Entrée de Journal Soixante: Training and Chocolate Frogs

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

Who: malfoy_purity Draco Malfoy and Ashura wishmadeinfire
What: Draco and Ashura - Lessons and Birthday Treats
When: Today
Where: In the Grounds
Rating: PG




Draco was stood outside Ashura's door knocking on it with the end of the kendo sword that Uki had given him. The autumn sun streaming through the window and into the hall.

"Are you coming?" he demanded through the wood.

Comments

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

"Do not use the sword to knock my door," Ashura called from the other side as he finished pinning his hair and adjusting his obi. Sure it was just a practice, but nonetheless he would look his best. Habits did die so very hard. "Respect your blade."

He was sure Ukitake must have taught him that as he opened the door and offered Draco a stare somewhere between amusement and chastisement.

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

He sighed and put his sword away

"Fine alright, see I'm looking after it. I don't see why I have to be so careful though, I mean it's going to get knocked about anyway in fights"

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

"Well, think about it, do you have use your wand to knock on doors? To pick your ear? To stir your tea?" he asked him pointedly as he came out of the room, shutting the door behind him. "No. So do not do so to your sword."

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

He sighed and stepped aside, “Fine, although I don’t whack people with my wand either. “

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

"No, but you cast spells with it, which is its purpose," he reminded him. "The same as 'whacking' a person is for your sword. There is a difference and any good swordsman will know and respect this."

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

He sighed softly leading him outside, "Fine, I swear I won't whack people with it again."

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

"Good, because that is not what I am training you for. I am training for you to be able to defend yourself and others in times of need," he said as they made their way out of the castle and towards a spare open field.

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

He sighed and walked over to the field before warming up. He stretched out before getting his kendo sword out waiting patiently for him.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Ashura finished his own stretches and approached him, holding out his own practice blade for a moment.

"I am going to demonstrate a series of blocks. Watch me carefully and then we shall break down the moves and you shall repeat them till you know the sequences. Easy enough, yes?"

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

Draco nodded and then shifted on his feet watching him carefully. He then moved the sword, slowly mirroring his movements.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Ashura went through the whole series in a fluid motion first, winding it together like a dance. He then proceeded to take each block step by step, dragging it out in slow motion.

"Now, we shall do the first - a front block," he said, getting into the start position. "Now, do you remember what to do first?"

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

He nodded, settling softly on his feet, "Yes." he replied waiting for AShura to start before he swiped across and away, sending the blade to the side.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Ashura nodded. "Now keep it higher - again."

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

He sighed following his instructions pushing it higher this time, "Better?" he asked

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

"Yes, much, now move to the second motion," he instructed, showing it to him again and then pausing to wait to see how the young man did.

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

Draco nodded and copied him, misstepping the first time before he started again and repeated it correctly.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Pleased with the boy's progress, Ashura walked him through the third and fourth motions and then had him repeat them all in slow motion.

"Now, I want you to put them all together at fighting pace."

[malfoy-purity.livejournal.com]

Draco nodded moving through it once more slowly before speeding up. The autumn sun shining off the sword.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Ashura walked around him, watching him perform the steps, nodding and sometimes calling out a correction to him. When he finished the first run through he made him do it again, and again. Repetition was key - muscle memory build up.