December catch-all

[safesex]

⌛ Who: General Ouyang, Henry Silver, Vegas Theerapanyakul, Will Lawan, James Cooper, AND YOU!
⌛ What: December catch-all
⌛ When: Throughout December
⌛ Where: Various
⌛ Warnings: Will be added to threads as needed

General Ouyang
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Henry Silver
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Vegas Theerapanyakul
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Will Lawan
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James Cooper

Comments

[hideawayparadise]

He hadn't expected Ouyang to come back. And honestly his first instinct was to promise he wasn't going to be much longer. But then his teacher didn't scold him and instead went to show him the move again.

Swallowing down the instinct, Riley stayed put and watched the move again. He was so grateful for the patience and support for him to keep trying.

Doing as he was told, he kept resting and instead decided to ask questions. "When you start it looks like you're balanced on both feet evenly but you're not are you? I think that's where I'm going wrong. Every time I try it almost fall over."

[theatrics]

Patience wasn't one of Ouyang's defining traits. Was this patience? Or was this respect from someone who was willing to exhaust himself to learn properly? He had great admiration for people who committed to whatever their pursuits were; especially if they were martial pursuits.

"Most of the weight is on my back leg," he explained, moving more slowly to Riley could, hopefully, see the shift in his weight. Perhaps if he were a bigger man it would be more obvious. "If someone tries to attack the foreleg, you shouldn't be overbalanced as easily when the weight is on the rear one. It also means you can move forward more easily."

[hideawayparadise]

Riley watched him and realized he could see it now. That was what he was doing wrong this whole time. His balance hadn't been right. It was actually a relief to see it in action and he was glad that he hadn't listened when he'd been told he was done for the day. Because he got to have this moment with his teacher.

"You can push off of it if the weight is on the back. Or swing the foreleg away more easily if it's in danger."

That made so much sense! No wonder it had never felt right! His balance had been wrong!

[theatrics]

He nodded as Riley repeated it back to him. Ouyang was confident that he understood. He made a sharp gesture with his hand for Riley to get up.

"Show me what you've just learned."

[hideawayparadise]

Ignoring the aches in his tired body, he got up and shifted his practice sword as he got into the stance again. This time he focused on the adjustments that he'd been taught right now. It felt...better immediately. Smiling, he went through the motion of the move he'd been taught. It definitely flowed so much better and he didn't find himself tripping this time.

Finishing it off, he gave a jump as he forgot about the exhaustion in his body. "Yes! That was it! Thank you so much! I know it's not perfect but I didn't fall this time."

He gave a laugh and pushed his hair from his face. "Sorry. I got carried away. I just... Someone tried to make me feel like I'm not capable of being strong so this helps me feel like that's not true. It means a lot to me to have this. Thanks."

[theatrics]

Seeing Riley's enthusiasm was satisfying. He'd never be so openly emotive himself, but he's glad to see that the Fae is taking pride in his accomplishments. Because he wasn't training Filey for his fighting force, there was no reason to discourage his cheer.

But that last part he said brought a severe look to Ouyang's already hard features. Those gold eyes scanned Riley -- yes, the Fae is taller than him, but they're both slim and slight. Ouyang spent most of his life being told (or having it heavily implied) that he wasn't good enough, that he'd never be strong enough...

"Who would dare," he hissed.

[hideawayparadise]

Riley was surprised by the reaction and yet he appreciated it at the same time. It meant that Ouyang valued him. At least in his own way as his teacher. And really that counted just as much as a friend or a family member. Looking down, he hesitated a moment before speaking.

"I was...seeing someone. I thought it was going well but things went bad and he started treating me like a weak child that shouldn't get strong. That is too immature to handle the world." He looked down at the practice sword in his hand.

"Nothing I said mattered and then he shattered our bond a few weeks later when I kept seeing the people I care about and when I asked him how he could know so much of the world when he'd lived most of his life in isolation. It...hurt a lot." Riley gave a shrug and lowered his hand again. "I'm not a child though. I know what the world is like."

He shook his head. "That was...a lot to tell you."

It felt like a lot. Even without all the details in it.

[theatrics]

Had Riley provided more details, it might have been uncomfortable for Ouyang to hear. As it was, he's not the most sympathetic of people. However, he was incensed at this treatment. The insult to his student was an insult to him as the teacher! Yes, it's true many of the men he trained were little more than canon fodder, but he still gave his all to training them. Their survival was up to them at that point.

"We will prove him very wrong," Ouyang assured in a low voice, eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

[hideawayparadise]

Hearing those words, Riley looked up in surprise. They were? Together? Right, of course they were. Ouyang didn't find him weak or he wouldn't have trained him. And he always kept working with him to push him harder and hard. It was what he wanted and he wanted to make his teacher proud.

He gave a nod as he gripped his practice blade tighter. "I won't let you down."

[theatrics]

"No, it's yourself you won't let down." As long as Riley did his best, which he always seems to do, Ouyang would not be disappointed in him. The young man put forth time and effort, he's seen Riley's frustration when he doesn't get something right, the way he practices over and over to form the proper muscle memory. No, he doubts this pupil could disappoint.

[hideawayparadise]

Himself. He wouldn't let himself down. That sentence was so powerful and he stared at Ouyang for a bit before he nodded firmly. Riley was going to get stronger so he wouldn't let himself down and in turn it would make his teacher proud. Yes, he loved that. Respected it too. "I won't let myself down. Not ever again."

[theatrics]

Ouyang nodded, satisfied with Riley's resolve. "Do not let others determine your value," he added. "There will always be those who find you wanting."

[hideawayparadise]

"I don't want to be anything other than who I am and the best of that person." Riley gripped his sword tighter and stood straighter. Alright, yes. No matter the pain he wasn't going to be worthless. Those two weren't allowed to make him feel that way anymore.

Bending forward, he gave his teacher a respectful bow. "Thank you."

[theatrics]

"Of course." Ouyang nodded in response to Riley's bow. He waited a beat then takes up a position in front of his student to spar. "Let us continue."

[hideawayparadise]

His body was tired and sore. Even lifting his practice sword ached. But Riley had a renewed energy in him and that was all he needed right now. He didn't care about the aches and pains and how tired he was. He was ready to continue and learn so that way he could make himself proud with his own strength.

So he got into position and this time he engaged the attack. He wasn't going to win and that was okay. Riley was getting stronger thanks to Ouyang so he was ready to keep going until he had no choice but to stop.

And somewhere along the way, he started to smile again.