How to Get Back Up

Hmmm... His gaze locked on each student as they shared their piece. Nova mentioned if their opponent attacked someone at a disadvantage, or if they started the fight dishonorably, that would equate to matching their energy. Gavroche and Bellatrix were slightly distracted but came back to the lesson easily. Gav mentioned a situational awareness would validate dishonorable battle. There is a key they seem to be missing... Bellatrix mentions defending the disadvantaged as well, and Jericho brings up bullying. Considering their backgrounds and the history of their lives, their takes on the lesson make sense.

"Yes and also no." He starts, "To defend the disadvantaged, the disabled, younger, elderly and the like, is honorable in itself. The fighter dishonors themselves for attacking the disadvantaged. There's a key element to Honor you are missing. Shame and guilt. Behind the rules of honor: No maiming, name-calling, or attacking from behind, are all attached to the concept of shame. When you win, you do not rub it in your opponent's face, when you lose you accept the loss with honor by thanking them for the learning opportunity." He strode from one side to the other.

"Face bullies that mean to fight and pester with honor, showing them your honor in the face of their shame will rankle them more than giving in and sinking to their level."

He turned and faced them, "I do not believe in fighting honorably when your life and the lives depending on you are on the line. Bullies don't intend to kill. They threaten, they cajole, they pester and they bother. They want to take what they want. But until lives are threatened you must try your best to fight honorably so that they are forced to face their own shame. The minute a life is threatened you can be as backhanded and deadly with no shame attached.

To summarize: Fighting to Survive, Usually when they attack first, without warning, without honor, and without honorable intent. All rules go out the window, Maim, defend yourself, cheap shots, run, keep yourself alive, get away from them, lead them away from the pack, throw sand, anything to debilitate them and help you escape.

If your opponent is not honorable, but the fight is not for survival, then maintain your honor as much as possible. But do not fear dishonoring yourself and your pack if you are fighting to survive. Survive at all costs, and come home alive. Do not die for honor."

It probably wasn't something they wanted to hear. They wanted to be validated for matching the energy of their bullies. He was hoping to lift them to a level above their enemies, not in a superior way, though bullies typically saw it that way, no, in a way that absolves them of the guilt and shame that their parents have carried. Giving them a different path to looking out for one another, honoring themselves, and turning the conversation of how to deal with bullies on its head.

"Eltrys"