Charlie Bradbury (Supernatural) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
not_really_charlie) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
capeandcowl2012-12-28 09:58 am
not_really_charlie) wrote in capeandcowl2012-12-28 09:58 am
Entry tags:
003; accidental video
[There's nothing to show what turned the comm on. Charlie's several feet away, standing in what looks like a fighting stance. A rapier appears in her hand, the length shimmering in metal, the hilt inlaid with a golden grip. She'd call it gaudy if she looked at it, but she doesn't. She lashes out, instead, slashing at the dummy, striking from all sides in an inexperienced and dangerous frenzy of attacks.
She curses when the blade nearly flies out of her hand, catching it by the fingernails. A downward swing drives it against the dummy's shoulder. There's a crackle of electricity before it explodes into flame.]
Frak!
[She glances back, and sees the comm. The moment her eyes lock on it, it turns off.]
ooc: Charlie's just exploring her three abilities - sword conjuration, electric shocks, and tech-based interfacing. ^^
She curses when the blade nearly flies out of her hand, catching it by the fingernails. A downward swing drives it against the dummy's shoulder. There's a crackle of electricity before it explodes into flame.]
Frak!
[She glances back, and sees the comm. The moment her eyes lock on it, it turns off.]
ooc: Charlie's just exploring her three abilities - sword conjuration, electric shocks, and tech-based interfacing. ^^
Video
Perfect. I'll see you there.
Video
Agreed. I shall meet you presently.
Video--action?
Action it is!
In spite of her careful composure, she's pleased at being useful again, and her slight smile doesn't fade when she arrives. It wasn't too difficult to identify Charlie after she'd conjured a lighter sword.]
Well-met, my lady. Shall we begin?
Action! (Woo.)
She jumps a little when she hears the woman.]
...Ready as I'll ever be.
Action
First, you must ground yourself.
[She bent low in her knees, dropping into an en garde stance.]
Keep your weight on the balls of your feet, with your back straight. That way, you can shift quickly when you need to move.
[She demonstrates by moving a few steps forward and back quickly, finishing with a sidestep.]
Action
She shifts, trying to copy the woman's moves - mangling it, but managing to stay upright. An accomplishment so far as she's concerned.]
I-I'm not very athletic.
Action
A good beginning...one cannot expect to become a master immediately. The goal is to become comfortable, so that moving this way becomes natural, not unlike walking.
[She pauses for a moment; Saber was normally reticent, but being able to share her art made her a little more chatty.]
This is the foundation of swordplay, footwork. There is much one can do with precise movement.
Action
Just like walking, right?
Action
Due to our unique circumstances, however, I shall move on to the next point. Now, adjust how you hold your sword. The weight of the blade must be counterbalanced...
[She draws Excalibur, holding the grip with one hand close to its guard and her right arm extended, the blade parallel to the ground.]
Think of the sword as a lower part of your arm. Your hand is the joint, as the shoulder is for the rest of your arm.
[She doesn't mince words.]
This will be the most difficult part; strengthening the arm. Even the weight of a light blade will take its toll in battle.
Action
She shifts, trying to hold hers similarly. Her hand begins to shake almost immediately, though, as she tries to hold it parallel to the ground.]
Got any recommendations? Me and upper body strength don't exactly got along...
Action
Many of the exercises my tutor assigned me would be too strenuous at this point, I should think. But there is one...
[She extended her right arm again with her blade once more parallel to the ground.]
Hold your arm out like this, keeping the blade as steady as you are able, but be sure not to lock your elbow. Maintain this posture for a minute, then change and do this with your left arm. After a fortnight, try to hold it in this manner for five minutes.
Action
[She stares at her at it, waiting a moment, before shifting her hand to the other hand.]
Action
It might seem a long time, but it is much more conducive than carrying wooden buckets of water in each hand up and down a steep hill each morning. And with a light blade, one need not be so extreme.
[She tilted her head just slightly to one side.]
Nevertheless, if you feel that you can push yourself more, do so. A warrior should always test himself...it is how we grow stronger.
Action
You... um... actually did that?
I always figured that was just for movies, or something.
Action
My foster father was...rather strict. For good reason and quite necessary, but most knights need not train so rigorously from an early age.
For our purposes, simply building a basic amount of strength should suffice.
Action
Wait. Am I going to be a knight? [Because that would be fraking awesome.]
Basic strength. Right. I can do that,..
Action
That is correct.
[Her smile is more open now at the mention of knighthood.]
The training for a knight is somewhat different; it is not only training in swordplay and strength, but also meditating upon the code of chivalry and building the discipline necessary to adhere to it through adversity.
[There is a hint of buried sadness in her smile.]
In many ways, that part is the most difficult in a knight's training.
[And like that, the moment passes]
But for now, the building of physical strength should take precedence.
Action
[She takes a deep breath, holding up her arm a little more, and then switching again.]
So... what was it like? The chivalry?
Action
First and foremost, chivalry is the commitment to defending those who cannot defend themselves, to become a servant to the people. It is a knight's duty to be a light in the midst of darkness, to give the people hope.
But it is also about setting an example. We hold to the virtues of Honour, Honesty, Valour and Loyalty. We must act with honour at all times, be honest in our dealings, eschew cowardice in defence of the people, remain loyal to our allies, and exhibit humility and mercifulness.
Action
She can't help but notice how beautiful Saber looks, either, when she's passionate like this... Though she tries not to. She'd rather not ruin this.]
...You must have been a pretty epic knight.
Action
I simply did my duty. My regret is that it was not enough.
[She pauses for a moment]
In some way, perhaps being summoned here will do some measure of good. If not for my kingdom, then for innocents here.
Action
How'd you get to be a knight, anyway?
Action
[Fortunately, she didn't have to dwell on it too long. Unfortunately, her path to knighthood was so intertwined with her rule that it was difficult to separate the two.]
I was entrusted to a knight shortly after I was born, and was raised and trained alongside his son. In truth, I've never known any other way to live.
Action
Action
Action
Action
Action
Action
Up for a log, or anything?
Sounds good!
How's this? http://capeandcowllogs.dreamwidth.org/2151154.html
It's fine! Just been sick this week :(
Gahk. Everything okay?
Getting better, trying to catch up on tags
That's good. :)