video;

[givetheslip]

[For the first time since she learned how to use the confusing little future communication device, Maria doesn't stick to slowly typing out her thoughts. Probably because she's furious.]

I already knew there were plenty of things about this place that are mad, but this—is ridiculous! I saw a group of young trainees practicing their swordplay in the park, but they were making all kinds of mistakes, and their practice weapons were foam—foam!

[LARPers.]

But it was nice to see someone value a reliable blade and the skill it takes to use it, so I took out my own sword and offered to spar with them and they acted as if I were threatening them! They called the police!

[Later, she will probably regret airing her grievance for everyone to see. Anger has a way of prompting her to make bad decisions.]

And the officer put me in chains! [Handcuffs. Briefly.] It was only when another came along who I'd spoken to through my employ that they bothered to listen to me, and they still handed me a citation. Well I know what they can do with their citation.

People tell me how much more civilized this future is, but I'd much rather live in a world where skill with a blade is more important than three forms of paperwork!

Comments

text;

[notonetorun]

... Foam swords?

[Yes Altaïr, that's clearly the most important thing in this whole debacle, good job.]

text;

[givetheslip]

[For her, just learning about the concept of foam was a revelation.]

If they even deserve to be called swords.

[Stabbing! Angrily! At! The! Letters!]

text

[rathercommon]

[ dear maria no one would ever dream of laughing at your plight xoxo ]

It was very nice of you to offer to help them. But I think maybe they weren't actually trying to learn to fight? It might have been a mock battle. I did a search on "people fighting with foam swords" and references to a few events like that came up.

-Lizzie

text

[givetheslip]

[IT'S NOT FUNNY.]

If they don't want to learn they shouldn't play around with weapons, even toy ones. They'll only learn bad habits.

video;

[fistofthejoestar]

[there is a definite expression of sympathy on Jonathan's face. he may not know you, lady, but as someone who nearly got arrested for child abduction he feels for you.]

There have been a great many changes in laws as time has gone by. It's difficult to keep track of, especially when it's so easy to assume that most things remain the same.

video;

[givetheslip]

Forgive me for thinking this was an issue of sense and not law. At least now I know who has none.

Video

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Maria...

[This face.]

Did you really draw a real sword on people using foam ones?

Video

[givetheslip]

I did no such thing. I drew it in their vicinity.

[It's not semantics. If she'd drawn it on them, she'd be facing more than a citation for disorderly conduct.]

voice;

[somethinghidden]

Hello, Maria. It's good to see they've let you out. I'm sorry, but I have to ask... why is it that you brandished your weapon again? Because I'm sure those people were only playing.

voice;

[givetheslip]

I was hoping to touch them something. I had no intention of harming anyone.

video;

[earnedmystripes]

You...uh, you realize they were probably just playing, right? Y'know...pretend? You can't just whip out a real sword in front of kids and expect 'em not to freak out.

video;

[givetheslip]

At the mere sight of a blade? That would be overly delicate. And they were hardly children—all were of childbearing age!

text;

[bratziska]

You WERE threatening them. Foam doesn't hold up to real steel.

text;

[givetheslip]

And you'd know without being there, would you? A sword is only threatening when its owner is prepared to use it.

video

[khajidont]

[Oh, Maria.]

Okay, rule one of weapons: if you take out a real one and you're not at, like, a shooting range or whatever, people automatically take that as a threat.

video

[givetheslip]

That is idiotic!

( video )

[chancetoatone]

[It's difficult to tell Thane's expression, but his voice sounds quietly amused.]

I believe they were play-acting.

Re: ( video )

[givetheslip]

[Yes, yes, she expects everyone to laugh at her now. Points for holding back.]

Yes. I know that. Now.

video.

[isaytheeneigh]

I come from a pretty different world, but ... did you come from a world that didn't regulate you at all?

video.

[givetheslip]

Why would it? Besides, I was a soldier.

video;

[daimeinashi]

Apparently, it's not considered acceptable to wield weapons in public civilian spaces.

[He already got in trouble at school for it.]

video;

[givetheslip]

Heaven forbid we carry a practical means of defense with us.

[Scowl. It makes no sense.]

video

[lucke]

Heh, I can honestly say I know exactly how you feel. People of this age see fighting differently. Something to be emulated, but not practiced. The only thing you did wrong was draw before soliciting.

video

[givetheslip]

Thank you. And I was starting to think no one had any sense.

video;

[ourown]

We give foam swords to our apprentices until they prove they're worthy of graduating to wooden ones.

Real swords are reserved for master assassins and ninjas.

video;

[givetheslip]

Well, that sounds perfectly sen—

Wait, Assassins?