19021206 15:09:11

19021206 15:09:11

PA-S-5661

Joshua Lenier nodded his head towards his hands as he turned the key in the door lock. He pinched two fingers around the base of the key and snapped his wrist to flip the key around in his hand before he returned it to his coat pocket. It was only when he turned around and was about to descend the concrete stairs leading to the sidewalk that he saw her staring at him. He heard no approaching foosteps as he was outside, so he has no idea how long she had stood there, and this uncertainty made him nervous.
"Hello. You're Mr. Lenier?" She remained attentively standing in place as she called out to him. Her gloved hands were folded into her waist and held their position.
"Why yes, I am Joshua Lenier." He took the initiative of closing the gap between them and quickly walked down the stairs to stand next to her. "Are you seeking to speak with me? Miss, uh -"
"Grace. Yes, there is. I want to become a student of your fencing classes. I'd like to set an arrangement for the period and for payment. I understand that you are about to retire for the day, but would you care to temporarily step inside so that we can make an agreement?"
"Um." Joshua needed a moment's pause to ensure that he understood the request correctly. Meeting in this manner was strange enough, but this was not the kind of question he would have expected. "I don't think that will be quite necessary, truthfully, as I fear that my facility cannot, uh, it can't...  accommodate a w-, a person such as yourself."
"I anticipated that kind of initial response, so that is why I sought to speak with you directly. I wanted to determine if there is a time where I could be under your guidance in isolation. I assume the issue is primarly that of mixed gender in your class, correct?"
"The issue is that as much as my lack of performing the training with any female, so I fear that my ability in teaching you might be reduced, or at least inferior to someone who is better suited to be your mentor."
"Very well. Could I at least persuade you to attempt the training session for one week, and make a more binding decision later?"
"I uh. Well, I suppose that doing that much would be possible, yes, but perhaps instead could you call upon me later to see if I could find an instructor who is better suited for your training?"
"Mr. Lenier, I appreciate your generous offer, but I must say that I can do that kind of research independently. Doing so has led me to you. I want to begin training as soon as possible, so please forgive me making such a strong demand, but I wish to know immediately if you are willing to conduct the one week trial. If you are not, I will depart and seek someone else on my own." Grace kept her gaze fixed directly upon Joshua's face. Her facial expression and composure remained unmoved.
"Very well." Many seconds passed in silence before he finally acquiesced. "Please return here one week from now, at 3:30 PM. Please bring your own suit, as I have no way to obtain a proper one for you."
"Thank you." Grace slowly bowed forward and returned upright in a quicker motion, then turned to walk away.
Joshua was surprised to see her enter the carriage which had been sitting idly in the road behind her. He never considered the possibility that she was the passenger who had arrived there with it.