Theea
if you can't blow them away with your brilliance
His compliment lands like a warm spark, and I can’t help the grin that breaks across my face. I notice the bloom of color at his ears and decide, mercifully, to pretend I don’t.
“Thanks,” I say instead, patting the hilt. “Sparring sounds great. Daggers are my thing, so… new toy, new tricks.”
I tilt my head and my black braid slips off my shoulder with the motion. His eyes are a deep, saturated blue; mine are glacial and bright, and for a heartbeat we just… meet there. Then I nod toward a quieter edge of the arena and pad that way.
The ground looks clear until my boot tests it—packed snow, slick as glass. I shift my weight, scuffing for purchase, rolling my ankles to find the give. Perfect. I glance back, a sharp little smile tugging at my mouth.
“First clean hit,” I confirm, chin tipping toward the space between us. “Nice and simple.” A quick wink over my shoulder. “And if the ground’s slippery, that’s just more fun, right?”
I square up with a loose guard, blade low and ready, knees soft to ride the slide. Breath ghosts in front of me; my fingers flex around the leather wrap.
“You want the first move, Marcus?”
“Thanks,” I say instead, patting the hilt. “Sparring sounds great. Daggers are my thing, so… new toy, new tricks.”
I tilt my head and my black braid slips off my shoulder with the motion. His eyes are a deep, saturated blue; mine are glacial and bright, and for a heartbeat we just… meet there. Then I nod toward a quieter edge of the arena and pad that way.
The ground looks clear until my boot tests it—packed snow, slick as glass. I shift my weight, scuffing for purchase, rolling my ankles to find the give. Perfect. I glance back, a sharp little smile tugging at my mouth.
“First clean hit,” I confirm, chin tipping toward the space between us. “Nice and simple.” A quick wink over my shoulder. “And if the ground’s slippery, that’s just more fun, right?”
I square up with a loose guard, blade low and ready, knees soft to ride the slide. Breath ghosts in front of me; my fingers flex around the leather wrap.
“You want the first move, Marcus?”
baffle them with your bullshit
