Tumultuous Events

The two women made and received blows from the other, with great clanks of their handled 'weapons', which echoed across the open park loudly, over the furious shouting.

"You stay away from my brother!"

"I feel that he does not wish for that..."

They clashed the different metals furiously together a few times in rapid succession.

"And nor do I... little sister."

"Don't call me that!"

She sidestepped and leapt up onto the near wood bench, before taking a wild swing at Boa.

Isabella had the slight height advantage then, but the Oni kept her distance, till she found an opportunity to take it from her, when blocking the Humans next swing, she went low and struck the benches foot with her spare fist.

The hit smashed the stone frame that practically exploded into gravel - that shot into the air at great speed directly towards Luke and Sofia.

Before he could react to the dangerous launched bits of shattered rock that came their way, he felt a firm shove to his chest, and fell backward onto the path, just as his view was obstructed by a yellow and white dress.

What's she...?!

Luke realised in that split second that she'd stepped in to protect him from the flung rock, that pelted the surrounding wooden arches with loud cracks.

"Ow, ow, ow..."

She uttered, but remained standing before him.

"Sofia?!"

Luke hurried up to his feet and rushed to see her front, which had no doubt taken a few hits, only to find her only curiously looking over herself.

"Are you alright?"

He grabbed her small shoulders lightly, and looked up and down over her for good measure.

"I think so... oh?"

She averted her eyes from his worried and near face, but was surprised by her sight, and as Luke followed her eye-line towards the nearby wooden flower arch, were he too saw that it had taken just as many fragments - however; it had at least two little chunks imbedded into the frame beside them.

Luke quickly redoubled his search over her; to indeed find traces she'd taken at least one direct hit.

"Your dress... here..."

He knelt down to closely inspect the little tare he'd found, just above the front of her right hip, but slightly surprisingly only the fabric was ripped a little, with no damage to her light skin underneath.

"Uh... uh?"

Luke stopped poking the soft exposed skin, through the newly made gap, when Sofia squeaked.

"Sorry... seems like you're okay..."

He looked up into her surprised but lightly blushing face.

"Oh... uh, that's good then..."

He returned to both feet and glanced back at the nearby damaged woodwork.

That could have really... seriously hurt me... if she hadn't been here...

Luke looked over her carefully again, while she watched him carefully too.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I guess..."

"Well you took a couple of hit's there... stepping in, like you did..."

Luke scratched the back of his head as he pointed out another small rip on her hip's side.

Since they were both unhurt, Sofia broke out a little smile, before switching her expression to annoyance, as she turned her attention to those who caused the incident.

"Knock it off you... two - oh?"

Apparently the two combatants were already done.

"Yield sister of Rafael... I do not wish you more harm."

Boacizi had already knocked Isabella off her feet, and she'd lost her sword somewhere too, so the fight was done, as the Oni stood over the Human.

"Darn it...!"

Isabella still looked furious, but also knew she'd been soundly beat, while Boa smiled, but not as menacingly as she could have.

"Fine... you win..."

She huffed out, not at all looking like she accepted it though.

"You okay sis?"

Rafael went to their side with great concern.

"Yeah."

Isabella grumbled, and remained flat on her back to the ground.

"I am also unhurt... but more importantly; I have seen off this challenge successfully."

Boa smiled, then turned to her date and practically scooped him up in her strong arms and carried him away from the slightly messy scene.

The defeated sister finally got up, and after watching the others dash off, still greatly annoyed, she then noticed the near spectators.

"What are you two looking at?!"

"Nothing..."

Luke and Sofia made a hasty retreat too.

Luke and Sofia found themselves falling back into just quietly trailing after the others, having caught up to the other pair, and finding Boa had returned Rafael to his feet, as they now slowly strolled into the heart of the town.

Meanwhile they hadn't uttered more than a handful of words to the other, again falling into a slightly apprehensive mood, for some reason, but eventually and un-expectantly Sofia broke the hush.

"So... that happened."

"Yeah."

"Is that normal for siblings to fight over one another?"

Sofia asked with a little concern.

"No - not like that..."

"Phew... that's a relief -"

She clamped up again after speaking her mind, perhaps thinking about being wary of Luke's family.

The rest of my family are all rather capable people... but you'd have nothing to worry about from them... Actually, if things ever progressed in that way... I think everyone else would be overly supportive... I know my parents would be...

After dwelling on being supportive, Luke realised there was something important he needed to do.

"Thanks for stepping in, back there..."

"Oh? Oh... yeah..."

"I really am sorry you had to risk yourself to protect me..."

She had just stepped in between him and multiple projectiles.

"No I was happy to - uh I mean I wasn't happy I had to - but I was... um... I wouldn't hesitate to do it again... for you."

She blinked her big unique green eyes his way, with an expression caught between happiness, care and lingering worry.

"I still have to apologise - you've got holes in your dress now because of me..."

"Its fine - they're not big... I can manage..."

She remembered the two small tares they'd noticed on her waist and opposite hip and put her palms over them protectively.

"It is a nice dress... Hey - my mother is handy with a needle... maybe we could ask her to repair it?"

"That would be great!"

Apparently he was right in thinking her latest dress was a favourite, as she seemed very elated at that prospect.

They went to turn around the next building, still semi-trailing, but suddenly Sofia skidded to a stop and then backtracked slightly, pressing her back onto Luke.

"Huh...?"

"They're just there..."

Sofia whispered, and true enough, Luke could also hear them talking now, so didn't move at all as they were really close.

"So we're back at the inn..."

The Trainee-Knight said correctly.

"Should we end this second date here then?"

The taller Oni asked.

"If that's what you want."

"Do you wish for another kiss Raf?"

"It's not the only thing I'm after you know..."

"I will give you one... at least one... for the moment."

"So you want to gift me more?"

"Oh yes my cute man... many more!"

It sounded rather steamy talk, as the others got excited around the brick corner.

"Let us have a longer one this time then..."

Listening in to this is kind of... scandalous... I wonder if Sofia and I should...

Luke's though froze when he looked down slightly to her, to see Sofia transfixed on him, staring optimistically at his face, and now with his eyes looking at her, she didn't do her usual quick aversion - she was perhaps even drawing ever so nearer.

All this overheard talk of kissing... dose Sofia want to... too...? She is so cute... and I know she likes me and all... but is she interested in being more than just close friends... like I thought we were...?

The rest of the world faded out, as her lightly blushed cheeks added colour to her almost white skin, highlighting her fair pale-green features.

"Sofia... do you... want... to...?"

She instantly gave the tiniest of nods to his unfinished ask of permission, and Luke's heart suddenly quickened, as she tentatively whispered confirmation.

"Yes..."