She reached too far, beyond her natural center of gravity, and Aeryn had to wonder what that was. The constant need to correct from some other midway balance point that was higher up on her body, pushed outward, no doubt in the hold of something else.

She was small and not overly muscles, though, so it wasn't any large blade.
Maybe a staff or a pole. Something thin but long, medium weight.

Or, if she was just learning all of this, maybe it wasn't a weapon at all. Maybe it was something she used to wherever she came from, doing whatever job she used to do instead. She didn't strike Aeryn as much of a psychical aggressor or a natural fighter.

Aeryn doesn't answer the question. The point of training is not to belabor what is right while so much else is still wrong. She wasn't terrible, and she was at least physically fit. Instead she answers a question with another question, like the other hadn't happened.

"What made you decide to take it up?"