[flashback] Fighting Blind (Rand and Stitch) (Finished)

by **Rand** on April 20th, 2010, 4:48 pm

Rand watched Stitch change his positions, the movements were odd, making Rand even more cautious. His area of attack was growing smaller as the man moved into was sideways position. Rand kept moving keeping his eyes open and his hands up, hand to hand was not his forte and he knew it. What was he doing? Rand began to move his head as he side stepped mirroring Stitches movements, making his head harder to hit.

Stitch exploded forward aiming for Rand's chest, threw him off completely, the only thing that saved the point that Rand's arms were already there and blocked the point. Rand caught what Stitch was sying and relaxed slightly. The surprise was over now. Rand backed stepped then sprung forward himself a quck two step shuffle then a left, right one two jab meant to put Stitch on the defensive. After the quick strikes Rand moved to the left then threw a right hook to the body.

The entire time Rand tried to keep his body relaxed and twisted his wrist at the end of each punch to increase power.

You are quite good at teaching, I thank you for the pointer as Rand said this he moved a step back just out of reach returnig to his defensive stance

by **Stitch** on April 20th, 2010, 9:31 pm

"Not just at the wrist!" Stitch was light on his feet, and Rand's first two punches smacked thin air, as if the orphaned man had expected them. Stitch had been right in his earlier assumption, the man was trained completely in upper body strikes. Focusing on the head, but also able to throw body shots. He probably knew a few short range knee strikes or small kicks, in order to keep people away if they got close... But hopefully not much else. Stitch had to remember to watch out for the elbows too, those were good for throwing short strikes out, and they were solid blows to land.

With all of this in mind, Stitch had popped his head to the side to avoid the first jab, letting the punch slide over his shoulder. He left that arm alone for now, not wanting to be too over-eager, trying to keep light on his feet. Rand had indeed put him on the defensive. Stitch bobbed his head away from the second one, and it too went over his other shoulder, narrowly missing him. "A twist at the wrist can be deadly, for what if an opponent snags your wrist and locks it in the twisted position? Lightly turn the entire arm, almost spin it, as you throw the punch! Generate torque by using those powerful muscles in your hips and stomach, simply turn at the waist when you throw your punch! Make your body flow in one smooth motion! Let the turn throw your fist!"

The next blow came in, and Stitch realized that talking was likely not the smartest thing to do. Rand was good at what he did.

Stitch stepped forward, almost following the last jab back to it's resting spot, turning in the direction of the oncoming hook. His right shoulder pressed lightly into the sternum of the boxer, and his right and left hand snapped out to grab the hook at the wrist, everything happening in the fraction of a second. He ducked low, his shoulder sliding down to the stomach of the boxer. The fist would be caught midtwist, and a quick yank from Stitch would redirect the force slightly, but continue to add it, in order to throw the man off balance.

With a quick heave, Stitch suddenly pushed at the shoulder, yanking on the wrist on the same time, simply intending to counter the punch, and throw the man in the direction he had been punching.

OOC :

by **Rand** on April 20th, 2010, 9:51 pm

Rand once again quickly absorbed the information Stitch was spitting out. He was however surprised when Stitch moved in close and began to grab him. The surprise of the new move caught Rand off guard, and he reacted instinctivly, as per his training. Instead of pushing away like a normal person would do Rand yanked towards himself a nd wrapped his left leg around Stitches so as not to fall. The move put both of them off balance and as Rand went to throw his right elbow at Stitches face....

The two tumbled to the ground, and in the fall Rand was able to seperate himself from Stitch. This man is very good, ill have to improvise a bit. Rand thought as he hit the floor and went into a shoulder roll, trying to regain his feet as soon as possible. AS he stood he moved back into his stance prepared for Stitch this time, and armed with the new punch style. Rand looked around quickly hoping to catch Stitch off guard.

Rand jumped back to the balls of his feet and scanning the room. His shoulder hurt from the fall and he was tring to concentrate but there was a nagging soreness. He shrugged it off as best he could, still scanning the room.

by **Stitch** on April 22nd, 2010, 3:58 am

"Good roll, good recovery." Stitch smiled at Rand, nodding his approval, throwing up his hands in the same stance as before. The man had done well to lessen the damage from the throw, hurriedly catching on to Stitch and bringing them both to the floor. It had been a simple matter from there, both fighters had detached themselves cleanly. Stitch hadn't done any kind of roll. After stumbling to the floor, and watching Rand hurriedly roll away, Stitch had simply climbed slowly to his feet. "Milord might could benefit from studying a bit of wrestling. This one wouldn't be sure, but it might be a good addition to your fist fighting. Milord would know a variety of strikes and take downs, and know how to defend against that very same variety."

Stitch dropped into his crouch, gently shuffling toward his opponent, noticing Rand scanning the room. The only thing that could really be used was those large rubber balls, although Rand might find some other use for some random small toy. Stitch didn't mind foreign objects being used, this was a fight. If it was some kind of official sparring match, there might be a few more rules in place... But the man simply wanted to learn fight, it seemed. There was much more to fighting then just knowing how to throw some strikes, and assume some stances. Knowing your surroundings, using your surroundings, that was a big part too.

"This one studied a martial art based on defending from, and countering all kinds of blows. Used mostly against weapons, and multiple opponents, but can be applied easily to a single person. Not very many effective strikes in this art, however." Stitch continued slowly shuffling, advancing very slowly, his eyes focused on Rand. "Therefor, this one studied another art as well, and combined it with his defensive art. A good thing to do is to make your own unique art, and not limit yourself to the confines of a widely accepted art. Study, and then study to cover the weaknesses in your previous study! This one had a weakness in strikes!"

Stitch took a second to make sure his pose was right, to make sure his muscles were relaxed, and his target was clear. Then he struck.

Suddenly, from his crouched position, Stitch came flying forward, and up. Crouching just an inch more before taking off, his legs unfolded like a held spring let loose, and propelled him quickly toward Rand. Stitch had a knee out and bent, the knee suddenly a source of some possible pain, and quickly approaching Rand's chin. Stitch had managed to jump quite high.

by **Rand** on April 22nd, 2010, 4:40 pm

Rand found Stitch as he began to unconsiously teach again, this was turning into quite the lesson for Rand, as he moved back into his own position. However, Rand made a slight tweak to his own stance. Moving his feet a little wider allowed for a more sturdy base making it harder to take him down. Rand began to circle to the left trying to negate Stitches movements.

You are a fount of knowledged my friend, and obviously a man of your art. This is rather fun.

Rand quickly moved forward, making his attempt to strike at Stitch. However, his timing could not have been worse as Stitch sprang forward like a cannon ball. Rand had no time to react as the surprising knee hit him in the chin. Rand's teeth clicked as the furious knee slammed into his chin. Rand was rocked backwards almost leaving his feet as he fell to the floor. The force was so strong that Rand surely would have bit his tongue off had he not made sure to keep it away from his teeth.

The crash was audibly out side the home as Rand hit the floor, his body whipping like a rag doll for a split second. The sight would have been brutal to anyone watching, but Rand just stood up slowly rubbing his chin, then getting back into position.

I believe that is one to nothing, your point, lets continue Rand's jaw was sore, but he was enjoying the match so he moved quickly adjusting his stance allowing him to cross his feet and move more efficiently. Rand began to circle left then cut right, keeping his head close and his chin tucked in. As he came in close he ducked low coming with a sweeping haymaker from the right, then a left jab. His hands came back close then instantly into a right jab, left hook combination. Rand pushed the action making sure to keep Stitch on his heels. Left jab now, then right jab. In all the movement Rand seemed to lose focus on his head it seemed to stick out a bit, but was it mere bad form, or a trap?

by **Stitch** on April 24th, 2010, 8:55 pm

Stitch winced as his knee landed solidly, the shock vibrating up into his thigh and hip. As he started to descend down to earth, he caught a glimpse of Rand doing the same, the man's body limp. Both landed, but their landing were quite different. Stitch landed gracefully on his feet, knees bending to absorb the shock. It had been a bit rough, to get his feet under him after bouncing off of another human, but he had managed. Rand was not so lucky, smashing into the ground with a loud, painful smacking sound, his body flopping like a limp rag doll. Stitch knew he hadn't killed the man, the knee strike wasn't nearly powerful enough for that, but the man had just taken the blow hard. He had basically ran into the knee strike, and Stitch wouldn't be surprised if he was out for the count. Most people would be out for the count, after that.

Stitch took the few seconds of reprieve to concentrate on his breathing, to calm it and slow it, to visibly hear the air entering his mouth, throat, and feel it swirl through his lungs. Meditation and breathing exercises were an important part of his martial art, and he would attempt to practice them at any chance he had. Especially during the middle of a fight, where it would put him at a definite disadvantage to lose his breath, or become tired.

Even though he had trained several years to perfect this form of meditation, these breathing techniques, even he caught his breath in surprise when Rand stood up. The man rubbed his chin a bit, and got back into position, looking no worse for the wear.

Great. This was going to take longer than expected.

Stitch instantly assumed a defensive stance, now a bit on the cautious side. The man could take some blows, and he could likely dish them out. Perhaps the best strategy would be to defend, to keep the man's powerful punches at bay until he wore himself out. Stitch put up two palms in a classic defensive position, one open palm facing Rand at the twelve o' clock point, the other facing him at the three o' clock point. He now stood facing Rand full on, legs lightly spread and crouched. He smiled and bowed his head at Rand's praise, blushing slightly, but only had a few moments to absorb the words before Rand struck.

Stitch stepped backwards as Rand stepped in with a haymaker, the fist brushing past his nose, barely missing. A series of jabs followed as Rand pressed his advantage, now having Stitch on the defense. Stitch grunted, barely able to keep up, using his prepared defensive stance to once again prepare for a counter-attack. A jab came in, and Stitch rotated his twelve o' clock hand, gently catching the jabbing wrist and pushing it off to the side. The next jab came in, and Stitch also pushed it aside with his other palm. Stepping in close, another powerful step propelling Stitch's momentum forward, the young man struck. His palms, which had rotated outward, continued on their rotation to bring themselves in and suddenly forward. Generating some torque with the simple rotation of his blow, both of his palms thrust forward and up a bit, connecting at the heel and simultaniously striking at his exposed chin.

Was the exposed head poor form, or a simple trap? Stitch would soon find out, his blow meant to do just that. If it was a trap, perhaps the man had learned. If it was not, he would soon be taught.

by **Rand** on April 25th, 2010, 8:03 pm

Rand kept the pace up. His jabs were still nice and crisp, and his breathing was steady. He could keep this up for a while longer. As he pressed the action, he noticed that Stitch was still easily blocking his blows, which was frustrating. Rfand was giving it his all now, as he moved to the left he relaxed his neck a bit to allow for better breathing. AS he did so he realized his mistake and went to pull it back.
As it so happened Stitch saw the move and threw his counter strike. Rand shifted his weight and in the ultimate bad form put his left forarm across ways to block the upwards palm strike. He was lucky and managed to deflect the attack away. However, as he blocked the strike he could still see stitch and with all of his might put a right hook into the chest area of Stitch.

The punch was not as powerful or as fast as Rand would have liked since he was still trying to block Stitches strike, but he was hoping to even the score at one to one with this surprise attack.

by **Stitch** on April 25th, 2010, 8:18 pm

It wasn't as much as Stitch was easily blocking the blows, as he was just desperate not to get hit by them. The jabs would stun him, the hooks would hurt, but any of those hard haymakers would lay him out on the ground. If Rand had known anything about stances, he would have known that he was pressing Stitch hard, and the young man was just desperate to get a shot or two of his own in. Stitch was used to fighting, but not against a boxer. The flurry of blows left him a bit stunned, that is why he had deflected them to the side before Rand had really gotten his groove going. The blow he had thrown wasn't meant to be a knockout blow, like the knee strike had been. It was meant to shove Rand back, so Stitch could get some space between him and the trained striker. The fact that his knee strike hadn't taken the man out was un-nerving, and the fact that the only blow he had managed to slip in was meant to gain distance... If Rand would have known that, he might have delighted in the fact that Stitch was a bit shaken now.

Perhaps that is why his palm strike was deflected so seemingly easily, because Stitch hadn't thrown it full force. He hadn't dedicated anything to the blow, because he wanted to be able to back out quickly. Getting it deflected did not bode well at all though, throwing him off balance for a short second.

He realized the hook was coming in much too late.

Yelping, he tried to backpedal, but he had been caught by surprise. Right as he hopped back, the blow landed true, hooking into the side of his chest, right above his ribs, a sickening pop echoing across the room. The punch flung him off balance, causing him to wobble as he landed, a hand going to his ribcage for a split second. Nothing was broken, but that sure hurt. He was crouching now, and his breath came in wheezes, as if he had gotten the air knocked out of him.

Yeah, those punches hurt. He had thought they would. Cringing, he quickly stood back to his defensive stance, holding his palms out in front of him, facing Rand. "One to one." His words came out quick, and he offered Rand a slightly pained grin. The man had tied it up. Stitch tried to relax, his palms still held out, facing the boxer, his feet spread and legs crouched a bit. He couldn't get hit by another one of those punches.

by **Rand** on April 25th, 2010, 9:05 pm

Rand was surprised that his strike had landed, honestly it had been a desperation attempt, a fool hardy plan, but it had worked somewhow. Rnad now stood taking some deep breaths to calm himself, as he nodded at Stitch.

Aye one to one, it is , but are you okay? I didnt mean forthat to land so hard.

Rand moved quickly despite the concern getting back into stance, his legs wide his hands up and his chin tucked in. He was not going ot take any chances with this man, this common soul even though it was trainng. Rand rolled his neck as he began to circle Stitch. Rand was not moving forward he was stil trying to catch some of his breath back. His body was feeling that barrage of punches now, and his mucsles burned slightly from the lactic acid that had built up in them. Rand tried shaking his body to loosen up, but it was hard, nad his body still was tensing involuntarly.

However, his mind still wanted to train and he would push through it, at least for a bit longer. IF its okay with you, im just going to let you make the first move again. I feel that is only fair after all. Rand chuckled as he moved Ya know I cant help but think of this old fisherman I worked with once, he was so grumpy he yelled the whole time. Rand laughed some more at the completely random comment, then continued Maybe if you didnt teach so will that bouldnt have hurt as bad Rand gave a beaming smile as he waited for Stitch to start their trainig anew

by **Stitch** on April 25th, 2010, 9:34 pm

Stitch closed his dark black eyes, taking a deep breath, allowing his body to calm itself. He visualized the pain in his ribcage as a dark cloud, a stain on the purity of his body. The rough and ragged breaths he was drawing, it was a result of trying to breath air from that dark stain. Visualize the taint, focus on it, and then focus on the breathing. Cleanse both the taint and the breath, remove the pain from both, and replace it with soothing sensations. Replace it with soothing, easy breaths, and the golden glow the rest of his body consisted of. Everything must be pure within his body, even the pain, even the ragged breaths. Purity was key. Drawing in on what he had heard about meditation, and on what he had learned through his martial arts, he took a few moments to simply cleanse himself. He took a few moments to heal himself, to try and purify himself, to try and focus.

In a few seconds, his eyes snapped open, a smile now on his face. He wasn't sure if that had worked, but he did feel a little better.

He chuckled at Rand's few phrases, nodding his head and touching his ribcage lightly. "Milord already had powerful punches, this one just tried to help out a bit. Milord throws a powerful blow without my help, so this one might have aided you just a bit too much." Stitch chuckled, shaking his head. "Very good though. Very good."

Suddenly, Stitch straightened his body, once more hopping into stance. His fists were held high, at his chin, and his chin was tucked in. His legs were a bit spread, and his knees were bent. His eyes were twinkling, and Rand might realize what was about to happen just a few seconds before it happened. "This is a boxing stance, right? Chin held low, within the guard of your fists and shoulders? Fists high enough to guard the chest or chin, and be able to strike out quickly as well?" Stitch shuffled a bit, kicking his feet back in forth in a small show of footwork. "Move quickly, like this? Stay light on your feet, since so much striking is going on? This one wouldn't want to stand still, and take those blows of yours." The man took a breath, and beamed a smile at Rand, suddenly bursting forward. "And this is a series of punches, like you were doing, correct?"

His fists burst into a flurry of movement, each blow twisting forward in a straight jab, pulling back as the other fist punched, then alternating back and forth. Each one was aimed as a critical shot at Rand's chin, while Stitch kept his chin tucked down behind his shoulders. His eyes sparkled as he tried out Rand's art, using what he had learned just from watching the sailor. His form was a little worse than Rand's, and his punches weren't as strong... But it looked like he had an okay idea of the basics, and was attempting to use it against Rand.