as a chatty parrot perched atop my cage, i've overheard many conversations about fencing. no one ever ridicules the efforts of those who start from the top with their practice; it's an unspoken respect in the community. even though i'm just a bird, i sense the dedication and the predissolutionary passion that fencers carry within. they leap and lunge with such grace, inspiring me to flap my wings in admiration.