Should We Be Concerned? [OPEN]

[FirebrandPhlox]

Chess grinned widely as the other woman finally braced herself and the pillow properly. Attolia was a stick in the mud, sure, but she could be convinced to live a little at the goading of her wher, which suited Chess just fine.

"Alright, ya holdin' that pillow nice and tight like?" Chess asked eagerly. Kichsk was watching lazily from his spot, making sure nothing escalated. It seemed Chess was doing her best to befriend the loud strangers. If that was what she wanted, fine. Maybe more visitors to the weyr would help her with the excessive boredom.

"So ya hold yer hand like this, thumb on the outside," Chess explained as she walked through the steps of throwing a punch that her Pa had taught her. "Make sure ya plant yer front foot, gotta have a strong base. Then ya swing yer arm, puttin' yer weight behind it. Keep yer eyes open so ya don't miss yer target." She swung her arm forward as she explained, driving it into the pillow. She hit hard, but not with nearly as much force as she had when she punched Attolia for real.

She stepped out of her stance, still grinning. "Ya ready to try?" She asked eagerly, holding her arms out to take the pillow.

[nineofswords]

Attolia had long since perfected her poker face. She did not huff a sigh, nor did she roll her eyes like some petulant teen, no matter how much part of her desperately wanted to. She was holding the pillow, dammit, and she wished Chess would just get on with it or else give Attolia up as a lost cause, but she knew neither instance was particularly like. The woman did love to natter on.

Attolia watched as Chess broke down a punch for her, one eyebrow cocked, and it slowly crept higher the more tips and tricks the country girl added on. Attolia was simply supposed to remember all of that and emulate it perfectly after seeing and hearing it once? Hardly. But at least she had plenty of warning. She tensed as the punch came, but it truly didn't hurt. Huh. Maybe Chess did have more control than Attolia gave her credit for. That or the pillow was more padded than she'd realized.

Attolisk, seeing that Attolia was more or less playing nice moved towards Kichsk and practically threw himself on the ground near him, sprawling lazily. He let out a huge yawn. Glad they getting along, he told Kichsk. Was worried for minute, but knew when punches flew, would be okay. Fight sometime make thing better. When not making worse. But sometime make better. At least I find. He was not a violent wher, but some things couldn't be expressed appropriately with words. Sometimes a person had to let out all that pent up energy somehow, and sometimes doing that in an aggressive manner was the easiest way.

Attolia handed the pillow to Chess. "Yes, I believe I am ready to make an attempt," she said. She curled her fingers, making a point of keeping her thumb on the outside. She was overcorrecting, though, letting it stick out at the side of her fist. She stomped a foot down, then stared at her fist for a long moment. "This doesn't look like what you were doing," she said aloud, almost musing. She looked up at Chess, the barest hint of a frown on her face. "And what did you mean by putting my weight behind the swing? I was expecting you to throw yourself at me, but you stayed planted when you punched." Attolia had looked away out of reflex when the punch came, and had noticed that Chess' feet were firmly where she'd placed them.

Oh, this was absurd! Impossible, and worse, ridiculous to do in a dress!

[FirebrandPhlox]

Kichsk eyed the chatty wher warily. He was not one for many words himself, so Attolisk's desire for conversation was grating. He snorted. Good they get along. Maybe get rest now, he said, still keeping his eyes on the pair of young women. They were being friendly for now, but he didn't trust them to stay that way. Chess, as good as her intentions usually were, had a mouth on her and Attolia seemed the sort that could easily take a remark the wrong way.

"No, not like that," Chess said as she held up her own hand in a fist. "Yah hold it like this. Yer thumb's too far out."

Chess nodded as Attolia asked about the stance. "Yah want to lean into the punch. If yah just swing yer arm and nothin' else, yer not gonna have any force behind it. Yah gotta swing yer body too," she explained, swiveling her body at the hips. For a fancy lady, Attolia sure did care about throwing a punch correctly! Chess grinned widely at the other woman and braced with the pillow. "That make sense? Yah ready to give me yer best shot?"

[nineofswords]

Rest? Attolisk asked, sounding almost appalled at the comment. Why you want rest when it just getting interesting? Mine learning how to fight is fun to watch, you see. Mostly, he just wanted Kichsk to pay attention because he knew it was bother Attolia. She and Chess were well on their way to becoming friends, and the more Attolia lowered her guard around Chess, the faster that would happen. No be lazy, or I might have do something drastic, get your attention. Okay, that probably wasn't the smartest thing to say to this wher he didn't know well, but Attolisk was not great at thinking before he spoke.

Attolia looked at Chess's hand carefully and mimicked the shape, having to contort her own fist towards herself to ensure that it looked like the other woman's. She made a noise that sounded something like a dubious hum, then settled herself once more to try doing this absolutely absurd task.

Swiveling at the hips. Well-bred women didn't tend to throw their hips into things in the way that Attolia had seen poorer women do - even their dances tended to be fairly straight-laced - but Attolia was no longer a well-bred woman, and she was fairly certain she understood the principle. "I am ready to make an...that is, I'm ready to try," she said, amending her statement halfway though, uncertain if 'attempt' would be too fancy a word for Chess.

She settled herself on her feet, planting them. She double-checked that her fist matched Chess's, and then threw her first punch, trying to put her hips into it. Unfortunately, her timing was a bit off, so she threw her hips into it a bit after she'd started throwing the punch, and her fist hit the pillow with almost no power to it. Attolia glared at the pillow, her jaw working furiously as she tried to swallow her annoyance. "I think," she said quietly, "I would like to try again." She was beyond infuriated that she'd failed at something that was - by Chess's own admission - very simple. Worse yet, though, she could see how she'd failed, that Chess was right and it was doable. She should've been able to do it correctly the first time, and she hadn't.

[FirebrandPhlox]

Kichsk narrowed his eyes at Atollisk, growling at the mulit-colored wher. You try anything, snap you like twig. He sat up and curled his mouth into a snarl to show his teeth and that his threat was not empty. The more this wher talked, the less he liked him. Kichsk didn't want to jeopardize the bonding of the women, or risk getting the house arrest sentence extended, for now. If Attolisk did try something, he wouldn't hesitate to protect Chess.

Chess was blissfully ignorant of the tensions between the whers, her focus entirely on the lesson with Attolia. When Attolia said she was ready, Chess braced the pillow against her body, grinning in anticipation.

Attolia swung, movement awkward and stiff, and Chess barely felt the force of her punch. "Well good thing ya want to try again!" Chess said with a laugh. "Ain't no way Ah'd let ya walk out of here throwin' a weak punch like that! My daddy would be ashamed if Ah didn't make sure ya could do it proper-like. Give it another go," she said, still grinning and bracing the pillow against her torso.

[nineofswords]

Well well, that get your attention! Attolisk cackled. And look, you giving nice big smile, too! Going above and beyond. Glad you excited about it now, but can tone it down a bit.

Attolia could feel the glee eminating off of Attolisk, the kind of glee that he only ever felt when he was tugging on someone's tail or when he was teasing Attolia. She tuned it out. If he pushed too hard, the brown could easily show Attolisk the depths of his displeasure, and her little creep of a wher would deserve every new scar the brown gave him. Honestly, until Attolisk started getting angry, she was content to just ignore their bickering. Because if Attolisk actually lost his temper, that would be a problem, particularly in this cramped space. His temper rarely lasted long, but it was violent when it did.

"I hardly see what your father has to do with me throwing a punch correctly, but I am not the sort of person to give up simply because things look like they might be more difficult than I'd anticipated." If she were, she would still be living a miserable life as the wife of the vintner who'd tried to destroy her family's business. She readjusted her hand, planted her feet, and swung her hips a few times the way she needed to for the punch in order to get a feel for it. When she was ready, she nodded, said "Brace yourself," and let it fly.

It hit the pillow with significantly more force than the first time, but Attolia's dour expression hadn't cleared up any. It still felt awkward, and not nearly like it had the same power behind it as Chess's original punch to her face had. "Something still does not feel quite right about that," she mused aloud, still too proud to ask for pointers outright, but wanting to know what Chess thought nonetheless, and without all of the obnoxious praise the girl seemed so fond of handing out at every moment.

[FirebrandPhlox]

Kichsk growled at Attolisk again, letting his snarl fade into a less aggressive expression. He kept the edges of his teeth visible, still bristling at the words of the other wher. He really did not like Attolisk, but he didn't want to give him the satisfaction of a fight, though the old wher wanted nothing more than to tear into the colorful hide before him. He had to stay on his best behavior if he and Chess were going to get out of here.

Keep quiet, or make you be quiet, he rumbled, still not standing. His tail flicked with irritation, but he would have to keep tolerating Attolisk, for Chess's sake. If the colorful wher tried anything more, he would be at the end of his limited patience.

Chess nodded encouragingly as Attolia took a few practice swings. Her form wasn't great, but it was improving. She wanted to let the fancy girl figure it out without having to explain too much, physically practicing was more effective than a wordy explanation would ever be.

At Attolia's direction, Chess braced with the pillow again. This time Attolia had more force, but it was still lacking the oomf to really be called a proper punch.

"Yer gettin' there!" Chess offered encouragingly. "Yer still too stiff. Ya gotta move yer body more, like ya really mean it. Put more into it. Go again," she said, bracing with the pillow once more.

[nineofswords]

Okay, Faranth, no be so cranky, Attolisk said in response to Kichsk's growls. You no like chit chat. Why do no whers like talk? You ever wonder? Is strange. Attolisk is only wher to do, it seem. He heaved a martyr'd sigh. But oh well. One day I find wher who like talk too.

Attolia grit her teeth, but gave a nod at Chess's encouragement and tip, but her expression was more determined than exasperated.

Having been yelled at for chatting at the brown, Attolisk decided it was time to heckle his handler. You hear her, take stick out of tailfork, he called encouragingly to Attolia.

"Your input is neither necessary nor valued here," the human snapped at him. But almost paradoxically, as irritated as she sounded at the wher, she still visibly relaxed somewhat after yelling at him, and the next punch she threw had a bit more oomph behind it.

[FirebrandPhlox]

Kichsk closed his mouth and relaxed his muscles slightly. He was less tense with the talkative wher no longer addressing him, but he still did not trust Attolisk, or Attolia for that matter. Chess seemed happy though, and this was the most she had gotten to talk to someone that wasn't him in months, so he would let her enjoy the company so long as everyone behaved themselves.

Chess laughed as Attolia punched the pillow, finally throwing what could be classified as a good punch. "There ya go!" She cheered loudly. "Go on, keep yellin' and tossin' me some punches. Let it out, girl!" She held the pillow, bracing for more blows. A wide grin was plastered on her face, now this was fun. She hadn't let loose like this since before she came to the weyr.

[nineofswords]

Attolisk was happy to cheer (and jeer) his handler on, ignoring Kichsk. He didn't actually want to escalate the situation, and as long as the brown wasn't speaking to him, there was little chance of his temper running away with his tongue.

Attolia pursed her lips slightly at Chess' loud encouragement. Despite herself, Attolia was pleased with the praise, but her façade was too important to her to relax it by actually smiling at Chess over it. So to keep her lips from betraying her, she pressed them firmly together. "I am not certain what it is exactly I am meant to be 'letting out'," she admitted, "but I agree that I should do a few more. If only to reinforce how it is done correctly for myself."

No be like that! Attolisk chided her. Enjoy success! Really let temper fly! Imagine face of men you hate in pillow!

"I have no desire to touch the men I hate," Attolia snapped at him. "Unless my fist happens to be connected to a dagger. For the love of Faranth, Attolisk stop helping me."

Shan't Attolisk replied brightly.

Attolia turned a look of exasperation towards Chess. "You are luckier than I to have a wher who is not so chatty," she told the other woman. She shook her head, then squared up for another few tries, making sure Chess was ready each time before letting them fly.

[FirebrandPhlox]

Kischk continued to watch the impromptu training session, grateful that the chatty Attolisk was fully ignoring him now. He eased his body a bit further, settling in like a father watching his children play, ready to spring in if something went wrong, but more likely to doze off if there was no crisis.

"Yer so straight-laced, Attolia," Chess said with a laugh. "Forget about all that prim and proper nonsense fer a few minutes and just let yerself be angry!" The fact that this was exactly the reason why she and Kichsk were now stuck under house arrest was completely lost on her.

"If ya ever need a knife fer one of those men, Ah'm happy to lend ya one of mine," she said with a wicked grin. After what she had been through back home, she could only imagine Attolia had been through some similar mess with men before coming to the weyr. For that, she'd be happy to contribute to some deserved revenge.

Chess braced with the pillow again, indicating she was ready to take however many punches Attolia wanted to let fly. "Ah dunno. Ah like that Attolisk talks a bunch. Seems like he'd be nice company. Havin' only Kischk fer company means Ah don't get to talk much, bein' stuck in here and all."

[nineofswords]

Attolia offered Chess up a tight smile. "Who says I'm not angry?" she said. In truth, she was more often than not. But anger rarely got a person anywhere in this world. It was a weakness. Any child could throw a temper tantrum, and nothing changed, nothing was accomplished by it. An adult knew how to bide her time, how to wait until she was in a more advantageous position to force the change she wanted, to make things go her way. Besides, being at the mercy of her own emotions simply wasn't something she was comfortable being. It wasn't how she was raised. Chess might be happy to be the wild, relaxed individual she was, but it was not for Attolia.

Attolia's expression warmed up marginally, though, when Chess offered her knife against any of the men who'd wronged her. "Thank you," she said. In the case of her former fiancé's house, taking a knife to those men would cause more issues than it would solve. And the man from the caravans was long gone by know, to who knew where? "Unfortunately, I do not think there is a knife in this world whose reach is long enough for any of those men, but the sentiment is appreciated nonetheless." She wondered who'd wronged this woman, that she was so willing to resort to violence. Although, given how quick Kichsk had been to rampage, maybe this pair was simply predisposed to violence.

She let out slight sigh of aggrivation. "Perhaps we should trade, then?" she asked. "You may have the obnoxious chatterbox, and I shall take your taciturn companion off your hands." Hardly a fair trade, but if Chess was willing to get the short end of that deal, who was Attolia to complain?

No good, Attolisk interjected with a shake of his head. Attolia my bond, my bond she stay. But happy to talk Chess, when lonely. Be easy, since we neighbors. Can talk about all kinds things!

"Think carefully before you accept that offer," Attolia warned Chess grimly. "Once he starts talking, I have no idea how to make him stop." She resumed her practice punches. She felt that she was getting the feel of them now, more often than not feeling the weight of their impact against the pillow. Still not as strongly as Chess' of course. Annoyingly.

[FirebrandPhlox]

Chess continued to grin as Attolia all but admitted she was angry. She was much better at hiding it than Chess was, though that made sense in a way that she couldn't just lash out at whoever. Fancy folk were all about appearances, after all.

"Well, if'n ya need a knife fer some other men, ya just let me know!" She hoped that no one did anything horrible to Attolia here at the weyr. She was coming around on the woman and didn't think she deserved foul treatment from men. "Kischk will help ya too!"

Not enough for house arrest. Intimidate only. The wher huffed with a glare at Chess. He would protect her from anyone who tried to hurt her, that protection wasn't willingly extended to those around her, friends or not.

"Ah'd never trade Kichsk, not fer the world!" Chess insisted, still holding the pillow at the ready. "Ah'd be happy to have Attolisk fer company sometimes though!" The chatty wher seemed nice, and it was awful lonesome with only Kichsk to talk to. A visitor every so often would be a welcome break from the monotony.

Attolia kept punching the pillow, so Chess kept holding it for her. "Yer gettin' better, fer sure! Try swivelin' yer hips more!" She offered in encouragement. She'd get this lady punching proper by the time she was through with her!

[nineofswords]

Attolia was suprised when Chess offered her knife for any future men. She was about to demand to know why Chess would offer that, what she wanted, but Attolisk stopped her. She like you, he said. She want be friends. This what you wanted, wanted her not tell you secrets. Besides, need reason be mad men hurt women?

Attolia's lips went tight at that last point. She gave a subtle incline of her head in acknowledgement of Attolisk's point. "Attolisk is equally enthusiastic in suggesting biting someone on my behalf, so I am certain Kichsk would not need to trouble himself," she said. She wasn't used to people offering to stand up for her, at least not without wanting something in return. It was...slightly uncomfortable, if she was honest, but Chess would not appreciate hearing that. "But I shall keep your offer in mind. And..." She did not like being beholden to people, but as Attolisk was constantly reminding her, she couldn't expect people to do things for her without being willing to offer something in return. And really, offering to stab scummy men was hardly being beholden. "Should you ever need my assistance with any men, please do not hesitate to call on me."

Attolisk snickered. Look like cannot be rid of me so easy, he gloated at his handler.

"No matter," she said, trying to maintain an air of being unbothered. "Eventually you will realize how unwelcome your precsence is and leave me be."

But is so much fun bother you! Attolisk responded sweetly. She rolled her eyes and he cackled. To Chess, he said, Is good! Will come visit, if grumpy brown no mind.

Attolia tried doing as Chess suggested, but it still felt so...unnatural. She could clearly see how she was generating more power when she did it, but it wasn't a natural motion for her yet. Perhaps with some additional practice it would be, however...oh Faranth, she could not seriously be considering doing this more, surely? She heaved a sigh, annoyed with herself. "Well. I should come with him to ensure he does not antagonize your brown unduly. And if I am here, it would not be unwise to practice this slightly more." She sounded reluctant, but not as reluctant as she had at the start.

[FirebrandPhlox]

Chess grinned broadly when Attolia said she would keep her offer in mind, then she beamed when Attolia offered help if Chess had any issues with men.

"That's mighty kind of ya, Attolia!" Chess exclaimed, "Ah certainly hope I don't need to take ya up on it, but if Ah do, I will!" If Kichsk's outburst was enough to put them in house arrest for this long, surely the weyr leaders also cracked down on any unsavory behavior men exhibited towards women. Then again, men had a way of getting away with heinous acts, so there was no telling what her experience at the weyr would actually be.

"Attolisk is more than welcome to come on by as he like, right Kichsk?" Her tone towards her own wher was pointed, clearly indicating there was a correct answer to her question.

Fine. Kichsck grumbled, settling into a proper napping position. So long as no cause trouble. He huffed.

Chess took a few more practice blows from Attolia, she was getting better, but was still too stiff and didn't have enough power behind her swings. But she was improving, and apparently willing to practice. "Yer welcome too, Attolia, of course!" Chess said brightly. "I got plenty of pillows, ya can beat them up anytime!"

Maybe house arrest wasn't as bad as Chess had initially thought. Yes, she was bored and often lonely, but if she hadn't been stuck here, she wouldn't have heard Attolia and Attolisk through the walls. Attolia was fancy folk, but she wasn't high and mighty about it. They could actually be friends, Chess happily thought to herself. One friend was better than none, after all.