A Change of Scenery (Ethan)

[Ethan Lacroix]

His amusement at her continued dry quasi-humor was washed away by his surprise. Ethan's eyebrows rose noticeably when she mentioned how young she'd started her training, at less than half the age he'd been when he took up the sword. He also found both the plural reference to her first weapons and her trainer's name more than a little intriguing.

Somewhere in his medley of training he'd picked up some skill with a main gauche, but for the most part he stuck with the single blade. Offhand weapons were mostly impractical, particularly in fencing styles, so the implication that her training involved such a style told him it was likely quite different from his own. "Xiu" also sounded distinctly Oriental to him, though he didn't know nearly enough about the Asian languages to pin down any particular nation. Definitely not Japan, but his knowledge ended there. This too led him to imagine her own fighting style was far less traditionally European than his, and he was quickly letting go of any notion that he would really have any familiarity with her techniques.

Ethan blew a low whistle as she briefly described her regimen, listening intently until she seemed to be done. "I imagine so," was his initial response to her conclusion, though he waited a few moment, regarding her curiously, before he spoke again. He made a simple observation, then let it sit at that to see what her reaction would be. "It sounds, Miss Philosophy, that you were raised to be a warrior."

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah heard Ethan's low whistle and supposed her training sounded rather extreme. But then, she always had been an all or nothing person... and certainly, this had been an "all" situation. [blue]"I believe my father had hopes that I would follow in his footsteps with the International Ministry,"[/blue] she replied carefully to Ethan's comment. He had made a valid observation, but it wasn't one she would allow herself to explicitly confirm. That would raise far too many questions. She smiled for a moment before the expression disappeared. [blue]"My mother had hoped I might be a musician, as she was. So, overall, I suppose it is best to say that I had a very well-rounded education."[/blue]

She shook her head very slightly before continuing. [blue]"Weapons training, of course, was only a part of my education. It is important to have a focus which disciplines the body as well as the mind."[/blue] She paused for a moment, her gaze afire momentarily with a burst of passion that lit her grey eyes with fierce intensity. [blue]"Though, I believe there are some things worth fighting for."[/blue] The fire faded as she finished speaking and D'rorah shifted her gaze to the texts scattered before her.

Carefully, she began packing them into her satchel. There was so much to do... and here she was spending time in casual conversation. She was annoyed with herself. She had indulged in quite enough sentimental reflection for one afternoon. She stopped as her hand came across the mangled quill, regarding it for a moment. Perhaps Ethan was right... she needed to find more venues for releasing emotion. She pushed the thought away, however, thinking it somewhat self-indulgent. And, even if it wasn't, who would she seek out? It certainly would no longer be Dylan. It couldn't be Kerridon as long as they were forced to remain a secret, and the other Lightfighters had their own concerns and problems to deal with at the moment.

[Ethan Lacroix]

An uncommon sense of skepticism assailed Ethan as D'rorah explained her intense training as having to do with her father's desires for her. True, his knowledge of the wizarding world was likely quite underwhelming compared to that of any pure- or half-blooded wizard who'd been raised learning all the intricacies, but he didn't really see any solid connection between her melee combat skills and the International Ministry. Still he kept the thought to himself for the moment, listening politely. He nodded his consent, agreeing that some physical education was indeed a very good thing.

Of course he hadn't a clue to what she was referring when she spoke of things that were worth fighting for, but the fire in her eyes was unmistakable. Whatever else he thought or knew of her, Ethan decided then that D'rorah was dangerous. Of course he believed that anyone could be, under the right circumstances. But this girl he believed could be in nearly any instance. Not that that was necessarily a negative attribute. Indeed, Ethan's childhood had proven that he agreed with her, but still he didn't think of himself as dangerous. Not nearly as much anyway. The boy couldn't exactly put his finger on it, but while it wasn't maliciousness he sensed within his companion, he definitely felt there was a cold ruthlessness there that would let very little, if anything, stand between her and whatever agenda she had.

Letting a tiny playful grin overtake his lips once the intense look had faded from her eyes, Ethan chanced a slightly sarcastic response, revealing his skepticism as he stood. "I hadn't realized there was a department in the International Ministry dedicated to swordplay. I suppose I'll have to be more thorough in my research into possible career paths. At any rate, I'm sorry I disturbed your peace, but I'm glad we had this little chance to clear some things up. And again, I'm always available if you need a friendly ear." It had crossed his mind to help her collect and pack her books, but he decided against it. She seemed the sort who would rather do it herself. The problem he'd discovered with modern chivalry was that it seemed nearly half the population didn't react well to it. They saw it as some sort of insinuation that the recipient was incapable of accomplishing whatever task on their own. Ethan had learned to be a tad more discerning over the past couple years.

Stepping off to the side, he slipped his toe under the base of the sword's "blade" and launched it up to about shoulder height, catching it deftly in a maneuver he'd clearly practiced. holding his arms out to the sides, he kept the blade pointed down as he made a bow as if he were a renaissance swordsman. The growing grin showed that he knew full well how silly he was being. With a simple "Bye," he turned to head back to the castle, intent on a shower.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah allowed a teasing smirk to fall upon her features as Ethan chanced a sarcastic reply to her statement. [blue]"You have found me out, Mister Lacroix. I am a proud warrior locked in a battle to save the very earth itself,"[/blue] she replied, her sarcasm immediately discounting the truth of the statement she made. She had found that, sometimes, thing were hidden best out in the open. And, in any case, she hoped they might be in the open soon enough as it was. Secrecy could be a dangerous game.

She shifted her gaze to the slightest of smiles as he apologized for having disturbed her peace. [blue]"No apology necessary. I find myself to have enjoyed this conversation far more than I anticipated."[/blue] She paused, watching as he slipped his toe under the base of the foil's blade. [blue]"Oh, and Ethan,"[/blue] she raised her voice slightly to catch his attention and then paused to make sure she had it. [blue]"Thank you."[/blue] It was thanks for the offer of a friendly ear... she was fairly certain that this offer was genuine, unlike some she had encountered in the past from those who had turned out to be agents of the Mage.

She allowed herself a moment of laughter at his antics as he bowed to her, though immediately after arched her eyebrow at the display as though she did not approve. [blue]"Be safe,"[/blue] she replied to his simple "bye" and wathed him for a moment as he headed off before turning her attention to the texts before her and finishing the collection of them into her satchel. As always, there was a lot of work to be done and never much time to do it.