EVEN SLIGHT AUS ARE GREAT

[tookforgranite]

[They'd been dating for a while. Or...well. "Dating" really. Natsumi called it a relationship and was determined to get it to that point, but her bodyguard was still struggling with the idea. Peko had always taken her job seriously. Hell, she went above and beyond that, labeling herself and fully believing that she's nothing but the yakuza daughter's tool. And that made it very hard to convince her that it was okay to have feelings for one another. You can still protect her and love her...

She's pretty sure that a lot of their romantic interactions stemmed mostly from "Natsumi is allowed to do what she wants." And while she was glad she wasn't being pushed away, she was desperate for Peko to return her feelings. It was getting a little frustrating, but she was determined to be patient. To show her how these things work. To convince her everything would be okay...

Which is why they were having a date today. One that would be interesting to both girls rather than just what the young mistress wants. It was a sparring date. Natsumi was getting a little rusty with her knife work, after all, and who better to help her practice and improve than the her bodyguard?

Of course, her bodyguard was also the SHSL Swordswoman...even if she's going easy on her, the blonde is left panting a little from the work out. She's grinning though, clearly not exhausted or anything. Just winded.]

Jeez Peko-chan...I'm never gonna get a hit in on you am I?

Comments

[perfectstrike]

[Peko's breath is still slow and even, knife held in one hand as she relaxes just a hair. Just enough to let Natsumi know she's not going to attempt a strike while the other girl is speaking.]

With enough training, I'm certain you can, Natsumi-sama.

[It's not just idle praise: Peko's the SHSL Swordswoman, not SHSL Blademaster or SHSL Knife Expert. She fully believes that Natsumi's capable of beating her; if not right now, then someday.]

You need to work on keeping your movements more subtle. A knife is a small weapon, capable of quicker movements than a sword.

[tookforgranite]

[Thank you for not striking while she's speaking. You'd absolutely hit her.]

Hah...you're not just humoring me, right?

[Even as she says this, she's wearing a pretty pleased grin. She knows the other girl isn't. She's not humoring or patronizing her - Peko doesn't do that. Well, in most cases anyway. In serious cases like this.]

Subtle...that seems so hard. You know I'm not very good with that.

[She gives the knife a few test swings though, concentrating on the blade. Subtle...subtle...smaller movements. She doesn't need to make those big swings like you might with a sword.]

Hmmm...more like this, then?

[perfectstrike]

I wouldn't dare.

[Is that a hint of humor in her voice? Probably, though her expression doesn't reflect it. She's absolutely right that Peko would never lie to her to make her feel better about something like this. This kind of training is just another aspect of ensuring her mistress can protect herself. If it comes to that, it means Peko has already failed; the least she can do is make sure that Natsumi will be able to defend herself adequately.

She holds up her free hand, the one without the knife, making sure to let Natsumi see it before reaching in to gently rest it on the other girl's elbow.]

Smaller. Your arm must stay close to your body. Let the blade do the work.

[And she moves her hand down, lightly touching the other girl's wrist as well.]

Almost all of your movement must come from here.