Icarus. A good, strong name, I thought. With Baird's departure from Spirane, and my older brother's mysterious absence, the pack was in need of more warrior types. Maybe I could help foster that possibility in this boy - he certainly looked like he would grow into the build for it, even if he was a bit more compact. Perhaps Vortigern would give him a lesson or two as well. Assuming, of course, that's what he wanted to do. Couldn't force the kid into it - I mean not everyone was born with the desire to become a warrior princess (or prince) like me. But hey there was nothing wrong with teaching the kid a thing or two so he could defend himself at the very least. Plus he seemed pretty keen so why not.
Launching into the air, I pounced on the stick with perfect form, then glanced back up at Icarus and explained why the way I was standing was beneficial. I gave a suggestive wink, then turned away from him. Now I had two options. Assuming the kid had caught onto my hint, in a moment or two he was going to come flying straight at me. So I could go against my instincts and stand still, letting him try to tackle me and either stand firm in a demonstration of why the stance was effective, or placate his playful side and crumble beneath his attack. Otherwise, I could offer another demonstration - the importance of flexibility and looseness even when you're standing firm - and dodge his attack, letting him land on the stick just like I had.
My ears flicked back, hearing him move to make his attack, and I settled on a choice. There was no further need to make the kid feel like he'd been bested, but it also would contradict what I'd just taught him to surrender to his attack. So when I heard him push off from the rock, I tucked and rolled out of the way. Popping back onto my feet just to the side of where I'd previously stood, I smiled down Icarus, inspecting his landing and stance on the stick.