[ reno is strong. reno is strong in the way that eremites mercenaries from the desert coming to the city for dice and drink are strong - they are strong with intention, with tried and tested whetting of fang and claw. you are strong in the desert because you need to be. the desert strips those without strength and brings them to kneel at its mercy. reno's strength reminds kaveh a little more of need and a little less of want, the kind of precise, steady movement of a spear or a sword towards its intended goal.
by the end of things, kaveh's arm gives. his lashes cast themselves into the crimson sea of his gaze as he concentrates, focusing his strength on maintaining that grip and momentum. he can hear alhaitham's voice in his head - why choose a contest of strength when you know you will lose, why expend strength on something whose conclusion you can see from the height of a cliff? in return, kaveh's response, ringing: because it makes me happy, these little vicissitudes. reno's grip presses kaveh neatly flush against the table, and kaveh is grinning in its aftermath, cheeks pink with exertion. ]
Oh, you are good. You've the strength of a man who actually does something for a living.
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by the end of things, kaveh's arm gives. his lashes cast themselves into the crimson sea of his gaze as he concentrates, focusing his strength on maintaining that grip and momentum. he can hear alhaitham's voice in his head - why choose a contest of strength when you know you will lose, why expend strength on something whose conclusion you can see from the height of a cliff? in return, kaveh's response, ringing: because it makes me happy, these little vicissitudes. reno's grip presses kaveh neatly flush against the table, and kaveh is grinning in its aftermath, cheeks pink with exertion. ]
Oh, you are good. You've the strength of a man who actually does something for a living.