Numbness

[Legione Sumus]

Madison & Mackenzie

Nox had the same rule but she didn't say that outloud. Kenzie just started circling before she took her first stab at it. She remembered to keep her thumb in the proper place. It had been why the man had taught her to fight to begin with. He said if she was going to hit him, she might as well learn how to do it right. He taught her a lot more than that too. He also taught her to user her size to her advantage.

Kenzie ducked under Tatyanna's legs and yanked one as she went by.

[Tatyana]

Kenzie didn’t speak. She just began to circle. Her footwork was good. Nox was either a good teacher, Kenzie a good student, or she just had a natural knack for fighting. It could also be a combination. Tatyana moved too, her footwork matching Kenzie’s.

Kenzie took the first shot, her punch had good form and her thumb position was good. ”Good,” she said, giving Kenzie some positive encouragement.

Then Kenzie did something unexpected. Tatyana was skilled, but it had been a long time since she had really fought with someone. The occasional bout with a random vagrant didn’t really count. Tatyana was also better prepared for fighting people who were bigger than she was. She remembered what she had told Zeke about how she would beat Kasun. Tatyana could have kept herself standing if she had responded just a hair quicker, but the move was unexpected, and Kenzie, even small as she was, had enough weight and momentum to knock the balance away.

Aikido had taught her how to fall, so she wouldn’t be hurt. She back somersaulted out of the fall and ended up kneeling on the ground. She was uninjured and unphased, but let out a little laugh. It wasn’t mocking. It was actual joy. This was fun. But she sensed a teachable moment here, remembering one time her dad had been in a similar situation during one of their spars.

Tatyana held up her hand to pause the spar. ”That was a good move. Us smaller people need to use our size to our advantage. You have good instincts. Look at my position. I’m fairly stable, but you have an advantage still. Would be right for you to press it, but let’s shift gears here for a moment. Let’s say you’re in this position - down on one knee with your attacker coming toward you. How do you defend yourself and get back to your feet?”