Van struggled to get up again, but was unable to find a solid grip on the ground before she felt an arm slither around her neck, threatening to tighten if she fought against it. The Legionnaire held still, and could only listen as the young man spoke again. She winced again. His first words stung, perhaps even more than her present injuries did. After all, cuts and bruises healed, but blows to her pride ran deep. She bit back the urge to yell back at him, even though she would have otherwise, lest she provoke him while she was vulnerable.

Bracing herself for more, Van was so surprised when his hold loosened that she fell forward again. Her view of him was sideways as she lay on the ground, orchid eyes wide, watching him walk away. ‘Perhaps I’ll catch you around’...? Somehow Van had the feeling that this didn’t necessarily entail another swipe at her jewelry. What the hell was this boy on? To be so cordial after a fight like this?

Remembering the pendant, she fumbled around in her shorts pockets and breathed a sigh of relief as she found that it was still there, safe in her grasp. She didn’t want to think about whether he’d simply forgotten, or whether he’d decided to let her keep it, but she kept it in her pocket just in case. A second round wasn’t necessary.

The Legionnaire sat up now, looking down the road only to find that he had already disappeared from view. If he had indeed made the conscious decision to leave her be, perhaps there was something more humane behind her first impression of him—a dirty thief. For now, though, it was best to forget about it and head on home to train. If she’d learned anything today, it was that she still wasn’t strong enough.