(no subject)

[didntseeit]

Without really saying anything, Mal and Ajedrez have been meeting for fencing lessons. All winter, in fact, since Mal offered. All spring, too, and all of summer up to today and Ajedrez is getting very good at it. Some people are natural fighters, and for all her money and refined voice, Ajedrez is a natural fighter.

Still, she is only human and they've been at it for a while today, so when she pulls back she's breathing heavily and brown whisps of hair cling to her sweaty face.

Comments

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

"You're better," Mal says, sheathing her sword in an easy, practiced motion.

"That's good."

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

Ajedrez has one hand against her knee, behinding over for a long moment before straightening up.

"Fuck." She says, and then grins at her. "It's fun."

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

"'s work, too." She grins back, cheerful. "And you can now kill someone with a sword. Congratulations."

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

Ajedrez's grin widens.

"It's what I've always wanted to do."

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

A raised eyebrow.

"Ever since you were a little girl?"

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

"Yep."

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

"...huh."

Beat.

"Well, I've fulfilled a lifelong dream, then. Feels all warm and fuzzy inside."

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

"Haven't actually killed anyone yet," she points out.

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

Pause.

A smart step backwards.

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

A husky laugh.

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

"Well." There's a pause. "Technically dead anyway, so...I don't count?"

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

"Keep telling yourself that, honey."

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

Another step away.

"I have a better idea. Let's just put down the sword and go have a drink."

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

"Think about it logically," Ajedres suggests. "I can't kill you if I can't get away afterwards, can I?"

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

"That hasn't stopped some people."

She is still being eyed suspiciously.

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

She glances at Mal, sharply.

"Hey," she says, softly. "If I don't get tipped over into a blind rage, I can keep a hold of my temper."

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

"Excellent."

Finally relaxing. "But I'd still love it if you'd put the sword down."

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

There is that soft, husky laugh again, but she does just that.

"Feeling better, nina?"

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

"Just a little."

Moving forward to pick it up, she raises an eyebrow at Ajedrez. "But if you want to kill someone with it that badly, you can take it home with you."

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

Ajedrez flips it around and hands it to her, hilt first.

"We have some at home, I just never really played with them. Besides, guns are more the name of the game when I get out."

(stand and shoot)

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

"Well." She takes the sword, but doesn't move off, just stands and watches her.

"Must be an interesting place."

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

They are, if Mal cares to notice, standing rather close now.

"It is. Rough and violent and beautiful."

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

Mal glances up at Ajedrez, watching her eyes.

"It sounds hard."

[didntseeit.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head.

"It's not. It's passionate and full of life and colour. Rich colour, not like here."

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

It's not really a laugh, just a low exhale, a faint smile.

"Pretty. You must love it."