007 [Action/Video]

[swordprincess]

[Since Karla had gotten her Wo Dao back from being duplicated, she's kept the spare sword she had picked up during the procedure. It hasn't seen much use, as Karla had only kept it at her side in case she did lose her primary sword. But recently she's decided, if she's going to carry a second sword, she might as well try to incorporate the use of it into her own style.]

[So she'll be training at the barracks, twirling and swinging her Wo Dao in the air as if in a choreographed dance. Occasionally, in mid-attack, she'll pause and draw her second katana and swing it in a different angle. She straightens herself and sheaths the katana before returning to her Wo Dao practice.]


[Video]

One thing I've come to learn about Luceti is that people live very different lifestyles here. They have different cultures and different customs, and it's interesting to learn about them all.

[The droppings and the golden ass incident spring to mind, but. Well. She'll pursue more knowledge about those things on her own. Someone needs to teach this girl about mischief.]

It particularly pleases me that women can do so much...more. Where I grew up, women were not allowed to even touch a weapon. Women were only told to do what men say. They were bound to typical housework, cooking, cleaning, and the like. But I know women are capable of more than that.

But here, there's a group of warriors that are strictly women. The..."Kyoshi Warriors", I believe they were called? Personally, I have found a greater challenging in sparring with another woman. They use speed as their primary weapon. Speed is far more difficult to overcome than brute strength. What women lack in brute strength, they make up for with their speed.

I don't particularly enjoy battle myself, but I'm just glad to see that women are more than just housewives for men here.

Comments

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

I must admit that I have not investigated much about the way men and women are treated in different worlds. Humans are humans to me after all... it is themselves who place value on their gender and roles.

I do know that the Agkelons do not allow women to become knights. Perhaps it is to safeguard them from the dragons. Perhaps it is simply tradition...

[Voice]

[swordprincess]

Yes...and people seem to have different values in each world.

[The last part makes her frown a bit.]

I suppose I can sort of see why. Where I come from, the knights wear heavy armor. It would take a lot of strength just to move in it.

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

Yes, what you say is true. However, you also mention that women have other skills that could be useful alongside the men. Surely it is not impossible to adapt their armour, to allow them protection and movement.

Then again, there are people in Aether who do not have a problem with women becoming warriors. Their ways are more savage... they do not rely on protection, but brute strength, whether male or female. The Agkelons would call them a primitive people but... this is how they have lived and survived for many years now.

[Voice]

[swordprincess]

Hmm, I suppose they could provide lighter armor for women.

Savage? That doesn't sound very...nice. But then again...battle is always savage.

[voice]

[wipesfaith]

Whoever said women can't fight is a dumbass.

One of the strongest soldiers I know from back home is a girl. You'd have to be crazy to tell her she couldn't fight...and she'd probably kick your ass if you did.

[voice]

[swordprincess]

[She gives a light giggle.]

I've done that many times myself. Challengers would underestimate me for being a woman, only to fall to my first stroke.

[Once again, Bartre comes to mind.]

[voice]

[wipesfaith]

Sounds like they got what they deserved.

If you think about it though, the people who think that way are cutting their military's power in half. By telling women they shouldn't even try to pick up a weapon and fight...think of how many soldiers that takes away. Just seems stupid to me.

[voice]

[swordprincess]

Hmm...

[She mulls it over for a moment. As far as soldiers are concerned, she can see the other side of the argument as well.]

I can't think of many women who'd want to become soldiers, though. Mothers are needed to bear their children.

[materiathief]

My friend Tifa would argue about the brute strength part...and me too a little.

[swordprincess]

What about the brute strength?

[materiathief]

Tifa can punch a person hard enough that they go through a wall, and I can throw about a forty poud shuriken through a few trees.

[swordprincess]

Oh, I'm well aware of women's strength.

[She packs a mean swing herself.]

But still, more often then not, you rely on speed more, do you not?

video;

[neversurrender]

I know exactly what you mean. I know of a time in my world when it was like you described. Things have changed now, for the better. But that doesn't stop men from underestimating women.

What you said about their speed is true though. Any man who doesn't think women should fight needs to go toe-toe with my friend Natasha. She'd keep them on their toes.

video;

[swordprincess]

Natasha...

[Sounds like another woman with a reputation for strength. First Tifa, and now Natasha. Deep down, Karla can't help but wonder how strong they are, and how her own skill would fare against theirs.]

Well, I certainly can't blame the men for underestimating women. Men are naturally stronger, after all, but women have their own skills as well.

video;

[neversurrender]

They might be stronger, but strength isn't everything. And despite what people believe, it won't always win in a fight.

video;

[swordprincess]

Indeed. What good is strength if you can't hit your opponent?

Video;

[maipokerface]

The Kyoshi Warriors are pretty good. I'd let them protect me over anyone else anyhow.

[And this is what stands for Mai's personal recommendation, even if it doesn't sound much like one.]

The rest of that's the same back home, at least if you're born into any kind of money.

Video;

[swordprincess]

Protecting someone is a worthy goal. I'm trying to protect one of my friends, too.

[But she's failed miserably so far.]

Well, we weren't exactly "born into money." We didn't have much. The men hunted and farmed for food, so I suppose we got by.

Video;

[maipokerface]

Women helped in that where I'm from... or I think anyhow. I wouldn't know honestly.

[There's a lot she doesn't know and while it had never particularly bothered her, a year past the war watching Zuko's struggles has made her... curious. Not precisely eager but...]

It's nice to have someone to protect, I suppose. Even if it's just yourself in the end.

voice;

[ex_tessen852]

I'm glad that the Kyoshi Warriors were able to help you like this. Though it's still troublesome knowing that there are places out there that don't allow women to fight.

voice;

[swordprincess]

Ah, Suki...it is troublesome.

I'm still unsure about joining the Kyoshi Warriors, though. I'm glad for your cause, but I'd rather follow my own style.

voice;

[ex_tessen852]

I understand. Though I wouldn't mind having other people teach their styles to the Kyoshi Warriors and myself.

video;

[believeit]

I dunno who those warriors are, but loads of girls end up being ninja.

Some girls I know? If you told 'em to just stay at home, they'd probably kill you. [Not even joking. Scary strength everywhere.]

video;

[swordprincess]

...Ninja? What is that?

[She blinks at that, as well as the other part.]

Why would they do that? That just sounds petty.

video;

[believeit]

It's.. ninja? Like me? Shinobi? We protect our village! And fight.. do missions.. that sorta thing y'know?

And I'm just sayin' they probably would, if you tried to tell 'em that girls should just stay at home and not fight.