In the Beginning 3/?
Disclaimer: I neither own nor created the character of Marcus, Neroon, Babylon 5, etc… No infringement is intended.
Rating: PG-13 (possibly R in later chapters) for m/m situations and violence. SLASH. If this offends you read no further. Thank you kindly.
After-Thoughts
I do not know precisely how long I stood observing then covertly, but I believe Master Durhan and the human were sparring for over twenty minutes without stopping. I did not blink for fear that I would miss something. This trainee was succeeding to hold his own with a master-class pike fighter, a feat that was amazing on it's own. It was clear that Durhan was holding back somewhat, not using his full strength thereby giving the trainee a spar rather than an actual fight.
Durhan was keeping the exercise on the level pitting his skill with the Anla'shoc's. What surprised me most however were the innovative moves Cole had managed to come up with. While most of the human trainees do not go beyond their training, most believing that since they are now Anla'shoc they must do things based on the Minbari culture, this human seems to be successfully merging both cultures into a singular entity with his fighting style.
I watched silently as Cole was finally knocked off his feet due to a surprise leg sweep from Durhan. I was bemused to see Durhan pull Cole to his feet in a friendly manner and the two begin talking animatedly about the spar. Master Durhan reserves his compliments only to those who greatly deserve it, which Marcus Cole presumably knew as well, because when Durhan complimented him on a particularly difficult flip he blushed crimson and ducked his head in embarrassment.
"Come, how did you learn that particular spinning kick?" Durhan asked curiously. Minbari are not as flexible as many humans, so that move wouldn't be second nature to most Minbari warriors unless otherwise taught how.
"I studied various martial arts before I entered the Anla'shoc." Marcus answered shortly, not giving many details. Durhan seemed to realize Marcus' reluctance to talk about his past for he dropped the subject.
"In that case, would you be amendable to teaching some moves to the others next week?"
"I don't think that would be proper, Master."
"Nonsense." Durhan disagreed.
"I am still a student. If anyone should teach them t should be you or one of the other Masters." Marcus insisted stubbornly.
"Very well. If that is your wish then you will teach me this human fighting style so that I may instruct the students in turn."
"I would be honored." Marcus agreed bowing slightly in reverence.
"Good. Now it is late, get some sleep, Marcus." Durhan ordered sternly. "I will still expect you on time tomorrow morning for lessons."
"I will be there." Marcus assured his teacher. "See you tomorrow, Master. Goodnight."
"Sleep well."
We both watched Marcus Cole walk out of the training room, although I was admittedly watching his hips sway in the rather tight drawstring pants, while I am sure Durhan was making sure he went to bed. I was so caught up in my perusal that I jumped in surprise when I turned back around to find that Durhan had moved in front of me while I was otherwise engaged. Cursing my own inattention to my surroundings I merely stared at Durhan as he smirked at me.
"See something of interest, do you?" He asked shrewdly.
"I do not know what you are alluding to."
"Indeed."
"Quite."
"Very well." Durhan sighed dramatically. "Did you at the very least enjoy the impromptu exhibition?"
"I did. Some of the human's moves were superb." I acknowledged reluctantly.
"Marcus Cole is quite the unique individual." Durhan commented casually. "A skilled fighter as well."
"That did not stop you from allowing him a victory over you." I reminded him arrogantly. "Perhaps you have let you feelings for this human overcome your good sense."
Instead of getting angry at my presumption like I half-expected, Master Durhan merely laughed at my comment causing me confusion. Ignoring my insulted sniff as he continued to laugh at my expense Durhan clapped me companionably on the shoulder leading me from the room. It was only after we entered the outer hall that he finally got his laughter under firm control.
"We shall see I suppose." He answered me belatedly. "However later on in life I shall remind you of this conversation and we shall see if your view of it has changed."
His eyes were twinkling merrily but there was a note of censure in his voice as well which only served to confuse me all the more as I entered my own quarters and began to undress for bed after rubbing the salve on my healing wounds tiredly.
"Hmphh. I doubt that very much." I snorted in disbelief not knowing how wrong I was.
Disclaimer: I neither own nor created the character of Marcus, Neroon, Babylon 5, etc… No infringement is intended.
Rating: PG-13 (possibly R in later chapters) for m/m situations and violence. SLASH. If this offends you read no further. Thank you kindly.
After-Thoughts
I do not know precisely how long I stood observing then covertly, but I believe Master Durhan and the human were sparring for over twenty minutes without stopping. I did not blink for fear that I would miss something. This trainee was succeeding to hold his own with a master-class pike fighter, a feat that was amazing on it's own. It was clear that Durhan was holding back somewhat, not using his full strength thereby giving the trainee a spar rather than an actual fight.
Durhan was keeping the exercise on the level pitting his skill with the Anla'shoc's. What surprised me most however were the innovative moves Cole had managed to come up with. While most of the human trainees do not go beyond their training, most believing that since they are now Anla'shoc they must do things based on the Minbari culture, this human seems to be successfully merging both cultures into a singular entity with his fighting style.
I watched silently as Cole was finally knocked off his feet due to a surprise leg sweep from Durhan. I was bemused to see Durhan pull Cole to his feet in a friendly manner and the two begin talking animatedly about the spar. Master Durhan reserves his compliments only to those who greatly deserve it, which Marcus Cole presumably knew as well, because when Durhan complimented him on a particularly difficult flip he blushed crimson and ducked his head in embarrassment.
"Come, how did you learn that particular spinning kick?" Durhan asked curiously. Minbari are not as flexible as many humans, so that move wouldn't be second nature to most Minbari warriors unless otherwise taught how.
"I studied various martial arts before I entered the Anla'shoc." Marcus answered shortly, not giving many details. Durhan seemed to realize Marcus' reluctance to talk about his past for he dropped the subject.
"In that case, would you be amendable to teaching some moves to the others next week?"
"I don't think that would be proper, Master."
"Nonsense." Durhan disagreed.
"I am still a student. If anyone should teach them t should be you or one of the other Masters." Marcus insisted stubbornly.
"Very well. If that is your wish then you will teach me this human fighting style so that I may instruct the students in turn."
"I would be honored." Marcus agreed bowing slightly in reverence.
"Good. Now it is late, get some sleep, Marcus." Durhan ordered sternly. "I will still expect you on time tomorrow morning for lessons."
"I will be there." Marcus assured his teacher. "See you tomorrow, Master. Goodnight."
"Sleep well."
We both watched Marcus Cole walk out of the training room, although I was admittedly watching his hips sway in the rather tight drawstring pants, while I am sure Durhan was making sure he went to bed. I was so caught up in my perusal that I jumped in surprise when I turned back around to find that Durhan had moved in front of me while I was otherwise engaged. Cursing my own inattention to my surroundings I merely stared at Durhan as he smirked at me.
"See something of interest, do you?" He asked shrewdly.
"I do not know what you are alluding to."
"Indeed."
"Quite."
"Very well." Durhan sighed dramatically. "Did you at the very least enjoy the impromptu exhibition?"
"I did. Some of the human's moves were superb." I acknowledged reluctantly.
"Marcus Cole is quite the unique individual." Durhan commented casually. "A skilled fighter as well."
"That did not stop you from allowing him a victory over you." I reminded him arrogantly. "Perhaps you have let you feelings for this human overcome your good sense."
Instead of getting angry at my presumption like I half-expected, Master Durhan merely laughed at my comment causing me confusion. Ignoring my insulted sniff as he continued to laugh at my expense Durhan clapped me companionably on the shoulder leading me from the room. It was only after we entered the outer hall that he finally got his laughter under firm control.
"We shall see I suppose." He answered me belatedly. "However later on in life I shall remind you of this conversation and we shall see if your view of it has changed."
His eyes were twinkling merrily but there was a note of censure in his voice as well which only served to confuse me all the more as I entered my own quarters and began to undress for bed after rubbing the salve on my healing wounds tiredly.
"Hmphh. I doubt that very much." I snorted in disbelief not knowing how wrong I was.