Safe as Houses. [Active | See notes.]

[shieldedvirtue]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Shibusen's Gym, The Clinic, Outside the Clinic.
Rating: PG for violence, and... I think just Violence, Clare doesn't really swear...
Time: Morning (nearing noon), shortly after noon, shortly after Clare gets let out of the clinic because she's a big baby and its only a few bruised ribs. January 9th.
Description: Clare

Comments

[shieldedvirtue]

Clare's plan was flawless... in theory. Which is one of those issues reality likes to press. In theory Clare was fast enough to deflect the incoming blow, push forward and try to narrow the gap so that she was inside of Selendis's defenses. Clare had figured reality would pipe up at around the point Clare got past Selendis's initial strike. However what Clare realized as she moved to block the punch was that she just wasn't fast enough yet.

It wasn't her physical speed that was the issue, but reaction speed. She didn't know what move Selendis would use until she started it, once started Clare could study the motion of a basically bipedal anatomy and throw the corresponding counter. She figured, with the longer reach that would give her a bit more time to react. It didn't, so as Clare moved to deflect the punch it was clear she just didn't move quick enough. Catching the blow nearly full on, only driven slightly off course by Clare's arms as she moved to block.

Clare expected the blow to send her flying backward, just based on how much it hurt. However her mind quickly pointed out physics does not actually work that way and that is why movie actors are on wires. Some of the momentum was absorbed, painfully, by her body, and the rest moved her back a foot or two for her to crumple to the ground. Clare figured she'd not cry again from a blow from Selendis after the first few, but this one really hurt so she couldn't exactly control that aspect of her body.

This time, unlike the rest of the session, Clare did not spring back into action. However, she was making enough noise to assure she was not dead.

[justiceisdue]

Eventually, with enough skill and practice, Clare's theories would become reality. Until then, Selendis was still faster and more precise with her hits. She did have a couple hundred years worth of training on the girl, though. It wasn't like they were an even match to begin with.

Selendis dropped her fist when Clare staggered back and fell to the floor. She waited for her to get back up again, before realizing her body language had completely changed. Crying was a more extreme reaction, wasn't it? A sign of either physical or emotional distress, or probably both. She made no move to assist her, unsure if she could even do anything. Probably not - she could barely help her partner after their battle in Europe.

She hung back, watching Clare for a few moments before speaking. Her tone wasn't unkind, but it was lacking in the sort of compassion most people expected.

"Are you badly injured?"

[shieldedvirtue]

In some ways Clare was a monkey reaching for the moon, no matter how much she worked she was aiming for what Selendis had, which was impossible for her in many ways. Still, good to set the bar high. Who knows, maybe she'll actually reach it.

It took a moment for Clare to realize Selendis was asking in earnest, and a moment more to realize why she was. "I'm fine," Clare forced herself to her feet. Which every movement proved she was not okay and this should very well be the end of today's lesson. Clare's body language said that standing was a strain, fighting was impossible. Her face was still marred by streaks from her tears, so she probably couldn't see well enough to do anything either.

This was what you do when you train, right? Work past whatever pain you were in, even if it was the most excruciating thing you have ever felt? Especially if its the most excruciating thing you have ever felt.

[justiceisdue]

Selendis arced one brow as Clare got to her feet. She was clearly not fine, and even so it was tempting to tell the girl to keep going. It was going to be awhile yet before she felt confident Clare could continue with an injury.

"I believe that is enough for today," she said. "I suggest you visit the clinic, and perhaps speak with Watson. If you require assistance, I will take you."

She knew Watson could patch up just about anything, but she also rarely dealt with anyone there but him. It was a long walk down those stairs though - was Clare up for it?

[shieldedvirtue]

"No, I-" Clare's protests were weak and had no power behind them. She was trying to figure out why she protested at all. She was in pain, it hurt, it hurt a lot. She wasn't getting anywhere with the sparring today as it was, this was the perfect excuse to give up right now.

Maybe... that's why she had to protest, even in vain, because without it she would be giving up.

"I can manage on my own," Pride cometh before a fall... but in this case it came before a long painful walk to the clinic. Which, at least, she could say was her part in pushing herself a little further today, "Thank you." Clare began a bow but it was shortly ended by the realization her body refused that movement now. She could bow when she was recovered.

[justiceisdue]

Selendis still didn't look particularly convinced, but if anything, the girl was still determined. She wasn't going to fault her for that.

"Very well," she said, briefly returning the sort-of bow that Clare had tried to give her. "Contact me when you are ready to train again."

She guessed it wasn't going to be tomorrow. Selendis let Clare limp off, but she had every intention of following her via the rooftops to make certain she made it. Whether or not Clare noticed her didn't matter to Selendis, though she was trying to let her preserve her dignity.