She smiled. "Indeed it does." She stretched and hooked her spears on her back. "It is my little sister who was nominated to take the throne. By the people, no less. It's not that surprising when i think about it. She inserts herself into their lives and refuses to hide behind her title. And let's not even get started on her large amount of allies." She pouted. "Study foreign affairs and proper diplomatic strategies for thousands of years, and not one ally. She swoops in with her natural charm and strategic intelligence, and she's got them all wrapped around her finger with ease."
"You lack charisma," he said. Blunt Runner was back again. "You don't seem that bad, though."
She rolled her eyes, "So I've been told," then sighed. "It would seem I'm better with my spears than I am with my words."
Down in the arena, Cinthia and the kitsune finished, and it was Tessa and Fassor's turn. Tessa was the first in the maze, strutting out with a confident sway of her hips and a smirk plastered on her face.
"She's got the Golden Huntress out, I see." His mind flashed to the beast she had let loose during the free-for-all, frowning. How much of that confidence is fake?
Isla leaned forward. "I've heard whispers between Theresa and Cinthia about this identity of hers. She is a good thief–I'll give her that–and she does seem to change a bit when it comes to battle. Cocky and full of herself. It would be inaccurate to assume she's all bark and no bite, however."
Had she just….? Nevermind, get used to it. He watched intently, even able to see Fassor and Tess barking at each other over the headsets.
At one point, Tessa stomped her foot n frustration and just summoned her "battle form" and ran along the walls, using her protective scales to prevent getting decapitated. Up in the stands, Fassor was red-faced with anger and frustration.
"Well, seems like this is going great for them." He couldn't help but let his amused smile leak onto his face.
Even Isla let loose a bark of laughter. "Bull-headed as usual, it seems. It's a wonder how Cinthia keeps her leashed."
Runner thought for a moment. "Well, she listens pretty well if you let her cry on your shoulder a few times. Nearly dying in her presence twice helps out, too."
Isla tilted her head, watching Tessa jump from wall to wall, thick claws digging into the stone and strong muscles propelling her forward. "I think it has to do with trust," she concluded.
"Well, yeah, to make a long story short." He sighed. "I honestly don't gotta clue why she settled on me. I'm not complaining, but there are so many better options than some tubby half-demon, half-Fae that was literally made to kill everything she ever loved."
Isla looked to him in surprise. "What?" She did not know about their relationship, as she was somewhat distant from the other members, including those who she didn't feel comfortable interacting with. She was a Royal through-and-through, so she found it hard interacting with lower class people.
He glanced over at her. "We're dating."
She twirled her hair uncomfortably. "Oh. I wasn't aware."
He shrugged. "Makes sense, I guess. But, yeah."
She averted her attention to the trial. Tessa was close to the end, but was faced with a tunnel. Fassor was screaming at her to just go, but she made no move to enter it. Her now normal fingers curled into shaky fists.
He tilted his head in confusion. "What's going on?"
Isla narrows her eyes critically. "She must go underground for the remainder of the maze. It would seem she refuses."
He groaned. "She's afraid."
Isla jerked her head up and narrows her eyes further at the person she saw approaching. "You coddle her."
Cinthia sat next to Runner, on the opposite side of Isla. She already didn't look happy. "Excuse me?"
"You coddle her too much. You must make her face her fears or she will never succeed in war."
"I'm not her mother."
"But you are her leader. It is your job to expect the best from those beneath you."
"I have done more than you can imagine," Cinthia shot back, gritting her teeth.
Runner was suddenly in between two bickering siblings, and decided he did not like it. "Uh….?"
Isla scoffed. "Done what? Somewhat tame a serial killer and petty thief? Yes, you've done quite a lot." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Wait, what's that I recall? Oh yes, your precious half-breed stealing from that tiny Giant of yours and gleefully slaughtering people when you lot got involved in someone else's war." She slow clapped. "Your success astounds me. I bow before your genius."
Cinthia said nothing, only pinched her lips together.
"You keep talking about Tess and I'mma kick your ass," he growled quietly, his fists clenching at his side.
Cinthia grabbed Runner and pulled him away from Isla, heading towards a different part of the stands. Her anger could be felt, even as she kept her mouth shut, rolling off of her in waves.
"I thought she was cool," he spat out, his face red with anger. "She seemed cool."
"She's fine until you get to a topic that she doesn't like. She doesn't like Tess. With a burning passion. A low-level street rat and killer is way below her tolerance, and she hates me for being friends with her. And being a generally better person in the eyes of the public."
"Then why was she fine with me? Even when I told her that we were dating, she didn't brush me off or anything," he said, letting out a sigh through his noise.
She brought him to her confused twin. "Isla is an expert at the games of court. She has a shit ton of masks at her disposal, and will use whatever she can to make you like her."
He sighed dejectedly, the anger slowly waning. "She doesn't seem like a bad person, per say. Just….weirdly out of touch with emotions."
