Theea
if you can't blow them away with your brilliance
I probably shouldn’t be here. I don’t belong here. I don’t know anyone. I’ve never even set foot this far into the Palace—but my nosiness has a habit of dragging me where it shouldn’t, and today is no exception.
I slip into the training grounds anyway, keeping to the edge while the clang of steel and the shuffle of boots echo off stone and snow. A pair of guards circle in the center, blades flashing; I can’t help bouncing on the balls of my feet, fingers finding the pommel of my new shortsword. It sits right at my hip like it was meant to be there. No oversized jacket today—this one fits. Fingerless gloves. Pants that actually taper where they should. Learning how to dress feels like learning a new kind of armor.
When I spot Marcus—familiar from the supply lodge with Damien—I brighten and drift his way, keeping my profile small so none of the “you don’t belong here” types clock me too fast. I slide in at his side with a conspiratorial grin, eyes flicking to his weapon and back.
“Marcus, right?” I tip my chin toward the sparring ring. “You here to fight too? I’m hunting someone to test this thing on”— I pat the shortsword with shameless pride, “—before I go and knock Damien silly with it.”
I slip into the training grounds anyway, keeping to the edge while the clang of steel and the shuffle of boots echo off stone and snow. A pair of guards circle in the center, blades flashing; I can’t help bouncing on the balls of my feet, fingers finding the pommel of my new shortsword. It sits right at my hip like it was meant to be there. No oversized jacket today—this one fits. Fingerless gloves. Pants that actually taper where they should. Learning how to dress feels like learning a new kind of armor.
When I spot Marcus—familiar from the supply lodge with Damien—I brighten and drift his way, keeping my profile small so none of the “you don’t belong here” types clock me too fast. I slide in at his side with a conspiratorial grin, eyes flicking to his weapon and back.
“Marcus, right?” I tip my chin toward the sparring ring. “You here to fight too? I’m hunting someone to test this thing on”— I pat the shortsword with shameless pride, “—before I go and knock Damien silly with it.”
baffle them with your bullshit
