So, you want to be a fighter....

[Garrus Garon]

Mandalore

...the battle was over, Wayland was lost and in the days to come while many Mandalorians lamented the defeat Garrus Garon did what he often did; he packed up his armor and his weapons and he returned to Mandalore. For Garrus the defeat at Wayland had just been one battle in what would likely be a long and bloody campaign. The Mandalorians were surrounded with the Primeval cutting a swath into their territory and the One Sith pushing against a Republic force that seemed vastly inept up to this point. It seemed that defeat was imminent on all fronts. None of this seemed to bother Garrus though because he knew that Mandalore would always rise again. Nothing could ever break the spirit of the Mandalorian people and their way of life. All that remained was to train the next generation of Mandalorians...​

The Garon Farm

...Garrus tilled the earth. A shovel in one hand he planted it in the soil, put his foot on it and dug a hole that he could put fence posts down into. Life away from battle and the duties of a Field Marshal seemed plain for the Warrior now. It had been a long time since he had even seen the glory of the arena and the eternal legend that it could help create. Instead now his hours were spent working the land and thinking. Oh, Garrus had a lot to think about too and not all of it dealt with the matters of warfare. He thought about things like the maintenance of his house, life on the land and of the ouch of his wife...as well as other women...

...he'd just finished hammering home a fence post when he returned to his homestead. The House itself was small, only about a half dozen rooms but it had a porch where Garrus would often sit and enjoy the taste of a beverage as he tipped it against his mouth. Wearing a tunic and trousers that were comfortable he looked very much a simple farmer. As he stood on his porch he'd have taken a drink from his flask, a satisfying exhale to follow while turning his gaze out across the land for as far as he could see. Today Garrus was looking for something or rather someone, a young woman by the name of [member="Arla Balor"] that he'd heard wanted to learn how to fight. Well at least she wanted to learn how to fight better. Occasionally students were sent to Garrus and seeing as how he'd heard that Arla Balor was a Rally Master it made no sense her being taught in an academy like some fresh recruit. No, the farm would serve the purpose that Garrus had in mind quite nicely...

...while he waited Garrus helped himself to another drink. The Beskad he carried into battle was nearby as well, on his porch and never far from reach. If Arla wanted to learn about his brand of swordplay that would come later though...​

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]She was going to the Garon Farm she had put up a notice she had asked for additional training and [member="Garrus Garon"], brother to Strider Garon had answered. Inside she could feel the twists, it was Clan Garon that had captured her Buir [member="Ordo"] and put him in a prison cell and had him stripped of the force.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]It was Strider that saw over the proceedings. How could she now come and stand before Garrus and not feel the twist of her emotions inside at how angry she was over it. Not just it, but over everything that had happened with Ordo.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She had never completely let her rage out about it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She came in on a speeder wearing her armor a blaze of black and purple streaming down the dusty trails of home, leaving a cloud of dust as she rode toward the farm. Anyone looking could see her coming just by the dust that rose up behind her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]There was also the rumor that Garrus was a bit of a drinker. She didn’t mind a drink, or two but beyond into inebriation she had a hard time with it. She got near and slowed parking her speeder.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]She looked over towards Garrus she had seen him before knew what he looked like, here he was bald. Not bad for a bald man. She heard he was married, but she had never seen his wife.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She pulled of her buy’ce her long red hair fell down over her shoulders, “Su’cuy ner vod Garrus, I’m Arla” She walked towards him wondering if he was like his brother.[/SIZE]

 

[Garrus Garon]

...from where he stood on his porch Garrus could see the dust cloud caused by her approach. A Speeder he had surmised. The Flask found a place against his mouth again, he tipped it higher and took another drink then set it down on a small table that also furnished the porch alongside a handful of sturdy looking chairs. Often Garrus would sit in one of the chairs, gazing out across the horizon or up at the stars but today he stared at [member="Arla Balor"] as she dismounted her Speeder and removed her buy'ce. Long red hair, attractive he recognized her almost immediately. Once Arla had introduced herself Garrus started to move down off the porch towards her...

...no doubt as she dismounted the Speeder Arla may have seen Garrus take the final pull from his flask yet for someone with such a reputation as a drinker he seemed oddly relaxed. He didn't shake, his movements were steady and the way he looked at her appeared uninhibited. Indeed Garrus drank for necessity more than anything else. Imagine what he would have been like if he didn't have the alcohol in his system, Arla might start to see the shakes thenbut she need not concern herself at this moment...

..."Arla Balor."...he said her name..."Rally Master."...then gave her the respect she deserved by referring to her by her rank as he approached casually before he stood a mere handful of paces away from her..."You've come here to learn how to fight."...he'd begin once he stood at ease, arms punctuated by corded muscle and thick wrists hanging at either side of his body..."Tell me what you already know."...Garrus had to know what he was working with so he asked her, plainly, what skills she already possessed then...

...his right arms would extend to her, his hand open as he held it out towards her..."Let me see your hand."...his eyes had focused on her..."Not everyone has a Warrior's hands even amongst the Mando'ade."...​

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]Arla Balor, ok he knew her name it did not surprise her she rode on enough ships in the fleet that someone might notice her name. Rally Master, yes she actually had that rank and at times she earned it, and fought hard to keep it that was one reason she was now standing on the Garon Farm.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She nodded, so far he confirmed that he knew of her but he didn’t know her not like others the select few that she would actually say she was close to. She was Naimes’ little sister he knew her thoughts, flaws, and hurts more than anyone. Out of instinct she reached up putting her hand on her chest plate underneath the talisman kept her calm and served as a reminder of the connection to him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I know how to brawl” she had tossed a number of folks out of the bar and she at times got lucky with a punch.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]He wanted her hand she arched a brow but she had learned a while ago do what your told until you reach a point that you’re in danger, she reached down and pulled off her gloves turning she laid them down. She extended both her arms, her hands palms up.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]What would he see? She had been tanning hides to pay for the gloves she made for Naimes. She had callouses from working with the miners learning about bes’kar. She did not have the soft hands of a woman of leisure.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]As he looked at her hands, “Garrus Garon, Field Marshall, brother of Strider and Andras, married, and known to be a drinker” She said it with as much calm as if talking of the weather. Her green eyes watched his face to see his expressions what was he looking for.[/SIZE]

[member="Garrus Garon"]

 

[Garrus Garon]

...did she just turn around and show him her ass when she laid down her gloves? Well lets be honest Garrus has a pulse so he looked. The Garon blood running through his veins all but insisted that he did. Regardless Garrus appeared professional enough when Arla had turned back around and extended her hands to him so that he could inspect them. Moving closer Garrus extended his own right hand to take hers by the forearm just beneath the wrist before leaning closer to make his inspection of the young woman. Up close and personal it was easy to see how large Garrus actually was with wide shoulders and a broad chest, the grip of his hand bellied the power of his arms....

...her hands were rough, used to work, which was a pleasant discovery. The Warrior had suspected as much considering Arla had attained the rank of Rally Master however he would only ever allow his assumptions to take him so far. Nodding his head as he peered Garrus let his eyes veer upwards when he heard Arla speak..."Smart girl."...his comment referring to the fact she seemed to speak as though she knew him, maybe he thought she sounded a bit sarcastic despite the calm demeanor she presented, then he straightened himself as he stood to his full height...

...then it happened, quickly too, Garrus tightened his hand around Arla's forearm and in the same instant he would slide his left foot backwards to create a base for himself before his body twist to the side and he jerked his right arm backwards in concordance with his shoulder. Intending to pull Arla offbalance Garrus would let his left hand, balled into a heavy fist, come sweeping around to drill itself into the right side of the woman, beneath the arm he'd jerked on, so that he could hook it into her midsection beneath the ribs. Then Garrus let his weight transition onto his back left foot so that he could pivot around and shuffle backwards away from her while releasing that arm...

...pretty simple stuff really. Essentially he might have suckered her a bit while her guard was down. Once Garrus had backed away he'd have made a point to tell her..."You're not hear to tell me about who I am."...he smiled dryly..."You're hear to learn how to fight."...then he'd have raised his right arm back up, motioned to her and went on to state..."Now come over here and try to punch me."...that's the way it was going to be, no one ever got results by babying anyone and if Arla had any misconceptions about how she would be taught they'd be quickly dashed...​

​

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]Garrus had grabbed her by the forearm as his grip tightened she felt her own body tense, what was he doing? Then without warning he pulled her to open her up to land a punch, it was one of the weak spots in her armor and he knew that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The punch landed she gritted her teeth feeling the impact as it jarred her enough to know he hit her. She lifted her right foot and planted it to keep from falling, he was moving back and away.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She heard him Son of SITH she thought she drew in a breath and spun to face him, her thoughts just like a Garon to be sneaky, isn’t that how they got Buir! He wanted her to punch him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But she had to remember don’t lose your temper, think the motions through she was right handed her strength lay in her right. But she was lighter in weight than he was and she still had her armor on she had only taken off the gloves. So he was planning on showing her the weaknesses in her armor? He was right about one thing this wasn’t quite what she had been expecting.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her green eyes showed a bit of the anger she was feeling, even as she tried to stamp it back in place. [/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]She stepped towards him as she balled up her hands into a tight fist, her left made the move coming from below to come up towards the cheek or chin whichever would or could make impact, a few moments later she followed through with her right hand.[/SIZE]

[member="Garrus Garon"]

 

[Garrus Garon]

...the Warrior was pleased when Arla came at him, truly he expected nothing less from a fellow Mandalorian however Garrus would make her work for anything she might land on him, he wouldn't make it easy for her and when all was said and done if Arla was bloodied at least he knew what he had to work with. Being a veteran of arenas, underground fighting and various other forms of martial contest Garrus had faced many skilled competitors in his day however he'd mellowed to some extent and it showed accordingly. Unlike when he was younger he'd restrain himself to some extent...

...when Arla stepped forward one of the first things he noticed was the anger she tempered, shining like fire in the back of her green eyes. Good, anger would serve her well if she learned how to use it. Anger was not a bad thing if she could keep it in check. As she came within arms reach of Garrus he would instinctively raise his arms to his midsection, making powerful fists with his hands in the process while widening his stance and allowing his right side to angle just ahead of the left...

...leaning backwards when Arla came at him Garrus would literally let her rising blow, an unrefined uppercut really, pass in front of his face without connecting then he straightened himself out again while lifting his left arm. As Arla followed through with her right hand he'd move his left arm up, palm open now, to cover the outside of his head and take her blow off his hand or forearm which muffled the blow. Blocking still hurt but it protected the target from the intended damage...

...the block completing with the impact of Arla's hand Garrus would snap his left arm out and around so that he could hook it behind Arla's head. The arm moved out, inside of Arla's right arm after absorbing her blow and then slid back in behind her head. Planting his left arm on the back of Arla's neck, letting his fingers sink into her red tresses Garrus would pull down hard while rotating his right side back to turn him into a left side lead. At the same time his right side was rotating back behind the left he pulled down with the left hand he'd placed on the back of her neck intending to use his momentum to help him in wrenching her head down, bending her over in his grasp and then following through...

...the follow through was when his right arm came around from behind, up from underneath in what was intended to be the beginning of a brutal onslaught that quite literally would see Garrus begin to feed uppercuts into Arla's face. One, two, three total if he was able then he would release her and shift his left hand into her hair before extending it to shove her away from him..."Don't telegraph your blows."...he told her..."Is that it?"...he was waiting....​

​

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

She took one to the face which shocked her so badly she didn’t turn away until the third one was on its way it landed instead closer to the temple. She backed up holding her mouth she could taste the blood turning her head she spat the crimson colored blood to the ground.

Her lip was split and a tooth might be loose. For a moment she reached up to touch her face he was right this wasn’t anything like she had expected. For a fossil he kicked harder than a shatual.

He was waiting for her to counter in a real fight no one would be waiting she just wasn’t sure how to proceed no one had ever hit her in the face before, ever. It was the ultimate insult in her mind.

Her green eyes studied his stance, no Arla there isn’t time for that, move. Her conscience was working pushing her. Fine.

She moved towards him cautious painfully aware that she would have bruises. Eh what did that matter? She had considered removing the armor now she knew it was her only protection from looking like ground shatual.

So what was she going to do, the one thing she knew. She rushed him throwing her body weight at him hoping to knock him down, and hoping to get in a punch, at least one for pay back.

[member="Garrus Garon"]

 

[Garrus Garon]

...her enemies would offer her no quarter and neither would Garrus to an extent. While Arla would face death on the battlefield here the most she had to worry about was a stiff beating which had become apparent by this point. Nonetheless Garrus had to admire her courage as she came at him again just as clumsily and brazen as she had the last time throwing caution to the wind. The lesson here was that while Arla might be able to brawl her way out of a fight with an inexperienced opponent these kind of tactics wouldn't hold against a veteran or someone with the amount of combat experience as the Field Marshal...

...as Arla came at him Garrus widened his feet to shoulder width, dug his feet into the ground and outstretched his arms in front of him to either side with elbows at hip height and his forearms extending ahead, fingers wide and ready to grapple the woman. Digging his feet into the ground he slid his right back behind the left just an inch or two this time before Arla came barreling into him and swung for the fences. The Impact caused Garrus to slide backwards briefly, the ball of his foot and heel dragging across the ground, his left arm would raise and he'd duck his head. Putting his chin to his collar bone and tipping his head forward as Arla threw Garrus would slip her punches, letting them glance off the side of his head and over his shoulder as he leaned forwarded and bobbed his head to the side, then his left hand came up on the inside of her right arm similar to how he'd done it when she attacked him previous....

...like last time Garrus would swing his arm around to hook the back of Arla's head sinking his thick fingers into her tresses in the process then as he worked to establish a hold he would pivot on his front left foot. Using his left foot as a pivot point Garrus jerked his right side further back so that he could try using Arla's forwards momentum against her and literally apply pressure with his left hand to fling her forward, past him and onto her stomach. At the same time he'd make a quick rabbit punch with his right arm, fingers curled into a tight fist aimed for a soft spot around her kidneys on her right side...

...that done Garrus took another step back, wiped one of his hands off against his tunic and said..."Alright enough."...he sounded indifferent as to her performance..."If you're going to learn how to fight you're going to need to learn how to lead."...he gestured to her with his right hand..."On your feet Rally Master. You've got a lot of heart I'll give you that."...he seemed to be thinking momentarily..."Now show me how to jab."...they were moving on into the instructional phase of her training it appeared now that Garrus had finished -feeling- Arla out...​

​

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]He was stronger than she thought she had foolishly believed that since he was a drinker that she could use tactics that she employed while tending bar to bowl him over.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She was wrong.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She took a breath her face hurt. But she did not complain she wouldn’t even though part of her was really wanting to say something, what could she say? I acted without thinking because, well your hurt my family and farkle you just hurt me.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She nodded though did not spout off as some would have, puffing out their chest and trying to be important. That. Was not here at all. She however may not have hidden her relief enough when he uttered the words “alright enough”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She had heart. A compliment, she nodded “Vor’e ner V[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]od” She whispered. She was not a prideful person but at the moment her pride was hurt. She had thought she could at least show some skill. What was the skill of a barmaid shooing drunks out the door.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She reached up and wiped her lips with the back of her hand. Nodding that she was nearly ready.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Ok.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]A jab. She moved to her feet taking a deep breath, she lifted her hands balling them into tight fists with her thumbs tucked in. Green eyes showed bits of the hurt she felt her face would show it more.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her left was in a position to block while her right made the move to jab at Garus. Her feet were positioned apart her right foot leading her left back to give her the ability to bounce forward and back if she needed.[/SIZE]

[member="Garrus Garon"]

 

[Garrus Garon]

...Garrus stood back and watched Arla. Eyes watching her progress, gauging her potential, as she moved into her stance and came forward to jab at him. Setting his arms across either hip while he waited it appeared as though Garrus was wide open, prepared to be hit however the Warrior rarely had any inclination to allow himself to be struck. It wasn't good practice to stand in one place and allow one self to be hit and those who did this often found themselves on the receiving end of more punishment then they could handle. There was, of course, a time to take a blow which a competent fighter knew. Usually it was a moment when they could take advantage of a situation and shift momentum into their favor...

...as Arla came forward Garrus measured the distance between them. Arla was shorter than him, her reach was likely shorter as well which meant that Garrus had some idea of how much distance he needed to keep between the both of them. Adjusting himself he let his weight transition onto his left foot with slid behind the right similar to how Arla had stood then when she jabbed he would begin to lean backwards and to his right, rotating his upper body around to the side so that as he came back in he could lean forward and slip the jab causing it to brush back across the left side of his head before he straightened again...

...by that time Garrus was sliding backwards, using his right foot to push off and create distance between himself and Arla again..."Good."...he said..."This is your first, most important, lesson."...he explained to her while his hands shifted to height with his abdomen and transformed into powerful fists..."A lot of inexperienced fighters will come at your flaying without any discipline leaving themselves open to your attacks."...sort of like how she had attacked him earlier however..."The Jab is a quick blow, in and out, used to measure the distance between your opponent and yourself. Used well it leaves little opening for a counter from an inexperienced opponent. It's unlikely you'll actually knock someone out using it but enough blows will leave their mark."...if Arla had ever watched professional fighters square off it wasn't uncommon for them to lead with the jab and gauge their opponent...

...now that Garuus had explained himself to Arla he would have craned his head to the side until he heard a -popping- sound emanate from it then he straightened again stating..."Why don't you try a combination. Put your jabs together and finish with a straight left."...of course she didn't need to combine the jabs and the straight, there were other combinations if Arla felt secure using them. Waiting just out of range of her punches Garrus would observe her quietly...​

​

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[member="Garrus Garon"]

[SIZE=12pt]Good grief why did he sound like his very bones were breaking apart, all the popping and snapping of them made her wonder if he would break if hit in the right joint. She arched a brow and smiled at the thought.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She admonished herself before it went too far. It was not right to wish such things on the Vod. He was after all helping her learn something that others had not wished to teach her on this level. Whether they were concerned she’d break she did not know.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]So. She moved her feet slightly still trying to keep her right foot in the front, her left behind and slightly away. He wanted her to jab.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Strange this was boxing which she enjoyed to a point, she was self-taught when it came to the pugilist skills. Which for a woman against drunks it had worked, but as Garus demonstrated it would not work on someone who..well…had control of themselves.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her ribs hurt. Her face hurt. But she wasn’t going to say it, not yet. She jabbed with her right hand, once then twice she came close to Garus but did not land the hit, then she took her left and came in with an upper cut instead of the straight in. She felt stronger more controlled with the upper cut.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]She did not bounce she felt very stiff though, tense, she was waiting for him to hit her again. Would he? Goddess she did not know.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She kept her breathing even, “Where did you learn to fight?” She had the need to talk and learn, now whether he would say, well..who knows. He so far was a strange man to her.[/SIZE]

 

[Garrus Garon]

...Arla came at Garrus like he instructed her, he raised his arms in response and used them to cover up when she jabbed at them. It didn't matter if the punches fell short Garrus was displaying a bit of proper technique, he could have leaned back or attempted to bob and weave to showcase his skill further but covering up was the simplest form of defense so he displayed it now. If Arla was an apt pupil she could point this out and considering that a good defense was almost more important than a good offense anything that Garrus showed her was considered important. The came the uppercut, apparently Arla felt secure enough to mix it up a bit...

....as a rule of thumb, unless someone has a phenomenally long reach, the uppercut is best used when an individual is in tight with their opponent, working them from the inside they called it, which meant that when Arla came in Garrus would counter. Transitioning his weight onto his left foot Garrus brought his right side around so that he could deliver a straight right with his weight behind it...

...the uppercut would come up, Garrus would crane his head to the right to take it off the side of his mouth and his counter punch would follow through. The Straight Right in this case would have come across from Garrus right as he shift the side ahead where it would cross to his left hammering itself towards the left side of Arla's face in the process around the cheekbone as it came over her uppercut and across her left arm. If the other punches Garrus had landed felt hard this one would have probably felt like a literal hammer, it was hard and designed to hurt, a lot...

...righting himself after the fact Garrus squared his stance, spat a mouthful to the side and looked at Arla stating..."At a young age with my Brother and in the Arenas of various worlds."...he didn't elaborate but it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine Garrus as a Gladiator when he was younger. Not to much of a stretch at all honestly. Now that he had told her that he placed his hands on his hips, looked at her and started talking a bit more..."Never follow the jab with an uppercut. Especially when you need to come in to throw it. A Cross or hook are your friends on the outside or following a combination."...his chest rose noticeably, then fell as he took a breath and exhaled following it then he would ask..."Do you have any questions?"...there was a lot to learn and Garrus, who was here to teach, likely had a lot to say if the right questions were asked...​

​

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]She was going to come out of this with more bruises than she had when she fell down the canyon wall. She kept her hands up after he threw his right. She nodded as he spoke a gladiator, very interesting. It was almost a stretch to see him as a gladiator.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Arla when she thought of a gladiator thought of the holo named so and that gorgeous man who played the gladiator. Garrus had no hair, but seemed to be built in the same fashion.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Yes I have questions” When did she not come up with a question he had just told her that she consider the cross and the hook rather than the upper. She’d remember that, “not everyone we meet on the battle field, or in single combat will have trained in this fashion. When not fighting this way, is it still a good fight if I pick up something to hit the other person with?” Or stop and shoot them she thought.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Not that she expected there was some galactic rule about fighting. She still felt heavy in her movements, not light, or agile. She wondered if this too was a disadvantage, or could it be an advantage.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]And then she had another personal question, “Why did you have to fight as gladiators?”[/SIZE]

[member="Garrus Garon"]

 

[Garrus Garon]

..."If you're in a war you pick up whatever you need to so that you can win."...he snorted somewhat obstinately in response to her question..."When you're fighting do it to win or not at all."...Garrus would have thought that much would be obvious considering that in a war the person looking across at you did so with bad intentions meaning that your priority would be to likewise to them. Nodding his head once Garrus crooked a brow, tipped his head backwards slowly and lift his right hand until he started to slide it back across his scalp feeling the smooth finish of his skin beneath his palm. The Sun was hot, just like the blood burning in the veins of the Mandalorian. Inhaling once he took a step back, turned around and started to move towards the porch of his house where he could take refuge on the porch and search out his flask...

...footsteps took Garrus onto the porch, he stepped up easily and within a breath he'd found his flask and claimed it in one of his hands. Unscrewing the lid he'd have brought it to his mouth, tipped it back and taken a hard pull of the contents before lowering it again and wiping his mouth with the back of his arm. Looking back over his shoulder towards Arla he'd have stated..."Gladiators make good money."...which seemed a reasonable enough explanation to him however he'd have also added..."Every Warrior needs a training ground."...and that's what the Arena was to Garrus, a proving ground where a young man had made his bones before transitioning into a true Warrior and venturing out into the universe to serve his people....

...setting the flask back down the Warrior would turn so that he could face Arla squarely again before inquring..."Well have you learned anything today?"...this is where he should have waited for an answer but before Arla could say anything to him he'd have quickly remarked..."And are you still hungry to learn?"...that was key here, many students didn't relish the thought of getting beat on and Garrus hadn't even laid into Arla thick yet but that would all come in time. Tightening his right hand Garrus would flex thick fingers, squeezing them into a fist before releasing and then shake his hand loosely while he stood there looking down at the young woman who'd come to learn from him. Unbeknownst to her his thoughts drifted slowly, he thought of kin of hers that he might have known but the truth was Garrus didn't pay attention to much of that anymore so he let it all slip away into the nether of his mind again. Until the next battle all he really cared about was his farm and the distractions the day brought...​

​

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]If she was in a war and only had her hands to fight with he could count on her grabbing whatever was nearby and using it, even his bald head. Arla tried not to smile that time she looked down quickly to hide the smile. She was so bad at times.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Do it to win.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Or don’t do it at all.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Well if we are in a war and fighting, it is usually about winning. Losers often came home on their armor, or on their shield.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]She looked up quickly when she heard him moving, he was drinking…..and she would lay odds it was not water. Gladiators make good money. She had heard that a few times but it was a hard life to live too. So he learned a lot from being there.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Yeah, she imagined someone would consider the circumstances of it all. Fighting every day depending upon the card, life and death every day.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Had she learned anything today? Her face hurt and for a few days or more looking in the mirror was going to be a painful reminder of her lack of skill.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Yes, you hit hard, patience helps, and don’t be afraid to do something unusual it could knock your opponent off balance” She was trying to be a bit light, that was just her. “As for the other question, yes learning will keep me alive”[/SIZE]


[member="Garrus Garon"]

 

[Garrus Garon]

...he laughed a bit when she confirmed she was still willing to learn. It would help keep her alive but learning wasn't the sole factor that would mean the difference between life and death for [member="Arla Balor"]. No. If Arla wanted to live, when it came to the heat of battle, it would depend on her will to do so as well. It was alright to be afraid. Fear was natural even to a soldier. Looking at her Garrus smiled a bit, the kind of expression that only touched the corners of his mouth..."Enough training for today."...his gaze appraised the bruises that would form more prominently where he'd hit her over the course of time....

...by now the sun was starting to set over the horizon, Garrus turned his eyes towards it with a bit of nostalgia. Taking a few steps backwards he'd move onto his porch and back towards the door of his house before finally looking back at Arla..."You can sleep on the porch."...he told her, unless she'd prefer to make the drive back into one of the major population centers that could be found a distance away. Of course it didn't end there, Garrus could be described as a hard man when it came ot anyone he was teaching which lead to his next statement..."Unless you think you can make it into the house."...it was his way of telling her to come at him but if she did she needed to realize that he wasn't going to be as light handed with her as he had been...

...the Warrior stood in the doorway of his house, eyes were turned towards Arla where they settled and watched. Observing her Garrus would be able to note the twitch of her muscles, the movements of her body and he would be aware of her actions to some extent by following her motions. Now that he'd laid it out for Arla he would wait for her response. Also, he wondered just how she might come at him if she decided to test herself...​

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]Arla was almost ready to say something about the porch when Garrus in his usual manner delivered the next test.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]If she wanted to stay, and who said she wanted to stay, she’d have to get past him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She contemplated whether or not she wanted to stay, but she had to admit to herself that once he said if she could she felt a growing sense of determination to knock him on his arse. She smiled at him thinking, he’s in the doorway.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]His feet are set, and he doesn’t like the charge thing real well and it didn’t work the last time. So..what was it she could do to him to bring the big man down.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She hadn’t tangled with much bigger or stronger men but there was never a time at the bar that she actually lost to one, and losing to Garrus it crawled under her skin building a frustration that would only fuel her ability to move the man. She didn’t need brute strength she needed to out maneuver him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her head still buzzed from the first round, she remembered something about a soft spot in the chest, and how hitting it with enough power could cause the heart to beat irregular and give enough shock that it sets a them off balance.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Arla weighed more in her armor than Garrus in his tunic, and boots. So..she had to get close enough, and land the blow.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]So.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her plan first she’d go for the always distracting foot stomp, she moved towards Garrus lifted her left foot and with all of her strength went to stomp on his foot, this was the distraction, this was the dumb move. She wanted to bring his eyes downward.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Meanwhile she took the heel of her hand the hard bone and with all the push she could throw she aimed for the center of Garrus’s chest. This was too shock him, make him have to cough take a breath, wind him, then she would throw her shoulder into his chest and push him back.[/SIZE]

[member="Garrus Garon"]

 

[Garrus Garon]

...unmoving as he stood in the doorway Garrus continued watching Arla as she made her approach after a moment of contemplation. There was something about her determination that satisfied Garrus, maybe it was that she had an earnest will to win whereas others had blatant overconfidence in their own abilities. Not Arla though, he'd discovered that her greatest asset had been her heart and the determination of her will which was no small thing. Nonetheless Garrus didn't plan to let her beat him....

...as she came at him Garrus remained square however the natural movements of her body would act as a tell. When Arla went to stomp on his foot, his right foot seeing as how that was the one parallel with her left, Garrus would shift his weight onto his left and let the right slide backwards quickly. Not quick enough though. Arla's foot came down ontop of his toes which made Garrus wince visibly and clench his jaw. Then Arla struck at his chest presumably with her left hand to follow the stomp which she'd preformed moments ago...

...bringing his arms up Garrus would use the inside of his right forearm to parry the outside of Arla's left arm ensuring that it pressed into him over the left pectoral instead of the soft spot in his chest where she'd intended. Using his left hand Garrus would raise it while parrying with his right and snap it outwards to catch Arla around the throat in his palm. Then when Arla turned to drive her shoulder into him Garrus would pivot on his left foot transitioning the majority of his weight onto its heel...

...Garrus swung his right side backwards completely like it was a door that was opening and with his left hand clasping for Arla's throat he'd lead her body further into its forward momentum by drawing himself away from her and removing any resistance she may have expected. As the fingers of his left hand tightened Garrus bicep would tense he would actually begin to lift Arla off the ground, offer her feet, unless she stopped him before finishing his pivot with his back to the doorway as his left arm extended again and his fingers loosened as he went to hurl her backwards. Aiming for the middle of his modest abode Garrus made no bones about trying to throw Arla so she landed ontop of the solid table that occupied the middle of the main room where he actually wondered, briefly, if she might not shatter it on impact due to the beskar'gam she was wearing....

...afterwards he would congratulate her in a roundabout way..."Well you've made it inside."...then he moved forward, closing the door behind him, Garrus actually limped slightly when he put pressure on the toes of his right foot. Arla made have broken a few them with that heavy boot of hers...​

​

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]Arla could almost feel the breath leaving his fingers tightened around her neck she reached up with both hands to try and pry his fingers from her throat.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She could feel the darkness of passing out closing in on her just as he chokeslammed her into the table. She coughed as she laid there for a moment catching her breath, then she rolled off the edge looking over at the table. Would it hold?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She landed on her knees, picking up a table leg ready to use it like a bat, she looked over at Garrus.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Oh goody for me” she managed to say her voice a bit raspy from the hold. She did not groan this time but she was glaring at him. Feth.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Now what…she couldn’t help but smile a little he was limping, hmm well least something left a mark.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She reached around and undid the buckles of her chest plate and slipped out of it, she wanted to assess the damage. She really didn’t think about Garrus attacking her again, this was his home, inside, not the arena. He had a nice home, something she didnt' expect. The other thing that she had to respect him for he was making her earn it he didn't give her one inch, even if it hurt like dar'yaim.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Underneath her armor she would the armor weave, she looked over at him, ok she felt a little bad that he was limping but she had a feeling her ribs were cracked, and let’s not forget the bruises she’d wear on her face. Him limping minor.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I’m lighter and faster than you are, I should be able to take you down. What am I doing wrong?” She looked over at him what was he thinking?[/SIZE]

[member="Garrus Garon"]