Crossing Swords (Tag Kev/N'yx)

[Taxx]

It was nearing noon, and Zi'lor's day had been busy since he'd left the Dining Hall after breakfast. He'd given the day completely to dueling practice, doing his part to help the ones who weren't doing so well a hand in perfecting their skills. He'd just seen the last one off, allowing himself a short rest before the next arrived, leaning against the wall leading to the weyrling barracks and filling a cup with water from a skin he'd brought. When he'd drained it, he tossed the cup back to the ground and picked up the sparring swords, tapping them against his leg.

Asriath was present, well out of the way and silent but watchful; Zi'lor flicked a glance at the brown and then away, straightening from the relaxed lean as he caught the sound of footsteps; his next student making their appointment: N'yx, rider of blue Nimocith, nearly graduated weyrling of the class who'd gone between. One of a handful who had been struggling with the dueling portion of their training and the reason behind today's lesson. He might not make much progress in the course of a single lesson, but he could certainly do his best to help her figure out her strengths and weaknesses and adjust her style to compensate for them.

"Well met, N'yx," he greeted as he held out one of the practice swords, hilt first, and waited for her to take it before taking steps backward. "I hope you're prepared? We're going to run through a drill so I can see where you are, and then we'll decide what to do. Whenever you're ready." Taking his own wooden sword firmly in hand, Zi'lor settled into a battle stance and waited for the weyrling to make the first move.
@kev

[kevna]

Ny'x - Blue Nimocith

For once, she actually dragged her feet in despair as she walked toward her lesson. Normally she loved the opportunity to get out and see people. Any pwope... But she did not want to do this… Ny’x loathed her dueling practices. Zi’lor had invited her to an additional practice because of her obvious struggle with the sword and the dagger. She was normally so fast at picking things up, so used to things going her way, but this physical aspect was not her forte, nor did she think that would change with this additional practice.

One can hope. Nimocith grumbled, just as unhappy as she was. She had had to re-arrange her afternoon and push her shift for the infirmary for later for this practice, which meant pushing her dragon’s naptime a little later.

Somebody’s grumpy today.

More like some two.

Where are you?

Joining Asriath now. Her blue was settling in place, as she walked into the practice area, he wasn’t too close to the brown so he could have his personal space. He didn’t bother with a greeting. He normally didn’t.

“Well met, indeed.” She said with a grimace as she took the proffered practice sword. “As prepared as I can be… I don’t suppose you could go easy on me?” She winced, still remembering her last fiasco with dueling, as well as how she had looked after… She had been a sweaty and dirty mess. Shards, just thinking of this practice made her want to stomp her foot and pout. Instead, she took a steady enough breath, taking her stance before the man, and with both hands on her sword, she launched into an overhead arch that would land on his shoulder, probably, and then pulled into a sloppy lunge for his heart.

[Taxx]

Nimocoth's arrival was noted, but Zi'lor kept his gaze on the rider as she replied to his greeting. Asriath offered a welcoming rumble, but he didn't move from his place to go over to the blue. A quick smirk crossed Zi'lor's face at the hopeful query, but shook his head as he replied. "Now what would you learn if I did? Don't worry so much, N'yx, you'll do fine." This was just practice; belittling her for not doing as well as some of her classmates was far from a good course of action here. Encouragement worked far better, and maybe once she started she'd get over her nerves.

N'yx stepped forward, swinging her sword at him in a overhand strike at his shoulder. Zi'lor dodged it, and when N'yx made her lunge for his chest, he brought up his own sword to deflect. The clubs smacked together, jolting in his grip; not wasting a moment, the brownrider spun his, forcing the tip of the weyrling's sword toward the ground, and then flicked his upward again to tap her on the chin. The blunt edge caused no risk of injury, but the point was made: had it been real, she'd be in much more trouble. Zi'lor offered a smile as he let the sword fall again.

"It was a good effort," he told her, "Really. Your stance is good, but you might want to hold off on any moves like your attempt to incapacitate me  for a bit longer; eagerness won't do you any favors. You're shorter than I am, and you can use that to your advantage. Don't be afraid to go for a person's legs, if they're off balance then they're much more unlikely to block attacks. Tell me," he added, the rounded tip of his sword tapping against one leg, "Where do you think your own weaknesses lie? What do you think- or know- you need improvement on?"
@kev

[kevna]

Ny'x - Blue Nimocith

How could she not worry? She was horrible. It was incredibly frustrating because with everything else she did, she excelled at, but this? She would rather eat a tunnel snake then work on her dueling. It didn’t help that Zi’lor was incredibly fast. He seemed to effortlessly dodge her first move, and then parry without missing a beat. Realizing her mistake too late, he twisted the swords so his could push her’s down, and brought his up, gently tapping her chin. One hand let go of her sword and she put it up, in surrender.

Her frustration was plain, and she pushed a few hairs that had escaped her messy bun back in place as he encouraged her. It was more an expression of her frustration then to actually move the hairs back in place. She pursed her lips and shook her head gently, her eyes on the man before her. A good effort? Shards. She hadn’t even lasted a full dragon’s breath.

I was in the middle of my second breath. Ny’x chuckled, her eyes swinging briefly toward the blue before refocusing on Zi’lor. She shrugged. “Honestly? I have no idea. I’m thinking so much about moves, I don’t have any time for strategy. I don’t even think I’m holding the sword right, it just doesn't feel right, and I feel slow and sluggish compared to everyone else.” She growled the last in a huff. “This doesn’t normally happen to me; things are supposed to come easily.” She rubbed where Zi’lor’s practice sword had tapped her gently. He could have hit her harder on the chin, but had held back. At least he had some compassion compared to some of the weyrlings she had practiced with.

[Taxx]

Zi’lor : Brown Asriath

It was easy for someone to think too hard about what they were doing, which Zi’lor thought might be N’yx’s trouble, which she pointed out herself a moment later. Not thinking about moves and strategy was easier said than done, and it was maybe a bit unfair of him to spar with her when he’d had decades of experience on her, but he was attempting to help and it was easier to do first-hand than watching her take on another weyrling.

“We can’t all be great at everything,” he replied blandly. “It’s good that you’re not just giving up because it’s harder for you to master. Practice helps, even if you’re not learning at quite the same speed as the rest of the class. I’m going to set aside some time for you each day, to come here and spar. You’ll get it, don’t worry about that. For now, we’ll go again, and we’ll take it slower this time, okay? Try not to think so hard, try to let your body do what feels right. Understand?”

Zi’lor stepped back a few steps, took up the wooden sword in both hands- taking a moment to show the proper grip- and then nodded at her to begin.
kevna

[kevna]

Ny'x - Blue Nimocith

Well, she sharding should be great at everything! She always had been before, so why was this any different? She wanted to growl at him, but instead ran her hand over her hair to make sure it was still in its place. She hated looking unkept. She always wanted to look her best, especially in the company of men. She enjoyed being marveled at, though since coming to the weyr and being surrounded by so many beautiful women, it seemed to happen to her less and less. She despaired a little when Zi’lor mentioned setting aside time for her each day for extra sparring time. She enjoyed any excuse to spend time with people and sure, practice was important, but why did it have to be something she was so poor at doing? She hated making a fool of herself.

She clenched her jaw and nodded at his encouragement. She had way too many doubts in this respect, but she tried to put on a good face. It probably still looked like a grimace. “I guess I better be here then. Don’t want to be called a quitter. Thanks.” Her gratitude was a bit grudging, but at least she thanked him, right? She adjusted her grip, acknowledging the fact that she had been holding it wrong, of course. “Okay, I’ll try not to think, but no promises. My brain is way too loud. But I can definitely do slow.” She gave a half smile, trying to make up for her grudging thanks.

You got this, mine. Did he say everyday?

Well, if I need it. But she was feeling it too. Everyday.

She took the first move again, lunging half-heartedly and her arm sweeping on the low inside, her aim more at his legs as he had advised.