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Letters took a while to get up the steep slopes of Busthind, and longer still to reach the ever-adventuring Keionx as she sought some sense of inner balance and peace. Still, troll mail was as resilient and stubborn as the trolls themselves, and soon Milieu received a letter of her own. It was on normal paper and written with normal orange ink, but the writing itself was careful, almost decorative. It would almost be pompous if one did not know Keionx : Her accent may have left her speech for the most part but in her writing it was still very much present...



There had been many scratchings and contemplation of what Keionx had wanted to say, and it never occurred to her that she could simply use another sheet of paper. She had been so eager to write and send the letter that she hadn't cared about any of that.

Chittentown was a town of mixed memories and feelings, associated with people and places and events both terrible and beautiful. It was, in a way, a sacred place for her, where things kept beginning and ending.

Not wanting to impose on Ephias without forewarning, she had stayed that day in a hotel. Perhaps she would let him know later on and see if he would spare a room and his comfortable lusus for a day or two. Or Sopor slime. That would be nice too.

For now, though, she set out to the square to meet Milieu. Keionx hoped that they would have a nice spar, but she also burned with questions for Milieu – perhaps for Milieu more than any of the others in that group. Something about her, some strange dynamic of trust, made her feel that she could ask the mute troll anything she needed to.

Spotting the tealblood sitting elegantly in the square, Keionx raised a hand in greeting, smiling happily. ”Hello!” she called, walking over quickly with efficient strides.

Hugs were second nature to Keionx and, though this wasn't anything like Beastdad's lung-crushing muscular hugs, it still felt like home and safety and was returned in kind. ”It's good to see you.” she said. Though Keionx was reluctant to break the hug, it had to be done – if only to read the words that Milieu was saying. She nodded in agreement, ”Too long.” she said, not sure how she wanted to take the comment about her accent. She bit her lip for a moment, and then nodded. ”I think that's a good idea.” she said, unsheathing her sword and backing up a few paces. She could use the sparring – despair and confusion still chilled her bones, and a spar would be just the thing to warm her up and prepare her thinkpan for actual social fun things. As it was, just seeing her friend was enough to put a smile on her face. She bowed, gesturing, ”You first” she offered.

Keionx blocked the dagger strike on pure reflex alone, her muscles leading her directly into a fast combo of sword attacks designed to test her opponent's guard and then break it. She didn't even have to think about it – her body just moved as though this was second nature, which it was. When her thoughts finally caught up to her reflexes, she made a conscious effort to hold back, smiling sheepishly at the bright blood that now adorned her sword – she was sure Milieu was all right, but it was still odd to draw blood like that from someone she liked – this wasn't Etsali, after all. Then again, without pain there would be no gain, and she had gotten injured from her training before – very injured, sometimes. Surely Millie would not have offered this if she hadn't been ready for it too...

Keionx knew, the moment she began to topple, that she had made a grave mistake – Beastdad had always admonished her to be careful about her surroundings, and she knew she frequently forgot his advice. Here, then, was another example of why she should listen. Keionx bit back a cry of pain at Mili's well-timed and aimed attack, managing to keep it to a hiss as she rolled out of the fountain and into an attack – clearly, Milieu was being very serious in her sparring, and so Keionx had to be serious too. Her attack scored powerfully, her gaze intense, her mind falling into the meditative rhythms of long sword practice.

Breathe in... breathe out. Her

Sword slash, block, slash again. Once Keionx fell into the long-remembered rhythm of swordfighting, her muscles took over. She had to force herself to remember that this was Milieu, not a practice dummy or a monster. She had to hold back from letting her pattern run to its conclusion.

Beneath the calm that came with the familiar activity of swordplay, however, was a frantic anxiety that Milieu would somehow be displeased. She wanted the tealblood's approval, even if the scouts still aroused complicated and confusing tangles of emotions for her.

She also was enjoying the battle, though she attempted to resist the delirious and glorious enjoyment that she had felt in her more innocent days. Attempted and only partially succeeded – she was enjoying herself beneath her calm, and was happy that she had come.

Another splash of umber blood on Milieu's blades, another wound in Keionx's side. Keionx became aware that she was reaching an edge in her stamina. Not the edge, but an edge that she knew she needed to pay attention to.

Keionx feinted, slashing and dodging back, trying to invoke an opening in Mili's guard – she was good, but she was older and wiser so of course she was...

Keionx's eyes widened and she gasped in sudden, surprised pain as Mili's blades scored a deep wound. It was Kei's own fault, she admonished herself, she should have been more vigilant and faster on her feet. Next time, she would be.

This time, however, she feinted at Milieu and then struck her with the flat of her sword, kicking out at Milieu's feet to knock her down. She struck again, knocking away the blades to level it at her foe.

”Touche.” she said, smiling after a moment.