wish i had a river i could skate away on

Theory smirked and turned to peer down at Thalia from her place atop the smaller female's head. "I wouldn't dream of going easy on you. I promise." Her comment, of course, had been in jest. She liked the challenges posed by fighting too much to let anyone win. It was partly her pride and partly her position as alpha. Losing would feel like a chip in her armor. Theo couldn't afford to let herself be weak. Every day presented new and distinct opportunities to succeed (to triumph). As Thalia pulled away she took all the heat and comfort with her. The space by her side didn't just feel empty, it felt cavernously vast. She was alone at the bottom of a pit and Thalia had crawled out, leaving just a small lip of light to stare upwards at. Covetously.

"Well, alright..." Theo said, unable to disguise the hurt in her voice. They both had different duties that drew them elsewhere. Opposite sides of the continent, opposite sides of belief systems. "Always remember the Firefly Festival. I'll want my rematch soon," she called after her as Thalia drew further away. Theo felt stupid and ugly and alone - a hideous mix of filthy, terrible things. Did it always hurt this badly to be close to someone? Was it possible to open up to someone else and be rewarded with the warmth that she craved? Maybe she was doomed to be like her father, searching for that flicker of firelight in every good looking creature that she passed. No. Theory hardened herself and headed back towards Abaven territory, a stony glint to her eyes.