The day was cooler than it had been recently, clouds obscuring the sun, promising rain, though just when that would happen remained to be seen as those clouds that became heavy enough to begin shedding their load onto the earth were shifted off, moved to another part of the sky, leaving lighter gray clouds hanging over Hogwarts, as though there
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For the moment, she rested, one skinny scabby leg dangling from the branch she sat on, Needle laid out carefully along the branch's surface so that the sword would be within reach in case of danger. She dozed lightly, leaning against the tree's trunk, almost peaceful.
Paranoia-sharpened senses woke her fully, and she saw the black-clad figure in a wide-brimmed hat. She drew her dangling leg up as quickly and quietly as she could, and flattened herself. Calm as still water, she thought. It was like a game, almost, seeing who she could and could not make not see her as they passed by.
Sunlight glinted off of Needle as a slight breeze moved the tree branches above her.
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Better know for next time. She never knew when it would be a Lannister passing by.
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Instead, she asked, "Anything else?"
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"Your breathing was harsh," he replied, tilting his head a little. "You are not used to hunting," he said, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Your posture, your face, everything shows your intent."
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At least, not now that she was eating regularly, and not outside of her dreams.
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She landed with a thump and a grunt, rolled, and retrieved Needle from where she had tossed it. "I wasn't laying in anything," she called up, shame and anger making her dour face flush. "I was taking a rest from practicing, is all."
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Still, there was a panicked moment as the scalpel actually moved toward her, where she almost lost her footing. She swung Needle across her in a block, just a little too hard. She cursed herself and moved the blade back to its guard position as quickly as she could.
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"That's why I was up there," she said, panting a little. "I'm trying to get better, and it's harder to keep your balance on a branch than on the ground." She punctuated her sentence with a brief, tentative lunge--she couldn't be on the defensive all the time, but it was hard to find people to practice with. Maybe he'd get mad and leave if she stuck him.
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