Jancis shifted the satchel strap on her shoulder, the clinking of unused elixirs as they jostled within.
She had been mistaken.
Moons past when the three of them spoke about training solo and wanting to spar, the conjurer received the wrong impression. Or her own upbringing had molded her, for the woman was certain she would be recovering after a brutal session. Yet all she had was stinging arms.
Seeing Leanne always brightened her mood, the bright shining eyes hinting with mischief and humor. The expression had changed in subtle ways: the humor had gotten more witty, there was some guarding in the warmth, and the carefree spirit was experienced. If there was still pain, Jancis hadn't seen it; it seemed more or less content.
Why had it been so surprising that she, the conjurer, expected to spar? Wasn't that part of the offer to keep her from just training alone? The reason had been forgotten and it was going to be more friendly. Reconnecting with people close regardless of distance and time. They seemed happily surprised, at least.
Drawing straws, Jancis was matched up with Barengar. He asked if she had done unarmed before. A little; she hadn't lied. It wasn't really her forte or tactic to stand there and be punched and stay close enough to deliver one herself. Very rarely had she been forced into a position she couldn't retreat and call for more help. This was a friendly spar though.
It was definitely her upbringing, an unconscious biased that clashed with another, fighting as much as she was holding her forearms up defensively and shuffling about fist to fist with the Ala Mhigan. He was Ala Mhigan, like the guardian that wouldn't stop until she didn't move in their "training", but completely unlike him. And he had shed his armor and weapon, the conjurer's heart-rate increasing from more than the savage adrenaline of battle. The perception of an unstoppable machine was shifting to one that could choose to stop. More man than machine; more than heritage.
She thought back on the images in her mind. Did she see any scars? Nothing new, but it'd been some time since she'd seen him without armor on. There was no attempt the smile that came to her face as she made way to the ferry. He had called it a friendly fight and hadn't even considered breaking her arm or dislocating her shoulder to stop the pin. Even the way he grunted at her comment of it was chiding and she took is as sweet (particularly when his fond memory of his first match was getting beaten down by his father - though probably not broken) and chided her own assumptions.
All the more reason she wished he'd come along with her on the errands she was doing for Nathaniel. What had he meant by his terms. He felt like a tool to be used? No, he had been a soldier - he had to look out for himself. Like she had, her first years in Gridania as the conjurers rehabilitated her attitude.
Mayhaps Leanne would help with the gathering tasks; maybe that would have to have terms. Jancis couldn't simply ask without giving in return. Some kind of trade. The list was fairly long... maybe more would be needed. With their terms?
She could do that.
Name the terms, and I shall do more than meet them.
She had been mistaken.
Moons past when the three of them spoke about training solo and wanting to spar, the conjurer received the wrong impression. Or her own upbringing had molded her, for the woman was certain she would be recovering after a brutal session. Yet all she had was stinging arms.
Seeing Leanne always brightened her mood, the bright shining eyes hinting with mischief and humor. The expression had changed in subtle ways: the humor had gotten more witty, there was some guarding in the warmth, and the carefree spirit was experienced. If there was still pain, Jancis hadn't seen it; it seemed more or less content.
Why had it been so surprising that she, the conjurer, expected to spar? Wasn't that part of the offer to keep her from just training alone? The reason had been forgotten and it was going to be more friendly. Reconnecting with people close regardless of distance and time. They seemed happily surprised, at least.
Drawing straws, Jancis was matched up with Barengar. He asked if she had done unarmed before. A little; she hadn't lied. It wasn't really her forte or tactic to stand there and be punched and stay close enough to deliver one herself. Very rarely had she been forced into a position she couldn't retreat and call for more help. This was a friendly spar though.
It was definitely her upbringing, an unconscious biased that clashed with another, fighting as much as she was holding her forearms up defensively and shuffling about fist to fist with the Ala Mhigan. He was Ala Mhigan, like the guardian that wouldn't stop until she didn't move in their "training", but completely unlike him. And he had shed his armor and weapon, the conjurer's heart-rate increasing from more than the savage adrenaline of battle. The perception of an unstoppable machine was shifting to one that could choose to stop. More man than machine; more than heritage.
She thought back on the images in her mind. Did she see any scars? Nothing new, but it'd been some time since she'd seen him without armor on. There was no attempt the smile that came to her face as she made way to the ferry. He had called it a friendly fight and hadn't even considered breaking her arm or dislocating her shoulder to stop the pin. Even the way he grunted at her comment of it was chiding and she took is as sweet (particularly when his fond memory of his first match was getting beaten down by his father - though probably not broken) and chided her own assumptions.
All the more reason she wished he'd come along with her on the errands she was doing for Nathaniel. What had he meant by his terms. He felt like a tool to be used? No, he had been a soldier - he had to look out for himself. Like she had, her first years in Gridania as the conjurers rehabilitated her attitude.
Mayhaps Leanne would help with the gathering tasks; maybe that would have to have terms. Jancis couldn't simply ask without giving in return. Some kind of trade. The list was fairly long... maybe more would be needed. With their terms?
She could do that.
Name the terms, and I shall do more than meet them.
![[Image: hpThOka.png]](http://i.imgur.com/hpThOka.png)
