[Training] how's one to know?

To kiss in cars and downtown bars
Was all we needed

Spice rose from her spot in Flora's scarf to flutter over to Soh, and the Luminary accepted the dragon's affection with a lump in her throat, tears suddenly pricking behind her eyes. There was the bone-deep ache of the severed bond, of course, but there was also a strange warmth that rose up in Soh's chest at the companion's gesture of kindness. "Thanks, Spice," Soh whispered, reaching up to scratch the dragon's chin.

Then she went to select a staff, picking up a few before settling on one that felt properly weighted and balanced for her. Swallowing down her feelings and stuffing them back into the little box in her mind that she kept reserved for the Hard Things We Don't Talk About, she turned around and shot an overbright smile at Flora. "Ready."

Soh stood with her feet apart, balanced lightly on the balls of her feet; her staff was in a guard position, held diagonally up and down in front of her. When Flora threw the dagger, the Luminary twisted from the hips to bat at the dagger, knocking it aside with a flourish. "Come on, Flora," she teased, some of the strain leeching from her throat. "Don't go easy on me."

---

1/4

You drew stars around my scars
But now I'm bleedin'

Sohalia