She was trying to draw Kira out.
Kira was willing to play. To see how far she'd come.
Kira shifted her weight to her right foot as if she planned to dart right.
Caution filled Elena's posture, but she didn't move.
Very good. She wasn't falling for Kira's bluff.
It was an improvement. A few months ago, she would have.
Kira lifted a hand and made a come-on motion. Caution was all well and good, but sometimes it held you back.
Elena darted forward, bringing her sword down in a standard strike. Kira evaded with a small shift of her weight. This time Elena hadn't committed fully to the strike, so Kira didn't pull her off-balance.
Elena followed up with a feint, advancing as she tried to force Kira to react.
The entire time Kira didn't exchange a single blow with her, instead shifting and dodging, each time with only a fraction of clearance between herself and Elena's blade.
Predictably, Elena's frustration grew, making her more and more intent on reaching Kira.
She lunged forward, an opening appearing in her guard. Kira took advantage, dumping her on the ground.
"Dead again."
Elena spun, sweeping a leg out. Kira hopped away.
"You'll never accomplish your goals with this level of skill."
Elena attacked from a low crouch. Kira swayed to the left, grabbing Elena's sword arm and hauling her closer. She set the blunt edge of her blade against Elena's neck.
"Not fast enough."
Kira pushed her away gently, careful not to hurt her.
"You always attack in the same way. You can already see it's not working. Do something else."
Rather than listen, Elena sprung forward, causing Kira to sigh and shake her head.
She stepped to the side, reaching for Elena's lead arm.
Elena's hand opened, the blade falling. The arm Kira was holding twisted, bringing her closer as Elena caught the blade, and stabbed up under her arm toward Kira's stomach.
It was an unexpected move, designed to force Kira to finally use the practice sword.
Kira's lips twitched. Well done, but not smart enough.
She sidestepped, pushing Elena's arm down to interfere with the path of the sword.
They ended with Elena stumbling a step forward and Kira standing in the same position as before.
"Well done. You finally figured out the handicap," Kira said.
Elena flushed at the compliment.
"For that, you can now use yourki," Kira said. "Show me what you got."
Elena's eyes lit up. Her stance shifted as Kira waited.
