[SE] [Training] from the ground up

we shall heal our wounds, collect our dead

"Innocent, but good target practice apparently," Ronin quips with an amused raise of his eyebrows, more than happy to offer up the sort of gentle teasing that suggests he's got a lot of it to make up for after all these lost years. "I didn't realise you and Sohalia were roommates. I haven't spoken to her much outside of leadership talks and dealing with crises, but she seems like a good person."

While Ashetta may have never pulled her punches, Ronin is, after all, aiming to train rather than to maim. And so within this arena at least, he can offer a safe place to fuck up - or in Theea's case, to go ham and not feel bad about it. She moves like a slip of silk, something familiar in it that plucks at one of the Knight's heartstrings, and it's only instinct that saves him from standing there like a lemon and taking the hit unprepared.

Having walked into the feint in his distraction, he's forced snatch a hand down to catch the balled fist headed for his solar plexus, using it as leverage to try and twist Theea's arm behind her back. His grip is firm but gentle, nowhere near the full extent of his strength, but he raises his eyebrows as if inviting her to try to escape the grapple.

THE WHITE KNIGHT

and continue fighting

Theea

resilient little thing, just like mama raised you

“Flora introduced us at the BBQ,” I say. “Soh offered me a place to stay. Just for a bit—until I figure out where I’m supposed to land.” There’s gratitude in my voice, even as I focus. “She’s kind. Incredibly forgiving.”

The strike is blindingly fast—or I thought it was. His hand snaps down and catches me.

My fist stops inches from his torso, and my brain fills with one word: Shit.

The next second, my arm is twisted behind my back—not cruelly, not even tightly, but enough to lock me in place. He lifts a brow at me, and I bite back the growl of frustration that hits instantly. I knew better. I saw his eyes drift. I should’ve adjusted. Should’ve been sharper.

Training kicks in before my thoughts finish. I pivot, fast—foot angled behind his, weight shifted to steal a fraction of his balance. My free arm hooks low and sharp, slipping under his elbow to give me just enough room to wrench myself free. It’s messy but practiced. I don’t hesitate.

And the second I’m out, I twist with the motion, my whole torso snapping around as I fling a punch toward the soft spot just above his hip. Not a knockout spot, but it’d sting.

so you got that wildfire in your soul
don't you ever let it go
make it burn so bright that they all know

we shall heal our wounds, collect our dead

”I don’t know if there’s any supposed to about it,” Ronin says warmly. ”You’ll land wherever feels best for you. And it might change too - I’ve lived in enough places to know that much. It doesn’t make it wrong, though.” But if wherever feels best for Theea happens to be Torchline for a little while, he’s absolutely not going to complain about it.

But anyway - enough sentimentality - there’s brawling to be done. (Brief as it might be).

Ronin’s eyes light up to see how quickly she reacts, and not for the first time he’s reminded of Ashetta - the fiery instincts, the drive, the boldness - but there’s something in it too that’s all Theea. He’s already releasing her and stepping back as she pivots to strike him, more interested in seeing her work than reacting, and his hands raise in time for the blow to his side to strike true, drawing a grunt of pain, however brief.

”I yield,” he calls out with a breathless laugh, nodding his approval. ”Your skills are still sharp, I can tell you that for nothing. Sure you don’t want to help teach others here, when I get the place set up?”

THE WHITE KNIGHT

and continue fighting

Theea

resilient little thing, just like mama raised you

I breathe out a laugh, breathless but grinning, my heart still thudding from the exchange. I can’t help the swell of pride in my chest—I landed it. Even if he let me. Even if I know, deep down, he could’ve stopped me cold at any moment. Still. It counts.

“Right now?” I say, stepping back and rolling out my shoulder. “Torchline feels like where I’m supposed to be.” I glance toward the ruined archway, sunlight cutting through the dust and open beams. “I don’t know if that’ll stay true forever, but right now, I feel like I’m finally figuring something out.” Then I shrug. ”Dunno what yet, but it’s something.”

I glance back at him with a smirk that’s only half-playful at the comment on her skill. “I’ve been training nearly every day since I was five,” I admit. “Mom wouldn’t allow anything less. Neither would Dad.” My voice softens a little. “It was never as harsh as what she went through, not even close. But I always knew the bar she set. And I’ve got enough fight in me to try and reach it.”

Then he asks about helping around here, and I blink—caught completely off guard. “Really?” I ask, brows rising in surprise. “Seriously?” His offer settles in, and something warm blooms behind my ribs. “I mean—yeah. Yeah, I could help. Beginners, at least.” My grin returns, crooked and real. Then, quieter, a little sheepish: “But only if I can keep learning from you too.”

so you got that wildfire in your soul
don't you ever let it go
make it burn so bright that they all know

we shall heal our wounds, collect our dead

"I'm glad to hear it," Ronin says warmly, not bothering to hide how pleased he is to hear Theea echo the sentiments that had been blowing around in his mind. "And between you and me, I still feel like I'm figuring it out as well sometimes. So don't feel discouraged if it doesn't make itself clear in a polite timeframe."

As for her skills, the Knight is utterly unsurprised to hear about the training she's undergone, and he nods somewhat solemnly before he replies. "I don't think your mother would ever stand for someone to go through the things she did, but she'd never send any child of hers out into the world unprepared either," he agrees. "Your parents taught you well, and you're a credit to them both. You can mention that in one of your little rendezvous letters too, if you like." He winks.

Stepping back to look around at the would-be training arena, Ronin seems to be able to see what will become of it more clearly now, and as Theea agrees to help, he offers her a boyish grin and steps forward to sling an arm around her shoulders, drawing her into a half hug. "Of course, on both fronts. I'll let you know when I'm cleaning the place up," he tells her. 

For now, though, he's had quite enough of ruin and the seeds of ideas. "Come on - I know a good smoothie place on the coast. You won't regret it with it being so hot out."

THE WHITE KNIGHT

and continue fighting

Theea

resilient little thing, just like mama raised you

There’s something both comforting and mildly disorienting about hearing him say he’s still figuring things out. The White Knight himself, still sorting through the mess like the rest of us. A small part of me relaxes—maybe I’m not as behind as I thought. But another part stirs uneasily. If he hasn’t found solid ground yet… will I ever?

I shake the thought off, tucking it into the mental pile labeled “later,” and glance up in time to catch his wink. That gets a smile out of me—crooked and knowing.

“I think my mom would be insulted by anything less than that kind of praise,” I say lightly, and I’m sure I don’t need to elaborate. She’s got a quite the ego, sharp and coiled and proud. She’d hear that compliment and pretend it was expected… then go somewhere private and hold it close.

As Ronin steps back, I take a second to straighten my shirt and tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear—instinct, maybe, to reassemble myself after letting my guard down. But then he throws an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a half-hug, and it’s like someone striking a match in a long-dark room. The loneliness I hadn’t realized I was still carrying today scatters like startled birds.

I hug him back without hesitation, careful not to squeeze too tightly—though part of me wants to hold on like he might vanish. I settle for a firm squeeze and a smile that says more than I know how to put into words.

“I’d be happy to help,” I murmur. I’ve missed companionship so much. Someone to look to for guidance, for comfort.

When he mentions smoothies, I perk up. “They’re one of my favorite things now,” I say with a grin. “Mom used to say they didn’t even exist back in Northaven. Like they were some kind of decadent futuristic dessert.” I huff a laugh. “She never trusted the ‘green ones.’”

I follow him out into the heat, the sun catching the dust in the air like flecks of gold. There are memories and stories here—ones that don’t belong to me but I feel keenly all the same, left behind in ashes and laughter, in feathers and old rooftops.

But there's something just starting too—and it’s mine.

FIN

so you got that wildfire in your soul
don't you ever let it go
make it burn so bright that they all know