LtCmdr Salkath - The Art of BLT

[Salkath]

((Fitness Center, Deck 4 - USS Artemis))

Lieutenant Commander Salkath had decided to join a class on the Vulcan meditative exercise of kheile'a. The class was well-attended, and one of the officers in attendance was one he had met, albeit temporarily, in an alternate timeline. Talk about a long story to explain that one. Lieutenant Vitor Silveira was holding his own in the class, and Salkath wanted to question him about a curiosity that Vitor had mentioned in passing earlier.

Salkath: I recall you mentioning boxing earlier. Curious, I had heard that style of combat referred to before as a 'sweet science', yet my personal interpretation of pugilism is of a brutish spectacle. What am I missing?

Silveira: Not much because its a bit of both. It mostly triggers an emotional response, although chaotic it isn't just throwing punches left and right. There's skill and tactics in it.

The Vulcan understood that boxing matches were judged, which means that there had to be rules and regulations to reference, so what Vitor was saying made sense. Still, the emotional aspect that he mentioned automatically meant that Salkath would struggle to fully comprehend the sport.

Salkath: I must admit I am likely influenced by my own societal norms decrying violence. I had not considered the high intensity cardiovascular exercise aspect it could impart. But, is it... 'fun'?

Silveira: I admit there is some “fun” in fighting. I can't speak for others but personally there… It is sometimes an emotional valve. Regrettably it can be… ::short pause, then breaking his pose:: Overwhelming. I admit I lost control of my emotions sometimes.

Salkath: That is regrettable. ::said plainly, not judgmentally:: I imagine that losing control diminishes the 'fun'. Or at least is against regulations.

It seemed as if the lieutenant was about to comment further, whether to correct Salkath or to expound on the topic, but the class leader interrupted that potential response.

T'Nil: This next pose requires a threshold of limberness and dexterity. Simulate it as best you can.

The pose required the participants to hold a deep lunge while their arms counterbalanced them. Salkath slid slowly into the pose, watching Vitor's form as he completed it as well.

Silveira: Strange selection of positions. Do they have a meaning?

Salkath: Try to maintain even breathing throughout the pose. ::then directly addressing the question:: Each one utilizes a different muscle group, with the end result being a holistic full body engagement.

Silveira: I don’t see a… Logic in them.

T'Nil: Keep holding this pose...

Salkath: As each move progresses to the next, it stimulates sympathetic muscle groups and joints. It also serves to drain the lymphatic system, bringing relaxation and a sense of peacefulness. If you apply the meditative mindset to the sequence as well, it enhances those same feelings. 

There was once a martial aspect to this style, but it had since been relegated to the far past. Now, it was simply a 'feel good' exercise.

Silveira: response

T'Nil: ::focusing on a Bolian in the back row:: Is that... are you eating a sandwich!? Unacceptable!

Salkath: In the end, these series of exercises are more tradition than they are martial, so in that sense, there may be less logic than expected. Tradition and logic are not always compatible, even though both are important.

To Vulcans, at least. Tradition and logic were the basic tenets of their society, some would even say to their detriment. Salkath was as much a slave to logic and tradition as much of his people, though his experiences in Starfleet have tempered them somewhat. And relatively.

Silveira: response

T'Nil: Our next pose involves - Crewman! I must insist that you cease eating, or I'll have to ask you to leave!

Salkath: ::with the merest of eyebrow raises:: It must be a good sandwich.

Silveira: response

TAG/TBC

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Lieutenant Commander Salkath

Engineer, USS Artemis-A

A239111MT0