Zavien
Sol embraces the attention a lot better than Zavien does, tail wagging while a rumbling purr vibrates in his chest. He tilts his head to get all the best angles, eyes rolling back when Kai hits just the right spot. The display does more for Zavien's reluctance than anything Kai could say, although he can see why this training area could be considered one of the best; it rivals the Dragoons' ring, and there are plenty of people milling about to spar with. Another begrudging point in Torchline's favor.
Unable to avoid Kai's question - and never one to lie - Zavien swallows, his gaze sliding awkwardly to the surrounding accommodations. "Actually, Soh and I might be moving nearby, so I was checking out the training options." When his eyes land back on the man, there's a beat of hesitation, unsure himself whether his next question is a strange attempt at polite conversation or a determining point against the location. "Is this your usual spot?' At least it doesn't come out hostile, and he thinks it sounds casual enough not to be abrasive, even if it's not chipper.
The joke initially hits like a wet rag on the floor, sloppy and out of place. He blinks. Once. Twice. Trying to process the flat delivery with what he thinks is an attempt at joking despite the lingering tension. Mostly on instinct, his mouth opens, closes, brows furrow, and head tilts before the words are flopping out. "Just the cone?"
Kai's wry grin is met with a tentative smile, as if he's trying on the expression, like getting a feel for a jacket by stepping out the door. It chafes a little, humor not quite fitting the way it did before - not yet, not when he's still figuring things out. But he doesn't shy away from it, nodding as Kai moves to stand. "Swords." And in case there's any suspicion of a hidden agenda to chop him to bits, Zavien shrugs his shoulders to add, "I'm working on a quest for Safrin." He angles the hilt of his Starblade forward to indicate the item in question, wondering if that will change Kai's decision at all.
Unable to avoid Kai's question - and never one to lie - Zavien swallows, his gaze sliding awkwardly to the surrounding accommodations. "Actually, Soh and I might be moving nearby, so I was checking out the training options." When his eyes land back on the man, there's a beat of hesitation, unsure himself whether his next question is a strange attempt at polite conversation or a determining point against the location. "Is this your usual spot?' At least it doesn't come out hostile, and he thinks it sounds casual enough not to be abrasive, even if it's not chipper.
The joke initially hits like a wet rag on the floor, sloppy and out of place. He blinks. Once. Twice. Trying to process the flat delivery with what he thinks is an attempt at joking despite the lingering tension. Mostly on instinct, his mouth opens, closes, brows furrow, and head tilts before the words are flopping out. "Just the cone?"
Kai's wry grin is met with a tentative smile, as if he's trying on the expression, like getting a feel for a jacket by stepping out the door. It chafes a little, humor not quite fitting the way it did before - not yet, not when he's still figuring things out. But he doesn't shy away from it, nodding as Kai moves to stand. "Swords." And in case there's any suspicion of a hidden agenda to chop him to bits, Zavien shrugs his shoulders to add, "I'm working on a quest for Safrin." He angles the hilt of his Starblade forward to indicate the item in question, wondering if that will change Kai's decision at all.
We wear our scars as proof
that we are still alive.
