[Mari]

Rina

It was a cool evening. The stars in the artificial sky twinkled brightly overhead. Arle liked to stop and watch them sometimes, just because you couldn't see them anywhere outside the life sphere. Right now though, she couldn't take her eye off her opponent. Before Arle stood Lagnus, his comically oversized blade lifted over his head in preparation to strike! He was heavily telegraphing his attack on purpose. She only had one job--Parry. "Now, parry this attack! Hyah!" Lagnus announced, bringing his sword down without much fanfair or extraneous effort, really. The thing was so huge he could just drop it on someone and probably take them out. Arle watched the sword. She tracked it perfectly, knew exactly where it was heading, and raised her sword to catch it...

...right on the flat of her blade. Arle held the sword out level with her opposite palm, bracing her open palm against the opposite end and catching his reactor blade flat in the center.

A loud metallic crack rang out across the arena. One could see the way Arle buckled a bit under the force of the impact. " . . . Ooow." Arle softly whined in pain, clutching the shoulder that had taken the brunt of the force. Lagnus stared in disbelief. That tiny little sword wasn't even pitted! " . . . That's not how you parry a blade." Lagnus remarked, none too amused. "--Hey, where are you going?" Arle asked, picking up on the fact that Lagnus had turned around to leave. He stopped for a moment to talk. "You're lucky your sword didn't break. You're going to get yourself killed if you keep using a sword like that. Honestly, I don't think I can hold back enough to keep you out of the hospital. You need to learn the basics before I can help you." Lagnus replied in frustration. Arle watched him leave, sighing in discontent. Nobody in the magical girl's society even used swords! Who else was she supposed to ask? She gingerly rubbed her shoulder, quietly debating if she was hurt badly enough to warrant healing herself. It definitely hurt like hell, but she was waiting to give it time to see if it would subside.

Nearby, stadium workers were working on repairing the damage the stadium had received during its many battles earlier in the day. Filling in pits in the ground, repairing the walls. It was tedious, delicate work. Arle had made a point to give them plenty of space. They weren't paying much attention to Arle, having glanced briefly at the loud noise but generally just ignoring her presence in spite of her injuries. Well-meaning, unassuming folks. Once Lagnus left, there was only one hero left in the stadium--or at least, that was what Arle believed. It would've been so easy to miss someone watching the display with all the people moving about.

[Rina]

That hero happened to be Schezo, the Dark Wizard, Resident Creeper Hero of First to Fall, among several other titles of varying notoriety. Even in spite of the stadium repairs, the sound of ringing steel had a distinct quality to it. It was loud, yet unusually nostalgic, being trained under the blade in his childhood. Sword training sounded really nice at this time too, catching Arle clashing blades with...Oh. Lagnus. Looks like he's having a hard time teaching Arle how to parry a sword strike, but is it the fault of the student, or the teacher? From what Schezo caught, it seems the warrior is at his patience's end with her. He darted a dirty scowl at him as he stomped past, having seemingly thrown his arms up and gave up before proper training had begun. C'mon Lagnus, what's got the hero so pissed off? Arle barely knows a thing about swordplay!

What's his beef?

Eh, not like Lagnus has the patience to talk for Schezo to ask. It's also not like for them to have a civil conversation either. Grumpy Eggplant aside, Schezo's going to do good on his promise of teaching Arle how to use a sword. While he may not have the finesse of a dedicated swordsman, he is still pretty competent in it. Though, how much of his knowledge can apply to her? Their swords are rather different, so compensating for differing weights might be an issue. Only one way to find out!

"Did I keep you waiting long, Arle? I did promise to teach you what I know in swordplay."

Training under a starlit evening...that brings back some memories.

[Mari]

"Oh, thank goodness. Schezo... I-ow-ooow!" Arle began, only to trail off rather abruptly as she attempted to lift her injured arm. It might become readily apparent that it had been broken by the impact. Arle was briefly alarmed by just how badly she'd been hurt, but it perhaps shed some light on the reason Lagnus had left. He was not a gentleman, even at his best attempt. "--I was having second thoughts about whether I would be able to do any practice tonight. Healing!" Arle continued on to explain before healing herself, restoring the functionality of her arm. She cautiously flexed it and clenched her hand, testing to make sure she was back in one piece. Thankfully, everything worked out and she was able to freely move and twist the arm again. "I guess I've got a lot to learn... Thanks for coming out here though. Maybe after we're done we can get drinks together~!" Arle offered rather eagerly. It was a good policy to treat yourself to a drink after a workout. Or even during! But it was cool out and they were both pretty tough individuals. Dehydration hopefully wouldn't be a serious risk.

"Where do you want to start..?"

[Rina]

"Ah-"

Schezo watched as Arle winced at her sore arm. Well, that's a good place to start, and it's something he can relate to. There's a common mistake in trying to play defensively, and that involves the transference of force. There must be a flaw in how Arle performed that parry, and that'd be key in reducing self-inflicted injury such as that shoulder dislocation...or fracture. The latter sounds incredibly painful. Schezo himself was subject to several swordfighting pains, but he has since then become tempered for the most part.

"It does take physical strength, but if anything, we can build it up here. And a refreshing drink does sound quite nice."

Hydration and physical activity go hand-in-hand, after all. What to get can be discussed after a good training session; Schezo wants to address the problem here and foremost.

"Seeing as you appeared to have hurt your shoulder, we can start with reducing incoming strain. If you ever overheard talk about 'the sword is an extension of you', there is truth to that. It moves with you, and is a steadfast partner in battle, even in defending yourself. You felt it when you tried to parry Lagnus' blade, right? Let me see how you previously tried to do so. I'll try to attack, but keep in mind that my sword is lighter. It will not exert as much force, but it may still be heavy to you. Ready?"

Schezo drew his sword, ready to strike. With it raised, he intentionally telegraphed his move so Arle may ready hers. Schezo swung down his blade with his normal amount of force. This should allow him to tackle the problem up-front, should he suspect the common mistake to be the case.

[Mari]

"--Yeah... I felt that everywhere." Arle replied with a little chuckle of embarassment. She then shifted back into a ready stance, holding the sword up with one hand. " . . . Ready!" Arle exclaimed, prepping herself for what she could only assume was more pain. Goodness, was used to pain. This time, Arle once again lifted the sword and braced her free hand against the flat of the blade, holding it out flat against the oncoming attack. Lagnus had been right. This wasn't a parry at all! She was using it like a shield, taking the attack head on, and every last bit of force was transfering directly into her arm. This time, however, there was only a little yelp of surprise instead of a shoulder shattering rippling effect. Perhaps Lagnus hadn't been... entirely wrong about worrying he and his giant sword might put her in the hospital. Arle winced at the blow, but seemed to be mostly okay.

"Well, I think that time worked a bit better. It still kinda feels like I'm getting whacked by a metal sword though." Arle sheepishly remarked, aware that she was doing something wrong but unsure how to improve.

[Rina]

Upon the blades clashing, Schezo was quick to notice how Arle held up her sword to defend. She's aware something is wrong, and that's good. Schezo can explain what exactly the problem is, and it's one of the more glaring issues in swordsmanship.

"I see you picked up the problem. What you're performing here is a common mistake in defending a sword."

Schezo lifted his sword away from Arle's coming around her to show what she's doing wrong by re-enacting the stance she took. What she's doing isn't a parry, but a hard block, a very disadvantageous position to be in.

"What you're doing here disallows you the ability to transfer force. As it is commonly said, 'The sword is an extension of you.' By letting your hand touch the length of the blade when guarding with the flat, you're letting the force of impact transfer through your arm's length. Both of them. While you may see it performed, it is usually because it is the only choice the defending fighter has. If these swords were ordinary blades, you risk breaking the sword from such an action, and inevitably suffer a severe injury to your sword arm or the torso. There are better methods to fend off a sword."

Schezo stepped back and readying his defensive stance, moving on to what actually is a parry. He took his hand off the flat of his sword, transferring it to the hilt and motioning Arle to do the same. Schezo is ambidextrous with a sword, but for all intents and purposes, he's assuming Arle is right-handed. Once she's acquainted with the grip, he readies his own defensive stance to demonstrate one of several active parries.

"Parrying does need knowledge on how to handle a sword. You would want to keep a firm grip at the sword's hilt, as you will be ready to strike or thrust your blade at your enemy, dominant hand above your second hand, if two-handed grip is needed. The blade itself is going to be absorbing much of the force and it won't be as strenuous if you keep your hands at the grip. Now allow me to demonstrate one way to parry a sword. Try to strike at me with yours first."

Should all go as planned, he would guard with the flat, but let the force of impact guide his blade to allow him to swing it around and feint a strike towards Arle's head. Assuming she's is going to swing overhead, anyhow. Undercutting swings are a little different.

[Mari]

Arle gingerly lowered her sword to hip level in front of her in something of a ready position and began fiddling with the hilt. Rather abruptly, a spectral woman in strange clothes with skin that could only be described as looking as if she sculpted from gemstone seemed to emerge from the blade of Arle's sword in a thin ray of matter, expanding to take her usual shape and floating nearby. It was Fi!

“Mistress Arle, my analysis of the situation suggests that you are attempting to learn how to better wield the goddess' blade. May I offer you advice on proper form? I estimate that you can improve your technique by 8% in a single day's training.”

Arle stopped to glance at Fi for a moment before returning her gaze to Schezo. She smiled brightly. "Um--No thank you~! Schezo is doing a very good job explaining things already! Thank you for offering, though." Arle replied.

“Very well.”

Fi vanished back into the sword in a similar fashion to that which she'd arrived. Arle looked down at the holy blade in her hands for a moment, adjusting her grip until her hold on the hilt felt powerful and sturdy. "Hehe, there's a spirit in my sword~" Arle bashfully explained. "She likes to help, but sometimes I have a hard time understanding her." Arle continued on to explain. "Ready?" she asked, shifting into a more combative pose. Arle then raised her blade and stepped forward, bringing it down over Schezo's! Her swing was actually pretty strong, though Schezo was quite likely used to being surprised by Arle's strength. It was however telegraphed and a bit clumsy. A novice would usually under commit to a swing, not wanting to hurt anyone. If anything, Arle over comitted! It gave her a strong hit worthy of a proper parry, but it also left her open and made her swing slower and more predictable. The gain in strength frankly paled in comparison to the flaws in her movement. "How's this?" Arle light-heartedly asked, oblivious to faults in her attack. One step at a time, perhaps.

[Rina]

He was anticipating the swing...for slightly longer than he thought. 'Is something the matter?' he wondered, but he kept his eyes on Arle who was talking to the air. At least that's what he saw. Arle's sword housing a spirit didn't cross his mind until she told him, to which he nodded in understanding. He can't see Fi, but it gives context to who Arle is speaking with. Back to the demonstration at hand, he readied his sword for the incoming attack. An understandably untrained swing came down, and he was prepared. When the blades met, Schezo's sword swung around, letting Arle's momentum push it under and giving him time to step and pivot for a feinted strike. If this were an actual battle, she would've suffered a slash in the back. And with that much force committed to the swing, such a counter attack would most certainly strike Arle as she attempts to recover.

"A lot of force in your swing. An excessive amount, actually. While a heavy attack like that would leave a severe wound, it is also a highly telegraphed attack. Such a strike would be an easy move to counter, such as what I have done."

He held out his hand to pick her up on her feet.

"Power isn't all what swordsmanship is. Being able to swing swiftly is just as important, as it would leave the enemies guessing your attacks."

[Mari]

Arle was expecting Schezo to do something. She wasn't just expecting him to stand there and take it. After all, that's why she gave it her all! She expected him to block her strike, and if she were just strong enough, maybe she could break through his guard! But... that wasn't what happened. She 'hit' Schezo, sure, but rather than locking blades with him her sword slipped and Schezo moved out of the way! Arle stumbled forward and was struck in the back, presumably with the flat of the blade or just a hand. This tipped her balance and she clumsily fell on her face with a thud and an "Oof!"

...Huh. Arle gingerly pushed herself up into a sitting position, taking a moment to try and understand what happened. Thankfully though, Schezo helped her with that. "Tele...Oh!" Arle replied, not entirely familiar with the term. Context cues helped her fill in the blank though. She bashfully took Schezo's hand and used it to pull herself up, brushing herself off briefly. "Heehee, so I've got to be unpredictable right? How about this?" Arle asked, eager to try again. This time she stepped back a bit so that she would be striking at the air instead of striking at Schezo. She hadn't been told to attack him again, so she might as well not. She then struck a familiar pose, wielding her sword like a baseball bat! She then promptly took a swing at the air. "How's this??" she asked