[Voice]

[kyoshi]

Well... now that the draft is over, I think it's a good time to do this. Because of all the fighting we have do while we're here, either by choice or by force, it's a good idea to have some understanding of combat in case of an emergency. From what I heard about this last battle, even the people who took refuge weren't able to stay out of the fight. We can't really afford to take chances like that anymore, and I'd like to do something about that- so I have a proposal for the girls of Luceti.

First of all, I'm Suki. I know I look young, but where I'm from, I lead a group of girls known as the Kyoshi Warriors. We're well-trained in combat, and the focus of our style is a mix of defense, stealth, and using our opponent's strength against them. Girls are often smaller and not as strong as men, and it's very important to never view that as a weakness.

None of my warriors are here right now, but I want to start the group here anyway. There's no age limit, no experience needed, you just have to be willing to listen and learn. If you'd like to join, or ask me questions, please, let me know, okay? And if you don't want to get involved in my group, Buffy runs a fighting school as well, and I'm sure there's plenty of great teachers willing to help there, too.

I just don't want to see anyone else get hurt if it can be avoided, so... I hope you'll all think about it.


[ooc: going to the movies so replies will come in a few hours, just wanted to get it posted. |D]

Comments

[blessingone]

You did? But I thought you said you taught girls, not boys.

1/2

[kyoshi]

[...W-well.]

He was pretty convincing.

[kyoshi]

...But he's the only exception! The Kyoshi Warriors are always women.

[blessingone]

[Convincing in many ways, given the engagement.

...But Suki's reaction makes her think that this might be a bit of a touchy subject, so she'll restrain herself from making the joke.]

Well, you must have done a good job. He kept saying that you are a way better teacher than he is. [Well, twice. Maybe three times if you stretched it.] Unprompted, even.

[kyoshi]

[Well that is an ego-stroke. She might have to give Sokka extra thank yous later.]

Why don't you see for yourself?

1/2

[blessingone]

[Ego-stroke executed! Well done, self, this may counteract implying that fans seem like silly weapons.

There's a brief hesitation -- there's still a little reluctance to get serious combat training -- but she relents.] ...Sure. I already let Sokka show me a few things to get him off my case about learning to defend myself, [by "on her case" read: he told her that she should a few times over nearly a full year] but I think he'd prefer it this way.

[blessingone]

[Then she scratches the back of her neck, her voice turning a little sheepish.] And I might, too. You...seemed like a good teacher when...you know. ["when you were my mom."]

[kyoshi]

[...Yeah, she knows.] Thanks, Fen. That means a lot to me, to hear it from you.

[blessingone]

[It's still a little weird to be called that, but, unlike back in February when it had some...less fortunate meanings, she can roll with the nickname. It's weird, yet almost comforting.]

Well, it is the truth. ...I don't think I can promise to be as good of a student as I was, though.

[kyoshi]

Don't worry about it. The most important thing is to try your best. I'm sure you'll do fine!

[Nothing like encouragement to incite confidence, right?]

[blessingone]

I suppose.

[She has her doubts, but, well, she should at least give it a try before she starts getting pessimistic about how well she'd be able to do. And Sokka had said that she should trust the opinions of those who actually knew this stuff more.]

...Does that mean we're going to have to track down more of those uniforms? And equipment? Or have you already looked for it?

[kyoshi]

I was thinking about it, yeah, but I wanted to find out how many members we might get. I can get Sokka to make us weapons, and we can work with practice swords while they're being made, but I'd have to find a seamstress for the uniforms.

[Though there's someone working at that extra clothing shop, right? Maybe she can do it.]

[blessingone]

Well...I can sew, but you'd probably be better off asking the girl in the other clothing shop. I haven't talked to her myself, [that she knows of -- they were in different bodies at the time] but she seems to act like a professional, or close enough.

[She can't comment on the quality, though, because human fashions are weird.]

[kyoshi]

I'm sure it'll work out. Honestly I'm not that worried about it. In a place like this, it's better to think about the training rather than the appearance, even if it is important to look the part.

[blessingone]

That's true. Then...I guess you'll tell us when it's time to start? Unless there's something I should be doing now. [Some kind of a test? An inspection? Some kind of preparations she should be making?]

[kyoshi]

Hmm... well, until the uniforms are made, you'll need clothes to wear for when we start our training. Something that fits well and lets you move freely.

[blessingone]

Um. How freely do you mean? [Because if the dresses she normally wears don't count, then the only other outfit she has is a little...well, reviews are a bit mixed on whether it looks nice or silly. She might need to go "shopping."]

[kyoshi]

Well, you have to be able to move and stretch in them comfortably, and it has to be the kind of material that lets your skin breathe easily. You could hurt yourself in training if you push too hard and run out of breath or overheat in tight clothes.

[blessingone]

[She looks over at her closet in contemplation. Some of her outfits are borderline -- which are pretty much all earmarked for summer wear anyway -- but...probably not quite right.]

...I think I might have to go shopping. I don't want to risk it. -- I mean, what counts for shopping here.

[kyoshi]

Feel free to get whatever you need. And if you want help with picking something out, just let me know, okay? I'd be happy to show you what would work best in practice, and we have time before the first meeting.

[blessingone]

[She smiles.] Thanks. I'll see what I can find first, but if I have any trouble, I'll keep that in mind.

When is the first meeting, anyway? Or do you not know yet?

[kyoshi]

I'm not really sure yet, to be honest. I'm still getting the girls organized. But I'll definitely get back to you as soon as I know!

[blessingone]

Okay! I guess it would be hard to organize [there's a pause as she glances over the people who have signed up, but she decides not to bother to count] that many people right away. ...If it helps, I don't have anything else that's scheduled, so you don't have to worry about my schedule.

[Except she won't be so happy if it's early morning, but the thought of that doesn't even cross her mind.]

[kyoshi]

I'm sure we'll work something out. If it's impossible to get everyone together at once, I can always try a couple of smaller groups.

[blessingone]

That makes sense, as long as it wouldn't be too much work for you. I mean, it might take a lot of time if you were teaching a lot of groups -- er, depending on how much time the lessons are going to take.