#earthrunes

As Leonora is pushed near the edge of the ring, the click clack mixes with their breathing, chests heaving to catch air between each parry and thrust, and Leonora tries to trip her baroness up by , litterally using some foot work to try to trip.,

That does surprise Coradel, and she stumbles, down to a knee, sword lifted to defend.

Leonora brings the blade down trying to finish her off

in practice that is

Coradel catches the hilt with her sword, yanks backwards, and pulls Leonora down atop her, both swords above their heads. While the other Fiona is still surprised, she flips them over, pressing her wooden sword against the blonde's neck as she straddles her.

Breathing hard, helpless, her chest rising up and down, Leonora's lips part, and she whets them slightly seeing no way out, "So... you give up?" a wicked smile

Almost nose to nose, her red hair pulling loose from its braid in tendrils that frame Leonora's face, she breaks into a wide smile. "Oh...absolutely." And laughs as she relents, moving to stand and help her housesister up.

August breaks into applause.

Indeed, for a moment they were close enough to, she gets lifted up and says "So gallant. Now, seriously, how did you hook my blade so easily? Do I have a tell?"

He is smiling widely.

She turns at the clapping. "Oh! August! You're early!" A smile. Then to Leonora, "No, just about the timing...and I got lucky." A wink.

"Ha. I believe half of that," A wink back, then to August, "Hello, August. Hope you don't mind me borrowing Coradel? She's got a lot to teach."

"Of course not!" He shifts the bag on his shoulder. "It's always good to practice with different partners. It's how -I- learned."

An amused look at August's comment. "Yes...different styles, different techniques...always a learning opportunity! But wasn't she doing well?" A smile to Leo, then she goes to greet August with a kiss...he can see the delicate perspiration on her brow.

Leonora bows at that, "Not bad for an archer. If folks would just fight from several feet away I wouldn't need a sword."

"And in good light, with plenty of warning before their arrival?" Coradel teases.

August returns her greeting.... warmly.

"That would only be polite"

Another kiss for August...will interest. Then she pulls a bit away. "Can you give me a few minutes, August? We've been working out for a while...Leonora and I should really go shower before we're fit company." A glance and a grin to the other woman.

"Definitely," She looks down at herself, "All sweaty myself. Pardon, 'I glow'"

"Oh, of course! I can come with you!"

"I mean, I'll, ah, I'll come along and put my bag and stuff away." With a flickering glance to Leonora.

((Perception+Alertness, and just to make it interesting - your choice: Diff 7 OR 2 sux))

A bemused double-take. "Well...yes. Yes you could...." She smiles, pulling along as she goes back to Leonora.

He follows right behind.

The left behind looks nice too

"I think the victor of that battle deserves a reward from the Knight of Charm and Grace, don't you?" She uses August's Pennons title, as she smiles from him to Leonora.

"Sounds like a lovely idea" Leonora shoots a sparkling gaze at the Liam

Leonora whispers something to Coradel

He nods. "If you wish it, certainly."

Coradel smiles at the whisper, then gives August a warm look. "I do wish it."

August is brimming with a sense of impatience, although he schools himself to be polite.

Leonora smiles, "I certainly find it an excellent idea"

A soft murmur to August. "A kiss seems a fitting prize, my love, to such a willing combatant."

She looks almost demure but also interest is in her eyes

August moves to kiss... Coradel.

She presses a finger to his lips to forestall the kiss. "But I was not the victor. She declared it, didn't you hear?" Then she turns his chin so he faced Leonora.

Leonora actually PINKS a bit

His mouth drops open. "But... oh. Ah."

"Ah," she agrees with a smile.

He clears his throat. "Do, ah, sh... should I....?" Stuttering at Leonora.

"If I won it, I think I'll have a bit of my prize, if I am being given a gift, then it's rude to refuse" She tilts her face (and lips) slightly

August tentatively bends towards Leonora and places his lips against hers.

*PAUSE*

She..responds, somehow catching his lower lip between her own, a soft delicate pull if the pressing stops a bit too soon, a hint of something more anytime he wants it.

Coradel's smile has a bit of carefully controlled victory dance behind it.

When the kiss breaks, she says "I see how you won that title"

His hands mirror her movement, coming to hold her in an oddly familiar, natural position; as if he's about to lead. He does not advance the kiss, nor does he retreat, until by mutual agreement they part. His eyes open, soft and dark as clouds in a night sky; he looks on her with a touch of wonder, momentarily speechless.

From behind August, Coradel murmurs, "Well done," and kisses his shoulder, peering past to look at Leonora. "Do you feel suitably rewarded, housesister?"

A smile when they do part "OH yes, most suitably"