goatgodschild | Week 4, Entry 3

"'You haven't seen him work with a knife,' Jaks said. 'He only knows one way to handle the traditional Thebin blade; I suspect he was lethal even at seven. And I'm not sure he hasn't killed before, though he certainly hasn't since he came to Pearl Island.'
[...]
[Jaks] clenched the fingers of his left hand over the wound in his right arm. 'Den's been working with him,' he said, 'But he came to us with that and other equally deadly moves for close work in his bag of tricks. As far as I can tell, with a knife he knows only how to kill'"
-- The Prince of Shadow by Curt Benjamin

We did paired drills for the first time in class today. I was very worried about it, because I know I'm jumpy, I know I have trouble identifying legitimate threats. It was difficult to relax, and I know I was shaking like a leaf the entire time. Even more, it was hard to unclench my hands from fists, or keeping to the simple exercises we were given. Luckily, I was paired with a very good partner, who was able to be patient and careful with me. He seemed to be having a good time, and I hope he did.

I do not like these responses I have. I am looking forwards to them being trained out of me.