#earthrunes

August managed to avoid playing Life by the skin of his teeth. Instead, he got roped into something else.

Fencing Lessons with Sir Bachdion, "We've done this before, August. From what i understand while your legal acumen spared a victim of manipulation, you were feeling a bit over matched in the manly art of melee? Can't embarrass ourselves in front of the Canadian gentry now can we?"

"Some might have said there were extenuating circumstances, Sir, but I take your meaning. Combat has never been my prefered method of conflict resolution, nor my strongest suit. Hard work and practice never hurts." August is dressed for physical activity and resolute.

"Indeed, and it keeps the stamina up" He nods "Don't worry, August, many of the greatest philosphers , academics and so on knew how to defend themselves. "

He nods gravely. He knows that.

"Of course, Now, position, en guarde"

He dutifully takes the position.

Bachdion makes him hold it for a moment, making suggestions on stance, wrist position, and feet position "Isometrics are fun aren't they?" A smile

He nods soberly.

Then Bachdion says "And... begin." the fencing is meant to teach, so it starts at August's level, then picks up a bit to show him the moves he can learn. Sir Bachdion enjoys teaching , and August is always eager to learn

It's not August's first time, of course; he's taken lessons and training and has practiced combat religiously (you should pardon the term) if not passionately, as well as more pedestrian forms of physical fitness.

Indeed, but Bachdion seems to be... well, testing the basics and moving up from there. So August ups the level, and Bachdion nods and moves from there, "Good. Okay, you sometimes hestitate before a strike I notice... you're a peace loving man, no shame, but when Peace is destroyed, the only way out sometimes is through. A bit more assertiveness"

And August IS more assertive, he presses his attacks and minds his defenses.

"excellent, don't be afraid to channel your passions, though always control them. You're a sidhe, and like every kith, you have your own edges, no shame in capitlizing on them" Bachdion is forced to block a bit faster as August grows more assertive

August's defenses are tested, and he's got them position well, Bachdion approves "You're quicker on the parry too"

August doesn't waste his breath; he never does in combat. He presses his attacks -unless- Bachdion gives a clear signal that the bout is over.

(Or held)

The bout goes on, and August does well but then is lead into a feint and.. gets tagged, a light touch, "Okay, did you see the signs of the feint? "

"No, Sir. If I had, you would not have scored a touch."

"Fair, now, I'll show you what I did, and what to be on the look out for. Great fencers are like stage magicians, they try to control your gaze. Don't let them" And he demonstrates

"Center of gravity is always a good place to watch to see if a real shift is happening too" He adds, "Tell me, August, do you enjoy sparring at all?"

August nods his understanding of the instruction, and then thinks about the question. "I... I value when I see improvement in myself, Sir."

(SOrry, this did NOT light up)

He considers "Yes, but do you have FUN in that process? I'm not asking this on a Fiona whim either, we tend to do better at things we enjoy, or at least practice more often"

"So if we can make the practice not just productive but enjoyable in its own right, it helps that productive side. At least, that is my hope"

August consider the question seriously. "Not fun as such, Sir, no. It's my duty to be physically fit and healthy, it is an expectation for those of my rank, it is a requirement for the work I do or so it seems. It is something I need to work on and continue to improve on. I don't know that I would call it fun, not for myself."

"Damn, don't suppose you'd like it better if we put it to music? Thrust, Parry, Lunge, cha cha cha?" A smile despite the fact he makes smooth motions to show how that might work "Fair enough, if you stumble onto some way to make it more fun for you, let me know, but i think I know you well enough that MAKING you act like a Fiona would just frustrate you"

"It would be just that, sir. An act. I'm not Fiona."

"No, but Fiona aren't the only ones allowed to have fun," he says "The pooka would riot" He says "Fine, we go with Technique.. now, let's test your reaction time a bit more"

And the two work hard, August getting a refresher on fighting

(End Scene)