Wholly unprepared for Aymeric's boldness, Estinien laughs, quick and bright -- a far different sound than the harsh rushes of air that had escaped him in the tavern the day before. It sets his features alight, first in amusement, and then, with fire -- baldly excited by what's to come.
"Aye," Estinien drops his stance, "Let's see your skill with a blade."
An inexperienced swordsman against a young man who'd spent nearly half his life with spear in hand -- Estinien expects their clash to be brief.
It is not.
Though clearly unmatched in trained skill with his chosen weapon, Aymeric more than meets Estinien in sheer relentlessness. Each time it seems Estinien nearly has him, Aymeric comes back at him twice as fierce. He wants this, badly, even Estinien can tell. And it only makes the flame beneath his own skin burn hotter. Still, though. He won't give victory away -- not today.
They're both nearly spent when Estinien finally disarms him. The fight ends with Aymeric on the ground and Estinien crouched over him, breathing heavily, lance point to neck.
Aymeric is maddeningly beautiful with his face flush, sweat damp dark hair stuck to his forehead. The gathered crowd -- which had only grown in number once their fight had begun -- erupts in cheers, but Estinien doesn't even notice. For the first time since gray had become red and green and blue and gold, he thinks... this, the bleed of color into his life had been worth it for this.
He stows his lance and offers his arm to help Aymeric up. He has three questions to ask him now, three chances to learn more, but what he blurts instead is, "Rematch. In five days."
i powerplayed a wee bit for the handwave so plz plz let me know if that wasn't cool and I'll edit!!
"Aye," Estinien drops his stance, "Let's see your skill with a blade."
An inexperienced swordsman against a young man who'd spent nearly half his life with spear in hand -- Estinien expects their clash to be brief.
It is not.
Though clearly unmatched in trained skill with his chosen weapon, Aymeric more than meets Estinien in sheer relentlessness. Each time it seems Estinien nearly has him, Aymeric comes back at him twice as fierce. He wants this, badly, even Estinien can tell. And it only makes the flame beneath his own skin burn hotter. Still, though. He won't give victory away -- not today.
They're both nearly spent when Estinien finally disarms him. The fight ends with Aymeric on the ground and Estinien crouched over him, breathing heavily, lance point to neck.
Aymeric is maddeningly beautiful with his face flush, sweat damp dark hair stuck to his forehead. The gathered crowd -- which had only grown in number once their fight had begun -- erupts in cheers, but Estinien doesn't even notice. For the first time since gray had become red and green and blue and gold, he thinks... this, the bleed of color into his life had been worth it for this.
He stows his lance and offers his arm to help Aymeric up. He has three questions to ask him now, three chances to learn more, but what he blurts instead is, "Rematch. In five days."