[Training Grounds] Lightning Strikes

Had she figured it out? She was about to see. She had grown used to Lucille aiming for the torso and thus was prepped to deal with another strike at the middle. As she readies the parrying strike, she realizes where Lucille is aiming and that causes her brow to uplift in surprise. Well well; turns out she was listening. She managed to block the initial strike but the follow-up was what made Lightning start to feel like Lucille was slowly but surely becoming competent.

Her blow struck true with a resounding CLANG!

The area that was struck created a wave of white all around Lightning's body. "That's one. Two more to go. This time, I'll be moving." she declared and on cue, she began to sidestep to the left, circling around Lucille as if mimicking the nature of Shadows who encircle their targets.

"Your enemies aren't going to sit still and let you hit them." she impressed upon Lucille as she circled. As Lucille's attacks came, she would certainly see the quickness Lightning possessed. With a quick two-step, Lightning nimbly avoided the initial strike then quickly went to parry the hit aimed at her torso. While it managed to get parried, it had managed to nearly graze her side. This girl had been fending off Shadows and such for a week that maybe she had gotten used to the patterns by now. "You need to be faster. Anticipate what they'll do."

As she said so, she made some distance then resumed the circling with a stern, sharp eye on Lucille. Rydia watched on with bated breath, wondering when Lightning will actually get serious. She in fact dreaded when she would for she was unsure if Lucille would even be able to keep up.

The feint, to Lightning's trained eyes, was every bit as amateurish as she suspected one as untrained as Lucille could present. If Beatrix could see this, she would have a field day with all the proper ways it could be done. But like as not, she had been taken in by the feint. Sloppy as it was, the moment she went to avoid the strike, it had grazed her arm which seemed to both surprise and unnerve Lightning. The sound was like cracking glass and once again, a white wave went across her body to show Lucille her attack did connect.

"Not bad but you're lacking...just a bit." she backed off and stood up straight. Now, she took on an air that felt like nothing Lucille had ever seen before. "These last two hits, you've had a somewhat easier time getting. So...why don't I make you work for the last one?" She leaned back slightly then took a single step.

Lucille wouldn't see Lightning. She had simply vanished. In her place as a light dust cloud. Rydia was in utter shock as she just stood there, looking at something moving about. It wouldn't take long for Lucille to figure out what Rydia was watching. rather, whom. Beside her, there would be a literal afterimage of Lightning moving about. Fast. Lightning didn't disappear after all. She was just moving faster than what Lucille could perceive. This was a major step up and Rydia knew it. What was Lightning thinking showing off like this?

In essence, Lightning was going the extra mile to see just what Lucille would do. Would she get her third hit? Would she panic? All remained to be seen. Except for Lightning.

Moving about as freely as she could, Lightning would be able to witness Lucille unable to do anything. She would catch glimpses of how her face looked and it seemed to be one of thought and frustration. But not panic, oddly enough. She had the nerve after all in the presence of an overwhelming obstacle that was standing before her. She could think but not act. Not quite yet.

"And then you'll encounter foes far beyond your skill. It might seem impossible to defeat them. But as long as you keep a cool head, you'll be fine. As long as you never panic." The voice echoed around her and it felt like there was no clear cut direction. There would be a gale that whipped past Lucille and then a presence would make itself known. She was right behind her.

She jabbed Lucille in the back with the hilt of her weapon, pushing her to the ground. Lightning simply stared her down again. "I don't expect you to land the third hit today. Getting two is enough...for now. But we'll continue to have to try to get the third hit." She shook her head. "Will you be able to get strong enough for that? We'll see. There is much training in the near future and I expect you to keep up. And just maybe you'll get good enough to land that hit."

Afterwards, she shifted her weight to one side and sheathed her weapon. She folded her arms. "Now...what did we learn today?"

She nods. "Books can only tell you so much. Experience can teach alot more than what a book can in terms of combat."

She watched Lucille stand up and had a slight smirk on. Good. She understood. She raised her weapon once more and waited for Lucille to get back into a stance. Lightning held her own up and lightly touched her blade to Lucille's rapier. "We've practiced your offense...now your defense."

"Protect"

Rydia held her hands up and they began to glow with the same energy as before. This time, however, the light screen draped all around Lucille and enveloped her in a gentle light that felt warm to the touch. She would feel protected and would understand why her blows would feel the way they did when they struck Lightning.

Lightning backed away and waved around her weapon. "Deflect as many of my strikes as you can. You'll have to act fast otherwise, you'll get hit. It won't cut but they will hurt...a little" she added with slight disdain. She then suddenly lunged at Lucille with a simple horizontal slash.

As the hit connects, Lightning sighs as she backs away again and looks down at Lucille as if she were a helpless puppy. That wasn't even her strongest swing. She felt Lucille able to block but wasn't ready to match her speed and she scoffed when Lucille had to ask. Lightning held her hand to her head and shook it. "Yes, obviously...that was just my own handicap. You need to keep moving and in fact, use more of your legs than your arms to defend against attacks.Use your common sense."

Honestly, where did this girl learn before? Ah right, she was self taught and read books to learn. That just wouldn't do. It wouldn't be enough to keep her alive out there in the field. She had to hammer it into Lucille whether she liked it or not. After a few more seconds, Lightning began another attack to get Lucille to defend herself.