savetheearth | [Video | computer webcam]

[In the video one can see Leonhardt himself, he's relaxing at his desk in his office. The most impressive thing in the room is the fact that the walls have numerous swords and knives displayed. There are various types and ranges of condition. One can even spot a couple of Japanese style weapons among them. It's obvious the man is quite the collector of weapons looking at this. Though looking at his desk and the amount of odd tools and gadgets and the half put together tiny robot, it's not the only thing he does.]

I know I haven't met many here on the network, but I wished to make an offer to those who may have an interest. My name is Leonhardt, feel free to just call me Leon since most have trouble with the name.

I know some here have obtained swords, the skills to use one, or both. I also know that a sword in the hands of the untrained can be quite dangerous.

My offer is this. Since normal training classes may not suit for all of us here I would be willing to set up a special class for those on this network. That way you can also practice using any unique abilities you have learned as well. Since we'll have all levels it will be more of a club or group where lessons will be given and people can practice with each other as well, mostly informal to aid all in gaining experience and good technique.

We'll use the same place where my father teaches his private classes. I have gained permission to rent it out for a very nominal fee, I'll just ask for either a donation or bring some food or drink to share with the others. That way we'll have full use of all the equipment he has so it can be done as safely as possible. I'm my father's assistant instructor and just as qualified to teach as he is. If you do not have a weapon I will do what I can to arrange to get you one that suits any skills you have obtained.

I am not going to limit to any particular age, but if you are under 18 I do need to be aware of this because legally we do have to obtain parent or guardian permission and I have to get you some forms in advance to have them sign.

If you are interested let me know so I can provide a location and time. It will likely be a day on the weekends, more likely Sunday since my father has no classes then.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

So... [Blue eye, blond hair Japanese guy with the 'it took me four hours to look this casual' dress of someone who really hasn't worked too hard in his life.] You're offering to teach people how to defend themselves as well as give them a place to practice if they got weird abilities? For just a small donation?

I'd not let a lack of finances get in the way of one being able to defend themselves and it does appear all on this network have a very real threat to be worried about.

Yeah, I've heard about the threats. [He thinks about it for a moment, twirling a pencil around while he does so.] How much?

[He doesn't do video often, but just to make sure there are no surprises come training day . . .]

Would be sensible to get better at it. [Because he's all about the sensible. And showing people that his age doesn't make him helpless.] I'm going to need those forms, obviously.

I-I don't know how many of us - under eighteen that would work for, sir.

Isn't it better that our families don't know that we have weapons?

Edited 2013-05-20 02:33 (UTC)

I have some leeway with the wording for things and it need not be known that you have a weapon if your parents would object to it. We have many on hand for students that can be provided as needed.

[Amazingly enough, Leonhardt is one of the few that would be surprised about a kid being involved. Heck, he's been learning since he was even younger.]

Obviously, but nothing we've not dealt with before. My father is old fashioned enough to believe that if one is old enough to be in danger they are old enough to learn to defend from it even if what we teach is more a hobby these days.

[You have no idea how much he appreciates the lack of freaking out. About a hundred points in your favour, right there.]

Better than how people have usually reacted to me on here. I'll be needing a weapon; I didn't get one from these pulses. Just the skill.

Whatever you feel is fair. I was able to convince him to allow me to volunteer my time as long as the costs of equipment use are covered. he's asked me to make sure we can cover a hundred dollars per month among all who come and we provide our own food and drinks. So it will depend on how much others can afford and I can cover the difference if it comes to it.

[Yeah, that took some major convincing, but Leonhardt is persuasive and they will be writing off some of this off as a charitable donation of classes. It also helped that his father has been trying to convince him to take on a class of his own for years.]

[Sword lessons? Given Richard's recent knowledge on the subject of swords and desire to purchase one, attending such lessons might not be a bad idea.]

A useful, if kind offer, one which I would like to take up at your earliest convenience.

[They get kids as young as six in their classes, Leonhardt is used to it.]

Did you get a skill for a particular type of weapon? If so, I can try to find something similar. If not, we can start with a regular foil and work from there.

All our practice weapons are blunted and capped and we do require the use of safety equipment if you have to address parental concerns. Injuries are very few and all in my family are trained in first aid by my mother who is a nurse.

[He was expecting a little bit more than that, but honestly? That wasn't bad at all.]

I can help with the costs but I can't say I'd ever held weapon outside of waving a toy sword around when I was six.

I truly would not wish any to be harmed here just because they did not get knowledge on how to use it and do not have money for classes.

Can you get katana?

I've taught beginners who have not even held a sword before. The style we teach is fencing and it is actually is not that difficult to learn enough to defend yourself and not risk doing harm to yourself or others.

[Yeah, well. Most six-year-olds aren't heading off to the Dead District in search of werewolves.]

Katana, I'm pretty sure.

[As for the rest, he can sell Granny on it. Just an extention of his reading interests. Really.]

Needless injury or death being avoided can only be considered a good thing.

[Really, the less dead, the better.]

When will you be providing the first of these lessons?

[No, they sure aren't. But like he said, old enough to be in danger, old enough to learn defense.]

I have a few in my collection I can loan until you obtain one of your own. Not as many as I have of western blades, but a couple. [And since he's seeing another request, about a katana, he's definitely going to look into getting some wooden practice ones.]

[Nods. Not that he foresees anytime soon that he'd be able to have his own.]

The sword I handled when I got the ability was a western one, and I just instinctively knew it felt wrong for me. Like I was used to something different.

It is indeed. If we cannot keep the children out of this, then we can at least make sure they are protected.

I was thinking of starting next Sunday assuming nothing strange happens. Since the lessons will be informal at best with so many different levels and styles there will be no requirement to attend each time if things come up, just recommended since the more practice the better.

[ooc: And will likely handwave lessons, but I admit, would love to have Leonhardt and Karl spar sometime once both have gained back all their ability. Leonhardt just needs the supernatural kick to his own abilities.]

I have a couple and can obtain wooden ones for practice as well.

I don't think I'm completely hopeless when it comes to fighting; I just never used a weapon before.

[School yard brawls, some scuffles in the streets, bar fights, and he did spend about two years learning kickboxing until his high school thought he should try out for the team]

I could try it out, I guess.

In that case, I'd like to take you up on it. Particularly if you could acquire wooden ones. The style I've remembered isn't well suited for sparring with live steel.

Well, the thing is, I'm quite sure what I got don't pertain to any sword handling. But from what I can tell, I can use about anything at hand to defend myself, but I ain't got much control over it. So... do you have some kind of staff or throwing weapon I could practice this with, maybe?

That can be useful. One drawback to a weapon is that a person can be disarmed, but the weapon itself gives advantages. No one method will suit everyone so it is good to consider trying something new.

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