The Salle, Friday afternoon

[future_sandworm]

Leto released the blades in the air. He had been neglecting his training, and being a tree hadn't left much opportunity for it either. That meant he also had neglected his students, as he had been unable to show up last week. If they arrived he would at least have some time before that to practise.

Watching the knives spin, his body relaxed but every muscle prepared, Leto felt a lot more alive than he had done in a while.

[Open salle!]

Comments

[noearsyet.livejournal.com]

George had been more doing reconnaissance (though he'd call it 'knowin' th' ways t'leave everywhere') when he slipped into the salle than actually planning to train or anything like that.

His eyes widened as he watched Leto practice, and he stayed along the wall, trying to take in every bit of what was going on to possibly apply it to his own knives (those his didn't spin wi' magic) without making it too obvious the other boy was the object of his scrutiny.

[future_sandworm]

When he had blocked the last blade, flinging it off its trajectory to get stuck in the floor, Leto looked up. He nodded at the boy. "Good afternoon."

[noearsyet.livejournal.com]

"G'day," George said, giving a quick smile then his eyes flickering back to the knives for a moment. "Didn't mean t'be interruptin'."

[future_sandworm]

It took Leto a moment to adjust to the strong accent, but he didn't let it show. "You're not. What use would fighting skills be if you can't handle an observer."

Leto pushed himself to his feet. "What is your weapon of choice?"

[noearsyet.livejournal.com]

George tilted his head, amusement easily visible. "Does everyone have one?"

He did. He just liked the question.

[future_sandworm]

Leto grinned. "No, but most people seek out the salle in order to practise their weapon skills. Of course, you could have many and not want to choose between them."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin was there and... watching. Yes. Watching. He really ought to be polite about this whole thing instead of silently observing like a creeper.

"Leto."

[future_sandworm]

What was the annoying wizard doing? With all the blades on the floor, Leto pushed himself to his feet. "Merlin. Taking an interest in combat now?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

That annoying wizard was doing what he did best. Which, sadly for short, hair Canadians, also wasn't very pretty.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "No more than necessary." There was a pause before, "How long did it take for you to be able to do that?"

[future_sandworm]

Leto raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?" He picked up the knives.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Curiosity?" Merlin suggested. He was oh so clever, you see.

[glacial_queen]

Karla sidled in. She knew she needed to practice, as it had been awhile since she and Leto had met up. She wondered if he'd agree to sticking to drills today. And advising those drills from a distance.

Well, only so long as he was wielding a knife. When he didn't have weapons out, Leto was one of the few males she felt she could trust to be near her.

[future_sandworm]

"Karla." Leto smiled, but noticed her unease, so he stayed where he was. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here last week. Have you come to practise?"

[glacial_queen]

"Well, you were a tree. Can't really hold it against you," Karla said, giving him a small smile. "And I am. More drills?" she asked, a little on the plaintive side.

[future_sandworm]

"If you want." He picked up his knives. "Is something wrong, Karla?" he asked gently, not wanting to embarrass her.

[glacial_queen]

Karla thought about trying to brush him off with an excuse, but decided not to. He was her instructor and a friend and deserved a truthful explanation. It didn't have to be the whole truth, though.

"Can I talk to you, Leto?" she asked. She pointed to a vacant corner of the salle. "Unarmed?" she couldn't help but add.

[momslilassassin]

Ben stopped in the doorway, completely forgetting about his plan for working with the lightsaber today.

"Astral!"

[future_sandworm]

Leto grinned at him, amused by his enthusiasm. "Hello, Ben. How are you doing?"

[momslilassassin]

"Tahiri's turned into a cougar kitten, but I'm not singing, so...about average?" Ben replied.

[future_sandworm]

"Would trying these again improve things?" Leto asked, gesturing at the blades. Ben had done more than well last time.

[momslilassassin]

Ben didn't bounce on his toes, but it was a near thing. "Really? Yes, please!"

[glacial_queen]

Karla glanced over and smiled at Ben. And lingering unease was washed away by a wave of relief. Ben was one of the very few people here Karla trusted implicitly. Plus he knew.

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned back. "Tough week?" he guessed.

[glacial_queen]

"Just since yesterday," she answered. "Polymorphs? Really?"

[momslilassassin]

His eyes went flat. "Not my favorite idea of an assignment," he said. "Not that I don't trust most of you, but no one needs to see my deepest fears."