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*     introducing his kitty <3 

@coIdeyes   /     that ended up being longer than I intended ..

@coIdeyes   /     sorry abt how late this is!
            
            hao – yu had never expected to actually go to something like this.  he hadn't come here for fun  —  this was a mission.  despite that  ,  they still found themselves standing in front of these doors  —  an entire ball separated only by them.  
            
            he was dressed only for appearance sake  ,  as opposed to the usual combat ready attire he wore.  even their hair was let down to rest against his back  —  for once not tied up.  their style was only to make them look nice  ,  not to fit a battle standard.  it was odd and yet ..  he found he didn't completely hate it.
            
            with a breath they pushed the doors open  ,  finally ending his stalling.  his eyes immediately wandered to find the very person who had made him want to come here to begin with.  they walked with their normal confidence  ,  only faltering when he finally laid eyes on luka.
            
            they walked forward  ,  strides now purposeful.  "luka  ..  "  he dipped into a bow as he usually did  ,  this one lower than his usual greeting.  it was more formal.  when he rose they stared for a moment  ,  uncharacteristically at a loss for words.  
            
            "you have  ..  dressed yourself well." .. that didn't feel right.  "it  —  you  ..  your appearance is worth complementing.  I am just at a loss in which way I should  ..  there are far too many things that I feel should be mentioned."

[ A heavy silence settled between them. Lucian didn’t offer a retort immediately; instead, he simply stared, his expression unreadable behind a mask of chilling calm. Finally, the corner of his mouth twitched—not quite a smile, but something far more predatory. ] " Smartest ? Perhaps not, " [  he murmured softly. ] " But then again... you are mistaken about who I am, too. "
            
            /         no worries , you are all good 

@bloodshed   /     this is super late  ,  sorry!
            
            "you're challenging   /  me  /   to a fight?"  he quirked an eyebrow at the other.  "are you certain that's the smartest idea?"

@untilproven- 
            
            / late but curious? Or something?

@coIdeyes 
            
            "I have trained for situations where I lose my weapons.  it is not a guarantee that I will be able to keep a hold of them.  I am not arrogant enough to think that I am above everyone else  —  that I am undefeatable."  they glanced at the sword they were holding.  "I have been trained in martial arts as well.  you never know what the world may challenge you with  ..  I will not force you to do something that you find uncomfortable though.  should you change your mind  ,  I am sure we could find a weapon that's better suited for you."

“it’s the same way you rely on your weapons.  i’ve been training for as long i remember,  whether it’s for combat or not.  but,  swords and weapons feel … awkward,  unnatural.  they’re not as fluid as my abilities.” 

@coIdeyes 
            
            "how do you know that you will always be able to rely on your abilities?  knowing your way around a weapon would be beneficial."

@coIdeyes 
            
            "hot chocolate?"  she questioned with a narrowed gaze.  there weren't many luxuries in her life  —  even water was not always guaranteed.  that being said  ,  she had no idea what she was looking at.  "  ..  it does not look pleasant."

“what  ?!  no  !  it’s just hot chocolate,  silly.”  he slid the mug towards her carefully,  dropping a few mini marshmallows in.  “try it,  it’s good i promise.” 

@coIdeyes 
            
            "  ..  what is it?"  she eyed the beverage skeptically.  "are you attempting to poison me?"

[ Lucian lets out a low, dry chuckle that doesn't reach his eyes. He shifts his weight, the leather of his gear creaking softly as he closes the remaining distance between them until he's uncomfortably close. ] " Success is measured in results, true. But in my world, ' slow ' is just another word for ' dead '. " [ He tilts his head, a lock of hair falling over his cold gaze. ] " You don't flinch ? Admirable. Let's see if that steady heart of yours maintains its rhythm when the steel is actually at your throat, and not just a suggestion in the air. We leave at dawn. Don't be late. "

@bloodshed 
            
            "as you have told me countless times.  I feel it is quite obvious that I do not flinch in regards to your threats."  they gave an unimpressed look.  "the last thing I am worried about is keeping up with you.  even if by some scarce chance that I   /  cannot  /   match your pace  ,  speed is not the defining factor in success."  

[ He leans in closer, the faint scent of cold steel and smoke clinging to him. A slow, dangerous smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. ] " Careful. Challenging me is a quick way to find out exactly what I'm capable of. " [ He taps a gloved finger against the hilt of his blade, his eyes locking onto the man's ] " I’ll be there. The real question is: will you be able to keep up ? "

/       give it yes

/      !! 

@untilproven- //  on trickywhiskerz and sandreamz 

@trickywhiskerz 
            
            "  ..  no."  he slowly lowered the blade.  "you snuck up on me.  I merely retaliated."

@trickywhiskerz 
            
            "I didn't find anything about that situation to be amusing.  you have a twisted sense of humor  —  and that's coming from   /  me  /."