The clang of steel echoes in the training yard as Ikaru lifts his sword and spreads his feet apart. His stance was steady, shoulders square, every movement deliberate. Across from him, Julien twirls his new adamantite dagger with a grin that is all mischief.

“Ready to dance, love?” Julien taunts, already circling.

Ikaru grins in response. "Are you?"

His eyes follow Julien's footwork, waiting. When Julien darts forward, quick as a snake, Ikaru pivots, blade sweeping down in a clean arc meant to cut the attack short. Steel flashed—Julien was already gone, slipping under the swing and rolling behind Ikaru.

Ikaru spins, raising his sword just in time to catch a flurry of dagger strikes. The parries came heavy and sure, the shortsword forcing the rogue backward step by step. But Julien didn’t resist; he flowed with it, retreating just enough to lure Ikaru into a committed thrust.

At the last second, Julien pivots, blade scraping Ikaru’s sword aside and slipping close enough that Ikaru feels the kiss of the cold blade at his ribs.

“Dead.” Julien whispers as he glides passed Ikaru.

Ikaru's brow furrows, but instead of anger, a smile tugs at his lips. He steps back, lowering his blade. “Again.” he says.

Julien laughs, already sliding into motion. “Gladly.”

Julien darts in low and Ikaru raises his sword, ready to deflect the coming attack but Julien twists at the last second, gliding in close under Ikaru's blade and pressing the dagger against his gut. There is a flash from the dagger and Ikaru suddenly freezes in place. Julien doesn't stop moving, using his own momentum to swing around Ikaru. As soon as he is behind the bigger man, he reaches an arm up and wraps it around his throat, poking the dagger lightly into Ikaru's back.

"Dead again, ráhka munnje." Julien chuckles in his ear and kisses Ikaru's cheek. 

Ikaru remains frozen in place as Julien turns back to Zuiigri, twirling the dagger in his hands. "This is excellent craftsmanship, Zuiigri."

Julien looks over his shoulder and chuckles at the imprisoned Ikaru. "He fights better with a spear, I swear. Though it wouldn't help him against someone like me. I'm too fast."

Julien turns and walks up to Ikaru, tapping his shoulder and releasing the imprison. Ikaru's sword finishes it's downward swing and Ikaru stumbles forward. He spins and swings his sword at Julien's neck but Julien deflects the blow with his dagger and hops back several times.

Ikaru grins. "Oh man, Jules. I missed watching you fight."

Julien chuckles and Ikaru closes the distance between them then pulls Julien to him, kissing him soundly on the lips before he steps back and looks at Zuiigri.

"So, once I have an idea what I want. I'll come find you. That's a helluva dagger you made there." Ikaru smiles and rolls his shoulders. "He's right too. I do fight better with a spear. Need one to practice with while I work out the details on a custom made one but I'm sure they've got one around here somewhere that'll do the trick."

Julien walks back up to Zuiigri, examining the dagger and poking the tip with his finger. "I'll never be defenseless again now. Thank you, Zuiigri."

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