I take everything seriously,
Watching the queen put on a set of pads, Zavien shuffles his feet. "Not exactly..." He doesn't elaborate that although he fully expects to land on his butt against the fit woman (he had noticed after all), he doesn't like the idea of his fists coming in contact with her body. It reminds him too much of the domestic violence he's observed in the Silk Houses. Women being beaten for nothing more than the fact that they were considered easy targets. At least with weapons there's visible evidence that it's a fight between two warriors, a buffer to focus on, a means of balancing the usually uneven odds. Without that, it was just him trying to get his hands on her.
His mind races with thoughts of how to convince her otherwise, but Flora seems set on things, even going so far as to order him to fight her. Despite the mixing emotions, Zavien lets out a soft, airy laugh. She may not be his queen, but the word 'order' is like a trigger, tightening his spine to obey. He's already in the ring. She's already wearing the pads. Maybe he can try to focus on just keeping the contact between the gloves and pads. Right?
With his reluctant decision made, he nods his head, his brow still scrunched in uncertainty. "Okay... but I draw the line at grappling. This is boxing only." His legs part in a fighting stance, if somewhat relaxed. Raising his hands, he prepares for Flora to initiate. "Ladies first."
His mind races with thoughts of how to convince her otherwise, but Flora seems set on things, even going so far as to order him to fight her. Despite the mixing emotions, Zavien lets out a soft, airy laugh. She may not be his queen, but the word 'order' is like a trigger, tightening his spine to obey. He's already in the ring. She's already wearing the pads. Maybe he can try to focus on just keeping the contact between the gloves and pads. Right?
With his reluctant decision made, he nods his head, his brow still scrunched in uncertainty. "Okay... but I draw the line at grappling. This is boxing only." His legs part in a fighting stance, if somewhat relaxed. Raising his hands, he prepares for Flora to initiate. "Ladies first."
Zavien
but I also take it lighthearted to recognize I can't control it.
