Inside the fire (Matrim/Open)

[Mitsukai]

Mitsukai made her way to the gym after school to wait for Matrim to arrive. She had sent him a text last night asking to start their training as soon as possible, after all as the new varsity captain she would have to get stronger, and fast if she did not want idiots trying to steal her position. He had agreed to help her in that field anyway so the sooner she could start the better.

The gym was empty. Her foot steps echoing throughout the room with every step. It would be a nice place to train for now since she could not think of anywhere else at the moment to go. Of course there was Katsuri's place where she had trained before but ever since his disappearance she had refused to step foot in there. Besides the place was designed just for the big man. It might be a bit awkward to train there.

For now she would lean against the wall in the corner of the gym. Her eyes glued to the door as she waited patiently for Matrim to arrive. Wondering what the school captain had in mind to teach her today.

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim made his way to the gym, wearing a bit more layers today, knowing full well what Mitsukai's Qi was, he decided he'd have some clothes to backup with during training in case first layer got torn up. As he entered the gym he took off a hoody, setting a bag with some jeans to the side. He was wearing a red Kane Hodder t-shirt, a white over shirt, and a pair of sneakers. As he stepped more toward her direction he said this next part very sternly.

"Have you ever taken human life?" He asked.

Depending on her answer he'd have a different set of training for her. If she hadn't they'd have more to learn and teach. Not forcing her to take a life or anything like that, but something along the lines of making someone fight seriously.

[Mitsukai]

"Have you ever taken human life?"

Mitsukai raised an eyebrow at that question. It seemed completely random to ask but it had to be relevant to what they were intending to do today.

"No I haven't." She answered coolly. Sure Mitsukai was a bit more violent then most women, she even had a split persona whose goal in life was simply to kill but neither have killed someone before. There had never been any need to as of yet and at least before she had not had the capabilities to do so even if she had.

As she approached she would notice the bag he was carrying. A bit curious as to what was in it but of course she did not ask any questions. If the contents were of any importance she would find out soon enough what was inside. Her gaze fell back on Matrim as she stood in front of him now.

"So what are you going to teach me today?"

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim set the large back down and pulled from it a long metal staff that he owned, "So what are you going to teach me today?" He pulled it out, and gripped with his right hand a little lower than center, spinning it and rolling his wrist he spun it back and forth on either side of him. Thinking about todays training. He was far above her in strength and her blade wouldn't be able to pierce him very deep so he knew he'd be in the clear as far as danger went. But there could still be one slip, a stab to the jugular could take place, or even the eyes.

"That's easy," He said bringing, he stopped spinning the staff and caught it in his other hand, twisting his wrists and passing it back and forth between hands he kicked his bag nothing else but jeans away, "You haven't taken a life. Sara Quinn and I both have. Something happens when you take a human life. And I don't mean accidental, I mean when you set out to and follow through with a kill. You don't hold back anymore. You use your full strength, and you learn to go for the kill. Right now, subconsciously, you're holding back in fights. You're doing it for sport, and if somebody was trying to kill you, that's how your body would naturally react. So todays training can save your life."

He grinned at her, "Today I'll be teaching you how to take a life. Now, kill me."

[Mitsukai]

"Today I'll be teaching you how to take a life. Now, kill me."

Mitsukai stared at the man completely dumbfounded. He wanted her to do what? He looked dead serious there so she knew he was not joking but still.......that was a little bit much to be asking someone. What are you worrying about? His strength level is completely different not to mention he has more experience then you do like hell you would be able to kill him. Her mind convinced her. He really would not be in much danger of dying by her hands at this moment, all he was asking was for her to not limit herself and put forth her best effort. Shaking off that feeling of surprise Mitsukai got into a fighting stance, calling out her Qi her katar blade settling in on her right arm as she got ready to start.

Her Qi was the only thing that would have any capability to kill someone. Sure it was dangerous but he did ask her to try and kill him so that was what she would do. Once the blade settled she would leap forward. Attempting to slash him around his stomach and across the arm holding the staff to make him drop it in quick succession. The staff would definitely be a problem for her later on so the sooner she could force him to lose it the better.

((OOC: Strength: 14
Dexterity: 45
Constitution: 20
Intelligence: 30
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 7
Blade Strength: 24))

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim was a bit quicker to the gun, the blade went to slash and he blocked it with his staff, stopping her there, "Wrists, Achilles tendons, jugular, femoral artery, eyes, between ribs, throat, and various other places of the body are good places to strike your opponent to cut them, bleed them. Your Qi has a unique advantage in that unless they stop their bleeding, your damage keeps going after it's already done and over with," He said, "You could kill me with enough luck and enough strength with a single blow."

He would pull his staff away from blade, with both hands he'd bring it up over his head then behind it, doing a turn he'd let go with his left hand, swinging the full length of it toward her neck, his hand choked up on it a bit for more power and less control. After the strike he'd pull back on it, catching the middle with his left hand, and attempt to push it forward into her gut with his right hand, his left hand being used to control it's aim.

"Others around your strength level should fear for their lives when you fight them. Even those above you should be extremely cautious. One wrong step and they may get themselves cut in a very vital area."

[Mitsukai]

"Wrists, Achilles tendons, jugular, femoral artery, eyes, between ribs, throat, and various other places of the body are good places to strike your opponent to cut them, bleed them. Your Qi has a unique advantage in that unless they stop their bleeding, your damage keeps going after it's already done and over with," "You could kill me with enough luck and enough strength with a single blow."

Mitsukai listened carefully even after her attack failed. Taking note of what he said while at the same time being cautious of his moves. She would duck to avoid the blow aimed for her neck but unfortunately she could not avoid the blow to her stomach. She was sent back a bit by the blow. Her left hand clutching her stomach as she growled in annoyance. Damn that hurt, it hurt more than a punch but she regained her composure.

She went forward again. Keeping in mind what he had said earlier. A part of her was still hesitant to do this but she knew she had to get over it. If this were a real fight, and her opponent had every intention to kill her or worse there should be no hesitation in her mind to finish them off. She needed to tap into that basic instinct to kill to survive. It was the only way. Besides this would be a better environment to develop that way of thinking than on the battle field itself.

Keeping her eye out for that staff she would move again. Feinting to slash him in the face only to change direction in mid attack to move to his right side, intending to stab him in between his ribs. If that move failed she would move again, slicing at one of his arms to render it useless for the fight.

((OOC: Constitution: 19))

[Matrim Gallagher]

A slash aimed for his face would cause his to bring his staff to his side, so that when she went to his side she ended up stabbing his arm. It didn't go deep and it didn't render him useless by any means, but it did cause him to jump back and away, he would pivot clockwise on his right foot to bring his left foot up to kick away her blade, aiming to hit the broad side of it. He would complete the circular motion and then aim to jab her just under the jaw at her neck with his Quarterstaff.

After that he would aim to swipe his staff at the back of her knees and scoop her up with his strength so that she would be tripped back onto the ground. If this succeeded he'd place the staff's tip against the ground, holding it with one hand and say, "Good, getting a shot between the ribs is a good idea. If you go deep enough to pierce a lung your opponents going to be dead before too awful long. Just remember your blade isn't like a normal one, it'll cut, but it won't go very deep and maybe if not at all against certain people. At least, that's my theory...."

He took a few steps back, and would spin the the staff passing it back and forth between hands, "Focus, focus on a target, try to plan your attack. The most effective way to kill somebody is when you actually plan it, and have the intent. Not just wild fighting, but actual moves. Think of each strike, feints can be good, but don't use them too much, your opponent will catch on and start spotting them and using them against you."

[Mitsukai]

He blocked the rib stab taking the shot to his arm instead. His kick hit her blade thankfully though because her blade was actually attached to her arm it could not be knocked out of her hands. She would jump away from him just narrowly avoiding that staff aimed once again for her neck. But the attempt to trip her up had been successful. Causing her to fall on her back.

"Good, getting a shot between the ribs is a good idea. If you go deep enough to pierce a lung your opponents going to be dead before too awful long. Just remember your blade isn't like a normal one, it'll cut, but it won't go very deep and maybe if not at all against certain people. At least, that's my theory...."

Well good to know that she had the right idea in mind when she tried to land it. Though a part of her felt relieved that she had failed to land the hit. She still did not really want to kill Matrim even though that was what he wanted her to do. She got back up on her feet and watched as Matrim proceeded to spin that staff back and forth in his hands.

"Focus, focus on a target, try to plan your attack. The most effective way to kill somebody is when you actually plan it, and have the intent. Not just wild fighting, but actual moves. Think of each strike, feints can be good, but don't use them too much, your opponent will catch on and start spotting them and using them against you."

Listening to his instructions she decided to choose her target spot, remembering what parts he told her were to best places to land a fatal blow. There were the wrists of course but because of the staff in his hands they weren't good targets. Maybe somewhere around the face would be a good though it was unlikely she could land a hit there. She could always go back for the ribs. I should pick two areas to aim for so at least I have a higher chance at success.

Deciding her next actions Mitsukai would move quickly. Trying a stab at his gut, anticipating the block in the same instant she would change the direction of the attack to his throat. In case that had also failed she would jump back before he struck her. Leaping back again to stab him in the ribs again and once again aim for his throat in case he tried to block the rib shot which she was sure he would.

((OOC: Constitution: 18))

[Matrim Gallagher]

He swiped the blade away with the staff, so that the stab would veer off course, though it went for his neck and he leaned back at last second, tilting his head back so that it missed. She jumped back and he used his staff, to balance himself, pushing off of it to go back to being upright. He would then charge her straight on, staff in both hands, spread about shoulder width apart with their grips palm down. He would jump, aiming to front flip over her, extending the staff in front of her head so that it hit her neck as he flipped over.

If successful he would pull against the quarterstaff to choke her, "Also remember your Qi, your weapon takes away a hand for grabbing. You sacrifice a certain defense so that you can attack," If this had been successful he would pull the staff from her neck, raising it up over her head, their backs toward each other he would quickly dive into a somersault away from her before turning toward her.

"And just because it's your Qi it doesn't mean it can't be used against you. Always be ready to rid yourself of your Qi," He said, "You may need to in order to survive a fight."

He'd toss his quarterstaff to the side, "Keep your Qi going, and now I'm unarmed, kill me." He'd say, his hands opened to show that he was ready and without a defense.

[Mitsukai]

Her first attempted had failed and just as she was about to put her next assault into action Matrim had moved forward. Flipping over her and hitting her in the neck with that staff.

Before she knew it Matrim was behind her and choking her with the bloody staff.

"Also remember your Qi, your weapon takes away a hand for grabbing. You sacrifice a certain defense so that you can attack,"

He released her and Mitsukai took a step back as she gasped for air. Damn that was a bit risky there but for now she would be okay. Mitsukai turned around to face him again. Getting ready to fight again but waiting for Matrim to finish talking before she advanced.

"And just because it's your Qi it doesn't mean it can't be used against you. Always be ready to rid yourself of your Qi," He said, "You may need to in order to survive a fight." "Keep your Qi going, and now I'm unarmed, kill me."

She watched as he there the staff away a little taken back by his actions. She knew he wanted her to try to kill him and so far she had been trying to do exactly that but she was still hesitant. At least before he had a some form of protection, it was that staff that allowed her to feel confident enough to go in for the kill. It was like her insurance that she would not be able to kill him so easily but now he threw it away. He wasn't even going on the defensive it was like he was begging her to end his life. He still was strong enough to handle himself without the staff but still.....

Get a grip girl you were doing fine before now is the time to finish what you started. she chastised herself, now was not the time to be hesitant. If this was a real battle she would have lost her life right now. She had to be serious, she had to complete her task.

She charged forward again. No longer struggling with the thought of possibly ending her teacher's life. Once again she would aim to slit his throat, then a slash across his chest before trying to stab Matrim in the stomach. She would then turn to stab him once again in between his ribs before backing up again just incase he countered any of her attacks and might counter her again. She could only hope that he would fight her back still

((OOC: Constitution: 17))

[Matrim Gallagher]

(OOC: Unsure as to whether or not your Qi is frozen in this thread since it was prior to that, but I am perfectly fine with you using it till we finish up this thread if staff is alright with that.)

She went for his throat, he leaned back as the blade nearly cut it. He let it come close to see her devotion to the attack, and it was devoted to a slit. Which meant that she was devoted and that was good enough for Matrim. She went to slice his stomach and he caught the blade with both hands, left hand clapping the bottom and right hand on the top. His right foot would sweep her feet out from underneath her, and once she had fallen, if this worked, his left foot would go onto her stomach to pin her down.

"End of this particular lesson," He would say, "You've got it down, you just need to keep what I taught you in mind. Because the fact is you aren't going to learn this by fighting me unless I truly try to kill you. If you're lucky, you'll never learn this lesson, but in order to truly take a life in defense of your own, to truly go for the kill, you will need to experience a life or death situation."

He'd let go then and walk over to his staff to pick it up, "Learn the human body, learn ways to use your whole body while using your Qi. Everything helping each other. Always remember only your left hand will be free to grab onto things, and that your own weapon can always be used against you."

He didn't demonstrate it in this lesson but he could have gained control over her arm and caused her to stab herself if she wasn't careful. If she wanted to continue fighting that was fine, but if not he would understand too. He'd continue to teach her whenever she wanted to, but for that particular lesson, he had said enough, and he wasn't about to fight her full strength and try to kill her. He wasn't sure that'd teach her what she needed to know.