An Empty Cup | Avatar. Miles Quaritch

9. Lets dance, hunter

For the days journey to Oo-rah I explained the connection of the queue. It was all questions and answers. And when we settled early in a cave we lit a fire and I started teaching Miles to move like me.

Oo-rah is the peak of the the floating mountains. The ikran perch. And Ikrans were not like pa'le. Ikrans fly, and will only fly with one hunter for the rest of their lives. And also try killing the chosen hunter. So theres that. So in preperation I was showing Miles the correct way to move around an Ikran. Movements that are unpredictable to the Ikrans but yet swift and sharp and witty.

Miles had a playful grin on his face most the time. Except for when we tussed and he would end up on the floor pinned, then he'd get sour. But always get better when he got something right.

He crouches over the dieing fire, going to grow and feed it, but I stop him. "Leave it." I interupt, he looks up at me quizically but nods, standing straight to crack his back tensely. "So, darlin, what now?" He asks as we move in a circle. Ready for another sparr. "Once you can win a challenge you are ready." I reply, tossing the knife from its sheathe onto the floor by the side so it wouldn't interfere.

"Well, if thats all." He grins once more. Going to move forward before remembering what I've taught him. I wait patiently as we circle eachother like viperwolves circle their prey. "So far, you've tracked, you've killed. But yet you can barely use a bow." I state mockingly, knowing its riling him up but he can't start until given a sign for it.

With a tut Miles rolls his large yellow eyes. Quickly growing impatient and restless. But yet we keep circling. Eventually I chuckle amused. "Will you dance with me, hunter?" I ask, pressing one hand up and signalling a challenge. Without hesitation he presses his hand to his forehead, then brings it down. "I see you, and I accept."

It was scratchy and slow but it was translatable. Miles goes into a stance ready to attack. "Try again." I sigh. Miles groans impatiently. We start circling eachother.

"Will you dance with me, hunter?" I repeat after a few minutes, bringing my hand up and signalling a challenge. Miles presses his hand to his forehead and extends it. "I see you, and I accept." He states, tone of impatience and hope. "Better." I grin, moving into a challenging stance.

Finally, with the sparr set in place, Miles moves forward. We circle eachother but get closer every step. Until our shoulders are pressed together. Once we're that close, standing side-by-side, I reach over. "Rise to my challenge." I say softly. He smirks. "Lets dance."

With that I immidiately block Miles' hand swinging towards me. I block it with my palm and push it away. Moving back to give us space. He moves forward quickly.

I watch carefully. I taught him movements that are unpredictable too the Ikran. Hes used them stiffly, if he cannot relax with them it will be a harder challenge. So I examine his body moving, how he walks, crouches, slides, moves. And I wait patiently, blocking and defending myself from getting hit.

And once theres an easy opening I jab my hand into his stomach. The force making him wince but not retract. And soon enough his back presses against the stone of the cave floor. Miles releases a heavy and annoyed exhale. "If you let me fight normally I would win this in a heartbeat." He remarks snarkily, still upset hes had to learn a new technique.

"You would die. Up in Oo-rah, Ikrans are like nothing you'll ever fight. They can see you from a mile away and can guess your next moves." I reply calmly, holding a hand out to help him up. "And your very easy to guess." I finish, making him give me a snarky look at my comment. "Well, we'll see then."

My lips twitch at him. "You fight like that, your dead in seconds." I warn, moving to sit down at the corner of the cave. "Now rest, we set off early to cover more ground." Miles tuts at me but eventually comes over to sit beside me. Silently I curl my legs up, pulling them under my chin to rest my head on. "How long does it take to get to this dragon place?"

Miles gives me a look at my yawn. Leaning my head down on my knees. "Half a days journey from here. If we get there early we could be up to Oo-rah by the evening." His large blue arm wraps around my shoulder. Pulling me closer to lean against him. I nuzzle my head against his chest softly as the breeze of Pandora starts setting to cool.

I yawn once more, feeling my body instinctively strech to help me relax. "And what then?" Miles asks quietly. "Then after we set in for the night." A pause. "Then?" Miles pushes, even more quieter this time. I feel my ears strech down in tiredness. "Then you.." I start. A stone sets in my stomach. I could feel myself sighing softly before I could catch myself. Feeling my eyes widen at the lump in my throat.

Knowing that we've been together for weeks and I've grown fond of Miles. "Then you go home." I mutter, turning my body around. Pressing my back against Miles' chest gently. The breath released on my bare shoulder indicated a dissappointed sigh from Miles. "You know, darlin, we've been together for weeks. Your really changing me with this tree-hugging crap." He notes carefully. "You make me want to stay with you."

My eyes widen at his confession. Turning my head towards him sharply and sitting up, ears perk up aswell. That lump eases as the stone is picked from my stomach. Feeling a more relieved feeling wash over me.

"I would like that." I smile, Miles gives me a look of confusion. Knowing he couldn't translate. But yet he grins playfully. "You know, I'm a schxawng, I don't know what that means." My smile gets wider. "You said it perfectly, moron." I giggle, leaning once more against him.

My eyes start easing to a close. "Rest, we set off early."

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Its going to get heated in the next chapt

warning yall now

;)