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]

Grantaire watches curiously and grins as the kick connects. "Very solid hit."

[lightbearinglord]

"Was that correct?" Lan Wangji turns back to Grantaire, awaiting any necessary critique.

[futaille]

"It looked good to me. Or at least no real issues that I could spot."

[lightbearinglord]

"Mn." He repeats the motion, then; it does send the punching bag swinging, so he stops it with one hand on the return. "Will you demonstrate the open-handed strike again?"

[futaille]

It's such a wordy way to describe a slap that it actually takes him half a second to parse it. Once he does, though, he absolutely appreciates it. "The... Oh! Certainly!"

He steps up to the bag and gives it a good whack.

[lightbearinglord]

As before, Lan Wangji observes this with care. Once the bag has stilled again, he copies Grantaire to the best of his abilities; admittedly, despite his best efforts, this does send the bag nearly flying. Again, he stops it with his hand when it swings back to him.

[futaille]

"I see we're running into the same essential issue as with pinball."

[lightbearinglord]

"Too many handstands," Lan Wangji says grimly.

[futaille]

"That must be it. Really, it's my own tragic lack of handstands that is the sole reason that I am not also nearly projecting the target across the room. Truly, the world is full of wonders."

[lightbearinglord]

"It is possible to remedy that." Primarily to prove that he can exercise restraint, Lan Wangji draws his hand back and gives the punching bag another, gentler tap with his open palm.

[futaille]

"Handstands and reasonable force, coexisting in the same person? This seems nearly impossible!"

[lightbearinglord]

"Perhaps the cultivation is responsible," Lan Wangji suggests. It is just a little dry.

[futaille]

"Do you suppose?" He considers this for a moment. "No, I'm certain it's the handstands."

[lightbearinglord]

"The handstands are part of the cultivation."

[futaille]

"Clearly now I need to find someone who regularly does handstands but isn't a cultivator. To see where they stand on the spectrum of force here."

[lightbearinglord]

"Magnus," Lan Wangji says promptly. Technically, this suggestion does fulfill Grantaire's requirements.

[futaille]

"Then I might have to have Magnus give it a whack sometime. In the interest of discovery."

[lightbearinglord]

In the interest of fairness, Lan Wangji should tell Grantaire that Magnus has enhanced strength due to his einherji nature. In the interest of his own amusement, he says nothing about it. He segues instead into attempting another of the kicks Grantaire showed him, at mid-height with the top of his boot contacting the bag instead.

[futaille]

"Lovely fouetté! Well done!"

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji gives Grantaire a nod of acknowledgement, accepting the compliment. After another moment's pause, he returns his efforts to the punching bag, now attempting a series of those moves: one kick, a strike with the opposite palm, and then again. The motions aren't as perfectly fluid as one might hope, because his body has yet to learn them, but he is, of course, already naturally used to combat.

[futaille]

Grantaire has a drink of water as he watches. "I have no critiques that aren't just the result of not having sufficient practice in the movements."

[lightbearinglord]

"Mn." He is unoffended, of course. "How long have you practiced this?"

[futaille]

"Oh, a few years now. If you don't count mimicking the sailors in Marseille when I was little."

[lightbearinglord]

How could Lan Wangji be anything but charmed by that hint of an anecdote? "You grew up near the sea?"

[futaille]

"Oh, yes. Down in the south. Warmer winters than Paris."