One day of rest. One day to let the bruises heal. One day to let tired muscles knit themselves into new strength. One day to build her energy back up, one day to find some kind of reserve, in case she needs it. One day to get as ready as she can for the first real duel of her entire life. One day to think about how she's doing it with paws. One day to remember why it's worth it. One day to sit on a hill watching out over the edge of the castle, where she can see the rivers and the valleys float slowly by underneath them. One day to miss it all watching Hyra watching them, instead. One day to lose herself in the shape of her lips and the contours of her chin. One day to notice how cute her nose is, actually, and all the ways her beautiful girlfriend still looks almost as wolfish as she does. One day to wonder how it'll feel [s]if[/s] when she finally gets to kiss those lips. One day to not notice her tail wagging while she imagines those teeth nibbling all over her. One day to notice Hyra noticing her, and blush hotter than a sunshard. One day to notice all the little miracles that weave the world together. One day to see the children playing, and scamper (yes, scamper!) out to join them. One day to come prancing back and feel the blissful tingle of fingers massaging through her scalp. One day to hear music that she's never listened to before, one day to learn songs that even Sis probably doesn't know. One day to smell bread baking and marvel at the ancient wonder pulling fresh taffy, one day to weld her jaw shut trying to eat her share all at once. One day to watch a people adapted to life up in the clouds and all the little ways their lives were about flight and freedom and the open air. One day to wish she had words to tell them all how beautiful they are. One day to realize she wants to show them her waterfalls and flower fields and the old cherry tree at the top of her hill in exchange. A whole lifetime to finally notice that adventure could only carry her to [i]new[/i] beauty, and not more. But one day to be grateful for it, anyway. One night to chase the moon without having to leave the confines of her Prison Room, and smile in her heart to see it's just as uncatchable as ever. One night to let her eyes drift closed and listen to the beating of her girlfriend's heart. One night to sleep nestled into her taut, perfect arms. And then, one day is finished. Yue throws the weight of her neck onto Hyra's shoulder in her best attempt at a hug while she ties the kerchief tight. She's never felt so loved in all her life. Or less ready for what's coming. The portcullis clicks open. She barks a bark of determination, though it might have been a bark of nervousness instead. She's still not entirely used to using her voice like this, y'know? Hyra smirks at her and holds up the wooden sword that's been waiting for her to use it for something for years now. "Don't worry, this is plenty for what you've got to do. And so are you." <> She chomps the handle in between her teeth, and can't help but notice she's getting pretty good at holding it like this. It's kinda surprising, given she didn't practice yesterday. Someone once told her that you actually learn lessons a day after you're taught them. Is this what they meant? This is it. One moment to pad softly into the arena. One moment to sniff the air with her big, sensitive nose. One moment to realize she doesn't really understand how to interpret the smells she picks up. One moment to feel silly for trying. One moment to wonder what kind of person her opponent is. One moment to hope somebody will be cheering for her. One moment to wonder if she can win. And one agonizingly slow moment to wonder what's supposed to happen to her if she can't. One moment, and none of the rest of it will matter. Because the duel is about the duel, right?