A sparkle of amusement appeared in his teachers eye and he fought back slightly harder, knowing how Talin was going to attack next though he decided to let him get the hit in so his lessons could be done.
The prince pushed another attack before seizing his chance to get a hit. He again swiped towards his chest before spinning around his back quickly and barely tapping his blade against his teachers back, not wanting to hurt him.
He was expecting that, Sonia realized.
“Ha!” Talin grinned and stepped away from his teacher, “I won!” He took off his mask and set down his blade, putting his hands behind his head, “Though a lesson right after a meal probably wasn’t the best choice.”
His teacher chuckled and picked up the prince’s blade and mask, “Maybe you did, maybe you were just allowed to win. Either way, you’re free to go anytime Prince, don’t forget we have a lesson in two days either.”
Sonia stayed. She wanted to ask if the trainer could teach her… but maybe after the Prince left.
Talin nodded and went over to his trainer, patting him on the shoulder in thanks, “I’ll see you then Evan, we’ll most likely have time for a few rounds then.” He took a step towards the door and nodded one last time towards his teacher before heading out the door, ready to freshen up and start focusing on this selection
His teacher smiled and shook his head, moving to put the supplies away. He kept his blade out though, flicking it and practicing as he started leaving.
Before she could reflect on what a dumb idea this was, Sonia stepped from her hiding place. “Excuse me,” she called out. “Do you teach others, or just the Prince?”
This is a stupid idea, she thought.
Evan spun to face the girl, blade already pointed at her before he lowered it slowly, “I teach others, but I’m not open for lessons right now, my schedule is already full.” He looked over the girl before realizing he was talking to one of the selected, “Oh, sorry miss, I didn’t realize you were one of the selected, sorry for my rudeness.”
Sonia jumped back as his blade swung at her. Shit. She gave a small smile. “You’re okay. I was just wondering if you could teach me some tricks. I noticed that you’re good, even better than my instructor, and I wanted to know where you learned it. I’ve never seen a technique quite like it.” She stared at the ground, her face red. “And please, call me Sonia. I hate the respect I get here. I’m not used to it.”
A smile twitched at his lips at the compliment, and he thought for a moment, “I may be able to teach you a few of my tricks, mis- Sonia. Though, I’ll correct you now, most of my techniques I taught myself, I didn’t learn from anyone.”
Beatrice smiled thinly. "The balconies aren't really what's dangerous. I - it's more of me who's a danger to myself," she said thoughtfully.
"It's more amusing to blame inanimate objects," Zaera said with a laugh, "But if you insist on saying you are, then I won't stop you."
“They’re very impressive,” Sonia said, smiling. “And thank you. I would never be able to train myself, and my sparring buddy is in her room.” She shrugged.
"It's more amusing to blame inanimate objects," Zaera said with a laugh, "But if you insist on saying you are, then I won't stop you."
Beatrice smiled. "It's true. I'm fully expecting to be the first one sent home, but," she shrugged, "it will have been a fun experience.
"I say do the most you can before being sent home," Zaera responded, "I figure I won't last long either, but it will be a nice break."
"That sounds like a good plan to me," Beatrice said, chuckling weakly, "I've already crossed get injured off my list."
He nodded and smiled, “Its no problem miss Sonia. Would you like to practice now? Or would tomorrow work better?”
Talin sighed once he reached the stairs and stood at the base of them for a second, trying to summon the willpower to walk up the steps. He stood there for a minute before sighing and starting up the steps, knowing he had a whole list of things he had to finish before he went to bed.
"What's next?" Zaera asked the other girl with a slight tease, "Get injured further?'
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Sonia said. “I’m willing to do it whenever, as I have nothing better to do. And let’s face it: I’ll never be Selected.”
Beatrice sputtered. "I certainly hope not!" She cried before bursting out in laughter. It was a bubbly, musical noise that she didn't use often.
“Not true Miss Sonia,” Evan replied, “Talin doesn’t even know you immensely well yet, you never know who’s going to get chosen in the first two days.” He looked at the supplies in his hands and then nodded, “Meet me here tomorrow morning, whenever you have time and I’ll show you some techniques and styles. Bring your learning mind.” With that, he bowed as best he could to her and left without causing any scene.
After he left, Sonia gave a quiet whoop of excitement and crept back to her room. She threw herself on her bed and grinned. “I get to fight tomorrow,” she whispered to the air, though there was no one there to hear her. “You’d be so proud of me, Mom.”
Once the prince got to his door, he pulled it open and promptly flopped on his bed, not even bothering to close the door again as he slowly sat up and made his way towards his desk. He smiled slightly as he pulled out two sheets of paper and an envelope for each, trying to decide what he was going to say.
Beatrice sputtered. "I certainly hope not!" She cried before bursting out in laughter. It was a bubbly, musical noise that she didn't use often.
Zaera laughed with her, her face splitting into a wide grin, "Do you mind telling me what else you would like to do?"
"Well, for one, it'd be nice to talk to the prince without sounding like I lost my brain in a tragic squirrel accident," Beatrice said, laughing.
"I might be able to help with that," Zaera offered, "I know a few tricks on how to not make an absolute fool of yourself."
Beatrice sighed. "I could certainly use that," she said honestly.
"Well I'm happy to help," Zaera grinned, "We could head back to my room and we could start your 'lessons.'"
Soon, after a little brainstorming and hoping it didn’t sound too formal, he finished the two letters, one for Jade and one for Sonia. He sealed them and scribbled their names on the front before slipping out of his room with the envelopes in hand. Somewhat nervously, he asked one of the maids where both girls rooms were and was soon on his way to deliver the letters.
"That sounds fantastic," Beatrice said earnestly, pushing her chair away from the table.
Zaera stood up as well from the table and began to walk towards the entrance to the hall, "Then let us go."
Beatrice flushed, momentarily pausing. "I, er, I'm not sure how to get up the stairs in this," she motions to the wheelchair, unable to remember how she came down the stairs in the first place.