11-01-2025, 08:55 PM
He half stifled a giggle when she repeated exactly what had gone through his own head. Not that she made it sound like a joke so much as pure pragmatism.
Her actual explanation, well… he wasn’t that interested – what he wanted was to give her the stage, just for a moment. To let that little bit of thrill build up in her chest, remind her there was a person under all the anonymity of survival and homelessness. One that Zeke reminded her existed – allowed to exist.
He flinched a couple times, though only minimally, as the brutality in the cage continued. The crowd surged and moved around them, the noise rising with every smack of flesh. Anticipation was like hunger in the air. The chaos didn’t bother him, just the violence, but it made it easier to pay attention to her instead. He grinned widely when she leaned in and whispered about the power she was still learning to control. So she didn’t mind fighting dirty.
He waved a tattooed hand to brush off her apology, magnanimous rather than irritated. Zeke never minded the thanks even if he didn’t always acknowledge it – and he’d soon correct its absence. “Shame we’ll never know where your tactics would get you. Further than this guy, I’m sure.” He flicked a finger, but didn’t move his eyes from her. His gaze was intense, suddenly thoughtful. “The coin gets you a single boon, but I like your nerve. And I know you’re good for a little debt, Taty. If you wanted a little something extra, as a favour. I have some friends here.”
Her actual explanation, well… he wasn’t that interested – what he wanted was to give her the stage, just for a moment. To let that little bit of thrill build up in her chest, remind her there was a person under all the anonymity of survival and homelessness. One that Zeke reminded her existed – allowed to exist.
He flinched a couple times, though only minimally, as the brutality in the cage continued. The crowd surged and moved around them, the noise rising with every smack of flesh. Anticipation was like hunger in the air. The chaos didn’t bother him, just the violence, but it made it easier to pay attention to her instead. He grinned widely when she leaned in and whispered about the power she was still learning to control. So she didn’t mind fighting dirty.
He waved a tattooed hand to brush off her apology, magnanimous rather than irritated. Zeke never minded the thanks even if he didn’t always acknowledge it – and he’d soon correct its absence. “Shame we’ll never know where your tactics would get you. Further than this guy, I’m sure.” He flicked a finger, but didn’t move his eyes from her. His gaze was intense, suddenly thoughtful. “The coin gets you a single boon, but I like your nerve. And I know you’re good for a little debt, Taty. If you wanted a little something extra, as a favour. I have some friends here.”
![[Image: zekesig2-1.jpg]](http://thefirstage.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/zekesig2-1.jpg)