Open Post: La savate et le chausson

[futaille]

Much to his satisfaction, Grantaire has been able to keep up with many of his hobbies unabated during his time at the mansion. Not all of them, though, mostly because they were ones he'd go to specific spots for, and with those spots not being here in addition to an abundance of his other hobbies, they more or less fell by the wayside.

However, a recent chat with Dionysus has reminded him that he has very much neglected his 'hitting things' level. Although he didn't find a crash test dummy, the thought being on his mind ended up in him stumbling upon a small gym tucked away, complete with some equipment including a standing punching bag.

So he's discarded his waistcoat and cravat over a bench and is practicing his savate¹.

¹French kickboxing! During R's time it was basically for streetfighting, and just beginning to get formalized, but there are some cool vintage videos on youtube (Here and here) to give the... vibe.

Comments

[futaille]

"Wonderful." He steps away from the bag to a more open area.

[kadewest]

Kade follows. "Okay," he says. "Lemme run through these kicks once or twice first, make sure I've got 'em."

[futaille]

"Oh, by all means. Practice can hardly hurt."

[kadewest]

"Name 'em, I'll try 'em."

[futaille]

He shrugs. "All right, then. Chassé."

[kadewest]

"Heel strike," says Kade, and does a serviceable attempt at one.

[futaille]

"Well done. Now revers."

[kadewest]

"Backward whip kick," says Kade. This effort is slightly less serviceable, and he nearly overbalances. "Oof. Got any tips for me?"

[futaille]

"Don't get too overzealous with it. Mind your center of balance. Your body should, for the most part, stay upright and above your planted leg." He demonstrates.

[kadewest]

"Right, right." It really has been a while since Kade has fought, and he was always more blade-focused. He tries again though, a couple of times, until he gets the movement down.

[futaille]

Grantaire nods with a grin. "Much better!"

[kadewest]

"Hell yeah," says Kade. "Okay. Now what?"

[futaille]

"Fouetté, of course."

[kadewest]

"Whip kick," says Kade, promptly; this time, his effort is pitch-perfect.

[futaille]

"Oh, well done! And then, of course, coup de pied bas."

[kadewest]

"Low kick," Kade says. This, too, is easy for him. It's not quite as pitch-perfect, but it's a very good effort indeed.

[futaille]

"You have them all, then."

[kadewest]

"All right," Kade says, and gives Grantaire a wolfish grin. "So where do we start with sparring?"

[futaille]

He goes to the middle of the open space in the room. "A few feet apart, obviously," he says wryly. "I'll even give you first strike."

[kadewest]

"Oh, don't do me any favors," Kade laughs, following. "Is there an opening stance of some sort?"

[futaille]

"Points aren't awarded for style," he says, amused. "Just be comfortable but ready to move."

[kadewest]

"Grantaire, I cut my teeth on the Karate Kid and fairy battlefields," Kade laughs. "All of my frames of reference are off." He settles comfortably but lightly on the balls of his feet, though. "What do I do with my hands?"

[futaille]

"There is hitting in savate, but not nearly as much as there is kicking, so we'll just focus on the kicks for now. You can keep your hands up, but loose since you won't really be using them."

[kadewest]

"Sounds great! Okay. Let's do this."

[futaille]

He nods and starts off the sparring session, offering tips here and there as they go along.