Priftoi had arrived at the training grounds early to set up for her sessions with Sofia. As she organized her thoughts and her equipment, she heard a voice call out from behind her.

“Hey Priftoi!” A young elf with pale skin and striking red hair was jogging towards her. Once he reached her, he pulled his chin length hair into a small ponytail. “We missed you at recruit training yesterday. Where were you?” he asked.

“Ah, morning! I’ve been tasked by Captain Erae to teach our guest from Talamh some self-defense skills before they continue the search for her gate.”

“Look at you,” the young elf gently punched Priftoi’s shoulder. “Already trainer status, huh?”

Priftoi pretended to act nonchalant. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she closed her eyes and waved her hand at him. “Besides,” suddenly grinning, “it’s kind of fun to boss someone around.”

The red-haired elf laughed heartily. “You boss people around? Noooo.” 

Priftoi acted as if she was offended. “If you’re just here to make fun of me, then you can leave.”

“Hey, I’m not some new trainee you can just order around,” the elf’s grey eyes glinted mischievously. “Remember, I’ve been training just as long as you.”

“Oh yeah? Then let’s see those skills.” Priftoi marched into the middle of the clearing and took a fighting stance. “I could use the workout.”

The red haired elf smirked and made his way to meet her when a small voice spoke from his shirt. 

“Wait! Let me get out of here before you two start your shenanigans.” A dragon-like lizard appeared from inside the elf’s shirt pocket. Its red and gold face was sleepy and annoyed. “It is too cold for this nonsense,” mumbled the creature.

“Sorry, Tourac. Here, you can keep the shirt so you can keep warming up.” The elf carefully removed his shirt and placed it at the foot of a nearby tree. Tourac scrunched it into a nest. 

“Wake me up when you are done,” he said grumpily as he buried himself within the folds.

The red haired elf jogged back over to Priftoi. “That is so cool that you have already found your chompánach,” she said, eyes starry with wonder. “But are you not going to be cold?”

“Not for long,” he grinned. Taking a fighting stance he yelled, “Let’s go!”

Priftoi smirked in delight, and dealt the first blow. Her opponent blocked and returned the strike. The two were evenly matched in skill and speed, and continued on for several minutes without realizing they had gained an audience. 

After the young elf executed a particularly challenging sequence of kicks that seemed to be giving him the winning edge, he heard a sudden gasp. Turning briefly he noticed three figures watching from the sidelines, one of which had green hair.

Itah? 

Priftoi took advantage of his momentary distraction and delivered a blow that knocked the wind out of the elf and threw him to the ground.

He lay there briefly, face skyward, and felt himself flush. Well, that was embarrassing.

“Ouch, I know how that feels,” he heard an unfamiliar voice say. A hand appeared in the corner of his vision, and he took it. Sofia helped him up and remarked, “You can really take a hit, though. I would probably still be sprawled out on the ground after all that.”

“Aw, Yersua’s tough!” Priftoi threw her arm around his shoulders. “Thanks for the workout, friend! Nothing like starting your day off right with some heart pumping cardio!”

Suddenly pulling away from him, Priftoi exclaimed, “But wow, you sure do sweat! You should probably go bathe before meeting up with the rest of the recruits.”

Yersua looked down self consciously, remembering that he was shirtless. Rushing to grab his shirt, he accidentally sent Tourac reeling.

“Sorry, sorry Tourac!” He gently gathered up the reptile and replaced him in his pocket. 

“I deserve a trip to the steam bath tent after all this…” Tourac grumbled.

Yersua sheepishly walked back to the clearing. “Y-you must be the visitor from Talamh,” he said, embarrassed. “Síocháin.”

“Yes, hello,” Sofia chuckled at the attempt at formality. She brushed her low ponytail back and held out her hand. “My name is Sofia. It’s nice to meet you. I hope someday to be able to fight like you.”

“Ha, please aim for better Friend Sofia. My name is Yersua.” He bowed, taking her hand and touching it to his forehead. 

Priftoi, noticing the question in Sofia’s eyes, said, “Cousin.”

“Oh, oh! You’re Erae’s cousin? Nice to meet you!”

Yersua smiled in acknowledgement, and then glanced towards the other elf who had been standing by quietly.

“Hello Itah,” he said nervously, feeling the color rise again to his face as he said her name. 

Itah’s face also flushed with color. She quickly lowered her gaze and quietly responded, “Hello.”

Priftoi and Sofia exchanged a mischievous, knowing glance. 

“Friend Priftoi, will you be starting Sofia’s training soon? We need to make sure she gets through several things before lunch time,” said Harton, breaking the deliciously awkward moment. 

“Ah, and I probably should go wash up before meeting the other recruits,” Yersua said, taking advantage of the attention shift. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Friend Sofia. Until next time, ladies. Síocháin.”

Once Yersua and Tourac left, Sofia and Priftoi cornered Itah. “Sooooooo…” said Sofia mischievously, “he’s cuuuute.” 

“You can discuss this later,” Harton interrupted, saving poor, embarrassed Itah from more unwanted attention. “It’s time to train. But do go a little easier on her today, all right Priftoi?”

“Understood!” the pink-haired elf saluted. “Friend Sofia, let’s get started!”