Lt JG Taj'el - Dropping the Knife
Taj'el
((Azure Falls, Azure Horizon Beach & Spa, Lolagi IV))
Taj’el: Different styles focused on different things. They are focused more on trading and blocking attacks. Suus Mahna, however, is more evasive and centered on redirecting attacks. I admit I do not know much about Tassa’Akai beyond its cultural background.
Seeing the two step away from each other, they shifted into a more relaxed posture, as it appeared instructions were being given.
T’Fearne: ::addressing Taj’el, but careful not to take her eyes off Jenta again:: Tassa’Akai is like a dance of defence. It uses telescoping blunt batons in a series of precision strikes, deflection and dodges. It relies less on strength or direct attack. What sets it apart from other martial art forms is its reliance on a slight telepathic use to predetermine what one's opponent is going to do next and vice versa. ::Looking back to Jenta:: As much as I am enjoying being tenderised up and down the beach by you, Senior Chief, your other students are being neglected. Might we continue with the knives?
They raised an eyebrow. Logically, it made sense that Tassa’Akai carried some telepathic implications. They considered whether they should remove their gloves to maintain parity with the others present. However, the Orion would have no capacity for telepathy, and moreover, this was not strictly Tassa’Akai training. It was a knife class.
Solana: Eskrima and Kali emphasize rapid, short but powerful strikes using knees, elbows and the rest of your body to trap or batter an opponent up close. They both also have excellent methods for knife fighting, which is why I train extensively in both. ::to T’Fearne:: Quite, and well fought. Alrighty, everyone get your training knives.
They bowed to each other, and T’Fearne joined the other two on the sidelines. It was genuinely impressive, and Taj’el offered a soft, appreciative clap for them both.
Taj’el: Impressive, to you both. I can see you are clearly proficient in your abilities.
T’Fearne: ::collecting her knife from the sand:: Thank you.
Wren: ::small applause:: That was great!
Solana: Thank you. And don’t worry, I don’t expect you to do anything like what we just did. That was merely both a warm up and for you to see what years of training and experience can result in. T'Fearne, why don’t you partner with Delphina and I’ll work with our guest?
Taj’el raised an eyebrow, they knew they were participating but they were still a bit uncertain. They were not sure how good they would do. However the point of the class was to learn and if anything this might help their confidence.
T’Fearne: ::To Wren:: It’s ok, this part is beginner level and don’t worry. You won’t hurt me. Let loose and have fun with it.
Wren: ::small laugh:: Oh, believe me, I’m not worried about me hurting you. Um….. do I just go for it?
Solana: Not quite. So, watch me first. There are three primary ways to grip a knife. The standard grip as anyone would naturally hold one. This is best for making quick thrusts, but also slashes. ::she stabbed the air in front of her a few times:: The second, hammer grip. Much like the first one you just hold it tighter, with the blade facing you. This is mostly for bashing with the pommel and a good non-lethal method for incapacitation. ::she made a smooth gesture as if to strike Taj’el on the temple:: And the last is reverse grip. Almost exclusively meant for downward stabs. And unless you have a double bladed knife, you’re not going to be able to slash an opponent. But it can be used to block with the proper skill. ::she smiled:: That said, let’s see what your instincts are. ::to Taj’el:: Shall we? Or do you have any questions?
They stood still as the demonstration was given. As questions were asked and the lesson continued, Taj’el simply shook their head. They understood the principles in theory, but remained uncertain how they would translate them into physical movement.
Solana assumed a ready stance before them. Taj’el looked down at the knife and adopted a basic starting position. Holding the blade in their left hand, they used a reverse grip, favoring its defensive qualities and its alignment with their personal style.
T’Fearne: Response
Taj’el: Alright. I understand.
Wren: Okay…. Gotcha.
Solana: Attack me with whatever feels right to you and I’ll respond.
Taj’el was fundamentally a defender; they preferred not to initiate attacks. They paused briefly, breaking their stance to test the knife’s weight with a few measured swings before settling back into position.
Looking up, they noted that their opponent was prepared. Taj’el assessed that any offensive action would likely be ineffective. Their strikes were precise and forceful, yet somewhat unrefined. Their visual tracking was strong, but their experience clearly did not lie in offensive technique. As expected, most of their attempts were easily blocked or redirected.
Taj’el: I am far more proficient in defense than offense.
T’Fearne: Response
Wren: ::stumbling back to her feet:: Sorry, I- ::immediately gets knocked flat on her back::..... Okay, don’t stop to apologize, got it.
Solana: With knives you not only have to track your opponent’s movements with their body and limbs, but also the weapons themselves. It barely takes much rotation of the wrist with a knife to be able to slice multiple times. Even while blocking an incoming strike.
Taj’el: Noted.
T’Fearne: Response
Taj’el halted abruptly when they registered the Orion’s shift in stance. The movement into close range occurred faster than anticipated. Using the incoming momentum, Taj’el intercepted the first blade with their own, redirecting it away from their body, only to register the second moments later. They pivoted, the motion carrying across their arm in a controlled turn to evade.
The unfamiliar weight of the knife introduced a subtle but noticeable disruption to their balance and timing. Unaccustomed to wielding a weapon, they briefly considered releasing it altogether.
Solana: When your opponent is wielding a pair of weapons it’s vital to learn to make use of your offhand, to block their limbs if possible. You can also attempt to grab for them, ideally their opposite wrist depending on the weapon they have to try and prevent them from hitting you with it. You can also punch with your offhand. The best targets being the wrist, inner elbow and joints. But staying mobile is also important. Dual wielding is difficult. So I would only recommend it if you’ve gotten ample training.
Taj’el: Grabbing the wrist is not the most effective choice if the other hand is also armed… ::They mused aloud, thinking through the implications of the exchange as it unfolded..::
T’Fearne/Wren: Response
Solana moved in again as Taj’el worked to block and evade, their focus fixed carefully on the opponent’s hands. In a split-second decision, Taj’el released their own knife and caught one of Solana’s arms, securing a firm grip on the wrist and preparing to execute a disarm.
Before they could complete the motion, they felt their leg support give way beneath them. The shift in balance caused them to fall backward. They released the hold mid-motion, managing to catch themself as they went down, preventing a harder impact, though they still ended up toppled on the ground.
Solana: If you are having a hard time disarming, striking or grappling an opponent you can try and attack their foundation instead. Everyone needs to have a solid structure when fighting. And unless your foe floats or otherwise can’t be rendered prone, like Gra’vel, our resident Horta, going for the legs is always a valid option as long as you can do so without opening yourself to a hit.
Taj’el: I admit, I was overly focused on your hands. I will take care to correct that moving forward.
T’Fearne/Wren/: Response
They rose from their awkward kneeling position, brushing dust from their hands before regripping their knife. Taking a moment, they glanced toward the Ensign and Lieutenant to assess their progress. Ensign Wren, in particular, appeared to be exerting significant effort; their fundamentals seemed solid, and Taj’el concluded they would benefit greatly from continued training.
Turning their attention back to the Orion, Taj’el resumed a defensive stance. This time, they consciously broadened their focus, observing the opponent’s full body rather than fixating on a single point. As they analyzed movement patterns, they noted that, in many humanoid species, hip positioning could offer predictive cues for strikes, while also keeping awareness of leg movement. However, they remained cautious of rapid knife hand-switching and shifting weapon angles.
Taj’el: Alright. I am ready to continue.
T’Fearne/Wren/Solana: Response
Waiting for Solana to initiate again, Taj’el focused on controlling the flow of the engagement, adjusting their movement to guide and redirect incoming strikes. It proved more difficult than anticipated. Once again, the knife felt more cumbersome than advantageous, and after a particularly rapid sequence of attacks, they released it in favor of empty-handed defense.
Their open palms redirected strikes as they evaded, pushing each attack off-line while maintaining awareness of their own footing. They ensured their stance remained stable or positioned at a sufficient distance to avoid a potential leg sweep.
Taj’el: I apologize. I am not accustomed to knife work. I am trained in an open-hand style, which is why I keep releasing it.
T’Fearne/Wren/Solana: Response
Taj’el: Of course. I will attempt again.
Picking up their blade once more from the sand, they dusted it off. They examined it briefly, trying to determine how they might maintain a grip while still keeping pace. They had attempted to adapt, but the instinct to intercept and control the opponent’s hands remained strong and in this context, it proved difficult to reconcile with weapon retention.
T’Fearne/Wren/Solana: Response
[[TAGS/TBC]]
