All Of Us - Part 1: Summer

Chapter 24 - Corkscrew

- Dæor -

"Hey, Dæor !" Mouse runs up to me. "Where are you going ? We're supposed to have group training."

"Oh right, I completely forgot. Thanks for reminding me," I gratefully answer. Side by side, we both start walking in the direction of the training room. "No problem!"

He quiets for a moment, then asks: "How's Evangeline ?"

Huh ?

"Good, why'd you ask ?" I question, whilst risking a sideways glance at him.

"I just...," he rubs the back of his head. Why is he nervous ?" "Well, we all heard about what happened in the training room, and I've wanted to ask her how she feels ever since, but...

"That was two weeks ago, Mouse."

"I know... I'm kind of intimidated by her," he confesses.

"Why do you find her intimidating ?"

He hesitates. "I really don't know. Because she's the Princess, I guess." I nod and turn, trying to hide the expression of relief that spread itself across my face. "You know, if we never treat her just like another rebel, she'll never really be included."

He blushes in embarrassment. "I know, I know. I'm sorry," he fidgets.

I chuckle. "You shouldn't be apologizing to me." I pause, before asking him: "Are you ready for Friday ?"

"Yeah, I think so. I don't think I can ever be one hundred percent ready for these things," he sighs.

"You'll do great. I know you will," I tell him, and when he smiles back at me, something that I had not felt in a while shimmers in my chest. A gentle joy, slowly embracing my heart.

"Go ahead," I mumble, gesturing to the cave at him. He nods, grateful, and I watch him walk him. How could I have forgotten that feeling ? How bright little things can glow... I pass my hand in my hair. How could I forget ?

"Dæor ?" Keiti sticks her head around the wall. "You comin' ?"

*****

Liam clears his throat. "I need two volunteers for this." His eyes skim over the crowd. "Evangeline ?"

My ears buzz for a second, then my senses refocus as she rises to grab the sword he held out to her. She doesn't say a word, and I can't help but notice how tense the air seems between them. I wonder again - could he have hurt her back at the Castle ? My hand closes into a fist in my lap. If he tries to do anything to her, I'll guarantee that he won't be able to do anything ever again.

"I volunteer," Pina sticks her hand in the air. Involuntarily, my muscles clench. Evangeline has been sword-fighting for a week. I heard she's a natural, but Pina has been practicing for years. If something were to happen, there's no doubt Pina would have the advantage. My fingers find their way to Shadow's hilt.

"I don't think...." I zone out. I should listen, but I didn't sleep enough last night. He probably taught this to me already anyways. I stifle a yawn, right before I get elbowed in the ribs.

"Hey," I hiss, turning sharply to my right. Oh. It's Keiti. She glares at me before jerking her head in Liam's direction. "Pay attention," she mouths. I roll my eyes and promptly ignore her. Sitting back, I let my mind wander. Friday... It's so soon. But we haven't done anything since our attack on the Summer Palace. We need to let the population know that we're up and at it. Ah-Knew will be difficult to capture, but it's doable. I just hope no one will ask us questions about Evangeline...

"I think Dæor should show us !" Huh ? I twist and glare at a grinning Keiti. I try to protest, but it's too late. "Great idea ! Get up here, Dæor." I shoot a last killer stare at Keiti, who rolls her eyes in reply.

I gingerly get up and head to the front of the audience. "Practice it with Evangeline," Liam offers. I gulp and nod. Sheso, I hope he didn't notice that I hadn't paid attention. I draw Shadow and approach Evangeline. Pitching my voice low, I murmur: "What do we need to do ?"

"The corkscrew," she whispers back. I balk. I have no idea what this is. "It's new," she adds, a little smile peeking at me from the corner of her mouth. "I'll start," she declares with a louder voice. "Ready ?" Without waiting for my reply, she launches a series of quick attacks that I find difficult to block. Soon enough, we find each other face-to-face up, our swords almost vertical. "Did you follow ?" She smirks shamelessly. "You cheated. I wasn't ready," I whine. She chuckles and backs off. "Ready ?"

I nod, and she goes again. This time, I am able to understand what she does and am able to block her moves a bit better. But for a newbie, she has such speed and precision... Face-to-face again, I whisper, "You're a natural," and she opens her mouth. But before she can reply, I part and ask "Ready ?" Stunned, she doesn't reply. But I begin anyways, doing the corkscrew with speed and - I hope - grace. Her sword flies in the air, landing far away from us and the crowd watching us. "No fair," she mutters. I shoot her a smile and go get her sword.

"You're really good," I tell her as I hold out her sword to her, "but don't kid yourself. I'm still better." Before she splurts out a reply, I clap twice into my hands and announce: "Time for lunch, everyone !" The crowd begins to talk and rise as people stream out the exit. Behind me, I can feel Evangeline moving closer. "I'll get my revenge," she swears under her breath, but her smile tells me that she didn't take my teasing badly. I look at her join Aline as the glow in my chest gets stronger.