Loved and Lost

For Mila

Waking up this morning was easy. Or maybe it was for the fact that I barely got any sleep at all. Tossing and turning, that's all I did. I'm surprised I didn't wake Kida, even though she was moving around herself. I laid awake most of the night, listening to the faint snores that escaped my roommates mouth. I hope she got more rest than I did. When the sun started raising, that's when I made my move. I quietly made my way down to the arena with Achak in hopes to finally start my training. I told her that I'm going whether she's i[ or not. I'm sure I've been out here for an hour or two by now, tossing around my sword. Doing everything that I can to stay active and engaged.

I've been so immersed with what I've been doing that I didn't even notice Kida watching. I let Achak drop down on my imaginary enemies head and that's when I decided to take a break. I've noticed her from the corner of my eye for the last minute or two. She's been watching me, my every moment and I know it's because she's trying to understand me, how I fight, how I function.

I snap my head to her and she begins a slow clap. There's not many people around, meaning that she's up way later than what I would have hoped for. I just couldn't do it.

For once, she's finally walking around without her hood or her mask. The clapping gives off a deep echo that I'm sure bothers others but Kida doesn't seem to mind too much. "I see you wanted to start early." She's leaning on one of the pillars.

"I told you that I wanted to start at dawn. I believe those were the words that came out of my mouth." I knowingly sass her, doing everything I can to catch my breath. I've worn myself out and I don't even have water to help me. But as if my prayers to the Gods are answered, she tosses me a sack of water. Tyr? "Not my fault you weren't awake for it." I shrug.

"Yes, Dawn, but not at the first sign of light, Aji."

Aji. So she has a nickname for me already. I personally thought that'd take longer, given our circumstances. I guess since now she's stuck with me, might as well give in. "So what, are you just going to stand there gawking, or are you actually going to teach me something?" I ask her, goading her to teach me something. Anything. I walk back to my "area" in hopes that she follows my swaying hips. Does she regret last night? I raise my arms in the air, becking her. Seeing no engagement on her side, I drop my arms and rub my chin, getting the sweat off of me as best as I can.

"We should get you some new armor. Yours is turning sour, I can smell you from here." She tells me as she nods at me. Have I really been sweating that much? She runs her hand through her bands, tossing them so they hand over her left eye and off of her right shoulder. She's right though. I don't have the best smell and even I know that I need to be in a damn graveyard. I need to take this off, But I'm not sure I'm ready to. "I got you something before I came down since you were obviously busy. You should get a shower in as well, your hair has become all frizzy and aloof."

She's right about it all. I need one Hel of a shower, and this armor, I'm really curious as to what she's chosen for me. "Fine." I stubbornly tell her. Lifting herself off of her pillar, she nods her head towards the door, indicating that I should go with her.

I sheath Achak, follow behind, and go back to our room on the second floor. There's a lot more people awake now than when I had first woken up, nor was I the first one awake. I hope I didn't wake any of them with my grunting and exasperated yells. "You'll meet Senne today." She tells me, breaking my thoughts as she shuts the door behind me.

"Who's Senne?" I ask the obvious question. For some reason, I notice our height difference again and It's almost comical to me. So much that I actually give out a snicker. She can easily look over my head without even trying, but that's only because I got my mom's genes. "Who's Senne?" I push when I know she's blatantly ignoring me.