Have At Thee, Coward!

Jacob had no idea what he was doing.

For all the skill and finesse he showed with his sword, there was actually very little he could really articulate about his ability. Now Jacob could give students somewhat-cliched, but still inspirational, speeches about how to control their powers using his own swordsmanship as an example. He could say things about control of one's self and becoming in tune with an ability, rather than fighting to wrest control of it from nothing in particular. That was how Jacob operated. His abilities came most easily to him when he did not think and simply let his body move.

But if they asked for actual instruction, they were pretty much out of luck. Jacob could make educated guesses about stance and hand placement based on his own memories of using his sword, and little else. His expert swordsmanship was a result of some natural predilection for swords that he had never been aware of until about a year ago. His father had said it was something passed down from his missing mother, and that was about it.

So when Ruggiero challenged him to a duel, like an actual duel, Jacob was a little flummoxed. Not enough to say "no", of course, but enough to feel awkward and nervous about facing someone in a sporting duel with actual weapons. If using the sword was more or less lost on him, then the protocol and etiquette of a classical duel escaped him. So before he showed up that morning, Jacob had done a little research to make sure he was not offending anyone.

"Good morning, Mr. Episcopo!"

Even without research, the very idea of an old timey duel made Jacob feel formal. He had cleaned and washed for the morning, and took great care to prepare his blade as per Lenn's instructions. Unlike Ruggiero, however, Jacob wore no armor. He wore his best slacks and vest and looked equally the gentleman, with a sword at his hip.

"I, uh, see that you dressed for the occasion."

The full armor was unexpected, and quite intriguing if Jacob was honest. Assuming everything went well, he would have loved to sit down with Ruggiero and learn about it.