you don't learn fencing like this in three years, and it's not exactly a sport for the poor, is it?
Well, it depends. These days (well, in the US, I know) you can sign up for just about any sport and not have to shell out big bucks for it. The YMCA could have offered it, or any local recreation or youth center. Or maybe Neal knew someone - a friend of the family, someone he worked with - who taught him privately.
Personally, to, me, it seems like something he would have familiarized himself with just enough for a con, but maybe liked it enough that he continued to pursue it as a skill, maybe even taking lessons where he could under various aliases. Being the quick learner that he is I wouldn't be surprised if he advanced pretty fast. Some people are like that: even without having had anything to do with a particular skill, once they learn the basics and start doing that skill, it's like they've always done it. I could totally see that being the case for Neal.
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Date: 2011-06-08 08:55 pm (UTC)From:Well, it depends. These days (well, in the US, I know) you can sign up for just about any sport and not have to shell out big bucks for it. The YMCA could have offered it, or any local recreation or youth center. Or maybe Neal knew someone - a friend of the family, someone he worked with - who taught him privately.
Personally, to, me, it seems like something he would have familiarized himself with just enough for a con, but maybe liked it enough that he continued to pursue it as a skill, maybe even taking lessons where he could under various aliases. Being the quick learner that he is I wouldn't be surprised if he advanced pretty fast. Some people are like that: even without having had anything to do with a particular skill, once they learn the basics and start doing that skill, it's like they've always done it. I could totally see that being the case for Neal.