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[latkje]

Apparently, in some countries, in some worlds, blonds are considered dumb! [ He smiles like there's some private punchline, not like he's the butt of the joke. ] I just thought I'd share.

Anyway— [ he makes a circling gesture with his left hand ] people like to use this thing to ask questions, right? This is one you'll like. [ By "you" he means the Initiative, which he is sure is always watching. Well, maybe not always but enough that you can't count on them not. ] I want to practice my fencing.

I guess that's not a question though, is it? [ He squints. ] Okay, how's this: I'm looking for a sparring partner. No, still not a question. Hmmm. [ Tapping a finger. ] Anyone up for a match?

I can't promise I'm anything but out of practice, but… that's the whole point of practice.

And I hope everyone's recovered from that out of body experience. Like I was saying before, It's a tricky thing to fight when you don't know which is your swordhand.

Comments

[whatsupcroc]

For the older crowd!

( Who'd fangirl that? Does he even do anything exciting?!! Man, all those other worlds... )

[latkje]

[ He's an exiled aristocrat turned superspy he been in no small amount of compromising positions.

But what he means here is that he is good at throwing sharp things at targets. Also true! ]

It doesn't work like that, you know.

[whatsupcroc]

How does it work?

[latkje]

There are two ways to have perfect aim. The first is lots of practice. The second is convincing everyone else that where the arrow hits is where exactly you aimed it.

[whatsupcroc]

( She smiles. )

One's about lying really convincingly, the other about being really good. I dunno. What about those of us who aren't so good with handheld weaponry?

[latkje]

Those are the people that die first.

[whatsupcroc]

Geez, such a vote of confidence!

[latkje]

It's the old dogs that can't learn new tricks.

[whatsupcroc]

More like the stubborn ones!

[latkje]

Are you saying you've given up on learning?

[whatsupcroc]

Are you saying you're willing to teach?

[latkje]

Most of us wind up a lesson whether we mean to or not.

But yeah, if you really wanted to throw things, I could probably teach you.

[whatsupcroc]

Hmm, well I do love new challenges! If you're willing to take me on, I'm willing to do the hard learning and practicing part of it.

( She smiles, but there's a sense she fully expects him to say he's joking in the first place. Just a touch of hesitation in how she looks back to the screen. )

[latkje]

You realize this ends with me calling your bluff, right?

Meet me in the Hold, tomorrow morning.

[whatsupcroc]

Sure I do.

( Now disproportionately happy; )

Before or after dawn?

[latkje]

After. Seriously, are you kidding?

[whatsupcroc]

Nope! Some things are better to get on top of before dawn. It's not that strange!

[latkje]

Yeah, fishing and assassinations. Neither of which I much enjoy.

[whatsupcroc]

( She bursts out laughing again. )

Hey, there's also the good old standard for ambushes, too!

[latkje]

You're really making your case here, you know?

[whatsupcroc]

Hey, you never did ask what I did before I came here. Anyway, I'm used to getting up early here to go swimming. Much less exciting than half the other options, and much less about fishing than being like the fish!

[latkje]

You're a kid, growing up's enough of an occupation. The missus says I've never managed it.

Swimming is slightly less boring than fishing. [ But there's no reason to do it in the morning. It's not like water is nocturnal. ]

[whatsupcroc]

You know, I think I've heard my brother's wife say the same thing about him...

A whole lot less! You put in way more effort, for one, and the endorphins leave you feeling great. ( No, but if you're up, ,it beats network crawling ten to one. )

[latkje]

And the water leaves you feeling cold.

[ He actually wakes up most days to exercise, but he pretends he doesn't. ]

[whatsupcroc]

That's what the hot shower after the swim is good for!