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While it was nice to practice the joust with his sister and his family, there was something to be said for practicing on his own. He could try the most grandiose of gestures, the wildest of techniques, and there would be no laughter or repercussions to his actions. It was a welcome relief from the judgmental eye of his sister- love her as he may- who was prone to giggling at his over-the-top missteps in fencing. Fighters were supposed to defend, yes... but it did not hurt to put on a show!

Alone in the grove, Just Lance worked on summoning up a magical lance. In hi mind, it was a grand and flowery thing- the same color as his magic, with ribbons and adornments. It would be a fine spectacle! ...Someday. When he learned the spell to a T. For now, it was a small thing, little more impressive than a small dagger. Lance sighed to himself, inspecting the lance. It was... at the very least, appropriate for his size?

With a flourish, Just Lance twirled the lance in the ir. At least it had a good weight to it. The make seemed good... a parry, a thrust! Hah! In his mind, Just Lance responded to the attack with another perry, a feint! The audience gasped!

Someday, he thought to himself. Someday, this lance and I will uphold justice.

It took Lance longer than he would've cared to admit to notice the stranger enter the grove. He was in the midst of a particularly lovely twirl when he spotted her, and Just Lance gave a startled yelp. In a puff, his lance disappeared, and he stared up with wide eyes to mysterious mare.

She was... unlike anything he had ever seen. Sure, his siblings were in possession of wings, but they were not the masterpieces he saw before him now. She was fair of face, and light on her hooves, and Just Lance was nothing short of smitten. Several times he stammered, trying to find the words to say to her.

"A-are you a princess?" Lance squeaked out, voice broken in the face of nervousness. His cheeks flushed and he laughed nervously, realizing that this interaction was steadily going up in flames.

"I- I mean! You're. You're lovely," he managed, a fair bit more even this time around. Still embarrassingly stupid, but... at least not as squeaky?

While she was not a princess, the mare before him conjured up images of Lady Elena from Lance's favorite book series. Beyond that, from the stories of royalty his family had told him, she certainly fit the part. But if she were not... well. That just made her even more extraordinary, to be so spectacular and have no royal lineage to her. Just Lance was blown away.

Practicing...? What was he practicing? His mind completely blanked a moment, still unable to process the stranger before him. When his wits returned to him, he flushed a deep crimson.

"I- I was working on my fighting," He replied, using his magic once more to conjure up his weapon. Still holding it, he gave the lance a flourished twirl, then thrusted it in the direction away from the lady. For a moment, he was completely entranced- then, remembering his company, turned back to her with a nervous laugh.

"While a knight needs to be chivalrous and kind... he needs to be a good fighter as well! You cannot protect the world on good manners and kind words alone, nice as that would be."

And speaking of good manners..

"I- I nearly forgot! I am Just Lance. Might I inquire as to your name...?"