#fenixtj

Holger spars with Jessica, mind you, while he's learning, it's still lopsided in the wilder's favor. But he wanted to show what he had been learning, and really, it's a kick in the old nostalgia to see him try to emulate one of mom's classic double swipes, or dad's defensive shuffle

Jess appreciates that but doesn't let it distract her; she remembers all too well what it's like to get distracted and then whacked by either parent.

Indeed, Holger actually gets close, almost bypassing Jessica's block. The boy nods!

"I will try harder"

Jess smiles at one of her mom's favorite quotes, and nod to invite Holger to reapproach.

The boy moves to her side, then feints to the other, perhaps hoping to catch the wilder who has more skill off guard.. albeit with a perfectly honorable move

Jess parries with the staff of her maul and reposts with the butt of it.

He tries to parry, which is a good sign that he was able to notice the follow through, but doesn't make it in time, and is whompeed back onto his butt. "That.. .. could you teach me that?" He looks up impressed!

Tex, the redcap childliing, has returned, and shakes his head "You don't hafta be so nice about getting your ass kicked. And you should have snapped at her with your teeth to scare her"

Tex is back from his vacation, and has been learning redcap ways. It's possible he's not ready to believe others can't do the same thing - Scare and bite.

"Hello Tex." Jess greets him and nods to Holger. "Yes. There are drills to train your muscles."

"I would like to train the muscles then" Holger says seriously

Tex grins "Heya Miss Jessica. I learned Cappin all week"

"I will show you drills next, Holger. Have you learned any from others?"

"Did you enjoy yourself, Tex?"

"The Chieftain taught me a few drills, beginger forms she said" Holger nods "It was bueno, but I long to learn more"

Tex does indeed seem to have enjoyed himself "Sure hell did, we got to terrorize folk and beat up some bad guys what looked at us funny"

Jess nods. "Get some water and then show me what she taught you."

"Well.... um..... good....."

And HOlger goes to get some water

Tex grinss TEETH a nightmare "SURE was. Thanks for letting them teach me. I even started to learn how to snare chimerical monsters... did you know redcaps hunted monsters atimes?"

My the redcap seems chatty. It would appear however bruised he was when he first came back, it was worth it

"Good. I'm glad it was time well spent."

Holger returns, and then shows the drills he has learned. He's clearly paid attention. SHe can almost imagine mom walking those very motions

Jessica nods. "Good. Now...."and she picks up where her mom left off, slowly.

And Holger tries. When he doesn't get it right, he redoubles his efforts to do so. He takes criticism well, and seeks to learn from it. In short, a charming boy but then, Jessica knew this. There's no doubt in her mind that without meaning to be, Holger has become quite the diplomat to Rivervale and has put Fenix in a positive light to the elder trolls. While Jessica may, or may not, consider her parents biased in her in her favor, it's clear Holger has made an impression with such earnest efforts and that reflects well on the County here, not just it's ruler. A bit of pride is due... in quiet moderation.

(She's not Siv after all)

Jess is, yes, proud of Holger and pleased that he will be part of The Next Generation.

Tex makes comments, but Holger tunes the cap's suggestions to 'kick her in the shin' out and focuses on the drills he is given

They work side by side to train, with Jess eventually stepping away to observe and correct.

Mmm he IS still a boy, and sometimes the troll overextends in his reserved (Non trolls wouldn't see it as easily) excitement, but other than that, he's really getting the form well down

"Someone is just gonna shoot him if they want though" Tex says

"With a gun" He adds

Holger snorts and keeps practicing

"Holger, Tex is right. Firearms are the leading cause of death in this area. I would hope that as a Childling, you would not face anyone over a gun barrel but stray gunfire has killed Childlings before." she speaks warrior to warrior "Be aware of the threat."

The troll looks humbled "Si, Miss Jessica, but it just seems so cowardly, to use a gun"

Tex looks surprised someone agrees with him, but then says 'Well, yeah, but a coward can shoot like anyone else. "

Jess nods in sober agreement.

"How does one protect against a bullet?" A frown from Holger

"Don't be in front of it." Jessica deadpans.

Tex barks a laugh

But Holger takes this seriously "Evasion, of course"

And nods somberly "I shall practice dodging"

"Mmm.... I think more than that." Jess pauses practice "Not just dodging. Think about taking shelter. Is there an Art that can help you? Can you blind the shooter? Distract or mislead them? And yes, even the idea of knowing how to use a gun isn't out of the question."

Holger listens carefully "If I see a gun in someone's pocket and I think they might draw, would it be honorable to smash the gun or them first? Even though they are unarmed?"

Tex ROLLS his eyes

"They -are- armed." she points out "But they are not drawn and threatening you. I would say that, given the firearm is mortal deadly force, and you are likely to have a Chimerical weapons, they have a dishonorable advantage on you to start with. Striking first, if you feel there is a real threat, is not dishonorable. It is just leveling the field."

Holger nods slowly "yes, I will try to disarm them ,or hinder the gun. If I am wrong I will make amends"

"Then kick them in the balls!" Tex adds

"That would not be conciliatory, Tex." Jessica says mildly.