I am a student at South Carolina College, and since matriculation have been bosom friends with Govan Roach. But today in the dining hall I went to grab the delicious looking dish of trout laid before us at the table, and I clearly put my hands on it first, which everyone knows means I have the right to it, yet, despite grasping it second Roach refused to let go and allow me to claim my portion first!
Roach finally let go, but then the impudent puppy had the nerve to accuse me of being the one who had insulted him by not relinquishing my hold, despite so clearly having been the first to grab it! As any gentleman ought to do, I told him simply that he would hear from me shortly.
I have retained another student , Robert Campbell (M19) to serve as my friend in this affair of honor that is now brewing, but I am having some second thoughts. This is a dire matter of honor, and I fear I can not back down lest I lose face with my peers, for Roach’s insult was truly a dire one, and I publicly all but promised him a challenge would be forthcoming. To not do so… surely I would have to leave the school in shame.
But he has also been my closest friend over the past two years of school, and in the end, it was merely a piece of fish.
Should I challenge him, or is there a way I can maintain my honor without taking to the field?
UPDATE: Thank you for the advice everyone. I took it and challenged him. However now I am dead. Unfortunate, but my honor remains in tact so it is really a win in the end, right?
INFO
How good was the fish? Like did you get to try it? I'd kill my best friend if he took my rightfully claimed delicious fish
NTA Roach was out of line. Now here what you need to do.
Number 1. Your challenge needs satisfaction. If Roach apologizes, there is no need to further action.
Number 2. Grab a second. Which you have already done. Robert is gonna be your lieutenant when there is reckoning to be reckoned.
Number 3. Have Robert and Roach's second meet face to face. They can either negotiate a peace or negotiate a time or place.
Now, this is where most duels end and no one shoots.
Number 4. If they don't reach a peace that's alright. Time to get some pistols and a Doctor on sight. Make sure you pay him in advance and treat him with civility. Have him turn around so he has deniability.
Number 5. Duel before the sun is in the sky. Pick a place that is high and dry. That makes it better for Roach's second to pull his trout stealing ass out.
Number 6. Make sure you leave a note to your next of kin. Tell them where you've been and pray that hell or heaven lets you in.
Number 7. Confess your sins and get ready for the moment of adrenaline. When you finally face Roach.
Number 8. This is your last chance to negotiate. Send in Robert and see if he can set the record straight.
Number 9. Look em in the eye, aim no higher. Summon all the courage you require. Then walk your 10 paces and...
This is your last chance to save your friendship. Fire your weapon in the air and it will put an end to the whole affair. Now you are probably thinking what if Roach decides to shoot? Then you're a goner. But he will follow suit if he is a man of honour. Remember to take someone's life is something you can't shake.
Or shoot him. He wronged you.
Anyways, come back home when you're done. Be smart and make me proud u/John_G_Adams
ESH, you both seem very entitled and there was enough trout for both of you. Most people learn to share by the time they go to college. Challenging him to a duel is way out of line, and your talk about "losing face" is honestly just your toxic masculinity oozing through.
NTA
Wars have been started for even lesser things, like buckets.
NTA. Normally I'd suggest talking this through with a therapist, but it's pretty black and white. You clearly grasped the trout first. Some things are worth fighting for, even killing for, and I can't see this working out anything but well for you. May you live a long and happy life!
NTA. Sorry to say this about your companion, but he sends to have revealed himself as a base cad. He needs to be taught manners. I would warn you however he sends like the person who would open fire in a duel without a word - don't wait for him to speak.
Unfortunately, as you well know, the issue is not whether or not it was "merely a piece of fish," but whether you'd accept a slight from a man who is ostensibly your equal!
If you back down from this, where does it end? Is he going to tweak your nose when you present orations before the Demosthenians? Is he going to cane you next time you have a disagreement, because you've already made clear that to you, honor is a trifling affair?
Remember, men of honor don't fear death. It's why they gamble their plantations on horses. Do you really want to hear whispers about your cowardice after you back down?
At the end of the day, we southerners are a more courtly, chivalrous, and refined people than our yankee neighbors. But that carries with it certain obligations, like a willingness to defend oneself against slights. If you're so unmanned by even the thought of a duel, maybe you're better suited to the life of a scrivener or railroad clerk in Philadelphia than that of a planter in South Carolina.
NTA - My Dear Boy, you fret too much; obviously your chum Roach wants both of you to have an opportunity to acquire a manly scar, such as all fine gentlemen should have. What a clever chap your friend is, you can both duel and, after honour is satisfied with some thrilling cut, you can both retire to your boudoir - to rub ointment into your throbbing young muscles. And, what young man will not have throbbing muscles after such joyous exertions.
You are most blessed to have such clever friends; ones who appreciate virile manly pursuits, that young gentlemen such as yourself, can only enjoy in our finest schools.
ESH, don't duel him! Sorry I'm late to the thread, I hope I didn't miss anything. I didn't read your whole post, though, so maybe I should go back and---oh.
NTA. You had to do it to maintain your alpha status.
NTA. Go Gamecocks.