honor among students ; verena v. rafe

You had almost convinced yourself not to participate. After seeing one of the posters on the wall advertising the tournament, you’d commented that it was just another idiotic display of showmanship to massage the egos of all the kids around you while giving the teachers something to pat themselves on the back about. You didn’t see the value in showing off whatever skills you were supposed to have learned in a controlled environment that would be devoid of outside influences. How real was a sword fight if it was in a fancy gym with rapiers and tennis shoes squeaking across the floor?

But you didn’t really say this to anyone, did you? Because that would’ve meant you had someone that was on your side, or at least, someone that would sit next to you during lunch to listen to your fuming. But Rafe, you’d chosen to separate yourself from the rest on purpose. Even your half-sister and full-brother – an important distinction, as Emilia was not really family – did not seek you out, and claimed tacitly that you may have been related.

No, loneliness was as bitter in you as your stewing thoughts.

A tournament. Well. Perhaps you had been thinking about it wrong, you pondered later that evening, because this could give you the opportunity to shut the rest of them up about this sort of thing. They all made such a big deal as to how they did in school, who was the best, who stole the spotlight and how they were adored. It turned your stomach to see them so focused on a life so hollow.

You wouldn’t admit that sometimes looking at the groups of boys and girls together you had the passing fancy as to what it must’ve been like. Empty headed as they were, they had no thoughts to weigh them down. Happiness must’ve been easier to come by.

You try to remember your opponent, Verena, and the most you can think of is that she’s a far better student who would leave you in the dust in a moment. The sort of type that you would make fun of in a heartbeat because they were so damn serious and you honestly could not be bothered (and yet here you were, sword in hand, nodding along with her, taking place in the same tournament, competing for the same prize).

“Yeah, yeah,” You replied, firming up your grip and taking a better stance. When the match started and she launched, you waited until the last moment to let her breeze by you.

You returned her swing with one of your own, snarling back.

[rafe attacks verena with sword]

8VOSZAVqQYsword
[result:1121 -- Deep Gash on Back -- 8.5 damage (Sword)]

You draw first blood, and as fast as your heart is beating, you're smart enough not to get caught on your heels.

"Pay enough attention to your lessons?" You smirked.

hp: 20/20