#odyssey

She blocks, and says "I have experience so this is uneven, but you give away too much with your blow and you need to not be afraid to strike. Caution is fine, fear is the mind killer to quote Dune"

He nods, and tries to follow the instructions. At first he is too focused, trying too hard, and it shows, he's not letting himself fall naturally into the swing and block pattern dance. Overthinking.

"Don't try to analyze it all and break it down, that slows you. Trust your gut. Instinct does have it's uses, and battle is one of those areas. We learn to do it right, train hard...and the 'right move' becomes second nature. Here, I'll slow down, then we do an exchange, then ... build up speed, worry less, think less." Clack clack clack

/roll 4

He overextends trying for a jab and ends up falling on his face - nearly, he catches himself on his hands and manages to regain footing, after only 2-4 chances to run him through have passed.

She does tap him, just once and lightly, to drive home he would have died, but doesn't rub it in, "Fighting a taller foe can be hard. There's an urge to keep your distance yet still reach... you'll learn how to cut into the reach with practice. In some ways , it's a bit like learning how to dance with partners of varying types. No shame, " Ands she quotes what one of the thanes told here, "We make mistakes in practice so we can make fewer of them in actual battle. To be a better warrior, you just have to beat your old performance a little bit each day"

/roll 4

He relaxes a touch and actually manages a quick tap that could connect to Gwen's arm. She could likely dodge it, but it's a good strike.

"Excellent." She nods as it touches, "relaxed motion is like water, it can be harder to stop up or block than something tense or solid. With practice, that'll be surer and more accurate which will go well with the quickness. Let's try a few more passes, and I'll take a few swings at you to develop your footwork"

He keeps up the work, enjoying the distraction from his worries. A good bit of sweat has built up and his arm is starting to flag a bit when Aoife waves to interrupt. “You should wash before the celebration.”

Gwen nods and says "Art, you heard her. Shower up. Besides, you need to quit for now. You'll be sore later. Sorry about that, but it's the price of practice. "

A look to Aoife "Thanks for letting us know, Aoife"

He grins, rubbing his arm. “Thanks, Gwen.”

"Anytime" Gwen says "just paying it forward"

He sets the weapons back where they came from and heads off to change and freshen up.

Gwen watches him go "He used to be much more scrawny" She admits to Aoife

Aoife is watching him walk off. She nods, a brow raised. “He's not too shabby. A little pretty for me, but.” Appreciative.

"It's the nature of sidhe, even if they're not your type? They're kind of your type" she admits "Real pain in the tucus." A grin though "Course, he's got at least one lady already interested in him but we'll see if anything comes of it. He can be a bit clueless there" A look at Aofie "I suppose I better clean up too. Don't want to be sweaty at the naming' Though in truth she's barely worked up any sweat at all. her stamina is amazing

“We have some garb for you, if you wish. A gift.”

"A gift? From whom? And.. whoever shouldn't have" And yet, she looks intrigued

“We make the fabric and dye it here. Would you prefer a dress, or a shirt and vest? Many warriors prefer the latter. It is traditional festival attire.”

“From all of us.”

She allows, “perhaps, not Omario. But a gift from our clan.”

A smile then "The fact it's NOT from Omario honors me all the more. " She ponders this "Which do you think I should go with? I don't have many dresses, nor reason for them, but I am more warrior than anything so a shirt and vest might better suit. Your people have shown kindness, the least I can do is wear what they think I would look best in for this"

“I will show you.” Aoife guides her to a workshop where colorful fabric and outfits line the windows and shelves.

“These style here, make anyone right criss to braff.” Says the young gentleman who is running an ancient sewing machine.

A nod and she looks at the work being done

And then at the outfits

It is one outfit that catches her attention

“Some still wear Irish tartan, they what can trace back a name, but it far hot here for that most days.” He explains.

Aoife says, “you pick the style, we have it ready for you.”

She touches one "I ...really like something in this vein"

Aoife nods. “You can handle that, Murphy?” The man nods and takes a few quick measurements on Gwen before she can even realize it, and is shooed out!

“You send the green hair girl here, wi? Now, you gwan git.”

"i'm gitting I'm gitting.. and THANK YOU, Murphy" and off she goes to shower

Thistle is led, or dragged, over to the shop next. “Don't you worry about colors none. Murph’, he knows what he's doing. Just pick a design you like.” Aoife points the Nocker towards the racks of dresses, shirt and vests.

"Oh, these are fun!" She is drawn to the brightest one.

Murphy, the tailor, flaps a measuring tape in her direction. “Don’t gwan off the colors. Y’hear?”

Citrine buzzes out of her pocket, ready to defend Thistle's honor!

Murphy gives the pixie a LOOK. “You get glitter on a single ting, you bought ‘em.”

"But I like having colors..."

“Jus’ you have a lil’ faith, mm?”

He shows her a dress. “Your friend? she chose this.”

This is CLEARLY not Gwen's actual garment. It is many sizes too petite.

"That's nice..."

A squint, and he jerks a thumb towards the racks.

Meanwhile, muttering as he sizes her up by sight and experience, making tiny notes.

The vests and shirts are also hanging by, quite dapper in cut.

She keeps gravitating towards colors!

“Y’wan color, you gwan get it. But you need to pick a style or you get nothin’ hear?” Snappish, but in perfunctory and not personal fashion- perhaps not unlike a Nocker.

"Oh, right"

He watches and takes more of which outfits she is eyeballing the most. “Alright, here’s the ting. You go on and freshen up. I’ll have something sent over.”

"Right... thanks?"