The Duel (Lennia)

[Damian]

"That's a dangerous combination, that is. Wind and Fire." said Frank, smiling. He gave Damian a nudge in the ribs, but Dami slapped his elbow away.

"She's an excellent fighter, too." Damian said, trying to help his friend out a little. "She could put you to shame, Dad." Damian teased.

"Really? You like dueling?" Frank asked, intrigued.

[Lennia Silverwind]

Len nodded. "Yes I do enjoy a good duel." She said snatching a glance to Damian. "I like to work with elements that can have some conflict. It makes the fight interesting"

[Damian]

"Elements?" Frank asked, catching the plural, and obviously interested. He was an old warrior, it was expected that he take a liking to a good duel. Damian sat back and ate his dinner, listening. This was all information that he knew already, but he wouldn't mind supervising his father while he talked to Len. Mary sat much the same way as Damian did, though her expression marked that she wasn't sure if she should stay or go. She couldn't decide if she wanted to hear about the fighting or not.

[Lennia Silverwind]

Len nodded. "Yes elements. I have the ability to wield the four main elements" She said. "Damian is a very good fighter, when we dueled he won" She said trying to drive the conversation away from her.

[Damian]

"That's extaordinary." said Frank, and then looked at Damian. "Son," he said with an almost disappointed voice. "You're supposed to let the lady win."

"It was a fair fight." Dami defended himself. "She's excellent." he said, trying to shift the conversation back to Len. If he was the subject, embarrassment was surely to come.

But Mary had been listening, and changed the subject completely. "Come to think of it, I've never seen your baby pictures, Frank." she cut in. The topic was very random, but it made Frank's face get red. Damian smiled. Papa was embarrassed now.

"I don't have any baby pictures." Frank said, looking down and forking about three piles of spaghetti into his mouth at once.

"Yes you do." Damian said, smirking and calling him on his lie. Soldiers could tell. "And you know where they are."

Frank's face only got pinker. "No I don't." he said again.

Damian and his mother looked at each other slyly. "We're going to find them." said Mary with a childish grin.

"No you won't. They're hidden." Frank said, shrinking down in his chair and eating his dinner quickly.

Damian thought for a moment. "Grandpa's, Mom! Grandpa's!" he exclaimed. Frank jumped up from his chair and headed for the door, determined to get there first.

"Sit down Frankie, before you hurt yourself." Mary laughed, running out the back door and stealing his horse.

"My horse! Woman, get back here with my horse!" Frank shouted after her.

Damian couldn't contain himself. He was laughing so hard that tears rolled from his eyes. How commical it was to see his parents acting so youngly, and his father already with a head more than half bald. "Karma." he chuckled when Frank sat back down at the table. "And you know that Grandpa will give them to her, too."

Frank looked at Damian. "You're lucky I don't go and get your pictures." he said, laughing a little. Even he had to admit that it was funny.

[Lennia Silverwind]

Len couldn't hold back her laughter this time. Mary's stunt was just priceless. She smiled at Damian then looked at her plate trying to finish her pasta. This was the most interesting meal she'd ever had.

[Damian]

"You think it's funny?" asked Frank, looking at Len. But he couldn't hold back the smile on his face and winked at her.

Damian couldn't stop his laughter. When he thought it would stop, it would simply come again. Finally, it ended, and he ate his dinner. He couldn't look at his father. To do so would only make him laugh again. The smile on Damian's face made his cheeks hurt, but he couldn't get it off his lips.

"So what kind of fighting do you enjoy, Lennia?" asked the old soldier. "I see you play with a dagger, what other weapons do you like?" Frank asked.

[Lennia Silverwind]

Len was glad for the change in subject but not so much that it was directed towards her. "I prefer daggers, but I also enjoy the bow and arrow" She said.

[Damian]

"That's interesting." he said. "Do you ever use a sword in battle? What's your opinion about sheilds?" Frank inquired.

Damian looked over at Len, wondering if she really wanted to suffer through an entire conversation about war and weapons with his father. Dami would change the subject if she asked him to, and he waited.

[Lennia Silverwind]

Len smiled. "I am no a huge fan about shields. Swords are alright but only short swords" She said. Len shot a glance towards Damian. Her eyes pleaded for help.

[Damian]

"That's interesting." Frank said, nodding his head and taking too big a bite of his pasta.

Damian took this as an advantage. He thought quickly for a subject changer. "Hey Dad," he said, "Len's going to take home a puppy when it's old enough." Damian told him.

"That's wonderful!" said the old man. "I'm glad that it will go to a good home. You seem like a nice girl." Frank complimented. "I'm sure that Hunter and Sparky would be proud to have their pup live with you."

"They already like her." Damian said, wanting to keep the conversation going and away from weapons.

[Lennia Silverwind]

Len smiled and nodded. "They are so sweet" she said glad for the change in topic.

[Damian]

"Which one are you taking?" asked the father. He took a sip of his water and looked out the window, waiting for his wife to come back and wave the pictures in his face. But she wasn't back yet. Frank didn't expect her to be. Knowing Mary, she would be talking with his mother and laughing up a storm.

[Lennia Silverwind]

Len smiled remembering the small puppy. "The smallest one" She said.

[Damian]

"Wonderful!" said Frank. "We were afraid that that littlun wouldn't get a home. For some reason people never take the small ones. They say that they don't make good hunting dogs. But I don't believe them. Hunter was the smallest of his litter, and he's a fine hunting dog. How do you think he got his name?" the man chuckled.

Damian finished his plate. "Is anyone else finished?" he asked. "I'll wash the plates."

Frank hunched over his pasta. "Stay away from my spaghetti." he grumbled childishly. It was obviously a joke. Frank just wasn't done eating yet.

Damian laughed and turned to his new friend. "Len? How 'bout you? Are you finished?"