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"Skills?" Aries questioned sarcastically, his tone sharp and warning as he narrowed his eyes at Iphigenia, silently daring her to choose her words carefully.
Estella didn't respond right away; instead, her gaze swept over the room. The place was bustling with support staff—people cleaning, bringing towels, restocking supplies—but something felt off. There was a strange dullness to the staff, something too hollow in their movements, and both Aries and Estella noticed it at the same time.
Still, Iphigenia carried on, clearly flustered, with no help from Dennis. "A talent that might be of use in the Arena. Anything," she offered, her voice slightly strained.
As Estella walked past Aries, she gave his back a gentle tap, a quiet warning for him to calm down before he said something too biting. She knew him well enough by now to anticipate his next sarcastic jab, one that would inevitably wound Iphigenia, who—despite her awkwardness, was clearly trying her best to navigate the tension.
"Anything long-range," Estella said smoothly, turning back to Iphigenia with a soft smile. "I'd rather be far from the scene."
Despite her usual indifference, Estella found herself slowly growing a kind of heart for the woman—flawed though she was, sometimes painfully unaware of her surroundings. Iphigenia's relief was instant. "Then please don't go near one until Evaluation Day! Right, Dennis?" she asked, trying to keep the energy light.
Dennis nodded absently, not really invested in the conversation, but at least acknowledging that Aries and Estella, if they had any intent to survive, would understand such basic strategy. The silence stretched awkwardly for a moment before Iphigenia pressed on, sensing she needed to fill the quiet. "No need to let your competition know your strengths, you see?" she added.
Aries smirked, finally paying attention now as some subtle realization glinted in his eyes. He turned to Estella, a mischievous look forming. "Isn't Stella my competition, too?" he asked, testing the nickname out loud. Estella pointedly ignored it, refusing to validate the two year older than her male's attempt at familiarity.
Iphigenia sighed, clearly waiting for Dennis to jump in with a lecture about teamwork. But it never came.
Regardless of how close Aries and Estella might be growing, everyone in the room knew the unspoken truth—only one person would be allowed to survive. Eventually, one of them would have to kill the other. That weight hung heavily in the room, and Dennis, who glanced at them with subtle pity, looked away before anyone could catch his expression.
"No. She's not," Iphigenia finally declared, perhaps trying to soften that looming reality. "As of tonight, she is your partner." Her words landed flat, no enthusiasm from anyone. Dennis continued scribbling or reading or whatever it was he was doing.
Aries and Estella stared at her without blinking, waiting for the excuse she would use to explain away the unavoidable truth. Iphigenia's smile was forced. "The crowd loved you two as a couple up there. And where the crowds go, sponsors follow. So, from now on, you'll be joined at the hip. All through your Training Period."
