She was unused to hearing aliens take any interest in her people's culture — humans in particular seemed to have a certain hesitation about asking too many questions about the Rihannsu. Understandable, perhaps, given the long history of war between their peoples. But this man was not from this time, or from Irian's own, and had no reason to hesitate. It was... refreshing, in a word.
A very slight, dry smile turned one corner of her mouth. "If you would like," she said, easily enough. Enterprise had plenty of martial arts equipment on board ship, but none of the sort she was used to; and while the replicator here could not produce weapons that could do real harm, a practice blade would not be out of the question.
"Computer, inventory of Romulan close-combat weapons available for sparring purposes."
"Please specify preferred era."
Irian's brow furrowed slightly, in thought rather than confusion — as might have been expected among a martial people, there were many eras in Rihannsu history famous for the quality of their weapons — before she eventually responded. "Late Ehsadai or early Ahaeri eras, please."
"Single- and double-edged swords, spear, longstaff, or fighting knife."
"Double-edged straight sword," she requested, and a moment later the weapon shimmered into being via the gym's replicator. Irian picked it up, somewhat gingerly at first; she still did not quite know how to feel about replicas like this. But the sword felt solid in her hand, and looked considerably like the practice sword she'd used all those years ago at the Colleges, with its pattern-welded steel blade and the rough grip on the stone hilt — all the easier for the wielder to avoid letting the weapon slip out of their grip.
She grounded the point of the sword on the mat, looking back to Merlin, watching him a little more sharply now — assessing him like she would any opponent, real or otherwise.
"I shall warn you—" Irian's very slight smile grew a bit of an edge. "Rihannsu are considerably stronger than most humans, and we are not inclined to — what is the phrase in Standard? 'Take things easy'?" Her brows arched. "I would understand if you felt it prudent to change your mind."
Understand, that she would — but she would also be extraordinarily disappointed. It had been a long time since she'd run into anyone who even remotely seemed as if they knew their way around a sword, Rihannsu or not.
no subject
A very slight, dry smile turned one corner of her mouth. "If you would like," she said, easily enough. Enterprise had plenty of martial arts equipment on board ship, but none of the sort she was used to; and while the replicator here could not produce weapons that could do real harm, a practice blade would not be out of the question.
"Computer, inventory of Romulan close-combat weapons available for sparring purposes."
"Please specify preferred era."
Irian's brow furrowed slightly, in thought rather than confusion — as might have been expected among a martial people, there were many eras in Rihannsu history famous for the quality of their weapons — before she eventually responded. "Late Ehsadai or early Ahaeri eras, please."
"Single- and double-edged swords, spear, longstaff, or fighting knife."
"Double-edged straight sword," she requested, and a moment later the weapon shimmered into being via the gym's replicator. Irian picked it up, somewhat gingerly at first; she still did not quite know how to feel about replicas like this. But the sword felt solid in her hand, and looked considerably like the practice sword she'd used all those years ago at the Colleges, with its pattern-welded steel blade and the rough grip on the stone hilt — all the easier for the wielder to avoid letting the weapon slip out of their grip.
She grounded the point of the sword on the mat, looking back to Merlin, watching him a little more sharply now — assessing him like she would any opponent, real or otherwise.
"I shall warn you—" Irian's very slight smile grew a bit of an edge. "Rihannsu are considerably stronger than most humans, and we are not inclined to — what is the phrase in Standard? 'Take things easy'?" Her brows arched. "I would understand if you felt it prudent to change your mind."
Understand, that she would — but she would also be extraordinarily disappointed. It had been a long time since she'd run into anyone who even remotely seemed as if they knew their way around a sword, Rihannsu or not.