Just so you guys know, xyloid means wood or woodlike. You're welcome :P. It took us awhile to find the meaning of this word, much less what to do with it...

Drabble 20: Xyloid

Xyloid, balance, glue

"Li...Like this?" Shauntal asked meekly as she stepped forward and tossed her fist in front of her.

"Almost," Marshal smiled, trying to be as helpful as possible. "Try to bend your front leg further when you step and keep your back leg straight so they make a triangle with the ground." He demonstrated, thrusting himself powerfully into a low, stable stance and twisting his hips as he fired an arrow-straight punch. "That's where all the power comes from. And make sure your fist travels in a straight line, or else all the power will get lost in your arm."

"Oh, Um... Okay…" She replied. Marshal was still holding the deep stance and keeping his elbow locked in punch position to show what hers should look like. Shauntal cast a curious eye on his callused, xyloid knuckles and touched them tenderly. "How'd your hands get so hard and tight?"

"From punching hard things," Marshal explained, grinning proudly. "Walls and stones and a Makiwara. That's a tree with a rope wrapped around it. I wouldn't recommend that for you though, unless you wanna ruin your good writing hands."

"Yeah, ow," Shauntal said with a humorous smile.

"Try again," Marshal said, suspecting she was trying to stall.

Shauntal did as she was told and bent her stepping leg as Marshal had instructed, but her balance was so poor that she stepped down on the side of her foot. She slipped, squealing with fear as she grabbed Marshal's Jacket and stuck to him like glue.

"I've got you," Marshal assured, wrapping his arms around her. This is the most basic punch there is, he thought worriedly. I can't make it any easier.

Shauntal had asked him to teach her some basic techniques, so she could get a feel for them and write fighting scenes more accurately. However, it seemed she had no aptitude for physical skills at all. Marshal was starting to realize why she wouldn't enter that couples dance contest with him, or that figure skating class, and why she always squeaked when he picked her up and put her down.

"Maybe this was a bad idea," Shauntal admitted.

"Maybe," Marshal never could lie to her. "Do you really want to learn?"

"Not really," Shauntal admitted further. "I really do want to know how fighting feels... I just... don't really... like it... at all."

Marshal chuckled. "I figured. I could tell just by looking at you." He lifted her up on her feet and kissed her. "Come here. I'll teach you something I know you'll enjoy." She giggled as he kissed her again.

"And that's my queue to leave," Alder said pointedly from far away. He had been curious how this little training session would turn out. Now he abruptly turned, walked away and didn't look back.

IIIIII

Meh, probably not the best use of the prompt word, but we weren't sure what else to do with it XD. I hope you liked the drabble anyway.