towerofanimus | Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

Characters: Kirei Kotomine and Claudia Hortensia
Setting: Floor thirty-nine.
Format: Brackets.
Summary: Remember the basics of CQC.
Warnings: Descriptions of illness/scarring re: Claudia. Kirei being... Ki...rei...

[ Slowly, he is realizing the differences between the woman he knew, and the one here in the Tower who shares her history.

Claudia is not quite as sickly as he remembers. He can't be certain what the factor is in that. Perhaps she is granted some support by the magic of her Command Spells, and the bond to her Servant. Or, perhaps it's something more obvious: that Kirei's influence preyed on her more than he really realized. Either way, she is healthier here. The difference did not really strike him until he saw her at the pool. He had never known her to be well enough to swim, and as such, she may be well enough to learn something more. Given the threats of the Tower, it is wise that she studies how to defend herself -- although, her Servant is here now.

However, Assassin cannot be relied upon completely; they saw that when her powers were taken just a few weeks ago.

This floor seems to be suitable enough. The equipment appears to be neglected, although that is not of concern to Kirei; he and Claudia will not be using any of it.

He waits for her, idly stretching his legs and arms. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Claudia doesn't have clothes appropriate for this kind of task, and while she can sew simple things together, she wouldn't trust herself to make a whole outfit from the bottom up. So, she'll just have to hope that she can make do with her usual clothes, at least unless something better presents itself later.

When she steps onto the agreed upon floor, she feels an odd mixture of awkward and determined. Even if she doesn't think she's suited to this kind of thing, she wants to learn as best she can! Upon spotting Kirei, she raises a hand to wave, smiling.]

I'm here, Kirei! I hope you didn't have to wait too long.

[ When he sees her, Kirei immediately straightens. He does not return her wave, but he does nod in acknowledgment, speaking once she is in earshot. ]

I didn't. [ He hadn't exactly noticed any time, nor would he have anything else to do today, in all honesty. ] How are you feeling?

[ It isn't a condescending question; it's straightforward. Her health is important to whether or not she is receptive to anything they do today.</small. ]

I feel just fine.

[She means physically, of course; however she feels emotionally isn't relevant to this. She continues to smile as she looks up at him, though with her initial greeting out of the way, something about the expression is more subdued as she studies his face.]

So, unless you have any objections, I'm ready to start when you are.

[ Kirei nods his head. Compared to her smile, his face is impassive. He has been told Claudia has an infectious smile, by his father and other company, but he has always been immune -- the same way he remains unaffected by all of her good graces. ]

I have no objections.

[ He approaches her, and extends his hand, his palm out to catch her fist. ] To begin, I would like you to hit me.

—Aha, okay, if you say so.

[She seems a little flustered by the prompt, somehow—not because she takes issue with what's being asked of her, but because the thought of hitting him feels ridiculous to her, for a lot of reasons. Still, she does as told, carefully curling her hand into a fist and swinging at him. Even if in better health, she's not particularly strong.]

[ It's easy to catch her fist. He does not do this roughly -- it isn't necessary -- given how he can gauge her punch. She is stronger than he remembers, but she may also be hindered by hesitance to lash out at the man who was her husband.

He lets her hand go, then gestures her forward. ]

Again.

[On command, she repeats the action without comment or complaint. She still feels silly, but now that she has done it once, the feeling is distinctly less than the first time. She tries to put more force behind the punch, and make the movement a little less sloppy.]

[ He catches her hand every time, letting her fists hit the center of his palm with a muffled slap of skin against skin. As she moves, he becomes vividly aware of how easy it would be to retaliate. She is stronger than before, yes, but weak in familiar ways. He could easily closed his hand, catching her fist in his own and gradually increasing pressure until fragile bones gave away--

Kirei lets out a slow breath through his nose, his lips tightly shut. He does grip her hand in his own, but it's not with violence. He steadies her arm, fixing her stance, and tests the tension in her arm. ]

Relax. You will not hurt me.

I know I won't. [The reply comes immediately, Claudia half-laughing as she delivers it.] That's why this feels so ridiculous!

[Still, she is paying attention. She notes the way he rights her stance, trying to commit it to memory.]

Should I try another time?

[She asks without prompting, this time.]

[ The sound of her laughter is unfamiliar. He had forgotten what it sounded like. That shouldn't seem so strange, but there are things he can remember, in contrast: the sick, wet noise made in her throat when she would cough, and fill her mouth with blood, as if she would choke on it--

He can remember that, but not her laughter.

He nods his head, releasing her arm and taking his stance. ]

Yes. Continue until I ask you to stop.

[She nods once at his reply, but she doesn't immediately move to act even once he has released her hand. Instead, she stays still, really making an effort to memorize the way he has positioned her arm—]

[—And then she does try again, more earnestly still. That silly, self-conscious feeling fades more and more with each of her attempts, becoming less of a distraction.]

Without brute force, there are other ways to have an upper hand. [ He speaks as he moves with her, catching her blows and pausing to adjust her arm every so often. Now, he actually grabs her wrist to still her, demonstrating. ] There are points where one can set an opponent off balance. This does not require strength; it's a matter of movement.

[ He pulls her arm forward, pressing his palm to the inside of her elbow and pushing, causing her body to sink. ]

Ah.

[It's a tiny breath of a noise, as his palm presses against her. For just a moment, she thinks about how much greater his strength and ability is than hers, and for just a moment, she feels nervous.]

[She doesn't say anything about it, of course. Even her expression doesn't give her away entirely now. It dims, but it's more or less unreadable, as though she were simply sobering as she absorbs the information given to her.]

Right; I get that.

[ For a moment, he watches her. He almost speaks, questions, but he thinks against it. ]

Once you know where to use pressure, it is simple. [ In demonstration, he tugs her wrist forward, pushes lightly on her inner elbow, and on her shoulder. Key points of balance. As he explains himself, he doesn't knock her down, but he shows her how easily even slight pressure can cause a stumble. Pulling on your opponent's arm shifts their momentum, then pressure on the joint of the elbow drags their center downward. Then, twisting the wrist up to shoulder, and pushing back -- they will have no bearing, and they will fall. ] You do not need strength or speed, you only need to know to apply yourself.

[ He lets her go, and holds his arm forward in invitation. ]

I won't resist.

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

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stares at my broken html in that last tag.

hey it's not like it made anything illegible

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