Saturday afternoon in Center Camp. Weapons sparring with Howwoward. Dust and sweat and steel in my hands. Coil, parry, uncoil, thrust. A little nick on the third knuckle. Howwoward is quick. His moves are controlled. Weapons sparring with a paramedic has its advantages. He does not waste energy.

An opening. I take the opportunity offered, and pin him, back to my leg, sabre under his chin. A sweet little victory in our dangerous little dance. And then....

I hear SJ's voice, which has been serenading our duel the entire time we've been holding it, giving a shout-out to the swordswomen in Phoenix Projekt.

How perfect.

Thank you, lady. For the singing that day, and for such an inadvertently timed surprise.

Hope your Burn was as wonderful as that moment was for me.

- Maltese