[Video.]

[jonny_talbain]

[Jon is looking rough. Really rough. Over the weekend there was a Super Moon, and he'd been away longer than normal, letting his inner beast run free in the mountains away from civilization. These episodes are always draining, physically and mentally.

...and then he comes back to all your crap, Smash Academy. Why oh why did he become a member of Staff, again?]

Look... between attacks by weird creatures from god knows where, purple rifts in the sky, and people apparently arriving from multiple, alternate, backwards or inside out timelines? Is there anyone who needs the help of your friendly local Martial Arts instructor?

If so, speak up now or forever hold your peace.

Comments

[Action!]

[jonny_talbain]

[Jon was in the stadium at the agreed time. It was set to the most simple, basic setting right now to avoid any technical malfunctions due to shadow bugs or what have you.]

Good afternoon, Madame. I've cleared my schedule for the afternoon so, we ought to have ample time to teach you some good, solid self defense.

[Action!]

[lovely_wind]

Oh, goodness, you're too kind, Mr. Talbain. I'm in your debt! So, what shall we be practicing first? Body slams? How to give a good, hard slap?

[jonny_talbain]

Not at all. This is my job. I'd be remiss in my duties if I wasn't teaching folk how to be safe.

[He clasped his hands behind his back.]

Slapping is... fine. Tell me, what experience do you already have? I'd like an idea of what you know so far so that I can build on things you're already comfortable with, if possible.

[lovely_wind]

Well, let's see... once I went on a journey with my dear friend Mario to battle an evil army who wanted to steal priceless treasures in order to unleash an ancient demon queen! Oh, and we ended up battling the ancient demon queen, too. Nasty business, that. Very nasty.

But! As I said before, it's been a while since I've really, truly battled. I haven't been on the front lines in ages, dahling. It seems rather silly of me to be so out-of-practice considering our place of employment, don't you think?

[jonny_talbain]

Not necessarily, Madame. You teach Drama. I believe that balance is important for our students, so, classes that don't center around combat are important.

[He smiled at her and walked out closer to the center of the ring.]

Why don't you come over here and we'll get to work. Dodging and blocking attacks is just as important as dealing damage, so, we'll start with those. I'd like you to try and hit me in the face, please.

[lovely_wind]

Oh! [titter] You're quite forward, aren't you, Mr. Talbain? Well, I apologize if I harm you- WHOOP!

[Without warning, Flurrie launches herself into the air and comes back down right on top of Jon.]

[jonny_talbain]

I find it's rarely useful to be anything other than frank--

[That was a little more than he'd been expecting! She was really getting into it, wasn't she?

Blocking attacks from above wasn't really his specialty. He'd assumed she'd try and punch him in the face or launch some kind of projectile attack from straight on.

Still, he managed to raise both arms in a cross over his head to prevent her from making direct contact. This was shaping up to be more interesting than he'd thought it was going to be!]

Unconventional! I like that.

[lovely_wind]

[Ooh! He was fast. She bounces off of him and floats back to earth gently.]

Dahling, if there's one thing you learn in show business, it's you don't get anywhere by being predictable.

[jonny_talbain]

The Martial Arts are very much the same.

The block I just used is useful for deflecting broader impacts - Things wider than a head or a fist. You're providing resistance against the force being applied to you, protecting vital body parts like the head, or you can use it in a lower posture to protect the chest. Keeping the shoulders loose but your arms pressed firmly against one another and held apart from the body. Would you like to try?