foodbin | pc catchall for shess (nonbelligerent)

Perhaps. There's little point in reflecting over what-ifs now, though.

[She pauses for a moment.]

We might have to agree to disagree. I am a firm believer in the value of what-ifs.

Well, I won't stop you in that case.

[She pauses for a moment, and then:]

Do you want to teach me?

[There's an 'instead' that nearly follows that, but it seems too insensitive.]

Fighting?

[She nods.]

Might as well know how, right?

[...]

If you want to, I'm willing, under the same condition I've given others: that you don't misuse the skill.

[She pauses for a moment.]

You realize none of us can really predict if we're going to get possessed by... whatever that was, right?

I'll make an exception for that, of course.

Then no, I'm not going to go around attacking people for the fun of it.

[She knows that isn't quite what he meant, of course, but.]

[he smiles wryly.]

I prefer not to cause needless aggression. If you only intend to use it to protect yourself, that's fine.

[She gives him a nod.]

No needless aggression. Got it.

Then we should be fine. Let me know when you would like to start.

Any time is fine with me. I don't want to disrupt your schedule or anything.

I'm not that busy here. As long as I'm not already with someone, you can likely assume I'm free.

Next week, then? After the trial.

Yes, that's fine. If I'm not here, I'm probably by the mountains.

[She nods.]

Right. I'll see you then. And... Tomorrow, too.