Which End to Hold

Posted on 15 Jan 2013 @ 5:25pm by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Ensign Im'er Mor'an
Edited on on 15 Jan 2013 @ 5:53pm

3,637 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 3, Mor'an's Quarters
Timeline: MD4 1900

[ON]

Kiri had come from her quarters, work done with a singular goal in mind. The next day, after drinking and spending time with the others she was going on a trip with Lieutenant Rhodes to visit an old Romulan-Earth battleground. While she spoke Rihannsu and had a basic understanding of their culture, she didn't really know anything about weapons, or that much about Earth History for that matter. It didn't seem right to go out not prepared to understand what she might learn. Pressing the door chime she waited for a reply. Her hair was folded over into a loose bun, eyes slightly bloodshot and nose looking a little raw.

When Mor'an heard the door chime, she opened her eyes and smiled. Kiri had arrived for her lesson on weapons. Mor'an thought it was interesting that a girl like Kiri wanted to learn anything about such things, yet here she was. Standing from her meditation position on the floor, Mor'an called her Kiri to enter.

It was something that Kiri was starting to get used to, pressing door chimes. As a child she almost never, at the Academy she had only ever been in her own room. It was a new thing that slowly was becoming more normal. Entering she smiled, remembering what Moran had said, she started to advance, "Sorry to interrupt." Forcing herself not to bow her head, coming to a stop just in front of the other woman she raised her right hand. Index and middle fingers straight, the rest clenched, touching them to her forehead before turning her hand to face away and waited for the moment of contact. Eyes were fixed on Mor'an's Kiri trying to read nothing and give away nothing. Still some of the tense sadness seeped though.

Mor'an was quick to respond to Kiri's greeting, very pleased indeed that the girl remembered how to do it the Tarkannan way. Twisting her hand, she touched Kiri's fingertips with a smile.

"Tell me," she said, "Do you know anything about weapons?" She needed a point from which to begin.

"I've held a Bat'leth, and um, I've used a knife before, as well as my hand phaser qualification," Kiri didn't quite know how useful any of that would be given their conversation before. During the battle since then, Kiri had actually shot someone, even though it was on stun. It was odd how she didn't really feel anything about that.

Mor'an nodded as she walked over to her collection of daggers hanging from the wall. "We will begin at the beginning," she said. "Remember that knives are not daggers, so, even though you have used a knife before, a dagger will not handle the same." She curled her fingers around the handle of the smallest dagger, her fist fitting perfectly between the crossguards. "Come and see how I am holding it." She gestured with the dagger for Kiri to come closer.

Rather wary of having a weapon brandished at her Kiri gingerly came close, fixing her eyes on Mor'an's hand. Flexing her own fingers in turn, it didn't seem overly complicated, this was just holing it though, using it was rather different.

"You must become accustomed to have sharp objects waved at you," Mor'an said when she saw the hesitation in Kiri's step. With a flick of her wrist, Mor'an spun the weapon so that the blade of the dagger rested on her palm with the handle facing Kiri. "Take it."

Trying to be less afraid of the inanimate object Kiri took it, rather worried that she might cut Mor'an by accident. It was a lot lighter than she expected, trying to match the grip she had been shown. It was mildly uncomfortable to hold tightly, it didn't seem right to hold it any other way though.

"Relax," Mor'an said, "It is just a piece of metal. You control it. Loosen your grip or you will hurt yourself." She picked up another dagger and squared her shoulders. "Do as I do."

Kiri tried but it still felt like she might drop it, do something silly like cut her own toes off. Shifting her shoulders one clicked, startling her, generally being rather ungainly. She was barely taught the basics of fighting, had never danced, precision movement was never something required of her. While she kept her every day motions as graceful as she could, there was no hiding how unnatural she was holding the blade.

"You must learn to move with the blade as though it were an extension of yourself," Mor'an said, dropping into a ready position. She began a series of forms, moving her arms and hands, twisting the blade in her hand. She jumped and kicked the air, slicing with the dagger as she did so. "I know you will not be able to do this yet, but begin learning it now." She performed the first few steps of the form, then waited for Kiri to follow.

Kiri didn't think she would ever be able to move like that, she could be flexible yes but she hadn't kicked anything in years, let alone kick something while moving her hands. Trying to copy the drop in stance Kiri did her best but it didn't go quite to plan, overstepping and forcing her to start again.

"Do not expect to do it perfectly the first time," Mor'an said, "You have to walk before you run. Do it with me." She began slowly so Kiri could keep up.

Her face quite focused Kiri tried to do so, better this time, legs tense, shoulders oddly starting to sting a little. The middle of her back was starting to itch as well, it felt silly how hard she found the movements to follow.

"Stay relaxed," Mor'an said, pausing in her form to look at Kiri. "Also, talk to me. Do not stay silent. Say something. How are you feeling?"

Trying to put her feet and arms in the right place while not putting her foot in her mouth was something Kiri didn't really want to try. Since it was asked of her though, "I feel fine," She lied outright, "This is hard."

"No you are not fine," Mor'an said matter-of-factly. She could see well enough through people's lies, especially when it came to something like this. "It is hard, but it will become easier with time. How does the dagger feel to you?"

Kiri liked to think that she wasn't such a obvious liar, but that it wasn't the subject Mor'an pressed on deflected most of her reaction. Her voice paled somewhat, "It not as heavy as I thought, is it sharp?"

"Of course," Mor'an said, "Why keep a dull blade in your armory? But do not worry about the sharpness of the dagger. Only worry about making the dagger feel like part of you. Rotate your wrists." Mor'an stepped closer to Kiri, sheathing her dagger at her side. She gently gripped Kiri's hand, the one that held the dagger, and rolled the joint in the socket to loosen the muscles.

Kiri looked rather surprised that someone was suddenly in her personal space, touching her. Mor'an's fingers felt warm, Kiri's grip getting slightly looser. Attention fixed on her own wrist Kiri just let herself be moved, "Do you need to be strong to use them?"

"Daggers?" Mor'an asked to clarify, "No. You only need to know where to put them. You need to learn the most vulnerable places of your opponent and be quick to make use of them. But do not worry about that right now. Right now you need to learn how to hold a dagger." She stepped back. "Shake you hand out. How does it feel?"

Taking the dagger with her left hand Kiri spun her wrist a few times, feeling rather too loose if anything. With her tendons slightly sore she answered, "Looser, warmed up?" Technically not warmer her muscles felt more awake.

"Good," Mor'an said, "Stay loose." She demonstrated by shaking out her own hands before unsheathing her dagger again. "Do not tense up your wrists because it will make the dagger awkward in your hand. Try the form again." She gestured with the dagger for Kiri to follow her lead.

Switching the dagger back to her right hand Kiri got it closer this time, not as refined or exactly right but pretty close. Trying not to get tense was hard, more so when she had to try to talk at the same time, "Do you warm up before starting?"

"This is a warm up," Mor'an said, "And it also helps you get used to moving with the blade in your hand." She paused for a moment as they stretched in unison. "Very good. Go slow and easy."

After completing the form a few more times, Mor'an decided it was time for Kiri to use the dagger. "Practice this in your quarters when you have time. It will calm and strengthen you." She moved to stand next to Kiri. "Now to learn how to attack from the front. The stomach is the most vulnerable place, so always aim for that." She ducked, spun and jabbed with the dagger at an imaginary foe. "The spin will give you more momentum, with means more power. This is imperative when your opponent is much larger than you. Go ahead and try it."

It was rather odd, trying to stab the air. It was weird enough to be thinking about trying to stab anyone, to do so with no resistance somehow wasn't right. It was hard to keep balance while doing it, it didn't help she was tired. The muscles she was using were ones Kiri hadn't really used before, already they hurt and started to feel heavy, her breath a little tight. The spinning was fine, it was the stab that was lacklustre.

Mor'an could tell Kiri was getting tired, but that didn't matter. "I know it is beginning to hurt now," she said, "But push through it. It is the only way you will become strong. Take a moment to breathe."

Kiri needed the rest but didn't want to appear weak, to be disappointing. After a few seconds of breathing she swallowed the dryness in her throat, "I'm ready, what is next?"

Mor'an smiled at Kiri's attempt to fool her. "Take another moment; you are not ready. Would you rather learn hand-to-hand or continue with the blades?"

Kiri frowned slightly, she didn't like being told things about herself even if she was lying. Sucking on her lower lip she did take another second but nothing more, "What would each entail?"

"Well, hand-to-hand is just as difficult as the blades," Mor'an said, "But I am not sure if you would like it -- you have to get very close to your opponent. It's title explains it's nature. A lot of touching. With the daggers it is not nearly as...intimate."

Kiri thought hard for a moment, she didn't dislike contact it just scared the daylights out of her with what it might bring with it. When she had done the very basics at the Academy, what did they say? There was a question like this, the instructor said that learning hand to hand allowed you to adapt it to using a blade. Then the reason she was here came up. She had come here to spend time with Mor'an, to learn things to impress Lieutenant Rhodes. That was changing slightly now, it was a chance to improve herself, she had to do the best possible job she could. Still looking very focused in thought she answered, "Hand to hand is more useful, isn't it?"

"Yes," Mor'an said, "Because it is more versatile and it does not require that you have possession of a weapon. You can incapacitate your opponent with just a touch."

"Then we should do that," Kiri tensed her body, trying to remember what she'd leant at the Academy. She'd been pretty terrible at it but the principles she remembered, what she should be trying to do.

"Very well," Mor'an said, standing straight and closing her eyes for a moment. "First you need to learn the vulnerable spots of your enemy. You probably learned some of this at the Academy, but...they do not teach the way they should. Tell me what you know."

There were so many, they didn't apply to all races though, Kiri thought hard for several seconds, trying to order them, "The Groin, the throat, the nose, the Kidneys," Then it was moving towards situational ones, "The armpits, in a grapple, behind the knee," She started to trail off, wondering if this was the direction she should be taking it.

Mor'an nodded. "That is a good start. At least you know the vulnerable places. I shall teach you the basic holds. Come." She gestured to Kiri to come close.

Kiri did so, apprehensive of what might happen, of being close to another being for whatever the reason. Her body tensed slightly, her looks furtive, also worried about pain that might be coming.

Mor'an lowered herself into a crouch, arms parallel to the floor. "Now," she said, "If you have hold over the neck and arms, it is very difficult for you opponent to free themselves." She reached out carefully, knowing that physical contact might make Kiri more then than she already was. "If I may," she said, reaching for Kiri's arms and slipping her right arm under Kiri's, against her back. She gripped Kiri's arm and held it fast, making Kiri unable to make use of her arms. "Do you see how I am holding your arms? I am being gentle, but you get the idea, yes?"

"might make Kiri more then than she already was."

Kiri submitted, she knew the idea but she felt rather strange with having someone so close to her. Her breath grew tighter, very aware of herself and how she appeared, how tired she looked, "Yes, I understand." To deny movement of the arms was fine, but her legs were free. If Kiri was not being demonstrated on she could have used them, if she remembered.

"Good." Mor'an shifted her weight so that she was directly behind Kiri, their arms still locked. She pressed her left knee into the back of Kiri's, forcing Kiri's weight to shift so that she was precariously supporting herself on her left leg. "Do you see why I purposely shifted your weight?" Mor'an asked, "Now your center of gravity is altered enough that it would be hard for you to move. You are leaning back into me, which means that I have control over your movements." She removed her knee and helped Kiri stand straight after releasing her arms. "Now you try it on me."

More than anything Kiri was worried of breaking something. She didn't have almost any experience of being physical with people. It felt as if she wasn't careful she could do grievous damage, that wasn't her intent at all. Her attempt was much softer but she followed the idea, using what she knew of biology, joints and levers but in a much lighter way than had been used on her. Her trust in Mor'an was also growing now, "It is denial of force, isn't it?"

"Yes," Mor'an said, "Something like that. Do not be afraid of hurting me." She could tell by Kiri's touch that she didn't want to be forceful. "I have been sparring since I was seven. You cannot hurt me. If you are going to learn, do it properly." She easily slipped out of Kiri's grip and turned to face her. "Try it again."

Kiri wasn't so sure but tried, forcing herself to override her mental blocks. More forceful but she didn't know her own strength, she'd rarely tested it so this was all rather new to her, worry was still the primary problem.

"Better," Mor'an said, when she felt Kiri's grip tighten slightly. "But you have to remember to support my weight with you trip my knee because I will not be able to do it well. Once you get used to it, locking your opponent into this position will became second nature."

Kiri kept trying, getting slightly more forceful as she did so. When it came to a point where she felt she was manhandling Mor'an more than she should though she stopped and backed away. Being physical with someone was rather odd to her, but not unpleasant, she didn't know how to process it. Biting on her lip she asked, "Are you sure you are okay?"

"I am fine," Mor'an assured Kiri as she bent to stretch a muscle. "As I said before, I have been sparring since I was seven and Del'an never asked is I was alright. I can take more of a beating than people give me credit for. Now I shall teach you some defensive blocks." She crouched down and brought her arms up in front of her face into a series of quick, intricate movements. "I know this looks complicated, but I shall show you slowly and you will learn. Watch and do it with me." She slowly went through the form again so that Kiri could follow. "You can use any of of these blocks in a fight."

Kiri did so, rather clumsily and quite slowly. This was much harder than all the others. From the blocks she knew about from basic training she wasn't really strong enough to use them. There wasn't exactly much in the way of muscles on her body, used more to walking around and sitting behind desks more than anything else. She was starting to get a little tired from all this, rather more strenuous than she was used to.

"Would you like to stop for now?" Mor'an asked when she saw Kiri's declining energy. "It takes a while for your body to become accustomed to this kind of rigorous workout."

Kiri didn't think that she should, she should keep going until Mor'an was tired. Unless it was a way of saying she had enough of the exorcises, she was making enough of a hash of them. So it was tentatively she asked, "If you think we should." Kiri would force herself until she physically couldn't if she felt it was needed, it wouldn't take that much more though.

Mor'an could tell Kiri wasn't going to admit that she was tired. "You will not be able to do it perfectly in the beginning," she said, "You will become tired very easily because you are not accustomed to using your muscles the way these exercises demand. I do believe that it enough for today."

Finally resigned Kiri answered, "Okay," They had done all this and she hadn't had a chance to ask any questions yet. That was most of the reason she had come, to ask about weapons and Romulans. With a deep breath she rubber her forearms, "Thank you, but can I ask you some questions?"

"Of course," Mor'an said, realizing she hand't given Kiri the opportunity to do so yet. Questions were not something she thought about because she knew what it was she was teaching. She had never taught anyone before, so she forgot that Kiri didn't know what she knew.

Okay, well first questions first, "I know different types of, blades," That was it, "Have different names, Daggers, swords and such. There are others though, aren't there?" She'd read that somewhere a long time ago, big swords, long swords, two handed giant swords and curvy swords. Knowing those sorts of basics might help her talk to Theron.

"Yes, of course," Mor'an said. She lowered herself to the floor and casually leaned against the wall. "There are also a lot of bladed weapons that are not necessarily classified as 'swords.' Bat'leths, for instance, are like one large blade with handles." She held out her arms to show Kiri the rough size of a bat'leth. "I have a Klingon friend in the Academy that has a beautiful one. I studied the swords of Earth while I was there and there are a lot of interesting ones. I like the scimitar, a long curved blade like this." Again, she used her hands to communicate the odd shape of the sword. "How much do you know of swords?" She didn't want to be talking about something that Kiri already knew. That was a waste of time.

"I know they used to be made in forges, folding metal with hammers. I don't know the names though or really why they are different. Is a curved blade better for cutting?" Most of what she knew was from books but they tended to assume you knew the differences, so all she really knew were some were big and others small. Did they have different uses or was it all preference?

"Well, I suppose it is all in how you are trained," Mor'an said thoughtfully, "I was trained with the two-handed and hand-and-a-half sword. That simply refers to the amount of control you have to have over a sword. A two-handed sword requires two hands to control because it it so large and heavy. A hand-and-a-half sword requires either one or two hands. Different blades handle differently, which is why I would not be as proficient with a courted blade as I am with a two-handed. Their centers of gravity are different."

"Okay," Without context Kiri was struggling, "Maybe I should find a datafile on them." Mor'an more than likely knew a huge amount about weapons but Kiri didn't feel she was at the level that she was being explained to. Maybe it would be better to read up on them before asking more questions.

[OFF]
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Lieutenant (JG) Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Cadet Senior Grade Im'er Mor'an
Red Squad Intern
USS Galileo

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