janestarz | Zwaardkring

Third evening of swordfighting lessons. I seem to be doing okay. This is also the first evening that I don't have to stop at some point. In lesson 1 I couldn't even point the practice sword any more, in lesson 2 I had been hit on the inside of my wrist so hard I could hardly hold on to my sword anymore. That particular bruise is a very nasty shade of purplish-brown at this time, so it's very nearly gone (and only stands out in incandescent or fluorescent lighting).

We're getting the hang of fighting with a sword and shield, and still there are some more techniques to learn. I can't remember all the German terms for them or I mix them up. There's hängen, absetzen and I believe tonight's new technique is called abstellen. All are completely illegal to use in larp, but all are extremely useful to learn. Shieldbashing someone in the head is just so much fun. Go figure.

Because of all the high attacks we practiced this evening my back is protesting quite loudly, but I tell those muscles to just toughen up. A warm shower will do me wonders.
At least it gets Beriadanwen's gambeson some good use, even if the sleeves don't really work very well.

I also enjoy the total ignorance of the fact that I'm a woman. I never enjoyed being protected or handled like a porcelein doll, and boy, am I reaping the rewards here. A bruise count tomorrow might be fun. Being picked up bodily is a new experience, for sure.

And: wheeeeeee! Endorfins!