#earthrunes

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After work and before dinner, August makes time to work on his martial skills. He can do kata and basic drills alone, but Claire has been working to teach him more directly. His .... unusual style, learned from the training he received at the Hollows, takes a bit of reverse engineering and conscious thought to train himself back out of. Still, he is nothing but determined and dedicated.

Claire has helped him unlearn, but not strip it all away, it might be of an advantage to have a few of those quirks as long as they work for him more than against

He nods understanding of the last set of instructions, and goes en-guard again.

"Now, let's see how your wrist is doing... not too flexible, not too stiff.. note- I'm talking wrist, not grip"

He nods. "Light grip, flexible limbs. For fencing."

"Good." And they move, she tests him pragmatically

and does not mock, but nor does she coddle

August is utterly serious, focused.

"You've been practicing... good... " she moves with him to..fro.. like a tide going in and out

He does not bother to respond, waiting for an opening, or something he can make -into- an opening....

And he realizes, almost too late... she's drawing him into a tempo, one of HER choosing.

August backs off, swinging the blade to loosen up and break the pattern, then goes en guard.

And throws her off, "Excellent!" She admits as he parries her next attempt smoothly

August tries going on the attack, pressing forward.

And it works well

His goal is to score; either touches, or disarm, or another telling move.

And a touch is made by him...

and she is on him in a weaving helix that throws him off touching him back

"The fight's not over because you hit once, at least not in a real battle... but that's really good"

He parries quickly, backing up and ceding ground as needed until he can stabilize the situation, but he justly acknowledges the touche.

SHe is still his better, but this is the best he's done against her period.

And finally she calls halt to the training "Okay. You've done really well. You're FAR more aware of your surroundings and the pacing of the fight both for and more importantly when it's against you"

He nods, and grabs a towel to dry his face with after putting up his blade. "I was always too busy watching the other guy, since we were paired off for bouts."

"And that's a good survival trait to hold onto when it's group fights" She agrees "When you're outnumbered. But yes, one on one you need to learn how to narrow your view in a sense." She washes her own face, "So... is any particular type of blade feeling better for you?"

"I want to work with a sword like Celeripedian." He indicates his golden sword. (Spelling on name?)

OOC: Sounds good enough for govt work 🙂

BIC: "We'll focus on that a little. Always good to know what you're best at in case you get to pick what weapons are used in a duel"

"True." He agrees.

A pause "Are you okay? I mean, outside of fighting?"

"The Hollow focused on the sword as a noble's weapon. Sometimes I was assigned something different, but...."

"Not what I asked." She says

"Oh. Yes, thank you." A pause. "I hope you are well?"

"I am.. but I'm a bit worried about Lenora. SHe's.. a friend and acting odd... and you seem subdued. Did you two have a fight?"

August turns away to dry his face again, wiping away the last of the glow. "No. Not really."

"Okay .. well, that guess was wrong. My apology for intruding then."

"No apology needed." Politely. "I hope Dame Leonora is well."

"She seems a bit off her feed to be honest.. she's picking at her food" A frown

He sighs, his head dipping slightly.

"maybe you can get her talking about , she wont' to me" A sigh "Fiona."

"Maybe." quietly.

A tilt to her head but she is not Eiluned. She doesn't have to know what's going on. "Well, see you tomorrow?"

He nods, becoming cheerful. "Ok! Thanks."

She looks at him curiously, then nods "Welcome.." And moves off. The liam has gone bipolar, that's coradel's concern.

The smile fades once she's gone, and he sighs again.

1122 leaps onto August's shoulder and begins to tap in morse code. But does August speak it?

"112.... ok, ok, slow down. Is Zara ok? Does she need me, need help? Slowly so I can understand."

The Boy Scout, of course, is familiar with morse but it's been a while since he practiced.

It takes August a bit, but soon it becomes clear that August is getting advice on love and ladies!

1122, being the swashbuckling arachnid that he is, has wood many ladies, a lover in every web they say... but it can work if you show consideration and attention.

"Oh jeeze, 1122....." sheepishly blushing ".... really, it's not like that, ok?"