Dana let Bao attack her several more times, and each time she grew more profecient in turning his momentum against him. As he made contact with her for the seventh time, she felt something in her hip give and pop. It was the same hip she'd landed on when Amir had thrown her and when she'd fallen the first time with Bao.
She tossed Bao onto his back, but instead of stepping back into a fighting stance she held up a hand to forstall his next attack.
"I must stop for a moment."
She gave Bao a respectful bow and took three limping steps. Deciding it wasn't worth it, she dropped to the mats, and lay flat on her back, knees bent, arms draped over her stomach.
"Ow."
She was no stranger to pain, and had endured much in her years of pursuing knowledge. However, she couldn't ever recall displacing a hip before and it was a rather intense kind of pain. Small tears gathered at the corners of her eyes as she pushed the offending leg down flat to the mats.
What a Girl Doesn't Know... (open/attn: Amir/Bao)
She could be wrong, but Dana was quite certain she had never seen this particular building before. She stood outside the building Amir had directed her to the night before, dressed in black yoga pants, a green bikini cut sports bra, a red sweater, and her first and only pair of flip flops. The girl in the athletics store had talked her into them, when she'd asked for comfortable shoes to slip on and off for travel to and from her lessons.
In one hand she held a small black duffel bag, containing a change of clothes, and in the other her guitar case. She was just under an hour early, mostly due to being finished with her other tasks. It was not enough time to start anything, or go anywhere, so she'd grabbed her guitar and headed out here.
Finding a relatively clear place beneath a tree, she pulled the sleek black instrument from its case, took a moment to tune it, then began to play whatever came to mind.
Dana
14 years ago
Celeste
14 years ago
Celeste just nodded in agreement. Nachton really was an easy town to find things to do in. It had even more of a night life than New Orleans did, which was quite nice. Not that her hometown had ever been lacking, it was just nice in the summer with its long daylight hours not to be so restricted with what was still in operation after it was safe to venture out. She wondered briefly if anyone had ever just switched hemispheres and stayed in winter. It was always an idea, if you liked cool weather.
"Amberelle.. she's the youngest of us." That maternal, protective instinct reared its head, as it always did with Amber, and she didn't elaborate much.
Her brow knit as she watched Dana, trying to see just what had caused her to put a halt to the training. Her small sound of pain registered and Cel's blue eyes ran up and down the other vampire's small frame while she sat upright, all pretense of insolence and lounging gone. While Celeste refrained from openly offering help she did glance to both men to see if they knew what was going on.
"Amberelle.. she's the youngest of us." That maternal, protective instinct reared its head, as it always did with Amber, and she didn't elaborate much.
Her brow knit as she watched Dana, trying to see just what had caused her to put a halt to the training. Her small sound of pain registered and Cel's blue eyes ran up and down the other vampire's small frame while she sat upright, all pretense of insolence and lounging gone. While Celeste refrained from openly offering help she did glance to both men to see if they knew what was going on.
Bao
14 years ago
Bao blinked an acknowledgment to Amir. He would have offered a minor correction to Dana and a suggestion that they continue later. Apparently, her body agreed with them. He disliked ending in such a manner, part of him wanted to push her through the injury. But she was not training as he had, pushing her beyond her limits wouldn’t be necessary.
“I think that will be more than enough this evening.”
He said with some irony.
Frowning as she pushed her leg down Bao concluded it was a dislocated hip. In a human, this could be quite problematic. In a vampire, it would only require a simple reduction, manipulating the bones back into place. It would undoubtedly hurt her more but it would heal quickly especially if she feed soon.
“I can correct the issue, but it will hurt more.”
Receiving an affirmative answer, he popped the hip back into its socket with strong skilled fingers.
It wasn’t that Bao was unsympathetic or rude but it had seemed pointless to inquire after her well-being. Obviously she had been hurt and in pain and was not all right, and it was equally obvious that she would now be just fine. So, he had over looked those social niceties.
“You might do well to eat something yet this evening but you should be just fine rather soon.”
After fluidly regaining his own feet, he offered her a hand to help her stand.
“I do, however, think we are done for the evening. Although I hope you want to continue to practice.”
“I think that will be more than enough this evening.”
He said with some irony.
Frowning as she pushed her leg down Bao concluded it was a dislocated hip. In a human, this could be quite problematic. In a vampire, it would only require a simple reduction, manipulating the bones back into place. It would undoubtedly hurt her more but it would heal quickly especially if she feed soon.
“I can correct the issue, but it will hurt more.”
Receiving an affirmative answer, he popped the hip back into its socket with strong skilled fingers.
It wasn’t that Bao was unsympathetic or rude but it had seemed pointless to inquire after her well-being. Obviously she had been hurt and in pain and was not all right, and it was equally obvious that she would now be just fine. So, he had over looked those social niceties.
“You might do well to eat something yet this evening but you should be just fine rather soon.”
After fluidly regaining his own feet, he offered her a hand to help her stand.
“I do, however, think we are done for the evening. Although I hope you want to continue to practice.”
Amir
14 years ago
Amir nodded at Celeste, still watching what was happening on the mats. He didn't know Amberelle any better than he knew Celeste, so he made no observations. His eyes remained rooted to Dana as she whimpered in pain. He drew in a sharp, quiet breath as his muscles tensed, but he stayed put.
Watching her, he felt conflicted. If it were Subira, she'd have expected the younger vampire up and moving immediately. Amir might have done the same, if the person involved weren't Dana. He warred with himself while Bao took the lead, making one abortive move to stand and move to the mats before settling back into his crouch.
Almost immediately he was back up again, silently crossing to where Dana and Bao were, not offering to help but standing behind Dana to assist her should she ask for it. Clearly, she would be fine. But she wanted to train, and she wanted t learn to fight. All of that meant dealing with injuries as they happened. Medicine in their world was said with very loose understandings of meaning. Triage for vampires was rough and involved putting things back where they belonged and letting their natural regeneration worry about most of it.
Seeing that Bao had things under control, Amir let Bao offer his hand and remained where he was, behind and just to the side. Dana was strong. He wouldn't chastise her for letting the pain get to her; it would be hypocritical of him when he himself had had to bow out just a few minutes earlier. He wasn't going to coddle her though.
Even with that in mind, he kept his dark eyes affixed to her smaller form, watching her carefully to be sure Everything was in working order, or would be shortly.
Watching her, he felt conflicted. If it were Subira, she'd have expected the younger vampire up and moving immediately. Amir might have done the same, if the person involved weren't Dana. He warred with himself while Bao took the lead, making one abortive move to stand and move to the mats before settling back into his crouch.
Almost immediately he was back up again, silently crossing to where Dana and Bao were, not offering to help but standing behind Dana to assist her should she ask for it. Clearly, she would be fine. But she wanted to train, and she wanted t learn to fight. All of that meant dealing with injuries as they happened. Medicine in their world was said with very loose understandings of meaning. Triage for vampires was rough and involved putting things back where they belonged and letting their natural regeneration worry about most of it.
Seeing that Bao had things under control, Amir let Bao offer his hand and remained where he was, behind and just to the side. Dana was strong. He wouldn't chastise her for letting the pain get to her; it would be hypocritical of him when he himself had had to bow out just a few minutes earlier. He wasn't going to coddle her though.
Even with that in mind, he kept his dark eyes affixed to her smaller form, watching her carefully to be sure Everything was in working order, or would be shortly.
Dana
14 years ago
"Son of a bitch!" That short exclamation of pain as Bao shifted her hip back into place was all Dana allowed herself. Small tears leaked from her eyes, as she took a few deep breaths. Knowing she should not show any more weakness than she already had, Dana took Bao's hand and pulled up from the mats.
With gentle care she put weight on the hip. It hurt, but was manageable and in a few minutes would be almost nonexistent. She wanted very much to curl herself around Amir and be carried home, but that was not a part of her she would share here on these mats. She was learning to become more than an assassin, and warriors, even tiny Irish ones, do not run from pain with their tails between their legs.
"I do wish to continue, but I'll thank you not to throw me about anymore this evening."
A grin curled up half of her mouth, as she turned to the comforting presence at her back. "So what's next?"
With gentle care she put weight on the hip. It hurt, but was manageable and in a few minutes would be almost nonexistent. She wanted very much to curl herself around Amir and be carried home, but that was not a part of her she would share here on these mats. She was learning to become more than an assassin, and warriors, even tiny Irish ones, do not run from pain with their tails between their legs.
"I do wish to continue, but I'll thank you not to throw me about anymore this evening."
A grin curled up half of her mouth, as she turned to the comforting presence at her back. "So what's next?"
Amir
14 years ago
As Dana turned to him, Amir took control of the remainder of the lesson. He smiled into Dana's eyes and shook his head.
"Persistence is admirable," he said gently, "but knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing when to press your advantage. That is enough for tonight. It's time to cool down, and to relax."
He didn't place much value on stretching exercises, as they'd established earlier that evening, but clearly Bao and Dana did, and this would be a good way to help work the kinks out that might be left over. He sat on the mats, legs crossed, and beckoned to Celeste.
"Care to join us?"
Slowly, Amir worked them through a routine of bends and stretches, bearing in mind Dana's injury and doing his best to force her to use, but not overuse, the weakened side. He had to work around his own wounds as well as the gashes on his back split open and oozed yet again. It was vexing, and reminded him of his meeting with Xephier. There would be others, he was sure, and he wouldn't underestimate them man again.
"Gather your thoughts," he advised Dana. "Reflect on your lesson and commit those motions and movements to memory. It will get harder from here."
He refrained from further criticism or comment; Subira's teachings were much rougher than his own. He was still trying to figure out how to handle Dana, too, as both a lover and a student. On the one hand he wasn't about to cut her any slack, but on the other he acually did care for her a bit. He watched her stretch with professional detachment, but in reality his mind carried them away to his suite.
Amir shook his head; time for pleasures later. He needed blood first. Then he could consider the finer things.
"Persistence is admirable," he said gently, "but knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing when to press your advantage. That is enough for tonight. It's time to cool down, and to relax."
He didn't place much value on stretching exercises, as they'd established earlier that evening, but clearly Bao and Dana did, and this would be a good way to help work the kinks out that might be left over. He sat on the mats, legs crossed, and beckoned to Celeste.
"Care to join us?"
Slowly, Amir worked them through a routine of bends and stretches, bearing in mind Dana's injury and doing his best to force her to use, but not overuse, the weakened side. He had to work around his own wounds as well as the gashes on his back split open and oozed yet again. It was vexing, and reminded him of his meeting with Xephier. There would be others, he was sure, and he wouldn't underestimate them man again.
"Gather your thoughts," he advised Dana. "Reflect on your lesson and commit those motions and movements to memory. It will get harder from here."
He refrained from further criticism or comment; Subira's teachings were much rougher than his own. He was still trying to figure out how to handle Dana, too, as both a lover and a student. On the one hand he wasn't about to cut her any slack, but on the other he acually did care for her a bit. He watched her stretch with professional detachment, but in reality his mind carried them away to his suite.
Amir shook his head; time for pleasures later. He needed blood first. Then he could consider the finer things.
Celeste
14 years ago
The invitation was nice, but the idea of stretching didn't appeal to her much. And Celeste really considered it. But, she didn't see the need for it since their sparring hadn't been that lengthy. And, she was about at the end of her politeness quota for the month. The urge to smart off and be a bit bitchy was causing an itch to develop at the base of her spine and the Creole knew she needed to make a polite exit before she popped off. Wouldn't do to end the evening on a sour note, especially when she'd tried so hard to play nice with others.
Standing up she brushed her bottom off and gave a long look off to the mats before shaking her head. "Thanks for the invitation but I think I'll pass this time." She gave them a small smile. "I'm gonna head out.. was good meeting you all though." Cel turned towards the door but as she was leaving she turned to look back and added, "If any of you ever want a sparring partner just look me up.. My room's in the wing near the dojo, just as Rupert or one of his people where." With a final nod and a little semi wave she headed out.
It was odd, all this smiling and politeness.. she was libel to have sore facial muscles tomorrow from the unusual movements. Well, if vampire's had problems with that she might have anyway. Cel shook her head at the idea and realized she needed to get out more, she wasn't used to dealing with people much nowdays. That made her grimace and head back to her room. There was a nice new book she could read.
((Celeste out, thanks for letting her come play some!))
Standing up she brushed her bottom off and gave a long look off to the mats before shaking her head. "Thanks for the invitation but I think I'll pass this time." She gave them a small smile. "I'm gonna head out.. was good meeting you all though." Cel turned towards the door but as she was leaving she turned to look back and added, "If any of you ever want a sparring partner just look me up.. My room's in the wing near the dojo, just as Rupert or one of his people where." With a final nod and a little semi wave she headed out.
It was odd, all this smiling and politeness.. she was libel to have sore facial muscles tomorrow from the unusual movements. Well, if vampire's had problems with that she might have anyway. Cel shook her head at the idea and realized she needed to get out more, she wasn't used to dealing with people much nowdays. That made her grimace and head back to her room. There was a nice new book she could read.
((Celeste out, thanks for letting her come play some!))
Dana
14 years ago
Dana grinned at Amir. "Then that is what is next. I'm not going to complain about stopping."
Chuckling softly she sat cross legged on the floor wincing when the movement pulled against her newly adjusted hip.
She smiled up at Celeste as she stood to leave, the hip keeping her firmly on the ground though it warred with her instincts borne of manners drilled into her for longer than she could remember. "It was a pleasure meeting you Celeste. I look forward to seeing you again."
It felt good to stretch her body, even the pain of stretching the abused muscles and tendons around her hip, felt good. She wasn't into pain as pleasure per say, but this wasn't that kind of good pain. It was a relieving of tension in tense injured body parts.
Dana smiled softly at Amir's words, giving a slight nod of acknowledgment. This lesson would not be one she would forget readily and she was excited at the prospect of learning more and facing even greater challenge than she had tonight. As she pushed her body into an unfamiliar pose she could only guess was yoga, she looked at Amir from beneath her lashes. Her mind wandered easily to the last night they'd shared and it was a wonder her cheeks didn't bloom with color.
Shaking her head slightly, she forced her mind back onto the lessons she'd learned, but couldn't help reliving each and every time Amir had touched her body. Though they had been in teaching combat, she could still feel the slight tingle each one had created. It wasn't safe her her mind to recall such things, not when she had no intentions of her relationship with Amir to go beyond the physical, she had a mind more geared to service than love, but her hormones didn't seem to care.
Turning her sigh into an exhalation to move her body into another stretch, she resolutely forced her mind onto her session with Bao, it was safer there.
Chuckling softly she sat cross legged on the floor wincing when the movement pulled against her newly adjusted hip.
She smiled up at Celeste as she stood to leave, the hip keeping her firmly on the ground though it warred with her instincts borne of manners drilled into her for longer than she could remember. "It was a pleasure meeting you Celeste. I look forward to seeing you again."
It felt good to stretch her body, even the pain of stretching the abused muscles and tendons around her hip, felt good. She wasn't into pain as pleasure per say, but this wasn't that kind of good pain. It was a relieving of tension in tense injured body parts.
Dana smiled softly at Amir's words, giving a slight nod of acknowledgment. This lesson would not be one she would forget readily and she was excited at the prospect of learning more and facing even greater challenge than she had tonight. As she pushed her body into an unfamiliar pose she could only guess was yoga, she looked at Amir from beneath her lashes. Her mind wandered easily to the last night they'd shared and it was a wonder her cheeks didn't bloom with color.
Shaking her head slightly, she forced her mind back onto the lessons she'd learned, but couldn't help reliving each and every time Amir had touched her body. Though they had been in teaching combat, she could still feel the slight tingle each one had created. It wasn't safe her her mind to recall such things, not when she had no intentions of her relationship with Amir to go beyond the physical, she had a mind more geared to service than love, but her hormones didn't seem to care.
Turning her sigh into an exhalation to move her body into another stretch, she resolutely forced her mind onto her session with Bao, it was safer there.
Bao
14 years ago
Undoubtedly that had hurt, although Bao had both been as gentle as possible and would not have been nearly so vocal in expressing it.
He easily faded into the background and let Amir take the lead on concluding the lesson. Celeste apparently had had enough and he offered her a half bow. It would be nice to see her again. He would like to attempt a more free form sparing session with her. She had some talent.
As Amir wrapped things up Bao followed along, almost absently, more from habit and familiarity than anything. He was trying to decide what to make of the lesson. Dana should undoubtedly continue, she had some promise. And both she and Amir had been good. Still, even knowing Amir wouldn’t be soft on the girl Bao had his doubts about the wisdom of allowing Dana to learn from Amir; at least solely from Amir. He sighed mentally, it wasn’t his call to make, but that would be his preference.
Deciding they had long since concluded for the night, he ceased his own stretching.
“I think it was a good session. Dana I would highly encourage you to let either Amir or I know when would be best for your second lesson.”
He easily faded into the background and let Amir take the lead on concluding the lesson. Celeste apparently had had enough and he offered her a half bow. It would be nice to see her again. He would like to attempt a more free form sparing session with her. She had some talent.
As Amir wrapped things up Bao followed along, almost absently, more from habit and familiarity than anything. He was trying to decide what to make of the lesson. Dana should undoubtedly continue, she had some promise. And both she and Amir had been good. Still, even knowing Amir wouldn’t be soft on the girl Bao had his doubts about the wisdom of allowing Dana to learn from Amir; at least solely from Amir. He sighed mentally, it wasn’t his call to make, but that would be his preference.
Deciding they had long since concluded for the night, he ceased his own stretching.
“I think it was a good session. Dana I would highly encourage you to let either Amir or I know when would be best for your second lesson.”
Dana
14 years ago
Dana smiled at Bao, genuinely please with his small praise. She knew by now that it was not a very common occurrence and not done lightly. Coming out of a stretch, she folded her body into a lotus position and pulled her calendar up in her mind.
She had plans for Saturday, none for Sunday and only a half day on Monday, she grinned.
"I'm free Sunday."
She had plans for Saturday, none for Sunday and only a half day on Monday, she grinned.
"I'm free Sunday."
Bao
14 years ago
She did get points for enthusiasm and persistence. They might make something of her yet. Bao smiled at her and watched out of the corner of his eye and Amir put his shirt back on and nodded.
“Then I will expect you that evening.”
His maker left a head of them and Bao made a mental not to give Dana a firm time for their next practice session as the two of them left the dojo.
((OOC… all out with permission))
“Then I will expect you that evening.”
His maker left a head of them and Bao made a mental not to give Dana a firm time for their next practice session as the two of them left the dojo.
((OOC… all out with permission))