One step, two steps

Thorn’s head swiveled as he watched for others to approach.  They needed to hurry up and get here so the lesson could start.  Sitting around wasn’t helping him train or learn anything new.  Thankfully it didn’t take long.  Hey! It was Andy!  Thorn gave her a smile fading off with a bit of curiosity that she was staying in the back.  The blue boy was about to ask but then he spotted Taly coming.  He hadn’t expected her to come to a lesson on fighting but as she asked what they were teaching he got the idea it was a misunderstanding.  Hopefully, she stayed despite a fighting lesson!  

Thorn saw a black shadow approaching.  Oh goody, Dusk was showing up.  What was she doing at his lesson?  Thorn refused to let Dusk get stronger than him so her showing up here was less desirable though not unexpected.  He had to train harder than her so however tired Thorn was after this he’d need to train more.

Mercury mentioned partnering up and Thorn’s first thought was Dusk.  They’d probably fight, right?  Then he could prove which of the was best.  Well, he could fight Dusk anytime, and besides, there was something even better.  Thorn grabbed his sword and made his way to Andy, hoping it would be a fight and that he’d get the challenge of someone who surely had more experience.  The boy stood a few feet away from Andy, regarding her thoughtfully.  

So he wasn’t supposed to think about how to defeat her but how Andy should try to beat him? Thorn grinned at the antlered lady.  The horns certainly stuck out as a weapon she could use.  Did she prefer using the antlers or her teeth or claws?  Thorn tried to imagine if he had antlers, would it be like having swords attached to his head?  No, the horns didn’t look sharp on the edges.    Would she attack in any special way? “head even with shoulders, one paw forward. Um, hey do you use your horns to fight? Like jab with them?”

"Thorn Carpathius"