What will I do?

As part of his ongoing project to prepare me for becoming a White Scarf, my knight has gotten me thinking about what I would require of my cadets if and when I am in a position to take some. After years of thinking about what to look for in a White Scarf, it's forcing me to think about what a White Scarf should look for in a cadet.

Some of the stuff still applies, though. I'd want someone who lives fairly close so I could stay in touch with them. I'd want someone whose sense of honor is compatible with mine. And I'd want someone who I respected, otherwise I'd wouldn't give them the attention they deserved. But beyond that?

I think I'd have to look at their goals. What do they want out of being a cadet, or is that their ultimate goal? I don't think I'd want someone as a cadet whose entire goal is to become a cadet. I'd want someone who is striving for more: someone who wants to be a White Scarf, or even just the best fencer they could possibly be. My goal as far as my students are concerned has always been for them to be the best they can be.

I'd also have to look at their persona. Not in that I'd only take 16th Century Lowlanders or 14th Century Highlanders, but rather that I want to be able to at least have an idea of when or where someone comes from by their garb. And this one isn't really a deal breaker, more a goal that I would set for my students: if they're a 10th Century Norman, I want them to look like a 10th Century Norman, both off and on the field.

And I think I'd also look at their blades. Is their sword what their persona would use? Do they think they're Duncan McLeoud and fight with a Katana, even though their persona is from Edinburough? Again like with the garb, this would be more of a process than a requirement. I'd want them to do the research and put together a blade that was appropriate for their persona, both in style and balance. Notice I said put together: I'd want them to actually start with a bare blade and either build or buy the hardware to give them a truly custom sword.

These are just my initial thoughts so far, and I'd be curious to know what the White Scarves out there are looking for in a prospective cadet.

Any thoughts?