(Untitled)

[twoeyesonthesky]

Quinn's found ways to keep himself busy of late, but they've all run out. Thus, he's in the Bar with dinner and the sketchpad Bar gave him, working out the details on London as he knew it when he was twelve- as seen from the mouth of a half-dug tunnel, looking upwards to the sky.

Comments

[leftthecradle]

There's another person keeping busy...though with weapons care rather than art.

shoonk-shoonk

The Ranger frowns critically at the denn-bok as he extends it again and puts a little more oil on a join.

shoonk-shoonk-shoonk

[leftthecradle]

Ahh...yes, bad memories would not be the best to invoke while Quinn is flailing around with a Big Metal Stick. But his stage experiencedoes appear to be helping.

"Very good," the Ranger soon says. "Now, the low blocks are..."

He strikes toward Quinn's left knee. "Bring it down and under your arm like so."

[twoeyesonthesky]

This part's going to be harder. All the downblocks he and Creedy know are pure showmanship, and designed for a much shorter weapon. Still-

"Like this?" he asks, and makes a rather awkward go of it.

[leftthecradle]

"Not quite."

He backs up a pace and demonstrates. "For the left, you simply have to circle it down. For the right, you have to flip it completely as you move it so the staff is under the right arm."

[twoeyesonthesky]

"Flip- what, something this weight?" He grimaces, and gives it a go. It takes him several attempts to come anywhere even close to right.

He's really not the martial type, though he is trying.

[leftthecradle]

"Well, that's where the 'holding it out for fifteen minutes at ago' comes in handy," he answers with a grin. "But you're doing well. Try relaxing a little more. The stiffer you hold it, the more difficult it is to maneuver."

[twoeyesonthesky]

"All right," Quinn says. "How long does it take you to learn this, usually? I mean, just basic competency?"

[leftthecradle]

"To the point where one is entrusted with a pike of one's own?" he asks. "Generally six months to a year. There's no set time because you have to prove to the Sec that you know what you're doing."

A shrug. "It took me ten months to earn mine. Of course mastery can take a lifetime."

[twoeyesonthesky]

Quinn nods, attempting the circling move again. "Just wondering," he says. "What d'you use this kind of thing against, anyway?"

[leftthecradle]

A slightly sheepish smile stretches across the Ranger's face.

"To be perfectly honest, it's rarely used in actual combat these days. It's taught partly because it's an excellent exercise in physical discipline and partly because the way of the denn'bok is tradition. The Rangers have always been trained to use it and I suppose we will continue to train with it until we all pass beyond the Rim."

[twoeyesonthesky]

"Aaah." Quinn nods; he can live with that. "All right, suppose that makes sense. Had me wondering there, Dunant."

[leftthecradle]

"I suppose some might think it silly, going up against lasers and plasma guns with only a metal pole," the Ranger admits. "But there have been times when the Anla'shok have done just that...and prevailed."

A shrug as he strikes slowly to test Quinn's low-block. "But one should have the broadest training possible for our tasks. For any task, in fact."

[twoeyesonthesky]

"Lasers and plasma guns-" Quinn brings the staff down in what's possibly a fairly creditable block, if an awkward one- "usually have a person behind 'em-"

And if you think he's going to try and attack just yet, you're just crazy.

"-and people have to let down their guard sometime."

[leftthecradle]

"Indeed," he agrees as he strikes at Quinn's other leg. "Any weapon is merely a tool. Whether it be an empty hand, a club, a gun, mind-blast or even the magic some here use. Some maybe be better at some tasks than others, but they are all simply aids for getting the job done. The important thing in the end is not the type of tool but how it is wielded."

His expression becomes slightly melancholy. "That is a lesson some people are peculiarly resistant to learning," he says almost to himself.

[twoeyesonthesky]

( we watched as our leaders used our greatest weapons against them- but in the end we only helped them along )

Quinn nods, grasping the staff and watching the other man warily.

[leftthecradle]

A denn'bok is lighter than it looks, but still weighty. The Ranger takes note of the first signs of fatigue in Quinn's arms. Perhaps just a small drill at speed before calling a halt.

The mop handle lashes out at the man's temple without warning.