While the kingdom slowly took to the merriment of an upcoming royal wedding, a perhaps lesser ordeal than the king taking a wife, but rather his younger brother taking a wife, a woman that had worked as an herbalist and even helped secure political peace from a non-royal voice, Kiki watched a smile that was so good, that it didn't even slip. Though there was a faint dusting of sadness to amber eyes, only a peek could be seen of it, and only some of the time.
"Hey." Kiki's not much for formal conversation, but she needs to get him to stop smiling like that. "Stop smiling, and come fight me. Show me how you've improved with a sword." It's not a question really of whether Obi had been practicing with a sword. She knows his stubbornness well after all these years, and Obi is definitely the sort to practice obsessively, until he gets good at something and perhaps even longer.
"You ready to lose?" He tries his usual bravado, but with that smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes, it doesn't sell.
"If you're ready to actually fight." And Kiki leads him away from the political shebang of pleasantries, which felt like a nightly occurrence, between wedding planning for Zen and Shirayuki and the royal showmanship of an engagement, the other two were unfairly busy. Which meant Kiki and Mitsuhide were often accompanying them from place to place, just to ensure their safety.
"I am." And Obi's grin finally fades with the orchestra music behind them, "I am." The emphasis is perhaps unnecessary, but he repeats the words a little stronger, as if convincing himself that he's ready and that he'll do his best.
"You probably won't win." And Kiki tries to hide the slight smile that tugs at her lips as Obi grabs a sword and eases into what looks almost like a more relaxed pose with a sword, though under the dim lighting of the candles nearby and the moonlight that peeks in, he looks almost feral too. A wild animal preparing to charge, only playing the part of relaxed innocence.
That's good. He needs to be ready for anything, and Kiki pulls back nearly forgotten memories, ones of when she's seen Obi fight before. It was more martial arts, a strange mixture of several, than swordsmanship, but he was light and agile on his feet, adept at blocking blows. Should she be on the defensive or the offensive first? She's not Zen's ready to jump in and startle an opponent with more blows than he could handle, and she's not Mitsuhide's strong swings. She's a planner, even if there's only a microsecond to plan, she'll come up with her next move.
And when they begin, it feels like a slow dance. A waltz of those with broken hearts and bright swords, as she ends up having to lead. A sword aimed for Obi's right shoulder, a reminder to focus, before someone actually gets hurt. One that he deftly blocks with his sword, and then he moves away before Kiki can aim for his stomach next.
Keep him on his toes, keep him from overthinking. He's prone to overthinking things just like she is. Overthinking words, both said and unsaid, overthinking what all of the years meant through this new lens. She's used to it, and she doesn't want Obi to dwell, not when all parties are good for are lies, fake smiles, and dwelling.
She knows. She's been there, and he doesn't deserve that much.
Finally, she braces herself for an attack, catching Obi's sword easily with her own, blocking a wide blow. Enough of one to scissor her in half, if she wasn't attentive and if this wasn't just a friendly competition, a way to keep minds from wandering far too far.
So, Kiki dives in, back to the offensive. Blow after blow stopped by Obi's sword as she backs him up. Finally, probably out of feeling cornered, he dives backwards, a handstand that pushes him far away from her. When he regains his footing, he's easily at least a foot away from her.
Kiki smiles back at him. He's quick and smart, but to do that, he mustn't have been overthinking.
"Come fight me." There is no bark in her voice, a quiet joy slips in, nearly imperceptible in the sound.
"I am, Princess, I am." Obi retorts, and Kiki rolls her eyes back at him. Letting him be on the offensive, and as he charges, she readies her defenses, and catches nearly all the blows he aims at her in quick succession. One presses nearly against her side, just close enough as a warning. Another sign that they aren't out to hurt each other.
"Okay." Kiki grins and turns to brush his sword away from her side with her own, pushing him back, and preparing for another counterattack. Already, it's a success, a great distraction from the glamor, glitz, and pleasantry that feel so far away now.
It ends up being a close match, so close to a tie, that neither bother counting anymore as they sit down, exhausted, and quiet.
"Thank you, Kiki." When Obi says her name, she looks up, surprise flickering through her blue eyes.
"It meant a lot." He finally says to break the silence, and she almost wants to laugh at the obvious understatement.
"I'll do it again, if you need me to." Kiki answers, and she relaxes against the stone pillar behind her, eyes still on Obi.
"I know they're good for each other." Obi begins, throat even sounding a little dry or maybe swollen with an emotion he's working to keep out of it, "So, I shouldn't be sad."
"An end is a new beginning." Kiki breathes, though it almost sounds like a foolish rattle through her throat regardless. "It was hard for a while with Mitsuhide and I."
And Obi's amber eyes glow with a sudden sadness, but he doesn't voice the concern. Kiki thinks of the words that she'd analyzed one way, just to flip and think about another way. It's been a while since she's torn Mitsuhide's words apart now.
"Life is long." Obi sighs, and Kiki smiles. It's not long for a mercenary or an assassin, not always long for a knight, but right now, it feels a little slow, despite the constant level of busyness that seems to surround them.
"Yeah." Kiki agrees, though she isn't sure whether she means it as she looks up and finds the moon in the night sky.