[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

... we never switched over

[markofthewise]

That was different.

[Somehow.. don't ask him how. It just was.]

go us.

[kyoshi]

If you say so. [That is to say she doesn't believe a word of it.]

[markofthewise]

[YEAH WELL he's going to just change the subject anyway.]

... well anyway, uniforms. She can make them. And I'll... I can help with the weapons. [Even if he won't be participating as a member, he's definitely going to help out in whatever way he can.]

[kyoshi]

Oh good, I was going to ask about that. I think we'll need more fans and shields than swords, though. A few of the girls already have weapons they're used to.

[markofthewise]

... hmm, I've never actually made fans.

[He'll just... have to take his own fans and figure out how to replicate them.]

[kyoshi]

I'm going to start everyone out with hand-to-hand combat, so you can take your time with learned how to make them.

[Hopefully he can figure it out. She's not sure how else to teach them, since she's best with the fans.]

[markofthewise]

You could always switch to making them into boomerang warriors. Or maybe some kind of... boomerang-fan.

[There is a sort of similar shape there. Maybe he's on to something? Probably not.]

[kyoshi]

I think we've talked about this already.

[STOP TRYING TO WRECK HER TRADITIONS, DARLING.]

[markofthewise]

I'm just saying... once a week, maybe every other week, I come in and show them a few moves. You know, kind of... up the diversity of their skills. I bet Kyoshi would've used a boomerang if she knew how.

[He just wants to be involved! And not in a dress.]

[kyoshi]

I'll think about it.

[Unimpressed tone. You're invading her territory, Mister Thunderaxe.]

[markofthewise]

[... that is so very much a no, then.]

... maybe I'll just give lessons to anyone interested, then.

[kyoshi]

[Well it's bad enough that he's already better than her, now he wants to train her girls?

...Uuugh, that's pride talking.]

Sokka... I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to help.

[...But.]

[markofthewise]

[He's reeeeally getting the sense of things that his help isn't as welcome as he thought it would be. He's not quite sharp enough to know why, but he can take a hint.]

It's fine, it's fine. I'm not even a good teacher, really. I gave Haruhi and Fenimore a lesson and uh... well, I haven't had repeat attendance. And the kids I was training back home were, frankly, about as impressive as... lame otter penguins. So it's for the best, really.

sob I have never had so much trouble with a tag before

[kyoshi]

[Sigh. This is really hard to get across without sounding egotistical or hurtful. ...She's not even sure if there is an explanation that wouldn't be either of those. Or both.]

I think... you'd be a great teacher. Someone out there will really put what you know to good use. But our styles are so different, I don't want to confuse the girls with too many tactics. Maybe just... give it some time? Let me teach them what I know, so they can at least get started.

I am sorry :(

[markofthewise]

[Sokka wasn't even looking for reassurance there. He's actually okay with the fact he's not a good teacher. It's not something that's ever occurred to him as something to feel bad about. But e's starting to recognize some things in Suki that he usually only saw in himself. She's got her own stuff to prove... and it's independent of him. She had her Kyoshi Warriors long before she met him, so...]

Hey, it's alright, really. This is your thing, I'm good with that. Don't worry about me, the last thing that's going to happen around here is me getting bored, believe me.

yeah I bet it was on purpose

[kyoshi]

I just... don't want you to think I'm excluding you because I don't want you there.

[Since they're engaged and all, and this is a big part of her life... it's more because he doesn't seem to want to be part of it, but instead just temporary outside help.

And that means he never really understood the Kyoshi Warriors after all.]

The result is good though!

[markofthewise]

[... is that what this is about? He's not sure what she's getting at, except that perhaps she might... want him there?]

... are you saying what I think you're saying?

[kyoshi]

I... I don't know! What do you think I'm saying?

[Good grief, should she be more worried now? Was that request terribly offensive? It's not like she'd banish him from practices.]

[markofthewise]

[Not offensive. Surprising, really.]

Well... I mean, it's not like I don't appreciate the offer and everything, but... the Kyoshi Warrior thing was kind of a one time thing, you know? I mean... it's great for you guys, but...

[He'd pretty much never live it down if he was caught in the uniform. And when it comes down to it, that's his main reservation there.]

[kyoshi]

[...Yeah, she suspected as much. It's a matter of pride- and if that's how he feels, he never really accepted what it meant to wear the uniform at all. It had only been her and Sokka in the dojo when he'd put it on, and Aang's comment hadn't helped the matter, either.

So that's that, then.]

You don't have to be involved. It's... not your style, I get it.

[And strangely, she doesn't feel disappointed or anything. A little sad that he doesn't understand, but... well, why was the Kyoshi Warrior group started in the first place? Why was it made into a group only for girls?

It's okay to not involve him. It would be like her trying to work at the smithy.]

[markofthewise]

... yeah.

[Relieved as he is to have this behind them, he can't help but feel like... he's let her down. He also knows that a simple apology won't fix it, nor would showing up the next day in uniform, because it'd be pretty obvious he wasn't doing that for the right reasons.

So... there's nothing to do by leave it at that. He'll do the part he committed to and from there, be hands off.]

So... I've uh, met some of the people who signed up. I mean... in case you want to know anything about them.

[kyoshi]

What, now you're offering to gossip about my team? Are you sure you don't want to be a girl?

[Because teasing totally helps lighten the mood, right?]

[markofthewise]

[LOW BLOW. Even if Sokka made an amazing girl.]

It's- hey, it's not gossip! I meant, you know, an evaluation or something!

[He's fought at least one of them! Jeez...]

[kyoshi]

[Okay, she's gotta laugh at that. Now she's feeling better.]

Alright, tell me what you know.

[markofthewise]

Well there's really no point in talking about Fenimore, since you know as much as I do. I think Stella is more or less the same and I don't know her that well. I mean, she is a mom, after all. Ukyo is umm... she makes food. It's not bad, either. Not really my usual thing, but tasty? I haven't exactly seen her fight or anything, but she seemed pretty agile even just... serving food. Xion has plent of experience, though her preference for weaponry tends to border on the... well, ridiculous. She used a sword that was like a key, basically. Key-shaped. Now it's more... axe-sword shaped. A swaxe, really. Still, she's a pretty good fighter, though I think she's more used to relying on... magic or something. [It's all so very, very vague.] Elizabeth is really good. I ended up sparring with her not too long ago. She's pretty shy about actually fighting since it's apparently not 'cute' or something. Still, she's good. I almost thought she'd beat me during our spar, too. Charlotte is kind of... hard to tell. I'm pretty sure she has no talent, but thanks to umm... certain experiments, I think she's got a lot of potential if she puts the work into it. Or maybe that only works in another universe. [A BEAT to breathe.] And... I've never met the other two.