20 - [Voice]

[winds_voice]

[Eley had been doing a lot of thinking lately, particularly in regard to how he should best react to conflict and dangerous situations. After much self-reflection, the Spirit had finally decided to turn to the rest of Luceti to aid him in his new desire to grow stronger in his human form, as well as to protect those he felt were important to him.

So he opens the journal, and begins to speak.]

Those who know me will also know that I have a distaste for violence. However, following recent events and the changes taking part both in the community and within myself... I have decided to open myself to the idea of combat.

What I am seeking is not to kill, but to disarm. To be able to protect both myself and others without going too far. Surely there are people here who hold knowledge of techniques in self-defense? If there is a weapon which can be used to stop an opponent without doing too much damage... I will consider it as well. Magic may also not be out of the question, though I cannot say whether or not I will be able to successfully use it.

Help me, Luceti, to not only protect myself but my friends too.

[There's a pause before he adds.]

Ah and... Kohaku. If you see this then I wish to apologise for any unusual behaviour I may have exhibited recently. If you would like the wish you gave me returned to you then I will gladly do so.

Comments

[Voice]

[snapturtle]

I can help you with that. Self defense was one of the basic courses in the Academy.

[Not to mention she's picked up some other techniques from other places.]

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

Academy? Could you give me some idea of what techniques these courses involved?

[He doesn't want to admit it but he's only had a little training and he hadn't been keeping up with it since then. So he was still a beginner... and that made him feel weak.]

[Voice]

[snapturtle]

Mostly hand to hand. Disarming or incapacitating the opponent like you said you were interested in. Starfleet doesn't exactly believe in killing anyone unless its absolutely necessary. I can also teach you some Klingon martial arts.

If I had a phaser I could teach you how to use one as well, but we're out of luck on that.

[voice]

[corrinesbell]

There're lots of ways to take somebody out of a fight without really hurting them. Maybe not disarming, but definitely making them want to stop trying to get you.

[voice]

[winds_voice]

Hmm... in what way? Simple verbal persuasion comes to mind, but that is not something I am particularly well versed in.

[voice]

[corrinesbell]

It's easier if I show you, but some, uh, techniques, are there just to get you enough time and leeway to get away from a fight.

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

Eleytheria?

[Saleh is somewhat surprised to hear this, but in light of certain recent events, he's not so surprised.]

I don't know if you've caught my previous announcement, but I have offered to teach some of my magic to others. Would that interest you?

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

Saleh...

[Something about knowing that his friend had witnessed him confirming a desire to fight made him feel a little uneasy. But he knew he had to do this, if not for his sake then for the sake of others.]

I am unsure if I would be compatible with your magic, but I am open to learn. After all, I already know that you are an accomplished teacher in such things.

But... would you be at ease, teaching me how to use such a thing?

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

There is no harm in trying, at least. You can stop anytime if you feel that it isn't for you.

I've had my uncertainties about taking Ewan in, as he's given me a fair amount of trouble. But he still has an extraordinary natural gift that makes it worthwhile. I'm certain that you would take great care with this.

[amberguardian]

There's no need to apologize...and you can keep it. It would be rude to take it back.

[winds_voice]

...are you sure? Such a thing... it seems rather important. I would not want you to give it away whilst under the influence of outside forces if you did not mean for me to have it.

[amberguardian]

But you're still a friend. That's enough of a reason to give you one.

...do you not want it?

Voice

[that_is_asecret]

[Not hurting people? That was odd]

Well, I do know a few spells intended to incapacitate rather than harm. Depends on what you want to do.

Voice

[winds_voice]

I will try anything that you wish to offer, particularly as it seems these spells will enable me to do what I seek to do. Can anyone use these spells or are there... prerequisites for such a thing?

Voice

[that_is_asecret]

Well, you would have to have at least a preliminary understanding of magic.

[Written] Filtered

[windandrain]

[She finds this almost ironic, seeing this broadcast so shortly after her own. Perhaps it's something in the wind urging them to change. And whatever her past irritation with him, it's been long enough that she doesn't care any longer.]

What would you prefer to learn? Hand to hand or weapon based defenses? Our power is incompatible, as I recall, but it's possible I could help you with some ideas on how to adapt your own.

[Written] Filtered

[winds_voice]

[Eley hadn't forgotten what had come to pass between them and he couldn't say that the sting had left him entirely, but he was willing to give things a chance. Particularly if it may benefit both himself and his friends in the future.]

I will try anything that is offered to me, though I would say this body of mine is not particularly powerful when it comes to physical force. If there is a weapon I can learn to handle without seriously harming others... especially if there are ways to adapt my own abilities alongside it... I would welcome the idea.

Voice

[brat_from_hell]

But what if you wind up meeting one of those Third Party guys and they try to kill you?

Voice

[winds_voice]

Then I will know how to defend myself and others around me instead of hesitating... and falling to the ground, broken.

[Despite recent events being resolved, it still bothered him that he had been so useless in the face of adversity, simply because he wouldn't act.]

I still do not wish to kill if I can help it. I am sure there are other ways to subdue an enemy.

[Voice]

[averybadfeeling]

"Hello, there. As it happens, defensive martial arts are a specialty of mine. Perhaps I might be of service?"

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

Hello... may I ask who I am speaking to? Regardless, I will accept any help you can give me, particularly if you are well-versed in such ideas.

[voice]

[seleniahymn]

[Tear is surprised to hear this for the exact reasons Eley has stated, brow furrowing even though she didn't really have any objections to his desire to learn.

It was close to this time of year when she had had to strike him down, wasn't it?] You are absolutely certain about this, Eleytheria?

[voice]

[winds_voice]

[Her comment was strangely unexpected, but hearing Tear ask him that question gives him cause to hesitate. He knew what she had witnessed from him before after all. The last thing he wanted was for her to become concerned that perhaps his power would grow in ways it shouldn't. That she should have to confront him again, this time with his own mind intact.]

...yes, I am sure. I have had enough time to come to this decision. I will not use violence unless absolutely necessary and I will not take the consequences lightly. However... I am tired of feeling vulnerable. I believe there is much I can do if I take the risk.

[risingwinds]

Hmm... I don't know about weapons, but there's a few spells that could come in handy.

Slow magic'll make enemies move slower. Sleep'll knock 'em out, and Poison hurts, but it doesn't kill. It just weakens them a little. Makes them easier to deal with.

[And those are just a few examples that spring into his head. If he really stops to think about it, there's probably more out there.]

[winds_voice]

Then... you can cast magic?

[He listens carefully to the explanation. Slowing the enemy down would certainly be useful, as would putting them to sleep - something he had already experienced first-hand. While he could see the appeal of poison, something about it hits a nerve with him... Though he certainly doesn't mean to make Ven feel guilty for suggesting it, there might a slightly sombre edge to his voice as he continues speaking.]

I am not sure if I could ever bring myself to poison another, even if it did not kill them in the end... there are matters at home that are transpiring which are too similar, yet... far more dangerous. The others however, I would be more than interested in learning.