The sad truth was, neither of them had much energy to make a big deal about anything these days. Sorrow left them both exhausted, and Tal knew that if their positions were switched he wouldn't want to be coddled or fussed over for making a decision that was only common sense. All that mattered was that Alys had made it, and that he would support her in any way she needed.
He nodded once, encouragingly, and set himself to accept her attack. It was only at the last second that his eyes widened, sudden knowledge washing through him like ice water and giving his limbs a life of their own and the speed of a striking snake. He flicked his own dagger up as Alys flinched, knocking her strike off-target with a little more force than he'd intended. "Shit, sorry, time out--" He backpedaled to put a little space between them, holding his empty hand out to her to stop her from following. He transferred the dagger to his mouth and hurriedly struggled out of the Vest, tossing it onto the back of a nearby chair before spitting the weapon back into his hand and returning with an apologetic grimace.
"Sorry, I didn't even think. I forgot about th'lightnin' stripes on it. If you'd hit me, it would've shocked you. So, uh... yeah. Sorry." He winced and tapped his chest with the blunted tip of his dagger. "Try again, an' I'll be ready t'heal it with my Ring as soon as y'do." Not that he thought it would hurt enough to require it, but he knew that Alys would worry over the bruise until it was taken care of and he didn't want to cause her any more pain than she was already in.
He nodded once, encouragingly, and set himself to accept her attack. It was only at the last second that his eyes widened, sudden knowledge washing through him like ice water and giving his limbs a life of their own and the speed of a striking snake. He flicked his own dagger up as Alys flinched, knocking her strike off-target with a little more force than he'd intended. "Shit, sorry, time out--" He backpedaled to put a little space between them, holding his empty hand out to her to stop her from following. He transferred the dagger to his mouth and hurriedly struggled out of the Vest, tossing it onto the back of a nearby chair before spitting the weapon back into his hand and returning with an apologetic grimace.
"Sorry, I didn't even think. I forgot about th'lightnin' stripes on it. If you'd hit me, it would've shocked you. So, uh... yeah. Sorry." He winced and tapped his chest with the blunted tip of his dagger. "Try again, an' I'll be ready t'heal it with my Ring as soon as y'do." Not that he thought it would hurt enough to require it, but he knew that Alys would worry over the bruise until it was taken care of and he didn't want to cause her any more pain than she was already in.
