The outfit she dug out for me after rifling through the closet of all of my new clothes was decidedly different.
"This is a bit ridiculous," I said, standing in the middle of the closet as she looked me up and down, satisfied.I plucked at the thin gossamer material of one sleeve."I wouldn't have this on in thearena.I'm wearing fuckingslippers.They won't even survive thewalk to set."I gestured to my feet, which were, indeed, encased in a pink satin-like material.
"You're correct," she intoned."Wear your boots while we walk over.I will carry your swords and slippers."Silver Sea paused, head tilting."Hm, Swords and Slippers could be a good name for a brand.Have you thought much about merchandizing opportunities?"
I grumbled as we walked across the grounds, aware that I was going to look ridiculous in the promoswingingmy blades around in sheer and skimpy clothes.Normally, sheer and skimpy were qualities I liked in stage clothes – but the Tournament was a different kind of stage altogether, and I hated to think that the other competitors would see me as a soft target.I was here to help Araxis, not to be a magnet for trouble.I wouldn't be much help if he had to keep every other competitor from beheading me because they were all certain I'd go in a puff of glitter and satin slippers.
We arrived in a large and squat building, dark inside except for a stage set into the far wall that was built to look like a planet's surface.Massive lights beamed down on dark rocks, lighting up the background that looked like a pink nebula glittering and shifting in the distance.Standing on set was Araxis – of course they'd timed the filming so we'd run into each other; we weren't the only people orchestratinghappenstance– wearing dark, close-fitting clothes and a dramatic black coat.He stood, listening carefully to a brin who was standing behind a massive camera and explaining something about angles and light, his face a picture of seriousness.
"Hedoesn't have to wear slippers," Iwhisperedat Silver Sea.
She glanced at me, pulling her attention away from the omnipresent displayfloatingabove her forearm."His branding is very different.Though… let me go and speak with my colleague."She passed me my swords and slippers and then bustled across the set to speak with the purple ketaari I'd seen hovering occasionally around Araxis, leaving me to stand off to one side, waiting.And watching Araxis as he stepped back and ran through a few sword-dancing sequences, his blades – opalescent, nearly luminous – flashing in the bright lights overhead.Those were new, and they definitely weren't practiceblades.As he spun and lunged, his coat flared wide around him in a dramatic sweep.
He was like a hero in the dramas.My heart stuttered a little, watching him move with fluid grace, deadly, precise,perfect.
"Good, thank you Araxis," said the brin, tilting her head to the side to listen to Araxis's handler who had moved in close."Oh – we'll do another set with Sashen Solar.Sashen, if you wouldn't mind."She gestured at me.
"Yeah, just give me a second."I toed off my boots, perching on the edge of one of the chairs clustered near a light and tugging on the pink slippers.I heard footsteps edging in, so I glanced up from looping the ties around my ankle.
Araxis looked down at me, black eyes gleaming."You look nice," he murmured, taking me in.
I scoffed, looping off the tie on one slipper and moving to the next."Youlook nice," I said."And like you're dressed appropriately for the Tournament.I look like – I don't know, someone who gets murdered on the first day on the sands."I was dressed in layers of pink fabric, with gold chains dangling from various places, an extensive swath of my chest exposed.
"I wouldn't say that."His stare got caught along the line of my throat before it traced down the dangling gold chains that trailed toward my navel.
"Yeah, I'm sure this is how abayan warriors dress, right?Just scandalize each other to death."Araxis trilled, and I stood, reaching for my swords.
"Oh, you won't need those yet," called the brin from behind the camera."We're going to do a few passbys first.We can have you do some sword-dancing once Araxis leaves.If Sashen's handler could show him to the mark?Araxis, back to your starting point, if you don't mind."
Araxis nodded, casting one more lingering look over me and silvering, just a little.He cleared his throat and stepped back on tothe set, while Silver Sea drew in close to my side."If your sights are set on agold space palace," she murmured, taking my elbow and ushering me toward the raised set, "this role will get you closer to your objective.Many viewers will find this compelling, perhaps enough to buy out your entrance fee."With a nudge, she pushed me toward one of the dark boulders on set, this one with a little X on a flat side.I guessed that was my mark.
Of course, I didn't really need a viewer to buy out my entrance fee, and it wasn't like that was the only debt chasing me.Thankfully, I already had someone who wanted to help out.I just had to pretend I didn't.
I went and stood next tothe X, turning toward the main camera where the brin was watching a little projection of the set hovering beside the camera."Great," she said, "Okay, Sashen, take a seat."
I blinked."Just – what?"
"Sit on that rock.Yes, good.Alright, Araxis, we'll do a few practice runs before we start filming.You'll start on your mark –" His mark was about ten paces from me.Hegot to stand."And walk towards Sashen.Good.And now take a knee – no, let's try the other leg.A bit closer, please."
He knelt in front of me, black stare meeting mine as I looked down at him.The director kept giving instructions, micro-adjustments – how to angle his shoulders, where to place his hand, how to position his sword – and I could tell he was listening because he was making minute changes.But my brain fuzzed the words out as Itook in the sight of Araxis, kneeling before me, my pulse picking upashis stare warmed.I didn't mean to look into his eyes so deeply or for so long, but –
His lips twitched in amusement."Sashen," he murmured, his voice cutting through the delicious haze."Nay'li is speaking to you."
I jerked, looking to the director."Sorry, what was that?"Distantly, I thought I heard someone laughing.
"Are you comfortable with touching?"asked the director.
I blinked at her."I'm a dancer.Touching is a lot more comfortable for me than, you know,killing."
She chortled from behind the camera, and there were some other chuckles across set."Save that for your intro line," she said, pleased."Good, reach your right hand out and touch Araxis's jaw.Araxis, could you place your hand on Sashen's elbow – yes, just like that."
My fingerssettledgently against his skin, smooth and familiar beneath my touch.His fingertips ghosted my elbow,just a whisperagainst the fabric of my sleeve."You know you canactuallyhold me," I murmured, leaning a little closer."I don't mind a firm touch."
He stared up at me, fingers tightening on my elbow."Do you like a gentle touch as well?"he asked, voice low.
I let my hand slide along his jaw, resting my thumb on his chin."It really depends on who's doing the touching."
"Perfect!"called Nay'li."Excellent.Both of you, remember exactly where you are and how you're positioned.Araxis, if you would return to your mark."
