*** = listener speaking

Can be monetised, just please link back to either this post or my YouTube!

Gender can be changed if needed/wanted!

~~~

[speaker and listener are sparring; sounds of swords and magic]

[listener gets pinned]

Once again, your skills are lacking. Are you sure you’ve been keeping up with your training regimen?

***

Being out on the field is no excuse – if anything, your skills would’ve improved more due to on-the-field training.

Have you just been hiding behind the other knights instead of pulling your weight?

As the leader of your corps, I will not hesitate to punish you if you have.

***

If you truly do know how to fight, then you need to prove it.

***

The difference between my skill level and yours is no excuse. I’m here giving you a training lesson, am I not? You should be taking better advantage of it if that is the case.

***

Give you some ‘actual’ feedback? …Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.

You rely too much on your strength; you certainly know the amount of force to use with your weapon, but you don’t know how to swing it.

***

What do I mean?

I was as clear as I could be.

You have the strength, but you need to work on your technique.

***

I thought a more in-depth explanation to start off with would avoid confusion.

I’ll dumb things down in the future for you then.

***

I’m trying to make things simpler for you – why are you upset?

***

[speaker sighs]

Let’s just… focus on your technique for now.

***

How did I perfect my technique?

It’s… a slightly unconventional way.

***

Well, if you must know, I incorporated what I learned in my dance lessons into my Greatsword technique.

***

‘The dance I was doing the other day on the beach’? …Have you been spying on me?

If you have, I am not afraid to-

***

Very well… I’ll believe your words for now. But next time, you better announce your presence.

***

I ‘looked good’ when you saw me dance?

Hmph! The audacity to hide the fact you saw me dancing, and then commenting on my dance… mark my words, vengeance will be mine!

***

You want me to teach you how to dance?

***

You think it can improve your technique as well?

It is a possibility… but it’s not a guarantee either.

***

I suppose you’re right – better to try than not try at all.

At the very least, we’ll be able to eliminate one technique… technique.

…Let’s just start before the words start hurting my brain.

***

Come over here. I’ll show you the proper starting form.

***

You raise your hand like this, and keep your other hand here like this.

Then set your feet further apart so you’ll be able to keep a strong stance as you begin. …And relax your muscles. You look stiffer than a wooden cutout.

***

Alright, now copy me, slowly and steady. Left foot forward, right foot behind it – arms up on at a time – left food behind – right foot forward, left foot right, arms-

***

…’Too complicated’?

Did you think proper dancing was as simple as waving around your hairbrush in your room while staring at yourself in the mirror? This is fine classical dance, not some pastime hobby.

***

No, I don’t have any teaching experience when it comes to dance. Most people only come to me to learn how to fight… and by most people, I mean you.

***

Of course no one else would dare to approach me. I’m a Lawrence, after all.

***

Let’s not dwell on this topic. If you push this any further, vengeance will be mine.

If you can’t learn dance alone, then we’ll have to learn a duet.

***

A duet means two people dancing together, the same as singing a song together.

It will be a lot easier for me to guide you if we are working together rather than apart.

***

Do you want to improve your technique or not?

***

Exactly. You brought this idea up – you need to see it through until the end.

Now come over here – put one hand on my waist, I’ll put my opposite hand on your shoulder and we’ll hold hands with the remaining hands.

***

Again, no backing out now – come over here and see this through!

[listener walks over to speaker and does as she says]

This time, you just need to follow my lead.

And keep eye contact! My eyes are up here, not there.

Good. Now… one, and two… one, and two…

[option for speaker to start humming]

There – not so difficult this way, is it?

Once you get the hang of this, you’ll be more than ready to try out dancing solo- ow!

Perhaps I was a bit too optimistic too fast… still, progress is progress, no matter the pace.

As your teacher, I will ensure you at least improve by a noticeable margin – so we will be adding dance lessons on top of your regular sparring sessions, understand?

***

‘You would be more than happy to dance with me again’?

…To say such a thing with such an expression… if you do such a thing again, mark my words, vengeance will be mine!