remembering sunday

     "I usually just practice with crossbow since I can’t exactly run around and attack but I guess it’s time to practice.“

“Makes sense.” She starts tying her hair up and then starts stretching. “Are you going on the upcoming mission?”

He records another number on the paper and looks up at Oona. “No, no, you can stay. If you’re not busy, I’ll take your help, yeah.”

Oona nods. “What do you want me to do, boss?”

Ace is sitting on the floor of the supply room, a clipboard on his lap and an open box by his side. He counts the number of items in the box under his breath and marks it down his inventory spreadsheet. Someone else walks in. He doesn’t look up at whoever it is so as to not lose track of where he is and says: “Hey, you haven’t seen the other box of smoke grenades, have you? Its not with the other grenades.”

Oona walks into the supply room to familiarize herself with all the weapons as requested by her mother. When she sees Ace she opens her mouth to greet him but is interrupted by his question. “Oh, uh, no I haven’t, sorry. Do you want help looking or I can leave if you need to concentrate?”

     She put a hand on her chest to help her steady her breath but nonetheless, she was grinning. It felt good not passing out after running. “I’m great.” She nodded then started pacing around the area. “Are you going to train with weapons?”

Oona takes her word for it and drops it. “I was going to but we can spar if you’d like.”

“Nope.” He says, “How hard can it be, though?”

Oona shrugs. “Okay.” She turns to go.

“Guess I’ll add to my list of skills then.” She started walking again. “I think we should go to a place less like a horror movie though.”

Oona laughs. “You’re probably right. Well, did you want some time to yourself? That’s totally cool.”

“Ah yes, because we all know how bad my wrath can be.” Jade let out a small laugh. “I’m shocked you haven’t run from me yet.”

Oona laughs a bit too. “I’m obviously frozen with fear.”

Jade rolled her eyes. She had heard plenty of times that she needs to toughen up. “Maybe I won’t forgive you. I mean it is not often around here that I get alone time.” She smiled to let Oona know she was not being completely serious.

Oona smiles and pushes Jade’s shoulder playfully. “Well, then, I’ll just have to get out of your hair. I don’t want to feel your wrath.” She grins.

    Shiloh started running closely behind her. When they reached the training area, she was breathing hard but grinning widely.

Oona stops when she reaches the training area and smiles at Shiloh. “You alright?”

“Yeah, hopefully.” He moves his part of the blanket onto Oona’s lap. “All right, I think I’m going to try to get some sleep.”

She nods. “Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Sleep well.”

He sets down the remainder of the sandwich– just the crust, actually and stands up. “Sure. I just need to change.”

“I’ll meet you there, then.” She smiles and throws her trash away before walking out.

He rolls his eyes. “Fine, not liking soup is weird. But that doesn’t mean I am.”

She shrugs and finishes up her soup. “Okay, Ace.” She stands up. “I’m going to train in a little bit. Want to join me?”

“That’s not weird? Lots of people don’t like soup.”

“It’s weird,” she says in a sing-song voice.

He smiles and puts his arm around her briefly to give her a side-hug. “Yeah, I’m glad it’s you. I can’t imagine anyone else I’d rather be married to right now.”

“Same here.” Oona smiles. “Hopefully we can get our parents to call it off, though.” She laughs a little.

At the appearance of Oona, she jumps again. “For not trying you sure are good at scaring.” Jade gives a small smile to the other girl. “I could ask you the same thing. I thought no one else came around here.”

Oona laughs a little. “Maybe you’re just an easy scare,” she says with a wink. “It’s good for alone time. Because no one else comes here. But I was getting ready to leave so I’ll forgive you,” she jokes.

    She took few more deep breaths until her breathing pattern started to go back to normal and then grinned at her. “I’m ready. Race you to the training room?”

Oona raises her eyebrows and smiles. “Alright.” She then takes off running.

He nods. “Yeah. I wish I could talk to my dad in person about this.”

“That would probably help.” She sighs. “You know what, though? If I’m going to marry anyone against my will at least it’s you.” She smiles.