The spear from Adela

[Anonymous]

(( OOC: This thread takes place before "A simple escort?". ))

It was mid-morning, not too early but not late enough for it to be considered afternoon yet. Takuma was an early-riser but today he didn't have anything planned, one of the odd days when he didn't have a client and had yet to line up the next job. Off-duty was the best description for it, and fortunately(or maybe unfortunately) his past couple of assignments had been devoid of combat. While, the fact that he had the luck of not having to deal with any serious combat, he didn't want his skills to rust either.

It was that line of thinking that had found him the Salle Cathane. From what he'd heard, it was a cross between a sword school and a social club. But since the establishment was based on swordplay, he wondered he'd fit in as a spear-user. He doubted it'd be much of a difference, but if so, he could always pick up a sword and start learning. He'd wielded one before, but the intricacies were lost to him.

Finger tips pressing into the door, he'd push it open and step inside. Takuma expected that the place wouldn't be too busy with it being the morning and could get a grasp on how he felt about the place while it wasn't so crowded. He was dressed in a dark green shirt and trousers, the shirt completely sleeveless. From his elbow and below to his wrist was covered by a thick leather armguard on each arm. The leather guards looked worn but well-taken care of, the small abrasions buffed out of the leather with care, giving it a polished look much like that of the polished wooden shaft of the spear.

The attention to detail that was placed in the spearman's equipment was apparent. Giving the place a look around, he stepped out of the way of the door in case anyone entered behind him, trying to decide on his first impression of the place.

(( OOC: Will leave the physical description of the Salle Cathane to you, Acacia. ))

[Anonymous]

(( OOC: Sorry I didn't get to this earlier! I didn't see it right away. ))

He wouldn't get the most accurate impression from the entrance alone; that was not for bouts, but for cooling down between and of course the ceaseless chitchat that was half the salle's reason for being. Sweat-soaked combatants were lounging on couches and cushions to get their breath back, fresher individuals stretching out first, and some who may or may not have had any plans for a bout today were just socializing with all the others. The clatter of the dulled blades was just barely audible from the larger hall beyond, drowned out by conversation and the stone fountain on one wall.

Trasa Cathane had just finished availing herself of that fountain- it was a practical thing for all its abstract beauty, meant to allow fencers to slake their thirst whether with flasks brought with them or just their cupped hands- when the man in green entered. She didn't recognize him, and though even she didn't know everyone who came by here these days, he was looking around like he'd never seen the place before, so it was a fair bet that he was new.

Grinning, she headed in his direction; she'd always been of the opinion that newcomers should be welcomed properly. "Hey there, you, welcome to my salle! What brings you here on this very fine morning?"

[Anonymous]

Looking between those lounging or chatting, and the fountain in the center he would only be able to barely pick up the sound in the next room. Letting his eyes scan over the crowd, it seemed like the patrons enjoyed themselves.

His eyes lifted when he spotted Trasa approaching him, he didn't know her to be the owner until she introduced herself. Giving a respectful bow of his head, the spear man continued to look over the establishment. "A growing interest in the sword." He replied to her question, and gave her a smile. "My name is Takuma."

He hadn't expected to be greeted by the very owner, but he was happy with the coincidence. He had a question of his own, and would look towards the doors the lead to the hall in which he faintly heard the clash of metal. "What style of swordsmanship is practiced here?" He'd heard of many shapes of a sword and because of that there were many styles of using one, not so different from the state of polearms and how they had their own branches and schools as well.

[Anonymous]

"Mine's Cathane, but I'm sure you had guessed already. For sport we teach the smallsword," said Cathane. The skin around her scars crinkled as her habitual smile widened. "Of course, I wouldn't dream of requiring everyone to play the same way except in competition. A lot of us come to the salle with previous experience and want to go on as they began-- I favor the side-sword, myself. I just try to match like with like."

She gestured toward the doors Takuma already looked interested in. "A few are more popular than others, of course. If you'd like to come and see, you're more than welcome."

[Anonymous]

Takuma would only give a nod when she gestured toward the doors. Walking to them he'd open one and peer inside, glancing to Cathane only momentarily. "Do you compete?" The spearman had never thought of using his abilities in a competition. He liked a friendly duel, but competitions seemed like a bit much to him.

He kept the spear settled against his arm still. If anything, he'd likely be more comfortable with a heavy sword, or one that could be supported with two hands. The size and weight of the blade wouldn't bother him as much as how he could move the sword in his hands.

He looked about the hall that was beyond the doors, more specifically, taking in the size of it and any other important details his eyes happened to catch.

[Anonymous]

"Me, myself?" Cathane's laugh was loud and rough as she accompanied her guest into the main hall. It was many times the size of the foyer, and much more open- the only furnishings here were mats on the floor for more traction than polished stone, weapon racks along one wall, and a few smaller chairs, easily moved, where people sat to observe a few of the many smallsword bouts that were going on.

Someone skilled at observing people might have noticed some divisions; almost invariably, the participants in those bouts were well-dressed and fine-featured, while those who favored other weapons-- side-swords like Cathane's own, or in a few cases the arming-swords of actual infantry, though all blunted and buttoned-- had more workmanlike equipment, more muscular and well-worn bodies, and a certain swagger, also shared by the swordmaster. "I run the place, I judge bouts, and I taught some of these saps everything they know," she concluded. "It would hardly be fair to anyone. No, I just spar when I'm not teaching."

She'd been looking Takuma up and down while he surveyed the room, getting his measure. Definitely the arming-sword type, she decided, unless he was interested in that competition himself. Well, actually the spear type, obviously, but out of the things she could help him with arming seemed best.

[Anonymous]

Takuma's steps would lead him around the room to one of the weapon racks. Listening to her speak, his eyes would watch the ongoing bouts and the the differences between the people he saw. He noticed the difference in the patrons when he'd laid eyes on those in the lounge in the front, and the same two 'factions' continued to exist in this Hall. He saw no tension, and was surprised at first that there was none.

Then again, the salle didn't have an air of complacency. He didn't see an aura of division, but of comradeship. Standing in front of one of the weapon racks, he would glance to Cathane. "I've only occasionally held a sword, and it's quite different from a spear, but I am confident in my abilities." He would gesture to her before he would reach for one of the swords, making sure she had no protests before placing a hand on any of her weapons.

She'd be correct in that he had his eye on an arming sword, it's blade was a bit thicker than the others, meaning it was more styled towards cutting and blunt force as a weapon. It could be used to thrust, but wasn't as equipped for that action as a sword with a thinner blade. "What I mean is, would you like to spar against me?" He wasn't the type for competitions. He enjoyed a friendly spar, but was discouraged when there was anything at stake, whether it be fame or fortune.

He'd yet to have much of a grip on who Cathane was, but a spar would tell him just as much, if not more, than a conversation out by the fountain.

((OOC: Sorry I'm a bit slow with posts. Busy busy. x_X ))

[Anonymous]

"Not with you dressed like that, I wouldn't," said Cathane, eyeing Takuma's soft clothing with exaggerated disapproval. "Sharp or not, we don't fight anyone unprotected unless we mean to hurt them; kid gloves are no fun and neither are broken bones." Not that the hardened leather she wore was any kind of invulnerability, of course, but all her scars predated her retirement and she was quite happy with that state of affairs.

Observing the direction of his gaze, she picked up the arming-sword herself, hefting it in a practiced manner before offering him the hilt. "Now, if you've got some light armor, that would be another matter. Otherwise, I could show you some forms if you like."