Aux armes, citoyens (Video)

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras has looked better, certainly, though he's about as polished and as formal as he usually is, clad in his new light grey linen coat and waistcoat, even a loose cravat despite the heat. He's certainly sweating for the effort, all the same, his hair showing definite curled frizz that escapes its braid. There's also something about him that looks tireder than usual, but still, his expression is friendly enough as the vid feed starts.]

A great number of things have lately come to my attention, but among the most important is the fact that I must, that it is imperative for me to find activities of a less solitary nature than I've had since our return from...our return from war.

For a long time, it occurred to me that putting aside all reminders of it were the better way but I think, instead, that something active, some way of keeping my most relevant skills fresh, perhaps bettering, them, will be of more benefit here in the long run, and could help me socially as well. If I might train with...

That is to say, I wish to improve my ability with a blade. I fence in the foil discipline, and trained a little in it here, before the war, and can pick up an epee as needed, provided you are not freakishly tall [There's a wink to show it's a joke]. Is there anyone here who might be willing to go a few rounds with me, either for simple exercise, or, perhaps, if we suit and you find that you have things to teach me, for lessons of a sort?


Do please let me know, it may be nice to find action that I might do something with and about again, action I can control I... [That's enough for now, he realizes, breaking off with a little abrupt wave of his hand.]

Anyway, please do let me know.

Comments

video;

[peacefullywreathed]

[Any visual cues are lost on Solomon, obviously, but since he knows this voice he doesn't feel the need to point it out.]

How would you feel about dueling a blind man?

[It's dry, but a legitimate question.]

Re: video; threadjack oops

[denyamenti]

Are you trying to get him to go easy on you out of sympathy, waheh-maw?

oops piffle

[peacefullywreathed]

Oh, don't worry. You'll still get the opportunity to thrash me with something sturdier than a snappable blade. Baby steps, and all that.

#yolo no wait

[denyamenti]

And by sturdier, you mean anything of greater strength than a fork, right?

Re: video;

[solo_patria]

[If Solomon could see his face, he'd note that Enjolras is moving from serious to a small smile there.]

Any blind men in particular?

[There's an ironic lilt in his voice with the answer.]

A bit afraid for my dignity I think, but I would welcome it.

video;

[peacefullywreathed]

I might be able to come up with a name, and I won't put it around that you're thrashing a cripple if you won't.

[It's lighthearted. Morbid, maybe, but still lighthearted, and he's smiling slightly even as he goes right into business.]

I'm familiar with the foil, but haven't tried my hand since I arrived here--a year, discounting the Dreaming time. And there's my changed circumstances, of course.

[Even without the benefit of defending himself, some light sparring would be satisfying.]

video;

[solo_patria]

I'd certainly prefer the fact to be avoided, yes.

I haven't done much myself since the war itself, before the Dreaming also, so... I suspect we could work with that.

video;

[denyamenti]

[ Bakura's pleased to see you're taking up the advice, Enj. ]

You'll feel better for dusting off the skills.

Re: video;

[solo_patria]

[It WAS heavily considered, yes!]

I do hope so. And...thank you. It's given me some new direction.

Re: video;

[denyamenti]

An important thing to have, aa.

[ He's not even being sarcastic, either. ]

audio;

[skeletonenigma]

[The reply is audio rather than video partly out of habit, and partly because Skulduggery still doesn't particularly feel like advertising his brand new state of existence. He'll give it another week before it comes to that.]

Putting aside all reminders of a war is only going to drive you mad.

[Trust him. He knows.]

It's been a while since I took up fencing, but I'd be happy to help you out.

Re: audio;

[solo_patria]

That may have been my problem all along.

And I would appreciate it. Very much.

audio;

[skeletonenigma]

I even know someone who would love to join us. China? Are you listening?

Video

[wolfstrike]

How freakishly tall are we talking about here?

[His tone indicates he's joking.]

I don't mind a little sparring here and there if you're up for it. And I could teach you a move or two.

Re: Video

[solo_patria]

Above six and a half feet and there COULD be problems.

I would be very much up for it. I have been idle for too long now, I suspect.

Re: Video

[wolfstrike]

Yeah that's pretty freakish. Good thing I'm not that tall.

No problem, just name a time and place and I'm there.

video

[unetrustworthy]

...can I watch?

[She might not have had a similar skill, but she was curious. It could be an interesting learning experience. Maybe even entertaining, if his opponent was good enough.]

Re: video

[solo_patria]

[There is a smile as he answers that.]

I do not see why not. It may be interesting or useful, after all. Or hilarious, when I inevitably get knocked down. [Enjolras is cheerful enough about that possibility, considering it more of a fact that's going to happen at some point.]

video

[unetrustworthy]

[She tried not to laugh. It was hard when he made that face at her.]

There's nothing wrong with being out of practice.

I'm sure you'll still be better than I ever could be.

Video

[gathersnomoss]

Depends on how heavy your sword is. The blade you use might be too light to properly parry a longsword.

[From what Zelgadis recalls of dueling forms, the swords are lighter than those typically used in full combat]

Could still be useful. Not everyone plays by the rules when you are fighting for real.

Re: Video

[solo_patria]

It would at that. I've no illusions about that I am afraid.

[There's a wry smile. Still.]

It may be useful to learn workarounds for opponents with heavier weapons, though I've the feeling I would drop one on my foot were it up to me to lift.

Re: Video

[gathersnomoss]

They are not as heavy as they look. People have to use them, after all.

[Zel could afford a bit extra weight, but even he knew that if you wanted a big heavy thing to hit people with, at some point, you were better off with a mace.]

But the best advice for them is to not get hit with one.

[Video]

[purered]

Trying to bury whatever haunts you will not make it go away. You're right in moving away from such seclusion.

...Though I may need context. What do you consider 'freakishly tall'?

Re: [Video]

[solo_patria]

[There's a little smile, there, part of one, and a brief nod from Enjolras.] I do hope the choice is a good one. The time to try feels right.

Well, I am human so someone far above my reach would present a challenge. Above perhaps six and a half feet or so.

[Video]

[purered]

Pace yourself well, as such a path can be difficult but rewarding. As long as you continue to move forward, your spirit cannot be truly broken.




...

.....Is that truly what you'd consider freakishly tall?