Getting the right moves
Hello everyone, it’s Animeman73 here again. It’s time for day 25 of Inessa Burnell’s #IBASwordtember challenge. For day 25, we’re closing in on the finish line. I hope you’ve been enjoying these vignettes as much as I’ve had fun writing them.
For day 25, the word/subject is: Soft.
Now how will I handle this? Well let’s take another trip into the reality of slice of life once more for some humorous fun. Enjoy the vignette.
“For the last time no Alex!” James Karmen snapped as he and Alex Wright entered the practice room.
Both men carried toy foam rubber swords. Alex Wright rolled his eyes. “But why have we got to practice with these toy swords instead of the actual ones?” he asked.
James sighed and replied. “Because we have to get the choreography right. I don’t want to see your swings or mine off by a hair’s length lest we cut off a ligament.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “I know that, but we should practice with the real swords so we can get used to the weight of them.”
James shook his head. “We’re using these toy swords to get the choreography down right and that’s final!” He snapped in a tone that brooked no argument.
“All right James, but you know this could backfire because we’re not used to the weight of those swords.”
The head of the sword fencing group Alex was in gave him a glare that said, “Not another word out of you!”
Alex sighed before both men readied their toy swords. Both men extended their blades so that they touched. The two then moved backwards before clasping the hilts of their swords.
Several moments passed, then the men rushed forward. Both men swung their swords which let out a hollow thump as they collided. Both went to their left, again they blocked each other’s blows.
Both men backed off twirling their swords in figure eight patterns. Alex then went for a swing at James’ head.
James lifted his sword to catch Alex’s blow. Both men moved in struggling before they pushed each other off. James turned his sword downwards and stabbed at Alex.
But the blonde-haired man knocked the Raven-haired man’s blow away.
Both men two-stepped away and circled each other. “Not bad,” James said. “You’ve managed to get the first set of moves down.”
Alex nodded. “Been getting in some extra practice with a local expert in swordplay.”
James let out a snort of laughter. “I’d be guessing that would be Grant, right?”
Alex nodded. “Got it in one.”
“All right let’s move on to the next part.” James stated.
Alex rushed in sword raised. James moved to stab forward but Alex slid to one side. James leapt out of the way.
Sword at the ready, Alex chopped downwards. James blocked the blow, then tried to slide down towards Alex. But the blonde-haired man instead v-stepped away from the strike.
Alex moved in for a stab, but James slid back as he brought his sword up to block Alex’s attack. Both men locked swords again as Alex asked, “There’s something I thought I should ask. Have you learned how to fall?”
Without warning Alex moved to sweep James’ legs out from under him. James straightened himself, and tucked in his head as he fell backwards. As he hit the padded floor his hands hit the padding even as he dropped his sword.
Alex moved in for a finishing blow but James rolled out of the way, scrambled to his feet, and grabbed his sword. James explained, “Master Chen gave me some pointers on proper falling techniques.”
Alex rushed in, but James blocked his blade and spun around him. Alex stepped out of the way as he turned to catch James’s attack. “So, ready for the big finisher?” James asked.
“I can’t believe you had us do this.” He quipped with a bit of irritation but more bemusement.
James kicked Alex who stumbled backwards. But somehow Alex managed to right himself in time for both men to catch each other with sword strikes.
Both men fell to the ground pretending to be dead. James chuckled. “Yes, I know it’s a bit anticlimactic, but it’ll provide the audience with a good laugh at the end of the routine.
Both men got to their feet. Alex and James were panting from the routine.
When both men had caught their breath Alex asked, “Well, how’d I do, you think that was good enough?”
James thought for a moment. “Hmm, that was good. But your backwards stumble I don’t think was convincing enough.”
“James!” Alex said with a growl.
James put up his hands. “Okay, okay sorry. Geez I knew you were eager to get to using the real blades but sheesh.”
Alex sighed. “Considering we’ve worked our asses off on this routine, I appreciate having a consistent goal.”
“Okay, we can use the real swords now.” James conceded.