[indent][indent][justify]Aramis remained very still as the final Greatspur collapsed behind Locke with a thunderous, ground-shaking thud. Dust rippled over him. A few stray feathers drifted down like the world’s saddest confetti. He blinked at the scene of carnage—the toppled giants, the cratered earth, the shredded field—then at Locke, who had just executed a maneuver so cleanly it looked choreographed.

[color=536dfe]“…impressive,”[/color] he managed, still a little breathless. [color=536dfe]“Terrifying, but impressive.”[/color]

He brushed a smear of dirt from his sleeve.

He did not get all of it.

Then Yumi bounded up.

Covered.

Entirely.

From boots to hairline.

In turkey blood.

She looked like a cheerful yokai that had just burst through the floor of a horror film. A feather stuck to her cheek. Another slid down her scythe. She didn’t seem aware of any of it.

Aramis’ brain made a soft clicking sound as it tried to process the contrast.

[quote][i][color=4c87bf]"Sugoi!"[/color][/i] she said, beaming. [color=4c87bf]"That was freakin' AWESOME!"[/color][/quote]
Aramis opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Then she thrust out a gore-slick, squelching fist.

[quote][color=4c87bf]"Victory fist bump!"[/color][/quote]
Aramis stared at the fist. Then at the blood dripping from it. Then back at her bright, expectant smile.

He swallowed.

Very slowly, he lifted one hand—carefully, delicately—and extended one single finger forward to tap her knuckle with the smallest, most minimal contact physically possible.

[i]boop.[/i]

[color=536dfe]“…victory,”[/color] he said quietly, because at this point he wasn’t sure what else one was supposed to say.

Aramis exhaled.

[color=536dfe]“I… think we should locate water,”[/color] he added, tone flat, gaze flicking meaningfully at the crimson streaks running down her face. [color=536dfe]“A lake. A river. A well.”[/color]

He paused.

[color=536dfe]“Anything. Soon, preferably.”[/color]
[/justify][/indent][/indent]