Kitty's Keeper/No Clean Blades

IV

Carum watched Paul sharpen the rest of his blades in relative silence. Though their curiosity burned to know each weapon's exact name and purpose in combat, they were willing to wait until Paul explained them unprompted. Fortunately, it only took a few minutes for the siren to return his newly sharpened weapons to their proper places. When he stood before Carum again, he clapped his hands free of dust with a satisfied sigh.

"Now that that's settled, we can begin your lesson."

Carum shared his mirth. "Wonderful."

Paul began pacing around Carum, circling them like prey. "Yes, this is what I wanted to do, had Fortune not decided otherwise."

"Really?"

He scowled. "Do you honestly believe I wanted to subject you to a horde of Pink Meanies with little more than a night's preparation?"

Carum shrank a little at his tone, but still considered honesty a virtue. "Forgive me, Paul, but you do seem like the type to favor 'trials by fire'."

Paul snorted golden smoke.

"I mean no offense!" they maintained.

Paul relaxed. "No, you don't." He took a breath. "I just know how to make the best of things, is all. I'd much rather have a plan. Were it up to me, I would have trained you from the moment we decided you were accompanying us! You would've had a strict schedule of sparring from sunup to sundown! But then you went mad from the lack of siren song and slept for a week!"

Carum staggered backwards. "A week?"

"Yes! Oh, George and I had to roll you around every evening to make sure your blood didn't settle too much!"

"What would have happened then?"

"You would have gotten sores, of course! Awful, painful sores that would have been as much of a bother to care for as they would be to have."

Their skin crawled at the very thought. "I thank thee for your care, Paul."

"You're very welcome, dear. I'd hate to see you 'armed, which brings us back to our first point-we should have provided more training. I should have provided more training." He shrugged. "But so it goes. You performed well against the Meanies regardless. A little sloppy, but well."

"I'm glad."

"You should be. And now your best will be better!"

"Yes! What shall we do first?"

"First, I shall perform a physical check. I want to know what I'm working with. Then I think we should begin learning about the dagger and basic self defense. You're the most familiar with those two, so it should be easy to build off of."

Carum nodded. "Yes, Paul."

"Take off your robe. I need to see you fully."

"Yes, Paul."

Carum shed the band's maroon gift, folded it carefully, and placed it on the countertop for Paul's bar. Paul did the same for his cloak, revealing a simple tunic and stockings. He watched the human, eyes appraising every inch, then reached out and lifted their chin, tilting their head from side to side.

"Our spell aside, you've never suffered any ailment of the mind, have ye?"

"No, I don't think so."

"No headaches?"

They tried to shake their head, but Paul held it fast. "No."

"And I already know the quality of your sight. Alright. Moving down."