Helena Bertinelli (shootsfirst) wrote in newalliance, @ 2013-05-25 11:44:00 |
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Entry tags: | huntress |
Who: Helena Bertinelli
NPCs Richard Dragon
Where: Somewhere in the Appalachian's
When: May 25, 2013
What: Helena comes to realize why Vic brought her to see Richard Dragon
Rating: G
"I already know Tai Chi, Richard." It had been almost a month since Helena Bertinelli had come to meet her current teacher, Richard Dragon, but she still knew little about him. Despite how alone they were in the mountains, personal conversation was not something he seemed fond of and she could respect that. At least at first. The more time that passed, the more Helena's body began to heal and when she could finally step without cringing, her curiosity grew. Richard amused her, offering small quips in the flavor Vic preferred, but he never gave her a direct answer. Not when it came to himself and not when it came to her training.
"No, you do not," the bearded man answered, his body twisting slowly from Play the Lute to Repulse Monkey. His movements were slow and measured, taking pleasure in simplicity rather than his ability to do. "You recite the movements because they are what you have been taught, but you do not understand the purpose."
Helena glanced up from her position on the ground, her left leg stretched outwards, weight resting on her right. Most of the bruises had faded and what wounds had been incurred were slowly turning to scars. Her time here had healed her outwardly, but she knew Vic had brought her here for more than just a getaway from Gotham. "What do you mean?"
Richard did not turn to face her, but instead continued to move gracefully into the next position. "You are always moving forward as fast as you can, trying to keep from ever looking back. Passion and rage fuel you. Fear and vengeance your destination. The faster you move, the more your past drags at you, the more of you that breaks. You are coming apart."
The woman listened, the crease of annoyance fading as she slowly realized Richard Dragon knew her far better than she had anticipated. Her fight with the Joker, the truths that had been unraveled, she had never taken a moment to consider anything more than revenge. Flesh and bones mended fast, and that was all she wanted. A simple fix to the problems that had haunted her. A means to an end with no fulfillment. Helena dropped to the ground, pulling her knees close to her chest, unable or unwilling to find the words to retort.
"Slow down," Richard continued as his body moved slowly towards the ground, left leg stretching into his next position. "Remember to breathe. It's simple."
Helena dropped her face to her knees and sucked in a sharp breath. A month. She had almost been here a month, yet this was the first time she had truly listened. Richard was right. She needed to learn how to breathe. She needed to learn how to live.
(OOC: Most of Richard's dialogue comes from this panel in Huntress: Cry For Blood.)