The Salle, Monday Morning

[bitchprince]

It was a Monday.

It had been a normal weekend.

Arthur, ergo, was in the salle, practicing his staffwork for once. He did have a battle with Mat due tomorrow which was going to be pushed towards next week due to a sudden case of the fox, SPOILERS and it wouldn't do to show up in anything but perfect fighting shape.

He made for a few impressive sweeps through the air as he practiced, showing off for his (Merlin-y) audience as usual.

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Comments

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah got there wincing and a little sore from last night's Fight Club. Good fight, though albeit still in SP. "Hey guys," she said, before heading over to her practice sword, looking a little wistful. "I got to use a real sword last week in Fencing Club."

[bitchprince]

"Bring a real sword and you can practice with that," Arthur said, idly, "Provided you don't cut yourself."

He was still in the middle of his drill, though, so he finished the set pattern of almost dancelike maneuvers before continuing.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Really? Yes!" Of course, there was probably a catch there... like sparring with Arthur and getting cut instead, probably. "I'm supposed to be fighting the beginners today. Edward said I'd learn more restraint that way." Which sounded like a good idea, just difficult. She a little nervous about that with live swords.

[bitchprince]

"That's a good lesson," Arthur agreed, wandering towards her with the staff in hand. "Actually, I think restraint is something you have to learn in general."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah stuck out her tongue at him, kind of proving his point. "I can restrain myself," she insisted, then looking thoughtfully at the staff. "Most of the time I just don't feel like it... Besides, winning without going all out seems kind of counter-intuitive. Staffs today?"

[bitchprince]

"Sometimes restraint is the only thing that stands between you and worse fates in battle," he said, giving his staff an idle flick. "For me, yes, but I was thinking we'd return to the sword. Unless you're feeling unsteady in your abilities elsewhere."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah restrained an eyeroll, but still looked unconvinced. "No, I had a good eskrima practice with Tahiri last week. All-out." Because that helped, see? "Swords are good." She stretched a little with hers, then got into guard position, trying not to bounce. Much.

[puppy_fair]

Zack felt like perhaps he ought to still be in bed. In bed, and perhaps never getting out of bed again, because that would be absolutely productive, right? And that was why he was in the Salle today.

It made sense, by Zack-logic, if you squinted sideways at it.

He was... kinda moving slowly today, swinging his sword and going through the motions of something not unlike practise, but his head was completely not there, and so it took him all of five minutes before he just gave up entirely.

Nope. Not happening.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

There really wasn't much to say that hadn't been said last night, but still. Zack looked like he needed another hug. Like an RDA thing.

So there was Zack, getting hugged again, hard. No words.

[puppy_fair]

Dinah totally must have had a sixth sense for boys-in-need-of-hugs, because wow, Zack totally needed one just then, too.

And when that hug was through, he smiled at her a little. That had helped.

"Thanks," he said. "I think I needed that."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Welcome." See, now there was a superpower to have! "Any time, you know."

[puppy_fair]

"I don't think I'll ever turn down a hug," Zack replied, giving her a little nod. "Same goes right back, okay? If you ever need hugs?"

He was pretty good at them. And not just because he had biceps like tree trunks.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Count on it." Dinah smiled wider at him. "And cookies!"

[puppy_fair]

"Hugs and cookies," he agreed, trying on a little grin for size. "They're both important."

[bitchprince]

Yes, there was sloppy, and then there was 'upset knight trying to do himself in', and Arthur did know the difference, thanks. On a generic level, anyway. Not that Zack was trying to do himself in, but-- "Zack," he called, pausing his staffwork accordingly. "Slacking off?"

We never said it'd be a particularly sensitive noticing.

[puppy_fair]

"I'm trying," Zack replied, barely glancing up as he lowered his sword, the end of the blade resting on the floor. "I'm trying."

Congratulations, Arthur. You've stumbled across Zack's 'impatient and defeated' mode. Which was... actually a weird combination, for Zack.

"For all the good trying does."

[bitchprince]

Arthur took a moment to secure his staff at the back of the salle before doing anything else. He'd seen knights break before, too, but Zack was in several ways a new entity. Nevermind.

"Yes," he said, and with no sarcasm in his voice, "I can see that."

[puppy_fair]

My, but the floor was fascinating right now.

"What was that, that you said? I mean, when you had me running around, remember? And..." He shrugged. "We were talking about Angeal. And you mentioned something about how sometimes, it wasn't so easy to stick by what felt right."

It wasn't that Zack hadn't been paying attention in between bouts of relentless optimism. It was that normally, he was far better at looking as though he really was a relentless optimist.

[bitchprince]

Yes, that was the question of the month, wasn't it?

"There are any number of things that can complicate matters," he settled on, diplomatically. "The trick lies in... finding a way to do the right thing that involves them."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Are the twirly bits really necessary?" Merlin was horrible at being shown off to.

[bitchprince]

"Vital," Arthur informed him, shooting him a look. Come on, here!

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

He was more impressive at tournament!

"And the spinning?"

[bitchprince]

"Also vital," Arthur replied, lowering his staff. Listen, if there was a tournament, he'd show off there (because he'd have to) but there wasn't. So. "It's not my fault you don't understand the intricacies of a good practice. I think it's been too long since I sparred you."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I remember it like it was yesterday," Merlin chimed in, hoping nothing more would come of that. Ever. Please?

[bitchprince]

"I don't know," he said, thoughtfully considering his spear, "Maybe it's time we give your horrible deficiencies in the area of swordcraft another try. You do hold up fairly long."

By which he meant 'remain standing up'.