Yawn! Boring! "So I'm guessing you don't know how to take a punch well in that case?" She asked. "Because I'm going to hit you and it's going to hurt — it's really the only way to learn."
"So I simply just have to... take them and get on with it, I suppose."
He shakes his head.
"Nobody else is going to afford me such luxury. I don't particularly want to be punched in the face but I won't learn to take it if you avoid doing so."
It makes the most practical sense to him. Learn to take it now, not when it may matter a lot more.
Which was a great thing to say right before launching into an attack. Nina actually slowed her steps for him to keep up, punching hard into his ribs and chest and his head (though she did hold back a little for the latter), her onslaught merciless and done between commands. Block! Arms up! Step left, etc. A very in depth and painful self defense class.
To say he was underprepared would be an understatement- and his best approximation of doing as he's told is, at first, just him covering his face and yelping. He seems to realise halfway through that she's actually shouting instructions, and fumbles through the steps but ultimately ends up backing off, holding out a hand for mercy.
"Ah- wait! Wait, I'm... I need a moment, if you would."
His nose is bleeding already and his stomach hurts, but he's not on the floor yet and perhaps that's the best he could have hoped for.
Hythlodaeus knows she's more than ready to hit him more, so he makes sure he's actually somewhat prepared before saying as much. He wipes his nose and groans, hands on his knees briefly as he takes a few deep breaths through his mouth.
"I... yes, you're just... very fast."
Keeping up with her is difficult, but he'll try his hardest.
"I tried to slow down." Which was probably a terrifying thing to hear. "Tell me when you're ready. Don't let your guard down — your form isn't terrible."
"No, I'm just... very fast." To the point she wasn't even sure what was normal for an average person at this point.
She did make a point of trying to slow herself, moving at a more human speed — still fast and coming in hard with her punches, but he might have a chance to block the second time around.
He can't say he's having an amazing time being punched but as long as he mostly protects his face he can handle the others slightly better. He marvels at her speed and strength though, even if he can only grunt before his body decides it's had quite enough and his legs give out. Panting and groaning, he lifts a hand in silent surrender.
"Alas, you've thoroughly beaten me..."
On his knees, he still manages to smile up at her. His face is swollen and his nose is still bleeding but there's wonder in his eyes.
"Did you learn anything, or did I just kick your ass?" She chuckled, kneeling down and placing her hand on his back. Her basic healing from her potion would soothe the minor wounds, at least.
"Thanks, I know. Don't discredit yourself though — you were up a lot longer than I thought you might be with your inexperience. You're tough."
"I learned that I don't want to get on your bad side," he laughs, finding the humour in it at least. "But thank you. Perhaps if we do this again, I will have ruminated on what you've taught me and can apply it to a fight."
He doesn't expect it to end much differently to this but he has to try.
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"I've never had to take a punch well, so no. How exactly do I do that? Is there a trick to it or do I simply have to be good at handling pain?"
Pain isn't really his forte. He won't cry or anything, but he's probably not going to handle it entirely gracefully.
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She cracked her knuckles. "You ever hear of 'rolling with the punches?' Could be taken literally, because that's exactly what you want to do."
A beat. "I won't aim for your pretty face, for whatever that helps."
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He shakes his head.
"Nobody else is going to afford me such luxury. I don't particularly want to be punched in the face but I won't learn to take it if you avoid doing so."
It makes the most practical sense to him. Learn to take it now, not when it may matter a lot more.
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Which was a great thing to say right before launching into an attack. Nina actually slowed her steps for him to keep up, punching hard into his ribs and chest and his head (though she did hold back a little for the latter), her onslaught merciless and done between commands. Block! Arms up! Step left, etc. A very in depth and painful self defense class.
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"Ah- wait! Wait, I'm... I need a moment, if you would."
His nose is bleeding already and his stomach hurts, but he's not on the floor yet and perhaps that's the best he could have hoped for.
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"You gonna make it?"
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"I... yes, you're just... very fast."
Keeping up with her is difficult, but he'll try his hardest.
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He brings his fists up though, and grimaces as he gets ready for round two.
"Come, then. I will try my best."
It's all he can do!
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She did make a point of trying to slow herself, moving at a more human speed — still fast and coming in hard with her punches, but he might have a chance to block the second time around.
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"Alas, you've thoroughly beaten me..."
On his knees, he still manages to smile up at her. His face is swollen and his nose is still bleeding but there's wonder in his eyes.
"You're so very strong. It's truly incredible."
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"Thanks, I know. Don't discredit yourself though — you were up a lot longer than I thought you might be with your inexperience. You're tough."
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He doesn't expect it to end much differently to this but he has to try.