Sokka the 30th - [Written]

[markofthewise]

[This has been brewing in his mind since yesterday. He decides to finally act on it. Katara, Toph, Zuko, Aang... they all had masters to learn their styles from. Sokka? He had fifteen years of pretending he was a warrior and a mere three days under a real master. Well, this was Luceti. He had nothing but time here. So after he's home for the night and dinner is done, he puts together the following filter]

[Filtered 100% against the Straw Hats, his friends (and anyone from his world), and your usual villainous suspects.]

I'm looking for someone with experience willing to teach fighting. I don't have any special powers, so if your style involves lifting ridiculously huge swords or shooting fire from your hands, forget it. I want someone who can fight for real. I'd prefer fighting with my own sword, but I'll try other styles. I can't offer much in return... but I can try to work out something in exchange.

Comments

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Lucky indeed.

We'll start with a demonstration of your current skills, then I'll map a course for your run. After that, we'll start training in earnest. How does that sound?

[markofthewise]

Sounds like a good start to me. By run, do you mean running running?

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

What do you mean?

[markofthewise]

I'm just noticing that there appears to be a lot of running in my future.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Yes, there certainly seems to be. [Pfft, poor Sokka. It's good endurance training though.]

I'm going to weight you down with gear and we'll do laps around the village. Endurance and speed should come out of it.

[markofthewise]

... at least I'm already in shape. [Weighed down with gear. Lovely.]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Then it should be easy.

[markofthewise]

Nothing I can't handle, I'm sure.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Then I can up the ante? Good to know.

If, at any point, I pass you. I will hit you with the practice sword.

[markofthewise]

... I'm just going to stop talking now.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Don't worry. I'll be nice to you on the first day.

[markofthewise]

Lucky me.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Lucky indeed~

[markofthewise]

I guess I'll see you in two days then.

((ooc: Late on this, but Sokka's first meeting with Souji I can't resist tagging out. Want to skip ahead to it in this thread?))

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Bright and early♥

(ooc: I would love to! :D I love threading out meetings and training.)

TWO DAYS LATER!!

[markofthewise]

[And thus, two days later Sokka will be showing up for his second day of training. Thanks to the 'later hour', Sokka is a little more alert. Unfortunately yesterday's training has left him sore all over. As a result, he enters the barracks with only a minute to spare, looking around for his new master.]

TWO DAYS LATER!! \o/

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Okita has been at the barracks for awhile, warming up, but he doesn't mind that Sokka is nearly late. If he had been late, Sokka would be a lot more sore after Okita got through with him.

As it stands, the swordsman is toward the end of the barracks, dressed in his hakama and kimono, swinging a wooden sword while two bamboo ones are lined up along the wall. He hears someone enter and pauses at the apex of his swing.]

Sokka-kun, I assume?

[markofthewise]

[Sokka doesn't immediately recognize Souji. This is in a large part due to the fact he was expecting someone a little more muscular and... taller. Well, taller than Sokka at least. So after a brief moment of gaping, he quickly composes himself.]

Y-yeah! That's me. I mean. [He clears his throat.] Yes, Master Souji. [He places his fist against the palm of his hand and makes a slight bow.]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Okita is used to that sort of reaction and usually uses it to his advantage. Most people don't expect to get their butts handed to them by a girly boy after all.

When Sokka bows to him, Okita bows back, turning to face him and putting both hands down at his sides.]

How are you feeling today? Very sore after your run?

[markofthewise]

[After straightening up again, he rotates his arm.]

A bit, yeah. You'd think Derek was younger than he is.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

He has very good endurance. It is necessary for what he does.

[He smiles and wonders silently if he should cut down the length of the run he had planned. Bringing the wooden sword up to rest on his shoulder, Okita starts walking toward Sokka.]

Are you warmed up? I want to see how you fight with your chosen weapon.

[markofthewise]

I'll be fine! [Probably not. He draws his sword, showing off the jian sword in all it's glory. A jet black sword of exquisite workmanship.] This is my space sword. I made it with Master Piandao.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Well, he'll go by your word then, Sokka. Probably not very smart to tell a notoriously hardass teacher you're fine when you're not though.

He stops in front of Sokka and examines the weapon with a good deal of appreciation for the craftsmanship that went into it. It's obviously well made and Okita recognizes these swords from Chinese legend.] It's beautifully made. I hope we can put it to good use.

[He's never found with such a thing before, but he's always liked learning techniques against new weapons and so Okita takes a few steps back and brings the wooden sword up in a defensive position.] Let's see what you can do with it. Attack.

[markofthewise]

[Sokka will surely learn soon enough. However, being invited to attack gives him moment to pause.]

Uh, you sure? You don't want a better weapon, maybe? [Because this sword cuts through metal, after all.]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[If it cuts through the wooden sword, he has others he can use. Okita takes a step forward and changes his stance slightly, tightening his defense.]

Never underestimate the weapon your opponent is holding. Attack or I attack you.