Post by Hino Rei on Jul 12, 2009 16:36:19 GMT -5
Each movement was precise, fluid, controlled. There was no noise but for the whisper of her feet upon the mat, the rustle of her gi as she turned. Even that was limited to what she couldn't force into silence. The priestess balanced herself carefully, her heel turning in place and muscles straining as she brought herself through an agonizingly slow roundhouse and down into the fifth form.
Yoga in the morning, meditation in the afternoon, and katas at night. She wished, not for the first time, that she had more time for her physical training, but it wasn't to be. Even this time was stolen by her simple utterance of "no" in the faces of government officials. It was worth it for the pure shock that she would say such matters--but matters of the spirit couldn't be rushed, and her katas were among the few things she'd kept for herself.
One heel cut a wide circle about the floor, she stood again and came to a momentary halt. The world was nothing but this mat. The sickness in her body would be gone and her spirit was at ease.
Without missing a step, the Priestess became a flurry of movement. Each step of the complicated kata was retraced in full speed. First set, second set, third... she pushed herself until her muscles screamed and then went faster.
It ended with a sharp kick to where a man's head should have been. Several faces came to mind as she held that position, balanced perfectly upon the sole of her left foot.
Shaking, heavy breathing caught her ear and it was a moment before Rei realized it came from her. The vision of faces faded and she brought her foot down as she pressed into slow katas once again. She should stop, go back to the shrine and get ready for another long day... yet she didn't wish to leave that mat.
Yoga in the morning, meditation in the afternoon, and katas at night. She wished, not for the first time, that she had more time for her physical training, but it wasn't to be. Even this time was stolen by her simple utterance of "no" in the faces of government officials. It was worth it for the pure shock that she would say such matters--but matters of the spirit couldn't be rushed, and her katas were among the few things she'd kept for herself.
One heel cut a wide circle about the floor, she stood again and came to a momentary halt. The world was nothing but this mat. The sickness in her body would be gone and her spirit was at ease.
Without missing a step, the Priestess became a flurry of movement. Each step of the complicated kata was retraced in full speed. First set, second set, third... she pushed herself until her muscles screamed and then went faster.
It ended with a sharp kick to where a man's head should have been. Several faces came to mind as she held that position, balanced perfectly upon the sole of her left foot.
Shaking, heavy breathing caught her ear and it was a moment before Rei realized it came from her. The vision of faces faded and she brought her foot down as she pressed into slow katas once again. She should stop, go back to the shrine and get ready for another long day... yet she didn't wish to leave that mat.