Connie blushes, tucking a strand of hair that had come loose behind her ear. "Thanks! As my teacher always says, 'keep your stance wide, keep your body lowered, and as you're moving forward, balance is the key!'" The last few words have an almost musical lilt to them.

In fact, Connie could practically hear Pearl chastising Connie for almost getting hit by the dragon. Awareness, Connie! You can be the best swordswoman in the world and still get killed by a knife in the back if you don't remember to be aware of your surroundings.