Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "The End Of One Lesson"
Amanda Nordstrom
((Gator Deck Holodeck, USS OEB))
Peri’s eyes followed the hologram’s movements. Although it offered no counter attacks, simply because she was a beginner and Wes was easing her into the finer points of self defense, she still had to make sure she understood timing and the best place to move in. Before her approach, it had kept a steady rhythm, the shuffling of its feet against the floor setting a hushed beat, its impassive face very much like what someone who did not care what happened to their opponent and knew they were no match might wear. Since Peri was smaller, she had to learn how to move and work with what she had, and she was grateful to Wes for helping her learn to do that.
Once she approached, the hologram switched up its movements. The feet broke their shuffling tempo, and its hulking form adjusted its posture and position based upon where she stood and came at it. Taking her time, Peri went in and executed another round. That time, when she pulled back, she didn’t stop to talk, but watched, waited, and then timed her next set of movements, then repeated that several times more.
Greaves: Don’t speed up just because it worked. Let it happen the same way.
Although she wasn’t out of breath, Peri didn’t verbally respond, but rather gave a nod, her eyes remaining on the opponent. Thus far, it had done very little, and she didn’t have to worry about retaliation, but she also understood that taking her eyes off of her opponent would leave her open. At some point, that opponent would counter attack, and she might as well cultivate the habit of watching and ignoring unnecessary distractions early on.
She watched. She waited. She advanced. The rhythm set the course, she fell into it, more to properly execute what he had shown her than for any realistic threat. It wasn’t an advanced lesson, for she was a beginner, but it allowed her to get a sense of how to move and how to strike, how to adjust, and how to judge. Without a foundation, the entire temple would crumble - and Wes was ensuring she had an unshakable foundation.
Once. Twice. Thrice. Peri didn’t keep count of how many times he let her go through the process and find her footing, her stance, and opening to strike. She didn’t keep track - but he did. Eventually, enough was enough - they were on the first lesson. Too short, and she learned nothing, but too long wasn’t any good either.
Greaves: Alright. Break it there.
Wes lifted a hand toward the program.
Greaves: Computer, end opponent routine.
With that, the hologram froze, then disintegrated. Echo’s head popped up at its disappearance and she chirped, cocking her head one way, then the other from her perch. Turning toward Wes, he closed a little of the distance between them, and somehow, that small motion changed him. It was subtle, but the way he set his jaw, the way he held himself, it all took a hardness that wasn’t usually present. With that step, however, it was as if he passed through a vale. The edges softened. He was no longer the teacher. He was just Wes.
Peri gazed upon him, but it did not linger. Instead, her eyes settled back on the space previously occupied by the hologram. While it was gone, in her mind’s eye, she could still see it.
Katsim: I’m not strong.
She stated in her usual hushed tone.
Katsim: But…
She trailed off. Peri’s strength lay in her speed, but that wasn’t the point. The point was, she was learning not out of a mere desire, but a necessity. She was learning because what had happened on previous missions showed her that pacifism wasn’t always the best option.
He followed her gaze, and when he spoke again, it was as if he read her mind.
Greaves: That matters, because this isn’t about winning exchanges for the sake of it. It’s about responsibility.
That brought her attention back to the man and away from the empty mat.
Greaves: If you ever have to put hands on somebody for real, it means everything else has already broken down. Talking failed. Distance failed. The situation failed.
Nodding, Peri’s expression remained solemn. Arlill had tried diplomacy, and it hadn’t worked. She knew the Marines were peacekeepers first - they didn’t want to fight, but they were prepared if they had to. Wes was an excellent example about that.
Greaves: Anybody can get excited about learning how to hit harder. That’s the easy part. The hard part is judgment. Knowing when force is necessary, how much is necessary, and when to stop once the threat is handled.
Force was sometimes necessary. If it wasn’t, then there would be no reason for security and no need for the marines.
Katsim: I understand.
Greaves: Response
With a sigh Peri wished all the universe could remain peaceful - but that wasn’t realistic. Hopeful, but definitely not in the realm of reality. Relaxing a bit, she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. While the lesson had ended, the day had not, and there was more to be done. She paused a breath, as if contemplating something, then motioned to her dragonet.
Katsim: Echo, are you ready?
As if uncertain what she had said, the little creature canted her head from one side to the other, but as Peri reached out her hand and made a motion, the purple wings spread, and she launched into the air. For a second, she arched toward Wes, aiming for that perfectly shaved head, but another motion by her pet told her it was not time for such antics, and she angled herself again to land upon Peri’s shoulder.
Greaves: Response
Dark eyes cast a furtive glance at the man, before shifting over to the doors, and she aimed for the exit. The lesson in self defense was useful, and necessary. Life had made it necessary. While Peri would never become a marine, she saw the value in the skills and knowledge they possessed in such areas, and she would be a fool not to utilise the resource at her fingertips. Stepping up to the doors, they hissed open, and behind them, the doj faded away into the neon lines on a backdrop of ebony. There was a time for everything, and the time for the lesson had come to an end, but while that had certainly been on the docket, Peri also had other plans in mind. Even if Wes didn’t know about them.
Greaves: Response
-- Commander Katsim Peri Chief Science Officer USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0