En Gard
After some obligatory stretching and conditioning (Wednesday looked disheartened at half the class already out of breath), Coach Vlad’s voice boomed through the studio.
“Alright guys, so we’re gonna do this Round Robin style to shake off the rust. I want you to use the Sabre discipline we focused on last term, I’ll be able to know who practiced during the extended break and who sat around all day.”
Murmurs started erupting around the class.
“After we’ll hav- hey! shhhh!... After...we’ll have a 15 minute break, then I’ll introduce you to Epee which is more defensive so it’ll take some getting use to. Then… I’ll let you guys have some free time with whatevers left, how about that?”
The coach didin’t wait for response, heading to the centre of the room.
“Ok everyone, pair up! This is gonna be pretty casual so save the battle to the deaths for later.” Coach Vlad shot Wednesday and Bianca a look. “The person with the most touches in 2 minutes wins. Whoever has the most wins by the end, wins the day.”
“Whadda we win!” A student in the back row shouted followed by some eager murmuring. The suggestions ranged from new shoes to an exemption from midterms.
“My undying admiration for the rest of class how about that?” Coach Vlad waved. “We’ll have a short breather in the middle. We’re working on the honour system guys so James…I’m looking at you buddy.”
As Coach Vlad went around organizing things, Wednesday watched Caspian and Bianca chatting from across the room. Caspian glanced her way 7 times in 5 minutes.
Yes, she was keeping count.
Her eyes never left him the second he entered with Enid, who she’ll undoubtedly interrogate later. She recalled how Caspian’s kept eyeing Ajax’s hand on her shoulder.
Amusingly pathetic, but expected of a teenage boy.
But what wasn't expected, was Enid’s stiffness during the whole interaction. How does that bode well for a couple apparently ‘going strong’? Perhaps she should prepare her nail gun. There may be an unfortunate chance for poor Caspian after all.
If he so dares.
Or maybe, Wednesday was just seeing things as Enid would surely bring up. After all, what does she know about adolescent romance?
Xavier appeared beside her. “I see you’re looking forward to your rematch with Bianca?”
“It won’t be much of a match, I’ve been training with my father, a world renowned swordsmen. My victory is all but secured.”
“So you’ve been practicing?”
“Of course, thats what one does when they fail to get the job done the first time.” She shot him a side eye . “But don’t tell Bianca that.”
“I won’t, but from what I heard, Bianca’s also been practicing over the break. Don’t tell her I told you that either.” He winked.
“No matter, this is all just a precursor for the fencing title. I intend to pull Ophelia Hall from its 20 year slump.”
“Look at you getting into the school spirit.”
“If I don't try my best I’ll never hear the end of Enid’s incessant wailing.” She said, deathly serious.
Xavier tilted his head suddenly. “Hey...are you busy Saturday night?”
Wednesday narrowed her eyes, her lips puckering as she continued to stare forward. “Depends.”
“On what?”
“On the next words that come out of your mouth.”
Xavier paused. “So there’s this party Sunday-”
“The Bash, I’ve heard of it.”
He rolled on the balls of his feet. Wednesday noted a while ago that he does this when he’s either nervous or uncomfortable. Two traits she rarely associated with the tortured artist.
“Yes, and I was wondering if you wanted to go… y’know… with me?” His voice was tight as he observed her face carefully.
Wednesday turned sharply to face him. “An undisclosed late night beach party with inebriated unhygienic lust-driven minors? Perhaps if it were the opening to a slasher flick I’d consider going, just to witness the blood shed.”
Xavier bit his lip, “Busy then?”
“Very.” She replied morbidly, turning back.
“What about a study session, in the night shade club? It’ll be empty, tons of privacy…Still busy?”
“Didn't we already allocate weekly study periods with Enid and Eugene? Besides, it’s the first week, what is there to study?”
“Fine Wednesday…” He sighed, his nervousness giving way for exasperation. “How about dinner and a movie?”
Her eyes fluttered to the last time she went on a movie date. “It’s already been done, lost its lustre.”
“Picnic at the Lupen cages?”
“Won’t be as fun without the werewolves.”
“Hiking through the woods?”
“Compelling, but with no imminent danger I don’t see the novelty.”
“Board game night?”
She shot him a scathing glare. “If its anything less than a serial killers tortue board, I’m insulted you even asked.”
“Cooking?”
“I have my own recipes.”
“Late night taxidermy?”
“Sounds intriguing, but I doubt you’d enjoy it.”
“But you’d show up.”
At her continued silence he sighed, placing his hands on his hips. “You really don’t make this easy.”
“If it were easy everyone would do it.”
“Ok,” He bit his lip, looking around as if the perfect night time activity was just milling about. “I’ll…I’ll teach you how to paint! You guys weren’t the only one practicing over the break. I can make my drawings come alive. Like, really alive. Solid to the touch kinda alive. It’d make more sense if you see it in person.”
Wednesday gave him a once over, considering his offer. “Perhaps.”
“Really?” His olive green eyes lit up.
“I don't see why not. I need to improve my criminal sketching . And your evolved abilities sound interesting enough. But Xavier, you just reminded that I do have plans Sunday night. Perhaps some other time.”
“Alright everyone! Get in positions…”
She didn't wait to see his reaction, slotting her black helmet on her head, she made her way to to her side of the piste. She waited opposite to Xavier, in a perfect sabre en garde.
“Switch partners when you hear the whistle….Timer…Starts, Now!”
She lunged forward, catching Xavier completely off guard.
1st touch goes to her. Back to the start.
En Gard.
She lunges but this time Xavier was ready, knocking her sabre before parrying with a swing to her head which she acrobatically dodged. They disengage, beating sabres for a couple seconds before she advanced swiftly, cutting down on his blade. Before he could react, she slashed him right across the arm.
Another touch for her.
“You weren’t kidding with the practicing, didn’t know you could get any more aggressive.” His grin practically oozed from his voice as he got into his stance.
“Then you truly don’t know me.”
“Wait thats not what I me-”
She thrust forward, forcing Xavier to pass back. She continued applying relentless pressure, forcing him off the matte with ease before delivering a swipe to his shins.
They reset, Xavier straightened his posture, his shoulder rising dramatically as if psyching himself.
She thrusts, he parry’s and counters causing Wednesday to pass back on her foot. They beat sabres for a good while, trying to gain an advantage on the other by either creating an opening or luring the other into to an impulsive attack .
Wednesday makes the first move, quickly advancing to close distance. Yet, Xavier expected her aggressive assault and implored a quick lunge to her side, causing her to twist violently just to avoid it.
Usually, the proper move would be to break off and reassess, but her eccentric father has been teaching her that when you and your opponent are in equally vulnerable positions, the worst thing you can do is give them time to recover.
She slid under his lunge, her sabre following as it graze the back of his calf. Mere milliseconds before she felt his sabre come down on her head.
Another touch for Wednesday.
The whistle blew, the clattering of metal coming to a stop.
“That was pretty risky, going under my blade like that.” Xavier let out in a slight pant.
“It was a well calculated risk I assure you.” She said flatly, going to switch partners.
The rest of her classmates were canon fodder in comparison to Xavier. Wednesday was never touched once. Half had the audacity to attempt to keep up with her, the other half didn’t even try. Either out of knowledge Wednesday was simply better or they simply didn’t care enough.
It just so happened that she was duelling a classmate with audacity when she heard Ajax’s distinct voice.
“Wait, so if your like an elf or something, why don’t you have those fancy ears?”
“Omg Ajax you can’t just ask that!” Enid shrieked from a row over. She suddenly yelped like a wounded dog, scolding whoever jabbed her fro trying too hard for her definition of a ‘casual sparring sesh’.
Caspian’s wavering voice came after a while. “A birth defect.”
“Oh my bad dude…”
Caspian was an elf? That was as a surprise to her. She’s never gave much thought as to what type of creature he might be, but elf was definitely an odd fit.
Her eyes drew up in surprise, suddenly feeling a dull poking sensation in her arm.
“Oh my god…Oh my god, I just got a touch on Wednesday Addams!” The girl opposite to her nearly dropped her sabre in shock. Astonished praises and even some claps sounded around her.
Wednesday slowly straightened her stance, hoping her stare would wilt whatever misconceived hopes they had gained from her slight waver in concentration.
“And it’ll be your last.”
Wednesday safely won that duel 15-1 touches.
By this point she began to feel her muscles tightening as sweat started to form near her brow. Her father stressed the importance of physical and mental stamina. If you mind was weak, it would be to a detriment to your body. If you’re body was weak, it couldn’t keep up with you’re mind. She still had a lot to improve but she was leagues a head of her floundering classmates. Their sabres already sluggishly cutting through the air, their arms making large ineffective strokes.
The whistled sounded.
But of course, there was only one other person in the room who was still sparring with purpose.
“Bianca.”
“Wednesday.” She acknowledge from behind the mask, her voice having a slight air of breathiness to it. “I've been looking forward to this.”
“Funny,” Wednesday paused, hiding a crooked smirk .“ I never thought of you.”
Wednesday never took her eyes off the girl as they stalked to their side of the piste. She noticed the clattering of sabres and shuffling of feat slowly die out.
It would seem they have garnered an audience.
She brought her sabre to the front guard position, imagining her blade cutting the girl in half before swishing it to the side, crouching in En Gard.
There was a silence, so quiet she swore she heard Enid’s distinct simper as she made the first move.
Wednesday dove aggressively, barraging Bianca with a flourish of swipes and jabs before retreating.
She gritted her teeth, her defence was as irritatingly effective as before.
Wednesday calmly back peddled, carefully parrying and blocking Bianca's onslaught of combinations before she eventually disengaged.
Whistles of amazement reverberated through the room.
They were like two starving lions circling a kill. They would test out the other; a swipe there, a false charge here, just to see how their opponent would react.
Bianca came at her again, going for a short but powerful cut to her sabre, followed by a sweep to her shins. Wednesday jumped to avoid the sweep. She intended to use the momentum to push off the floor to deliver a strong counter thrust, only to feel a sharp clipping at her knee caps.
The rooms froze, Wednesday blinked. She could almost make out Bianca’s silvery blue behind the mask, staring at her smugly.
Bianca got first touch.
Wednesday planted her feet firmly on the ground, the room erupting in hushed whispers before a voice (no doubt belonging to Xavier) hushed them all.
Wednesday took a breath, before assuming her stance. She was much more conservative now, causing Bianca’s confidence to overtake and infect the air around them.
Pass back after pass back, Wednesday was loosing valuable real-estate to work with. Bianca stabbed forward, a high percentage move given the situation.
A move she counted on her using.
Wednesday, jabbed at her side, Bianca reeling violently out of the way.
Wednesday had a knack for finding even the slightest of fallacies in the flawless, in fact she enjoyed it.
She was ruthless with her slashes, advancing forward as if Bianca simply wasn’t there. She could’ve easily ended the engagement with a well placed jab, but where would be the fun in that? She forced Bianca to the end of the Piste, before finally striking her right across the face.
She could definitely see her blue eyes now, her pupils flaring considerably.
Without a second thought Bianca began right up, sending wave after wave of combos which Wednesday promptly returned with equal veracity.
They went back and forth for what felt like hours. At some point they're sabres didn’t clash for a solid 10 seconds as they simply danced around the piste. Wednesday’s mind was working over time, the adrenaline fuelling her fast twitch muscles as she jerked her hand.
It would seems Bianca Barclay was still worthy opponent after all.
An unstoppable force, meets an immovable object.
It was unclear who was who in this situation, but Wednesday knows all it takes is one mistake, one stray twitch of the sabre or misplaced foot to turn the tides. Bianca obviously had access to professional training over the break. She was clinically accurate and precise with her movements, using the most optimal counter measurement at the most appropriate times. It was almost like Wednesday was in a rhythmic dance with her, rehearsing steps with a master who had rehearsed them thousands of times over.
Wednesday recalled what her dad said about professionally taught lions. The best way to survive them, is to lull them to sleep with a dance.
Wednesday parried another one of Bianca’s precise jabs. As Wednesday predicted, Bianca went for a shoulder thrust, but Wednesday suddenly crossed their sabres. She started closing the distance between them, the metal making a smooth hiss sound as she dragged down to the hilt. The girl took a reflexive step back at the unorthodox move. Wednesday’s eyes lit up.
There.
Using the awkward angle, she twisted they're sabres as if attempting to disarm her, before swiftly spinning around, ducking to avoid Bianca's jab and delivering a sweeping strike to her midsection.
Wednesday was painting, staring at Biancas feet half expecting to see insides spill out.
Sadly, no sounds of guts hitting the floor ever came, only coach Vlad’s whistle.
Wednesday got last touch. She won against Bianca.
There were some claps, but there was even more shuffling as people collapsed onto the floor in exhaustion.
“Alright guys take 10, excellent work you two.” Coach Vlad said impressed. “This years fencing title would be one for the history books.”
Wednesday stood up straight, removing her mask. She felt her hair sticking too her forehead, cheeks slightly warm. Bianca wasn’t too far off, drenched in sweat and breathing a little harder than before.
“I see you’ve improved. A bit over the top if you ask me.” She said clipped, refusing to wipe the bead of sweat that trickled down her face. “But don’t tell me you emptied out your bag of tricks already?”
Wednesday shot back tonelessly. “I assure you Bianca, you’ve only scratched the surface of what I’m capable of.”
“I believe I already have, scratch the surface haven't I?” Bianca smirked, her silvery blue eyes flashing to the spot where she grazed Wednesday last term. They narrowed their eyes at each other before stalking off in opposite directions.
“The matchup was all it was cracked up to be. Seems like you guys set the tone for the fencing title. Yoko can’t half ass it this year.” Wednesday took a small sip from her bottle, eyeing the approaching Xavier.
“I am unable to put anything less than my 100% into a given task. Otherwise it’s simply not worth my time.”
“I see…” He sounded like he wanted to say more, but opted for sitting next to Wednesday.
After the break they continued, albeit a bit more sloppy and less enthusiastic as before. Even Wednesday was getting less creative as time went on. Of course, she still got the job done as effectively as possible, but she couldn't ignore her bodies annoyingly natural limitations.
“Oh wow I wonder who I’m versing now, you can never tell with these masks.”
Wednesday raised a brow from underneath her mask. Her mind suddenly teeming with creative ways to destroy Caspian Lee.
At fencing that is…For now at least.
They assumed their position, she lunged and…
Made instant contact.
They assumed positions again, she jabbed once, then twice, then…
Made instant contact.
With each touch she earned, it was becoming increasingly obvious that Caspian was a terrible fencer.
She threw him a lazy slash, which somehow had him cross footed as he staggered away, attempting to regain balance.
“This is laughable, it’s like you’ve never held a sword before.”
“Oh…you ever thought maybe, it’s because I haven’t! I’ve been getting my ass handed to me this whole bloody class.” He hissed through gritted teeth. He ambled back to his end carefully, his ego seemingly not the only thing bruised as he slowly rubbed his torso.
“You’re lack of experience shouldn’t be an excuse.” Wednesdays said coldly, assuming position.
He snorted unbelievably, breaking stance to throw his arms in upheaval. “In what world is that not a good enough excuse?”
Her eye twitched.
She lunged aggressively forward as if he just cursed her family name. Swing after swing, she slashed across his poor defences with abandon.
“Elves are inhumanly agile,” She sent a cold strike to his arm. “swiftly light footed.” A powerful jab to his peck. “And deftly dexterous.” Slash to his grip hand, his saber clattered to the ground as he fell onto the floor.
She stood over him stiffly.
“You, are neither.”
The final whistle blew.
She took her head piece off, eyeing his frozen form. She couldn’t read him with his mask on but she’s seen his body posture before in the vermin she use to catch in her free time.
A deer caught in headlights.
Or more aptly, a lier caught red handed.
He eventually got up, snatching up his saber before walking away without a snarky remark she’s come to associate him with.
“Alright good, as I expected some of you excelled, some of you didn’t. Everyone take 15, we’ll reconvene after the break. Caspian, a word?” Coach Vlad took Caspian aside, undoubtedly questioning how he ended up in his class.
“Geez Wenya, you couldn’t have gone easy on him?” She heard Enid murmur from behind.
“Why would I lessen my abilities to make the less talented feel better? Perhaps you should impose those value some time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hey-hey Enid check this out!” Ajax called out in front of them, balancing his sabre on nose before it unsurprisingly clattered onto a group of angry students.
Enid gave out a small chuckle, wincing as the sabre knocked over a students water bottle. Wednesday shot her a narrowed look. “Precisely that.”
They didn’t end up having free time. They spent a majority of the class reviewing last term much to Coach Vlad chagrin. They headed out of the studio, Xavier, Ajax and Enid in the middle and Wednesday and Caspian on opposite ends.
“Soooo you guys have any plans after? Me, Ajax, and Yoko are heading to the quad for snacks, wanna tag along?” Enid asked hopefully, eyes scanning everyone (she skimmed over Caspian).
“I need to speak with Fitts about my archery club. I need a minimum of 5 signatures, can I count on you guys?”
“One step a head of you, my Bow and quiver by Fenty is being shipped as we speak! I’ll ask Bianca’s group…Caspian wanna meet Yoko and Divina?” She politely asked him. Wednesday was pretty sure she was praying he would say no for reasons she can only speculate on.
“I think I should probably lie down.” Caspian grimaced, rubbing his chest. Enid visibly relaxed. “For your archery club Xavier, I might be even worst at it than fencing.”
“Archery’s a walk in the park, and it’s not like we’ll be doing it all the time. Its just a chance to chill and get easy club hours in.”
“Wednesday, quad, 5:00?” Enid practically begged.
“I have Thing to attend to, I’ll be down for dinner.”
Her eyes lit up in realization. “Oh yeah of course the Thing… Be sure to fill me in later kay?”
Wednesday glared at her for good moment before staring foreword. Her and Enid need to have a serious discussion about the ancient art of subtly.
She broke off from the group to head back to her dorm where Thing was lounging with finger separators on. Wednesday waited patiently for his designated ‘self care’ time to finish before getting down to business.
“Any news on Tyler?”
Thing tapped on the desk pointedly.
“Tyler was last seen heading upstate? Do we have an idea where?”
More taps.
“Great, so he's either heading to the next town over or Montreal." Her jaw slackened ever so slightly. "What’s Sherriff Galpin up too?
Thing tapped for a while.
“Asking questions I see, only natural I suppose...he’s trying to hunt him down himself…” Wednesday mentally shelved the idea. “Have you gotten Thornhill and the Gates files?”
Thing produced a beige folder and slide it over to her. Inside contained a compilation of all the records the town had on Thornhill and the Gates history, excluding police reports that it. She’ll need to find a way around that security for future reconnaissance missions.
“I’ll look at this later. If that’s everything you've gathered Thing I’ll leave you to-”
Thing rapped on the table, causing Wednesday to sit back down. He withdrew one more picture from her desk, tossing it to her. Wednesday stared at it before gazing up at the hand in confusion.
“Where did you get this?”
It was picture of a new born Tyler being held by his mother in a hospital bed, a younger livelier, Sheriff Galpin leaning over them with a thin smile.
Thing tapped assuredly.
“Sheriff Galpin’s stash?…Tyler said they had no photos of his mom…What else is he hiding?” She mused chewing on her the inside of her cheek. She studied the picture closely. Tyler was a mushy newborn, can’t be more than a week old. His mom looked eerily similar to him, with exception of her brown wispy hair and bulging bug eyes. They even shared the same crooked smile.
Thing rapped again.
“I’m currently working on it. They sent a new picture today.” She showed him the picture of her and Caspian as well as her after Latin. Thing turned a knowing knuckle up.
“Their growing very brash, and brashness breeds error. It’s imperative that we keep your involvement hidden to maintain the upper hand.” Thing cocked a finger at her unintended pun.
“This stalker has an unnatural ability to remain hidden in the most public of places. Perhaps we’re looking at a shifter...” She briefly considered Weem’s but discarded the notion. If Weem’s wanted her traced, she’d simply employ someone else rather than do it herself. Although, Wednesday doubts the shifter community in Vermont was very diverse. It wouldn’t be so far fetched to hire another shifter to keep tabs on her. But why reveal themselves then? Unless…unless they were trying to distract her this term. Keep her occupied from something bigger going on behind the scenes. Could it be Caspian? No I couldn't, Caspian came into existence mere days ago, the stalking started at the end of last term.
Wednesday sighed, seemingly having gone in one big mental circle. Fact of the matter was, the stalker, will slip up, and she’d be ready when they did.
Thing tapped teasingly.
Wednesday narrowed her eyes at him. “Yes I’ve gathered more on Caspian. Im confident in my profile of him. But I don't feel so inclined to share at the moment.”
Thing rapped his apologies, though she would think if a disembodied hand could have a face, he’d be smirking right about now.
Wednesday rolled her eyes as she prepped her type writer for her next chapter in Viper Delmurte’s life.
“Caspian Lee is a walking contradiction. He has an unshakable attitude at times but looks completely hopeless at others. He’s quick witted and is well spoken but flounders in class, taking excessive notes like he’s never seen an Australian Vine Winder. For someone who exudes natural charisma, he’s dedicates an extreme amount of energy to keeping up appearances. He’s a cunning lier, but he slips far too regularly to be called deceptive. Whatever he’s harbouring, it clawing to get out. There's a frustration bubbling just beneath the surface, at what, or who I do not know yet. Caspian Lee is an anomaly. But I can say for certain,”
She glanced at Thing filing his nails.
“He is unquestionably hiding something about his presence here. Keeping that secret is worth the tampering of school records, breaking enrollment protocol, and increased security around any files correlated to the town incident. The extent everyone involved went to covers his tracks rules out an innocent conclusion such as a mere change in schools.”
She slid the carriage on her type writer, cracking her knuckles.
“The secret he’s hiding, it’s bigger than i initially thought.”