002 ⚔ Video

[danceofcurse]

So, how many of you actually know how to fight?

[Van's lounging outside beneath the low-hanging limb of a willow, rays of sunlight peeking between the fine leaves and spindly branches to cast moving shadows over his face. In the changing light, his eyes look red and then brown, but they never lose their sharpness. This is a young man who doesn't appear to smile as often as most boys his age.]

I don't like fighting, myself. [An understatement, but his tone also implies he recognizes the necessity for it. So too does the sword next to him, the blue scabbard and gold-tipped hilt as pristine and polished as the bare blade that rests at its side.] But ever since I arrived it's become pretty obvious that, as imPorts, we don't have the luxury of not defending ourselves and the people we care about. To be honest...I'm used to that. It wasn't much different back home. Of course, we didn't have modern weapons...

But that's a bit beside the point.

[He sits up with a sigh, one gloved hand pushing unkempt black hair out of his eyes, though it falls again right back into place.]

I'm looking for sparring partners. People who know how to use a sword, specifically, but it doesn't matter what sort of weapon you wield as long as you're experienced and you know what you're doing. I want to be more prepared for what this place might throw at us. We all should be.

Comments

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[helpline]

I once went toe-to-toe with Robin Hood. You're on with a sword match!

[ the Doctor's just conveniently ignoring the fact that when he went toe-to-toe, he used a spoon. ]

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[danceofcurse]

I have no idea who that is, but...do you even have a sword?

[He recalls a weird pair of glasses, but not any pointy objects.]

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[helpline]

Well I had one but there was something about 'historic artifacts' and 'even if you help save the day Doctor, that doesn't mean you can take a sword' and 'it belongs in a museum.'

[ he had a sword during the 'let's stop Calendar Man's Uncle Sam from wrecking things.' he has no sword now. :c ]

I'm working on getting one, though!

[fargoneconclusion]

[ This world is unbelievable. Another kid on the Network, and this one wants to train. It's admirable, but North can't help being unnerved by his youth. ]

Aren't you a little young for edged weapons?

[danceofcurse]

I'm fifteen. I'm not that young.

[Not by Gaean standards, anyway.]

Where I'm from, if you can hold a sword on your own, you're ready to learn how to use it.

[fargoneconclusion]

[ By North standards, he's too young to be drafted into a war, but he's willing to consider other cultures to an extent. ]

Fifteen is about half my age. I bet you'd think it was weird if an eight-year-old was asking for sparring partners.

It's a nice-looking sword for a guy who doesn't like fighting. Are you any good with it yet?

[tactical_lalafel]

I wield magic in battle, not a blade. But if you'd like help training, I could stand to keep my hand in.

[danceofcurse]

You can use magic?

[It's not what he had in mind, but he definitely sounds interested. Swords and other melee weapons won't be the only things he'll come up against, after all.]

What sort, if you don't mind me asking?

[tactical_lalafel]

Fire, ice, and lightning are the heart of a thaumaturge's arsenal in battle.

[voice]

[khaleesipls]

I do.

[ Matter-of-fact.

Hard to say from voice alone, but this man sounds like he's older than 15. ]

[voice]

[danceofcurse]

[Age doesn't mean much, but it does usually lend to experience, and the confidence in the speaker's voice isn't missed or taken for granted at all.]

I take that to mean you're also looking for someone to train with?

[khaleesipls]

I could use the practice.

[ He hasn’t seen anyone else strutting around with a sword. ]

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[resipiscent]

I'd be up for it, if you're still looking.

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[danceofcurse]

I was never looking for just one person to train with.

[Meaning yes. He's still looking. More the merrier and all that, though the merrier part of that turn of phrase is ill fitted to someone like Van.]

Are you free this weekend?

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[resipiscent]

Free whenever I'm needed. I make my own schedule, generally. When and where?

[ Video ]

[dualismum]

I can give it a try. I usually use a sword too, though it has been a while since I've used one.

[ Video ]

[danceofcurse]

How to wield a sword isn't a skill people usually forget. I'm sure it'll come back to you when you feel its weight in your hand.

[Muscle memory and all that.]

[ Video ]

[dualismum]

Yeah, I'm sure of that.

Anyway, the weapon i have is a bit different from normal. How resilient is your sword?

[nofairsky]

I can't use a sword, but I'm good in hand-to-hand, if you'd ever like to practice that.

[danceofcurse]

It's not my area of expertise, but that's probably all the more reason to practice. Alright then...when would you like to meet?

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[baetiful]

Perhaps you should offer lessons to others as well who do not know how to swing a sword properly? There could be good money in it.

[ Leave it to Littlefinger to suggest how one can profit from something, rather than focusing on actually learning himself. ]

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[danceofcurse]

If I did, I'm not certain I could bring myself to ask for money in exchange. I'm no master swordsman, Lord Baelish...and I'm no charlatan.

More importantly...accepting money for something like that denies those less fortunate the basic right they have to protect themselves. I couldn't do that.

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[baetiful]

True, true. That is quite charitable of you.

[ Especially being a king and all! ]

But what about those of us who want to pay you for your troubles. After all, you are undertaking quite a lot in the lessons you're giving me.

[text]

[thelimitdoesnotexist]

why a sword in particular?

permavid

[danceofcurse]

It's the weapon I'm most skilled with using.

[Excepting Escaflowne, of course, but even his guymelef wields a sword.]