The training duel wasn't going too well on either side.
For starters, Laslow was hardly putting up a fight, rather than block and counter, he was moving to the side and rarely raised his practice sword despite plenty of opportunities. In response to this, or more accurately because of this, Hana's swings were wild and far less disciplined than she was known to do.
"You know, you told me to keep up with you," Laslow said, casually sidestepping one of Hana's thrusts. "But I have to say, I don't think you're keeping up with me."
"And what's that supposed to mean?!" Hana brushed her hair out of her face, breathing heavily.
"To be frank, I'd hazard a guess as to say you're not really trying."
Hana cocked her head to the side, making an incredibly incredulous face.
"No, really. Your technique seems rougher today, your kiai doesn't have as much oomph as it has…" Laslow rubbed his chin, deep in thought for all of a second before snapping. Winking with that roguish smirk, he said, "I see what's going on! This was all a formality to me letting you have the lipstick, wasn't it?"
"That was not my intention at all!" Hana swung at Laslow again, who all but danced out of the way. "Stand STILL, would you!"
"Ah, perhaps it's subconscious on your part? The utter need to have my gift…" Laslow put a hand on his chest and took a step back, just as Hana's practice sword hit the ground where he was standing. "It's enough to make me weep with joy!"
"This sucks," Hana let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine, whatever. All I wanted to do is see why a dandy like you was made a retainer, of a crown prince no less!" She glowered at him as she put her practice sword back on its rack.
"Well, I didn't do it by having dates, you know," Laslow neglected to mention that if that were the case, he would no doubt be an awful retainer. "Regardless, when you do decide to put the lipstick on, all I ask is that I at least get to see." He set his own sword aside and rummaged through his bag, tossing Hana the lipstick tube.
Hana caught the lipstick, looking it over as though it were toxic. "Just how long am I supposed to wear this stuff anyways?"
"As I said, so long as I can see the fruits of my labor, it could be all of an hour."
"Then we'll meet back here in an hour and I'll show you, but I'm still never wearing it again, got it?"
"I'd be a fool to push my luck any farther," Laslow spun on his heels and walked away, leaving Hana alone for the moment.
The samurai looked at the tube of lipstick and groaned. Well, an hour at most wouldn't hurt, right? The day's still young, too, so this distraction shouldn't prove to be too much of a detriment. "Argh, stupid Laslow and his stupid lipstick…"
Unfortunately for Hana, she knew that Laslow was right about her wanting to accept a gift from him. To try on this particular color of lipstick, of course. And until she did, she was worried that she would be as unfocused as she was today. Thank goodness it was just a training session, Hana shuddered to think about what would've happened if it was a real battlefield.
The sooner she got this over with, the better, right?