Vera put a hand on her hip, "I suppose, but I'm also better equipped. It's not exactly easy to parry or block with an empty hand. And your reach is limited to your arm's length. You can grapple sure, but that's a bit of a double-egded sword, especially against multiple opponents. I'd love to spar sometime, though! Just don't expect me to go easy on you."

She blinked at his mumblings, then blushed, her cheeks becoming rosy. Her ears heard him fairly clearly, but her brain couldn't accept it as what he said. Surely she misheard. She rubbed her arm, and couldn't quite meet his eyes, although his were drawn downward anyway, "That's...um...a bit too early to do, don't you think? We've only met a couple times, but I do like you, Kest. I'd be happy to...get something to eat or something sometime, though." Veragwen wasn't sure she'd call it a date, not yet, but she wouldn't mind the chance to get to know him better. Mara too. "But I can't right now. I'm on duty....but I suppose you could just stay by me. After all, all I'm required to do is keep my eyes open for trouble."

---

Elayna felt a bit lonely now that Mara was gone. She realized she didn't have many actual friends. She knew a lot of people, but not very well. She did have some admirers, that came with her profession, but some were a little too....forward. In which case she chased them off with her greatsword. She had little patience for men that saw women as simple eye candy.