diphthongsfordays:

Word Find Game

Tagged by the amazing @sleepyowlwrites, thanks!!

Tempt (Deathdancer - Zaul POV)

“Are you lot safely hidden away?” Hita asked, glancing over Zaul’s shoulder as a small group passed them, chattering happily. Ailin’s head didn’t move, but her eyes followed them along the street. “Do you have a place to get off the street?”

“Hidden,” said Zaul. “If I say ‘safe’ I’m afraid I’ll jinx us.”

“You should stay with me and Bala,” suggested Hita. “It wouldn’t be hard to sneak you in, and no one would guess your important friend is associated with me.”

It was more temptingthan Zaul cared to admit. Hita and Bala lived in an apartment on the edge of the Oasis, near one of the guard houses. Ailin could get from their roof to the wall in three jumps, and it would be nice to have proper furniture around them again.

It was also a huge risk.

Train (Deathdancer - Ailin POV)

“Ailin, not everything is a pit fight,” said Zaul. His footsteps moved out of the center, and the bed creaked with his weight. Ailin didn’t turn around, staring blankly at the dark wall.

“You have no idea what it means to fight for your life,” she snapped.

“You’d be surprised.”

“It’s easy for you to say,” Ailin rounded on him again, face flush with heat. “You mess up in training, your teacher isn’t going to run you through to teach you a lesson. Do you even know how to stitch yourself up with whatever you can find? You don’t spend all your time looking over your shoulder in case the shadows are full of knives. You have no idea how to actually survive because you’ve never even had to.”

Zaul gaped at her, mouth hanging open, and for once in his life didn’t speak. The silence rang between them, Ailin’s ears buzzing, and shame settled into her stomach like wet sand. All the fight sunk out of her, leaving her heavy and hollow.

She had no right to be angry that Zaul didn’t have to fight like she did. Who was she, to wish that on anyone? Especially him.

Turn (Deathdancer - Zaul POV)

The other two stayed silent, watching him, clearly waiting for him to continue.

And Zaul, being Zaul, obviously obliged.

“Come now, or don’t come at all.”

Dymas blinked at him.

“I heard it. I know how it sounded. I will not apologize.”

Ailin frowned, eyebrows drawing together over shimmering eyes, but Zaul didn’t think this was the moment to explain the joke.

“I’m staying,” said Dymas.

“I’m not,” Zaul told him, bluntly. “Because it’s suicide.”

They both looked at Ailin. Her eyes were alight with stars. It would be beautiful, if Zaul weren’t learning her eyes only looked like that when she was either very worried or losing control.

“You could stay,” Dymas offered. “You-”

Ailinturnedher back on him, facing the window, movements sharp as glass. Zaul’s skin prickled, all the hair on his arms standing up. It wasn’t a dismissive movement. It was a prey response.

“Fine,” snapped Dymas. “Ignore my-”

Ailin was moving. Putting herself between them and the window.

A shadow shifted. The pane flew open.

Dymas squeaked again, as a figure in a tight-fitting suit lunged for him.

Ailin was in the way. She already had daggers in her hands. How had she drawn them without Zaul seeing?

Dymas was bellowing, calling for the guards. Zaul retreated, dragging the man towards the door, Ailin’s words echoing in his head. They’ll send someone effective.

Apparently, effective had arrived.

Tease (Deathdancer - Ailin POV) she’s teaching Zaul how to use his incessant talking to his advantage in a fight

“You do realize you just gave me an excuse to literally never stop talking?” said Zaul, his entire face lit up with a smirk now.

“I’ve created a monster.” Ailin probably should be annoyed, but she just chuckled with him.

Zaul moved, starting to circle. She moved with him, slower than he wanted, forcing him to adjust his pace.

“I created the monster all by myself,” he informed her. “You just set it free.”

As much as she wanted to teaseback, Ailin didn’t answer.

Trepidation

Trial

I tag (no pressure!!): @akindofmagictoo,@papercutsunset,@afoolandathief,@sleepyowlwrites,@winterandwordsand open tag for anyone who wants it!

Your words are: Ignore, Wheel, Straight, Shout, Brave

Hunter probably said something dumb to someone and Willow’s trying to diffuse the situation, but Hunter just goes full on love-sick panic because she held his hand and he was not prepared.