kozu (kozu) wrote in avatarnation, @ 2009-08-29 14:40:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | kozu, sato |
Pushing the limits
Who: Kozu and Sato
Where: The Sword and Fan
When: Saturday afternoon
What: Training
Sweat trickled down dark skin as Kozu focused on maintaining his horse stance. His breathing came in heavy but controlled huffs as his coiled muscles quivered as he fought to hold the pose. His arms were extended before his bare chest, his long fingers wrapped around a weighted ball. The small, sauna-like meditation room was hot and thick with the scent of sweat, the air was still, all the windows in the room closed. The intense heat further strained his fatigued muscles and tested his will. His dark eyes focused intensely on an imagined spot on the wall as the Fire Prince attempted to block out the world and focus only on the task at hand.
The short blast of a whistle stirred him into swift action. He leaned his weight slightly backward and pulled the ball to his chest before he released a short blast of air and thrust the ball over his head. The movement was swift and controlled, he maintained his deep horse stance as he held the ball over his head. His muscles twitched in protest to the strain, his intense gaze never left that spot on the wall. Another short burst of air left him, this one laced with a small sound of pain, his willpower was close to giving way to the exhaustion of his body.
A long long blast from a whistle announced the end of the exercise just when Ko feared he was going to falter. His head dipped back with a small sound of relief as he brought the ball first to his chest, then set it on the ground. The mat creaked under his feet as he stepped out the door of the tiny meditation room and out into the main dojo beyond. He wearily ran a hand through his short, damp hair as he cast a small smile to his Master, his gaze flicked over the others training. A wonderful feeling of accomplishment flooded him as he stretched his weary muscles, the breeze blowing through the main room felt delightful as it washed over his form.
"I finished," he announced proudly, bowing his head as he pressed the base of his palm to the knuckles of his other hand, showing respect to his master. He had done the exercise on an honor system, there had been no one there to watch him, no one to encourage him when he was weary, no one to catch him if he cheated or stopped. The physical aspect of the exercise had been difficult, but it had been just as much about mental conditioning as physical. Quickly, Ko grabbed a towel to wipe off his face and shirtless form, his breathing still rather heavy as he fought to keep his smile small and contained. It was rare that the decrowned Fire Prince ever cracked a smile.