Self-defense

Izhu drops her sword and shield and throws herself down on the shaded ground, panting heavily. "Hhhah... Heh... Can't do it... Can't go on... Gonna faint..."

"Aye, it's a good time for a break," M'zinba agrees good-naturedly in his warm, comforting Ala Mhigan brogue, settling down next to the fallen Lalafell. "The Thanalan sun is not tae be taken lightly... even for her own children."

The Seeker takes a sip of water, offering the bottle to Izhu. She puts her mouth around the opening and chugs it for all she's worth, then splashes some on her face with a dramatic sigh. "Aaahhhh! Water is life..." She looks up at Zinba shyly. "... Glad you're around to remind me."

Zinba smiles back, pouring a little cool water on his fingers and trailing them across Izhu's hot cheeks. "I told you I'd prrrrrrotect you, didn't I? That includes from dehydration."

The sensation of his touch is so indulgent every time - she's sure she'll never get used to it. Izhu closes her eyes to let it wash over her. And his rolling r's remind her of his purring, which only makes her want to be back in her bed, wrapped up in his warm arms as he holds her and purrs, not sweating and feeling as though she'll be sick from exhaustion. "Mmm... mhm... that's definitely helping, though, Zin..."

There's a calm silence between the two of them for a time, as if the words will just make them hotter. Zinba is the one to break it. "You can stop now if you need."

Izhu shakes her head. "I just need a break. I really want to be able to do this, for Mom and Dad and Piedha and Mihli and Keih, and... for me. I'm just still getting used to having breaks after how Rhela usually teaches me."

"Hehe." Zinba sits down, legs folded, and gently lifts her into his lap. Even though it means she's surrounded by more warmth, Izhu immediately relaxes to be held like this. "And how is that?"

"She's just... she's so naturally talented with everything, you know?" Izhu says, tipping her head up. "She's just... there's nothing she touches that she doesn't immediately excel at. And she's absolutely unstoppable. And she doesn't understand that I'm not like that at all - she tries, she really does, she's always worried if I tire myself out, but... she still always overestimates me." She shakes her head. "Sorry. It's nothing against her or anything, it's not that she's mean about it. Just... I feel like I'm..."

"You're working hard," Zinba says softly. "This is nae race. And you have your own talents. And the lass loves ye, does she not?"

"She does," Izhu agrees, reluctant.

"Then she still sees the worth in you. As do I." Zinba nods solemnly. With a twinkle in his eyes, he adds, "Though I admit I am not always so unbiased. My motives are not always so pure..."

Izhu takes off her shield glove, playfully throwing it at his face. It hits with a light pap and bounces down into her lap again. "Yeah, well... that's something you and Rhela have in common."

Zinba chuckles, starting to lift Izhu out of his lap. "Shall I take the throwing down of the glove to mean that you are ready for another practice duel?"

"W-wait, no!" Izhu yelps, not wanting this moment to end so quickly. "I'm still on break. So hasty..." She shakes her head as Zinba returns to the sitting position. Once he's settled, she looks up at him, prompting him. "... Did you struggle like this when you started as a gladiator?"

"Mayhaps not precisely like this," Zinba admits. "Besides, those muscles had all been developed from the heavy labor I'd been doing. And Anselm..." He hesitates. The subject of the early days with Anselm is still raw in some places, Izhu remembers. "...had taught me the basics. But you can be sure the Little Lion of Ala Mhigo got knocked around plenty enough, just as you're doing."

Listening to him talk is so comforting. Izhu perks up at the sound of the nickname, though. "Little Lion of Ala Mhigo, huh? That's a cute name."

"Mylla's nickname for me, though I suppose it caught on among the other gladiators." Zinba chuckles, lost in reminiscence. "The Calamity was still fresh then. I was so full of fire tae make things better..."

Izhu leans her head against his chest. "Still are, by my reckoning."

Zinba smiles down at her, slipping in a playful wink. "... Aye. If I gaze into your eyes long enough, I can surely see the reasons I fight reflected in them. If you would indulge me..."

"Flatterer! Flirt!" Izhu says, lightly pounding on his chest with a tiny fist. "... Okay. I'm gonna continue training. But I'm gonna be really tired tonight. I'm not sure I'll be able to get home... unless, say, some big, muscular hero were to carry me home in his arms..."

"It would be my pleasure, my lady," Zinba agrees, matching Izhu's coyness with a bow of his head.

"Okay!" Izhu hops to her feet, grabbing her sword and shield and setting her stance. "I'll give it my all, then! You'd better be ready!"