regency au } { of fencing practice and secret admirers

[impetere]

Boyd: [is putting Stiles through his paces while Derek is in town] Come on, Stiles. You need to have the blade clear your body on the blocks.

Stiles: I'm trying, I swear. This thing is just too heavy.

Boyd: That's the point. You're working muscle.

Cora: [is just sitting with her chin in her hands, watching with a frown. Unfortunately she's looking more for technique than she is at the two boys sparring. She is a failure as a teenage girl]

Boyd: [and he easily disengages and thwaps Stiles' ass with the sword] Balance!

Stiles: Ow, really? Was that necessary? [rubbing his behind]

Boyd: Yes.

Cora: [sighs before getting up] Let me.

Boyd: Come again?

Cora: [gestures to take the sword from him] Let me.

Stiles: [confused, looking at Boyd]

Boyd: As you wish. Just go easy on him. [hands his sword over]

Cora: [smirks before taking the sword and settling into her stance] I'm shorter. You won't have to lift your arm as high.

Stiles: You're also in a dress. Are you sure you can do this without hurting yourself?

Cora: [she raises an eyebrow, before coming at him fast, aiming for his torso with a series of quick even jabs]

Stiles: [and he's backing up quickly, blocking each one] Hey, no wait I wasn't ready.

Cora: No opponent will wait until you're ready. [she makes a few more parries before jabbing forward and aiming for his ribs] That is part of the advantage of the game.

Stiles: [and he's going to block before the jab, and he will go to beat that away, sidestepping before going to take a swing at her]

Cora: [dodges easily, before bringing her blade up for another set of parries]

Stiles: [and it's not long before he's in the rhythm, going at tempo with her in the dance of wooden blades]

Cora: [there we go. She keeps him going in the same pattern until she's sure he's comfortable with it, before switching it up and trying something different]

Stiles: [and he's been paying attention to also learning how to read a body, so as long as she isn't moving at Werewolf speed, he will see it and match]

Cora: [she won't. She's pushing him, but she's not pushing him that hard.]

Stiles: [however, he's human and eventually going to get sloppy as he gets exhausted]

Cora: [and she will reward him for that with another smack on the ass] You're getting lazy.

Stiles: OW. [pouting] Hi, human here! I need to breathe after a while.

Cora: [smirks before lowering her stance slightly] Would you like to take a break?

Stiles: Yeah. I would sit down but I think that will be torture now, thanks.

Cora: [laughs] Oh, I'm sure you'll be find.

Stiles: I didn't know you, you knew all this. [gingerly goes to sit down]

Cora: [she shrugs] Derek and his knights practice here all the time. I pay attention. And sometimes Derek would let me practice on him.

Stiles: Well, you're good enough to go into the tourney.

Cora: If women were allowed in the tourney.

Stiles: Didn't stop Lady Allison.

Cora: Lady Allison is more determined than I am to prove herself.

Stiles: Why would that be?

Cora: She is going to be the head of her family, and I am not.

Stiles: But she is intelligent and easy to get along with. Why does it matter in a sport? [which just shows Stiles' lack of noble life]

Cora: She needs to prove that she can hold her own against men in every way. That includes physically, or she would constantly be challenged on the grounds of her strength.

Stiles: [shakes her head] Sometimes I just realize how much of this life I don't understand.

Cora: [she nods] It's a lot more complicated than it seems, that much is certain.

Stiles: It doesn't need to be, but it seems that man cannot thrive without it's complications.

Cora: Of course they can't. How else would they be able to lord their superiority over everyone else. [sarcasm]

Stiles: [sighs, looking away a bit because he was including himself in that group of man and complications] Yes, well, not all men feel that way. [and he was going to stand back up and stretch]

Cora: I know they don't. It's just hard not to be frustrated with it at times.

Stiles: And that I understand. Remember, I held status lower than yours once upon a time.

Cora: I remember. I wasn't referring to you.

Stiles: [nods] Still, I live in their world now. And it's rules I need to learn if I'm to survive.

Cora: Just because you know the rules doesn't mean you have to abide by them. You could change them, if you wanted. You don't realize how much power you will have.

Stiles: No, I don't. That's the thing. It's hard for me to do that because I'm so used to taking orders that I don't know how to negotiate, or debate, or in cases demand. But I need to learn, but it doesn't feel right.

Cora: Don't you believe that you should fight for what's right? It doesn't matter your skill, the only way to get good at something is to do it.

Stiles: I do. But sometimes what I think is right isn't what others believe. So I have to learn subtlety, and learn that I can't always have what I feel is right in the way I want it. Learning to bide my time... skills I never needed. [he hefts the sword a bit] Weapons are easy. It’s a dance. There's no false intentions, no chess pieces to move into place. This I can learn easy.

Cora: You understand people better than you think.

Stiles: Perhaps. [there's a small smile] But I have been told I think with my heart more than my head. Which is not a good skill when it comes to politics. Or so I am being taught.

Cora: At least you are passionate about something. Too many nobles get lazy and complacent.

Stiles: Well, I'm still new at this. Perhaps in ten years I will let myself get lazy. [grins]

Cora: [she gives him a look at that] That wasn't a goal to achieve.

Stiles: [laughs] It was a joke.

Cora: And I am serious.

Stiles: You know, there is a reason my uncle sent me here. [well, a few] He respects the way that the Hales rule their land. He wants me to learn from all of you and to be able to keep these lessons in my heart so that I can strive to be as good as your family, and pass these values to my children as well.

Cora: And are you?

Stiles: Slowly but surely.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: But there's still a lot I need to learn.

Cora: I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Stiles: [he just gives her a thoughtful smile, then nods] I hope so.

Cora: [she nods before glancing down at the sword in her hands] I should get this back to Sir Boyd. Unless you would like to practice again?

Stiles: [looks up at the sun] I actually think it's time for me to go check on Thor. Of course, I won't be able to ride him. [amused]

Cora: [smirks] I'm sure he'll be very disappointed.

Stiles: You wouldn't want to take him out for me at all?

Cora: [raises her eyebrows] All by myself?

Stiles: I could walk beside and stay in eyesight distance in case you need help.

Cora: [takes a deep breath before nodding] Alright. Sounds fair enough.

Stiles: You'll be fine. You know Thor likes you, and he's very gentle.

Cora: [nods] Let me just return this to Boyd.

Stiles: [nods, and he goes to put his back in the armory since he's not going to carry a sword around. Plus he's going to take off the leather armor and hang it up, leaving him in just his very sweaty and clingy top.]

Cora: [and she will take her sword back to where it needs to go and return and ... continue not to notice because she's dumb.]

Stiles: [he's not trying to show off, but he's just normally adorable. However, two passing kitchen maids are noticing a lot and whispering to each other about how beautiful Lord Stilinski is and what they would do with him behind closed doors]

Cora: [yeah, her brain is just not in that arena, so while she does hear what the maids are saying, she ignores it for now] Are you ready?

Stiles: Yes. [and he is just going to smile and walk with her to the stables where Thor snorts in greeting, and looking for a treat]

Cora: [which she always has for him, so she's happy to provide]

Stiles: [chuckles] And you're worried about him not liking you. [one of the stable boys come over to try and help, but Stiles assures him he can handle this and goes to saddle Thor up]

Cora: [just hangs out and strokes his muzzle, keeping him distracted while Stiles does that]

Stiles: [takes his time, since this is easy and calming for him, but he may be sneaking peeks of Cora out of the side of his eyes now and then] Alright, m'lady. Are you ready?

Cora: [glances over with a smile] Ready.

Stiles: [and he will motion for her to come over, and he will gently help her get up into the saddle] Tell me when you feel you are comfortable and balanced.

Cora: [it takes her for a moment of shifting a bit before nodding] That's good.

Stiles: [he will hand her the reins, but he will also put clip the walking rope onto the bridle and start to walk Thor out.] Just let me know if you're going to stop him.

Cora: [she nods and settles in to just watch as they ride]

Stiles: [and he will just walk them out to the field that leads to the lake. He will then look up at her] You want to take over on guiding him?

Cora: [glances over and nods. She can handle that much at least]

Stiles: [and he's going to loop the lead rope so that Thor can't trip on it, and let's go and falls back so that he's beside Cora and not Thor's head]

Cora: [and she'll keep him at a steady pace so that Stiles can keep up, but is mostly letting her eyes roam the scenery as they go]

Stiles: So if you could enter the tourneys, would you go for the sword, or something else?

Cora: [considers for a moment, before shrugging] I don't know. I've never really been interested in being part of them. I just like to learn things.

Stiles: Well, that I know. What have you been trying to learn lately?

Cora: [at that, her face brightens a little] Medicine, actually.

Stiles: Medicine, really? [his face brightens at that] I wouldn't think that you'd have much use for that here.

Cora: I still like to learn. I have human friends, after all. [she gives a small shrug before a shy smile crosses her face] A friend has been sending me books while they travel. It has been ... fascinating.

Stiles: Oh really? [he puts on the appropriate interested and semi jealous face he's been preparing for] What kind of books? [he also knows that another one is due to be delivered today sometime so this is perfect timing]

Cora: [she shrugs] Whatever they happen to find. There's been fiction and nonfiction both.

Stiles: Is this a friend I may have met while I was here before?

Cora: [there's a sheepish pause before she shrugs] It's possible. I cannot say for certain who it is.

Stiles: .... You have a secret admirer, don't you?

Cora: So it may seem. We have been corresponding through letters.

Stiles: Letters with books as presents. [gentle teasing]

Cora: [her head ducks as she blushes looking away for a moment] What about it?

Stiles: I think it's nice. Romantic even.

Cora: I suppose it is. It was just nice to have someone to talk to while I was down at the summer castle. It got a little lonelier than I expected.

Stiles: I feel I'm the one who needs to apologize for that then.

Cora: It was as much my fault as it was yours.

Stiles: But I am the one who broke my promise. You did not.

Cora: [she glances over to him] There were extenuating circumstances.

Stiles: [he looks up at her] That doesn't matter. A man's word is all he has in the end, and I broke it to the person who has done the most for me in my life, and I care about more than anything. There is no excuse for me - even if I was scared and ignorant and human.

Cora: And I forgave you for it.

Stiles: I know. But I haven't forgiven myself.

Cora: When will you?

Stiles: When I feel confident enough that I won't do it again.

Cora: [nods, turning her eyes back to the horse again]

Stiles: [and he will keep in step a bit longer and they are in the field at this point] So... I think this is enough space for you to ride in.

Cora: [glances over with a small smile] All by myself?

Stiles: Yeah. I'll be here if you need me. [makes a hand motion for her to go]

Cora: [nods and off she goes to ride around the field a bit, mostly taking it slow and taking her time]

Thor: [yay trotting. I can do trotting]

Stiles: [watches her, smiling]

Cora: [and she'll trot around for a while before she feels Thor start to slow and she guides him back to Stiles again]

Thor: [Nooooo, I want to go faster! And he's going to start running]

Cora: [and Cora is going to try to slow him down but she's not as well versed with horses as she is with a sword so she's starting to panic more than actually do anything helpful]

Stiles: Crap. [and because horse riding is the one thing Stiles actually does know, he takes off running after, getting close enough to grab the walking rope] Thor, whoa!

Thor: [he was just trying to have fun, dad. But he slows back down]

Cora: [she starts to breathe a little easier when the horse slows, glancing over to Stiles gratefully] Thank you. I think I'd like to get down now.

Stiles: [nods and goes to hold up his hands to help her] He probably just wanted to run and felt safe with you on him.

Cora: Yes, well, I didn't particularly feel very safe. [and she will take that hand down, but she'll land a little too close when she's back on the ground again]

Stiles: [and he will just hold her close a moment, looking at her and letting his hand rub her arm a bit soothingly] Well, you're safe now.

Cora: [her hands rest on his chest for a moment as she looks up at him, and then nods before she takes a step back] Yes. Thank you.

Stiles: Let me take him for a good ride and wear him out. Will you be okay here? I won't go out of sight

Cora: [she nods] I'll go sit by one of the trees.

Stiles: [nods, and then he will hop up on Thor after that and take off, letting the horse get his run out]

Thor: [I AM A MAGESTIC BEAST LOOK AT MY MANE BLOWING IN THE WIND!!!!!!!!!!!]

Cora: [will just smile as she watches them, sitting at the base of one of the trees as she does]

Stiles: [and when Thor starts to slow down, Stiles will steer him back over towards Cora. The big baby of a horse will lower his her to her, nudging her a bit]

Cora: [smirks softly, before reaching her hand up to brush against his muzzle] Did you have a good run?

Stiles: [chuckles, crossing his hands on the pummel and leans forward a bit] I think he is spent, m'lady. Probably best to take him home and brush him down.

Cora: [nods as she gets to her feet] Back to the stables with you, then.

Stiles: Would you like to join me up here?

Cora: [eyes the horse cautiously for a moment, before nodding] Alright.

Stiles: I will control him. You can just enjoy the ride. [holds his hand down for her]

Cora: [takes the hand and uses it to lift herself up, sliding onto the saddle next to him however he directs her]

Stiles: [and it's that comfortable position they had the last time they rode, one hand around her waist gently to keep her balanced, the other holding both reins as he turned Thor to start walking back to the manor]

Cora: [settles in comfortably with him, and as the horse goes, her head may find his shoulder again. She missed this much more than she had thought she would]

Stiles: [and he's going to just hold her gently, letting the moment be silent except for their heartbeats and nature around them until they are back towards the manor]

Cora: [once they make it to the stables, she will return herself to the ground again, before stepping to the side to give him room. As she does, Kira comes to the door to find her]

Kira: My lady, your sister wishes to see you.

Cora: [glances back to Stiles] I should go.

Stiles: Yes, I understand. I'll see you again soon. [nods his head]

Cora: [nods as well, before turning to go] Thank you, for a lovely afternoon. [and with that she and Kira will head back to the manor]

Stiles: [smiles, watching her go and only when he's sure she's out of earshot, he patting Thor's neck] You almost ruined it for me, friend.

Cora: [hey now, don't blame the horse]

Stiles: [better than blaming himself]

Cora: [alright, fine.]

Liam: [and hey, going to hunt her down later with a letter!]

Cora: [and she will light up like a Christmas tree when she gets it] Thank you.

Liam: That's a heavy book.

Cora: Then that means there will be a lot for me to read.

Liam: [wrinkles his nose] I wouldn't want to read all that.

Cora: Well, it's not a present for you.

Liam: Cora's got an admirer. [singsong voice, darting out of reach]

Cora: [rolls her eyes and will just retreat to her room with her book and her letter, closing the door behind her for privacy]

Stiles: [and the letters are this point have turned a bit more romantic and playful, gentle loving remarks in the conversation. The Fox has learned how to write his own romantic letters at this point, but Roland still copies them to parchment so that the handwriting is hidden. And with them both in the manor, Watt rides out to another town to get them to return the post so that it doesn't just appear and the town page brings it in]

Cora: [she doesn't quite respond with the same romantic overtures, but there's hints of things between her words, speaking to this anonymous person in a way she can't quite manage with her own words. There's also a part of her that is flattered by the attention, something warm that tugs at her stomach that isn't embarrassment but makes her feel flushed and special]

Stiles: [and this is the letter that talks about knowing there will be a tourney in south Norway by the Duke that is a staple with a grand mask ball, and if the Hale family would be attending, and if so, if she would do the honor of letting him escort her. It's still a month or two off, but it's the mail]

Cora: [She considers for a long time before playing coy, asking how she will know how to find her escort when she doesn't know who he is?]

Stiles: [and the next letter will come back saying that he will have the mask that is of a fox, and he will carry for her a single rose tied with a white ribbon.]

Cora: [she had hoped that he would come clean and say who he is but that didn't work. So she agrees to his terms and says she will see him at the ball]