[ Cain studied with his eyes, but copied with his body, made a mirror-image to Aymeric's posture with the ease of someone who knew their own body well. Already, the sword felt like a strain on his wrist, unpracticed with the weight. He watched, was about to nod...
... and then Aymeric was moving in. With a breathless speed and terrible grace, and his right hand snatched for the knife at his belt, went with animal-panicked speed to stop the sword blade before it could ram up into him— too slow, too fucking slow, and he could see it, the shadow of pain bearing down in the glint of the blue blade reflected up into his face, bared his teeth to brace for the cut—
But it was all a feint. There wasn't even a reprimanding blow for being sloppy, for not thinking to use his sword, rather than the knife, more familiar and instinctual. He stared up at Aymeric, suddenly at a loss, like a hound given a command he didn't know, but was still desperately eager to please. ]
I...
[ He replaced the knife, embarrassedly. ]
I don't... understand...? Am I... just supposed to be still? You didn't punish me for failing.
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... and then Aymeric was moving in. With a breathless speed and terrible grace, and his right hand snatched for the knife at his belt, went with animal-panicked speed to stop the sword blade before it could ram up into him— too slow, too fucking slow, and he could see it, the shadow of pain bearing down in the glint of the blue blade reflected up into his face, bared his teeth to brace for the cut—
But it was all a feint. There wasn't even a reprimanding blow for being sloppy, for not thinking to use his sword, rather than the knife, more familiar and instinctual. He stared up at Aymeric, suddenly at a loss, like a hound given a command he didn't know, but was still desperately eager to please. ]
I...
[ He replaced the knife, embarrassedly. ]
I don't... understand...? Am I... just supposed to be still? You didn't punish me for failing.