chrisisofaith | IC Contact

[It's been a little while, but Hythlodaeus thinks he's finally gotten himself ready for training. He's found a nice comfortable pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, although he wasn't sure if he needed anything else. Either way, he sends a video to Chris with his usual smile and a wave.]

Greetings! I hope I find you well- and that you recall who I am, heh. I finally think I'm ready to learn how to defend myself, so if you happen to be available, I should like to meet with you some time. Just let me know when, hm?

[As soon as he sees the face in the message, there’s a twinge of guilt. He’d said he’d reach out and then everything with the letters, Jon, and wallowing in his own self-pity. He needed to get his head back on straight and…truly, this was perfect timing. Maybe Hythlodaeus was psychic in some level.

He answers with the decency of a chagrined but genuine smile.]

I most certainly have not forgotten so enchanting a man as to create flowers on tables. I hope you are well and I apologize for the lapse in time. I would very much like to start our lessons.

[He pauses as he considers the options.]

We could meet along the beach, if you don’t mind the threat of sand in potentially uncomfortable places, or there’s a place in the Down called the Arena built for this sort of combat. I’m a friend of the manager there and I’m certain he wouldn’t mind it’s use.

Think nothing of it, friend. ...Ah, I think the Arena would suit our purposes just fine. I will likely be on the floor a lot, after all.

[He doesn't want to be washing sand out of his hair for the next week.]

To the Down, then! Should I meet you there?

Perhaps you'll be a natural! We'll see.

Yeah, meet me there and I'll get us set up, I'm not too far from it to head there now.

[With both of his jobs in the Down, he's more 'on call' than actually scheduled today, so something to do with himself would be nice.]

Call me if you get lost, but it's a straight shot from the bridge, can't miss it.

Noted. I'll be there in a moment.

[He arrives not much later- he has a bottle of water in hand but nothing else, unsure of if he needed anything. He raises his free hand as he approaches in greeting, beaming.]

Greetings, friend! I am ready for my lessons, I presume. Did I need anything besides the hydration..?

[Chris has made sure the space is free and clear and set with mats to cushion any impending falls either might face as well as hung a couple towels along the railing that outlines the arena.

When Hythlodaeus arrives, Chris is in the middle of wrapping his hands and knuckles in binding tape. He’s stripped down to just breeches and a loose tunic for ease of movement.

He grins at the greeting and gives a little half wave with his wrapped hand.

There’s a flicker of amusement for the question, but he shakes his head. Gods, he was cute in more than looks, wasn’t he?]

Nope, should be plenty, rest’ll be in you. First and foremost: stretching elsewise, you’ll not be moving far tomorrow.

[He gestures for Hythlodaeus to join him in the ring and take up the space opposite Chris.]

Copy me for now, then we’ll move to forms and proper positions.

I know we were a couple drinks in and playing a bit coy, but are you comfortable with me laying hands on your person to show and correct as needed? If not, we’ll manage.

[Hythlodaeus gets into the ring and chuckles at the question.]

Of course you may.

[He certainly won't mind having an attractive man laying his hands upon him. He sets his water aside for now, and watches Chris expectantly.]

Let us begin, then.

[Stretching isn't so foreign to him, at least. He does it before he practises with his bow. He supposes the stretches will be different here though, so he'll follow Chris' lead.]

How have you fared since our last meeting?

[He leads them through stretches for arms, shoulders, and core. Nothing too strenuous, but enough to wake up the muscles while they talk.]

I’ve fared better before, but nothing too concerning in the long run. Just managing life in Duplicity.

How about you? Finding new friends and proper footing?

I've made one or two friends here.

[Maybe not many, but he hasn't been really putting himself out there. Either way, he's grateful for anyone he has.]

Finding my footing here has been difficult, but I'm sure all will be well in the end. I am not the only one in such a strange situation, after all!

[And if other people can thrive here, so can he. That's what he's going to believe, anyway.]

[He casts a look to Hythlodaeus as he stretches the other side. Almost finished now, for their purposes.]

Certainly not and plenty here good enough to help with most things.

Have you decided to take up work at all? Good way to meet people and keep yourself busy. Plus, with your abilities, there’s plenty here like to give you a place alongside them.

I was offered a job making charms at a Theatre. Ah... I should contact Nate again. I was unsure of myself, with how limited my magicks are here... but I suppose if I cannot make charms I can simply help with the shop, as he said.

[He smiles, a little sheepish.]

Without my magic I fear I am terribly unimpressive in most aspects. My powers were all overshadowed by my peers, with the exception of my soul sight. 'Twas of little consequence when I held the same position for several thousand years anyway, but here I feel more of a need to prove myself, I suppose.

[He stops mid-stretch and loses form as he turns to look at him sleigh a small smile.]

Nate offered you work at the theatre? If you do so in the shop, makes me your boss. [He winks, but then shakes his head at himself as he gestures for Hythlodaeus to stop. Good enough.]

Technically, anyway, Nate and Caleb’s only bosses that matter. You should, though! Even if your magic’s limited compared how it was, it’s yours and not a thing any of us can do. And…any sane extra hands helping to keep that mess in line would be of benefit.

[He moves to the other man’s side to put a hand on his shoulder.]

No pressure, meant, just know you’d be welcome.

Take up a defensive position for me, best to your mind.

Heh... I'll be sure to contact Nate soon, then. Ah. Defensive position?

[He pauses, then moves so that he's facing the side more, one arm out.]

Truth be told, if I was attacked and did not have my bow... I would try to use my magic to distract or wound, then flee. I'm unsure of how to defend myself without either of those things.

[But that's why he needs Chris to help him, right?]

[Chris looks over the form and nods.]

That's a wonderful caster's position.

[He takes Hythlodaeus' wrists gently and guides them both up closer to his chest, elbows bent and slightly to each side to create a smei-triangle in front of his body.]

Wanted to know your 'default' cause you'll be needing two, depending on how you're fighting. For this, you want arms up, but slightly to the side, not directly in front of you, need to be able to block as well as hit.

[He reaches for the other man's hips to turn and square them and nudged one foot with his own to get them even with the shoulders they were supporting.]

Body's the sword, shield, and armor in a fist fight, got to protect it as well as know how to sharpen it. How's this feel?

Edited 2022-04-03 16:13 (UTC)

[He lets Chris move him and takes in what he's saying dutifully.]

Ah... it feels strange, but I'm sure I will get used to it.

[At least, he hopes he will. But with enough practice, surely this will become second nature to him.]

I didn't realise there was so much preparation involved in fist fighting. I was rather under the impression that you simply hit things.

[Hythlodaeus chuckles, but he supposes he sees where he was wrong. Any kind of strenuous activity should ideally involve warming up, he's sure.]

Not entirely wrong, should someone take a swing at you, they’re not likely to give you time to stretch first afore you’ll need to respond. For sparring and practice, it’s wholly necessary so you know how not to do more damage to yourself if you’re caught out like that.
[He motions for Hythlodaeus to relax.]

Remember the stance, I'll be calling you for it when you've likely forgotten. Now, practicing proper forms for blocking and how to fold your fist to protect the bones in your hand.

[He walks him through the paces, how to bring his arms up in front of him at an angle to better move and block as hits come in, how to tuck his thumb against the outsides of his fingers and not under them, lest it break for a punch thrown and, if he seems particularly eager, how to wrap his hands to secure the bones in a planned fight.

When he's through, he casts a glance over his companion with a small tug of a smile at the corner of his mouth.]

You're doing well for first lesson...now show me that defensive stance of yours.

[He's excited to learn whatever Chris is willing to teach, so he tries his best to remember everything. When he's asked for his defensive stance, he recalls it mostly correctly, though there are a few mistakes in his posture that are easily fixed.]

How is this?

[He looks to Chris hopefully- he's expecting that it won't be perfect but he's certainly trying.]

My thanks again for teaching me.

[Chris looks over the stance, but his smile is tell enough that he's pleased.]

Good! Very good.

[He moves about him, making small adjustments here and there with a press to his back and shoulder and a slight nudging of an arm to make the angle stronger in practice.

He looks him over again and nods, but motions he can stand down.]

It's...genuinely my pleasure. Not tried to teach many others in the past, but you're an excellent student to try it with. Happy to keep this as regular as you like.

I think weekly would suit our purposes, yes?

[He's glad- he's enjoying himself, spending time with Chris. Relaxing, he smiles.]

And if you would like to go somewhere for a drink or two afterwards... well, it would be my pleasure to buy the drinks, this time.

Weekly'd do fine, gives you time to practice on your own, if you like, and come back with any questions or concerns.

And drinks now and then would be lovely, man who manages this place has a nice little bar nearby we could go to.

[Certainly, who'd be taking up the bill would change depending, but it seemed a nice arrangement. Something the look forward to each week.

Later, he might even realize helping Hythlodeaus helped clear his head a bit just as surely as an actual fight. An extra positive.]

Heh... I will do my best.

[He wonders what Emet-Selch will think of him practising in the apartment.]

That's perfect, then. It's settled!

[He seems excited at the prospect- mostly, he's just happy to be making a friend.]

I will leave the length of our practice to your discretion. For now, what else would you show me?

[He nods, that was certainly fair.]

It'll depend wholly on how much you've learned and, when we come to actual contact, what blows have been traded. For now, don't want to overwhelm you with everything at once.

Tell you what, show me what I've taught you so far, we'll go through and correct if needed, then I'll show you a few more basic blocks and we'll call it good for one week. Next week, you'll be teaching me what I taught you and then we'll learn new things and go on like that. How's it sound?

It sounds delightful.

[He shows Chris his defensive stance again, and then moves on to show him how he's been taught to block. He's also eager to show that he remembered not to tuck his thumbs in.]

How am I doing?

[Even if he isn't really inclined to be violent, Hythlodaeus is intelligent. He'll be able to pick things up once he's been shown a few times. His defensive stance is getting better, though of course it is all fresh in his mind right now.]

[Chris nods, eyes bright and expression pleased as there was little to correct. Yes, it was fresh in his mind, hence the need for review next week, but he was already catching on quick. Chris didn't doubt he'd pick it up quick.

That was just fine, he could adjust their lessons as needed.]

Honestly? Fantastic. You're incredibly sharp, I don't doubt you'll have at least the basics down in a handful of weeks and the rest is just alterations and evolutions of those basics.

[He smirks as his eyes switch from Hythlodaeus' form to his face.]

Soon, you too can defend against and sock assholes who come at you.

Heh. No person has ever attacked me in such a way... I sincerely hope that doesn't change.

[But if it does, he'd rather be able to have a decent chance of fighting back.]

My thanks for the compliments, though. I'm sure it helps to have a competent teacher!

[Relaxing, he smiles at Chris.]

So, about those drinks. Where to?

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