[Ortus' gaze shifts to the twirling staff as if it has some hypnotic pull. A shadow of doubt still clings to him, but it nearly always does. The change is that a hint of shy, dusty longing wells up in his near-black eyes.]
I had not thought of that.
[He interred the wistful hope of one day finding some aspect of martial cavalierhood he might not be an utter failure at many years ago. There's no reason to exhume it, but sometimes its shade wanders.
He lowers the staff to what feels like a more reasonable height, adjusting his stance hesitantly based on what he recalls of the kata Robby shared with him.]
It is difficult to picture you as a novice. [Inane small talk - he winces at himself only partially internally.] Should I...attempt to strike you?
no subject
I had not thought of that.
[He interred the wistful hope of one day finding some aspect of martial cavalierhood he might not be an utter failure at many years ago. There's no reason to exhume it, but sometimes its shade wanders.
He lowers the staff to what feels like a more reasonable height, adjusting his stance hesitantly based on what he recalls of the kata Robby shared with him.]
It is difficult to picture you as a novice. [Inane small talk - he winces at himself only partially internally.] Should I...attempt to strike you?