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Alina had been in an alley training, small bursts of flames shooting from her gloves as she punched. Her fighting style was still sloppy in spots but she hoped she was improving. She knew she could get into trouble for having a weapon without a license, she didn’t know someone was watching her from a rooftop.

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Hey, people had to practice somehow. Combat schools cost money. Something plenty sparse in Mantle. Robyn has no interest in getting the young one in trouble, only in observing her skill.

She had plenty far to go, but she had the idea of her weapon, and more importantly, the spirit and the will to work at it.

“Not bad,” Robyn finally announces her presence, leaning over a parapet.

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Alina yelped startled by the sudden voice, then recognition hit her and she gasped looking up at her. “T-thanks.” She offered an awkward wave, not sure what she really should do. She was a kid, with an illegal weapon, in a dark alley practicing fighting by herself and her idol just complimented her. This also meant her idol was watching her practice and that felt a bit embarrassing.

“I-I’ve been working really hard to improve..”

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“I can see that.”

Robyn lifts her hand but not her wrist, offers a small but full hearted wave back. She doesn’t know the thoughts in the girl’s head, yet recognizes both wonder and fear flashing in her eyes even from a distance.

“Keep up the honest work, and it’ll get you far. Just make sure you don’t hurt anyone in the process, okay little matchstick?”

She reassures and encourages in the same breath. She’s not here to lecture either.

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“I promise to be very careful. I want to help people like you and the happy huntresses do!” She wanted to one day join them, but she was leagues away from that dream. It would take a lot more training to get close to that goal.