| [SKA] Last Practice Before Grading | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Jul 2 2018, 09:49 AM (69 Views) | |
| bonniecanuck | Jul 2 2018, 09:49 AM Post #1 |
![]()
Bonnie Bushi
|
The members of the kendo club had grown and developed well since they had first joined, but none of them had yet put their skills to the test by proving their skill through grading. That would end soon, as in a few days' time they would have their first grading. There was a palpable air of nervousness and anxiety, which both Ayane and Edie - in their role as the senpai whom the other members looked to for help - acknowledged. Being an experienced martial arts practitioner in her own right, Edie knew of the challenges that grading entailed, mental as well as physical. Both subsequently arranged to have additional practice in advance of the grading, to assuage the most junior members' concerns and give them an opportunity to iron out their weaknesses. It wasn't like Edie didn't have to worry about her own grading for 4 kyu, nor was she in as good a position to take charge as some of her other peers. But she had spent much time practicing, and had gotten very comfortable with the routine. After all, it wasn't much different from the 5 kyu grading aside from some additional components. So she was willing to take time and help the others out - it was probably the best she could do to help her friends. As a bonus to further encourage them, she promised a surprise to all of them, but that would have to come later. Bowing in was routine, and soon, they were underway. The plan was to run through the requirements for 5 kyu once, then separate to work on components that people were struggling on. Edie joined them, making sure she could be seen so that the others would have a reference for how to move and strike. Once done, she went up to see who needed help. This would be the best chance for her kouhai to get what help they needed or wanted. |
![]() |
|
| GrimRPer | Jul 2 2018, 10:58 AM Post #2 |
![]()
|
A creature followed Edie, carrying the shinai on a strap to their back. That leaf mark... There was no mistake: this fox was Chairo. Ever since he caught a brief whiff of her scent earlier this day, he was reminded of the practice he promised in partaking into. Chairo didn't bother hiding, after all he wasn't going to prank Edie or anything. Following the traditions they had been following for weeks and months, he entered the Dojo behind Edie, before saying "Mornin' Edie!", was it even morning anymore? He didn't care, really. Popping up into his human form, he was wearing a red shirt with a M on a white circle, white shorts with brown leaf prints and black flip flops. But something was off... Maybe it's his eyes that were still slit pupils, or his fluffy ears sticking up, or the very distracting tail behind him. How come he didn't notice those himself?! |
![]() |
|
| Chizu | Jul 3 2018, 11:37 AM Post #3 |
![]()
Knight Radiant
|
It was no secret that Yukina could always use more training. Several months studying kendo and swordsmanship--and using that swordsmanship in entirely too many battles to be comfortable with--had certainly taught her more about how to use her sword. But rather than feel comfortable with that, rather than feel proud of all she had accomplished, Yukina just felt restless, uncertain. The more she learned, the more it became clear how little she actually knew, the more she started to see how much farther she had to go. It seemed like an insurmountable distance, especially for someone like her. But she was the president of the kendo club. She couldn't give up, even when she felt like it was hopeless. Which meant that she had to practice. She had to keep on practicing, because even though she didn't like it, she was the face of the kendo club, and if she didn't, she would be letting the entire club down. So when Edie brought up the idea of training for their next grading, Yukina had readily agreed to sign up. She arrived for practice dressed in her uniform, her long black hair tied behind her head in a ponytail, and followed through with the exercises that everyone went to. When they broke off to work on their own technique, Yukina settled in to practice her strikes, stepping forward and back again the way they had practiced. It was frustrating. On some days, it felt like she might almost be getting it, but today wasn't one of those days. Her movements felt sluggish, disjointed, her hands didn't at all feel connected to her feet, and try as she might, she couldn't get everything to connect. She pressed her lips tightly together against her own frustration, trying to push forward through it, but working harder was only making things more erratic. At least, that was how it felt to her... |
![]() |
|
| Corruption | Jul 3 2018, 08:33 PM Post #4 |
|
James entered, and seemed relaxed Then again, he always had a few ideas of how to use situations, even if he did not bother usig them. Not only was he training, but since Yukina had joined Day Breakers, James was interested in her sword affecting her. The less she relied on it's influence, the better off she was. Also, other members of the association may be recruited for things latter Going near Yukina, but out of sword reach, he cleared his throat. "Yukina, you seem tense. That's no good. It's stressing you out, messing up your strikes, which seems to make you more stressed. I'm no expert, but I can see something is stopping you from being at ease with your shinai." He thought for a bit, and from what he knew, but that which she did not know that he knew, it was probably thinking about her demonic sword. |
![]() |
|
| bonniecanuck | Jul 9 2018, 01:44 PM Post #5 |
![]()
Bonnie Bushi
|
While Edie was tolerating of Chairo's unkemptness, there was a certain degree of concern for whether he'd be able to deal with the strictness of the grading. The All Japan Kendo Federation was not known for being forgiving for those who took a grading casually. She'd help pull him together if he needed it, but for now though, she was willing to look it aside. She led the group in the rundown of the grading, having herself and the other senpai take point to let the kouhai practice their strikes. Though she expected them to generally know the routine of the grading, she helped them, and if they needed guidance was willing to give it. And the whole time, she paid attention to each of the problems and issues they had, ready to help them address them later. It wasn't long before they were done, and it was time to get the more focused part of practice underway. Immediately, she headed to Yukina. Her classmate and good friend looked to be the most under stress, and it looked that she was in clear need of assistance. "Are you OK, Yukina-san?" she asked gently. "You don't seem to be in the best state." Edie was worried for her. She seemed to be in a poor state and wasn't striking straight. "One thing at a time," she advised. "Breathe, and do one strike slowly at a time. Start with a men strike if you can. Don't overthink it, just do it based on your muscle memory and ability." |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Dojo · Next Topic » |









4:21 PM Jul 11



