[ that wasn't alexandrie's problem so much as she had thought she had learned to protect herself. and perhaps that was so, in the world she had occupied before. abruptly not so in this new one, where words and posture and wit were blade and shield far too ephemeral to do anything against cold steel.

the bottle is received, a generous swallow taken, a terrible face made. ]

Shit.

[ after another smaller mouthful, lexie places the bottle between the two of them, slips off her shoes, and mirrors the tuck of gwen's feet. ]

When I was learning, [ she makes the gesture of throwing a knife by way of explanation, ] it was so idle. A skill for skill's sake. It is different to need it. [ an involuntary shudder ] To see its result.