Naveen

???:

"If nothing else, I am sure Rina will stop him. They had an interesting time I heard at the ball." I said in an effort to cheer her up.

Maleen:

“Oh? What happened? Rina looked so beautiful…” I said curious as to what went on.

???:

"It looked like they nearly kissed from where one of the soldiers was watching. But the angle was hard and there were a lot of people at the ball between them." I said honestly.

Maleen:

I gasped at that bit of gossip. “But she hates him! She always talks about how awful he is! It’s amusing really. I can’t believe it!” I gave a little giggle.

???:

"I had always assumed girls picked on guys when they really liked them." It was a childhood thing, but it was the only way I could understand it.

Maleen:

I laughed softly. “Maybe, though from the way she tells it, he’s the one picking on her.”

???:

"Maybe. We will have to see what happens, they seem made for one another, just like you and your friend." I remarked over my shoulder, as I moved towards Talon.

Maleen:

I watched him go, puzzled by what he meant. Made for each other? I didn’t know about that.

Talon:

I took the bundle from my soldier, holding it under one arm as I moved to the clearing on the other side of the house. I would be away from prying eyes, but still mostly in view of the house.

Maleen:

Rina came back out.  “What’s going on?”  She asked me.  “Talons gone to do something dangerous.”  I told her then asked, “Did you kiss him?”

Rina:

Gone to do something dangerous.  Not If I could help it.  He was trying to get me in trouble.  I knew it.  Wait…  “What?”  I turned to her.  “Did I kiss him?  What?  Why would you say that?  What would possess you to ask such a thing?  You know how I loathe him.”  I hissed.

Talon:

I pulled the wrappings off of the twin swords, unique weapons that had a curved blade. I held them crossed in front of me, as I closed my eyes. I moved slowly into the first form, adjusting myself as I nearly sliced myself on the first form.

Maleen:

I nodded. “Okay, okay. Let’s go watch.” I told her, leading her in the direction he had gone. Rina leaned against a tree and scowled at him. “You see how absurd this is? He does this type of thing all the time.”

Talon:

I let the points rest in the dirt for a second as I cleared my head, relaxing, letting everything go. I started into the forms, moving slow at first then faster and faster. It was a deadly dance, one that seemed beyond the skill level of any regular person. I didn't stop, working through it till I was finished.

Maleen:

I found it hard to watch Talon abuse himself like he was, but I had said I would stay so I did. But I kept my eyes on Rina, watching her expressions. She frowned every time he hurt himself, and her arms were crossed with her fists clenched.

I stood there, drawing in deep and slow breaths. I slowly let myself relax but it was then that I just kind of gave a cough and slumped over to the side, every cut that they had seen, and several that they had not started to bleed all at once.

Maleen:

I rushed over to him and knelt on the ground. “Help!” I said to his men. “Get this off of him, I need to see all of the cuts.” I tried to pull off his upper clothing but couldn’t manage on my own.

???:

I rushed over, cutting the shirt off and tossing it aside as if it was nothing. I had expected this, but as I glanced over his chest I wasn't looking at the cuts, I was looking at the designs on his chest, noting their light.

Maleen:

I addressed the worst ones first, sealing them and preventing bleeding. “I can’t do this, I need a few things from inside.” I said quickly before running inside to get a box and a page from the spell book on healing. I ran back and got to work sliming brown goo on all of the slices.

???:

Once she had left I moved off to a respectable distance leaving Rina and Talon together.

Rina:

I watched Maleen work, standing above them with my arms crossed. Once she finished she went inside to put her things away. I leaned over him. “You’re an idiot.”

Talon:

"So I am..." I said softly, keeping my eyes closed. "But why do you care?"

Rina:

“Because I don’t want to be blamed for you going nutty.” I said bluntly. I nudged his shoulder with my foot. “Get up, you’re fine now aren’t you?”

Talon:

"Go away." I muttered, covering my eyes with my arm.

Rina:

“How everyone values you so much, I will never know.” I muttered. I was torn between leaving to go inside to change into normal attire, or to stay just to spite him.

Talon:

I gave a dry laugh as I rolled to my feet. "You know nothing about me. You don't care about me. You don't want to be near me except to spite me. So go. Leave."