[PQ] one, two punch

"...Thanks," he accepted Darkeye's compliment warily, uncertain what to think of the little old man.

Tal took the nudge with a deflated grumbling, but Maeve was starting to remind him enough of Hotaru that it was more for show than anything else. His fingers tapped a restless, silent rhythm against his thigh as he watched Darkeye in between sneaking glances over at Boreal to make sure she wasn't doing anything he'd have to repair later.

The last task had him just looking at Maeve like she was crazy. "You're kidding, right? We can barely hit the targets..." But he sighed and took the whip, eyeing the branch with a scowl. He tried to repeat how he'd swung his arm at the target dummy, but trying to angle upwards instead put him at a disadvantage. The whip tangled in some higher branches and several leafy fronds burst into flame as Tal hastily jerked the whip back down again.

Blushing furiously he tried again, correcting his aim and this time managing to get it wrapped around the right branch. He made a half-hearted jump and swung a short distance before struggling to free the firmly-wrapped whip from the tree.

It was with palpable relief that he handed the weapon off to Darkeye. "Good luck," he offered, before going to stand beside Maeve.

---

Tal's first try fails, but his second goes better! Might need to put that tree out after we're done, though...

Darkeye

Nine strikes

Darkeye now watched the creatures play they were quite cute after all and had nothing in common with their larger relatives. They were like children or small cats very playful now but still a certain pride in them. He grinned slightly. He hadn't realized what had happened between Maeve and Tal.

He watched again closely what Maeve was doing. Also at Tal. Darkeye thought he would set the whole tree on fire. But he would not dare to contradict the queen. He nodded to Tal as he wished him luck and only a soft "thank you" was heard.

Darkeye got ready. If this would work it would be a good help for the fight but it would need much more training. The first blow did not even hit the tree. He shook his head briefly and rewound the whip. He took a deep breath in and out and tried again. the second try worked and he hit the branch and tried to swing back and forth. he did it well and managed to hit the branch. He succeeded well and even managed to loosen the whip. He couldn't help smiling. "A very impressive weapon," he said with a broad grin as he handed it back to Maeve.

---

Darkeye's first strike missed its target completely, but the second hit well enough to hold onto it. He hands the whip back to Maeve.

each for one sin

Maeve

Maeve waits until they've both had their turn before whistling for Aidon. It's with a grumble and a little nuzzle to Boreal's snout that the dragonling flies into the tree, extinguishing the flames by smothering them with his wings, leaving nothing but a bit of charred wood behind. The Nightshade coils her whip once more, hooking it back onto her hip as she offers both of them a small smile, "I know this was just a little taste, but hopefully it gives you something to think about." At least when it came to their own weapons if nothing else.

"The gods are capable of making just about anything we could want. You should take advantage of that." As Accepted they were the more highly favored. It would be unwise not to seek out the gifts they could give with the war so close now. "Just something to consider. Good luck to both of you."

~FIN <3~

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And this PQ is done!

Hope it helped your characters learn stuff!

If you're a lover, you should know
The lonely moments just get lonelier