#rivervale_lodge

"Think of it as a Cut test rather than a kill test, like when they slide the weapon along the bag to spill the stuff out rather than obliterating the bag?" Vali advises

"Okay, what I would do is change the position of the hand placement thus... and then, you're telegraphing a bit... not with your face, you've got a great poker face, but with your footing. .. you shuffle before attacking"

Vali moves towards Nadeenss target, and tips it...causing her to nearly get smacked "HEY!" She glares!

"I...do?" Sylvi frowns at her feet. "But...but I have to sort of move into the strike, don't I?"

"Patterns are predictable, not everyone will be' Vali says

"Here, let me show you what you do..." She shufles "See the way I'm pointing my toes and bending? "

"Yeahhh....?" Sylvi moves to try to mimic the stance.

"Now this iss how mom does it..." Using an example ANYONE sane would respect , Siv shows "See the minimalism? Me I'm a leaper, but for economy, mom's style works great."

Tap. Tap. Sulk. Slow and steady - and holding back force.

"Huh...I guess I never really noticed...." Sylvi tries the minimalist style. "I don't know. Seems that would take a lot more strength to make it work."

"Well, what I do..." And she shows a series of randomfootings meant to keep on moving, but not give away the next "See? Then I use the hips" Whap lightly

"Okay, Dagmar, build up the speed"

Faster wimpy taps.

"See how it's not moving? Not spinning anyway?" Vali says "Build speed, do't lose accuracy, annd when you don't think you can go any faster and still hit that spot...let her rip!"

"Mmph." Sylvi doesn't yelp this time, but it's a close call. "So...footwork. Okay...kind of like dancing?" She tries a simpler version of what Siv is doing, and then tries a hit. It's...awkward at best.

"Like that, " it's caught "But find your own happy medium. Mom has strength and Endurane I don't, and I'm a bit more agile than you... but you're no slouch, You're Sylvi 'Badass Leader and Emmisary' Davidson, and you got this. If thinking of it as a dance works for you, try it"

Tap.

"Little faster," Vali says "Imagine if spinning meatn you got shield blocked, and this person was out to hurt one of us but you have to get around, not through the shield"

For a moment, Dagmar imagines it's Nadeen of all people being menaced! Something inside of her of her builds

"I'll get it." Sylvi nods, appreciating the praise. "If I can improve my split jumps for cheer, I can get better at this."

"...but maybe I should just do pell drills with this, first, for a while."

"Sure, if you like... and sorry, i'm not a natural tutor." Siv says "And better with the cutlass. "

"Remind me not to ask you to teach me cutlass." Sylvi smiles.

"Oh , the important part of using a cutlass is yelling 'yar' as you cut the belt from the fellow's pants" siv grins

Tap.

Vali raises a brow "OKay, build up the tempo... got to wait for the perfect moment" he advises Dagmar, 'or someone you love could get hurt... passion with precision"

"Yeah, that's an advanced lesson, I think." Sylvi takes her staff back over to a pell and glances at Dagmar before trying to do a few side swipes at the thing.

"If I hit harder it spins!"

"Not if you hit in in the right spot..." He says "the exact right spot...come on, the villains' shield ccan't be broken, only gone around, and someone you care for needs rescusing..>"

"I CAN break it!" THWACK.

As Sylvi glances over she sees... what's that, someone in the tree behind Vali?

She pauses and looks again.

glint of binoculars?

It rocks, but does not spin "Better! But what if it couldn't be?"

She frowns. "Vali." She says quietly, keeping her eyes on the spot.

"Siv, Staff" Valii whispers

"Couldn't be what? Broken? Everything breaks."

Siv tosses him the practice staff, and Vali whips the staff through the air, there's a dual "Ooph' "OW!" as it clunks heads.

Two satyrs fall out of the tree

Vali doesn't seem sympathetic, "Can I help you gents?" It wasn't a long drop.

Binoculars on one, camera on the smart phone for another.

Dagmar with her distrust of boys might realize the two wilder satyr boys were... were PEEPING them.

And Sylvi is just world wise enough to be sure of it

Siv turns still confused. Peeping toms are rare on a tight ship.

A scowl. "The hell?"

"Uhm..." One satyr gulps.

As soon as they drop, Sylvi is running over to them, staff ready. She stops a few steps away, looking like she'd REALLY like to clobber them.

The other satyr sees Sylvi "Whoa whoa we were just admiring, like, you know? Zane was talking about these troll babes near where he lived. "

"Yeah, Zane" the other says

"So you decided to be peepin' pervs?"