2020.01.31:White Lotus Spar

White Lotus Spar.
Oksana meets Tian at the White Lotus, and spar.
IC Date	01/31/2020.
IC Time	19:00:00.
Players	Tian (old) Oksana
Location	White Lotus Dojo - Chinatown.
Theme Song	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsoDB72-Y-8

        Oksana stands up and gives a respectful bow to Tian. In her duffle bag, she retrieves a blade that is decorated with a red and white tassle. She then takes a proper position on the mat. She holds the hilt of the sword with an inverted grip, the blade running the length of her arm. She extends both arms forward two fingers from her free hand touch the bottom of the hilt of the sword, as if to form a V. This, too, is accompanied with a bow as if she's respecting the mat and the area around her.
        She begins to twist and turn, keeping the sword in that inverted, non-aggressive grip. That is until she raises her free hand up, so that it's over her head. The opposing leg is also lifted up, assuming a classic White Crane fighting stance. From there, her movements are designed to show case spinning moves, opening and closing as strikes could have their most effective velocity and proper precision. She's going through the various forms and stances that one might see with the jian.

Tian watches and nods from moment to moment in an appreciative way. A smile is offered to encourge her to continue.

        Oksana has no trouble with maintaining balance as many of the interesting strikes are where she's standing on one leg with the other raised, knee bent. She sword is either pointing down to the target in front of her or the blade is leveled across her body in a defensive position. If the sword is raised up, it's the opposing leg that's up. If the sword is level, then the other hand is up and corresponding leg.
        When she gets ready to finish her various forms, it would seem that she freeforms a little. There's twisting and spinning with a flourish. When she finishes, the sword rests at her hip, though behind her back. One knee is up, and the other free hand is up. With that final 'second', she turns her head and flicks her free hand so that the fingers go from a close 'grip' to having her fingers spread wide as if the Crane is expanding her feathers. A heart beat with held pose, but then she returns the blade to the inverted position. She bows again with her free hand touching the bottom of hilt.

Tian nods appreciatively, "You are most skilled. Your instructor must feel great pride."

        Oksana steps off the mat, making sure to return her blade to proper holding place that's safe and free from being damaged. She then looks to Tian, grinning, "Zinkink Yuri vhould say..." She tilts her head, doing her best to adopt a husky man's deep voice, "Oksana ..." She then holds up two fingers, "... needink more patience. Not hold svhord vhiff limp wrist. Do better." She then stomps her foot, "Again!" She then clears her throat, and then looks around to make sure she's not in trouble with her little mimic session there.

Tian goes into the next room and retrieves a bataan sword and bows and steps onto the mat, "Please. Show me." He didnt bring 2 of them. I would guess he is expecting to for her to use hers against his. He takes up a ready position to receive a stike.

        Oksana tilts her head and then goes to retrieve her sword once more. She again shows reverence to the mat before stepping foot on it. She then takes up a proper stance to face Tian. With the sword inverted as before, she bows with her arms stretched out. Fingers and hilt touching, and then she assumes a raised leg fighting stance, blade raised high while the other hand is before her with two fingers raised as if they too were a weapon in a ready position.

Tian moves in. He is fast..so fast. In a blur of movment he steps inside her defence and the sword comes to rest against her throat. To step back he drops down so still he rolls under her defense to roll backwards and comes to his feet in a protective stance to block.

        Oksana is rather stunned by the quick movements of her assailant. She is probably thankful that she didn't go all aggressive in her battle philosophy. Thanks Yuri! You taught her something. However, her eyes are wide when she 'feels' the blade at her neck. She does that stumble backward thing you typically see in Kung Fu fights. Though, really, it's just a way for her to regain composure while putting some distance between her and Tian. She gives one of those grunts, acknowledging that he's obviously the Master here.

Tian nods to Oksana, "Now...you strike." He takes a step back to drop into a low stance, tip of his sword up and angled across his body.

Tian sees the powerful blow comming and does his best to block the strike.

        Oksana takes a moment to center herself once more, closing her eyes. With slow and precise movements, she lifts her blade up over her head. The blade again points towards Tian. Her free hand holds up two fingers, held at the Y axis of her body. Her opposing leg lifts up, knee bent, and toes pointed to the ground.
        With a cleansing breath, she exhales and opens her eyes. She waits for that 'heart beat' and then begins to go into motion. It's as if she's dancing. Though it can't be heard, there's probably a sound track playing such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vindWE_XnWs. Nothing is wasted, and everything is fluid. The first step with the raised leg is in one direction with her free hand serving as counter balance, but then she uses it to perform a feint, so that she can trick Tian's defenses to go in the wrong position. A proper spin on that planted first step, causing the other leg to lift up - causing her velocity to increase in such a short amount of space. She uses the spin to gain momentum with arms. The feint worked. As the sword would strike at the neck, she manages to change the grasp on her hilt so that the blade rotates at the hilt guard until the blade is resting against her forearm and non-aggressive position as she lands. Her arms are spread wide to complete the dance move, only to raise her free hand above her head. Two fingers up. Sword also pointed up.

Tian's wooden sword shatters into a thousand pieces as Oksana strikes through with her follow through. Tian rolls with the blow that most definatly would have been a killing strike. He rolls to his feet and bows to her. Without a sword he takes up an attack stance, "Good strike. Defend."

        Oksana alters her posture a little, as if her current stance is intended more for an armed assailant. She adopts a new posture with she crouches down with her hind leg, which is the opposing leg from where her sword hand is. That other leg is stretched out before her. Toes touch, though it's a light step. The sword is held above her head in a defensive posture. Low center of gravity, reducing the amount of body is exposed to her assailant. She simply nods her respect to the man.

Tian moves in and his arms weave in a deceptive way, comming up into an inverted V. He doesn't just strike her but moves to take hold of her wrists to disarm her with the martial arts maneuver known at Withering Grasp.

Oksana recognizes the move rather well, as she has been trained in such maneuvers by Yuri - her mentor. Many times, over and over, until she could keep from losing her blade to her assailant. Bruise after bruise. Sometimes, it's humiliating failure. It left a lasting impression, as she's able to tuck and roll away from Tian, keeping her body between her sword and his attempted grasps. She rolls out of it with a graceful flourish as if this is nothing more than a Chinese dance involving White Cranes.

Tian steps to the inside of the strike, tries to grasp her forarm and perform a counter throw.

Oksana keeps with the roll, as if her new fighting stance keeps the momentum that reaches the top of the hill. The opposing leg goes up so that she stands on one leg. Without waiting, or perhaps trying to throw Tian off balance. She perform a simple thrusting strike, that provides a twist of the wrist. Unfortunately for Oksana, the outstretched arm gives Tian a perfect opportunity for a grapple and throw. As she realizes that she left herself open, she can hear Yuri chastising her for being overconfident yet again. However, she's been in this position too many times for her to count. Just when she feels herself going head over heels, there's a reason why a sword fighter uses that free hand as a counter balance. In this case, she manages to perform a one handed cart wheel so that she doesn't land on her head and can maintain her fighting stance. She spins once again to face her assailant. Her free hand goes above her head, sword is brought perpendicular across her body. She purses her lips as she cusses at herself in Russian for being foolish.

Tian nods at the skill and applauds with three soft claps. "Most impressive. I would be honored to sparr with you again another day."

Oksana drops her leg down, shifting the sword to an inverted grip. She bows while reaching out with her arms. Fingers from her free hand touch the bottom of the hilt of her sword. "Honor iz mine." She then stands up, "I iz Oksana Kazakova. Nice for meetink."

Tian bows to her, "I am Shang Tian." He motions to Emrick, "Ready to Sparr?" He says to Oksana, "This is Emrick."