Liora
Lucien took the first point while she was still satisfied with the parry.
Liora had turned his blade cleanly, kept her wrist loose and finished with the guard between them. Everything in the movement felt right.
Then she settled her weight before answering.
His point touched the upper panel during that small pause.
"Touch. Lucien."
She stepped back.
The score bothered her less than the feeling that she had offered him a piece of time she had not known was there.
Across the starting space, Lucien adjusted his guard.
He did not look surprised.
Liora drew her elbow in and checked the starting mark beneath her boot. She had not lost track of him. That was what bothered her. She remembered his blade coming away from the parry, remembered having room to answer, and then remembered the touch.
The official asked whether she was ready.
