What NOT To Do In A Fight / Wednesday, Period III / Week 7

[atreideslioness]

"Since we're in the week before Homecoming, we're going to refrain from any serious attempts at combat because some of you may already be distracted," Ghanima said once everyone had arrived. "Instead, we're going to talk about banter."

"For some reason, fiction has popularized the idea that when two or more people are fighting, they're also engaged in witty banter or volleying insults or, perhaps, having a discussion on fighting technique, the meaning of life, what they had for lunch, or some other quip. The purpose is, theoretically, to distract or upset your adversary and allow you to gain the upper hand. I will confess that I personally do not understand the urge to banter during combat," Ghanima stated. "In my opinion, silence will do more to unnerve your opponent than any blithe quips."

Banter with Leto, of course, and sometimes even during sparring, but not during a real fight with someone other than her brother. She was more the type to stab someone in the back or with poison them with a blow-dart. Details.

"To show you how difficult it is to think up witty banter and fight at the same time, you all get soft foam Nerf swords, and I want you all to find a partner and try talking and fighting at the same time. If you aren't comfortable trying to hit someone, try knocking something off their head or out of their hand while moving and talking," Ghanima suggested. "Some of you seem to prefer non-lethal blows, and the coordination required to pull your hits accordingly is difficult in a best-case situation. When dividing your focus between combat and unnecessary verbosity? It can become downright impossible."

"Feel free to run, dodge, use your classmates as shields...whatever you need to do while trying to banter and fight at the same time."