As the Snow Falls

To Wield a Sword

Jin had spent nearly all afternoon sitting patiently and quietly at the bank of the lake, his fishing rod—a long twig he found on the ground with rope ties at the end—propped on the ground between his legs as he stared at the calm waters before him. A body of water this huge surely had some fishes in it, right?

Well, if waiting for an hour for the slightest movement in his line was any indication, the most probable answer was no.

With an impatient burst of breath, he pulled his rod out of the water to inspect the end. Just as expected, nothing.

Behind him, he heard the constant swish of the girl's sword cutting the air. He looked back at her, watching her slice nothing in front of her for what seemed like the millionth time.

Her shoulders were still too stiff. She wasn't holding the hilt correctly. Her feet were far too close to each other.

He throws the line back into the water.

Seokjin: Why don't you train at the palace barracks?

She cuts through the air with a huff.

???: What makes you think I don't?

Jin pressed his lips to a line. She might push him into the lake if he said he'd been looking for her.

Then again, maybe he'd find fish if he fell.

Seokjin: You know—

???: Why are you talking

Seokjin: I still haven't gotten your name

???: And that's how I like to keep it

Jin placed his chin on his palm as he looked back again at the girl.

Seokjin: Well, sure. But we've been together for days now.

She scoffed.

???: Together.

Seokjin: I'd almost say we were acquaintances; nay, friends.

???: Why are you still talking?

Seokjin: So just tell me your name.

She ignored him even as he pointedly stared at her. He puckered his lips in thought and looked back at the lake.

Seokjin: If you don't I'm just gonna call you...hamji.

???: Are you calling me a rodent?

Seokjin: Well—

He adjusts his fishing line with a grin.

Seokjin: —if the shoe fits.

Jin didn't even realize she'd close the distance between them until he felt the butt of the hilt of her sword bonk him in the head. He glared at her retreating figure as she walked back to where she was training before. He massaged the top of his head with a frown.

Seokjin: Would it kill you to use your words?

Hamjji: With you here, I don't see the need for it.

And back she went, hacking and slicing the air away with her untrained brutish hands.

He marched all the way to where she was training like the stupid idiot she was, his wet fishing rod in hand.

Seokjin (huffing): You're doing it all wrong!

She didn't even bother to look at him as he fumed next to her.

Hamjji: What makes you think I'll listen to you of all—

Before she could protest, he returned her hit with a slight slap of his fishing rod to her back. Her hand flew to the spot he just hit. With stitched brows and tight lips, she turned to glare at him.