>"Say, hypothetically, a mob of angry weaklings were to attack you all at once, are there any good tactics, stances, or moves you could teach us to counter such a threat? Hypothetically of course."
>Discuss Melee Versus Spell Card Tactics: Abridged Version.
> Meiling looks at you thoughtfully.
> "I would worry about what you're insinuating with that remark..."
> Her expression brightens.
> "But if it's just hypothetical, then it's all right! First you've got to evaluate your enemies. Can they at all harm you, even slightly, no matter how weak they are? If so, then run like the mistress herself is after you and come back with friends, otherwise you'd be taken down just by attrition. Also see if you can judge a leader amongst them - usually these groups are riled up by one or two individuals, so taking them out breaks morale and induces doubt into the whole group."
> Meiling cocks her head.
> "There's a move that clears you some space and allows for a quick getaway, but it's more an intimidation tactic than anything else. At its core is a good kiai - the better your shout, the more enemies you can clear. If you strike a good, strong stance afterwards, the intimidation effect will linger, and the leaders of the mob will have to rile them up again before they can mount a good attack."
> "As for Spell Cards... Many are made for long- and medium-range combat, so moving in close already inconveniences a lot of them. From that point on it's a matter of you wearing down the Spell Card user before they can re-establish distance and retarget. There are a precious few, extremely rare, moves that can combat the Spell Card directly but..."
> Her expression becomes serious.
> "I would not teach you them, even if I did know them. I wouldn't want you to overestimate your abilities and dive head-first into a Spell Card you've never seen before. My advice - if you're up against a Spell Card, just run. You, my friend, I doubt will be ever strong enough to fight it."
> She lightens up suddenly and pats you on the head.
> "Don't know why I went on like that, your strength is fine as it is. Just leave the Spell Cards to the violent weirdoes, hmm? I wouldn't want to bring a nice girl like you into that unsavoury business."
>"As well, I think I could do with some lessons on vulnerable points. It is nice to know how to strike, but even better if I know what is best to target, and what needs to be defended."
> "Ah, that I can teach you. Protect all your squishy bits, your head and your chest."
> She gently pokes you in the abdomen, forehead and chest as she says so.
> "A course in pressure points would take far too long, I mean, look at all that!"
> She gestures to a large scroll that you hadn't noticed before - it has a precisely-drawn diagram of a human's anatomy, with detailed illustrations of hundreds of different pressure points all across the body, with descriptions of their effects.
> "But lots of them are where I just told you, so keep those defended, and you'll do fine."
