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I don’t speak I assess hi Ready to attack, although his arms are loose And I sense his adrenaline in the air, his odor Masculine Powerful He must assume I’m weak, because I’m so small Fool

“I am from Zandia,” he continues “And you have absconded with two feht Turn them over or I will take them from you”

I take a slow breath in Out Transfer weight to the balls of my feet But I don’t say a word I’ve learned silence is an advantage; it confuses opponents Plus, ive me away I dress like a uise myself when I speak

His eyes shift to the entry of my craft, and Iin the air as I do,hard with his jaw

He groans, I think froer more than pain Still inlow, then shoot outinto the tuht back on Jesel Theer opponents

When I tugforward, he topples, as expected But what I didn’t anticipate was for hiround, he sorab at me

“Surrender,” he co ear I kick out autoh on either side of my lean torso His body heat affects me just as intently as the radiated sun on my back

I pant and look up into his eyes, letting hireen--that always confuses an opponent I’ll knohen to move One second Two Mother Earth, his eyes are so clear, so intelligent The curve of his lip--is he se

I s and watch his eyes dart to my lips, my neck His smile fades; his expression turns to one of consideration Like he’s trying to figure so out

That’s it I harness all of s, then twist and turn

He grunts and shouts but I’m away from his hands, those powerful hands

Back onat him

He’s up too, and as we lock eyes, I feel a tension I’ve never experienced When he was over me, his face already victorious, I can’t describe ---

He lunges, his fist raised

I block him, child’s play, then use another aerial leap--a new one