Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "Correction"
Amanda Nordstrom
((Gator Deck Holodeck , USS OEB))
Peri liked Wes. This was probably good since they were in a committed relationship. The inherent trust she had made her comfortable approaching him about a need she had seen for herself throughout the various missions she’d served in - a need to learn more than just the basics she’d been taught at the Academy. Peri hadn’t really placed any emphasis on self defense, but necessity had forced her into a place where she couldn’t ignore it. So, she stood in the Gator holodeck facing the man who had come not to be her partner in life, but her partner in training. While they were connected romantically, Peri also knew that Wes wouldn’t go easy on her. As much as she would likely regret it, that’s what she needed.
Katsim: Where do we begin?
Greaves: With your feet.
With a gentle tap from Peri, Echo relinquished her perch yet again and took up a position atop a buki-kake where two curved swords sat on display, her ebony eyes whirling gently as she watched the marine approach her pet. Peri’s own eyes watched Wes as he approached, then followed the motion he made.
Greaves: Everything else fails if your base fails.
She watched his feet as they slid apart, no wider than his shoulders. Studying his position, she did the same, then slowly settled into her new stance. Lifting her gaze, her expression quietly asked if what she did was correct.
Greaves: Right now you’re standing to think. I need you standing to move. Let’s try a simple drill. Maintain a balanced stance and shadow me as I move around you.
Peri’s head tilted slightly, but she did as he instructed - she watched. He moved. Her eyes followed his motions, the sliding shuffling rather than a lift and step, the way he kept his balance centered at all times rather than rocking in a typical walk. When he shifted, she followed, and then his fingers gently touched her elbow, not hard, but enough to let her know she needed to move her body. She did so, finding herself back at a central position rather than twisting to the side.
He altered his pace mid-step without warning, testing how quickly she compensated.
He reached out then, two fingers pressing lightly at her elbow to adjust the angle. Not forceful, corrective. The contact was brief, precise. He shifted her forearm a fraction inward, guiding her center back over her base.
Greaves: Good. Now relax your shoulders.
With a glance at each of her shoulders, Peri lifted them, then let them fall into a rested, natural position. She looked at them again, as if to be sure they were where they should be, then looked up at Wes expectantly.
Greaves: Response
She did as she was told, but unlike him, found herself falling back into a more typical motion. Rather than letting her feet glide, she lifted a foot, which shifted her balance to the other. Without realising it, she’d put herself in a vulnerable position, but Wes was quick to address it.
Greaves: Response
Freezing, Peri accepted the correction without complaint or comment. Her eyes dropped down, observing his feet, watching hers, adjusting, shifting. From her perch, Echo watched, her head bobbing up and down in curiosity, but the dragonet was not enough to distract her. Peri had made a request for a reason, and Wes was taking time and energy to teach her.
Katsim: Like this?
Greaves: Response
-- Commander Katsim Peri Chief Science Officer USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0