[[[[[[MONROE'S NOTES: This is Monroe sparring with Liu-Shen.  He botched
at the very end of the fight.]]]]]]

Monroe isn't very skillful, as he said. But he's very /talented/, and his
natural grace combines with an uncanny notion of just where Liu is going
to strike next to make him very surprisingly good, and he manages to hold
his own - just barely. His body stands mostly erect, though his long arms
give him a lot of reach and a lot of leverage. A few times, his knowledge
of what's going to happen next seems momentarily to surpass the merely
very good and enter the realm of the Aware, but they're only ver faint
flickers.

The meeting of katana and foil is odd indeed, but it seems done with grace
between this matched pair. Liu-Shen moves differently than yourself; her
use of the word "Dancing" was purposeful, but it does not see not seem to
distract from her swordsmanship, all her movements seems to have purpose.
The sparring continues, parries given. At a moment of pause, she speaks
without loss of breath, "Adept, Monroe. I commend you," Before preparing
for another move, though you notice the hair on the back of your neck
standing on end as if the air were become excited.

Monroe grins a little. "Ah, the true lesson." he says easily. "Next time
I'll know to bring my other mechanisms." He apparently has no means of
detecting or countering whatever it is Liu is trying to do.


As Liu begins to spar again, her movements alter and small, spidery
threads of blue electricity dance momentarily over her arms and down the
sword.


Monroe is shocked by the first zap. "Aha! The Voltaic fluid." he says
easily, trying desperately to fend off the flurry of blows that follows,
shaking the numbness out of his arm as he moves left, then right, the
sweat beading on his brow. But since his defensive tactics also involve
just not being where Liu is about to strike, the concentration she expends
to expel the energy distracts her and he is able to press his advantage,
much to his apparent surprise.

Monroe is still mostly on the defensive, though.

Liu-Shen gives no indication of being haughty about what she has done when
the first bolt hits you. It seems for her, this is merely swordplay. The
blue continues to move down the sword like liquid light at each touch, and
her attention is placed upon this ... and this is the moment where, she
slowly becomes not so fully monopolizing the offensive. Offensive openings
for her opponent begins to reveal themselves. She smiles.

Monroe ducks left, tilts his head right, arcs his balancing arm upwards
and taps Liu once on the chest, immediately standing upright and raising
the sabre, again, formally. He's breathing very hard. "I believe the first
point is mine."

After the point is taken, Liu stands back, "Agreed," as she bows her head,
"Finding the weakness in the opponent's strength; all arches have their
capstone." She moves into another pose, in preparation to begin again, and
as she does so she releases her grip on the katana and it ... remains
poised in the air as her hands move to their own striking poses, "Now ...
find the pebble which will topple the hill." The electricity fades at this
point.

Monroe blinks. "I'm afraid this isn't a religious exercise for me." he
says politely, then does his best anyway.


Religious exercise or no, the Akashic is apparently testing you on more
than just swordplay. After the initial moment of non-movement, the action
begins: The katana moves of its own graceful accord, parrying with your
foil; Liu's silver eyebrow are furrowed in concentration as she becomes
her own weapon, attempting to find the openings in your defense in which
to strike with her hands ... As the katana attempts a downward thrust,
which you prevent any of your blood being spilled with a parry, Liu in a
tranquil and dancelike move spins with her left foot to your abdomen.

Monroe spins backwards, his long frame crumpling up as the breath is
driven from him, drops his sword, smacks up against the wall, knocking
over a rack of weapons and lays there with his head on the floor, his arms
and legs sprawled out broadly across the floor. "Ugh." he says politely,
and coughs rackingly.

Both swords move through the air to either of Liu's hands as she walks
over to you, and in that eternally maternal voice, "I believe the hill
fell on you." She sets both swords in one hand and goes to one knee,
putting her hand on your shoulder.

Monroe shakes his head slightly. "Um, no, I think you kicked me." he
points out.

"Chung Tsai, bring us tea..." she calls softly towards the door. You don't
hear a response but trust there is someone listening. She bows her head to
her formally and then puts her hand under your arm to help you up,
"Perception is an illusive thing, Monroe. I kicked you because I wish for
you to carry a message and apoint to Willow.... A Chantry needs the utmost
defense, the one in Beijing I was a member of was destroyed because we
defended against a hill that turned out to be a mountain. A parry of
swords ... or minds ... or mechanisms can soon turn into.." She smiles, "A
kick in the gut."

Monroe scratches his head slightly and sits up, brushing his hair back. "I
don't mean to seem obtuse but, I saw no transformation." he says easily.
"It was just your foot, used with a skill I lack."

Liu-Shen laughs softly, "If you say so, Monroe ... though I don't believe
you to be obtuse." After a moment the door opens and Chung Tsai steps in
and places a tray with two tea cups down before departing again.

Monroe rises and unbuttons his collar gratefully, taking the teacup. "I
have never claimed to be the wisest man in all of Creation." he admits.
"My mechanisms would only provide a modicum of protection in any case."
Monroe is, in case you hadn't been told, the only surviving humble SoE in
all captivity.

Liu-Shen takes her own cup as soon as she sets both swords down beside
each other, "I am sure they serve their purpose, my friend. Though any
member of a Chantry should able to offer some service in its defense. Your
sword is not poor." She takes a sip, "Have you made practice at combining
your art with your sword?" She arches an eyebrow.

Monroe shakes his head slightly. "No, not really. Cump...er....Lieutenant
Sherman made me learn to use it - I was surprised to find this blade in
the emergency supplies left behind for Timekeepers." He pauses. "I suppose
it would be as with any other mechanism - simpler, than most, really, just
a simple lever action of the arm and the wrist, easily accessible to
weights, balances, pulleys or pendulums."

Shaking her head slightly, "It is certainly a different way of thinking of
it than the Akashic, but I see what you mean. I would be pleased to train
your sword work if you wish, though teaching you to combine your art with
it would be difficult i think." She smiles, then takes another sip of tea.

Monroe chuckles a little, then snaps his fingers slightly. "I *did*
construct a very simple fencing partner - it only knew a few brief
exercises, but it had the basic motions. I might re-examine the project
with the knowledge I recently gained. Though its' practical use may not be
any greater than those incomprehensible stationary bicycles or devices
designed to make it feel like one is walking up stairs."

Liu-Shen laughs, "Now you have loss me, Monroe, but that is no surprise. I
am not one who bends towards technology or such things. Why make it seem
you are walking up mundane stairs when you may fly instead."

Monroe laughs. "I quite agree! Are there not enough stairs in the world
that people might *actually* climb?" he says, shaking his head.

Liu-Shen sips again at her tea, stifling another laugh.

Monroe says very seriously to her, "Please do not think my comments are
disrespectful. I am not a very religious person, and so the riddles of
your sect do not seem to have very much relevance to me. I am trying to
understand with my limited faculties, and I appreciate your kind
patience."

Liu-Shen shakes her head, "It is alright Monroe ... it is perhaps your
perception that we use riddles which is what troubles you. We speak
plainly and to the point. There is more truth in a metaphor than in merely
stating that I kicked you in the gut ... the metaphor may hold a point to
it which is in turn a lesson. Simplicity is the key."


Monroe grins. "Simplicity is important to me as well, though I do not
think metaphors simplify. They may give new insight into an article, or
they may compare two ideas, but they may also obscure the situation,
especially for those whose education or experience may not be great." he
says easily. "Unadorned fact is simplest of all, though often misleading."

Liu-Shen's mouth quirks in a smile, "You are a most perceptive man,
Monroe. And charming ... perhaps if I'd known you in my youth we might
have enjoyed each other's company and I could show you another art form I
was taught.." She blushes, then laughs at herself, "Oh ... an old woman
shouldn't think too much on that." She sets down her tea cup and then
turns to the swords and picks yours up. Offering it to you almost
formally, "Perhaps we may have another lesson again ... another time."

Monroe nods slightly. "I look forward to it." he says, and picks up the
watch, like he can see it in its face.

Liu-Shen puts her hands together and bows, "Good evening, Monroe ...
and... pass my message along to Willow for me." The door opens, the monk
is outside, "Chung Tsai shall see you out."

Monroe nods and picks up his stuff, and goes.