(Untitled)

[faithful_slayer]

Max is working again - she got him to rest, but not much. So Faith's found an out-of-the-way room, one that isn't really being used, and she's practicing with the Scythe-that-isn't-really-a-Scythe, running through training drills.

(feels like it's mine)

It's as natural as breathing. It sings to her, power and strength and rightness, sings in her

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[rebelheartalien]

Michael should be resting, still. But he gets so bored. So when, wandering the palace, he hears someone in one of the training rooms, he goes to see what they're doing.

[faithful_slayer]

Her eyes are closed.

She doesn't need sight for this.

It's a dance, one she knows very well, one that's written in her blood.

She moves with a swift, sure, deadly grace, beautiful in its way.

And she smiles.

[rebelheartalien]

She probably knows he's there, even with her eyes closed. Even with him just leaning against the doorframe and watching.

Because there is beauty in this, and he's a born fighter himself. He knows how to appreciate it.

[faithful_slayer]

She feels him.

She knows who it is, even.

But she doesn't stop, not yet - she speeds up, if anything, showing off for him.

Or maybe just wanting to be sure he knows he can trust her to fight at his side and hold her own.

[rebelheartalien]

He trusted her already. He's seen her fight without this weapon to help her.

But seeing her with it... he almost pities the demons.

[faithful_slayer]

The demons have brought it on themselves. Evil bastards.

At length, after several minutes, Faith stops moving and turns to him, opening her eyes.

"So whatcha think? Am I good enough to play bodyguard to a king and a General?"

[rebelheartalien]

We did say 'almost'.

He smiles at her, not moving from the doorframe.

"'Course you are."

[faithful_slayer]

Faith twirls the not'scythe again, almost absently.

Quietly, "Won't fail you again."

[rebelheartalien]

He blinks, then realizes.

"You didn't. Faith, I was stupid, that's all."

[faithful_slayer]

"I should have gone with you, I should have chased after the van..."

Faith swallows, hard.

"Anyway. We've both got 25 years left in us, right?"

[rebelheartalien]

"And I shouldn't have gone out alone. It was my screw-up, not yours." He nods at the last. "25 years or more."

Doesn't mean he hasn't gone to Max and Varec and put things in order. Just in case.

[faithful_slayer]

Doesn't mean Faith doesn't have a will stashed away, either - she's had one for months.

"So, 40,000 demons...ten or eleven of us, as I count it...hardly seems fair to the demons, does it?"

[rebelheartalien]

He grins crookedly.

"They don't stand a chance."

[faithful_slayer]

She grins back, sheathing the weapon at her waist.

"That's what they get for picking on the friends of Slayers."

[rebelheartalien]

"And Slayers who've got powerful family, at that."

[faithful_slayer]

Faith grins at him. "That too."