The Hand We're Dealt [Lion] [M]

[DragonSong]

All three of her brothers paused, confused.

"Participate?" Lucius tilted his head. "What, do you want her to run interference?" he chuckled.

[Lion]

"Not at all. She'll be an active combatant," he said and Maxxen stepped beside her.  "That is, if she's willing to show off her skills."

[DragonSong]

Yvaine stared up at him, wide eyed.

One lesson in several years hardly made her an expert.

Leo laughed quietly. "Yvaine, doesn't know how to fence, Ser Lear, you can't expect-"

"I'm in." She straightened her shoulders and smiled a bit.

[Lion]

Maxxen was beaming at hearing her say yes.  When she did, he strung his arm into hers and held her side as they were led out and about into the courtyard. The others brought out the practice rapiers and set them up beside the group of siblings and their guest.

[DragonSong]

Yvaine pressed a little closer to his side as they walked, nervous. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" she murmured quietly.

[Lion]

"No, not at all. But you remember what I taught you, right? These are your brothers, and a little friendly competition. They wouldn't intentionally hurt you. Me on the other hand, Leo looks like he'd be happy to trample me with a horse," he murmured.

He chuckled and when her brother's joined them, he stepped back, removing his jacket. At least one good thing wouldn't get torn up.

[DragonSong]

"Oh he wouldn't do it intentionally," Yvaine smirked.

She hesitated a moment, then squeezed his hand briefly before stepping back to give him and her brothers room.

[Lion]

Leo was first up and drew his sword out of the rolled up rapiers in the leather wrap.

Maxxen took one as well and prepared himself.

[DragonSong]

Lucious took Yvaine's arm and pulled her back a few steps, Emile muttering something about foolishness and childish games.

[Lion]

Maxxen was at the ready and as soon as Leo was armed, he stepped forward first, twisting his wrist to flick the blade upward as if to cut the older brother's cheek.  Leo staggered backwards and swatted the sword away, only to turn on his heel and try to press the attack.

Maxx stepped back, gave ground and watched Leo's movements, which seemed to become more aggressive, pressing forward.

[DragonSong]

Despite herself, Yvaine felt her breath hitch and she clenched her hands into fists, watching with rapt attention.

She thought perhaps she should have been routing for her brother, but she couldn't really find it in her to commit to a side.

[Lion]

What Maxxen thought was a game of fun, and apparently Leo felt a little differently about the whole matter.  So when the blade came forward, Maxxen swung around leaving Leo to lunge helplessly forward and he slapped the flat of the practice rapier against the side of Leo's behind.

He laughed and readied himself for the fury that was coming.

[DragonSong]

Yvaine winced a bit.

That was probably not going to go over well...

[Lion]

Maxxen could lose gracefully. And he turned blocked where Leo countered and when the rapier came forward, Leo twisted his wrist and Maxxen felt his grip loosen on the handle, and sword came flying from his hand.

Maxxen stepped back, hands up. "Damn, you're good," he grinned. "You were taught well."  Even if Leo couldn't tell a forfeit from a real win.

[DragonSong]

Leo snorted, smirking, but he had the grace to offer a bow. "That was well met, Ser Lear. It's obvious you've been well trained."

[Lion]

"I was, and still am. But really...I think you'd be surprised at what your sister is capable of," he said and offered the dropped practice rapier to Yvaine.  "That is, if she's up for showing it."

[DragonSong]

Yvaine swallowed, then carefully took the hilt.

Lucius frowned slightly. "Yvaine hasn't held a blade since she was a girl and our parents made me stop teaching her," he pointed out.

[Lion]

"You'd be pleasantly surprised then, to find she has more talent than you last remember," Maxxen murmured. He stepped back and watched the spectacle for a time, tilting his head with a humorous curve to his lips.

[DragonSong]

Yvaine was not nearly so confident in her abilities, shooting Maxx a wry look as she hefted the rapier's weight in her hand.

[Lion]

Leo seemed to hesitate taking on his own sister in combat. Sure it was nothing more than a little friendly sparring, but it was his sister!  Not to mention she wasn't even fit to fight! 

He just stood there, dumbly, staring between her and the rapiers in their hands.