Chapter Text
“I can’t believe you two decided to come!” Chum chirped excitedly, wrangling over a handful of fishing supplies.
Ixchel couldn’t believe it either, it had been forever since she’d participated in an activity like this. Ever since she moved to Acme, most of her time became occupied with squad commissions, and arena matches when she could. It was exhausting, but she persisted in her routine. Only now did she realize how much she’d avoided and refused social events.
So now, she stood at.. Chum’s residence, supposedly? Kalajunn actually found herself hopeful. Besides, she couldn’t refuse an offer from Chum.
It was actually a decent day out, sun shining across the streets of Acme. Instead of her arena gear, she wore something new, something more casual. Deciding to ‘embrace’ this sudden and unusual outing. Besides, when’s the next time she’ll actually take up a social offer like this again?
She could’ve actually enjoyed this, until she had discovered who their third attendee was.
Jaguar.
Agh, Jaguar! What were the chances? To think she was going to be fishing with the one who bested her in the arena. The one who managed to get her in the Lancer Association. She didn’t hate him, to clarify, but that proposal showdown wasn’t exactly fair. She holds a lot of respect for her rivals, but the fool used his damn traps to win, and Ixchel silently despised his methods ever since.
“Bah! He was a total cheat!” She thought, glaring at the silent hunter, “I could beat him, without the help of any snares or glunite.”
Her eyes were sharp. Focused, scheming. About to speak up before she relented and sighed. Sulking wasn’t going to make it better, and she didn’t want to cancel on Chum now. Especially considering he was becoming sort of an actual friend to her.
She was so distracted in her one-sided stare down, she barely even noticed Chum was blabbering. Her head perked to the bot, regaining her sense of surroundings. He wasn’t saying anything of utter importance, thankfully.
Ixchel watched curiously as he set supplies into the trunk of the car (..When did he get a car?)
“Just wait here,” Chum set down a few containers into the vehicle, “I’ll be right back!” He bounced off. His energy palpable, it seemed almost impossible to find him in a bad mood.
As Chum bounced off, he left the two together. Immediately the space was silent. Awkward. A tension in the air that strangled Ixchel’s thoughts.
She stole a side glance to the other lancer, finding he was completely silent. His arms folded over his chest as he shifted from foot to foot. A stern expression on his face. Seems like the only expression he has, Ixchel thought sourly.
Well, Kalajunn didn’t need to talk to Jaguar, did she? It was only fishing.. and fishing was just.. waiting. She’d be fine listening to Chum yapping all afternoon. That boy always had a topic..
Jaguar stood, arms crossed. She didn’t notice before but he was sporting something other than his usual gear. His usual attire wasn’t fit for the occasion, obviously, but it was still a surprise.
The usual traffic of Acme roared not too far by.
“Before you ask,” he started quietly, Ixchel snapped to glance at him. She didn’t want to admit it but she was startled by the sudden converse.
“ …I refuse to duel with you again.” His words were concise. Almost too casual, especially coming from a sly man like Moacir.
The sudden jab of words made her scoff out a laugh. “Why? Afraid you’ll lose this time?” She meant it as a tease, but it came out more harsher than she intended. The words bitter on her tongue.
Jaguar stared at her, in mild surprise. Then his focus went to the pavement, processing her words. He promptly growled, turning away entirely. A sour look on his face.
She let out an exasperated huff as she watched his reaction play out. Frustration evident in her breath. Her eyes remained on the evasive fool. Fists clenching at her sides.
She hated disrespecting her rivals, in fact she admired the courage of most who stood before her, but Jaguar… Well, Jaguar was different. Ixchel couldn’t muster up any respect for him, or his tactics. It was unfair, maybe, but he had cheated.
Reluctantly, she turned to the floor herself. Admitting some sort of defeat. Her fists balling up tightly, a harsh strain in her throat.
Her brows furrowed, glaring at the pavement beneath her, like it would make the other speak up, but it was only silence. Her fists clenched at her sides. She felt frustration bubble up.
“I’d rather have a fair fight, Gaspar, no tricks.. no traps,” She admitted, barely managing a controlled tone, shaking her head solemnly. Jaw clenched. “..In the arena.”
Jaguar didn’t say anything back.
Chum popped out again, continuing his enthusiastic chatter, leaving Ixchel slightly relieved. Another moment in that tense silence would’ve sent her in a fit.
Easing down, she sighed. Running fingers through her hair, turning to Chum.
“Broker will be out in a few!” He bubbled, going back to settling supplies away.
“..Broker?” Ixchel wondered aloud. …Ah, well, then that had to be Mr. Bradley’s car. Ixchel didn’t actually expect Chum to be able to drive anyways, but she kept that to herself.
“Yep! Broker is driving us over to my favourite fishing spot! It’s close to Ahket!”
“Driving, all the way to.. Ahket?” Ixchel pondered, perplexed. Well, sure, she and other lancers had easy access to portals and fast transportation to mission sites, but she hadn’t taken into consideration exactly how far it was from Acme.
“It’s only a few hours away until we get to the shard point, we’ll be there before lunch, that way we have all afternoon to fish!” Chum excitedly explained, bouncing on his heels.
..A few hours.
Oh, Chum. Ixchel thought, plastering a smile on her face, even as she grit her teeth.
It wasn’t even the drive she was irritated about. The thought of sitting next to that silent jerk for hours made her want to throw him in a duel on the spot.
But.. as much as she wanted to bail out right about now, she couldn’t let Chum down. Not when he trusted her so dearly.
Ixchel exhaled. The anger easing from her body.
This’d better be worth it…