[Jan MP prep] A winter Night's Eve (Artur)

Cookies and coffee. He rolled his eyes. It was no wonder that poor Ona was trying to tempt her to eat with her favorite dishes.  He had to remind himself that Nikola was just a 23 year old wichling, practically a child who had been left to her own devices by her family. Oh the other hand, there were days where his meals consisted of vodka, so he was not one to chastise a former student about their proper intake of nutrition.

At first he thought she was excited about his idea. Of course, his excellence at the dueling and swordfighting can be extended to the stage. I mean, what is the difference? Still he did not want to dictate her whole show, although he certainly can't perform something half done…

“For any other point in time?” he repeated confused, before she tore down his suggestion. Although nicely, by saying his idea was brilliant. Which was something that saved his slightly bruised ego. He was going to argue,yet her statement that it was ‘best not to have children think that I am cutting limbs off real men,’ halted it.

Children? Was there really going to be children there?

“Oh, well then. I would be a learning experience for them. A few sliced off arms would teach them not to play with sharp objects unless they were planning to kill someone.” He laughed to let her know that the statement was in fact a joke, before illustrating that he conceded by continuing, ”Shadow figures, Humm it would take a bit of slide of hand wand work. I guess you can do some of the more complex spells before you step on to stage and I can manage the fight scene from the floor, after my death. I can cast left handed.”

He stroked his nonexistent mustache while he thought. His mind running through the rutie and notiting were his free hand could be casting with his wand but not viewable to the audience. It was going to help that he was ambidextrous. She had mentioned she might need some illusionary magick and asked if he could work on shadow figures, but casting them then fighting them was going to be tricky. Then he realized he would likely becasting the once she had to fight…. He might Not be able to see it all from the floor. Blind casting the illusions were going to make it more difficult.

He awoke from his thoughts when she asked if he had been practicing shadow figures. “ Oh yes, well now that I realize the extent that you will need them I will work on the spell more during winter break.” He had technically “worked” on them, although casting a handful of times was weak at best. Certainly would not count in his class.

He was saved with Ona arriving with dessert. The smell of the baked apples, nuts and rum hit his senses as the bratapfel with vanilla sauce was slipped onto the recently vacated spot on the table.  A dinner fork and knife was presented and within no time Artur was cutting into his apple. He forked his bite and dragged it through the creamy sugar vanilla richly laced with rum, before he put it in his mouth. He closed his eyes for a second. It was his turn for a involuntary sound of pleasure, taking the form of a slight humm. He was not one for things that were too sweet, but this desert was balance perfectly. And oh yes , he could taste the quality of the rum.

He made a mental note to eat at Nikola’s house more often.

He realized he was half way through his dessert and yet to utter a word. He broke the silence while he checked his pocket watch, “We should have time for the costume change and a few run throughs." Ludolf bounced again at his heel, apparently finished with his own dinner. So Artur patted the crup before slipping his friend a bit of his lamb he saved before they cleared his plate. Sitting up he continued while thinking about her need for sleep. “After tonight, we could get a good night sleep and have a go at it again tomorrow morning. That is after you do whatever modification you need to do with the costumes. If it takes time, it will give me the chance to work on the illusion down for the last fight scene.”

He took his last few bites of his apple. Although completely full he wished for one last bite. Instead ran his finger through the dregs of his plates rum sauce and popped it into his mouth, before wiping his face with his napkin. He pushed his chair back "That was great. well,... let's get started. Ready?" He stood and after his had to his little Perovskia. "Where is this master swordsman costume? Where shall I change?"

Nikola was about to make the observation that he had missed her point entirely, but then laughed, realizing he was joking as he gave in to what she was saying. “Oh yes. Quite educational. Children, swords are sharp. Remember this. Pointy end goes into the enemy.” the two often joked together like this, and Nikola was immensely pleased to have someone with whom she could enjoy a darker sense of humor. Though they had started out as professor and student, she had to acknowledge that he meant a great deal more to her now, and not just because she was starting to get close to being his equal with their weapons. Artur was someone whom she could trust, as a friend and confidant.


Baked apples, once again one of nikola’s favorite dishes, was brought out, and neither spoke as they savored the flavors. She wasn’t a fan of sweet cakes, or heavy pies, but this was the sort of thing that she loved. Baked fruit, heavy with spices and flavors, and of course the rich cream. It was a decent bit before they finally spoke, a testament to the quality of the food. “I definitely want to manage a few full run throughs before you leave, complete with the spells, costumes and masks. And of course the music.” she nodded in agreement. Chuckling as he seemed ready to get going, taking a last taste of the sauce with his hand, Nikola shook her head, and looked up at him with an incredulous expression, before back at her own plate, not nearly half done.

“Well it seems that the prospect of seeing your new costume has all but consumed you, much as you inhaled your food.” she murmured, taking another bite of her apple, still relaxed and comfortable, while he was standing and ready. She showed no signs of hurrying to finish. "but of course, if you'd rather jump straight into our little production, by all means, let us. After all, it's not like either of us had a busy last month and could use a break..." she punctuated her teasing with another bite of her apple, still smirking. “And the matter of the package i left in the corner that you were so enthralled by at the beginning of dinner before you were seduced by tastes of decadence.” she put another piece of apple in her mouth, pulling the spoon out slowly as she enjoyed the richness of the cinnamon and rum. Her eyes trailed back to his chair, still with that amused look on her face, as if telling him to sit his butt back down and enjoy some time off.

He did not mean to cut her desert short. It being her house and she being the host, it was quite rude to do so. Still he knew there was still quite a bit to do. He wanted to make sure they had time to do it all and allow his little Perovskia a good night of sleep tonight. Since it was obvious she did not get one last night. She was his student after all and as such, she should be smart enough to realize there were more important things then finishing the last few bites of a bake apple. So he expected her to take his hand and get the rest of the evening started…. Yet she did not. He watched her chuckle and look back to her plate and slowly, defiantly take another bite.

He was used to commanding things, including his student and almost every woman that is willing to slip into his bed. Most that attempted to defy him, will soon find that they will bend to his will one way the other. The more difficult ones tends to find themselves collapsed with exhaustion and unable to stand. He was harsh to his student, who he would drill relentlessly in one on one combat. Building a swordsman out of them, one way or another. While women were just as exhausting to brake, but a lot more fun. Nikola he would consider the former category, but she had never been one to defy him so casually before.

So he stood there mutely convinced it was her teasing him or testing his patience. It was not until, the cheeky reference of the ‘package’ he understood. His hastness had spoiled the moment. She must have been savoring the moment of the gifts exchange, for after the decadent desert. So he yielded, letting her win this round. He had to admit he was quite surprised she so coolly held her ground. The girls tongue and wit were sharper than any knife, but he would never let her know that. No, good can come to a wizard in the presence of a witch who knew her own true potential.

“You are right, it did.” he admitted in joining in with her joke. “I also forgot, I have something for you.” He pulled his hand in his breast fold of his robe to pull out the dagger like object in his pocket. It was wrapped in a plain brown packaging paper and tied with coarse thick twine. Yet inside of the rather plain package was a black velvet sleeve sealed with a purple ribbon that fed through the velvet like a strap. He had to request knowing her affinity for the colors. He place the gift on the table in front of her and her beloved desert that she defied him to finish. He knew with the shape of the object she would guess wrong. So the swordsman smirked to himself, as walked back and drop into his seat. He occupied himself with his beer, while he more patiently waiting for her to finish her desert. Maybe after she will allow them to have a long awaited gift exchange. he amused himself. He was feeling quite unusually entertained with the notion his apprentice was calling the shots.

Nikola smiled cunningly as he took his seat again, as though she’d won something, before taking another bite of her apple. There was a smugness about her, though not distasteful. When Nikola wanted something, there were very few people who could get in her way. She’d have it one way or another. And tonight that meant finishing her dessert and exchanging gifts with a dear friend. Gifts which, as he sat down and drank more of his beer, she noted that he was all too eager to give. Looking the package over, Nikola finally finished off the last of her baked apple and picked it up, turning the package round in her hands and smiling at him. “Let me guess…. Its sharp… and probably pointy…. Metal...”

The german designer carefully unwrapped the brown paper from it, finding a lovely velvet bag inside. But the hilt… it felt wrong now that she had it out of the paper. She looked a little puzzled, then back up at him, before opening the bag and pulling out what was contained within. It was starting to make sense of course, though it was in fact in a sheath that could be worn on a belt. Taking hold of the silver handles, dotted every now and then with lovely amethyst gemstones, Nikola pulled the scissors from their scabbard, grinning wildly. She had certainly not expected that, and was totally enthralled with them, opening them up and examining the blades as she would with any good knife. Sharp; sharper then most of her swords. Perfect for cutting through high end fabric without damaging the material. “Artur they’re lovely…. Absolutely lovely.” she preened, closing them again and looking them over, turning the tool this way and that in her hands. And it would be so easy to keep them handy on her waist. Besides. Places she couldn’t take a knife, no one would deny a designer her favorite pair of scissors. But of course he had to have known that. Always looking out for her well being.

She gently placed the scissors down on top of their velvet bag. “And if you’ve eaten too much i might even need them tonight, to let out your costume...” she teazed, her eyes dropping playfully to his waist before she stood up to pick up her package for him. The table was cleared in the few moments she was gone, though Nikola stopped Ona for just a moment. “Take Ludolf outside when you are finished? I’m going to be busy most of the evening. Poor thing will need all sorts of extra attention come January...” she reached down and scritched the top of his head, still holding the package. When Ona had left with the dog, Nikola sat the gift down in front of him, pleased with herself. “I have a feeling you’re going to love mine just as much. Its fairly simple but I made it myself… though I did have to find someone to do the enchantments for me...”

The words, let me guess…. Its sharp… and probably pointy…. Metal… was exactly what Artur wanted to hear. He had to press his lips together to stop himself for grinning like a fool and giving anything away. He managed a disappointed sigh and shrug, that he hoped would say ‘What can I say, you know me.’ Yet he knew she would be surprised. He held back his grin until after she gave him a puzzled look. He refused to say anything letting her discover just what was in the bag. Now it was her turn to beam… she had a beautiful smile but it was rear that he saw it so wide. He felt like Father Christmas. Yet the best part was that he did not need to explain that the Scissors could cut like a dagger . Her little sword-master in her realized they could be both a designer tool and deadly weapon in one. With just a small modification to ones fighting style and grip, it gives birth to new and deadly applications for such a tool.

Sadly, her first stated use, was to make fun of his waistline. “Hey, Nikola! Just stab be with them already!” He said jokingly but he put down his halfway finished beer just in case it would cause him to have a tighter fitting costume.

He was distracted by Ludolf giving a few yips on his way out to let Nikola know that he will hold her to the January promise, when Nikola was setting the long box in front of him. He looked up at his little pleased Perovskia, but with her words he gave a bit of a confused frown. “Oh? You made it yourself?”

He took the bow off and opened then end off the package he looked in expecting clothes or something… but it looked like a long narrow rolled up bag. He stuck his hand in and pulled out a long roll with a shoulder strap. It was made with a deep dark indigo brocade pattern fabric that appeared to be stiffen on its reversed side with Nikola’s black leather. Seeing that the table was nearly cleared he moved his halfway finished beer to the far edge and unbuckled the brass buckles.

It was then he was amazed… It unrolled and unrolled. What looked to be only three layers turned out to be over twelve. No wonder she had to go to someone for the enchantment. Each layer had thick strong, pockets some long and wide enough to fit a long sword others built to house tandem twin daggers.

“Nakola… This is perfect. It is amazing.” He said, as he ran his finger along yet another sleeve and imagine just what in his collection would fit in there. No more giant awkward bundle and when something is usually visually deceiving it means... “You had enchanted for weight? I could carry nearly half my swords in this thing,” His good ones he meant but Nikola knew. “Nikola. Thank you.” Feeling out of the two of them he had made out with the nicer give. He leaned over and gave her a kiss on each side of his cheek as he would his mother or grandmother. Certain that this gift deserved at least that. 

He then unloaded the three daggers hidden on his person. A gentle-wizard never brings a sword to dinner but daggers are a necessity. He slipped the three into varying slots some with their scabbard. They all fit. The leather flexed like a dragon-hide glove molding to its owner's hand. He then rolled up his gift. Taking his time to buckling it back up and then placed it on his back. It felt like nothing. He was sure he could carry over 15 deadly weapons with him at once and hardly feel it! He knew this was sure to help his shoulder pain.

Nikola returned to her seat to watch him open her christmas gift to him. She was quite proud of herself this time, and had gotten the inspiration for it from a flimsy canvas roll that a woman she’d met on one of her international deliveries kept for her paintbrushes. As soon as she’d seen it, Nikola knew Artur needed it for his swords, especially if she could find a way to enchant it properly, which of course, she’d had to outsource. The weight aspect she could have handled herself. Maybe. But it was the sizing part… still, she was, as always, proud of her work. Even if his intended birthday present had become a christmas present instead. But the dagger she’d gotten last minute in a trade with one of her family’s clients had gone over just as well back then. But now she was finally able to give him the gift that she’d intended for him.

“I’m so glad you like it.” she murmured softly, smiling as he kissed both her cheeks, resting her hands on his arms briefly as he came close. She was thrilled, and proud of herself for making something that he loved, but more importantly would use. That was more important to her then anything. And certainly not just because he’d get asked where he got such a piece. But that was also a perk she hadn’t really considered. Nikola had wanted to get into a wider market, not simply making things for the elites of society. Perhaps this was her answer. But before she allowed herself to go too far down that train of thought, she cut it off. Not tonight. She had too much else to do tonight. Pleased, she watched him place his daggers inside and test it out. “I worry about that shoulder of yours. I’ve watched you favor it, or did you not notice that most of my winning strikes have come from that side as of late?” she genuinely hoped that this would help. After all, a swordsman needed to be at their best. 

“And now i believe we can check out those costumes...” she smiled, before gesturing for him to follow her into her workshop and studio. She wasn’t certain that artur had ever been in her studio. Certainly she’d had the doors open at times when he’d come through, but they spent most of their time in the living room or the basement. Pushing the doors open, it was much cleaner in here, though her staging area to the left was taken up by three mannequins. One wore only a deep burgundy cloak that concealed most of its features, while the one beside it wore the more elaborate outfit that was obviously intended for the more Ethereal Helyna. Reds, oranges, browns and blacks, feminine but deadly. Graceful and yet also powerful. The male mannequin wore the outfit of Artur’s character Nazar. Deep forest greens and hints of blues, with black a more predominant feature and  adornments clearly intended to give the look of armor, while not preventing his ability to move. The Mannequins wore the masks as well, that the two of them would don towards the end of the performance.

“Well what do you think?” she asked, turning back to face him. His opinion mattered to her a great deal, so she was eager to know what her mentor would say.

The Professor felt the brief touch of her embrace radiated with a warm acceptance. As with most Master and Apprentice relationships, there tends to form a deep bond. They got to know each other more than their families would know them at this point. At least right now, for in the future she might move on. At that point he knew he will miss these moments. Just how well she knew him was illustrated by her calling out his shoulder pain, an issue he never openly discussed with her. A small fear of getting old and broken bubbled up but he stamped it down and pushed it away. Such thoughts were for  wizards well passed their half century mark, and worrying about the triple digits. He did not believe he should be worrying about that since he was away from forty and still in the prime of his life.

He gave an amused smile. " You notice ah?" Rolling it to illustrate the one he usually carries his swords on. " I am a bit surprised you noticed but you are right,  I do expect it is due to the weight of my sword bundle. I am still able to beat you more often than not. Now with this." noting her gift. "It will be almost guaranteed." It was an empty boast, for he knew she would consider it a challenge that he will have to work twice as hard to prove. Yet saying the words now made him feel good and were a comfort to his ego.

Then she announced it was now time to try on costumes. A smirk appeared on his face. It seemed like she was developing some commanding habits. He was not sure if it was good or bad, but he let her take the lead yet again. He followed her across the crowded living room and into her more immaculate work room. He had glimpsed the space through the doors in passing. Yet now that he was inside, he now noticed the many meticulously systematized bins of different clothing related materials and endless rolls of varying fabric organized by type and color. He knew she liked her house clean, but this room illustrated a perfection which bordered on the obsessive.  Yet after standing a moment in this room he realised that this was her artist palette, akin to his sword rack and he understood.

It was natural for his eyes to be pulled to the center. Where in front of the mirror, proudly stood her three works of art. He halted so he could view her latest master pieces for a few silent moments before he shook his head and simply stated, “Nikola you out did yourself.” The costumes were not costumes at all. They were runway quality dress gowns. With fully designed layers of unrodes that were cut and trimmed to compliment the outer robes. Nothing was done halfway or done just to look good on stage. They were good enough to be the high-end show display in most tailers windows.

He quietly stepped forward glancing over each in turn. “This is for you, the first scene?” he guessed. He wanted to examine it but he couldn't help to be drawn to the next, a female figure practically dressing in licking red flames. He could not imagine Nikola in such a sexy dress, and that one could fight in such a tight fitting gorgeous gown. Yet it appeared that it left her arms free for full movement, and a slit in the skirt will allow for leg movements if she manage not to trip on her skirt. “Have you tried to move in this?”

He did not want to gawk at it too long, for he knew the one he should he investigating stood next the the two female forms. He willed himself to move on, finally examining the male manikin with more detail.  He touch the fabric at the shoulders and then examine under the sleeve for the tells that the seeming fitted cut would allow for movement. He gave a nod of approval.

"Is this for the final scene?Do you want me to try this on first?"

There was a great deal of pride in her eyes when she saw the shocked expression on his face. Had he thought she wouldn’t put anywhere near as much effort into it as she did her regular clothing? No. these could have the more costume elements removed, or in her case, the outfit could be added to, and then they’d each have a perfectly serviceable set of dress robes. The feather embellishments that trailed down the back of her own outfit were perhaps her favorite part. The top was a brilliant burnt orange color, fading into darker and darker reds until it was almost black at the hem, with matching feathers woven into the fabric so the whole thing felt quite bird-like. “I have.” she answered, when he inquired about her mobility in such a gown. “My mannequin doesn’t quite have my legs, so it is far less of a tripping hazard as it appears. And lighter. The fabrics are very thin, you would be surprised. Mine has already been adjusted, of course, but i need to know about yours.”

But his gaze had already turned to his costume, finding the artistically placed slits that would allow for more flexibility then a normal outfit would allow. As artur’s formal dress robes were very Ukranian already, Nikola had a good place to start from for his, but allowed herself modifications and detailing that would not normally be seen.  His was more navy blue and deep forest green colored, with blacks and browns to complement, the fabric of the oversleeves bunched up in delicate folds that gave almost the appearance of scales, especially from a distance, raised as they were. The shadows cast by the ridges would only enhance the effect under the bright stage lighting. And of course she did, though sparingly, use actual black dragonhide on the vest. After all, it only seemed fitting, and she had several decent sized scraps left that she hadn’t wanted to go to waste. The pants too, had a long strip of black dragon hide running down the side of each leg, with the tails and front of the vest coming down in four panels almost to his knees.

“I trust you got yourself a new pair of boots?” she asked, a wry smile crossing her lips. She’d been teasing him about how worn his shoes were, though he’d kept insisting that they were comfortable, and until they fell apart he wasn’t going to replace them. But this gave her a chance to force him to replace the beat up old things. She swore they were the same boots he’d been wearing when she’d been a student. “There’s only one costume for you, and technically for me as well.. Though I do have the cloak. I just bought and altered one to suit our needs, for that, no sense in wasting my high quality fabric for something that's going to get destroyed in the opening minute of our performance. But yes.” she walked a few feet from where they were, to a dressing room, and drew her wand to send the Mannequin in there ahead of him. “You might need help tying the sleeves properly. If you want, just leave them off and i’ll assist when you’re dressed.”

On numerous other occasions, Nikola had simply helped her customer into and out of the robes, to make sure they were put on properly. But it didn’t feel right offering to do that with him. Oddly enough she suspected it was because she’d found herself noticing that he was actually rather attractive at dinner, once she got used to the lack of facial hair. If she hadn’t had that momentary lapse in better judgement, she probably would have thought nothing of it. But she didn’t need to feed those thoughts. So out here she’d wait.

Artur glanced down at his warn leather black boots. Well, at least they used to be black. They just needed a bit of a shine. He tends to fall behind his general maintenance on everything besides oiling swords during exams because  during that time he spends almost all his time in the dueling club room. 

“New boots? I thought these would be find. You don't want new boots before a performance they would be uncomfortable.” He looked up at Nikola's face. He knew she loved to tease him about them, but he also knew she was doing it for a reason. He was completely aware that this event means a lot to her. Which either means he would have to get new boots or cleans this pair up to her standard or to the point she can’t tell. Which would be nearly impossible, she was guaranteed to notice considering the fact that she was a fashion designer. So he decided to fold. “Alright, new boots. I should be able to pick them up in the Ukraine.”

He nodded as she described the costumes. He was not used to practicing in so many layers and he hoped they would not get damaged during practice. He just noted to himself to be careful as he followed the male mannequin behind a curtain. It was behind the thin divider he got undressed down to his undergarment and shirt before he hesitated. Although he was normally fine with his body and did not mind showing it off to any witch who wanted to see it, but this was his student. For some reason the small divider that separated them did not feel enough. He told himself that this was her line of work and she would be immune to any such odd feelings. So he finally stripped off his shirt and started to undress the mannequin.

As he got dressed into the many layers, his mind search for something to say to fill the pause in the conversation.  “Well I am glad that you didn't make the cloak. I was hoping to not have to destroy something that you worked so hard to make. Do you have just one? Or is there another cloak we can practice the cut on …. Maybe we can practice with a similar piece of scrap fabric. I know that part will be tricky on top of making sure I cut the ribbon. ”

It was not until he got on the vest that he realized she was right, the sleeve would be nearly impossible to do by himself. He didn't think it was a flaw in the design for the wizard usually had access to house elves. He was about to ask for an elf but then he remembered that she wanted him to come out to do it. She would probably make the final adjustments to his costume then too. He then was slightly worried that he did not tie everything properly.  He doubled check spending extra time making sure his pants was well situated before he put on his old worn socks and boots and stepped out. “What do you think, do I look like Nazar?”

Nikola snorted at his comment about the shoes, shaking her head. But at least he had agreed to get new shoes; finally. “In the stage lighting, the smallest flaws will be glaringly obvious, even with polish.” she murmured, determined to have the last word. She was a creature of habit after all. And when it came to certain things, stubborn to a fault. But he was going to get them. Finally. And that was good enough for her. Nikola busied herself with straightening up in the back room while he got changed, rather pleased with her work. Once she’d done the touch ups to his, the two of them could actually practice and see what else was needed. But for right now, it was better that she stay in slightly more comfortable clothing.


They were able to easily converse through the wall, as there was a two foot gap between it and the ceiling, but it was Artur who spoke up first. “A reparo spell should do the trick. Also the ribbon is already in two pieces. I thought it easier that way, so we don’t have to try to do eighteen things with one sword slice.” after all, the blade was choreographed to narrowly miss her anyways, so the less things that were focused on, the better. After all, the first dozen or so times they’d rehearsed that scene, it had been hit or miss, quite literally. “The fabric is such that repairing it will be easily hidden. I tested it already.” after all, she had to be certain.

When he came out of the dressing room, Nikola smiled, quite pleased with herself. “Yes it's perfect.” and it really was. He looked rugged, handsome, even without the mustache. And he looked so much younger too, closer to her age. It made sense, she supposed for the show, but she kind of missed the facial hair. Maybe it would grow on her…. Not that it mattered in the slightest to her how he looked after all. “Let me help...” she stepped forward to assist with the sleeves, having chosen this style for the freedom of movement it allowed. She was careful with the tension, making sure it was loose enough to still allow for the necessary actions, before stepping back and nodding again.

“How does it fit? And how is the movement in it?” that after all, would determine what needed to be adjusted.

She thought of everything. No wonder she had crashed out when he got here. She must have been up nights thinking through every costume piece, every prop, and every repercussion to every decision or every course of action. Artur started to feel a bit guilty that he should have been helping her with this. She had been doing almost everything by herself, while his name was to be next to hers on the program too.

She had answered perfect… "Of course it is." Artur said jokingly. "Everything you do is." That is why he loved having her as his student. Good enough was never good enough for her. She was a perfectionist and trained her body to be just as sharp and deadly as the weapons she carried. He held up his arms to her so that she could get  his arms and cuffs laced on correctly. He watched her nimble fingers work the laces. There was not fumbling, no awkward moments. She had placed in each eye whole and likely cut the leather string.

“I should have known that you already tested the cape.” He said returning to the subject with a bit of a teasing tone as he turned around so that she could adjust something along his back shoulder. “You always think of everything. I am not sure why you need me here. You could have just gotten your naked mannequin in there to play me and it would have been less trouble.”

He lifted up his arm as she worked on finishing the  adjustments to the arms and the vest bindings along the side of his ribs. He was currently very happy he insisted that he take a shower before dinner. For he still smelled of sage-lye soap and a bit of his Pine-musk cologne. He was glad that his usual hot leather and thick silk-cotton soak sweat scent that accompanied him while he trained was missing. When she finally stepped back he obeyed her by shifting and bending, rolling his shoulders before arching his arms and then twisting his torso. For so many layers and so fashionably decorated it moved surprisingly freely.

“It is still a little tight here, when I do this.”  He pointed to between his right ribs and arm socket while bending the opposite direction. He was not sure if a move in the choreography required him to bend that way, but it was always better not to be uncomfortable. He let her just it again. Then she fixed the mirror side which he forgot to check.

Once he finished he bent every way he thought possible and it seemed perfect and said so. “The real test is when I try it out with the sword. Do you want to throw on your… costume.” He looked over at the female mannequins. He could not imagine his Perovskia in that sexy of address robe and hoped it covered more than it looked like it did on the mannequin. At least she will be wearing the cloak part of the time. He thought before turning back to her and continuing,  “You can meet me down stairs to run through it. I assume you will not need by help with the um.. lacing or something right? You are able to call an elf?”

Nikola carefully adjusted the sleeves, stepping back with a critical eye as she watched him move. She couldn’t help but let her eyes lingering on his back...side. Quickly diverting her eyes elsewhere, Nikola watched the seams to try to gauge where it was strained. “Thankfully that one’s an easy fix...” able to just looosen some of the laces, Nikola did now notice that the seams were strained as well. “Or not.” she grinned. “Apparently you put on some extra...Muscle.” she looked up at him, grinning teasingly. Before using her wand to adjust the seams, she checked the other side as well, and then adjusted both accordingly. “Is that better?” she straightened back up and watched him repeat the movements, adjusting one or two other locations before both were satisfied.

“Thats a good plan. Perhaps a bit of sparing before we run through? I’d rather do that in here, so I have all my supplies for repairs or adjustments. Mind shifting the work benches to clear us a space?” she wanted the empty mannequin out of the room, before sending in her own robes, the skirt made of overlapping panels that would allow for freedom of movement and glimpses of her long, limber legs, and a tight looking bodice that would stretch and move with her. She was amused by how he’d reacted when speaking of her costume. It wasn’t that revealing. “We can go down to the practice room afterwards and do a costumed run through.”

Nikola left him to get to work, heading into the changing room. She grinned at the messy pile of clothes tossed onto one of the lounge chairs, rolling her eyes at Artur’s disarray before removing her own clothing and hanging them on one of the available hangers. She left the leggings on, before pulling on the leotard like body suit that made up the top, using her wand to lace up her own flowing sleeves, which were simply armbands around her forearms with flowing fabric coming off them. Stopping in front of the mirror, she turned slowly, admiring the way she looked. It almost appeared like flames were licking around her legs as she shifted back and forth. It was exactly what she’d wanted.

Re-emerging from the dressing room, Nikola was smiling. “So what do you think.”

"Extra muscle? I hope you don't use that tactic with your female clients." He rolled his eyes. He could not help but to suck in his stomach a little, while chastising himself for eating the dessert, before practically licking his plate clean. He should have skipped it and that half of beer too. He could explain how he had not been able to get out for his daily runs with the colder sweden weather. Still it all sounded like a excuse and he was not going to teach his student to start using excuses.

Lucky she didn't dwell in his strained seams and the witches experienced wand work allowed for an easy fix. Artur let out his breath. "Yeah that is better."

"Sure, sparring. Well I guess it will test the costume." He said a bit concerned she will next give him a hard time for just how drenched in sweat he made it. Yet there was benefits to the extra practice and extra practice was something he never turned down. "Well, maybe it will give me a chance to lose the weight I gained during dinner." He said as he jokingly rubbed his belly. 

She disappeared into the changing room to put on the outfit that was not a skirt a tall nor a robe. He feared she would not wear anything underneath and the audience would think it was some other type of show. Frustrated, he walked out of the room, figuring he would wait until she had it on, to show her his concerns. He stuck his head out of the doorway and called to the elf, who popped up with the swords already in hand. She apparently had overheard her mistress, like a good elf . He handed the elf his gift and instructed her to leave it in his room for him.

Artur commandeered a table and layed out each weapon checking both the edge, for warps, then sharpness, loose handles, before finally placing on wards to protect it against penetrating any skin. He first worked on his own sword and dagger, then moving on to her's. He was just sheathing her dagger when she exited the changing room.

"What do I think?" he said as he grabbed his sheath sword and walked around her. Good she has leggings on, He thought before he stood back and looked her over why saying a little critically, "It doesn't look like any sward fightly armor I have seem. BUT I am sure it will look fantastic on stage.  I assume you can move. " When she did the fabric gave the illusion there were real flames licking her skin. "Oh," He gave a nod with approval, before adding. "I am afraid they will not notice me as soon as they see you in that."

He gave a laugh, to let her know his ego was certainly not talking and he did approve of just how beautiful she had made the dress. He went back to the table to fetch her her swords while he said, "Do you want to try it with the cloak on?" Then remembering and old pet peeve, he teased. "Oh, but first make sure you stretch. Do you need me to leave the room?"

Nikola was still smiling about the weight comments when she re-emerged, pleased to see that he had indeed pulled a few of the tables to the side and was already examining his blades. She was amused, because no matter how carefully he’d checked them over before putting them away, he was just as careful when drawing them out again. Of course his swords would be fine, but she stopped, realizing he’d been sheathing one of hers. For a split second, she was offended. Did he think his lessons had fallen by the wayside when she’d graduated? That she had forgotten how carefully he’d drilled into their young minds that maintenance of ones blades often meant the difference between life of death? Not that he knew that she was using them in actual combat. And if she had her way, he never would. But as quickly as the offense had welled up, she’d squelched it. Of course he did. He was simply being thorough. And saving her the trouble. She had nothing to be worried about in any case. She’d taken those lessons to heart.

“I trust you found no fault with my weapons?” she asked as she came over, the fabric swirling around her as she moved, glimpses of the black leggings beneath them visible, though she was still barefoot. Hopping up on one of the tables carefully, she summoned the boots that she’d made to specifically go with this outfit. She knew he was going to make a comment about her shoes, but unbeknownst to him, his little Perovskia who even in school had preferred to fight with her shoes off had been practicing in them. Especially since she tended to wear heeled boots in her other work, for her family.

A bit of a smile graced her face. “Its not meant to look like armor.” she murmured at his comments. “And yes. It moves and breathes easily.” she added with a little chuckle. Unlike his outfit, hers was easy to move in. but it was his final statement on how she looked that caused a real laugh. “Well then you’ll just have to up your game with your technique then. I guess i’ll have it easy.” she was teasing of course, and Artur would know that. After all, the young woman was nothing if not a perfectionist when it came to her sword play. There would certainly be no slacking off from her.

“I’ll survive this one time...” she added, though a blush crept into her cheeks. Still sitting on the table, Nikola stretched her one leg out, leaving the other slack off the edge of the table as she reached out her  arm and took hold of her shoe, bending over nearly in half, bringing her nose down to touch her nose to her knee.

His eyes slid over to hers when he heard her tone. Below the teasing layers, the core of the words seemed a bit defensive. "They looked good. I checked the wards, so you are all set." He said a bit dismissively.  He decided to ignored the edge in her tone. It was probably due to the fact that most swordsman don't like other people touching their blades. Artur doesn't like anyone to touch his, unless he hand it to someone directly and usually it is never for any length of time. The only exception was his own sword mentor.

He examined the dress on her. It looked so form fitting and they skirt looked to have a number of layers. He would just have to believe that the outfit was in fact breathable and allowed movement. He had no idea how a dress like that would allow for aggressive swordplay. Yet she was a fashion designer not him and he knew it would soon be put to the test.

"Up MY game?" He said overly shocked. Teasing back he rebuttal, "I am afraid you might not be able to keep up with,  MY Game." It was a joke. Although he realized after he said it, it had more than one meaning. The fact he was currently strapping on his sword to his belt, would alluded to the less polite version. He cleared his throat as if to say don't comment.

Things did not seem to be going as he wished. For the trainer's tease about her lack of willingness of stretching in front of him, caused her to do just that. Yet he did not expect her to sit on the table and bring her foot straight up and practically kiss her knees. What good would be that move during combat anyways? They won't really dancing during the performance.  Maybe it was best if she didn't stretch in front of him, after all. He rotated so he was facing the wall and polled on one arm that was draped across his chest and then the other. Losing his shoulders in a windmill before going into some deep knee bends. Well, it was good he was leading by example. He hoped she would be done with whatever that was when he was.

Once done with stretching he turn while pulling out his sword and address his apprentice, "Shall we begin?"