WEEK 4 - VENUS FLYTRAP

[foundationmods]

Another week dawned.

But after the events at the trial, more than a few people would have wanted for time to stop still.

In this game, even unshakable loyalties....could be broken.🗈

If that were the case, then what was stopping even more horrible crimes from happening this thursday night?
And they knew they could do nothing to stop it from happening.

...Still, they had to continue the game, until one or both of the Witches admitted defeat, or the game itself came to a close.

Yet, they also felt as if something might change. Some big reveal felt as if it was just around the corner....but for now, it seemed as if they had to play the waiting game.

No matter how awful that felt.

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Comments

[excavated]

No, you're not bothering me at all in the slightest bit. I was just practicing, since it's been almost a month since I've had to fight anything. And I didn't want to forget how to do any of this. It's one of the few things that my father taught me.

[cryosurgeon]

Are you like Sora, then? A child soldier? Or did you just learn for the sake of learning?

[excavated]

My parents told me that there would be a time when it would be important to use this skill. But. . . I wouldn't call myself a child soldier. Just someone who wants to protect what's important to me.

[cryosurgeon]

I don't like seeing children and teenagers fighting for their lives or to protect others. But it's not like any of us have a choice right now, do we?

[He takes another sip of coffee, watching Syaoran over the rim of the mug.]

If anyone comes after me, I can't defend myself. I don't have the training. And before you ask, I don't have much strength, either.

[excavated]

[ IT'S FUNNY THAT HE SAYS THAT given that he's explicitly admitted that he's lived 22 years so uh. hm. ] There are some things that you can learn without having much strength, you know. In terms of self defense, anyway.

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard looks at Syaoran over the rim of his mug again, though his eyes disappear momentarily as he drains the last drops. He sets the mug on the floor at his feet and folds his arms, the look in his eyes suddenly a bit harder.]

Why not let me remain an easy target?

[excavated]

I don't want to see anybody die as much as you do. And if I can do anything to help... I want to. That's all. It's better to work together, after all.

[cryosurgeon]

If our wishes were enough, none of us would be dead.

[Still, he slips off his lab coat and folds it, setting it on the ground beside his mug. Without it, it's easier to see how painfully thin the man is under his bodysuit.]

If we can do this without injuring me too badly, it would be appreciated. I still have to act as the group's doctor.

[excavated]

I think I can just explain it to you without having to actually hit you. You just need to strike specific parts of the body-- the eyes, nose, ears, neck, groin and legs. Usually, you want to strike someone with your hand for the upper parts of the body-- with the outer edge of your hand like this [ he shows him in the air ] or a palm strike, or a knuckle blow. [ For each explanation, Syaoran shows a demonstration. ] A tightly curled fist works, too. And below that, you want to kick the knee. Also, leveraging your weight can help out a lot.

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard watches with the keen eye of a surgeon, then tries to imitate the movements slowly so Syaoran can correct them.]

Anatomically, I know there are also pressure points that can be struck to cause weakness or even unconsciousness, but the proper technique is something I lack.

[excavated]

Well, if you're just doing it all in self defense, there's not too much you need to learn, really. Just the basics.

[cryosurgeon]

I still won't stand a chance against someone with experience. But there isn't much I can do about that now.

[excavated]

You never know unless you try. Don't give up just because you believe in that. I think someone with experience might even be caught off guard.

[cryosurgeon]

Maybe if they believe I can't defend myself at all. It would be one way my body type could give me an advantage, if they underestimate me.

[He does go through the motions Syaoran showed him again, to show he actually is paying attention.]

[excavated]

Yeah. I don't think they'd be thinking that you'd be able to defend yourself very well most of the time, so taking advantage of that is optimal.

[cryosurgeon]

... Syaoran, will you teach me, for as long as we're both here?

[He's not being a pessimist, he's a realist. With what's been happening, there's a good chance one or both of them could die.]

[excavated]

For as long as I can, I don't mind. Although I'll probably teach you more of the proper fighting style rather than my normal one.

[cryosurgeon]

Thank you. And whatever you want to teach me is fine. You're starting with a blank slate.

[excavated]

That's true. Besides, the other technique I learned was more useful when I couldn't see out of one eye. Or when I had my abilities.

[cryosurgeon]

... I wish my powers weren't sealed. I might've saved the others, even from lethal injuries.

[excavated]

I don't have healing abilities. But I could have protected everyone. Even though I know that saving people isn't the point here. Not for. . . [...] Anyway. I think here should be good enough for today, though. I don't want to force too much, and I still need to practice a little more myself.