#odyssey

"I've fought, too. It can be scary - a thallain tried to take Frankie once."

"It's okay, Arthur. I can't pull rank on anyone here"

Her eyes widen. "I know of them. We must beware the cailpeach - do you know, the water horse? There has not been one seen here for some time, but I remember. I remember many things."

"My head has been full of memories since I learned my Name."

"Kelpies, they drown people, don't they?"

A solemn nod. "Mama D'leau don't truck with them, though. She controls the rivers, sure as Papa Bois keeps the land. At least, that is what our people believe. Those who live on the island and do not follow the Redfin lore. They believe, so I believe too. I must."

"What I've seen, when folks believe something, the Dreaming has a way of making it true."

"Not always, I hope. They tell tales of monsters that we don't have here. The Soucouyant, and the Rougarou. We don't need those troubles. But I remember them, so if they come, I will know."

"Did you want to ask me something, Arthur?"

She nods. "I hope you don't meet any monsters. Glory is better for stories than real life."

"I did. But it can wait. More wanted to bounce something off you." Art responds, thoughtfully.

"Well, excuse me a sec" She says to her Selkie friend, and moves to Arthur "What is it?" Curious

"I've been talking to folk about this challenge... and I had an idea. We're pretty sure Thistle is going to choose you as her champion, right? For the Trial of Courage?" Clearly, he harbors no thought that He might get picked.

"I was thinking so. Not sure how well I'd do at Wits or Skill"

"Before you fight, you have to agree on two things. The field, and the form. Some people think there's a benefit in choosing first, and getting your pick. Others say it's wiser to go second, and have an informed decision."

He looks around, then takes a step closer, lowering his voice. "I want you to let him choose first."

A bit of an incredulous sound from Aoife, still nearby. She glances aside, pretending she was not listening.

"Why would I do that?" SHe actually is with Aofie here "I don't float well"

"We're the underdogs here, but the redfin believe that the winner is chosen by fate. We need to come out on top - I think I have an idea on how to beat him at his own game."
A pause. "Do you trust me?"

"Arthur, I trust you, but I don't know if you'll be able to help without it being called cheating" She whispers "I mean... if someone off sides were to cast quick silver on him while he and I were fighting Id' be pissed"

He shakes his head! "No cheating. Playing within the rules."

"Mmm okay." A nod "I trust you" A nod "I'll let him choose first."

"I'm going to do a little more checking around tonight, and will confirm with you before the actual event... but if this goes the way I think it could..." He grins at her. "Omario is in for a bit of a surprise."

"That may make two of us" She nods "D'aan favor our cause"

He gives her a grin, and a polite nod to Aoife, and he is off, moving over to chat with the next person he sees, an elderly gentleman with greyed hair.

Aoife raises a brow. "It is a shame. I was starting to like you." She says, dryly.

Aoife gets a smile "Same back at you. Art is hard to understand but he has his moments"

"I've never been friends with a Sidhe before. They are not welcome here." She adds, "Usually. your Arthur will be safe, Mama Saoirse vouched for him herself."

"Arthur can be impulsive and curious to a fault, but he's a good man. Oddly, I don't think he really wants to be of high rank. Leaderhsip doesn't mean as much to him as his studies. He loves the stars, the night sky"

"Is that so? Odd. Most Sidhe who come here are either deluded into thinking they are on a grand mission to rescue us, or the more honest admit that they just want to steal what we have. It's the same, in the end, and they get sent on their way." A grin, perhaps a touch toothy.

"Ha. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, is something they say on the mainland" A nod "I serve two sidhe but I do so willingly because I know they are decent and want to help the land. " wistful sigh "I miss my dogs. Okay, let's go practice in the waves, please."

"Sure. No spears. We will wrestle?"

"Sure" A nod "You can help me work on balance that way"

Thistle has used some flowers and leaves to create a little bundle of BRIGHT colors that she is using to fascinate the bebe.

The selkie warrior and troll knight head down to the waves, and several curious people follow. Including Omario, who takes a position a little ways off, and watches.

It looks like bets are being made. Little Louis is quite the little bookie.

She might throw in a false weak spot, not for her sparring partner's sake, but for Omario

Soon they are waist deep in the waves. Gwen feels a bit uneasy, recalling the nightmares from the night before, but she pushes it down, she is stronger than her fear - ESPECIALLY when her opponent is watching.

Aoife circles around her, cutting smoothly through the water as though it parts before her.

On the other hand, Gwen stands solid, and the waves push and pull at her, but aren't able to budge her more than rocking her stance a little. If they were dropped in deeper water, it might be different, but here, she can manage.

Her opponent is lithe and strong, and feints a few times - Gwen has trouble closing on her! A lucky early swing knocks her down, but the Selkie pops up again, this time behind her.

Aoife finally tries a trick, using the pull of the wave and diving out of sight to shoulder into Gwen's ankles, and she loses balance enough to tip over - but oh! She remembers a nasty girl from a competing Lacrosse team trying a similar move, hooking her ankle - She lets herself be toppled - but as she goes down, she manages to grab hold of Aoife and take her down with her!

The Selkie is muscular, but cannot break free of Gladiola's rock hard grasp, nor buck the heavy troll off her - she struggles for long enough that Gladiola's lungs start to burn, but then, a hand comes up and slaps at the surface of the water - she admits defeat!

Little Louis calls out, "Gladiola, she wins! That's MY Tourist there, wi?!"

It looks like money is changing hands.

She rises "You're better than you led me to believe": She offers a hand up as they rise

Of course that's after sucking up air

Aoife takes the hand and rises - Gladiola is dripping messily, but somehow the selkie manages to look sleek. "I could have tried holding out longer - I can hold my breath. But you had me to rights - a bash on the rocks, and I'd not be worrying about my breathing any longer. It was your fight." Gracious in defeat, and perhaps a hint there, that her next opponent might not be so polite as the Troll was.

Omario is smirking.

A nod "Well, you were nimble and quick..." then a grin "ANd you look great coming out of the water where as I look like a leaky radiator. So.. I won the fight but you take the photo op"

Louis has a nice wad of cash that he quickly starts hiding in his pockets, his cap, even a shoe.

Citrine has insisted on flower-baubles for herself, and is bouncing around with her prize. Chime!

She twirls and spins, and when people whoop and shout at the match, Citrine understands that the yelling is all for her.

Niamh also gets a clever arrangement, to tuck in her hair.

Of course it is!

A grin at Little Louis, "Thanks for cheering me on."

The wise little selkie wears it proudly!

Art looks over at Thistle - "Did you see that? I had an idea... but maybe I don't need it." His gaze travels to Omario. "Then again, I don't like how confident he looks."