{{post iii}}

[shieldofrohan]

I struggle to know how to say this, yet I think it must be done. At the feast, I asked for news of home. That news I was given, and it lifted my heart, for if she who brought us here is to be believed, naught is foregone. Nothing has changed. My uncle yet lives, my home yet safe, my duty yet discharged. And so I am glad, and truly so, for it has plagued me to think on my absence.

Yet like all else, there came with a gift, a cost. The cost, for me, was a charge placed upon me, one month in delivering, to grow more... experienced in the ways of this place.

And so, bluntly put, this is an invitation. Come to me, speak with me, and if we are of a mind on the subject, lay with me. Men and women both, if you be willing. Not Kaphlar.

I apologise for my bluntness, and the crudeness of this request. But my boon was granted, and I am not of a mind to be churlish in return. I consider it a duty, and any help a service, with my thanks.

-Éowyn

Comments

[crimsonlight]

An honorable approach. I shall be glad to help you. That looks cold, written in this manner.

I have information of my own to add, as well.

[shieldofrohan]

Cold? Perhaps, yet I took it not so. And I thank you for your help, Yenh. When would best suit you in this?

And I would gladly hear aught you have learned.

[crimsonlight]

I will welcome you to my home anytime you find yourself ready, my friend. But only say the word!

As for what it is I have learned: I refrained from discussing it at the feast, for there was too much going on, but in my brief span away,

[She pauses to consider how to phrase this, and then starts on a new line.]

Whilst returning from the Snow Queen's boudoir, I- encountered an incident. Upon its end, I'd a flood of memories, as though I'd been home with no recollection of this place—but then I was returned to this realm once again. No time had passed by my reckoning, but I had changed physically.

[Yenh underlines the word "physically" a few times, because it's weird.]

[shieldofrohan]

I see.

That seems a traumatic experience. Are you all right?

[Let's shelve the sex for now. This is more concerning.]

[crimsonlight]

"Traumatic"? Oh, certainly not! [It's gonna take a lot more than that to traumatize her. If only because her psyche has already been hit with by worse on multiple occasions.] You needn't concern yourself with it.

That is to say, I've experienced something similar to it before. The memory part, at least. The change in my body was rather new, but I'm not one to balk at new experiences.

[shieldofrohan]

What kind of a change?

[crimsonlight]

I grew physically stronger, and gained new scars to match the memories.

[shieldofrohan]

Greater strength is no small gift, I should say.

[crimsonlight]

Agreed. Hard-won, and much-lost thanks to the Mistress' power, yet I still retained my natural gains.

My arms have grown thicker. I shall gladly show them to you, but I've no doubt you've a more impressive pair of your own.

[shieldofrohan]

I will gladly meet that challenge! But say the word, and we can match our strength against the other...

[crimsonlight]

We've ourselves a lovely time ahead! I do so love a good spar.

Yet I shall need a rapier—I shall see if I can find a decent enough one.

[Of course, she's also Dirt Poor, but she's almost certain she could ask Aymeric for a loan if she tracked one down.]

[shieldofrohan]

Shall I seek one out for you? There may be one in the armoury.

Though to tell true, I fear our swords shall be a poor match. Never have I fought against one so light.

[crimsonlight]

I would adore one! Yet I don't wish to see you punished on my behalf. Would it be better for us to use training swords of some middling weight? Mine heavier, yours lighter, both on equal clumsy footing!

[shieldofrohan]

A fine idea! Both locked together in our incompetencies.

Perhaps after, we might address the other... [HOW DO FLIRT?]

[crimsonlight]

[THIS WAY]

I confess, I planned on suggesting it. I find that the rush of battle carries over well f

[And then she stops, remembering that other people can read this and that no one needs to know how much post-combat sex she's had. The last line gets crossed out rather frantically.]

you want to shift this over to action, handwave, start a new post...?

[shieldofrohan]

[Well, now Eowyn's blushing. But also more than a little intrigued.]

Then if we are of a mind, let us not tarry. Tomorrow?

lets keep going here!!

[crimsonlight]

Short a disaster, tomorrow shall be fine. I'll be there bright and early!

[Which is very easy for her.]

[Yenh is very much a morning person, glad for the promise of some real exercise. She passes through the castle gates in the same outfit from the feast: tunic, cape, battle skirt, boots, gloves.]

[She pauses and begins casting glances around for Eowyn.]

[shieldofrohan]

[Eowyn, too, is up with the dawn, but a little later in arriving at the training yard - she has duties to attend to first, if not many.]

[She heads out with one sword at her belt and another, lighter one slung over one shoulder, and looks around. When she spos Yenh, she raises a hand in greeting.]

[crimsonlight]

[As soon as their eyes meet, Yenh too raises a hand—and the corners of her mouth into one of her big smiles, as she hurries to close the gap between them.]

A good morning to you, my friend! Are you well-rested?

[shieldofrohan]

Well-rested, and well-practiced to match thee.

[She smiles brightly, holding the lighter of the two swords out hilt-first.]

Try its heft. Not too heavy?

[crimsonlight]

[Yenh accepts the blade delicately, stepping back to level the sword safely toward the air to test the weight.]

[Yuck. Yenh finds it to be akin to dreams where you know you should be able to shout at the top of your lungs, but all that you can manage is a long strained whisper.]

[But she isn't about to back down from a chance to at least try it. Especially not when a lack of trying anything was a big part of her restlessness of late.]

[Making some adjustments to her stance, she takes a few practice swings. Definitely like cutting through mud.]

Not too, yet I fear that I'll make a clumsy opponent without my magic to support my movement. Still, that may be for the best.

[shieldofrohan]

[She smiles, but there's a little tautness to it: she can see Yenh's difficulty with the sword she's procured, and she feels rather bad about it.]

If you cannot best me with that, then perhaps tomorrow I may do battle with one of your rapiers. As a handicap.

[She's teasing. Of course she is. Smiling, she tilts her head towards the way she came.]

Shall we?

[crimsonlight]

[She falls in stride with Eowyn, giving her a grin. It strikes her impossibly funny that anyone would handicap themselves against her, and she just barely manages not to laugh.] I appreciate the offer, my friend! Let us discuss handicaps after our first bout.

We needs must establish rules, as well.

[And while they walk, she holds the sword in her hands, feeling the weight and the balance and in the back of her mind already formulating her battle plan. Weighing the risks and judging her opponent with great care... and admiring her, too. Those were not mutually exclusive things.]

[heiresy]

If you would consider a man of my race, then I may be of service to you, milady. That is, If I were in your place, I would hope for similar aid and understanding.

-Lord Commander Aymeric de Borel

[shieldofrohan]

I should be a churl indeed to hold race against you. And indeed, I hope for such aid.