The Way of the Sword - Part Two

Posted on Sun Mar 15th, 2020 @ 10:10am by Commander Shireen Stark-Yamaguchi & Master Chief Petty Officer Doran, Son of K'Taal & Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheleya Dvald

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Gym - Starbase Vanguard (47)
Timeline: 1800Hrs - May 25th, 2393

In the messhall, Dvald was looking for her quarry who she knew would be here eating dinner, she smiled as she peered at Doran but her smile quickly faded as she approached the nurse who looked at the small Bolian female calmly. "Do you have something you wish to ask me, Petty Officer?"

It was a loaded question and they both knew it was so. Dvald nodded her head, yes. "I want to learn to master the sword and myself. Would you please teach me?"

Doran knew this had been coming, as he stood. "Come with me." and with that, the two departed in silence without notice or a glance.

Doran led Dvald into his quarters. Against one of the walls was a wall stand containing four swords. two katanas and two bokkens.

Doran turned and addressed him. "My ancestors were Yan-Isleth. Part of the what you would know as the brotherhood of the sword. I found a culture I could embrace, the earth group called the Samurai, now had I been born several centuries ago on Earth, I would have become one. I'm not one myself; the Samurai was a military/noble caste that one was born into and that caste was disbanded in the late 19th century." Doran paused a moment to allow Cheleya to process that detail. "But ever since then, many have studied their teachings and followed their ways," Doran explained to the smaller female before him while his eyes went to the swords. "And for one who respects the Samurai, the first step is the sword. Swordsmanship is the art of the sword. Some believe it be the paramount martial art, surpassing all others." he sighed softly.

"There are many different styles and schools of Japanese swordsmanship. These include Kendo, 'The Way of the Sword,' Kenjutsu, the 'Art of the Sword', Bottojutsu, the Art of Drawing a Sword, Iaijutsu, the 'Art of Mental Presence and Immediate Reaction', and Iado, the 'Way of Mental Presence and Immediate Reaction." Doran paused. "I practice elements of Kenjutsu and Bottojutsu, which I shall teach you."

He moved over to the stand and took down the katana on the top rung. "This is Kōtō ryū, 'Soaring Dragon'. It a gift from my sensai who was the last of his line and of his clan. I keep it to honor him."

Doran replaced the katana and removed the second. "This is Tengoku no pasu, 'Heaven's Path'. I had it custom made for me years ago when I had completed the first ten years of my training." His eyes met Cheleya's. "Perhaps someday you will have one made for yourself as well."

The katana was replaced and the first bokken removed. "This is Renshu burēdo, 'Practice Blade.' You have seen me use it when I train." Doran clarified so she would understand.

After the first was replaced, the final bokken was removed "This is Gakusei burēdo, 'Student blade.' I used it during my training and I kept it afterward for the day that it would be needed again. For the day that I would have a student of my own."

Doran silently handed the bokken to Dvald "That day has arrived. This will be yours for the duration of your training." He explained. "Meet me in the gym tomorrow at 1800 and we will begin." his instructions were clear, as was his intentions.

As Dvald silently accepted the bokken, she realized what she was now dealing with. Someone who could give her what she sought, a path to follow and a way of life she could embrace and why several of the people she had known, thanks to her aunt, had taken the teachings of the martial sciences to heart. "Yes, Sensei," Dvald said softly

"Good. You must also learn wisdom in addition to strength." Doran regarded her. "However first, an explanation and some background about me. I am a Klingon but I was born on a transport ship and my mother, such as she was... had abandoned me on Earth, I was raised by a group of Monks in a monastery in the Tibetan highlands. My first memories were of a training dojo and the highland winds. I learned to respect the wind and make him my ally and friend." Doran sighed. "I, however, much later in life decided to seek out the Klingon Empire and join. My training was limited but I should have joined Starfleet. I would have done better." Doran chuckled softly.

Just then there was a knock at the door. "Toodle deep."

"It's open!" Doran called, the door opened and in walked a human female who was much shorter than the average. "Doran. Hey-Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were busy." Commander Shireen Yamaguchi-Stark explained herself quickly.

"Its fine," Doran explained. "Cheleya was just beginning her studies in becoming my newest student in the martial sciences."

"Mmm. I wish you luck Cheleya, I tried and it didn't go well. I still have far too much pent-up anger to appreciate it." Yamaguchi-Stark said to the Bolian female, a gentle smile on her lips.

"You needed to give yourself more time to process your new environment and time. You've been through several major life-changing events, almost all at the same time." Doran explained. "A hundred and fifty years of history happened without you and your family moved on without you," he added.

"I know." Shireen Stark-Yamaguchi explained. "I'm processing it but it's not been easy." she sighed.

"I should get going. I have some things I need to take care of. Until tomorrow sensai." Dvald and Doran bowed to each other before the small Bolian departed without further comment.

Stark-Yamaguchi watched her in silence until the door closed behind her. "I wish you luck with that one, word on the street says she's nuts."

"We shall see soon enough. I, however, anticipate that I can teach her easily." Doran explained. "You know I never put stock into rumors Shireen. I don't plan to start now." the massive Klingon went over to his girlfriend before she kissed him on the lips, he returned her kiss with one of his own before she began peeling off her clothing. "Good..." she answered.

"I can help with your frustrations in other ways..." Doran commented with a gentle smile, as he likewise began shedding his own clothing.