It was many years since the Saurians had first learned Tai-Chi from their human friend. From there it had begun to spread through other ships, then to stations and colonies of their people. But once it hit their homeworld, its popularity spread like wildfire. Soon it became a required part of the physical education of their young, and a part of their cultural identity. Needless to say, the humans liked the change.
@internutter/challenge-02840-g283-for-great-fit -- Fighting Fit
Of all the Human combat styles with alternative uses, Tai Chi is the most surprisingly versatile. Students of various species need a sensei who understands that not all bodies can move the same way, but it is still adaptive to need.
It's also amazingly fortifying for Havenworlders to realise that they can defend themselves against a far more fortified enemy. It was also entertaining for Deathworlders to watch with optional snacks on the side.
It's also something Humans enjoy encountering by surprise, for reasons known only to Humans. They're not often the antagonist in these cases, since the Humans favoured in Alliance space are also the Humans who get along with Havenworlders.
Human Sor had been halfway out of her seat to defend the little saurian when they threw the pirate over themselves and into a domino tower display of the latest comms unit upgrade for intrastellar vehicles. The cascade was something to appreciate, but Sor was focussed on the Havenworlder saurian, who had skipped backwards away from the ensuing chaos and holding a patient defensive posture. The only verbal reaction she had time for was "HOI!" Halfway between a warning to halt the former aggressor and cheer for the actual victor.
By the time she was all the way out of her chair, the entire pile of comms units had almost buried the pirate and Security was advancing. Sor couldn't help with the fight, over before her personal awareness of it began, but she could help with the cleanup.
She moved out into the concourse, checking her suitcams for footage. The sound wasn't that great a quality, but there was backup of the entire incident. All the better to get the truth established as soon as possible. "I got it all on cams," Sor announced. "It's the cogniscent under the wreckage who was first aggressor."
The Havenworlder saurian relaxed into a more amenable posture. "I am registered as a student of the Human Kin school of Tai Chi," they said. "They will need all available footage to prove self defence, thank you."
"Human Kin... I think I read about them on the infonets. Haven Dojo. Good work, from what I can see."
"Cease your pack-bonding, Human," said a security goon. "Just tell us what you saw, then surrender your footage."
Tough crowd. Still, while the paperwork was in process, Human Sor risked a whispered conversation with the Havenworlder Thrrp. "Can you toss anyone around like that?"
"Most of the time, yes."
"Can you toss me around like that? Please?"
This was a typical reaction amongst Human witnesses.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / arkela]
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