I've dropped down a notch, friends. The last time I entered Scholastic Art and Writing, my work got Honorary Mention. This time, I got a--drumroll please...
"I don't know why either. Anyways... Fehn, you want to figure out some dynamics between the two of us?" She stretched. "Feel free to interpret that any way you want."
"So I'm gonna pair you and Martin here," Ayia gestured to Martin, "as our close-combat fighters. Fehn and I will pair up as the magical folks, and Andante will stay behind to pull us out if things turn south."
@Chasmgoat
"Hm? Stop flirting? That'd be like asking Fadran to stop smiling all the time." She stretched. "Well, anyways... I think you could've beaten me if you and Fresco had coordinated a little."
"I never told you? I'm Ayia."
"So... what. You work you life away becoming the best there is, and apparently all that is just useless because someone happens to be born with magic?"
"Well... you did good." She gestured vaguely at his book. "You should probably get... reading."
Ayia walked off and sat down on the nearest stump, catching her breath.
"Mentor, practice, study, practice, practice, practice, practice, and practice." Ayia glanced at the book. "I think it's trying to tell you something."
"Stabilizing it! My magic essentially holds it in place like it was built in solid steel, and I can do all sorts of fun things with it after that." She brandished it, swinging it over her head and around her back like a pole dancer. "You give up yet?"