12204/A healer with a blade

A healer with a blade
Date of Scene:	19 September 2020
Location:	Danger Room - X-Men Base
Synopsis:	Jimmy and Shannon had a training session and they had a good talk along the well as well.
Cast of Characters:	Warpath, Nightingale

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Warpath has posed:
     Knowing Shannon has had hesitation with the knife, but Jimmy's has been insistent that she learn anyway. It's a hard thing, but maybe she's figuring out everything about the knife training isn't about the knife itself. Her reflexes are getting faster and upper body is stronger too.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon was not crazy about bladed weapons, nor did it seem likely they would ever gain much favor with her. Still, knowledge on how to handle them properly could only be of benefit in the end, and perhaps prevent greater injury. It was one of the more distasteful aspects of training, but one that was necessary.

     When a message reached her that she was due for a training session in the danger room, the winged healer in training suited up in her 'bumblebees', and made her way down to the lower levels. It had been a while, with the memo several weeks before regarding Creed's presence on the grounds. Despite her many (mis)adventures, that was one rule she was not inclined to break. "Hey there... hope I'm not late?"

Warpath has posed:
     "Horribly late. Have you no shame?" he replies with a hint of a smirk. He is sitting on the floor of the Danger Room and there is no program running. Two knives rest on the floor in front of him as he waits. This time the weapons are thinner than usual and a little shorter. He likes to keep things mixed up,"Any new excitement of late for you?"

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon gets one of those tell-tale sheepish grins, and rubs the back of her neck. "Funny you should ask that," she mutters. However, she does not elaborate any further--nor does she look right at him. Instead, the oddly different blades catch her eye. One finely arched golden brow lofts, but she refrains from comment for the moment.

Warpath has posed:
     He nods and reaches for one of the blades and tells you,"That's what I live for. Being funny." the grim warrior comments. Rolling the hilt of the blade through his fingers he waits for you to take yours up,"We'll go through the usual warm up and you can tell me what you want."

Nightingale has posed:
     Rolling her eyes, Shannon smiles a bit, reaching for the other blade. She tests the weight and feel of it in her hand, pursing her lips in thought. "I think if I were to take up a blade as a weapon, this one might suit a little better. It doesn't feel as heavy and awkward in my hand. But that's a big 'if'." Keeping her grip firm but relaxed, she turns to face Warpath, her smile widening a bit. Others might not appreciate that dry, sardonic wit, but it rarely failed to make her smile.

Warpath has posed:
     He places the blade against yours and he starts the figure eight routine,"It's like I might know what would suit you best." he teases once more and makes sure you are relaxed in the routine again,"The blade is one of the oldest weapons there is. It is still a point of contention what Cain used to kill Abel, but some believe it was a knife and others a rock."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Who is to say it couldn't have been both, if the blade was made of flint?" The figure eight routine was familiar, even relaxing to a point--if it weren't for the fact that each of them had a deadly weapon in hand. Still, it was beginning to grow on the young mutant, her smile widening a bit further. "I'd have -no- idea how you could possibly know such a thing, of course," she teases right back, giving every bit as good as she got.

Warpath has posed:
     There is a smirk and they continue the figure out routine getting loose and flexible for training,"I saw a television show that called it the first blade and it was a sharpened animal jaw bone. Playing with liberties I guess. That history isn't my strong suit, but you are right. It could have been sharpened flint sure."

     He smirks at her comment about no idea and moves past that,"You are getting more and more confident in holding it even if you don't like doing it. That's one thing I admire about you little sister. Whatever you do, you put yourself into it."

Nightingale has posed:
     "What sense is there in doing otherwise?" Shannon replied, as she continued with the usual figure eights in the practice routine. This blade felt a bit more natural in her hand. It was almost frightening, the way it did so, which registered in the furrowing of her brows, and the slight hesitation in the next pass of her blade.

Warpath has posed:
     "Exactly." he replies with a nod,"Do everything the best that you can." If he notices her getting a handle on the weapon better he doesn't mention. Stopping the figure eight he comments,"Now strike the blade against mine, stay parallel to the floor and keep your strike close, not exposing your inner bicep, protecting the artery there."

Nightingale has posed:
     Grimacing more openly at the change in exercise, Shannon attempts to execute the motion as Warpath describes it. Keeping her blade parallel to the ground, she aims it for his, treating this first attempt like a dance, to gain muscle memory. "Like so?" she asks, keeping an eye also on where the tip of her blade would reach, were it to actually touch him. What was he trying to teach her?

Warpath has posed:
     "Very good." he replies softly and nods,"Repeat the process, be aware that you keep the inner arm protected." he instructs softly,"We're going to build from this movement to another. Practice this to settle your muscles on this. Feel how it moves from the warm up excercise."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Feels like it's using more of the muscles towards the back of my arm, and my shoulder." It wasn't meant as a complaint, as Shannon's tone was even, almost with a clinical sort of detachment as she noted the different feeling of this particular movement. "The figure eights felt more like they relied on the forearm and biceps." This was a very different motion, and one she repeats, paying particular attention to which muscles are being worked in, and keeping her inner arm shielded as best as possible. Which, at this point, wasn't very well at all!

Warpath has posed:
     "Keep going." he comments and reaches out to push her elbow in a little,"You'll learn the range and how to use it with practice. Right now protecting the brachial is the important part of the excercise. Connect with the blade again. A little harder."

Nightingale has posed:
     There is definitely more of an audible /clink/ as the two blades connect with a little more force this time, followed by a metallic scraping sound as one slides against the other. Shannon attempts to keep her elbow up, protecting that brachial artery. Indeed, one good swipe of an enemy blade could land her in the medbay--or worse! While she is not gifted with super strength as Warpath was, the time spent in physical training did show some signs of paying off--even as she was holding back on the full force of her swipe. "That better?"

Warpath has posed:
     "Better." he replies,"Again." He's a little relentless in training mode, but it's the only way a student gets to learn more control. He nods at the strength behind the strike,"You're getting stronger too. Be mindful in your training to get stronger, but not at the expense of your speed. Useful muscles as opposed to bulk."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon nods, and smiles somewhat. "It's why I'm in Alexis' dance class, and training in use of the bo staff from Mr. LeBeau." There is a bit more hesitation as she repeats the movement, pausing about halfway. "I don't like the idea of slipping up and hurting you, though."

Warpath has posed:
     "You're busy." he comments thoughtfully and moves her blade back into the figure eight form to talk easier,"I've been hurt before. That's what the medbay is for and I heal quickly. Nothing like Logan, but quicker than most." Just two training is easier for both,"Eventually I will want to bring someone to train with you on the blade too so you don't get used to one body type training partner."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Maybe so, but I still don't want to hurt you." There is a moment more of hesitation, before the winged teen resumes the familiar figure-eight motions, keeping her grip on the blade relaxed but firm. It was becoming increasingly difficult to flip the blade from her hand, as might have happened before if caught off-guard. "Who would you bring in, then?"

Warpath has posed:
     "I appreciate the not wanting to hurt me." he replies and continues the weapon movement,"As for the who. Probably Logan. I'll see if Hank can as well. I'll want a female as well, but I'm not sure who yet on that part."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Wouldn't be the first time I trained with Logan," Shannon notes, actually smiling fairly wide now. "Been working with him ona nd off all year, when he's been around. But that's mostly been on hand-to-hand, not with wepaons." Pursing her lips in thought, she pauses in the figure eights, though this time she remembers to shift her posture to better protect herself as Warpath had shown her a little bit earlier. "I don't know what sort of training in that Alexis has, and I'm not sure what training with blades Sam has. I wouldn't mind either of them. Miss Braddock has a strong reputation as an excellent teacher in the martial arts, too. I've tried signing up for her class, but never did hear back from her. But then again, she does have her hands full."

Warpath has posed:
     "Betsy is a good option." he replies with a nod,"I haven't talked to her for a while, but I will see if I can get her in here to help with this." He's trying to get back into the swing of things,"I'll try to catch Alexis as well. She might could stand the training herself. I don't know. Either way. Nothing helps your training like teaching another."

Nightingale has posed:
     "It's going to be a while before I teach another," Shannon replies, shaking her head and resuming the figure eights. "I'm just barely getting semi-comfortable with this myself. Alexis, though, I know it would be difficult to hurt, certainly at least with hand-to-hand. Not sure about blades, you'd have to ask Sam and see how far he's tested her. I was in here with them for only one test run for her." It likely went without saying that she'd also attempted to heal Alexis from said testing.

     Warpath had size and strength as well as speed on his side--but she had her smaller size plus increasing agility on hers. In what she hopes is an unexpected move, she darts in low, breaking from the figure eight to take a swipe at his midsection, trusting that he would be able to get out of the way in time. This was the sort of thing he trained for--and much, much worse.

Warpath has posed:
     "You learn more from teaching than being taught." he reiterates,"Comfortable is good though." he agrees,"I haven't been around Alexis enough to know really. We'd have to ask about it."

     The shift in her strike is fast, well timed, and deflected without any real effort on his part,"Very good, but you dropped you shoulder and your eyes shifted at the last second. Work on that."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon frowns at her apparent gaffe with the blade, and just how badly she seems to have telegraphed the whole thing. "Okay, so how do yuo keep from doing that?" She goes through the motion of the strike again, this time slower and with an eye towards paying attention to her own actions throughout the entire thing.

Warpath has posed:
     "Practice and experience." he replies to you,"It isn't something that just comes to you." He moves his blade in mirror to your attack, showing you the difference between how you moved and how you need to,"You're getting better each day. Practice is the key. Whether you are working with me or practicing on your own."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's cheeks flush a light shade of rose, and she ducks her head, a bit shame-faced. "Ummm... yeah, about that practicing...." Coughing a little, she grins a bit sheepishly. "Ummm, I sort of have been forgetting to do that..."

Warpath has posed:
     There is a humorless smirk and he replies,"Yes I know." There is no accusation, just a statement,"Don't worry about it. If you practice you get better. If you don't...you stay the same. That is true of anything that you do. You get what you put into anything. If this isn't something you want to continue, just say so. There are other things you can learn." He isn't mad, just making a point.

Nightingale has posed:
     That seems to actually wipe the grin right off of Shannon's face, and draw out mist to gather in the corners of her eyes. Her distaste for the blade had never been a secret, but she would not stop. "Then I need to practice more," she whispers, a little quaver in her voice. Turning so she is standing next to Warpath, she peers over, adjusting her stance to more closely match his.

Warpath has posed:
     "We all have to practice in everything shik'isn." he tells you softer than usual. A quick hand at the corner of each eye gently wipes away her tears. After that he settles down and starts to show her how to adjust. He's patient in all things, even when it can be challenging,"I am the king of challenged patience, despite what you might think. It took a long time for find the calm."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Even in this, I don't want to disappoint you," Shannon says. She looks about to say something else but refrains, putting it out of her mind. If her adopted older brother thought learning to wield a blade properly was worthwhile, then she would simply apply herself to it. It was not without another tear truckling down her face, though she pushes her way past that, matching his stance as best she might. "This could almost be a meditation in of itself."

Warpath has posed:
     "You won't disappoint me unless you fail yourself." he tells you seriously,"Be true to yourself and the rest will fall into place." Taking a deep breath and exhales slowly,"This is a form of tai chi, meditation in movements." he continues,"Moving, breathing, and focusing your energy." Slowly he starts a collection of movement, moving each time on the exhale and pausing at the inhale.

Nightingale has posed:
     Keeping the blade in her hand, Shannon times her movements with her breath as he does. There's a slight trembling, the blade glinting along the edge as her grip wavers. But she closes her fingers around the hilt that much harder, determined to get this right. "Did you ever... not want to do this? Or was it something you always liked?"

Warpath has posed:
     "This has been my life since I was little. The Apache are masters of the blade." he rpelies to you and continues the slow movements,"If you mean teaching at Xaviers, not even close." he continues. The breathing never slows,"If you mean fight...well. Not initially, but in time...it happened."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Then... maybe I shouldn't feel so bad, that it's... well... very difficult to bring myself to like this. If even you didn't at first." Shannon does seem to ease up a little bit, her grip relaxing, her knuckles no longer white as she holds to the blade. "What should I practice with, when we're not in here?"

Warpath has posed:
     "I wish it were possible to run my farms and other businesses, leaving behind the anti-mutant hysteria..." he comments and continues to move through and finally comes to an end of the sequence. Another deep breath and he tells you,"If you have free time and want something to do, come down here and run through my programs. You will find a demonstration of how this is done. You are on your honor not to do others beyond level 1. Use password Last Tribal Son. Separated with spaces, capitals on each word."

Nightingale has posed:
     "I doubt I'd be capable beyond level 1 on my own, anyways." Blinking, Shannon just looks at Warpath in surprise as he gives her his password. It was not something she would have ever asked. Setting her blade down on the ground, she expresses her thanks in the only way she really can--a hug that wraps him up, wings and all.

Warpath has posed:
     He listens to your response and replies,"You might, but you don't want to try it and I don't want you to try it." Of course, she's a notorious magent for trouble, so he knows there is a risk. When she hugs him he returns the hug as well,"Be strong sister, but know where your heart is too. You have to walk a delicate balance between the two."

Nightingale has posed:
     "I think if I do try it, it'll be with you here. And that's not going to be for a while." Shannon doesn't let go for a little while, letting a hug calm her so she can better collect her thoughts. "My fear is I might learn to like it and be a bit -too- good at it. Can I still be a healer, if that happens?"

Warpath has posed:

     "If you place the Danger Room on the lowest setting you will be safe." he tells you softly,"Besides, if I'm here you don't need a practice holgram dummy to show you things." He considers for a long time and reaches over to get into the gym bag. He takes out a small metal pipe looking piece. Holding it out palm up, he gently tosses it into the air and instantly a metal bo staff pops into existence,"Not my specialty, but maybe this would be more your speed."

Nightingale has posed:
     In a flash, Shannon's hand darts out to catch the staff, and she steps away. A quick flurry of spins, and she drops immediately into a stance highly reminiscent of one used by a certain crazy Cajun. "Maybe." Is that a hint of a smile on her face? No, surely it must be a trick of the light. "I'll still practice with the blade, though."

Warpath has posed:
     Watching her move he instantly recognizes the influence of the team's resident Cajun. He laughs softly while you go through the motions,"I will continue to teach you yes, I just wondered what you would do with that." he admits,"You are very good with it too." he adds,"Very impressive."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon gives a little bit of a sheepish grin, bringing herself up out of the stance, holding the staff at a diagonal across her body in more of a resting pose. "It's a bit easier for me to practice with the staff, because I have a yew wood one to work with. I don't have a blade, though, and I'm not about to ask about that till I hit 18. So... I'm not quite sure what to do about practice."

Warpath has posed:
     Another nod of approval and he reaches back into the bag. When his hand comes back out of the bag offers you the hilt of a hard rubber knife,"Now you have something to practice with." he suggests,"It is a little lighter than an actual blade, but for now it'll serve its purpose."

     Nodding towards the knife you were training with,"That one is yours when I decide you are ready for it." he adds,"For the record, you're not there or really terribly close yet." He's not being mean, just speaking straight forward.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon accepts the hilt of the practice blade, testing the weight of it in her hands. "Hmmmm. I could probably modify this to better mimic the weight of the actual blade, so I'm not thrown off when the time comes for the real deal." Smiling, she sketches something of a bow, but looks down at the staff still in her other hand, a little uncertain. It wasn't too dissimilar to one that Remy sometimes had her practice with; sure enough, she finds the control to collapse it back in upon itself, leaving it a slender metal tube once more. She holds this out to Warpath, smiling. "I don't know if you want this back, since I have my yew staff to practice with. But if you do... where would I find one similar?"

Warpath has posed:
     He shakes his head and raises his palm forward,"That's for you. In active combat it's going to probably only be good for a few strikes. It is hollow after all, but it does make for a quick surprise and a way to get your back to a wall if need be." Crossing his arms he nods towards the knife,"You can do whatever you want with it. It's yours to practice with and keep. You'll give it back to me when I give you the blade for real."

Nightingale has posed:
     Warpath is blessed with another hug, and this time, a brilliant smile. "Thank you so much. At least I can keep this staff with me when I'm out. Since we both know, I attract NO trouble whatsoever..." Cough, cough.

Warpath has posed:
     The hug is returned and he nods,"You're welcome of course. Since you don't have any trouble at all." he suggests,"Just be mindful how the release works. You wouldn't want it to pop open in your pocket."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon laughs, and grins a bit. "Yeah, that could be just a little awkward. Not to mention painful." She smiles some, looking down at the staff in her hands. "It's almost like a dance when I practice the staff. But it's very difficult to have that mindset with the blade. Something for me to work on, I guess."

Warpath has posed:
     "It might be funny for those around you." he agrees,"As for the blade. There are ways to practice with it the same way you do with the staff. Make it a dance I mean. Just a different sort of dance. The rubber knife should take some of your anxiety away for the time being."

Nightingale has posed:
     "At least until I gain more skill," Shannon agrees, breathing a sigh of relief. "I know that out there, a day may come when I have no choice but to take a life. It's not one I look forward to." The collapsible staff is set to the side for the moment, and the real blade taken up. With the live blade in one hand, and the practice blade in the other, she seems to be testing the weight and balance of each; one can almost visualize the gears in her head turning as she makes mental notes on the differing feel between the two.

     "I'm not sure how much I'd be coming down here to use your simulations," she says, a warm smile on her face. "As much as this sort of training is difficult for me, and the practice would be good, I like spending the time with my brother more."

Warpath has posed:
     "All things with time." he tells you again. Is he a little repetitive on the patience comment much? Watching you with the knife he is quiet, letting you assess things with the weapon. When you mention the training and time with im he nods,"I enjoy spending time with my sister too."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon can't help but smile at that. It was infrequent at best that a crack might show in the stoic reserve her adopted older brother showed as his face to the outside world. But when it did, in moments such as this, it was like sunshine chasing away storm clouds, making it impossible for the shadows that sometimes haunted her youthful features to remain there. "You really are a blessing."

Warpath has posed:
     "There is a fine line between blessing and curse little sister. Be sure you know which one you are labeling correctly." an almost joke there. Not a good one, but almost. Looking down at you he adds,"You tell anyone this happened and I'll skin you." he teases at the end,"I have an image to uphold." Not that he really cares what other people think of him.

Nightingale has posed:
     Craning her neck to peer up into Warpath's eyes, Shannon reaches up to poke him very lightly in the chest. "Oi, you," she says. "I think I know a blessing when I see one. You may grumble and growl, you may look like a mountain on legs, but the heart of that mountain is made out of gold." She smirks, standing back, chuckling softly. "I won't have to say a word. Your actions speak for themselves."

Warpath has posed:
     Looking down at her he makes that ususal deep, grunting noise,"Wait until you are a little older." he manages, but still mostly teasing,"I am glad you don't need a lot of words." Since she withdraws he crosses his arms to listen to her,"Regardless. What else are you up to for the weekend?"

Nightingale has posed:
     "I hadn't many plans," Shannon replies, not in the least intimidated by the 'mountain on legs'. "Mostly studying, working out, maybe working on some music. Or I might do a little bit of shopping, don't know yet. But definitely study." With the practice blade tucked away safely, along with her new staff, she, too crosses her arms, mirroring the Mountain. "What about you?"

Warpath has posed:
     Shaking his head he admits,"Nothing really. Probably a swim and catch up on some grading." Noting the similar posture he raises a brow, but doesn't seem bothered by it,"Dinner needs to happen before too much longer too. After all that, I might come back down here and put this thing through the paces."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon laughs and nods, starting to head towards the door. "Come on, then, I've got some chicken soaking in a chili lime marinade. Maybe roast up some potato wedges to go with that, won't take long at all." Sure enough, her stomach seems bent on embarrassing her, reminding her rather vocally that she forgot to eat. "There should be enough for us both if you like."

Warpath has posed:
     "Talked me into it." he agrees and walks over to the control panel to shut down the Danger Room's systems. No sense leaving it for someone else to walk in on part way through a program,"Chicken and and potato wedges sound good." The gurgle gets another laugh,"Apparently I'm not the only one that missed lunch."