[Training] [se] between the embers and the stars

if you don't terrify people a little then what's the point

A shame; he would’ve enjoyed Evie flopping back into the sand and having a good laugh. It’d have to be saved for another day, fortunately or not, for her disengagement was enough of a warning – and he maneuvered quickly, efficiently, as she did the same. Otherwise, he would’ve been the individual off-kilter and into the dunes. The glimmer of his smirk would remain hidden beyond the raised armament and shield, but the piercing depths of his eyes conveyed the sentiments just the same.

He did manage a rumble as her kick came towards the back of his knee, but already out of harm’s way, it clipped at the air around his long limbs. Raising the spear back towards his shoulder, as if to make some multitude of peace before they got entirely carried away, he snorted, amused all the more. “There. Was that enough for today?” She would’ve snagged information and experience in the short interim – but if she craved and yearned to persist, he wouldn’t refuse the notions either.

DEIMOS

Evie

For all her planning, Deimos remains much faster than she is, but her foot hits the earth and sends a spray of sand that shows she wouldn’t have held back had it connected. Just as he would have happily knocked her onto her back if she’d made the wrong move.

They come apart grinning, both high on adrenaline, bright in both cheeks and eyes. Her gaze travels to the rested pose of his weapon, and she summarily straightens and shakes out her shield arm a little, content in the small break. He offers her an out, but Evie only grins; fireworks and embers, flashy and ephemeral. “I never have enough of you,” she purrs, and lifts her shield in clear antagonism. “One more go.” And just as Frey had instructed her to do, she quells her instincts and waits for Deimos to attack once more, ready to hone her defensive instincts.

- FIN <3

a golden cage, for all its worth and beauty
is still just a cage