7. parley

"Achilles, I do not mean to be rude, but your home... it is a how you say..." Marceline started as she chewed on a piece of bread, "... shit hole."

Achilles peered over the newspaper, glaring at the young woman as Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled just slightly behind his cup of juice. There was a moment of silence before Achilles slammed the paper down on table in front of him, "Well, what are you two waiting for? It's time for your training!" He shooed them off.

He watched as they clambered from the table, Marceline shoving the rest of the bread into her mouth all the while snickering while Ratonhnhaké:ton just followed behind her, shaking his head in amusement.

It didn't go unnoticed by Achilles that those two were steadily forming a friendship despite the apparent apprehension Ratonhnhaké:ton had towards Marceline at first. It was the subtle things that he observed like the way Ratonhnhaké:ton had to force himself not to laugh at Marceline's jokes or how she would put off their training for a day so they could go hunting instead.

He just hoped that their friendship wouldn't deter them from their own goals.

"What do I get if I win?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked as he watched Marceline disarm herself of her knives and pistols.

Marceline paused before shrugging, "What is it you want, garçon?"

He thought for a moment, "Could we take the day off tomorrow? You could make some of that hot chocolate and I could tell you about my people and you could tell me about yours."

She thought for a moment, "Alright then, if you win, that is what we will do." Getting in position across from him, she signaled to begin.

The difference in their strength wasn't much, but Marceline was clearly stronger as she'd shown in many of their previous training sessions. Ratonhnhaké:ton hadn't reached maturity yet and although he was definitely bigger than most fourteen year olds, he wasn't nearly as strong as the older girl who had been training with the Assassins since she could walk.

So, Ratonhnhaké:ton was surprised when he managed to pin her down, effectively winning their wrestling match. He didn't say anything as he helped her off the ground, "It seems you have won, I better go check that we still have some hot chocolate left." She said as she made her way upstairs.

Perhaps their negotiations weren't needed.