fandomhighdorms | The Rocky Bits, Tuesday Afternoon

Arthur'd left a message to all about the change in location for today's drill, last week. He was in something of a better mood, although yesterday's spar with Lady Elspeth had knocked him back down to a normal grouch. At least he no longer looked like he was contemplating murdering his co-conspirator.

He didn't start speaking until he was fairly sure they'd gotten their haul of people for the day. "Today, we begin to work with our terrain," he announced, "And each other. You all have vastly different skills and powers at your disposal; now's the time to share them. You'll be venturing out to different defensible locations, spread over the seaside to your right," he nodded, "the Rocky Bits at your left," another nod, "And the ground you're standing on. Pick one, and set up a plan to make it defensible."

After a quick glance at Arthur, to make sure he had finished, Leto continued: "And after having made your own strategy for defense, some research will help you develop it. Find examples from various points in history of successfull defense of a geographic location similar to the one you chose and write a short report on your own conclusions."

[~~Wait for OCD!~~ OCD is up!]

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"I'm sure, of course, someone of your mentality would think seeing is the same thing as knowing." She sniffed. "Never mind that I'm the one with experience. Oh, sorry, I forgot--being a prince means you know everything, right?"

"I'm sorry," he said, "I bow to your experience in wasting time chatting at the undergrowth."

Very nearly, Arthur added 'you can't talk to me like that', but by now it seemed counterproductive.

"Chatting to the undergrowth is more useful than talking to some people I could name," she replied. "And, if you care for any more advice? This thing?" Yes, thing. Ino waved her hand to gesture around at the group. "Might go better if you were more practical in exercises. Split up, have one team try to take the other out." Ino raised one eyebrow. "'Less you believe that talking about defending is totally the same as actually doing so."

In which case, if he did, she was still staying, but she was going to laugh her ass off when the next invasion came around. Ino was easily amused that way.

"Of course," she finished, with a vicious grin. "I'm just a girl, so what would I know?"

Arthur was not going to roll his eyes, or explain to her that this entire effort today was a concession to Leto to keep him from being a complete pain. "We'll see if we can get your brains working before we push you to do anything that might end in damage," pause, "To person or topiary. But thank you for the pointers."

"Because calling one of the few good people you've got for scouting and spying names is totally a good idea, right?"

She straightened her flower crown.

"But hey, I'm not complaining--if I've got to get destructive to make someone listen to me, you'll notice." He really really would. "Call it a promise, boy."

Arthur rolled his eyes at last, and nearly told her to get back to him once she found conversational partners that weren't green. "I won't call it anything," he said instead, having decided to take (his version of) the high road.

Considering Leto. And how that had worked out. "Beyond threat this effort doesn't need. If you wish to apply yourself, we'll have you. Otherwise, you know how to leave."

"I'm just saying, this group could use a few surprises," she said innocently. "And practical experience, o glorious leader." It was sad; between Leto and Arthur, Arthur got her respect (vaguely) more. "Why would I leave when it's so much fun?"

No, really--she had laughing material for years, just watching this.

Yes, well, if you wanted surprises, Leto obviously wasn't the one to go to. He was torn between the very current instinct to respond to mockery with offense, and being vaguely pleased that not everyone was interested in Leto's inanity.

He ignored both impulses. "Fun isn't the point," he said, "As for surprises, we'll see."

It was as much of an allowance as he could give in the face of that much impertinence.

"Everything's about fun 'til the actual mission is on." It was true. "Seven years in the Academy, and three in the field haven't managed to beat that out of me so I doubt you'll be able to either."

And she'd taken the Academy more seriously than this--this exercise in ridiculousness.

"But," she said, with Ino's version of fair, "at least you'll think 'bout it though I severely doubt you like me at all. That's more than some people would."

Arthur wasn't sure whether or not to be offended by that. He certainly didn't know how to respond to it. "We'll see about that," he repeated, at last, "At whatever merit."

He didn't always actually deal well with obvious compliments.

The Rocky Bits, Tuesday Afternoon

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