oo8 [Accidental Voice]

[ahappylie]

[The video window shows the sky, and occasionally a wooden sword swinging up into view before it drops down out of view again. It sounds like Okita is out in the woods practicing his swordsmanship. For awhile the sound of the wood cutting through the air is all that's heard, then suddenly there's a clatter as he drops the sword and it hits the journal, shutting it off just as he starts coughing.]

Comments

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Okita brings his sword back up and takes a few practice swings before lowering it again.]
It is a style of swordsmanship. Have you ever fought with swords before?

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

I haven't in a while, but I don't think I'm rusty.

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Well, then we should go ahead and try it.

[And he takes his stance, bringing his sword in front of him and holding it with both hands.]

Would you like to attack first? The points to hit are the wrist, body and head.

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

Why's that?

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

The wrists disarm, the body and head kill. They're the key points when learning to spar in kendo. The sword only has one sharp side, so the majority of attacks are swings and sharp raps. Example.

[He darts forward and slashes down at Yamcha's wrists, stopping short of hitting him.]

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

So—we're not really going to be hitting each other, is that it?

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It would be quite dangerous for us to hit each other with wooden swords when we aren't wearing any armor. It's possible to kill someone if you don't have complete control.

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

You're pretty good at this?

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Sadly, Souji is.] I suppose you could say that. [Steps back and takes his stance again.] Come at me when you're ready.

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[And he blocks, thrusting forward at Yamcha's neck]

You don't need to exaggerate, I'll be able to tell.

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

Is there an objective to this?

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[He raps his sword hard against Yamcha's to block and slides it up, bringing it close to his neck again.]

In sparring, points are awarded for the number of hits you achieve, but really, it's just combat training.

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

Do you have competitions or tournaments for this kind of thing?

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[He pulls the sword back and stands ready again.]

Sometimes, when another dojo came to challenge us, or if there was a reason to perform. But recently, we've just been training the new recruits and left the old dojo, so tournaments and competitions aren't our concern anymore.

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[And he jumps back, letting the sword brush by just in front of his face before swinging down at Yamcha's head.]

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Block works! Okita twists slightly and swings his sword around again, aiming at his side.]

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Okita pulls his sword back and sidesteps, pushing his sword to block Yamcha's attack. And snap, he's starting to take this battle sparring match seriously the faster Yamcha goes.]

[Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

[Action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[And this time, instead of stepping aside, Okita brings his sword up and meets Yamcha's, sliding it just barely to the side as he takes a stab at his chest in return.]

(1/2) [Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

(2/2) [Action]

[turtletea.livejournal.com]

You really are good at this.