Great skill vs. no skill
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2002 3:32 pm
Greetings,
I've got a short story to tell.
Two weeks ago I went to Ice Falcon's fighter practice for the first time (~5th fighter practice in my lifetime).
Andre' got there about the same time I did, and so we squared off...Super-Duke vs. newbie in 95 pounds of homemade armour and Great Helm...but both relatively healthy military men.
The difference was amazing. Without any arrogance, Andre' proceeded to AVOID my shots with both feet planted and not moving his arms (my helm slid down so I was watching his total lack of footwork a lot, and his stationary elbows). Leaning one way or another, he avoided my blows for nearly a full minute (I wasn't looking at my watch but it felt like forever). Finally I'd exhausted myself, backed up and said "This is embarassing." Andre' smiled good naturedly and said "Well, I am the reigning prince...I'll start swinging now, OK?"
It was a good start to a good night. Quite suprisingly, in the middle of a practice populated by sports armour, stainless steel, plastic and really, really fast tourney fighters...there was not ONE rude suggestion about "getting plastic" and whatnot I've heard elsewhere. Honor was all here, and I like it. The manners were almost "Queen's tea" good.
During that fighter practice I learned a TON, and the next fighter practice I almost held my own against people who wanted to let me win!
I also altered my armour and shield a little too in between the weeks.
Anyway, Andre' showed a great display of skill, without showing a hint of arrogance, damaging a newbie or using "SCA tricks". It was just years of skill and experience blended into an art-form.
-Aaron
I've got a short story to tell.
Two weeks ago I went to Ice Falcon's fighter practice for the first time (~5th fighter practice in my lifetime).
Andre' got there about the same time I did, and so we squared off...Super-Duke vs. newbie in 95 pounds of homemade armour and Great Helm...but both relatively healthy military men.
The difference was amazing. Without any arrogance, Andre' proceeded to AVOID my shots with both feet planted and not moving his arms (my helm slid down so I was watching his total lack of footwork a lot, and his stationary elbows). Leaning one way or another, he avoided my blows for nearly a full minute (I wasn't looking at my watch but it felt like forever). Finally I'd exhausted myself, backed up and said "This is embarassing." Andre' smiled good naturedly and said "Well, I am the reigning prince...I'll start swinging now, OK?"
It was a good start to a good night. Quite suprisingly, in the middle of a practice populated by sports armour, stainless steel, plastic and really, really fast tourney fighters...there was not ONE rude suggestion about "getting plastic" and whatnot I've heard elsewhere. Honor was all here, and I like it. The manners were almost "Queen's tea" good.
During that fighter practice I learned a TON, and the next fighter practice I almost held my own against people who wanted to let me win!
I also altered my armour and shield a little too in between the weeks.Anyway, Andre' showed a great display of skill, without showing a hint of arrogance, damaging a newbie or using "SCA tricks". It was just years of skill and experience blended into an art-form.
-Aaron