fandomhigh | Hitting Things With Big, Sharp Sticks; Friday, Third Period [08/16].

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swordplay

Hitting Things With Big, Sharp Sticks; Friday, Third Period [08/16].

"This probably isn't going to surprise any of you by now," said Gladio, starting the class as usual with the sort of grin that suggested he was really looking forward to making your arms really hate you after this class again this week, "but I wanted to use this week to focus a little bit more on working with both shield and sword together. We're going to review some more basic styles and pitfalls with this combination, but I'd also like to explore with you guys a few ways to use the shields a bit more offensively, as well as defensively. You've got this big piece of sturdy metal in her hands, might as well make the most out of it, right?"

He didn't wait for an answer before clapping his hands to rally them.

"Right! So, let's start warming up, and we'll get right into it!"

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Offensively!

Nell Ingram

Gray

Ben Skywalker

Make sure to stretch out and get limber before taking an allotted amount of time to go over some things from previous weeks, brush up on what gave you trouble last week, or just work on something you feel you'd like to go over before getting into some of the newer things.

Blocking with a shield makes sense and is relatively easy, right? Now let's see what you can do for hitting with a shield, as Gladio goes over various tactics for turning a block it a hit, or just hitting with the shield directly, or even using it as a launching point for another attack.

Shields were bulkier and more awkward than swords - though easier to hold. Still, Nell was ready to go bashing away as best she could.

Who was of the opinion that shields were pretty awesome, but he might be a little biased on that.

Nell was just going to lie here panting for a few minutes at the end of class. Or, you know, pretending to stretch. Her arms felt as limp as noodles.

And Gladio was going to offer out a bottle of water, with a grin and a faint chuckle.

"Looks like someone might need a lift home today," he noted.

And, wouldn't you know it, he loved noodles.

And wasn't that lucky for Nell.

"Someone needs to lie here until she feels like she can breathe again," Nell said with a grin, accepting the water

"Well, just don't lie too still," Gladio advised. "Don't want those muscles to cramp up or anything. But, hey," he chuckled faintly and went to sit down beside Nell, "at least I'm not worried about going too easy on you guys this week."

"I'm an overachiever," Nell said and wiggled her body around. "And see? Moving!"

She rolled over onto her side to face him and sighed. "Shields are hard."

"Well, yeah," Gladio's grin went a little crooked and teasing, "they wouldn't be very good shields if they were soft."

She poked him in the where-ever-she-could-reach. "Brat."

A poke that would, no doubt, only continue to prove just how hard Shields were!

"Yeah," Gladio agreed easily, because, what? Like he would ever even contest that claim? "But you like that about me."

Oh Nell was well aware and absolutely enjoyed that.

"I do," she sighed. "No doubt some great failure of my character." She pushed herself to a sitting position then lay back down with an overdramatic sigh. "I think it's entirely possible that I was trying to impress the teacher with my can do attitude and I'm paying for it now."

"Don't think anyone could blame you there," Gladio offered, ph-so-sympathetically. "I mean, have you seen the guy??"

He was just going to bask in his own sense of humility there for a moment before adding, "But, for what it's worth, if that was your goal?" He shifted his foot to nudge hers. "Mission accomplished. You stuck with it, even though it was hard. But that's hardly surprising. That's one of the things you're pretty damn good at."

And one of the things about her he absolutely enjoyed.

"I know, right? I have to beat out everyone else in the class for a chance at him," Nell complained with a smile.

She nudged him back. "I'm not good at giving up. ... So, I appreciate it."

"Literally beating them back with a sharp pointy stick," Gladio noted, with a bark of a laugh that settled into a broad, beaming sort of grin at Nell, and he leaned over to kiss her. "I'd expect nothing less from the most Bossy Woman I know!

"And, hey. I was thinking...when does this Bossy Woman think would be a good time to have her hot tub installed? We should really get on that."

"Yep, that's me," Nell said, "Bossy Woman with a Sword."

She rolled up on an elbow to look at him. "Well, if they were to put it in right now, you could just pick me up and carry me there and drop me in it. So, yes, the sooner the better if I'm going to keep up my fight to catch the eye of my instructor over the others."

"I'll give 'em a call when we're done here, then," Gladio said, chuckling a little before giving a decisive nod. "Maybe I can see if I can convince 'em to come up tomorrow, or maybe Sunday. Until then, how 'bout I just pick you up and carry you on over to the onsen?"

"I knew there was a reason I loved you," Nell said. "Okay. Many many many reasons. But yes, that all sounds wonderful."

"Oh, man," Gladio couldn't help another chuckle, "and I haven't even mentioned the well-earned massage yet, either."

Nell thought she might melt right into the floor there. "A massage? Now my world is perfect. I will owe you big for this."

"Nah," Gladio lightly shook his head. "Not a thing."

There was just a slight beat, though, before he added, "But if you did want to return the favor on tgat massage, I sure wouldn't say no."

"I know," Nell said. "It's not owing, just a figure of speech. But I will absolutely return the massage favor. Not today, but soon!"

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Hitting Things With Big, Sharp Sticks; Friday, Third Period [08/16].

Sign In - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Sign In - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Sign In - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Sign In - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Warm Up and Review - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Class Activity: Offensive Shield Work - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Class Activity: Offensive Shield Work - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

Re: Talk to the Teacher - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.

OOC - Big Sharp Sticks, 08/16.