5th Summer 514AV
Adelaide wasn't feeling completely sure of herself as she waited outside the main room with six other women, waiting for Jakeepa to appear and the lesson to start. She was feeling slightly nervous. Firstly, because most other dynasties looked down on the establishment and when they did deign request a lesson, usually requested private tuition. Adelaide was the only Dynast there and felt that the other students were keeping their distance, speaking in whispered tones amongst themselves rather than trying to engage her in conversation. Perhaps Adelaide was grateful for it in some ways, but she could help but feel that she was not. If she had been able to talk, to laugh, to chatter, then she might have been able to calm down and she might not have felt so silly for not being calm.
What was the worst that was going to happen? Being hit by a ribbon dagger without the dagger? However, Adelaide knew that that wasn't the trouble. The trouble was that learning to defend herself seemed paramount to admitting that she would need to defend herself at some point in the future - and that was an admission she didn't feel ready to acknowledge. Still, somewhere in the back of her mind, it had occurred to her that it would be a good idea to not be entirely defenceless, especially with the growth and the threat of the Rujaro... not that she knew what damage she could possibly inflict with a ribbon dagger.
"Alright Ladies..." Jakeepa appeared and waved in the group with a smile, her black eyes glinting sharply. They all filed in, Adelaide last, "Miss Sitai," said the woman with a smile while Adelaide did not bother asking how she knew who she was, "This is the first time you're attending one of my classes."
"Indeed. I hope they shall prove useful."
"Just remember to take off your shoes."
Adelaide flushed slightly as she realised she was the only one with her shoes still on. With a light smile in response to the Chaktawe's grin, she slipped them off and placed them on one of the shelves provided, leaving her standing in brown culottes and a red silk shirt - starting to wonder if her choice of clothing was at all appropriate. Maybe she ought to buy something else especially for occasions when she was practising something more active. Still, wasn't the point of the feminine Arts, in terms of defence, that they should be able to be performed while still dressed in the usual way? At least, that was what Adelaide had understood from a friend of hers.
"Alright. Now you all have a ribbon dagger..."
Adelaide didn't and was shown to the area where the school's own supply was kept. She picked up the cleanest one she could find, a short ribbon dagger with a few gauzy, salmon-coloured ribbons streaming out of it. Thankfully, it was in quite good condition.
"For now, we will unsheathe the daggers."
Adelaide flushed slightly as, once again, she had to explain that she didn't know how. Luckily, Jakeepa seemed pretty calm and came over, showing her that it was a small trick, where it had to be slipped out of a slit, like a large buttonhole.
What was the worst that was going to happen? Being hit by a ribbon dagger without the dagger? However, Adelaide knew that that wasn't the trouble. The trouble was that learning to defend herself seemed paramount to admitting that she would need to defend herself at some point in the future - and that was an admission she didn't feel ready to acknowledge. Still, somewhere in the back of her mind, it had occurred to her that it would be a good idea to not be entirely defenceless, especially with the growth and the threat of the Rujaro... not that she knew what damage she could possibly inflict with a ribbon dagger.
"Alright Ladies..." Jakeepa appeared and waved in the group with a smile, her black eyes glinting sharply. They all filed in, Adelaide last, "Miss Sitai," said the woman with a smile while Adelaide did not bother asking how she knew who she was, "This is the first time you're attending one of my classes."
"Indeed. I hope they shall prove useful."
"Just remember to take off your shoes."
Adelaide flushed slightly as she realised she was the only one with her shoes still on. With a light smile in response to the Chaktawe's grin, she slipped them off and placed them on one of the shelves provided, leaving her standing in brown culottes and a red silk shirt - starting to wonder if her choice of clothing was at all appropriate. Maybe she ought to buy something else especially for occasions when she was practising something more active. Still, wasn't the point of the feminine Arts, in terms of defence, that they should be able to be performed while still dressed in the usual way? At least, that was what Adelaide had understood from a friend of hers.
"Alright. Now you all have a ribbon dagger..."
Adelaide didn't and was shown to the area where the school's own supply was kept. She picked up the cleanest one she could find, a short ribbon dagger with a few gauzy, salmon-coloured ribbons streaming out of it. Thankfully, it was in quite good condition.
"For now, we will unsheathe the daggers."
Adelaide flushed slightly as, once again, she had to explain that she didn't know how. Luckily, Jakeepa seemed pretty calm and came over, showing her that it was a small trick, where it had to be slipped out of a slit, like a large buttonhole.
