A Little Fight In You. I Like That.

[Connor Harrison]

Connor nodded – he was finally showing a few cracks, which was good for the Padawan as it helped those wanting to teach know what gaps to fill.

”Instinct is good, and can often serve you well, but the enemy will not come to you on instinct. They will be trained, cold and calculating and come in all forms so you must be prepared for anything.”

A beat passed, and Connor threw out his right foot to the side of Nagate’s right knee, hoping to knock his balance and send him to the floor.

[member="Nagate Hei"]

 

[Nagate Hei]

Nagate had felt the attack coming, like a sixth sense warning went off in his mind. Though, sensing it coming and being able to stop it was different, as he found out. Nagate moved his leg in defense but all he managed to do was change the knee injury into a bruise calf and still his backside met dirt. A bruised tailbone would be sure to follow.

He rolled over his shoulder back up to his feet, not sure what to do next. He took a loose offensive stance.


[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

With a sly turn of the head and a wince, Connor tutted.

”See? Instinct took over too late, and I’d probably have your head by now. You need to be aware of anything and everything. A balance of instinct and the here and now.”

He didn’t get to where he was by playing fair – pushing the Padawan to the edge was the best way to find the answers he was looking for.

Stepping forward, Connor held out his hand for the Padawan.

[member="Nagate Hei"]

 

[Nagate Hei]

Nodding in acknowledgement, Nagate took Connor's hand. He rose and bowed slightly.

"Thank you sir, I take the knowledge you have offered."

Nagate wished he could be faster. He'd need to train hard to accomplish that task.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor returned the bow slightly to Nagate.

As he finished talked, Connor turned away.

”You sound like we’re finished here?”

Turning back quickly, Connor pushed out with his palm in an attempt to strike the Padawan square in the chest, and if that hit, would move his leg out again to take his feet from under him in another display of quick attacks that would need complete focus to see them coming.

[member="Nagate Hei"]

 

[Nagate Hei]

Nagate reacted again, moving his left hand against the wrist of Connor's to deflect the blow. He kicked his right leg into the sweep his master flung out. The shin would contact that of Connor's to stop the blow.


"Not done. Just accepting the knowledge given." Nagate pushed back, sending both fists straight into Connor's chest. Hoping to push him away, giving ground to derp up his own attack. He jumped, swinging his leg around in a round house to the head.


[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

The block came as a slight surprise; it was strong and solid. Connor locked eyes with the Padawan, and then recoiled with the dual fists landing in his chest, knocking a little breath out of him.

Shifting sideways, he had to snap his head back to avoid another unexpected roundhouse kick. Again, it was strong and solid, fast and with precision. It seemed the Padawan had some untapped potential to be just as lethal with his fists than with a blade.

”Ah. A little fight in you. I like that.”

Connor stalked left.

”Don’t hold back then – but don’t give in to anger. Keep yourself calm, focused and precise.”

Giving a dummy step forward, Connor moved, and turned to his right, sending out a strong blow with his left arm, aimed at the side of Nagate’s head, ready to attack quickly on various parts of the body to throw him into frustration and see how he coped.

[member="Nagate Hei"]

 

[Nagate Hei]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

The false right, counter left came as a surprise to Nagate, he crossed his arms in front of his head and was pushed backwards. Tearing his arms down and away, he pushed the arm of Connor back.

His next move was forward, a three punch jab combo with the left then a straight right. Aimed for the head of Connor, Nagate's stance was loose and light, aimed for mobility rather than power.

 

[Connor Harrison]

”Good block, Padawan.”

Turning into Nagate, Connor pushed the hits coming into his torso, but was taken aback by the sly hit to the head.

It impacted against the side of his head and Connor rolled with the hit to move away.

”Ooh. Slick move. You’re not thinking about where you’re hitting – you are just doing. That’s good, as I didn’t feel that coming from you. ”

Shaking his head, Connor nodded and held his arms up and went for a low sweep to take Nagates’ balance and send him down.

[member="Nagate Hei"]

 

[Nagate Hei]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Another sweep, this time Nagate was more prepared for it, he jumped. Simple enough, yes, all that he was doing, no.

Nagate rotated forwards, into a flip and brought his right heel down towards Connor's clavicle. The force of the rotation should give him adequate power to do some good damage, even if he wasn't intending to. With his left foot tucked, it offered him the chance to land safely when the kick connected or if it failed.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor hoped Nagate would be ready for the sweep, and he was, evading it perfectly and coming back with a sharp kick via the heel which struck Connor square on his left side.

He winced and absorbed the blow with a small crouch, feeling the dull ache from a kick that was again rather unorthodox.

”Padawan, I think you should in time teach us this style of fighting – far more grace and elegance than what I was expecting. ”

Moving right, Connor moved forward slowy, arms up and closing the distance between him and Nagate.

”Let’s see what you do with this,” he said.

Pushing outwards with a burst of Force energy, Connor sent a shockwave out to Nagate to again send him backwards off balance. As he emitted the energy, Connor moved forward with a hit aimed at his torso to knock the wind out of him, followed by what would hopefully be a satisfying kidney punch.

[member="Nagate Hei"]

 

[Nagate Hei]

The blow from Connor's Force Burst set Nagate on a backwards stumble, but he was able to plant his back foot in time to bring a open palm across to deflect the sternum punch into a grazing blow to his left side. The kidney came in fast, leaving Nagate with little choice than to take the blow, but he curled into the hit to absorb as much as he could. As he took the hit, his left hand came in an overhand cross aimed at the jaw.

Subsequently, Nagate spun with the left hand punch and brought around his right elbow, also aimed at the head of his master. The next move would be to redirect back the way he came and send out a Force Push of his own. Designed to keep his opponent defending and end with space between fighters.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor didn’t expect Nagate to retaliate as fast as he did after the kidney punch; the strike to the jaw was hard, but the strike to the head was harder and it hurt. It happened in two quick moments – bam bam – a fluid attack that knocked Connor to the side and then recoiling back.

Pursing his lips and touching a split lip, the Master nodded and licked the wound.

”Time to take away the safety mat.”

Connor walked over to his greatcoat on the ground and pulled out his training saber hilt, identifiable by the red tape across the shaft.

He ignited the dull green blade and arched it over his head.

”I like your confidence and your ability to hit hard and fast; but the enemy will soon resort to dirty tactics when faced with a strong opponent. Continue.”

Connor pointed the blade towards the Padawan.

[member="Nagate Hei"]

 

[Nagate Hei]

Nagate took up a defensive stance. Slightly open to offer multiple options for counters and deflections. Without a weapon, he was at a disadvantage, but that wouldn't stop him from proving his with.

"Dirty tactics are a cowards way. When facing a coward, it is wise to keep your own head in combat or else sucomb to their will to bring you away from your training and become more emotional."

He answered with his own philosophy. With his melancholy approach to life, he didn't worry about being distracted in combat, but it was wise to acknowledge the advantages and disadvantages in the fight.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor shook his head and side-stepped around Nagate.

”If you think they are trying to get to you emotionally, it has already worked and you have left yourself open. Fighting dirty may just save yourself, because codes and morals are not always adhered to when you are engaged in battle and it's your life or there's."

He stopped and lowered the humming training blade.

”You've already fought dirty right now - we didn't train you in hand-to-hand combat, and I wasn't ready for you. You used that to get the upper hand; you fought dirty and didn't adhere to moral codes, and it could have saved your life.”

Connor jabbed the blade forward to the torso.

”And now you question it and your defence is down!"

[member="Nagate Hei"]

 

[Nagate Hei]

Nagate grinned, he turned to the left side and stepped back, the blade passing by his midsection. With his right hand, he shot out his palm to strike the wrist of [member="Connor Harrison"] aiming to disarm him. Then his left hand would attempt to swoop under the armpit like a pivot point for Nagate to thrust his hip into the waist of Connor and pull him over in a throw to bring him to the ground.

"Not dirty, evasive." He spoke as he moved.