avalononline | video; un: akashicknight

Entry tags:

video; un: akashicknight

Hello, Avalon!

[Morgan's putting on a bit of theater for this message today, sending it from the main training room of his dojo. That means a clear sight of practice dummies, floor mats, training weapons, and the man himself in a proper gi instead of his usual black t-shirt.]

For those of you newly arrived since last I sent this message, my name's Morgan Knight and I am... the Ambassador to the End of the World!

[Of course, he's deliberately hamming it up. How can you not, with a title like that?]

If you want to see why we're here, and what we're trying to stop, I can take you to see it. It... [Yeah, it can't all be smiles and jokes.] It's something worth seeing, honestly. It really drives this whole situation home, when sometimes our purpose here can feel unclear and unmotivated. Reach out to me if you'd like, and we'll find a time to make it work.

[Okay, serious message over, back to the smiling!] And speaking of making things work, I also happen to run Avalon's best and brightest martial arts dojo! I offer classes ranging from beginner to master, and I'm always on the lookout for new students and new teachers both. If you want self-defense training, or the whole life philosophy, I can accommodate either. We'll focus on the styles that suit you best, and include weapon training if you want as well. And if you ever just want to spar or get a workout in, I love all of that too.

Also also, I'm officially opening Knight Contracting for public business! As Avalon's finest and... apparently only Bargainer, because seriously if any of you guys out there have that magic I have yet to see it or hear from you or anything -- I have prepared the Bargaining frameworks necessary to subcontract a Bargain's gains and responsibilities to a third party. Legalese protects everyone from unexpected repercussions while providing the fairest possible deal for all concerned, so if there's a way your life can benefit from the talents of the fae, Knight Contracting is here to help!

Also also also -- y'all have a wonderful day out there.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He's got several questions, actually he has a lot probably too many even - but the offer that he gave was too good to pass up. ]

I'd like to take you up on that offer, torch. Maybe seein' whats causin' all of....this might put me head on right the way.

man you talk a lot.
ain't watch all that.
the fuck is the point.

Edited 2022-02-17 20:19 (UTC)

That's a lot of "also"s!

But also also also also-- I'd just like to agree with you that for anyone watching this, it's worth a trip to the end of the world, as someone who's seen it myself. Sometimes it's easier to stick to a goal if you can visualise it beyond just a vague description.

Any time that's good for you, I can work. It only works to and from the Camelot totem, though, if you're not in the city on the regular.

tldrhaiku:
See End of the World
Learn martial arts; a fair price
and fae bargains too

I keep busy, what can I say? The more I do, the more I thrive.

But it truly is an awe-inspiring sight, for good or for ill. I'd have been sorry to never see it.

The sooner the better. I'm going mad just sittin' on my arse all day while this big cat just keeps jumping on every-bloody-thing it can. Are cats supposed to be this antsy?

[ The "cat" in question is sitting behind him wondering why it's being talked about as if it weren't in the room. ]

Depends on their age, and personality, if they're anything like housecats. My oldest has yet to give up his habit of testing new people by attacking their ankles from beneath the couch and seeing how they respond.

This one just jumps and occasionally paws at me head. Bit annoying really. Don't know why the hell it's so attached to me. Anyways, 'bout that "End of The World". Like I said, it's way out of my pay grade and I'm havin' more than a little trouble really understanding what the bloody hell any of this really is.

[ A slight pause as the snow leopard does as he mentioned, pawing at his head and then even rubbing its chin on him before being shoo'd away. ]

Bloody animal! So, the sooner I can see if this thing is real, the sooner I can - ooof, I dunno, drink myself to the end of the week or summin'. Haven't really quite figured that part out yet.

I don't need classes, but I could use more sparring partners.

[ Honestly, he could probably use some magic-related pointers, but he's too much of a prideful little shit to ask right now. ]

Besides, I still haven't heard that in-depth philosophy of yours.

If I may ask, did the King bestow that title upon you? How did that come about?

Zidane is teaching me how to use a knife for self-defense, but I am interested in learning how to protect myself without a weapon, as well. I suppose I could conceal a small one in polite company, just in case, but that may not always be practical... right?

When the official Ambassador... left, as people do, I found the box of trinkets that let a person serve in the role. So now I'm doing it in her memory and hopefully with her implied blessing.

[Morgan taps a finger against his chin.] Practical self-defense and martial arts have much less in common than you'd think, but I can teach one as well as the other and both at the same time.

That is well, then. I had no idea such a thing existed, but I suppose it is a sobering thing to take in, so I can see the necessity.

Well, I am no martial artist. I am happy as a summoner and a healer, though those powers have taken on a different form here. But I am the queen of my homeland, and there will always be those who desire political upheaval and anarchy. Being able to fend off any would-be attackers without the aid of an eidolon would be a helpful skill to have.

Ah ha. So you want something that will serve even when you have no access to magic or power at all. I can work with that! There are very effective self-defense techniques that have absolutely no elegance or class behind them that I recommend learning, as well as styles that rely on pinning or disabling your opponent.

Even though I am a woman, and likely not as physically strong than my attacker? Is that still possible? That would be the sort of thing I would gladly pay for, if so.

Absolutely. Internal martial arts rely on using your opponent's momentum and inertia against them, and if you can properly get a joint-lock or arm-bar on someone, they won't be able to escape without losing the limb. And everyone responds to an eye-gouge or an instep stomp.

Probably not the best idea! But I'm free this evening if it works for you.

Any time.

[In Morgan's opinion, everyone could use pointers on anything, because synthesis is key. And speaking of that...]

Short version of my philosophy is simple. Everything is martial arts.

Sounds brilliant. Where should I go to meet you, and do I need to bring anything in particular? Like I said I'm new to this place so I've no idea what to expect or what's dangerous or not. Though I pretty much assume everything I don't recognize is capable of ruining my day.

[ Not a fun way to live but, he's not having fun. ]

I don't think I really have the mental fortitude to see that and then sleep well at night, ahaha!

[ She had enough nightmares already... ]

I wouldn't mind from self-defense lessons though. I am, um, absolutely lacking when it comes to fighting techniques.

I think you're underestimating your fortitude if you're here. And luckily enough, self-defense lessons will help with that anyway!

Then you can expect me soon.

[ Soon is relative. He'll just show up whenever he feels like it. Which will be sooner than later, but you know. ]

Everything? [ One eyebrow goes up. ] So this conversation is martial arts to you?

I suppose that's true. I'd be happy to pay for instruction on those techniques, if you don't mind.

And, ah, about the ambassadorship... I think I should arrange a time with you to go, at least once. I don't want to see it, but I think it's important I do. It's my duty to.

That's my business here, it would be a bit silly if I minded. [He'd do it for free, though. Morgan loves teaching, the more so because it's the only way for his skills to advance at this point.]

You've definitely got the right attitude about the End of the World. It's not horrifying just to look at, only when you think about it.

Mhm! [She nodded. She wasn't sure about her own fortitude, but she wasn't going to argue the point.] I'm not like, defenseless or anything. I have magic. But I never really had any reason to learn fighting back home, it wasn't of any use or anything.

Very well, then. We can work out a time and place a bit later, if you like.

We fought hard for our world. And though my heart will always be in Alexandria, I love all that I have seen of Gaia. I just wish it were a simple matter of restoring it to the way it should be...

Nevertheless, I should at least lay eyes on it. And if I can see my kingdom again, all the better. Even if it is in ruins... I have to.

[A couple quick taps, and Morgan sends over a map location for directions. He's sure not complaining that this place has phones.]

Nothing you wouldn't normally bring. The bracelet will take us there and back to the Camelot totem, if that's at all out of the way for you.

Absolutely. Even a friendly conversation is like a spar, as you learn from each other and break down the barriers that prevent understanding. Then you have a debate or an argument, in which deflections and parries and strikes and pins are no less real for being verbal.

Fighting, maybe. But martial arts always has a purpose. [And the distinction is absolutely critical!]

Building from the universe on down, till we get the place we want back. I understand that. [He tends to build up, more -- but that isn't much of an option here, is it?]

Mhm? How so?

[ Someone here just never really studied martial arts, even superficially. ]

[ He's got not much to his name right now, so he's bringing everything on his person. ]

Will it be dangerous? Not sure if this animal is smart, disobedient, or just rubbish for brains, but its gonna follow me even if I says 'no' to it.

Self-knowledge. Balance. A unity and harmony between feeling and thought and motion. Personal growth. Everyone can benefit from those things!

Might do a number on your brain for a moment, but that's just natural. There shouldn't be any meaningful danger.

Wow... I didn't really think of martial art that way, ahaha. But I guess that's true. [She nodded.] You're quite the expert then I guess?

There's not a good way to answer that, y'know. I'm either boasting or underplaying myself... Let's say that I've been honored and absolutely privileged to train under the greatest master of martial arts on Earth, and I will do everything in my power to live up to her legacy.

[ The greatest master of martial arts on Earth... No no. That's fine. That's not like a line you would hear in a movie or game. Everything is real! Right. ]

She sounds like she was an amazing person. And from what I see, I am confident in saying she would be proud of you.

Oh, that sounds safe.

[ Then again, the whole situation he found himself in was strange and dangerous anyway so what's one more danger? ]

Right, I suppose I'll see you in a bit then, Knight.

[By any legitimate measure, she's objectively in the top three!]

These days, I think so.

[More than simply master and student, the relationship comes with a lot of love. It shows in his smile.]

And my hope is to help give to others what she helped give to me.

Hm.

How is that supposed to help you in a real fight?

Yeah, my last name doesn't confuse anyone around here. [A self-directed smirk, followed by a more sincere smile and a nod.]

Define "real fight" for me and I can answer.

[It's complicated. No helping that. But one thing Morgan remains crystal-clear on in any circumstance is the different between a real fight and any fight in which you hold even the slightest bit back.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

video; un: akashicknight

video; un: nleclair

text | un: scream

video; un: stargazer

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Video; un: no

video; un: alexandros

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video; un: lilmonix3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject