The Salle, Thursday Afternoon

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra had a... duel, of sorts, planned with the pirate. Now that the immediate anger had worn off, it was beginning to sound rather more foolish to her ears.

But she had made another appointment, one that was far less foolish and far more important. Today, she would make good on her promise to help Lucille learn how to defend herself because that would end well, and so she arrived at the salle half an hour before the agreed-upon time to put in some minor practice with the sword.

She had also picked up two sets of practice daggers for their training exercise.

But for the moment, pretending the dummy she was massacring was Isabela was a real help.

[[ open! ]]

Comments

[crimson_sister]

On one hand Lucille had wished that she had had her own weapons to bring, on the other that would perhaps seem suspicious. No, she told herself, not really; no one here knew why she had been committed to the asylum, or even shat she had spent the past year there.

Or did they? Cassandra didn't at least, she was sure of that.

"Good afternoon," she greeted as she entered the salle, glancing around the room as she did so. Having been unsure what to wear, she had decided on a plain black dress decorated with red ribbons. It would have to do.

[seeks_truth]

"Lucille!" Cassandra's tone brightened immediately. "Good afternoon. I hope your classes have not been too vexing."

[crimson_sister]

"Cassandra." She smiled, walking up to one of the dummies and poking it lightly. "And no, they haven't. But I noticed what that other girl did in class yesterday. Isabel, is it? How rude."

[seeks_truth]

"Isabela," Cassandra said. She walked over to where she had left the training daggers. "She hails from my world. She is not worth your attention."

And maybe Cassandra would be able to remind herself of that soon enough.

[crimson_sister]

Lucille gave a small nod in reply, and followed Cassandra.

The daggers were a lot more elegant than kitchen knives, which were a rather obvious observation, but still one that Lucille made. She reached out to run a fingertip along one of the blades.

[seeks_truth]

"They are practice weapons," Cassandra explained. "I would rather not see you wounded in a practice session alone. Though I must confess I do not quite know the material."

[crimson_sister]

"I don't either," Lucille said. "One of the modern ones, no doubt."

Obviously they couldn't use sharp weapons, but there was something in Lucille that regretted that. She picked up one, weighing it in her hand.

[seeks_truth]

If Cassandra had provided sharp knives, this training would not have lasted long.

"Get a feel for its weight," she said with approval, picking one up herself. "A good blade is properly balanced."

[crimson_sister]

Lucille just had a thing for sharp weapons.

"Like this?" she let the dagger balance in her palm.

[seeks_truth]

"Yes," Cassandra said, smiling. "Does it feel right to you?"

[crimson_sister]

Lucille returned the smile, an excited look in her eyes. "Yes. It does. And now?"

[seeks_truth]

"Make certain the blade points away from you at all times," Cassandra said, "And remember not to draw it unless you absolutely must."

She slid into a stance, with her feet planted firmly on the floor. "When you do find yourself in a fight, you must draw the blade like this, extending it firmly upwards while you keep a firm grip. Make certain your fingers are wrapped entirely around the grip."

[crimson_sister]

Following Cassandra's advice, as well as her example, Lucille did her best to repeat the movement. She had had no training like this before, which was quite obvious.

[seeks_truth]

"Grip more firmly," Cassandra called. "And angle it further outward."

It would not be a good thing if Lucille put her own eye out.

[crimson_sister]

No, it would not.

Lucille did as Cassandra told her, or at least did her best to follow her instructions. The dagger didn't feel as natural in her hand as she had expected it too; not like when she had attacked...

Best not to think about that now.

"Yes?"

[seeks_truth]

"Better," Cassandra said, lowering her dagger so she could come over and inspect Lucille's form. "Perhaps practice it again once or twice, before we move on."

[crimson_sister]

Lucille repeated the movement, slowly at first. Could it perhaps be a little like piano practice? Slow at first, then faster, gradually adding more emotional expression.

"Am I doing it right?"

[seeks_truth]

"Well enough for a first time," Cassandra said at last. "Just be certain not to extend your arm the entire way. And attempt to make your body smaller, so that your assailant won't easily do you harm."

[crimson_sister]

She repeated the movements, trying to incorporate what Cassandra had suggested. Her clothing, being quite restrictive, didn't exactly help, but she crouched a little, hoping that would work.

"Should I... move more?"

Lucille felt very much like the beginner she was.

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra shook her head. "Economy of movement," she said. "Save your strength for the moments your assailant seems poised to strike. Then, you should begin to move. Sideways, back, whichever direction keeps your knife between you and your opponent."

She smiled faintly. "In this time, when he is distracted by your knife, you may also choose to simply kick him where men are most vulnerable."

[crimson_sister]

Since kicking someone when wearing long skirts might add a level of complication to this which Lucille wasn't ready for. She took in this piece of information however. "As it would be improper for a lady to learn this at all in my time, I think that would be just as permissible, one the line is crossed anyway."

She remained still, as Cassandra had told her, waiting.

[seeks_truth]

"You mistake my meaning," Cassandra said, "I merely meant... at that moment."

She shrugged self-consciously. Words were not her greatest strength. "If you do not intend to use the blade as a distraction, we move on to the next stage," she said. "If your opponent is also armed, your first objective will be to ensure they do not strike you. Parry, and you may either disarm them, or find an opening for your own strike."

She turned to face Lucille, sliding into a striking stance of her own.

[crimson_sister]

Lucille blushed slightly. She tried to follow Cassandra's instruction, but she had had no physical training before apart from a few dance classes.

Concentrate, she told herself, waiting for Cassandra to attack.

[seeks_truth]

After a moment or two, Cassandra struck, lunging forward with one arm, her dagger angled to hit Lucille's shoulder.

It was not fast.

[crimson_sister]

Lucille tried a swift move sideways and then a counter attack aimed at Cassandra's arm, the one holding the dagger. It was by no means fast or precise, but at least she had been paying attention so far.

[seeks_truth]

Of course, Cassandra's arm was gone by the time she attacked it. "Decent attempt," she judged, "But the best option would have been to parry. Again."

[crimson_sister]

Lucille resumed the stance and waited for a second attack. Parry, then, unless Cassandra did something completely different. The first attack had caused a rush of adrenaline, making her less self-conscious.

[seeks_truth]

Nothing different, no. She was attempting to teach Lucille, not spar her. So on the second try, Cassandra lunged forward again, once again stabbing at Lucille's shoulder.

[crimson_sister]

This time Lucille used her dagger to try and block the attack, still taking a step to the side to get out of the way as well.