#MB - Six

[majestys]

WHO; Charles Phipps & Elizabeth Middleford.
WHERE; Middleford Household.
WHAT; Fencing practice or something.

[Charles observes; this is something he is good at. Catching the small and fine details and analyzing them. Today, he observes Elizabeth Middleford, sword protege, train. He observes closely, his thumb rubbing his chin and his eyes narrowed.

Comments

[couldshank]

[Elizabeth does not observe, she attacks. She knows Mother is watching today, and so are a few others. They do hold these fencing tournaments of sorts for a reason, of course - some benefic fundraiser, this time (Papa's idea), with the undertone of offering the whole noble society a peek of what exactly the future bride of the Queen's watchdog is capable of (Mama's idea) - and so, it is only natural that people will watch as she fences.

But-

Attaque simple, coup de pointe, parade, riposte, coup de pointe-even now, even after all that she and Ciel have been through and after all they've spoken (and not spoken) about, she feels as if she is surprising the majority of her public with the change in her cute modals, rather than her swordsmanship. Still - today, she is a Middleford; tomorrow, she will be Lizzy again - and the masque hides her calculating stare well. These are not decaying, revived corpses she is fighting, however. These are potential enemies of Ciel

[majestys]

[Charles waits until there is space; until Elizabeth has a chance to steal a drink of water, before he strikes. He has no doubt drew attention to himself, dressed in uniform as he is. He has no doubt that Frances Middleford has seen to him too, but all of that is irrelevant.

He approaches Elizabeth with his hands folded across his chest, and his expression straight. He doesn't cough to get her attention. Instead:]

Lady Middleford, [and then:] I commend you on your form today.

[couldshank]

[She's drunk most of the glass of water by the time she's approached - the glass, still bigger than her own head, which pleases her a little (because it's cute) - but at least she doesn't spit it out from the fright.]

Ah! [She turns around to face him - him, who is very tall - and looks up and smiles. She's not wearing a dress, so there shall be no bowing now.]

Thank you - I still am learning, though, sir.

[majestys]

[He raises an eyebrow. Modest, he thinks. Modesty has no place on the battle field. He says none of that, however. Instead he glances across the room - at her defeated foes and then back at her.

Small, he thinks, but fast.]

You've improved since the last I saw you. [He pauses; unfolds his arms and glances at her foil.] My name is Charles Phipps - pardon my brazenness, but I would like to issue you a challenge.