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“And then I was like, bang!” March said, slicing her hand dramatically through the air. “And, slash! Swish, swoosh! And even Master Yunli had to admit my slice through that fruit was absolutely perfect. I crushed it! And… are you even listening?”
Stelle startled, hugging one of March’s Pom-Pom plushies closely, and glanced up at March guiltily. “Sorry,” she said, softly. “I got distracted. I do think your swordplay is very cool.”
March put her hands on her hips, sighing. Stelle’s attention span could be flighty, at times. Of course, she could say the same, so she didn’t want to be a huge hypocrite, but it was still a little frustrating. Huffing, she replied, “Well - I’ll just tell you about it again later.”
“That works.” Stelle gave a very slight smile, and looked into the corner of March’s room. “Are you just going to fight with your swords from now on, or…?”
“Oh,” said March. Stelle was looking at her bow, which was leaning against the wall near her desk, loosely strung and untouched for a little while. March dragged her eyes back to Stelle, deciding to smile. “Mm, I dunno. I’m really enjoying it, you know? I realize a lot of it is just, you know, inspired by some of my favorite immersias, but it’s really fun. I get to feel like some kind of fantasy hero! It’s great!”
“Right.” Stelle’s smile grew just a little. “I’m glad you’re having so much fun. I just hope you know - you don’t have to do all this to… impress anyone?”
“I’m not just doing this to impress you,” March scoffed. “Besides, you’re always switching weapons. Are you trying to impress people when you do?”
“Not really,” Stelle said, frowning. She glanced up, thinking. “But each weapon I wield… They’re meaningful to me. I could never leave them behind entirely.”
March looked at her bow. She could relate to that. Her bow had been reliable ever since she’d woken. Before she knew who she was, or fully committed to the Astral Express, or discovered she liked photos, she knew how to let an arrow fly. But it also reminded her of all the things about herself that she might never know.
Stelle put a hand on her chin, searching for words. Though Stelle was almost always calm, March thought she might be a tiny bit nervous. “I was just thinking… I like your six-phased ice. It’s pretty and unique, and there’s nothing like it. Not on any world we’ve been to, and maybe not on any world at all. True, there’s nothing quite like your style of swordplay either, but I can’t help but hope that I’ll get to see your ice again?”
March’s heart was pounding. Stelle wasn’t the most subtle with her compliments, nor her worry. She beamed and leaned over to kiss her on the forehead, and grabbed her in a hug.
“Thanks for looking out for me!” March said, assuring her. “I promise - I’ll take my bow out for a spin soon. I’m enjoying myself, but I do like my ice, too.”
“Okay.” Stelle smiled shyly, twirling a little of March’s hair with one finger. “So, what was it about that sliced fruit?”