Colleen Wing has the heart of the dragon (anotherpath) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-02-04 18:22:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, colleen wing, padme amidala |
Who: Colleen and Padme
What: Training
When: 4 February 2019
Where: The Chikara Dojo
Warnings: Low
Status: Log | Complete
Padmé was exhausted.
She thought she was fit. She thought she was an athlete. She thought she had a really nice muscle tone.
Nope.
Balancing on a surfboard used completely different muscles than punching a moving target. When she arrived at the Chikara dojo, she felt woefully unprepared, but Colleen had been amazing with guiding her through the routine.
Still. Padmé was exhausted.
“Please tell me this gets easier,” she wheezed. She was doubled over, holding onto her knees for support before lifting up and stretching. “Because wow, I’m about ready to quit over here.”
That was the funny thing about training. One could be perfectly able and fit for one discipline and in another? Completely out of their league. Which was why Colleen had different levels for students. Especially when she took on a new student on an individual level. She needed to see where they were, what was needed to be worked on and build from there.
Which was what they were currently doing. While it was true that she could be a rather tough sensei, she got results. But the being more tough came later on. She didn’t sugar coat, but there was a difference between that and how she might approach someone who was more familiar with martial arts or had been working with her for awhile and what they were working on.
As Padme doubled over, Colleen stepped aside from the punching back and regarded her some.
“It does tend to get easier once you get more familiar with what you’re doing. Though that doesn’t mean it’s ever going to just be a breeze to get through. But it also depends on what you’re looking for.”
Padmé didn’t actually know what she was going for and she said as much. “It was terrifying, being so helpless in the face of ...such danger. I want to make sure I don’t need that to happen again. Even though my friends were there, and thank GOD they were there, they saved me. It’s not a good feeling, needing to be saved.” She reached down for her water bottle and took a small drink, trying to stop herself from guzzling the whole thing down. Wiping her mouth, she set it down and nodded at Colleen. “I want to be able to punch and mean it. I want confidence. And I think this is the best way to do it.”
Colleen appreciated the honesty from Padme. Because so many people ended up saying what they thought someone wanted to hear, or just pussyfooted around an issue when so much could be dealt with if people just said what they needed to. It made her an effective teacher, though. She was tough, but also fair.
“No, even if sometimes it’s necessary.” Taking a drink of her own water, Colleen contemplated the woman before her and nodded some.
“I can work with that. We can throw in situational awareness training as well.”
“Situational awareness?” Padmé gave a slight frown, the kind that her mother hated. “Like..how to be aware in the moment?” She gave a nod like she knew what Colleen was talking about. “I mean, I guess it’s like when you’re out on the water, and you basically have to feel how the waves change, know that you have to pivot or shift your balance….I don’t know why I never thought about that for just your own day-to-day life.”
Setting her water back down, she smiled. “Okay, yeah, I want it all. Teach me, sensei. You have a willing student in me.”
At least Padme seemed to understand what Colleen was talking about. She did nod at the question though just to let her know she was correct.
“Basically. Part of being able to defend yourself is being aware of your surroundings. Especially in this place it seems.” Colleen was still relatively new to the specifics of Orange County in general, but her ability to be aware of her surroundings and ability to defend herself had come in handy before and no doubt would come in handy again.
The comment on wanting it all was met with a slight smile.
“Remember you said that as we get further into our training. Because once you know the basics, I expect you to always be prepared and ready for anything.”
“That almost sounds like you’re going to randomly show up at my door and test me,” Padme joked...although really, that wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Giving her head a shake, she smiled. “And you and Anakin have both made mentions that this ...place...isn’t the stablest. Do I have weekly monster attacks to look forward to now? Because if that’s the case, I’m really glad to have met you.”
All Padme got for the joke was a noncommittal shrug from Colleen. Because there was always that possibility that she would just show up without warning to test the other woman’s skills. A reverse of the training from the Dreams where she had her students trail and attack her to see if they could actually do so without being noticed.
As for Orange County invasions?
“Can’t say I’ve been around for too many of the strange things that have happened, but I’ve seen enough. And I have a friend who has been around longer who warned me about them. So while I don’t think it’s weekly, it’s certainly common.”
Padme hesitated a moment before asking her next question. “Don’t be offended please but … this, all this will be able to protect me, right? Someone else has suggested weapons, and I’m not sure if I’m at that point yet where I want to carry something around with me.” She glanced down at her hands, still with boxer’s tape on them. It took a while to figure out how to do it. Looking up, she caught Colleen’s eyes. There was a vulnerability in Padme’s face, something she couldn’t quite hide. She needed the reassurance that this was the right course of action. So often she knew exactly what she wanted, but this? This was new territory.
The hesitation caught Colleen’s attention, so she took a sip of water while waiting for Padme to ask what she needed to ask. She supposed it wasn’t that shocking a question, especially since there was no definitive answer. But Colleen was never one to sugarcoat thing so she took a breath as she shifted her weight.
“Not 100 percent, but that’s because nothing can protect you 100 percent, not even weapons. And with weapons, you need to be prepared to use it if you are carrying it. So if you’re uncomfortable with it yet carrying it because you’re told that is what you need? You’re just going to hurt yourself.”
Placing her water down, Colleen shrugged.
“ But this will help you be more prepared, it will give you the ability to fight back and defend yourself and give you that advantage instead of being terrified all the time or having to rely on others to keep you safe.”
“You sound so confident.” It was a good thing, because it put Padme at ease and made her feel like she was doing the right thing, getting Colleen to train her. “I guess you have to be when this is what you do on a regular basis.”
Was she confident? Perhaps. Colleen at least knew who she was and why she did what she did. She wanted to help people. Usually it was teenagers and kids who could be on the streets otherwise, but the point of all this was to help people defend themselves. She just didn’t lie that it was foolproof. There were always going to be risks.
“I guess. I just call it like I see it.”
That wasn’t a bad thing at all, and Padmé said as much. “It’s a good trait to have. I wish I had it, but hey, at least now? I can punch anyone who pisses me off.” She mimed a few punches in front of her, shuffling her feet as if she was a boxer. It was probably terrible but she enjoyed it.
“I think I’m ready to get back to this now.” She rolled her shoulders and stretched her arms out in front of her. “And maybe after this, I can take you out for a tea or coffee or something as a thanks. I know you’re really busy, and I do appreciate it.”
Colleen gave an amused smile at the punching motions and then put her water bottle down as Padme said she was ready to get back to their lesson.
“That works for me. I don't have any students or classes after this for today.” Before why would she turn down tea? Yes, Padme was a paying student but there was nothing illegal about tea with her after the lesson. Taking her place behind the punching bag, Colleen gave a nod.
“Go.”