1621/Trading Techniques

Trading Techniques
Date of Scene:	20 February 2015
Location:	The Citadel - Field of Trials
Synopsis:	Garen and Yari trade fighting and spycraft techniques
Cast of Characters:	530, 691

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Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Feeling much better after the healing of one Sanary Rondel, Yari Takane has assembled a small gaggle of her subordinates. Red and black seems to be the theme with the Garlean legion now allied with the Confederacy, and Yari is no different: wearing full uniform minus her helmet. Her blade rests at her side as she watches a few of her compatriots wield standard-issue blades, and a few more exotic ones mixed in. It's mostly humans, this group, though a tail or two can be spotted.

For now it's mostly general practice and sparring as Yari awaits a Confederate operative to join in. She walks around the group, occasionally commending or criticizing a blow or block, her quiet voice somehow managing to carry despite the grounds, clacks, and other sounds of soldiers training hard.

Garen (530) has posed:
    Making his way to the apparent training zone, Garen looks over with a smirk. He quietly enters and appears amongst the group. "Hello, Centurion." He says, appearing in front of her like a phantom.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
The combination of blue skin and red eyes, nevermind just /appearing/ sets much of the gathered soldiery to alternative gasps and reaching for weapons. Yari lets out a sharp hiss, her own hand on her blade. The soldiers make way for Garen, and somewhat warily go back to practice.

"Mister Nine. I did not detect your sound. Mmm...technological cloaking?" Asks the woman curiously. She looks impressed, indeed, and her tail sways a bit.

She loks him up and down.

"Shorter than I expected. Did you have a blade? If you wish to practice, I can provide you with a suitable one."

Garen (530) has posed:
    "Not quite. I measured my footsteps to be covered by the sound of the training, and made sure to walk in the peripheral visions of those around." Garen explains. Though he gives a long look over Yari. "I did not. I would welcome using one if you have one I may use."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
A fist pounds a mechanical palm. "Impressive. Mmm...must increase my sensitivity to aether and heat-signatures."

Then, Yari straightens a bit. Waving to her troops, they give the pair a bit of room. One of the others, a cat-eared woman, fetches a katana not unlike the one that Yari uses. Similarly, it's simple in design and wooden. It's offered over to Garen.

Then, she offers a bow, and steps back.

"Sword-drawing is primarily a method of offense. One must rely on reflexes and intuition, as its aim is to kill before the enemy can strike. Defense must be utilized in other ways." She begins.

"As it is a style meant to be used at any time, there are few formal stances. To be properly utilized, one must learn to draw from any position and at any time. While sitting, standing, running up a wall, while chained upside down...but those are advanced techniques."

Then, she simply lowers her legs into a slight squat. Her hand slowly goes to her blade. Then, in a flash, it's pulled out in a wide arc as her legs straighten, tail curls at the tip, and she turns her body a few degrees. The after-image of the blade is all that's left as it's returned in the same smooth motion, returning her to an easy standing position.

Then, she goes through the same motions again. This time, it's achingly slow as she shows off every twist of muscle required. Overall, the technique flows remarkably well, an ingrained and smooth motion even while being so drawn out. The only difference here is speed.

She'll show off the technique several times with different speeds to give Garen a good look.

Then she simply moves to stand behind him.

"Did you see? Attempt to replicate it. Slowly. Frankly, practice is the key to this technique. One motion, it must become instinct." She'll watch carefully, ready to correct any mistakes in stance or movement.

Garen (530) has posed:
    Garen watches closely, his eyes resembling those of a hawk eyeing it's prey. He nods and goes over the motions a few times, before moving to draw. It was rough, and not nearly as practiced, but it was more or less the correct motion.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
The look is slightly unsettling, a shiver going up Yari's spine. But the soldier masters herself quickly. There's a slight nod from the woman as she looks over his form. Occasionally, she'll prod a knee just a bit, or an arm in correction. But by the time he's done, she's walked back in front of him.

"I see that you are well trained in blades. Frankly, from what I have read of your affiliations, I expected a lack of ability. Well done. Twenty more repetitions. Increase the speed twofold every two strokes.

She of course gives him a wide berth.

Once he's done, she'll broach the other topic. "Your shifting abilities. I am interested in a demonstration."

Garen (530) has posed:
    Garen nods, increasing his speed each time. "It's a matter of first learning the intricacies of accents. Then, a matter of subtle, but distinct changes to the way you speak, move, act, even carry yourself." As if to demonstrate, he shows the subtle transitions from his current British accent to an American one, and the way he carried himself from a soldier to a begger beaten down by life, and then up to a nobleman filled with arrogance.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari makes a hissy little 'mmm' sound as she watches and listens. Her gaze focuses on Garen's mouth as he speaks, noting the little changes, the movements of lips and throat and tongue. Breaking them down in her mind with each.

After a minute's silence, she begins to rattle off a list of items. Common military needs: drink, food, clothing, beddings. All in alternating accents as if trying out some that GAren has used. She's passable at first, but with practice starts to truly get the hang of it. She'll even shift to Hydaelan accents, which come far more easily.

Eventually she stops. "Interesting. It seems I must explore the Multiverse more. The accents I have heard in my own experience flow better, more naturally. Perhaps the key is experiencing many different peoples?"

Garen (530) has posed:
    Garen nods, adopting the accent of the Garleans. "It most definately helps. The more exposure, the better the accent will become. Also, your choice of dress will also aid in your deception. Remember that a begger will not walk with the confidence of a nobleman. If you must lie...believe the lie yourself with all your heart. When taking a role, emerse yourself fully into the role. Become the person."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari frowns slightly. Her head tilts, amidst GAren's explaination. Then she dances off for a moment as she thinks, correcting a few soldiers. One even gets swatted in the back for their form. Though quiet, an easy mistress this young Centurion is not.

When she returns, she offers a nod.

"Believe with all of your heart..."

"It is difficult to achieve such levels of deception. Do you not risk losing your own identity in the process?"

Garen (530) has posed:
    Garen continues his motions, and nods. "Yes, but what I do is compartmentalize my mind. Remember and store what is important to you, not your cover. Think of it as having a word that snaps you out of it, like a hypnotist does with their assistant." He takes a moment to think, before speaking again. "Often times we Cipher Agents assume an identity for months, rarely a few years at a time. Always remember your mission, your name, and where your true loyalties lie."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
It's about here that Yari seems lost. "Compart...mentalize?" It's an idea that she's never encountered, and the little Au Ra licks her lips. As Garen explains, her tail curls about her ankle.

"...I am not mentally trained for such acts. Are there manuals on training techniques? My ability to spy and play roles is entirely predicated upon my love for the Empire. It is what allows me to shed assumed roles even when..." When she would desire that they be her true life. There's a noticable pause.

"Mission, name, loyalty. I..." She pauses, and sighs. The woman looks lost, and a little introverted.

Then, she straightens.

"I need to meditate on my loyalty. Mister Garen, thank you for this lesson. I wish to practice swordsmanship and your skills alike in the future." Bowing, she'll walk away, but not before looking to her soldiers.

"You are dismissed."