First training session

[Skye]

Stretching her limbs, cracking her neck and loosening up her muscles. Two knives as ever present at her back along with a wooden one upon each side of her hips, one having a noticeably smaller grip than the other, and clearly better made than the other. The larger one whilst not bad looking more generic whilst the smaller has clearly gotten more attention and care in its making.

Making a back flip and looking towards the entrances, dressed in her ever present black, a shake of her to let the temporarily changed hair color fly freely. She had said that it would not bother her to wear such a color and with the recent things happening how could she not at least offer her fellow arrow this light gesture?

Taking a deep breath and commencing to do backflip, after backflip across their training field, testing the grip of the ground underneath and throwing a few punches into the air, keeping the memories of her new training regimes, of mimicking the seasoned professionals of the last generation in mind. Looking towards her water bottle and waiting to see if they would be two or three people for this training session of the order. They were in the arrow quarters making it easy for Joyeuse to wander in, and they had been notified this was to commence. Still what mattered most was to share her recently acquired skills with at least Knight, and set him upon the path of mastering the skills as well.

Asclepius Jombot

[Asclepius]

Today was the day, Dragging his sports bag out of the Car with a certain amount of gear for what he was expecting a full on session. His bag held a few energy bars and bottles of water to keep them going, and of course should they need a break they could share. As he walked his way to the Arrow tower he used his bag as an improvised dumbbell to get a quick warm up of the arms as he switched between them. His outfit choice was chosen with exercise in mind as he chose a simple Tank top and shorts, with trainers to complete the look. As he curled the bag with each rep he took quick glances to his arms as he watched the muscles work.

Strolling into the tower as he Spotted his instructor for the session. Well look at this, she went and changed her hair colour. Was this to soften me up? “Talon Asclepius reporting for training Ma'am.” He smiles as he says aloud to Skye. “I brought some water and energy bars should we need them, you are free to some as well.” He places the bag down where it seems she had placed a water bottle of her own. “I see you have gone for a hair change, you certainly sport it well. I assume this was in reference to our conversation about your hair colour, or was this a ruse to get me to let my guard down?” He squinted with a smile at the end of the last sentence, showing he was not serious about the accusation. “I just want to say thank you again for offering to teach me and...” He looks around in a vein hope that Joyeuse was present. “...Joyeuse, should they appear.” No doubt there was a growing concern about them, but they usually kept to themselves, so he trusted that all would be answered.

Walking his way back into the training area, he places his hands on his hips and stands facing Skye. “Well, where do you want to start? Warm up Or jump straight into it?” He wondered if she had a plan for the training or was just going to wing it.

[Skye]

Turning her eyes towards her fellow arrow as he entered, a soft smile upon her lips with a friendly wave.
”Welcome Talon Asclepius, are you ready for our first lesson?” Glancing over towards his bag and back at him with a curious look. ”Oh any blueberry ones? I love blueberries, not to familiar with energy bars overall though.” Had never been her thing. Rolling her eyes with a faint whistle. ”I did say that I would show it to you, and I really do not mind this color. Used to sport it for extended periods before, but my hair really did not like being colored to often and pink does not settle all to well. Even with my ideal hair color for being colored.” Swiftly drawing the bigger handled wooden knife, eyes looking straight upon him as she shifts into a serious tone. ”One should never drop their guard though.” Easing back up and throwing the knife to him with an easy to catch throw. ”Catch.”

”Start by grabbing this knife and see how the handle works for you, I did make them to mimic real knives in both weight and size as much as possible. Although that one is a bit generic, whilst mine is more adapted for smaller hands. We should likely use real knives for the training though and limit these to sparring usage, have you brought you΄re knife of preference?” Scanning over him for a moment with a light thought. ”If you haven΄t brought it so will you have to borrow one of mine but having your own would be ideal, the first lesson will mainly focus on becoming more intimately familiar with your weapon of choice, to get acquainted with it, and utilize it as an extension of your body. I know you do not utilize rituals so can you kindly activate your defensive arcana of choice then we can start warming up before getting to the familiarization aspect, followed by some sparring.” That should work right? ”Sounds good to you?”

[Asclepius]

As he is welcomed with Skye's smile, he could not help but feel the welcome feeling she always gave him. “Of course, I am eager to learn from you.” His eyes following her gaze to his bag. “Blueberries huh? Noted, and yes no doubt there is one in there, I picked up a selection of different flavours.” Was the eye roll because I pointed it out? Or because I said she sported it? “I know you did, and I gave you a compliment for it. It does not like it? Was the dye really taxing on the hair health? I have heard that is a thing that can damage a woman's hair.” Seeing her draw a dagger shaped item, made him tensed up. Starting with no warning? Wouldn't surprise me. “True enough, it is a fantastic way to get injured.” He eased up as Skye does assuming it was a test of his reactions, he watched as she tossed the item with ease towards him, he was still assuming it was a real knife and took effort to ensure to catch it safely. Thankfully Skye had made the throw very easy for him to predict its movement and catch it.

He looked over the item that was tossed to him. “You have done a great job with this. Yes I brought mine, I put it into the bag for easy carrying.” His hand goes into the bag and pulls out the sheath with the blade slotted into it, holding it up to Skye for her to see it. “Focus on using it as an extension of myself? Interesting. How does one become intimately familiar with a weapon to me it is a weapon of self defence and a tool for other purposes.” He looks down for a brief moment at the mention of using rituals, he knew she would no doubt be against his aversion for it due to the risk it posed not having protections up constantly. “I will do so now then for you. I will follow what ever methods you wish to employ to teach me, I am clay for you to mould the fighting skills into.” once he finishes speaking he begins to cast his Organic resilience as requested by Skye, making sure to Chant while he did to ensure its successful casting.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-04-04 20:43:06	Asclepius rolls 7 to Organic Resilience (Life 3 + gnosis 2 + Chanting 2) (10 Again)	7, 4, 1, 8, 4, 8, 2	2 successes

Once the spell took hold and he is satisfied with it being activated, he looks to Skye meeting her gaze. “I am ready when you are... teacher.” He laughs as he places his bag down where Skye had left her bottle and he walked back into the open area. He took a battle ready stance unsure of what she would have him do, but limbered up by bouncing in place.

Spells

Organic Resilience (Pot1)

Stats

Health:
Mana:
Defense: 2
Speed: 9
Initiative: 6
Willpower:
Armor: 3 /4 Kevlar vest thin (1 /2) + Organic Resilience (2)
Spell tolerance: 1/2
Active spells: 1/4
Paradox spells cast: 0

[Skye]

Making certain to keep her warm look as they speak.
”It will be grand, I haven΄t had a chance to teach anyone anything but gymnastics in ages.” Letting her eyes turn over towards the bag. ”Sounds like a good treat for after, I am more used to beef jerky or something I hunted myself though.” Moving a free hand through her hair with an unbothered look. ”If you go for one that lasts so can it be slightly damaging indeed, not to damaging as I do not need to bleach beforehand, but keeping it up yeah that would be damaging for long hair but.” Winking at him. ”This time I cheated so no damage to the hair.” On that they agreed. ”It is also the very basis of this lesson, to learn to anticipate, be one with your weapon and react with it before danger strikes.”

”Thank you, and good. I made that one and another like it with more standard hands in mind but as I had no ones here actual hand size so did I have to go more generic.” A look down to her own one. ”Which is why this one looks different, I could easily model it after my own hand.” Offering no words other than a soft smile at his words, eyes locked upon him as she gives him room to perform his magic, glad he had the wisdom to not let gold float around him even if it also made her worried for her fellow arrow.

Putting down her knife into her belt, waiting for him to go and put his bag away and begin to take a stance before suddenly flying forward, knife in hand as she strikes towards him whilst greatly holding back her prowess, making it more of a signal that the lesson was underway.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-04-07 05:35:31	Skye rolls 5 to Sudden attack (dex+weaponry+specilization-hb) (10 Again)	4, 4, 6, 8, 4	1 success

”Anticipation, before anything that is what this lesson will be about.”

[Asclepius]

He Smiles and gives a little bow as he speaks. “Then I am glad to be your first student in combat then, and shall take pride in that fact.” A little laugh is given to her food selection. “I will make note of the beef jerky, but I am not surprised at the second hunted comment.” He watches as she plays with her hair in front of him. She has taken special effort to change her look, the correct thing to do is compliment her. “That sounds really tedious having to bleach the hell out of your hair to achieve this lovely kind of colour.” He sees the wink and nods in response to it. “Well, one should utilise all perks of ones own talents right.” He listens to the outline of her lesson. “Sounds good to me, I will do my best to take full advantage of your teachings.”

He smiles To Skye. “Your welcome, if you need a reference for the knife I use, it is a simple combat knife. I picked it up shortly after my move here, There is nothing too fancy about it other then I use it for some of my spells that are particularly dangerous. Your attention to detail is commendable and dedication is something that people should aspire to.” His eyes follow her look down to her hands. “Well I am sure anything you make will be useable honestly.” Once all is set aside and he returns to the training area, he watches as Skye bolts forward towards him with her wooden knife in hand. Looks like we are getting underway already. He understands now why she asked him to put his armour up as she goes in for a slash with the wooden blade. Looking for an angle of attack, thinking of what Skye was trying to get him to learn about anticipation. Without context, what am I supposed to take from this. He settles with throwing an attack of his own, once he sees an opening on her arm and tries to land a blow.

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-04-07 21:11:28	Asclepius rolls 7 to Stab With knife ( Dex 3 + Weaponry 3 + Speciality 'knives' 1 ) (10 Again)	7, 5, 8, 5, 6, 3, 10, 10, 7	3 successes

“Sure, but anticipation can be a little broad, is this an instinctual learn by doing?”

[Skye]

Stopping in her track, the bow not really what she had expected as a surprised look momentarily overtakes her.
”In close combat at least yes, I have taught archery before but that has been years.” Damn it has been nearly two years since I taught that now. ”I am a huntress, born and bred, how do you think I survived walking across this nation?” Softly chuckling to herself. ”I do not know how many beasts have fell victim to my arrows to be consumed.” Not like it was the only food source but definitely the preferred one. ”Bright colors does not work well with a lot of hair types, and bleaching damages the hair like nothing else, so a grand boon when you have a color that is easy to override.” Not like the endless need for sunscreen didn΄t equal it out.

So he does indeed utilize a knife, is that not annoying?
”More your hand size, most knives are in a general size, my hands are not an average size as such I make them based around my grip for optimal comfort and assurance to not hurt myself or lose the grip.” Nodding to the knife in his hands. ”I made that one as well, and do make a lot of stuff, be they for learning or for practical use alike.”

Feeling her strike miss, her held back state leaving her just enough open for him to get his strike in with a light groan. Instantly reacting by twisting her knife to attack him from the side, moving in close and rapidly shifting her angle for a final strike whilst greatly holding back as to not hurt him.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-04-09 04:24:42	Skye rolls 6 to Advantageous Angle attack (dex+weaponry+spec-hb) (10 Again)	8, 5, 5, 2, 10, 2, 6	2 successes

”More to see how you react and act, you seem to be operating as if you are holding a weapon in your hands, take a step back and try to get a feel for the knife, it is not a weapon. Instead try to feel the knife as an extension of yourself, and anticipate where I am coming from. And do not worry I am holding back.” Thinking for a moment. ”Like just now, I shifted the angle, shifted how I attacked mid attack, that will be a future lesson on how to do, but perhaps a better way would be to close your eyes and learn to not react until I actually act. How do you learn best, mid sparring or by focusing and doing under calmer situations?”

Asclepius defense is at -1 for the attack.

[Asclepius]

He shrugs to Skye as he rises from the bow. “Well, all that tells me Is that you are experienced in teaching others then.” Teaching others is a skill that can't really be taught, you either can do it well or you can't, in my experience anyway. “Of that I have zero doubts, hence why it was not surprising to me. As for the number of confirmed hunts, only you can know.” I know that I would be in good hands if lost in the wilderness with her. “Sounds like such a pain, and then the damage even if it doesn't work to how you want it? Ugh... I would agree it is a grand boon.” Thankfully he knew that he did not need to worry to much about his hair.

He nods with a look of clarity. “Ahh I see, your need for smaller handle blades makes sense to me as to why you learned to craft them, well, that and the fact that most things made nowadays are not built to last and as you said, built for a general size.” An interested look is given to Skye. “Oh really, I assume you make a lot more then just knives for training.”

He was glad and a little happy at himself as his returned attack seemed to have done something in his favour, the groan seemed to confirm that. He was left little time to remain in that glad feeling as he watched Skye, with an clever technical use of the blade, make a rapid approach to strike to his side. Thankfully again his Armour spell managing to repel the surprising and fluid strike giving by his fellow arrow. Dam that was good.

“Hmm, it is hard to see it as an extension of myself, It is a ridged item that can not bend and flex in a manner that I can. At best I can changed the way I hold the knife for an alternate way to slash or stab.” There is a scowl and a look to the side for a brief moment before he takes a deep breath and looks back to her with a calmed face. “You don't need to hold back for my sake, my foe will not hold back when in combat after all.” I am no push over dammit, I don't need to be taught like one. With his pride and ego a little hurt with Skye being held back, he pushed the thoughts aside to clear his mind so he could focus on her teachings. “It was an incredible move.The way you recovered from the returned strike caught me by surprise honestly. Wait, but if I close my eyes how will I know when you will attack.” I am not Luke Skywalker learning the force. “I think mid sparring is better in my eyes, a rehearsed move is one thing but being able to be fluid and adaptable from sparring is far more realistic to a fight and can be applied better. Is that something you agree or disagree with?”

Spells

Organic Resilience (Pot1)

Stats

Health:
Defense: 2 (-1 for attack mentioned)
Speed: 9
Willpower:
Armor: 2 / 2 + Organic Resilience (2)
Spell tolerance: 1/2
Active spells: 1/4

[Skye]

”Some yes, but mostly archery and gymnastics. Both in my opinion widely different skills.” Simply showing him a grin in return to his words. ”Countless Knight, countless.” Counting had been fun once but after the first few hundred who cared? ”I do admit that I prefer to utilize temporary ones for the decreased damage they deal to the hair and ends, but that is just all trivial matters. Besides I rather like my pale silver hair, it is my own.” And had taken years to come to terms with.

Shaking her head.
”I honestly learned crafting because I kept seeing things before my inner eyes, things that was half taken form, half there, but just not existing. So to get it out I learned to make them, to shape things into my own vision.” A look to her wooden knife. ”Then admittingly I started to apply it to where it was needed, be it a slingshot as a young lass, a bow, arrows, dolls, furniture, gifts for my many siblings and so on. Over the years I have made it all.” Affirming her grip of the wooden knife. ”And I do admit that getting things that I can trust to not break and that is made for my size is certainly a luxury.”

Glad to see her attack had indeed not fully connected upon her fellow arrow, a light smile dancing upon her lips as she jumps backward to widen their distance.

”Therein the reason for a lesson Talon Asclepius. It is meant as an extension of you, nor do you seem to take in why I am holding back.” Letting her face turn fully serious and removing the softness of her voice. ”I am not trying to spar with you to improve our battle skills, I am trying to get you to think about what I am trying to teach you. And that is not how to wield the blade, how to fight, no but rather to anticipate and know when an attack is coming. To not make you rely on reflexes for how to react, but rather utilize your weapon as an extension of yourself and react with it before you have time to think.” Nodding towards his knife. ”Right now you are very much relying on your natural reflexes on how to move, you are not utilizing the training you have had with the blade, I am trying to get you to see how to let your body do just that. How to rely on experience, and let that guide your body as you anticipate what is to come before it comes.”

Nodding at his assessment.
”As you wish, then stand at the ready, my next attack will be the start signal. But for each of my attacks try to see where it is coming from, try to anticipate what I will do next rather then just react.” Walking over towards her gear, turning her back towards her fellow and bending down, concealing what she is taking up from her fellow arrow and placing her right hand in her pocket before turning back towards him. ”Observe that a feint is not an attack, and I will keep holding back today, it is not an insult it is the beginning of a journey to grasp how to utilize your skills.” Starting to circle around him. ””Think of it this way, would you say that a thug who is skilled at fighting on the streets can start learning Kung-Fu and keep up with a martial artist with years of training before learning the basics of the martial arts first?

[Asclepius]

He chuckles at Skye's history of teaching. “I think most would consider them different skills. I imagine the cross every so slightly if we were to Venn diagram them together.” Her comments on the hair dye choices was logical to him, though he did not now enough to full offer comment on the matter. However he would at least offer his opinion on her preferred choice of colour. “I too like the Silver hair you have, its unique to you and that's what matters. Also its connotations of grace and elegance matches your dexterous gymnastics that you like to perform.” Maybe that was stating the obvious but hey ho.

He nods with a somewhat understanding. “Oh I see, you have the eye for creation. It sounds like, from what you said, that you can see the components forming into the item. Truly a gift for someone that has the skills to craft their vision into reality.” A pause as he thinks for a moment. “To think of the money me and my wife spent over the years furnishing when we moved in together, when you could no doubt craft and design all that you would need. Of course the only crux being time, but that would be offset by the cheapness of the components. On top of all that it is just like you said, you can trust the durability of the items you make, or if they fail, you can have the skills to repair.”

His stance ready and tensed for another surprise rush from his tutor. The smile on Skye's face did not give him the impression that she was done just yet. She is loving this it seems, or is it the thrill of catching a foe off guard.

“An extension of me... like... rather then think of attacking with the blade, I just do it instinctually? Reaction rather then thinking? Is this the idea of it.” The seriousness of Skye's demeanour and presentation is given the respect it is due. He speaks with a matching seriousness and a tone of genuine interest. “So, like, instead of thinking that I have a blade in my hand, you want me to react to a strike giving to me as if I was performing an instinctual punch. Like for example, if a punch is thrown from the opponents left hand, the instinctual reaction is to duck right and jab the gut. Is this the kind of thought process you are trying to convey in terms of using the blade? Don't think or react, just know how to respond to a strike coming towards you?” He truly was doing his best to understand, he hoped it was coming across that way and not seeming like he was being a nuisance.

With wooden blade in hand he takes a deep breath with his eyes closed, calming his mind and thoughts so that he may feel a little more focused on the teaching and what Skye was trying to instil in him. He slowly opens his eyes and give a nod to signal his readiness, before taking a readied stance and awaiting for the approach of her strike. He watches as she moves over to her gear, but once she begins to bend down he averts his eyes and looks to the ceiling. Is this some sort of dirty tactic to get me to lose focus? Once Skye stood again he return his look to her. “Very well, I will swallow my pride for the sake of the lessons. But for the record when we do spar for the purposes of mutural training, please do not hold back.” Her movements of Encircling him was not unexpected. In his eyes, she was an apex hunter stalking prey, he knew she was looking for a weak point of him to strike, and so his gaze followed her but his body remained facing forward. “I suppose you are correct, I can't disagree with you there.”