GODLY AUDIENCES - ZOE MURPHY

[divus]

Comments

[requiemed]

That’s an incredibly intimidating start, but yes.

[divus]

No, trust me. I used to run these kind of drills with Annabeth when she was a kid, real easy stuff.

[He backs off just a bit to give them space.] Not to go all Tyler Durden on you, but I want you to hit me as hard as you can. I want to test the power of your punches.

[requiemed]

I very much doubt you’re my weird alter ego, so we’re good there. And... Whenever you’re ready, I guess?

[divus]

I'm ready. Just remember that anybody who's actually a threat won't be waiting around.

[Come at him, Zoe.]

[requiemed]

[She moves forwards, then, and swings at his face; her form makes it clear she isn't used to doing this at all, and the force behind it is pretty average as well.]

[divus]

[He immediately grabs her fist to block.] You have two hands. Don't lose your momentum.

[Advising. He's actually helping.]

[requiemed]

[Almost immediately, she shifts to try and deck him with her free hand.]

[divus]

Yeah, just like that! [But he's also twisting, switching and also using momentum to push her back a little.] What'll help is if you have a follow-up to your first hit.

[requiemed]

[She definitely gets pushed back, dropping her hands from the position they were in.]

So... Hit them with something else while they try to block?

[divus]

Now you're getting it. If they're focused on blocking one hit, chances are they'll either struggle to block a second or they'll have to pick what to focus on. It gives you an advantage. Try again.

[requiemed]

[She shifts, trying for a punch again - and as soon as she sees him move to block, she aims a kick at his leg.]

[divus]

[He can sense it, but for the sake of learning he moves to block the punch and lets her catch his leg, shifting his balance and knocking him slightly off-course.] Perfect. You always want to make sure you're still on guard in case they recover a lot faster than you can plan. Keep yourself planted on the ground, don't let your balance shift.

[requiemed]

Should you forget the whole keep yourself planted thing if they try to hit you back...?

[It might seem obvious, but it's not something she's familiar with. Still, somehow, there's a look of pride on her face when she hears him say 'perfect'.]

[divus]

Only if you think it'll hurt you. Otherwise you want to stay in one spot so you don't lose traction or your footing. They'll try to knock you off-balance.

Come at me again and I'll show you what I mean.

[requiemed]

[She nods, taking a step back and relaxing her posture for a moment before moving forward to try and punch him again.]

[divus]

[A hand immediately comes up, blocking her with his wrist to throw her punch off-course.] See how the feet stay planted? It gives you time to follow up. [He swings with a second fist, slow enough that Zoe can stop it but fast enough she'll be able to figure out how to block.]