Academy of Drell, Part I

[GnomeWorks]

Well, I can't use the knee again. He's watching for that. He's a guy, I'm a girl - he'll pin me down, eventually... perhaps another plan might work...

Charlotte falls down onto the ground, and tries to pull Keith with her, attempting to flip him over her head.

 

[Tokiwong]

Keith goes with the flip throw... and uses his skill to twist in the air and land on his feet...

Excellent...

He wastes no time in moving forward quickly with a roll to bring his blade to rest right against her neck...

"Point..."

That was bold... she is good... and I shall not underestimate her... in the least... perhaps...

 

[GnomeWorks]

He's good. Very good. One of the few men to best me.

Charlotte says nothing, although she opens her mouth to say something, appears to decide against it, and closes her mouth. She remains as motionless as possible to avoid having the blade rub against her neck.

 

[Tokiwong]

Victory... but a lesson learned... complacency... can lead to failure...

Keith removes the blade and sheathes it. He then kneels down to help Charlotte up...

"That was excellent..." he rubs his bare stomach, "that knee was a bit painful... but all is fair I say... I should be more mindful..."

Maintain the calm... she is good... perhaps I should apologize...

"I apologize for my words earlier..." he lets go once she is standing, "it was an ill-thought out jest. I did not wish to defame your good name by my careless words... to err is human as they say...."

Polite to the last hold no grudges... leave the mind clear... and unclouded... I shall not forget your words Alustir...

Keith walks over to gather his shirt and cloak...

"Hungry? Or at least thirsty?" he says over his shoulder...

 

[GnomeWorks]

Charlotte allows herself to be helped up.

"Your fighting, too, was well done. I haven't had a good spar like that in ages. As for the knee... that was my fault, I should have let you win. I was going to give you time to recover, but then you came at me, and I didn't have time to say anything. And don't worry about your jest. I took it a little too seriously. I'm like that in the morning. At least you have the decency to believe that there is a need to apologize. So few students around here do."

Perhaps I thought wrong about this one. A gentlemen, to be sure, but definitely not a run-of-the-mill court dandy. He knows how to handle a blade. He admits his mistakes, and does not gloat over his victory. This will require a little contemplation... later.

She retrieves her rapier, cleans it off on her sleeve, and sheathes it. "Sure, I could go for some food. I haven't had breakfast yet."

 

[Tokiwong]

Keith carries his cloak and walks towards the 'cafeteria/mess hall' for a light meal and drink. His walk is measured and precise his mood slightly detached but not so much aloof...

That was a plesanat dalliance... mother would not be pleased I am sure... always trying to bait me with my belief in the blade and my lack of interest in the Art... Father... hmmph I doubt he would be so polite to a human... though I can see some of their roughness they are not uncouth heathens... simply unlearned...

"Forgive me if I eat light I ate earlier with Kith... but I am quite thirsty and some toast would fill my belly after the exertion in the spar.... where did you learn such skills?"

Thankfully... I have Alustir to thank for seeing to my skills... and my passion... perhaps I should write her...

 

[Dalamar]

Why did he have to give them to Me? Anybody else would've sufficed. I don't like going about with humans that aren't my friends, essentially none of them.

"Good, you're here Rallyn. I don't have to go looking for you. Serbanas told me you would take care of them."
He then moves to get something to eat, seeing that he could maybe slip in unnoticed with others going there too.

 

[GnomeWorks]

Charlotte follows Keith, going over the spar in her head, trying to see where she went wrong, her pace and stride varying wildly in comparison with Keith's.

"No, I have no qualms with that. As for where I learned my skills - my father paid much money for me to be taught by a private tutor, versed in many things, before I fled from my home. Swordplay was among my tutor's many talents."

 

[Tokiwong]

Fled? I wonder what could cause such an act? I too am not on good terms with my father nor mother... but to flee... nay... too much shame in that... though perhaps to flee or to be banished to some out of the way place are the same thing...

"Swordplay... I too was trained by a private tutor though my parents did not approve of the mentorship..."

He smiles softly for a brief moment...

"Why did you flee your home?"

His pace still precisely measured...

 

[GnomeWorks]

Home... such an unfamiliar word... the Academy is home now...

Charlotte's step falters for an instant, although she almost instantly recovers and makes up for it.

"I fled my home because I was expected to be a member of the upper class of society. I was supposed to be prim, pretty, and proper. I was supposed to behave like a lady. I didn't like the thought of leading such a life at all, so rather than remain and become part of a society that I had come to loathe, I ran away and came here."

She lets out a long sigh.

"That was four or five years ago, now - I can't remember which. Everything from back then seems hazy, as though it were a dream."