Lt JG Taj'el - Knifes and Blood
Taj'el
((Azure Falls, Azure Horizon Beach & Spa, Lolagi IV))
((OOC: Leaving in Tags for ease))
Solana: Knife work takes time. I’m going to assume based on how you’ve defended yourself that you’re not much for using weapons in melee. So, to that I would say try to hybridize what you know with what I’m teaching. ::she smiled and stepped closer to demonstrate:: Your open palm technique as you’ve shown can be good at redirecting the flow of an opponent. This can lead to opportunities to strike with your blade when it’s not needed for defense. Furthermore, you can switch hands.
Taj’el observed closely as she demonstrated, their attention fixed on each movement. The integration of their own open-hand techniques with the knife was… enlightening. They were unfamiliar with the grip, yet the fluidity with which she transitioned between empty-hand control and blade work was notable.
What stood out most was how she used the off-hand to guide and create openings, allowing the knife to follow through in a more assertive, offensive sequence. It was a coordinated flow rather than isolated actions.
Solana: The best training is the one that incorporates what you already know and your body is comfortable with. But at the end of the day, when it comes to knives at least, they are just another extension of your body. No different than wearing shoes. Or EV suits. Now, in your case, I think I have a suggestion on gripping a knife.
Taj’el: That is logical. What grip would you recommend as the most effective starting point?
Solana: Like so. This is versatile since you can either have the blade out in front of you, with your open palm behind it at the ready. Or vice versa, depending on the needs of the moment. This is the more defensive style, while still allowing the freedom to strike as needed. As you can block with your forearm or elbow and have the knife free to slice along an opponent’s arm or strike more vital areas. It also gives a foe a larger threat to defend against so you can use your open palm to slap, grapple or further defend yourself as required. Don’t forget, reach is king. Knives have little of it, so closing into your opponent’s space provides you with more options whilst limiting them depending on what weapon they’re employing.
They would need to be deliberate, repetition and intention were the first steps toward building habit. Taj’el gave a small nod at the instruction and followed the demonstration closely.
When they were disarmed, they did not resist the correction. Instead, they reset and mirrored the movement step by step, ensuring each motion aligned properly. Their pace remained slow and controlled, prioritizing accuracy over speed as they confirmed each position and transition.
For now, it was not about effectiveness in application, but about understanding the structure of the movement itself.
Wren: ::getting to her feet, trying the new hold style, before looking at T’Fearne:: Wouldn’t it be easy for your opponent to make you cut yourself by…. ::holding the knife out and pushing against the blade until it pokes into her wrist:: Like that?
T’Fearne: Possibly. I believe it depends on your own strength and control of the blade. This is why I prefer longer range, blunt weapons.
Solana: Go ahead and try some of those on me. See if you can disarm me of my knife. For this I’ll only use the one.
Taj’el: Alright. I believe I can replicate that.
Starting with one more slow repetition, Taj’el worked through the motion carefully, then gave a small nod to indicate readiness. Their attention remained fixed, tracking each movement with deliberate precision as they attempted to apply what they had observed.
It required focus. Their instinct was to rely on strength, to resolve the exchange through force alone, but that was not the purpose here. This was about control, about timing, about removing the weapon rather than overpowering the opponent.
They came close several times, almost achieving the correct angle, nearly securing the disarm, but not quite. Each attempt was a fraction more refined than the last. It was clear they understood the mechanics; execution simply required repetition.For now, they maintained the slower pace, building consistency before attempting anything faster.
Wren: ::To T’Fearne:: Just a second, I’m still catching my breath.
T’Fearne: Take the time you need.
Taj’el: I believe I am beginning to understand the concept of extension. I am ready for you to vary the approach and assess whether I can adapt with some level of proficiency.
Solana: Response
Taj’el found that, in practice, they were able to keep pace more effectively. Their observational awareness served them well, and the movement was becoming more familiar with each repetition. It remained challenging, but their timing and positioning showed noticeable improvement.
They did not achieve a full disarm, but they came close on several attempts, close enough to suggest that the understanding was there, even if execution had not yet fully aligned.
Wren: Okay…. I’m ready when you are.
T’Fearne: Then let’s continue. I’m curious to see what other creative tactics you will throw at me.
As they moved, Taj’el noticed the other’s sudden halt and Lieutenant T’Fearne reaching for their hand. Instinctively, they pulled back, raising both hands slightly toward Solana to indicate they needed a moment.
They paused, taking a measured breath, and turned their attention to T’Fearne, carefully assessing whether something was actually wrong.
Taj’el: Are you alright?
Solana/Wren: Response
Looking over, Taj’el caught sight of the green blood on her hand. They straightened immediately and moved closer with purposeful urgency. Even a practice blade could break skin under the right conditions.
Their focus narrowed to the injury. The knuckles were resilient, but the hand itself was complex, dense with tendons and ligaments that required careful assessment. If damaged improperly, it could affect fine motor function. They slowed slightly as they reached her, posture shifting from student to Medical Officer, attention precise and controlled.
T’Fearne: Sorry Wren, I think I broke something in your pocket. ::watching a trickle of hot green blood down her hand:: I think I got my blood on your uniform.
As Taj’el moved closer, they saw T’Fearne steady the Ensign and carefully lower her to the ground. Their eyebrow rose slightly as they quickened their pace.
Had the Ensign fainted at the sight of blood? The possibility seemed… plausible. Even in Starfleet, not everyone reacted calmly to injury, particularly in a training environment where the unexpected could still provoke shock.
T’Fearne: ::commanding voice:: Sit, ensign. ::Over her shoulder, to Taj’el and Solana:: Doctor, Senior Chief. We have an injury over here.
Taj’el: What happened? Ensign Wren, I am going to carefully roll up your shirt to assess the wound.
Solana/Wren: Response
Kneeling beside them, Taj’el helped position Ensign Wren carefully onto the sand, the most stable surface available in the moment. They moved with controlled urgency, rolling up her shirt just enough to expose the injury.
What they found tightened their focus immediately, a small wound marked by blood and several glass-like shards embedded near the surface.
Even shallow fragments could cause deeper damage depending on angle and movement. They would need to determine whether any tissue, tendon, or underlying structures had been affected. Fortunately, the shards did not appear excessively deep, but both officers would still require proper medical attention.
T’Fearne: I hit her side with a hilt strike and something on the ensign’s person shattered. ::Showing her own green blooded hand with a clear shard sprouting from her knuckle:: What was in your pocket Delphina?
Taj’el: Officer Solana, can you retrieve my bag over there? I have a medical kit. You both will require treatment.
Solana/Wren: Response
T’Fearne: It is fortunate that we have the Doctor here with us. ::To Taj’el:: I’m glad you decided to come with me today.
They nodded in response. They had not planned much for the day, so their decision to join the activity now seemed almost providential. Once their bag was retrieved, Taj’el quickly replaced their gloves with medical ones. Opening the kit, they withdrew their tricorder and activated it.
They began scanning the injury with focused attention, their expression shifting into clinical concentration as they reviewed the data carefully, assessing depth, tissue impact, and any potential complications from the embedded shards.
Taj’el: It isn’t deep, more superficial in nature. I am going to clean the wound and then use a dermal regenerator. Do you require any analgesic for pain management?
Solana/Wren: Response
They flushed the wound carefully, methodically removing the embedded shards one by one with steady precision. Each fragment was extracted with minimal disturbance before the area was cleaned again. Once satisfied, Taj’el activated the dermal regenerator, guiding the tissue back into proper alignment as the injury sealed.
Throughout the process, they occasionally glanced up at the Ensign, monitoring her for signs of distress. Emotional reassurance was not their strongest skill, but they remained attentive, ensuring she stayed conscious and stable.
When the treatment was complete, Taj’el shifted their attention to Lieutenant T’Fearne. She appeared unsettled, possibly shaken or lost in thought. Taj’el’s concern focused briefly on functional integrity of the hand; fortunately, there was no indication of lasting impairment. The wound was treated, cleaned, and closed properly.
With both cases stabilized, Taj’el stepped back slightly, medical kit still in hand. The thought crossed their mind with faint disbelief, of all people aboard the Thor, they had somehow ended the day applying field medical care after learning knife work.
An unexpected development, but not an unwelcome one.
[Tags / End Scene for Taj’el]
