The Dirtiest Dance [self-mod]

[Telavis]

Time Stamp: Afternoon of The Third Brightening of the Second Cycle of the Months of Kalendryas, in the Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum.

Basic Tessared-Tohiba, Self-mod with permission of GD Gossamer

The whole morning, Telavis had spent watching the practicing monks in awe. He only took his eyes off the monks when he ate a hurried lunch of packed sandwiches. Even then, he glanced back after each bite, so he would miss as little of the amazing display of martial prowess as possible. It took several of Lileth's exasperated urging before Telavis unwillingly started to walk toward the place where he was hopefully was to receive his own lesson in zinn'ka.

When he reached the clearing in the garden that Lileth had told him about, there was no monk there. Telavis silently congratulated himself that he had at least arrived before monk Kimsan. He was not sure if he would be late. It took him awhile before he could steel himself away from the practicing monks.

Telavis did not have to wait long until a small monk with simple garb walked into the clearing. The small monk had an air of calm about him even as he walked quickly toward Telavis. The monk's steps did not seem hurried as Telavis had been when he realized that he might be late. Between thoughts and blinks, the small monk stood in front of him.

"Alas, Lileth should not have tempered with my schedule book without consulting me. At least she should have informed me about the tempering, so I have a chance to react." The monk said in a good natured fashion, indicating that Lileth had not really upset him. "So, she told me that you wished to learn Tessared-Tohiba. Why? If I may ask?"

[Telavis]

"I would like to gain some practice with Zinn'ka for self-protection," Telavis answered after a moment of hesitation. "Well, it is partly for self-protection. In about a year's time, I will be serving the mandatory term in the Vermilion. When that time comes, I wish to be ready for serve my city. The early bird catches the worm. For a weak and stupid bird, he must be especially early to catch anything."

"Ah, I see," Monk Kimsan replied with a kind smile, but he did not go on.

"I have heard that Tessared-Tohiba is the art where the weak overcomes the strong, and the small overcomes the big." Telavis said in a hurry to fill the vacuum. "I wish to learn."

"Yes," The Monk agreed, and again did not go on.

"And, I am short." Telavis said bluntly, a slightly embarrassed look crossed his face. "Some say my growth might be delayed. But, I know the truth. It will be unlikely for me to grow more. I want to be just as able as the other people, of normal stature. Tessared-Tohiba offers me a chance to do that."

"I have also heard that Tessared-Tohiba has been called the most ugly form of fighting." Telavis spoke quickly, as if words are coming out in a rush. "I apologize for my words, but they are true.

"To me fighting is the last resort of the incompetent. There is no glory in that. There is honor in dying for a cause, but there is no glory in killing. But, the world is not always perfect. One should learn to defend oneself to be responsible to one's parents who had sacrificed much to keep the flesh of their flesh hale and whole.

"The various schools of combat tries to dress up the art of maiming and killing with guises of elegance and grace. I wish not for such a guise. Violence should be the last resort, and its hideous face should not be disguised, so it always remain the last resort. I want to learn how to defend myself, but I also want to remind myself that violence is also ugly, and should not be employed lightly."

"Fair words," Monk Kimsan replied after a moment of thought. "A bit too emotional, but the gist is noble enough. But, they are the words of the ignorant. You associate fighting with violence, but they are not the same thing. If practicing zinn'ka is merely practicing violence, then people don't need to train nearly as much as they do. It is easy to harm one another. You don't need practice. But, by training, you are also fighting yourself, trying to master yourself. Ultimately, your struggle is with yourself. In a sense, the battlefield, may it be physical or mental, and every day is a struggle, is the ultimate place to test one's ideals. Can you hold to your belief of not employing excess violence when your life is threatened? Think on it.

"Very well, I shall teach you the basics of Tessared-Tohiba. I recommend that you practice it every moment of every day. See if you may agree with my view. If ultimately, you proved to yourself that what I said was false, and what you said was true, then you will not only know what you were correct, but also know that what you believed is not merely the result of an intellectual exercise, but really true in your eyes.

"Now, shall we begin?"

[Telavis]

Without waiting for Telavis' nod of consent, Monk Kimsan immediately plunged on to his subject.

"Could you tell me how can some one who is weaker, with shorter reach, overcome someone who is stronger, with a long reach, and more mass?" Kimsan asked.

"That should be impossible." Telavis replied.

"How so?" Kimsan asked patiently.

"Someone weaker but with a long reach, could fight someone from a distance. The reverse, could try to shorten the distance. If neither, one could throw oneself at the opponent and crush him with one's body weight. But, if the opponent is superior in every way, then, it is impossible." Telavis replied after organizing his thoughts.

"Then, man would be subjected to the lions, tigers and bears. We don't have their strength, speed, natural born weapons, or fearless ferocity. Instead, we find man today hunting these magnificent creatures for sport. How do you explain that?" Kimsan asked.

"The hunters are armed with weapons that are specifically designed to take down these beasts. They have more men with them. They know the habits and weaknesses of those beasts. They also know how to deal with the beasts." Telavis replied.

"So in an one-on-one situation, the beast will always win then?" Kimsan asked in polite puzzlement.

"Well, no, survival experts often are able to scare them away with loud noise, and use tricks for them to seem larger than they are." Telavis replied, now thoughtful.

"I can see that you are on the right track. Let me pull it all together for you." Kimsan said. "The differences between the hunter and the beast are generations of experiences, knowledge of their opponent, and a plan.

"In a way, you are right. It is theoretically impossible to defeat someone if he is superior in every way, everywhere, and at all times. But, it will never be the case. First, he will never be superior to you in every way. He may seem stronger, faster, or smarter, but, it depends on what that is compared to, and compared in what way.

"An ant can lift a leaf many times its body weight. An man can rarely lift anything more than twice one's weight over head. Does it mean the ant is stronger than man? No, man can crush an ant without thinking too much about it.

"That is an exaggerated example. If a giant who weighs 800 lb can lift 250 lb, a human who weighs 150 lb and can lift 200 lb, who is stronger? If these two fight who is more likely to win if they are equally skilled? It is uncertain, there are other variables to take into consideration, but would you say the human has a chance to win?"

"Yes, if a 150 lb human can lift 200 lb, while a giant who weights four times as much, and can only lift 250 lb, it will mean that the giant is at an disadvantage. He has to move around four times as much weight. He will be slower." Telavis answered, beginning to understand. "Do you mean, I don't need to be overall stronger, just need to be stronger pound for pound?"

"Then let's say the giant knew that the human is coming to get him. He places a 250 lb rock above the place where the human would have to pass to get to him. Once the human comes, the giant release the trap. The human would be crushed by the rock." Kimsan said. "What then?"

"Then.... What do you mean?" Telavis asked, clearly puzzled. "I don't think I see what you mean."

"Good, realizing that one don't understand is the first step to wisdom." Kimsan said good naturedly.

"I did not understand when my teacher first told me. But, the essence is that fighting here," Kimsan said pointing to his own and then Telavis' head. "Is much more effective than fighting with these." Kimsan lifted his hands.

"Going back to the example of hunters and the beasts. The hunters can win because of what they have in their heads. They have knowledge, experiences of others to draw upon, and finally creativity imagine a scenario where they might be victorious. Then, using trial and error, they perfect the plan. Zinn'ka is very much the same.

"Now tell me, how do you keep yourself safe in a fight that you have no way of winning?"

[Telavis]

"Well, it would depend on the fight." Telavis replied.

"Too true. Forgive me. I should have specified my question. What if the fight was pointless. There is no way of winning. And, you will lose your life if you lost the fight." Kimsan clarified cheerfully.

"Horn's Last Call," Telavis replied as his face when slightly pink. "The Blade of Wisdom is granted to those who know when to use it."

"Very wise." Kimsan replied sincerely. "But, how far do you need to retreat?"

"As far as possible, I suppose." Telavis answered puzzled.

"I mean distance-wise. Would 50 yard be enough, 100 yard maybe? 1 mile?" Kimsan explained. "What do you think?"

"If I can get 50 yard away from him, then he shall never be able to catch me." Telavis replied. "50 yard will be enough."

"Yes." Kimsan agreed. "But, what would you say if I said a hair's breath is enough."

"That's not possible." Telavis replied automatically.

"Shall we put that to the test?" Kimsan asked playfully. "Shall we have a game of tag? If you win, I will acknowledge you to be more skilled than all the monks here."

Telavis appeared to be contemplating the proposal, when he suddenly reached out an arm to try to grab the elder monk. Yet the monk moved back faster than Telavis thought possible. Telavis' fingers merely grasped at air. Without withdrawing his arm, he launched himself at the monk, both arms flailing. Yet, the monk obstinately remained out of reach. After much useless effort, Telavis stopped and panted.

"How .... did you.... do that?" Telavis gasped.

"Well, that is the first lesson that I wish to impress upon you." Kimsan said without even breathing hard. "Shall we end this game and return to learning?"

"Yes," Telavis said. "I yield. The field is yours."

"Thank you," Kimsan said. "Now, the first lesson is distance. Every person, every weapon, every maneuver has an effective range. You could not touch me because I was beyond your range. When you tried to get closer to me, I tried to keep out of your effective range.

"This is an important lesson to learn because since we are of smaller stature. Our effective range is shorter than those who have longer limbs. In order to put them into our effective range, we would first put ourself in their effective range. In order to over come this problem, we use a very peculiar step. It's very simple. If you can master it, very few people will be able to touch you. To truly master it, it will take many years.
But, we can get a good start on that today.

"Watch my posture. My feet are slightly wider than my shoulders. Just try to stand very naturally, but with your feet slightly wider apart than usual. Good. Just like that. Bend your knees a little. Let your toes point outwards a little, so they form a right angle if they were together. Just like that. Now, turn your body a little, just like what I am doing. Look slightly to your left. Good. This is our basic stance. Some call it, natural stance. But names really are not important."

Telavis stood there for the first time in the basic stance. It was a odd experience, the stance did not feel uncomfortable, but it did not feel natural either. The monk teacher also stood in the natural stance in front of him. Kimsan looked much more at ease in the position than Telavis felt.

"Now, if you'll look at me," Kimsan said after a while. "In this position, I don't face you squarely on, nor do I let my side face you. There are reasons for both of those situations. If you face your opponent squarely on, you have more options. Both your hands are equally close to your opponent. But, you are also more exposed. You whole upper body is open to your opponent. If your side face your opponent, you minimized the target presented to your opponent, and reduce their options of attack. But, you also reduce your own options. This way, we chose a middle ground. We sacrifice a little protection for a few more options, and we sacrifice a few options for more protection. There is a balance.

"To move back and forth, we use a movement that might have been borrowed from blade play, or they might have borrowed it from us. It is all very complicated, historically speaking. To move back, we will lift our back foot, and take a small step back. Then, we half lift and half drag the front foot back. Like this... You see? To move forward, we lift the front foot and take a small step forward, and half lift and half drag the back food. Like so.... Now let me see you do it."

Telavis did as the monk instructed. He moved first back and then forward using the new step that he learned. He lifted and dragged his feet. He wasn't sure he moved with the fluidity of the older monk, but, Kimsan seemed reasonably satisfied with his effort.

"Now, let's really practice the movement." Kimsan told Telavis. "You see that wall over there? About 20 paces away? Walk forward to the wall using the forward step, and after you get there, come back using the backward step. When you get back, you can start moving forward again. Try to do it a few time and see how it feels."

[Telavis]

When the Monk Kimsan called a halt to the exercise, Telavis' quads felt like they were tightening into knots and on fire.

"Good," Kimsan commented simply. "It seems you got the gist of things. Naturally, when needs demands it, you can widen your stride to quicken your steps. But, of course that would take away from the balance, and your movements will be come more telegraphed. In emergencies, you may add a small hop to your step. Like so."

Kimsan easily went into the basic stance. As he lifted his back leg to move back, his front foot pushed off. He jumped back around two feet, landed on his back foot, and his right foot came down to the perfect position to get back to the natural stance.

"Now it's your turn." Kimsan said. "Like how we practiced last time. Go back and forth a few times, and feel it out. Unless of course, you are at the end of your strength. And, don't tell me you don't even have the same level of energy as a old monk like me."

After the last few words, Telavis had no choice to to grit his teeth and to start hopping.

[Telavis]

When the monk again called halt, Telavis resisted the urge to simply sit down, and started to stretch his knotted muscle. His legs felt heavy as lead and stiff as a board. As he stretched and massaged his quads and hamstrings, the old monk continued to lecture.

"Now you know a little about closing and adding distance between you and your opponent," the Kimsan said amicably. "With practice, you will be able to move faster, and make this movement your second nature. Now, I hope you noticed there is a flaw in this movement. Could you tell me what you think it might be?"

"Yeah, although, I will become faster with time, I can't out pace someone running at me. What do I do if someone decided to charge me?" Telavis replied.

"That is an excellent question. There are two answers. You can.... Well, to be complete, there are three answers. You can turn around and run. If you are faster than your opponent, you'll escape. You could retreat or pursue your opponent faster than he is pursuing or retreating from you. Finally, you could change the race." Kimsan replied.

"Assuming we are not going to adopt the first solution, there is a way to move faster." Kimsan continued. "Like natural walking or running, you switch between feet. We can adapt that movement here also. After you step back, instead of just letting your forward leg be pulled back a little and return to the stance, you can withdraw it all the way back and beyond the back foot, and go into to the stance, but with the torso facing the opposite direction. Of course, we can also add the jump to this step to increase the speed even faster. Going forward is the same principle. You can experiment a little on your own when you get home."

[Telavis]

"Now, in order to understand the other strategy, it is best if it is demonstrated." Kimsan said. "I take it that you know how to throw a punch."

"Yes. Nothing too professional. But, you can live in the origin of zinn'ka without learning by osmosis." Telavis replied, and with into stance.

His upper body was hunched a little, his head down and his fist up to cover his head and upper body. He quickly jabbed out with his left arm twice, follow with a right cross.

"Not too bad," Kimsan said finally. "I see there is some rhingorda influence?"

"Not particularly, just picked up in kids' fights."

"Well, not too bad in any case. Though, you need to throw in your hip more. Also, don't hold up your hand around your head. You block out of your sight. Hold it like the way I taught you, in the stance. When you throw the jab or cross, bring up the other hand for protection if you like, but return to the stance after. Keep them out of your face. Hold them out, and your can parry your opponent, and preemptively keep your opponent at bay.

"Don't rely in blocks. If they are stronger than you, more conditioned, you just hurt your arms when you block. You can keep away by knowing distance, and yours and your opponent's ranges. Now, try to hit me."

Telavis went into the stance. He slowly approached the monk with the steps that he was just taught. When he judged that he was in range, he threw a testing jab with his left arm. The monk seemed to sense the jab. Before Telavis even fully extended his arms, the monk took a step toward Telavis' left, and hid himself behind Telavis' jabbing arm.

Telavis pulled back his arm, and turn toward his left and threw a cross with his right. The monk again dance easily around Telavis. He seemed to take a step diagnally toward Telavis' right and with one hand lightly guiding Telavis' arm in a parry. Suddenly, Telavis felt a hard fist in his gut. It was not throw in a punch, but simply firmed pressed to indicate that it was there.

"You see?" Kimsan asked with a smile.

"Yes." Telavis replied specutively as he straightened. "When I came after you with my left jab, you moved toward my left, so my arm lost the target and hid your from my other hand. When I turned, you took advantage of the turn, to go toward my right. Aagin, now my right arm shielded you. Since I could not see through my arm, you could hit me without me knowing that you are going to hit me."

"Very good," Kimsan said approvingly. "Now, to do that, you need to learn how to move right and left. The principle is the same. You move your leading leg, and don't cross your feet. If you want to move left, you move your left foot first. Then your right foot move to recover. The same goes with right. The except is when you take a whole step back or forward. Then you swing your leg around. It's like walking. Also, you would face a whole new direct." Kimsan demonstrated as he explained. "Why don't you try it out?"

[Telavis]

Telavis did. He went through the exercises to move right and left with right and left foot stances. Kimsan also had him go through exercises of turning. He would take a step left with his left foot, and then twist his trunk toward the right, and use that to swing his right foot behind him to re-enter into the proper stance. He would then step back with his right foot, and twist his trunk left and swing his left foot back. Telavis repeated until Kimsan was satisfied that he would be able to correctly practice on his own, before he called a halt.

"Now that we went over the basic foot work, it's time to learn how to use them," Kimsan said. "Foot work is about movement. It's perhaps the most fundamental concept of strategy. In application, we use foot work to either get away or to close in. For those of small stature, they are disadvantaged in the normal melee range. They would then either be closer than their opponent's closest ranged weapons or farther away than the farthest reaching ones. They would also need to rapidly move from one to the other."