Senior Chief Petty Officer Jenta Solana - The Basics
Rameses
((Azure Falls, Azure Horizon Beach & Spa, Lolagi IV))
After passing over the knives to the others she tossed the two she kept for herself into the sand behind her and kept her focus on T’Fearne. The Orion slowly shifted her stance, letting her toes dig into the sand a little. Her arms raised, hands open palmed but held in front of her while she met the Vulcanoid’s gaze.
Solana: Since I know T’Fearne has some training we’ll warm up with some sparring a few minutes. Then I’ll teach you some basic movements and several different scenarios and how to protect yourself during them. First lesson..
Jenta’s foot that was partially buried in the sand kicked up abruptly to fling a cloud of sand right towards T’Fearne’s face. To the Vulcanoid’s credit, she anticipated it and shielded her eyes at the right moment.
Solana: Your opponent will not always fight honorably.
She then lunged towards the vulcanoid and threw several measured slaps and chopping motions towards her, while she kept her feet moving in a way that kept her stance as much as possible. Each strike was at half speed and not her full power, to gauge T’Fearne’s capabilities and if they could ramp up the contact if needed.
Wren: ::softly:: I don’t think I can do that, I- she said this was a beginner class.
Taj’el: They may be attempting to impress you. If it had been stated that this was a class for beginners, they will not expect more from you. They will teach you the basics.
Even though they were not going all out and merely testing one another shew could tell T’Fearne was skilled. That said, even the best warriors could make mistakes. So when she caught the moment T’Fearne was distracted by Taj’el the Orion rushed in as if she were going to try and punch her side and instead made a last moment shift to swing up her knee right across the vulcanoid’s solar plexus. As her shipmate dropped to a knee in the sand, Jenta moved to check on her friend.
Solana: Are you alright?
She extended a hand to help her to her feet.
T’Fearne: It’s fine, a momentary distraction. Let us continue.
Jenta thought she might have seen T’Fearne’s free hand dig into the sand a little when she helped up to her feet. Once she was certain it was safe to resume, she attacked T’Fearne again. Though it was her opponent’s turn to fight dirty. She quickly raised a palm up mid movement to slap at the sand and also T’Fearne’s shoulder which put the two of them much closer. Which, she suspected had been the intent as a sweep for her leg came next. With practiced speed she yanked the targeted leg up and then shifted so it was her back foot once it touched sand again.
Wren: ::to Taj’el:: Wait, how did she do that? It looked like- ::realizing that Taj’el seems to be following this closer than her:: Do you remember any of this being covered at the academy?
Taj’el: The basics, yes. Watch their fundamentals before attempting to copy everything. Observe where their feet are positioned, and their hips.
T’Fearne: Shall we go faster, Senior Chief? Or would you prefer to keep things simple for this demonstration?
While she kept her gaze on T’Fearne she smirked slightly.
Solana: Taj’el is right. Fundamentals are key, which we’ll teach you. ::to T’Fearne:: I’m game if you think you can keep up. ::she winked::
The Orion switched stances with a little light bouncing on her feet like some ancient Terran she’d seen images of once. Her hands in front of her, fists balled, she squared off against the vulcanoid.
This time when she charged for T’Fearne she made a rapid fire series of punches as if she had a knife in each hand them switched to open palms mid strike to try and grapple and sweep T’Fearne with her full body. It was enough that both of them almost went to the ground. With T’Feane having rolled away in one direction and Jenta parallel. They both hopped to their feet, almost simultaneously. But it was the grin she saw on T’Fearne’s face that elicited a smile on hers.
Taj’el: Foundation is key, and most of your power will come from your hips. Males tended to have more arm power, with exceptions, of course. I am sure they will go over it further; however, I believed they were simply having fun now.
This time when she attacked, it was more intense and to T’Fearne’s credit as they went through the full contact dance she kept up exceedingly well. She noted that the woman seemed to be able to gauge her movements then recalled she was half Betazoid. Somewhere during their give and take their speed had amped up.
T’Fearne: ::starting to breathe more deeply, warmth spreading through her muscles:: Indeed. We are just starting to warm up.
She smirked at T’Fearne’s comment and held her hands in front of her as she would if she was reverse gripping her knives. One near her head and the other held more chest level. So when T’Fearne slapped for the side of her head she blocked it with her forearm and the other hand dropped to slap her palm against the incoming knee meant for her midsection. The moment she deflected the knee that same arm’s elbow rose up and jabbed right into T’Fearne’s ribcage.
Wren: When Mordren fought he typically used his opponents’ height and strength against them by going low. ::shrugs:: You gotta strategize when you’re the only five and a half footer on the team.
Solana: That’s a solid way to approach that, however a skilled enough opponent can counter that by either going low themselves or if they’re strong enough, picking you off the ground entirely. Adaptability is key. You can’t use the same attack or technique every time. Being predictable puts you at risk. So it’s good to find a balance with what works best for your physical capabilities.
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.
T’Fearne took a step back, dissengaging and held up a hand to Jenta, a silent request for a break. The moment she saw the gesture the Orion’s posture immediately relaxed and she placed her palms on her hips.
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?
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.
She returned T’Fearne’s respectful bow with one of her own and took a moment to stretch and feel the aches of a good spar. She was going to have a bruise or two in the morning as well.
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!
Jenta picked up her two training knives from the sand and rolled them over the palms and backs of her hands while she walked towards the group.
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?
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?
Jenta focused on Taj’el, while Delphina and T’Fearne sparred. She twirled her training knives in her palm a moment before she settled into holding both in the standard grip. One held in front of her slightly, the blade at an angle for blocking and the other knife held higher, beside her head ready to strike like a scorpion’s stinger.
T’Fearne/Taj’el: Response
Wren: Okay…. Gotcha.
Out of her peripheral vision she spotted Delphina making the first move on T’Fearne.
Solana: Attack me with whatever feels right to you and I’ll respond.
The Orion watched their guest with curiosity and the alertness of someone who’s had to fight for her life on many occasions. As Taj’el attacked she moved defensively and at a more measured speed than when she sparred with T’Fearne. Each incoming strike she reacted with the sometimes subtle, sometimes overt movements of her knives. Part of the reason she favored knives was due to how nimble a weapon they were. That with a sometimes simple twist of a wrist a blade to slice across a limb faster than a blink of the eye following a block.
T’Fearne/Taj’el: 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.
T’Fearne/Taj’el: Response
Jenta nodded towards Taj’el and her stance shifted slightly more aggressively, a deliberate move on her part to signal to her trainee that she was going to go on the offensive this time. And she did by closing quickly on Taj’el. The leading knife went low for a cut at the lower abdomen, while her other knife jabbed towards their chest.
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.
T’Fearne/Wren/Taj’el: Response
This time Jenta moved in towards Taj’el, leading with several slashing motions with both blades as she went for the very targets she had just described. However the Orion also made an attempt to sweep one of Taj’el’s legs out from under them.
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.
T’Fearne/Wren/Taj’el: Response
[tags/TBC]
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Senior Chief Petty Officer Jenta Solana
Security/Tactical CQC Specialist
As simmed by
Commander Toryn Raga
First Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
Writer ID: A239410TR0
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Toryn_Raga