driftfleet | (no subject)

[Margaery would have received a message a few days ago, telling her to meet Riona on some specified room on the Iskaulit. Her only instructions were to wear trousers/breeches and to come with her hair tied back. Likely it isn't hard to guess what this will be about.

Riona waits inside, dressed similarly as per her instructions. There are two blunted practice swords propped up in the corner, but she seems content to ignore them for now. She'll be stretching and cracking her knuckles until Margaery arrives.]

[ she will arrive in clothes she will burrow from nova, a pair of dark breeches and a grey tunic. funnily, her hair will be styled in the manner of her friend as well, a thick braid resting over her right shoulder. in between the usual brown, bold streaks of blue dye will be seen. ]

You must forgive me for being so late, Lady Riona. I am terribly unused to these fashions.

[It is rather odd to see Margaery in that get up. She would not have asked her to come clothed like that if it weren't necessary.]

Nothing to be forgiven for. It's nothing requiring precise timing.

[It's then she notices the blue in her hair, and she tilts her head in wonder.]

Forgive me for diverting for a moment, but is that... color in your hair?

Is it not beautiful?

[ she steps closer so she could see the details. the color is a vivid sky blue that seems to flatter the nut brown of her hair in an odd manner. she is smiling as she allows her to inspect it. ]

My friend Chloe dyed the ends of my hair. It looks much prettier when I wear it loose.

It's a gorgeous color. Hair dye is not popular in Thedas, and I've never seen it in person. I think your friend chose well.

[Ah, but they can talk about it later.]

As pretty as it is, I did not bring you here to admire your hair. But I'm sure you've already guessed why, considering the wardrobe restrictions I've imposed for today?

You have forgotten our conversation.

[ she doesn't tease this time, for a change. if only because she is thankful to lady riona for doing this for her sake, teaching her a new craft the way she does. with no men loyal to her name and without her brothers, margaery knows she would need to be a gifted student in this particular class ]

and I do thank you for it.

The pleasure is all mine. These are useful skills to have. Even if you should never have need of them, knowing them lends itself a certain level of comfort.

[It's always nice to know a number of ways of breaking someone's bones.]

How much you want to learn will be your choice. I will, at least, teach you some basics, enough to ward off more common threats: pickpockets, thugs, drunkards who get a little too violent... or a little to hands-y. Or completely sober men who attempt to do the same. [She smiles blandly. They were both raised nobility. They've seen those types of men.]

And if I do wish to learn more, you'll teach me?

[ she tilts her head to the side in evident curiosity ]

and it shall remain our secret? yours and mine?

Absolutely. And no one needs to know. In fact, it is likely better. The greatest defense is surprise, and catching an attacker off guard by being able to defend yourself does throw them for a loop. [Two beautiful women like them? Most would mark as easy targets. Riona's muscles might give her away, but that required being close enough to see. And close enough to be in striking range.]

Tell me: do you have any knowledge of defending yourself? I assume you know the most obvious: for men, go for the groin; in general, go for the neck or eyes, so on and so forth?

[ margaery arches an eyebrow at her before smiling ]

My house is the second richest house in the Seven Kingdoms. I am always surrounded by knights sworn to defend me and I have three older brothers, two of which are excellent swordsmen. The only way I learned to keep myself safe in this world is by using my wit.

[ and then - ]

Though I can see how the groin would be very painful.

[...

hoo boy. Looks like they'll be starting with the very, very basics.]

Yes, though I wouldn't always recommend that.

[But that's for later.]

All right. Let's say you're in a rather perilous situation where someone means you harm, and your wit - as sharp as it is - has failed.

First thing you do? Shout. Yell. Be loud and bold. When your well being is in danger, propriety and manners must be discarded. Show them you intend to put up a fight. Someone looking for an easy target will reconsider going after you, if they have half a brain.

Shout and be bold.

[ she nods her head with a smile. women tended to whimper and cower but margaery always liked to think that even in such a state of panic, she would know to do better than weep ]

What's next? Let us assume my attack is utterly without a brain.

That will depend on how your attacker comes at you.

[Riona approaches her and holds out her hand.]

We'll start with a wrist grab. Would you kindly give me your hand and I can show you?

Ask any lady in this manner and you might receive more than you bargained for, milady.

[ but she winks, offers her a hand ]

please.

Tease.

[She grins and takes her hand. She latches onto her wrist, a strong hold that any attacker might employ to drag her with them.]

Your attacker means to drag you off, or yank you forward. Whatever he intends, the first thing to do is never panic. His grip may be strong, but it does not mean it cannot be broken. The key is balance.

What you need to do is grab hold of my arm with the same hand I'm grabbing. Squeeze my arm and twist it until the underside of my arm is facing upwards. Then with your hips - do not use the leverage of your arms or hands - pull me towards you.

((ooc: okay so describing self-defense moves is tricky, so here's a video for reference. Skip to about the 1:30 mark. That's what she's showing Marge.))

It sounds like a very painful dance.

[ she smiles, looks down at their hands before humming ]

Are you certain I shall not hurt you? what if I do it wrong and cause you pain? I shan't bear it.

I'll be all right. Whatever you could possibly manage here will not be the worst I've ever faced. [A beat.] Of course, I'd appreciate if you didn't put all of your strength into the maneuver. But I'll be fine, Margaery. I promise. I'll endure a little pain if it helps you learn to keep yourself safe.

How gallant! Would that I were a queen, I would knight you in a heartbeat, to agree to any measure of pain for a lady you are not sworn to? that is sweet.

[ her smile is that, too. sweet and affectionate but she goes for the maneuver a moment later. there is little strength thrown in there, she does not wish her any harm, only to show that she understood. ]

[Luckily, not much strength is needed. The movement partially twists Riona's body and she's slightly jerked forward. She stands close to Margaery now.]

See how I am disadvantaged here? Now's when you strike. And you have a few options.

[Riona points to her legs.]

If I were a man, you could always try to kick my crotch. However, I caution against doing that, especially depending on how tall the man is. It requires you to have to lift your leg a bit, and it threatens to unbalance you. My suggestion? The shins or the knees. Those are hard for anyone to guard, and a good blow to either can debilitate a person pretty quickly. You can always stomp on someone's foot, too, but that requires a lot of force and hitting it just right. But it can be damn effective if you're wearing a heel. So go ahead, kick where you'd like.

[And because she anticipates what Margaery will say:] I am wearing knee and shin guards under these pants, don't you worry.

I can see that.

[ if she was not keen about showing her seriousness here, she'd reach out to tickle her, that would certainly catch by surprise, if naught else but she bites back the smile the thought stirs in her.

she doesn't kick, quite; instead, her leg moves to tangle in hers, to try and shift the balance.

little queens and following orders, really. ]

[Riona only frowns in confusion for a quick moment before she realizes what Margaery is trying to do. Instinctively her legs try to spread out to keep herself from falling over. And, to demonstrate to Margaery what may happen if she tries to do that in a real situation, she reaches out to grab and hold onto her, to try and bring her down with her should her balance fail her.]

[ she is all laughter as they both fall down, a light thud against the mattress. Well, this is certainly fun, a little like dance and a little like a battle. she could see why men would find this exhilarating. A moment later she presses a kiss to her cheek ]

You must give me a little praise for trying!

You certainly surprised me.

[Riona shook her head, though her expression was affectionate as she looked at Margaery.]

I see you're going to be that kind of pupil.

(no subject)

C. some room on the Iskaulit probably; action

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