forum More boredom.... (OxO) Closed!

Started October 07, 2020 by @StarryWolfy flash_onCrazy Procrastinator

tune

"I already gave my suggestion. Stop trying so hard." repeated Sirus, "The movements need to be more fluent, less forced."

Gwen sighed, rolling her eyes. “I know what the moves are supposed to look like.” she told him firmly before handing the sword out for him. “You know what, you show me.”

Sirus sighed, then took the sword. taking a breath and mimicking the same moves she'd been trying to do a couple of times through, and by the third time through it was fluid, not exactly precise, but fluid.

Gwen crossed her arms stubbornly and watched him, trying to figure out how he made it look so much easier than when she tried. He did seem more relaxed in his movements and she had heard the speech about how a sword was like an extension of your arm… but she was still struggling to put that into effective practice.

Sirus went through the motions a fourth time, by no means no expert, as it was clear some of his own movements were uncoordinated. "You ever hear that phrase that the sword is an extension of your arms?" he asked quietly, offering the sword back to her.

“Yes.” she nodded, accepting the weapon again. “I’m able to picture it in my mind but I can't seem to get it to work right.” Gwen admitted.

"You need to focus on your own movements, not mimicking someone else's movements." he said softly

Gwen tilted her head, blushing a little. “Am I that obvious?” she asked as she mulled over the new advice.

"I wouldn't call it that exactly," said Sirus softly. "But you need to learn them in a way that makes the movements your movements."

Gwen nodded thoughtfully and looked back up at Sirus. “Any tips on how to do that?” she asked, willing to listen.

"Honestly, try thinking of it like a dance. You want every movement to be natural."

She nodded again with a small almost smile. Gwen knew how to dance, it was something that had been drilled into her almost as soon as she could walk. “I haven't tried that with swords yet… Though I can compare hand fighting to dancing easily.” she said softly.

"It's similar with any weapon." said Sirus gently, glad they were getting somewhere, "That's where the extension of yourself comes in."

“Alright…” she said as she started agreeing with his advice. “I’ll try it that way.” her voice was softer as she stepped into the stance.

Sirus nodded, backing out of her way so she could try it again, hoping this time she'd be able to get it.

Gwen let out a slow breath and relaxed her shoulders, her stance somewhere between one she remembered from dances at the palace and the one Corbin had been teaching her for fighting. She held her sword and gave a practice swing.

Sirus nodded a little as he watched her move, the movments now less awkward and more fluent.

Gwen gave a small smile as she felt the change in that last swing compared to earlier. There was still some work she needed to do in order for her to be fluent but it was a big difference as she went through the maneuvers again.

Sirus nodded a bit, looking back to Corbin to see if he approved, though he wasn't really expecting any kind of approval.

Corbin was smiling broadly at the two of them and gave Sirus a nod of thanks. He had made more progress with improving Gwen’s technique than he had been able to in months.

Sirus found himself shying away a little from her mentor's reaction, resisting the urge to shift on habit out of shyness.

Gwen’s smile grew as she continued with the practice… the maneuvers seemed to be coming easier.

Sirus turned his attention back to Gwen, pleased that her movements seemed to be improving rapidly.

Gwen spun around and held the blade up in front of her, facing Sirus and Corbin.

"Much better." Corbin grinned at her. "Seems like he gave you some good advice."

Sirus let out a soft breath, slowly shoving all the emotions of awkwardness and pride down deep to revel in later on his own.