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+---- Thread: [SE] my fingerguns don't betray me (/showthread.php?tid=11348)
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my fingerguns don't betray me - Theea - 05-17-2025
The day is sweltering, and by the time Sohalia and I make it to the gym, I’m already sweating. It’s a relief to heading indoors, where everything seems to be kept cool. [say]”Thanks for doing this,”[/say] I say, slanting a smile her way—this will be my first time sparring with anyone in months, and my first time ever training with someone that wasn’t my parents.
The room opens wide before us, all polished wood and stone, lit by high lanterns and the slant of morning sun through tall windows. I pause just inside, blinking at the sight of it.
[say]“Oh—damn,”[/say] I breathe, stepping forward slowly.
There are all kinds of strange equipment scattered across the space: thick punching bags swaying slightly from chains overhead, straw-filled dummies with faded paint marks where heads and hearts should be, weights stacked in neat rows, and ropes and beams that crisscross the upper levels like a dare. It smells like effort and clean leather, and the floor gives just enough under my boots to make me wonder what it's made of.
I glance at Sohalia with a grin.
[say]“You didn’t say it would be this cool,”[/say] I tease lightly, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. [say]“I feel like I’m going to trip over something I don’t know how to use—but in a good way.”[/say]
I set my mostly empty backpack aside and pull my hair up, fingers quick from practice. [say]“I’ll follow your lead,”[/say] I offer with a bright look her way. [say]“Punching bags first?”[/say] I bounce once on my toes, just to test the floor. Then I laugh, soft and sheepish. [say]“I don’t think I’ve ever actually used one.”[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Sohalia - 05-19-2025
[say]"To be honest, this is only, like, my third time here,"[/say] Sohalia responded with a laugh, grinning over her shoulder as she sat down her bag and began to gather her golden waves into a braid. [say]"So, some of these machines? No idea how to use 'em."[/say] She began a series of stretches designed to loosen one muscle group at a time, falling into a rhythm that spoke of long practice. Fighter, she was not, but she did at least know how to stay limber.
Her history of hand-to-hand combat included a spar with Koa in which the dragoon had broken her nose, and so she was a little relieved when Theea suggested the punching bags. At least those didn't tend to hit back. She led the way over to the bags. [say]"I've never actually used these, either,"[/say] she admitted. [say]"But I think I've seen people use them with one person holding it steady and the other throwing punches, so... we can try that?"[/say] She blew an errant hair from her eyes. [say]"Do you want to punch or hold first?"[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Theea - 05-21-2025
[say]“Okay, good,”[/say] I say with a small laugh of relief, following her to the punching bags. [say]“Because I was about to pretend I knew what I was doing with at least one thing, and then immediately sprain something.”[/say]
I glance up at the bag, giving it a light push with my fingertips. It sways gently—heavier than it looks. It’s stitched from thick hide, seams rough under my fingers, and it smells faintly of old sweat and leather. Weirdly comforting.
[say]“I’ve seen people do that too,”[/say] I nod, looking back at her with a spark of curiosity. [say]“They always look really serious, though. Like the bag personally insulted their family or something.”[/say]
Grinning, I shake out my arms and step back. I feel loose, but a little unsure where to begin—not scared, I’ve sparred my whole life—just trying not to look like a complete fool. Still, with Sohalia it’s easy to laugh it off. I like that she doesn’t pretend to have all the answers either.
[say]“I’ll punch first,”[/say] I decide, bouncing a little on my toes again. [say]“But only if you promise not to let it fall and crush me.”[/say]
I lift my fists and shift my feet in a well-trained stance. I was raised by two assassins—it’d be a damn shame if I didn’t know how to hit something.
[say]“How do I look? Intimidating? Terrifying?”[/say]
I pull my most serious face, then break into a grin a second later.
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Sohalia - 05-22-2025
Sohalia watched as Theea pushed at the punching bag. It looked heavy, and Soh reached out to brush a hand against the thick hide. She grinned at Theea. [say]”Gods, right? Like, it doesn’t have to be that serious, does it?”[/say] Of course, in Caido, training was serious. There were so many things that could kill someone - especially these days.
And with that sobering thought, the young woman brushed a stray hair out of her eyes and took up her position holding the bag. She stuck her head out one side so that she could look at Theea. [say]”Absolutely,”[/say] she said seriously. [say]”Ten out of ten, would run in battle.”[/say] But her eyes sparked with playfulness, even though Theea did look like she knew what she was doing.
[say]”Okay, I think I’m ready when you are!”[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Theea - 05-22-2025
I bounce lightly on the balls of my feet, her compliment making me beam. [say]“Ten out of ten? That’s generous,”[/say] I say, shaking out my hands once more. [say]“Let’s hope I don’t trip over my own feet and disprove it.”[/say]
Then I focus.
I draw in a breath, roll my shoulders back, and strike.
The first few hits land clean and sharp—centered, confident, just like I remember. My fists thud against the bag with a satisfying rhythm, the weight shifting slightly each time. Sohalia holds steady, and I find myself grinning, warmth curling in my chest. I’ve missed this.
I push a little harder.
And that’s my mistake.
Pain snaps through one knuckle—just a scrape, but sharp enough to tilt me off course. My next punch slips wide, and before I can pull back, it connects—not with the bag.
[say]“Oh gods—”[/say] I freeze, eyes wide. [say]“Sohalia! I’m so sorry!”[/say]
My hands go up immediately, one already stinging from the scrape, the other raised in guilty surrender. [say]“Are you alright? I didn’t mean to—my hand slipped—I should’ve wrapped them first—”[/say] I trail off, wincing. [say]“It wasn’t on purpose, I promise."[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Sohalia - 05-23-2025
Sohalia giggled at the thought of Theea tripping over her own feet - not because she was laughing at her new friend, but because it was exactly the sort of thing that would happen to Soh herself. Then Theea was focusing, rolling her shoulders back, and attacking the punching bag. Soh braced against it, holding it in place as the other girl connected with the leather time and again, the rhythmic thud-thud of her hits somehow soothing.
Or it was - until a sharp jab connected solidly with Soh's face.
The Luminary staggered backwards, a hand going up to cover the eye that Theea had punched, a strangled cry of pain bubbling to her lips. Perhaps she'd have been able to handle it if she'd been expecting it. If this had been a spar, she'd have been prepared. But she had been taken completely by surprise, and so tears sprang unsolicited to her eyes. She breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth, waving off Theea's apology. [say]"It's fine, I'm fine -"[/say] she started.
She lowered her hand, easing her eye open. She could still see, at least, although things were a little blurry for the moment. [say]"Does it look bad?"[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Theea - 05-27-2025
My hands fly to my mouth the moment I see her stagger back.
[say]“Oh—oh no, Soh—”[/say]
I rush toward her, eyes wide with guilt, the sting in my own knuckle completely forgotten. She’s got a hand over her eye, and I can already see the sharp flush of red blooming around it. No swelling yet, but it’s going to bruise. It’s definitely going to bruise.
[say]“I’m so sorry,”[/say] I say again, voice soft and horrified. [say]“Gods, I didn’t mean to—I really didn’t. That came with real momentum, I should’ve been paying more attention—”[/say]
I’ve landed punches before. On my parents, during training. But that was always controlled. On purpose. This—this feels awful. I never wanted to hurt her. And she hadn’t even been ready.
I wince as she lowers her hand, and the skin around her eye is already darkening in a way that makes my stomach drop.
[say]“We should put something cold on it,”[/say] I say quickly, glancing around. [say]“Once, I got a black eye in training, and my parents kept snow pressed against it for half the day. I think it helped?”[/say] I frown. [say]“There’s no snow here, obviously, but maybe we can find a cloth and some cold water—something.”[/say]
I hesitate, then gently reach toward her shoulder, trying to offer comfort without crowding her.
[say]“You’re being really nice about this,”[/say] I add, sheepishly. [say]“If you wanted to kick me across the gym I think you’d be justified.”[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Sohalia - 05-28-2025
It took an effort of will not to stagger away from Theea as the girl rushed forward; every instinct in Soh's body fought to flee her unwitting attacker. But the Luminary stood her ground, even if she winced slightly at Theea's approach. [say]"No, seriously, I've had worse,"[/say] Soh tried to reassure her new friend. [say]"Someone broke my nose once in a training session. At least this is just a black eye."[/say] She tried a smile, but her eye was still watery, and it kind of ruined the effect.
In any case, she joined Theea in searching for something cold, stopping when the other girl reached for her shoulder. [say]"It was an accident,"[/say] she said. [say]"Besides, you're small, but I'm not that strong,"[/say] she added in a teasing tone. [say]"I don't know if I could kick you all the way across the gym. Maybe halfway?"[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Theea - 05-29-2025
I let out a breath as Sohalia stays put, even though I can see the flicker of instinct in her eyes—the one that says back away, danger. It twists something in my chest, knowing I caused it. Still, she doesn’t flinch when I reach for her shoulder, and that means more than I can say.
[say]“Halfway across the gym?”[/say] I try to tease back, but it comes out sheepish. [say]“Generous of you to spare me the full distance.”[/say]
While she talks and moves with me, I move toward a nearby shelf stacked with old linens and training gear. Beneath it, half-tucked in the shadows, is a squat keg with a tap and a bucket beneath it—probably meant for filling canteens. I turn the spigot, and sure enough, cold water rushes out.
[say]“Ah—perfect.”[/say] I grab one of the rags—clean enough, by the looks of it—dunk it fully into the water, wring it out just enough to keep it from dripping, and carry it back to her.
[say]“It’s not ice,”[/say] I say, offering the cloth with a small, hopeful smile, [say]“but it’s something.”[/say] I hover for a moment, watching her press it gently to her eye, then exhale and sink down onto a bench nearby with a groan.
[say]“Of course this happens,”[/say] I mutter, not looking at her at first. [say]“First time we hang out and I punch you in the face.”[/say]
A pause. I twist the end of my dark hair.
[say]“I, uh… I didn’t really grow up around a lot of people. Mostly just my parents. I’m still figuring out how not to be… like this.”[/say] I glance at her, then back at the floor. [say]“Apparently I need to figure out how not to accidentally concuss people too. I swear I’m not usually this rusty.”[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Sohalia - 06-01-2025
Soh couldn't help a little bubble of a laugh at Theea's sheepish joking, feeling a surge of affection for the other girl. Sure, she might have just given Soh a black eye, but she was sweet. Soh could certainly understand why Flora had seemingly taken Theea under her wing.
It took a few minutes - during which time Soh's eye had begun to swell shut - but Theea managed to find a clean (ish) rag and dunk it in some cold water. The Luminary accepted it with a smile. Dabbing at her eye, she managed to hide most of her wince, then sighed happily - the cool water did, in fact, feel quite nice once the initial sting had worn off.
Joining Theea on the bench, Soh leaned her head back against the wall. [say]"Honestly, you're doing better than me when I first came out of the Grounds. I grew up very sheltered, so I had no idea how to interact with people like a normal person."[/say] She glanced sideways at the other girl. [say]"If you ask me - punching aside - you're doing just fine. Flora's on your side, for one, and she's usually an excellent judge of character."[/say] Except for Jack, of course, but that was different. That was love, and love didn't always make sense.
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Theea - 06-04-2025
I let out a slow breath, the worst of the guilt starting to loosen its grip. Soh’s still sitting next to me, still joking—even with one eye swelling shut. I shake my head softly, giving her a sidelong glance.
[say]“You’re nicer than I deserve,”[/say] I mutter, not dramatic about it—just honest.
And not just about the whole accidentally-punching-her thing. I rub my sore knuckle absently against my leg, watching the way the cool cloth shifts in her hand. I’ve already said thanks a hundred times that she’s letting me stay with her, so I’m trying not to annoy her with it.
I lean back against the wall beside her, exhaling a bit more of the tension.
[say]“Flora is kind like you. When I met her in the Greatwood, I was kind of holding my breath.”[/say] A faint, wry smile touches my lips. [say]“She’s this whirlwind, right? All brightness and confidence even when she was hurting. I wasn’t sure she’d even want to claim me as a cousin. But she didn’t hesitate.”[/say]
I glance at Soh again, and I give her a crooked smile.
[say]“It’s just nice. Being around people who don’t make it complicated to figure out a new lifestyle. Everyone’s been welcoming.”[/say] A beat passes, then I tilt my head, genuinely curious. [say]“What was it like, growing up in the Grounds? My mom was an Outlander, so all I have are her stories from when she was trapped there with the others. I’ve never really heard what it’s like from someone who actually grew up there.”[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Sohalia - 06-05-2025
Soh might have argued that everyone deserved someone to be nice to them, might have suggested that there was no such thing as deserving less. But she couldn't think of a way to say it that sounded natural, so she simply shook her head, smiling. As far as she was concerned, the punch was already forgiven - albeit not forgotten, not with the black eye she was soon to be sporting.
She sat back to listen to Theea's description of Flora, grinning to hear her best friend described so accurately. Then, her curiosity piqued, she said, [say]"I didn't realize you were related."[/say] She tilted her head to one side, wincing slightly as the motion jarred her hand, causing her to poke herself in the eye with a knuckle. [say]"But that's Flora. I don't even remember how we became friends, if I'm honest. One day she was just there. Now she's the only person who has always had my back, no matter what."[/say]
Then the conversation shifted, and Sohalia shrugged. [say]"Like I said, I was sheltered, so my experience probably isn't much to go on. My parents died when I was very young, and my guardian was protective - perhaps overly so, in retrospect. I didn't see much of the Grounds until after they passed, and even then, it's only been in short visits. But from when I was young? I was... happy,"[/say] she admitted. [say]"There are beautiful places in the Grounds. Dangers, too, but that's all of Caido, yeah?"[/say]
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Theea - 06-10-2025
I nod when she asks about Flora, the motion slow, thoughtful. [say]“Yeah… not by blood, exactly. My mom and her dads were close. Closer than close, really. She always said they were more like her brothers than anything else.”[/say]
I glance over at Sohalia again, at the way the light catches on the edge of the bruise beginning to bloom under her eye. It’s darkening already, skin flushed and tender, and even though she’s handling it with quiet grace, I still feel the guilt twist behind my ribs.
[say]“So I guess that makes me and Flora cousins. In the way that matters.”[/say]
I lean forward, bracing my arms on my knees. The air in here smells like old leather and worn rope, like sweat soaked into the floorboards. Comfortable, somehow. Familiar.
[say]“I know what it’s like, having someone watch over you like that. My parents didn’t let much through. We traveled all over Caido, but most of it was wilderness. Ruins. Cabins tucked so far into the trees you’d think the world ended just past the treeline.”[/say] I glance at her again, softer now. [say]“They were doing what they thought was best. I think your guardian probably was, too.”[/say]
My gaze drops briefly to the cloth in her hand, now warming up, I’m sure. The fabric clings to her fingers, and there’s a faint shimmer of moisture where it’s pressed to her skin.
[say]“If that starts to lose the cold, just shake it out and soak it again. It doesn’t stay cold for long, but it helps.”[/say] I offer a small shrug. [say]“Learned that one the hard way.”[/say]
I hesitate. [say]“I… really hope it doesn’t totally swell shut. Not just because I feel like a monster, but because you’re too pretty to be lopsided.”[/say]
I try to offer her a half-grin—light enough to make her laugh, I hope.
RE: my fingerguns don't betray me - Sohalia - 06-11-2025
Sohalia nodded as Theea explained, understanding evident on her face. [say]"The family that we choose is just as important as the family we're born into,"[/say] she said. [say]"Sometimes more so, at least in my experience."[/say] After all, she'd known very little of her blood family. All she had to go on was what she had chosen, who she had surrounded herself with. And she rather thought she'd done a pretty good job.
As for her past, Soh softened, reaching out to touch Theea's arm, gentle and understanding. [say]"We all do the best we can,"[/say] she agreed. [say]"Auden might not have been a perfect guardian, but they did what they thought was right. What they thought would protect me."[/say] It hadn't worked, in the end, and it had left Soh woefully unprepared for the world, but she could appreciate that Auden had tried.
Shaking off the past, Soh realized that the rag in her hand had warmed. She removed it from her eye, which was indeed beginning to swell, and dunked it in the water once more. She grinned at Theea's lightheartedness, grateful for the chance to put all this behind them. [say]"You're too sweet,"[/say] she said, touched in spite of the playful nature of Theea's words. Then she grinned. [say]"D'you think anyone will notice if I just walk around sideways to hide the bad eye?"[/say]