Carl was irritated at my smile.
That just reminded me how much of a short-fuse he had. It was a Pyrean trait,
like Storm Rider sarcasm or Aquarian easygoingness. It’s hard-wired into our
personalities, maybe part of what makes us who we are.
I could easily start mouthing off,
but since he was already cheesed of, and there was a point where making him
careless turned into dangerous as he might let out a firestorm that actually,
you know, killed me.
But I kept the smile.
I also gathered more wind in me,
preparing for his attack even as I began ionizing a channel for lightning to
travel, but not from me.
Carl brought his sword back, and
began armoring himself in flame. I was content to wait. There was a lot of sky
to ionize.
Carl, pissed though he was, wasn’t
going to rush in after I had proven I knew something about defending myself,
especially since I had unloaded the chain lightning in his face.
“You know, the armor’s a bit much,
we’re not supposed to kill each other.” I widened my smile.
“Can’t take the heat, get out of
the kitchen.”
“You seriously did not just say
that. I expected better. Boo.” I gave a thumbs down.
Carl leaped.