[ota] stretching out

[theacethatmatters]

There was no 'business' excuse for Julien to take Padraig out today, but there was something to be said for letting the horse open up into a gallop out in the open fields of the Deck. There's something to be said for just...getting out of the Castle, even for one as tied to it as Julien is.

And if their gallop takes them close in to Town so it seems reasonable to slow to an ambling pace to let the horse cool off as they ride through the streets toward something warm to drink before they head back to the Castle? So much the better.

[ooc: Catch him if you're out riding too, or if you see him and Padraig 'ambling' down the street, or in the stables on the way out or when they return. :)]

Comments

[onlytolerable]

"Really? Well, I suppose most people haven't had the pleasure of dealing with my former tutor. You're hard, mi--Julien. But you're fair." Well, fair in the way a trainer should be. He hadn't been above taking advantage of any mistake. Rightly so.

She chews her lower lip. She can imagine Zoe's reaction to her plan. Adrien probably wouldn't approve at all. "I plan to challenge to Ten. Would you consider being my trainer?"

She had her own reasons not to seek tutelage within her Suit.

[theacethatmatters]

"What are you planning on Challenging in, then?" He's not one for immediate yes's.

Though someone seeking training for a challenge from another Suit isn't entirely unheard-of. Particularly if the challenger is trying to keep their sudden specific training out of the public eye lest people start watching.

[onlytolerable]

Train where no one will see your weaknesses, was so ingrained it might have been engraved on her bones. She hadn't expected immediate acquiesence.

"Straight up hand-to-hand to start--freestyle. My target's of similar height and weight to you. I expect to be countered in sai, though I suppose he might go straight daggers. He likes showy, so I expect the sai." She weighs her next words before deciding to add, "Queen Sade normally trains me."

[theacethatmatters]

Säde, of course. It's not a scowl, but Sophie is likely observant enough to notice the way his jaw tightens minutely at the mention of the Diamond Queen.

"At least you are planning this carefully." So many seemed to just think they only had to win the first challenge, not putting any thought to a possible counter. Miss Berthier, he reflects, likely would have made quite a suitable Spade.

"It would likely be seen," he allows, "as something of a conflict of interest on her part if she trained you for a Challenge."

[onlytolerable]

"I'll need to remember that reason for when she disapproves at me--if she has reason to disapprove at me, that is." Sophie, naturally, kept her gaze on her hands when she dropped her bombshell. It makes it so much easier not to give herself away.

"I'm afraid I don't know any other way to prepare for a challenge. Is it done differently in your Suit?"

[theacethatmatters]

"That's what you have a King for, isn't it?" You know, finally. He hadn't much taken of Vincent's measure yet, but at least the man seemed competent.

"And some people...don't seem to believe they need to put so much thought into it. I don't believe that's particular to any one Suit. But those are the people who never seem to get or stay above oh...Six or so."

[onlytolerable]

She'd always gone to the Queen with her challenge requests. She doesn't want to insult Sade by changing everything at this late date. It wouldn't be the first time someone disapproved of her. She nods.

"Oh. Yes. There are people like that. I've always believed challenges should be treated seriously. You insult your opponent, your Suit and yourself if you don't." She shrugs. "Or perhaps I'm simply competitive by nature." Or had had it drilled into her.