Catch-all: Estelle

[ercnerd]

Comments

[mustbepurged]

...Rita...

[She stumbles back a step, a hand covering her mouth.]

That's Rita, isn't it?

[ercnerd]

[Putting her concerns about its care aside, he folds the paper and pockets it as she confirms the obvious suspicion.]

Yeah, it is. We shared the same dorm at the school. She made it all the way to the end as an honors student.

[mustbepurged]

You were all there together... [She takes a few more moments to process this.]

Do you mean... she was okay? She didn't get hurt?

[ercnerd]

There wasn't anyone who didn't get hurt. But she didn't die, and she worked hard to make sure everyone got out.

[mustbepurged]

Right... of course...

[She lets that sink in, and a small smile forms on her lips.]

That's just like her. Rita can do anything she puts her mind to.

[ercnerd]

[He watches her, wondering.]

She can, and it probably comes easily to her. But so can the rest of us. Besides . . .

[He cracks a grin.]

Between the two of you, I think you're much sweeter.

[mustbepurged]

[That gets a small laugh out of her.]

I think Rita's very sweet, actually. She just pretends she isn't.

[ercnerd]

She's dishonest in her own way. I can tell you're honest, though. Shall we say . . . like dark and milk chocolates?

[mustbepurged]

I've never heard a comparison like that before...

But, really? You can tell?

[ercnerd]

Call it a senior's intuition.

By the way, you really should pick that up.

[The rapier is still down there.]

[mustbepurged]

Oh! I completely forgot!

[She bends down and picks it up, holding the tip up so she can take a look at the rounded end.]

I was thinking of practicing, since... things might get dangerous here before long.

[ercnerd]

There're real weapons in the armory behind us . . . but this might be the better option.

Want me to spot you? I'm familiar with rapiers.

[mustbepurged]

Sure! If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it too.

[She picks up her shield -- a distinctive, heart-shaped one -- and straps it to her arm, then takes on a fighting stance with the sword in hand.]

This is a bit lighter than the swords I normally use, but it should be good enough to practice the movements with.

[And with that, she practices a few techniques -- a series of jabs and lunges. Her form and footwork are proper, having been neatly practiced again and again, as if memorizing a dance routine.]

[ercnerd]

[Elegant and practiced—to be expected from one of her station. Advising isn't his thing, but he can appreciate the display as he lounges off to the side.]

You can't take anything out of the armory. You're better off getting used to that until a more suitable alternative comes along.

[mustbepurged]

Really? I wasn't planning on stealing anything, though.

[That would be wrong.]

Do you think we'll really get access to weapons of our own...?

[ercnerd]

[Too honest . . . ]

Why not? I already have mine.

[It's not currently on his person, however.]

[mustbepurged]

You do? I only got the shield...

[ercnerd]

It's the way these places seem to operate. We each get one thing, right? Mine just happens to be the sword, and yours is the shield. But even shields can be used offensively.

[mustbepurged]

That's true! A good shield bash can disarm an opponent, or knock them off balance... My swordmaster taught me a lot of useful techniques like that.

[ercnerd]

You had a good teacher.

Can you wield anything else?

[mustbepurged]

Sometimes I carry a wand instead of a sword... Something that's good for amplifying magic artes.

[ercnerd]

Oh, you're a magic swordsman? You're part of a rarer breed.

[mustbepurged]

I don't know that it's that impressive... I mostly use healing and protective artes.

[ercnerd]

Even someone like me, who doesn't need healing, knows how valuable healers are. Be proud of what you have.

[mustbepurged]

I'll do my best.

What kind of fighting style do you use, Sieghart?