements were much easier without shoes. The konti looked about the pavilion, the opportunity to practice in one of the water-filled rooms was enticing, but she felt it best to start above water, then she could move on to the always enjoyable lake water. Light steps were taken as Ora moved through the pavilion, finding an open area above the lake. Once she had found a suitable area she moved slowly mindful of her feet, her fingers slowly feeling the suvai that were held in her hands. It had been quite some time since she had used these, the last time was fatal. The memories were not pleasant ones, that poor Akalak. The woman shook her head, there was nothing she could have done. Ora focused on her movements, like in dancing, she needed to keep track of her feet. Ora practiced silently moving about smoothly, her knees bent slightly. She was awkward, and slightly clumsy in her motions, how unfortunate for her. She continued to practice, slowly moving forward and backward, side to side. She was mindful of her surroundings, the sounds she made, her breathing. So many things to keep track of when such chaos is occurring. Strikes, you must practice strikes. Ora stopped her strange walking but maintained a position which allowed for the most balance. Her right arm and suvai were held out before her face while her left hand and suvai were held behind the other, below her chin. The woman lashed out with her right, forcing the suvai forward, her body twisting into the motion, then her arm quickly retracted and the left took its turn. Ora continued these movements until her brow gleamed with sweat. Her breath was quick as the woman stopped to catch her breath. At least this morning was a cool one. Violet eyes looked out through the doorway at the island for a moment as her breath slowly came back to her.

[Blythe]

Blythe pulled her lavender-colored cotton bed sheet up around her face, so that it covered her eyes. "Oh just another five minutes," she whispered, her voice sounding as though it were pleading with the golden rays of sunlight that shone in through her open window. "It was such a good dream," she went on, tiredly, as she scrunched her eyes shut, doing her best to block out the light. The glowing yellow orb that circled around her fingertips, making their way through to her eyes; despite their being closed. It was strange to her, how light always seemed to pass through darkness. How it always made itself known, despite the odds being stacked against it. When Blythe realized that there was no way to block out the sunlight, she raised her hand, as it curled around the lavender-colored fabric, pulling her cotton bed-sheets along upwards, before she slammed her hand down, pulling the sheets away from her face. "Fine, fine, we'll get up now," she muttered as she reluctantly opened her eyes. They stung a little, when the light hit them, but Blythe ignored it as she kicked the sheet off of her. Blythe sat up and then swung her legs over the side of the bed. She stopped for a moment, and lifted her hands to her eyes. She balled her hands into fists, and rubbed the sleep crystals out of the corner before getting to her feet, and putting her hands back down at her side. She pulled a ribbon off the night-stand, and tied her hair back, before picking a fresh dress off the wooden surface, and changing into it. "Well, time to start the day," Blythe muttered, as she walked through her house and headed out the door, closing it lightly behind her so as not to wake anyone. To the suvai pavilion for practice, Blythe told herself as she headed towards the center of the city. As she walked, Blythe kept her eyes down, hardly noticing where she was going, until she reached the balk that led up to the pavilion, about half an hour after leaving her family's cottage. "Well that was quick," she muttered to herself, as she stepped onto the balk, and crossed it to the other side within a minute. When she reached the door that led into the ground level floor of the pavilion, she was surprised to find it so quiet. "Guess no one really wants to practice today," Blythe whispered, as she pulled her sandals off, and left them just inside the door, before heading across the bamboo matts to where the wooden practice swords were kept. She pulled one off the top of the pile, and held it tightly in her right hand, her fingers curling around the wooden hilt. Her thumb pointed towards the wooden blade. When she looked up from the wooden swords, Blythe finally noticed that she wasn't alone. The edges of her cheeks turned a bright shade of red, as she said, "oooh, I'm sorry, didn't see you there." She turned to face the woman, the tip of the wooden sword dragging along the floor as she held it awkwardly at her side. "The name is Blythe," she whispered, as her lavender-colored eyes settled on her feet, before glancing up at the other Konti once more. She was wielding a suvai, something Blythe had not seen for quite a long time. It was as though she had forgotten they had so much as existed. "Would you like to practice together?" Blythe asked nervously, "or simply divide the matts up, and fight with the air?" There was a slight pause, "it won't matter either way, whichever you'd prefer is fine." OOCSorry for such an awkward opening post. >.<

[Ora Sa'vina]

OOCNo worries! I thought it was adorable! I love Blythe! Ora paused and watched as a fellow Konti walked into the building. The young konti was taking a needed break, so watching her Konti sister was something to pass the time as she regained her breath. “Guess no one really wants to practice today.” The newcomer whispered, Ora barely caught her words, but nodded slightly. Those words where not meant for her, so Ora remained silent, her fingers shifting and moving the suvai about slowly. The woman moved over to the practice swords and picked one up. A sword? Ora had no idea how to approach someone with the sword.. The last time she had encountered someone with such a weapons was dumb luck she didn't lose a limb. “Oooh, I'm sorry, didn't see you there.” Ora smiled and bowed her head slightly. “It is no trouble. There's no reason to apologize. “My name is Blythe,” The woman said quietly her lavender eyes moved to the floor. Ora blinked and tilted her head slightly. Such a shy woman! She surely was a sweetheart, her voice was soft, much like her eyes. The young woman took a step forward and bowed her head slightly to Blythe. “My name is Ora Sa'vina, it is a pleasure, Blythe.” Ora smiled sweetly to the woman. “Would you like to practice together?” Someone to practice with? Of course Ora would like that. Someone to practice with who's using a sword? Even better. Ora would enjoy help, and helping another train would be rewarding as well. The konti nodded happily. “I would enjoy practicing together a great deal.” Ora looked over the woman for a moment then down at the wooden Katana that was resting against the ground. “I've just been warming up if you'd like to continue that with me. Perhaps then we can spar?” Ora moved to stand next to Blythe, leaving a few feet of space between the two. She smiled at the new woman before she began to work. Ora moved to lunges, lunging first with her left side, then with the right. Ora moved across the room, stabbing at the air.

[Blythe]

"It's nice to meet you too," Blythe replied, as her eyes followed Ora's movements throughout the pavilion. To Blythe, Ora's movements seemed awkward and uncertain, as though she were as much of a novice with the suvai as Blythe was with the katana. At least our skill will be matched with one another, Blythe thought as she lifted her right hand and pulled the tip of the wooden blade off the bamboo matts. She held the hilt of the wooden blade tightly, her fingers curled around the wood, pressing firmly into it. They turned back toward the palm, all but the thumb, which was directed upwards, towards the wooden blade itself. Blythe lifted the blade until it rested in the center of her chest, her right arm extended a few inches before her. If she is warming up, so should you, Blythe told herself, as she lifted the blade diagonally and to the left, before sweeping it downwards through the air. She could hear the air whooshing around the blade as she brought it back down, towards her right hip, before raising it in a straight line, towards her right shoulder. Do you truly think the fight will be fair when you are using such different weapons? Blythe asked herself, as she folded her left arm behind her back to keep it out of the way, as she brought the sword back down, towards her left hip. As she moved the sword, she stepped back with her left foot to make room for it, twisting her body around. After all, the reach of a katana is far greater than a suvai. But then again, if that is the case, it must be more difficult for you to move as swiftly as one who wields a suvai. To change from one attack to another, or from one defensive position to another. Or maybe that simply has to do with how talented the one who wields the weapon is... Blythe thought, as she took a moment to look over at how Ora was doing. She seems to be doing alright over there, Blythe thought, as the suvai flashed in a trickle of light that came in through the window. And her weapon is real... while yours is simply made of wood. A child's toy, really, when you think about it. Blythe thought to herself with dismay, before she realized that even if the suvai cut her, it would not effect her as much as one of another race. But even so, how fair is this fight? Blythe wondered, as her heart began to pick up the pace. She could hear it thumping in her chest, beating against her tiny rib cage. Blythe hadn't so much as realized that she had remained stuck in place for several moments now. She hoped Ora hadn't noticed. Surely the younger Konti would think Blythe odd. "Whenever you are ready to begin," Blythe whispered, as she lifted the blade a little higher, so that it stood out before her, waiting to meet its match. Her right hand was bent slightly at the elbow, and the blade was wavering. A second later, Blythe's left hand came to meet the blade, and wound itself around the hilt. It was resting no more than an inch below her right hand. With each of her arms slightly bent, and her hands gripping the hilt so tightly, Blythe managed to straighten the sword out, and keep it from shaking. Should Ora have been standing before her, the tip of the blade would have been pointing at the space in the center of her eyes. Blythe's feet were positioned with the right in the lead, and the left taking up the rear. The right foot was pointed in the same direction as the sword, while the left was turned slightly to the left. All of her weight was on her left foot. Her back was straight, and her head was held high. Her gaze rested on the center of her sword. "We may begin," Blythe finished, as she waited for Ora to prepare herself for the fight. OOCSorry this post isn't much to reply too, but Blythe is too nice to simply attack you like some of my other pcs...

[Ora Sa'vina]

Ora continued to warm up, nervous about actually practicing against someone. She was clumsy and unsure when it came to using the Suvai. She didn't understand basic concepts of the weapon, but that was why she was at the Pavilion, to learn. Ora focused forward, letting the world fall back around her. Her ears filled with the sound of her own heart and breathing. In. Out. She let her breathing guide her movements. Slowly she would block with the inhale, and attack with the exhale. The air from the open windows and doors lightly ruffled Ora's hair and clothes. The cool breeze was a welcome accompaniment to the light sweat Ora had worked up. Small noises found their way into the Pavilion, but Ora kept herself focused, distractions would make learning harder, once she was better with the Suvai, she could let outside noises enter her conscious. She stood awkwardly in one spot, her hands moving the suvai to protect her against an invisible attack from the left, only to suddenly strike towards the left. Mind your breathing. Just like dancing. Becoming winded will be of no help to you. Ora continued to move, slowly, not nearly as fast she she should have been moving. The young Konti looked over at her new companion, she clearly had done this previously; it was also clear the vast differences the weapons possessed. Ora knew little of fighting or battle, but she knew pain; and that katana, while wooden, would still hurt. The young woman also knew that her weapons would hurt, especially sense they were real. Her eyes lingered for a moment on Blythe before moving to look at her weapons. She would go slow, perhaps that would help avoid causing Blythe unintended pain. “Whenever you are ready to begin,” The woman whispered. Ora watched as she lifted the wooden blade a little higher, she was ready to fight. Ora could hear her heart in her ears, the woman was taller than her, and while she was still quite small, the younger konti found herself quite frightened. Such a ferocious stance! While Blythe's words did not drip with malice and cruelty, the pure nature of the Katana did. The younger woman nodded slightly. “Perhaps, sense our weapons are so different, we try to block one another? I'll go slow, I do not wish to cause you any harm, as these are real.” Ora shifted her weight slightly, fumbling a bit with the weapons in her hands. Ora moved to face the woman, her stance was low to the ground, bent at the knees, her left foot slightly to the side and behind her right. The suvai were secured in her hands, her right hand forward above her knee, her left was back slightly and to her side. The Konti looked up at Blythe. Her momentary pause was time for her to think of her plan. How would she go about this? Slowly, obviously. They were juting starting with blocks, right? ”Just let me know if I am going to fast. I will start with attacking, let me know when you want to switch.” Ora smiled slightly at the woman, a brief moment of silence rested between them before the younger woman moved. Her right foot lead, sliding across the mats as her left hand came forward striking towards Blythe's right side, particularly, the woman's right arm. Ora moved slowly, almost painfully slowly; but, had Bylthe not been aware of the attack, Ora would have had a chance at hitting the woman.

[Blythe]

"If you would prefer to work on our defenses, then we may," Blythe replied, as she began to realize just how worried Ora may be about the differences between their two weapons- one carved of wood, and the other what appeared to be whale bone. She doesn't want to hurt you, just like you don't want to hurt her. But how likely can that be when we are both so new to fighting? Blythe wondered, as she glanced down at both of their feet, just look at how we are standing, so uncertain of ourselves it seems. How our bodies move. There was a slight pause as Blythe looked back up at Ora, and into her eyes. Was it fear that she saw there? Perhaps she is afraid of those that tower over her? Blythe thought, as she considered how afraid some children were of particularly tall adults. Or is it simply that the reach of a katana is far greater than that of a suvai, and she can't see herself doing very well? Blythe wondered, as her eyes lingered on the woman standing across the matt from her. Perhaps when we start practicing and she realizes that nothing bad is going to happen to either of us, she will start to feel more and more comfortable, Blythe thought, as she whispered, "whenever you are ready Ora." It didn't seem to take too long for Ora to prepare herself, for only a few seconds later, her suvai was headed towards Blythe. Blythe braced herself by putting all of her weight on her left foot, and tightening the muscles in her legs. As she did so, she raised her arms a little, no more than a few inches, and turned the katana towards the left, so that the wooden blade ran horizontally across her body as opposed to vertically. A moment later, she heard a click, as Ora's suvai met with the wooden curve of Blythe's practice katana. A small smile crossed Blythe's lips at the sound, "try again," she whispered, as she gave her katana a soft push in Ora's direction, trying to get the suvai off her blade, and headed back to where it belonged. As soon as the suvai had been moved away, Blythe would relax the muscles in her legs, and return to her starting position. Unless, of course, Ora launched right into another attack, in which case, Blythe would do her best to defend from her current position.

[Ora Sa'vina]

Ora pushed lightly against the katana as the suvai met it with a satisfying clicking noise. Blythe had defended, which was the entire purpose of the attack. Ora watched Blythe's face carefully as the suvai locked onto the practice blade. Only a moment later, Ora was lightly pushed back and her suvai disengaged from the sword. Perhaps I should go faster? Ora was unsure, she didn't want to overwhelm Blythe, but also, it would be a useless exercise if it didn't help either of them learn. "Try again..." The woman whispered. It seemed almost like a taunt, had Ora not noticed the woman's quiet and highly respectful demeanor, Ora might have taken it as a challenge. The woman that stood before Ora was quiet, timid, respectful, the last thing Ora would expect from Blythe would be any sort of venomous remark. So the young woman took it as a statement with nothing behind it, a welcome gesture. Ora smiled at Blythe and nodded. "Good, you really know how to handle that, I see." Ora took a step back with her right foot, letting her left lead. The young konti stood for a moment and waited for Blythe to return to her beginning position. This time she would try to move faster, even if she was awkward and didn't quite strike properly. Quickly, Ora shifted her right foot forward in front of her left, angled outward as she bent forward at the waist. Her arms lashed out toward the woman, her arm with the suvai striking towards her left thigh, while her free hand pressed against the butt of the hilt for additional force. Awkward, having both her arms out before her at the same time threw off the woman's balance, she felt herself leaning precariously, she should have known better, but it appeared she did not. The young woman quickly stumbled her left foot backward a bit to widen her stance and allow for more balance.

[Blythe]

Blythe returned to her starting position, and then waited for Ora to try and strike her once more. "Well enough," Blythe whispered, as her eyes rested on Ora's own. Just remember to breath, in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Just like Kariha taught you. Remember to do your best to keep calm, and not get too nervous, or worked up, otherwise you may not think clearly. Thus, you will make an error, costing you the match. Just remember to watch their movements, anticipate where their body will go each time their muscles twitch. The ones in the legs, and the arms are most important. They seem to be the ones that guide the fight... Blythe thought as she simply stared, "at least to block, if not get out of the way," Blythe added. Blythe waited another moment, before Ora began her next attack. She is going for your left thigh, Blythe told herself, how strange. Why aim for a point of the body that is so far away from you? Blythe wondered, as she swung her left leg around to the right, so that it would be placed seven inches to the right of her right foot. Her right foot would be pointed towards Ora, while the left would be pointed towards the left foot. Her legs would be crossed as she simply stepped out of Ora's way. Danced around her. As soon as both of her feet had met with the matt once more, Blythe would twist her left hand upward, bringing the blade onto its side, allowing it to run horizontally as opposed to vertically. From there, she would slowly drag the blade across the air, towards Ora. "Watch your step," Blythe whispered, as the curve of her wooden blade headed right for Ora's neck. OOCSorry for the short posts, combat ones for me, are notoriously so.

[Ora Sa'vina]

Ora smiled slightly and nodded her head at the quiet woman's comment. Was it not more important to understand how to get out of the way of pain and death than inflict it? Ora believed that to be true, it was always best to avoid harming another if it is possible. The taller, skinny woman swiftly dodged Ora's clumsy attack. Blythe was elegant in her quick movement to the side, like a dance. Violet eyes watched the elegant woman, how marvelous! “Watch your step,” Ora watched as Blythe's katana cut through the air. The konti's body was unbalanced. The wooden weapon was headed for her head? Neck? Either way it would hurt if it were to impact her. Ora tried to duck, but that only caused her spine to bend, shifting her center of balance forward. The wooden tool nicked the top of Ora's head, a dull pain as it ricocheted past her. Ora tried to correct her balance, but the new throb at the crown of her skull did not aid her focus, and the young woman wobbled, falling backward onto her rear. The Suvai that had been grasped in her right hand skittered from her hand to stop a few feet from Ora. “Erg.” Ora made a strange noise as her right hand moved up to touch her head. [color] “Very nice, Blythe.”[/color] The woman said with a weak smile, she did not enjoy discomfort, like most individuals. The woman rubbed the sore spot for a moment, messing her hair. After barely a chime, Ora moved and picked up her Suvai, then stood again. “Again, then?” The konti balanced her self, bent at the knees, her right leg forward, the left slightly behind and to the side. Her left arm hovered over her left knee, balance was Ora's focus now, it was a silly mistake she had made before. A novice mistake. A painful lesson the woman did not want to repeat. “If you would not mind. I would like to try to block one of your attacks again.” OOCIt is fine. I think combat posts usually are, especially when you're not trying to kill the other one. Sorry I have not posted sooner, life has gotten in the way of a great deal of things.

[Blythe]

"Thank you," Blythe replied, as she uncrossed her legs and took a step closer to her opponent. "Are you alright, do you need a hand?" Blythe asked, as she lowered her right arm, and allowed the wooden katana to hang uselessly at her side. As she did so, Blythe stuck out her left hand, waiting for Ora Sa'vina to take it, but when she failed to do so, quickly retracted it. When the woman got to her feet, Blythe took a step back, allowing the woman a little more room. "Again," Blythe said simply after a few moments, before arranging herself into another of the stances she had been taught. Blythe arranged her feet so that the left was about a foot and a half in front of the right. The right foot was turned to the side, while the left was pointed directly at Ora. Blythe's legs were bent at the knees, and all of her weight was on her right foot. She was standing up straight and tall, and held the blade in each of her hands. The right rested on the hilt, about two inches above her left hand. Her fingers curled into the wood, holding it so tightly that her palms began to sweat. Blythe raised the sword over her head, allowing her arms to bend slightly at the elbows. She held the sword at a 45 degree angle, the tip shooting far over her head. Blythe peered out of the small window her arms made; peering under her wrists. "As you wish, whenever you are ready," Blythe said, as she gave Ora another few seconds to get herself into position, before launching her next attack. She led with the left foot, allowing the right to follow closely behind; although, she never truly closed the distance between her two feet. As she stepped closer to Ora, she began to bring her blade down towards her, slicing through the air in a relatively straight line. The blade inched closer and closer to Ora, and within a few seconds, it had become apparent that Blythe was aiming for her left shoulder, and if Ora failed to move, Blythe may leave her with another bruise.