002: Offering Lessons.

[tarnishedavenger]

I'm noticing a few of you are having trouble with Planker's combat training. And, all due respect to Lubitsch, but he's a little too distracted and has too little time with us to do more than give pointers.

[That's about as close as Armstrong's going to come to saying that he thinks Lubitsch is about as useful as tits on a bull.]

With that in mind, I'm willing to teach some of you.

I've been a boxer for thirty-two years. I learned the basics of combat at West Point and, when I became a Silver Avenger in 1986, I was trained to fight superhuman opponents and groups of armed human opponents. I've been doing that, and training others to do that, for just about twenty-five years now. I'm also decent with a blade and good with any kind of gun you'd care to name.

I'm not a fancy martial artist. Don't expect any hebijutsu or capoeira from me. This would be about surviving, not looking pretty. I may have picked up a few things here and there, but that's about it.

I'll work with you, whenever your time allows, gauge your level, and we can build up from there. I won't say it'll be the easiest thing you've ever done, but it won't be punishing. Some sessions will be more exercise. You need to be fit to fight. But it won't be a waste of your time.

Those of you with more experience, I'm willing to work with you as well, or just spar for the people who don't need it, but this offer is gauged more towards those of us who never needed to learn. If you'd like to help, by all means, meet with me and we'll see if we can't work something out. I'd prefer to do this in small groups or even one on one,just so I can cater to everyone as needed. More teachers would make that easier.

Comments

[greyerrant]

If you need someone to help teach blades, I have been functioning as a... Soldier for about a century. My specialty is teaching superhumans, and fighting xenobreeds or other superhumans.

[tarnishedavenger]

['Xenobreeds', huh? Sounds like one of Cain's people. He'll have to get a better feel for this one.]

Sounds like you might have a handle on things. How are you with non-superhumans? Can you tone it down for them?

[greyerrant]

Of course. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone I'm trying to train. Well, beyond a bruise. Disabling your comrades degrades efficiency, after all.

[somnioergosum]

My father taught my to box. I wouldn't mind some extra lessons.

[tarnishedavenger]

When would be a good time/day for you?

[somnioergosum]

Any time that's not right after a meal or when we've got something scheduled. It's not like I've got anything to do here.

[greyaria]

Jorgmund seems very intent on ignoring the fact that doctors are noncombatants, so I should probably brush up.

[tarnishedavenger]

Sorry about that, Doctor. If you like, I can try to keep yours especially defensive/non-lethal?

[greyaria]

What? No! I'm perfectly happy to kill somebody who's trying to kill me! Nothing in the Geneva Conventions or Mortal Dictata about that.

[ahtohollaback]

[She hasn't heard of West Point or the Silver Avengers, but someone who's been training people to fight supernatural opponents for twenty-five years must know what they're doing.]

I'd like to learn to protect myself. In case my magic isn't always there.

[tarnishedavenger]

[Elsa... She was the queen, right? He guesses that means almost no experience. But best to check. She might end up being surprising.]

Have you done this kind of thing before?

[ahtohollaback]

No. Not before I came here.

[Even if her parents had been inclined to give her any practical martial training, it would have been a bad idea. Her powers came out when she was afraid, excited, or made physical contact with her hands, and it was much too dangerous to even try.]

[wheyoftheadept]

i can teach. hand-to-hand, melee, and general physical fitness. i'm good with beginners, too.

[tarnishedavenger]

Any particular styles on the hand to hand or are we talking mixed martial arts here?

[wheyoftheadept]

mixed. whatever works for the student once the basics are covered. I can teach a coupe pure styles, wing chun and shito-ryu mostly, but imo a lot of the pure styles have gotten too theoretical for field work

[becauseimacoward]

Sign me up. I'm experienced in fighting, but it's all geared towards disarming and subduing. I don't think that's what the higher-ups have in mind when they want fighters.

[So at least he's no slouch. He just needs some fine-tuning so he can have the right approach]

[tarnishedavenger]

I'll have to see where you're at. No offense intended, but if you've had some training already, it's best to see just about where I need to fill in gaps.

Won't take long. Maybe a few sparring matches, probably with the robots.

[aleifr]

I'd be interested in learning what you have to teach.

And if you need assistance, I'd be willing to offer that as well.

[tarnishedavenger]

Huh. Don't think I saw you on the introduction post.

What are you good at?

[credit_not_blame]

I'd be interested in getting some one-on-one time. I mostly support-snipe back home instead of getting into brawl range, so I could definitely use some fine-tuning.

I'm also a cross-country runner from before I was a werewolf, if you want to point me at other people. And if you need a training dummy that's over eight feet tall, I bounce back fast.

[tarnishedavenger]

I usually prefer a sniper position myself. Gives me a good view to oversee the field. But sometimes there's no option except to get your hands dirty.

Both of those sound like good attributes. I did triathlons, myself, but judging from the runs so far, a few of our fellow 'hires' don't have either of our experiences. I might send some your way.

[He pauses, then doublechecks her AMA. Non-contagious and largely in control. That's good. Negates a few issues that might come up.]

The dance cards are looking a little packed, but I'll have a better idea of things when I talk things over with Aleifr, Saturday, and Loken. I should easily be able to make some time for you. Will I be teaching Stacia the girl, Stacia the eight foot werewolf, or both?

[takenalive]

Useful. Perhaps not to me, but I can find my own way. I've forgotten a lot, but my body still remembers some of it.

[tarnishedavenger]

If that's what you think, go with it.

[greatlyexaggerated]

Decent with a blade? Does that happen to include any experience with chainswords?

[tarnishedavenger]

Never used one. The name's evocative of a chainsaw, but that wouldn't be my choice for a weapon.