( open )

[beknight]

Who: bruce wayne (beknight) & various others.
What: it's the eye of the tiger.
When: after this network post!
Where: the dojo
Warning(s): violence! more will be added if needed.

accompanying log for sparring training.

Comments

[song_of_ice]

[Jon has spent more time training at the Empress' palace rather than at the Dojo, not seeing any personal connection to it or his form of combat. But the prospect of a sparring partner is enough to encourage him to explore and see what the Dojo offered.

While he didn't have Longclaw with him, there were training swords and they were enough to practice with, at least until he could purchase a weapon of his own. It wasn't clear how much they would be using blades. Alan Foster seemed to have skills in multiple forms of combat and it wouldn't be so terrible to practice with the ones he was rusty in.

He nodded at the man waiting for him.]

Alan Foster?

[beknight]

[ There are real blades available here — Bruce isn't using one of them. The wooden practice swords are easily available, and there's several on the weapons rack next to him. He nods at Jon, his eyes drop to his hand. The grip suggests a longsword — unsurprising, and easy to adjust to. ]

I am. And you?

[song_of_ice]

[The training swords were a bit deceptive, as they didn't have the exact weight of a blade. For those unfamiliar, they wouldn't build up the muscles they needed to use the weapon.

Somehow, he suspected it wasn't going to be an issue for Alan Foster.

He gave the sword a small twirl, letting his wrist re-familiarize itself to the action and use of a blade again.]

Jon Snow. Where do you want to begin?

sorry for the delay! router issues

[beknight]

[ He watches the movement, and gives Jon the time he needs to be ready with the sword. ]

To start, a duel. [ He tucks one hand behind his back, sword raised in his other. His grip is different, his feet light and ready to move. ] When you're ready.

No prob!

[song_of_ice]

[He raised his sword, signalling for Alan to come at him. It hadn't been long since he was in his world and facing a large army. His skill with the blade hadn't been forgotten. He could dodge and spin, using the sword as an extension of himself.

When the match ended, Jon wiped away the sweat from his face.]

You are a fierce opponent.

[beknight]

So are you.

[ With a longsword, this would be a much closer match. He's glad he's not dealing with an amateur, and the technique is limited only by its time and available material. ]

Take a break. Once you're back, we're going to do something similar. It's called kenjutsu.

[song_of_ice]

[He set down the sword, quickly wiping the sweat from his eyes.]

Kenjustsu, is it hand to hand or with a weapon?

[So he can prepare himself.]

There was a call for recruits for the guard. Have you thought about joining? You have the skill.

[beknight]

It's with a sword.

[ He changes the grip on his, turns his wrist so Jon can see it. ]

I'm mulling it over.

[ Thoughtful, but it's a no, in Bruce speak. He has his own ways of understanding justice, and simply observing those around in the guards is enough to give him an idea of what other fighters are around. ]

Are you set on it?

[song_of_ice]

[He wouldn't feel awkward then.]

I'm not much good at anything else.

[He stared across the room at nothing, different thoughts filtering through his head.]

There isn't very much I want to do here anyway. We made a promise, but this isn't home.

[beknight]

Nothing wrong with having a specialty.

[ Even if that specialty is to fight. ]

Feeling homesick for a place, or a person?

[song_of_ice]

I have never really had a home.

[Which was the sad truth.]

I have family here, but it's the knowing that there are others you didn't protect or save. The loss of a world that you couldn't even fight for. What was the point then of surviving?

[beknight]

[ He's young, and this loss is immense. Bruce doesn't begrudge anyone dwelling on it — he himself has long since learnt not to worry too much about grief. It will come, in waves, in single spies. Someone who looks familiar on a corner. A twist of movement. Again, and again, relentless. ]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[ He's outlived a son. On his Earth, people would say there's nothing worse than the loss of a child. ]

A friend of mine would say what we can do is hope.

[ Maybe. Bruce doesn't believe that himself, but for the purpose of consolation, he can. ]