Practice makes perfect, or does it?

[freedom_is_grey]

Liranan keeps himself warm running in circle and occasionally providing a shadow opponent for some of Ysalwen's sword-work. Usually when she is practicing counters.

But right now she's got a book propped open on a rock in front of her, frowning and biting her lip as she moves her wrist like that, keeps her feet set like that, and with her weight on her feet like this --

"Mmmph. No, that wasn't right. Not stable enough. Liranan, bark if my weight is too far over my knee again, thank you."

And back to it she goes.

Comments

[freedom_is_grey]

She appreciates his forbearance and consideration. Or would, if she knew all the thinking that led him to the point where he spoke.

As it is --

Ysalwen laughs a little, quietly.

"Like this I'm not sure I can offer you any actual guidance in that. You're welcome to look at the book, however, and its list of exercises and modes of thinking, and tell me how well it fits with what you know."

[pro_patria_mortuus]

Pragmatism can go a long way. So can a ruthless insistence upon intellectual and moral honesty with oneself.

Sword-work learned almost entirely from a book and solitary practice is --

well, it's doubtless better than nothing. And it's certainly not unprecedented. But it's horribly limited, and it paints a worrisome picture: a slight woman, forced to use a sword in self-defense and dire straits, with only book-learning to guide her arm.

"Thank you."

He will, since it seems a sincere offer. He's curious, and more than that he's concerned.

[freedom_is_grey]

As if Cullen would let that happen. This is just practice, Enjolras. Working in the muscle memory that's so necessary in combat.

Also it's cute that he's worried about her ability not to die. Adorable, even.

"You're welcome. If you do have any questions I and the book can't answer, I can ask Cullen next time I see him. Or one of my Wardens, I suppose."

Hmm.

"Maybe telling Cullen you'd like to talk to him would be more efficient, in the long run."

Or maybe it would be a terrible idea. Either/or.

[pro_patria_mortuus]

Enjolras, however, hasn't met Cullen. For all he knows, Cullen is a bookish fellow who dug up relevant books for her.

He nods, listening; he's flipping through, not so much reading as just attempting to scan it for key indications.

"I haven't met Cullen. --I don't mean to push in, m--Warden. It's your project. But I do know something of the sword."

In a style that's divergent in some of its tactics and details, from what he can see so far, but not so different in the elementary basics.

[freedom_is_grey]

"I wouldn't call it a project, but I've -- well. There's something to be said in sparring and training with a wide variety of opponents and teachers. What do you use your sword-work for, yourself? You don't -- seem like someone in a military order."

Understatement.

[pro_patria_mortuus]

Enjolras's mouth quirks a little, wryly.

"I was never a soldier, no. I fought for my country and the rights of her people, against a government that respected only its own authority."

...Also it was a standard gentlemanly skill to learn at least something of, but that's not what she asked, and it's not why he devoted himself to learning.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Not a terrible sort of fight to be in," she says, smile just a little crooked.

"Fighting for the downtrodden rather than against them. Or against the country next door just because."

[pro_patria_mortuus]

"I regret that the fight was ever necessary," he says, quiet and very sincere, "but I can think of no greater honor than to have been a part of it."

[freedom_is_grey]

She takes a breath, quick and soft.

"I have yet to meet anyone here where that fight wasn't necessary, to one degree or another. It's -- well. I'm grateful we're none of us alone, but -- I almost wish we could be? To think that what we face is an aberration and not so common a thing."