whatwas | [Video // Private to Yuca]

[Yuca makes his way over in a few hours. He remembers where it is, if nothing else, and when he does finally arrive, he's dressed how he usually is- collared shirt, dark pants, his blade resting at his belt.

His eyes are still hollow. He remembers more now than he used to, but- is that really a good thing?]

Horst.

[No emotion, no recognition. Just a name.]

[By then, Horst has cleaned up, and eaten a few slices of bread to take his mind off the fact he hasn't fed in a few days. He'll have to go find a donor after this, or maybe tomorrow.

His smile doesn't falter when he sees Yuca, but there's a flicker of emotion behind it, gone too fast to really analyze.]

I don't need to bring anything or find anything for the lesson, do I?

I assumed it would be a demonstration in weapons.

[He shrugs that notion off, however, and draws his weapon, measuring it against Horst for a moment.]

Seeing as to how hand to hand won't get you very far here unless you have special abilities.

[Horst is still, as he contemplates telling Yuca the truth now. He hadn't before because he hadn't known what would set off the other's survival instincts.]

I can move quickly. As far as abilities go, I mean. But you're right, it's nothing without a weapon.

Would you prefer me to cast it aside?

[A few warning bells light in his head. The memories Yuca has received has been mostly of wars, a little flower here and there, anger. He holds the blade limply, prepared to drop it, but watching Horst carefully all the same.]

No, no, it's fine. I want to learn.

[He watches Yuca, worried that he's already said too much. It certainly makes up his mind about telling him more right now.]

What should I do, Herr Instructor?

Stay alive.

[And with that, his grip solidifies on the hilt of his sword once more, and Yuca leaps toward him with startling speed, the blade sweeping dangerously toward Horst's middle.]

Edited 2011-01-29 23:49 (UTC)

[Horst is startled by how fast Yuca is, and he only narrowly twists out of the way. Had he still been human, he would probably have been skewered.

The thing is, he's not entirely sure if Yuca would kill him (or try to; a sword won't kill him permanently). He suspects his 'friend' wouldn't even care if he did.

He ducks around behind Yuca, not willing to make an aggressive move yet.]

Good.

[He turns on his heel, slashing the blade expertly behind him, toward where Horst is standing.]

You had a chance to take offense and you missed it. That could get you killed.

[This time the blade's tip nicks Horst's shoulder as he again tries to evade. The mako in his blood sluggishly moves to stall the bleeding.]

What's a good offense, then?

[Horst moves to grab at Yuca's wrist]

[He tries to move, but Horst manages to get ahold of his forearm. Not in his plans.]

Something that won't leave you open to a counterattack.

[As if on cue, Yuca lifts his leg to aim a kick squarely toward Horst's stomach to get him away.]

[Horst doesn't want to let go of Yuca, and he can't move away from the kick so he takes it full on. Luckily he doesn't need to breathe so it doesn't knock the wind out of him; it does, however, knock him backwards, but since he has a supernaturally-stubborn grip on Yuca he pulls the other man with him]

[Yuca tumbles on top of him to try to avoid breaking his wrist, still refusing to let go of his sword. Once they're down on the ground, Yuca grits his teeth and aims a punch for Horst's cheek with his other hand.]

[Horst's instincts are to pin and bite, and he tries to look past those and to the many barfights he's been in. He's not a violent person by nature, is the problem, and he's especially afraid of hurting Yuca.

The blow to his head knocks some sense into him, but it also stuns him momentarily and his grip slackens.]

[Yuca takes the opportunity to roll off of him and spring to his feet, eyes slightly narrowed as he lets for a little distance between then, giving Horst time to stand up.]

Next time, try rolling. Even when you're wrestling on the ground, the person on their back has the disadvantage.

[Calmly. He's used to fighting. He doesn't mind it.]

[Horst gets up slowly, watching Yuca closely as he does]

You do this a lot?

[He moves fast--not as fast as he can move, there's no blurring or disappearing--in an effort to get to a more advantageous position]

I don't remember.

[Yuca tries to take another step back- Horst is faster than he is, and this body isn't particularly muscular or lithe. He has to make do, but he can't stop Horst from moving closer.]

Well, I suppose that means you don't do it a lot now. That's something.

[He grabs Yuca's sword hand, albeit a little clumsily, he nearly cut himself again. Then he attempts to knock it out of Yuca's grasp]

[He raises his eyebrow and lets go of his sword suddenly to try and knock the vampire off-balance, in favor of delivering another kick to Horst's side.]

Good. But the sword isn't the only weapon. You can't just focus on that- my hands and feet can be just as dangerous.

[Though Horst is stronger, Yuca has the advantage of training and leverage; he has to let go to catch himself. In spite of the blows, he's grinning, he's only just realized.

And then he dives to get the sword.]

[Yuca's eyes narrow slightly as Horst gets the sword, taking a small step back and sliding easily into a martial arts position, resting dominantly on his back leg as he lifted his front up until only his toes touched the dirt.]

...think of the blade as an extension of your arm. Don't swing it around- keep it close to your body and you'll have better control over it. I have a shorter reach then you, so there's no need to try to overextend yourself to get at me.

[Horst doesn't know enough to recognize Yuca's stance; he just knows there's more finesse in it than there has been in the fights he's been in before. He steps back into what he vaguely recalls is a fencing stance. Shame he dropped that class after two days....]

Should I aim for anything in particular?

My core.

[Indicating with his hands toward his torso.]

Stomach, chest, head. Stomach is preferable, since the chest is protected and the head is a small target. If you want to do damage, get out of that stance. Fencing is nice, but it's only applicable if you're accurate and have a rapier or some sort of sword like it. Stand with your sword side toward me, feet shoulder width apart. It makes you a smaller target and keeps your weapon between you and me.

[He's a good student, at least. He adjusts his stance as Yuca instructs and looks at him curiously]

I don't really want to try to stab you. Long bits of metal make me a bit nervous.

You'll never learn if you're not willing to hurt me.

[As if to prove this, Yuca sidesteps quickly into Horst's range, bringing his wrist up to parry the flat of the blade as he moves in to strike again.]

[Offline] I had to stand up and physically leave the room to keep from crying at this one

[Offline] nngh I can't even remember the last time a series was that powerful ;; hurtssogood, man.

[Offline] god same. D8 D8 D8

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[Offline] there might be Horst short stories being written (!!!)

[Offline] EEEE DO WANNNNT

[Offline] I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A 'REVIVE HORST' CAMPAIGN

[Offline] ngl, I wouldn't object to that

[Offline] .../plans

[Offline] 8D 8D 8D

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