Chapter Prompt: Skills

1. Unsurprised

The first time Rahzel was surprised by Heat's variety of physical talents—no, not that kind—was at a circus where a little boy was kidnapped and murdered by a crazy ringmaster. After that, as time went by, she just started assuming that if it was anything physical, Alzeid and Heat could probably do it, and do it well.

Just because she's gotten used to them being able to perform the strangest tricks, however, doesn't mean her eyes still don't shine when she watches them do flips, fight, and spar.

2. Education

People assume that her father spent all his time in her rigorous physical training. They couldn't be further off.

Rahzel's foster father was an intense academic who's said to her more than once that any daughter of his would be as well-read and well-versed as any university scholar. As a result, Rahzel often carries a book around during her travels. Secretly, she prides herself in the fact that she's got more "book-learning" than both of her companions combined.

3. Acting

Rahzel's cute, Alzied's sexy, Heat's not exactly hard on the eyes—and they all know how to work it to their advantages. More than once a merchant has given Rahzel a discount on a cute outfit after a glimpse at her big, imploring blue eyes. Female innkeepers are usually more than happy to rent them a room after Heat starts working his charm, and Alzeid, (though he uses his power more sparingly), is even better at getting what he wants.

Some might have called it manipulation. To them, it's just that people enjoy giving them gifts. Who are they to question it?

4. Diplomacy

When it comes to talking their way out of a situation, all three have their individual techniques. Rahzel has youth and gender on her side—most of their political adversaries have been surprised by her intellectual level and swayed by her logic. Heat can actually look credible, assuming the person giving them trouble is a man.

Alzeid, however, has a balance of danger added to his diplomacy—a sort of, you should be lucky I'm still talking to you and not chopping your head off kind of vibe. Needless to say, he gets listened to the most.

5. Learning

Their greatest skill is greatly debated by their vast fan club, which somehow manages to span every place they've traveled. Is it Rahzel's magic, or Heat's sword-technique? Is it Alzeid's fighting prowess? (Which, by the way, has yet to come second to anyone—man, woman, beast, ghost, or creature of magic.)

In reality, however, their greatest skill is not the ones they already possess, but their ability to shift and change as time goes by, to learn new skills and grow as people.

6. Miscellaneous

Some days, when there are no ghosts to exorcise or murderers to hunt down—when they're not running for their lives or running to save something else's, the trio laze around whatever town they just happen to be vacating and just relax.

Of course, because they're Rahzel, Alzeid, and Heat, they invariably end up in some kind of competition. Today, it's to see who can master tying a cherry stem with their mouth the fastest. After several hours of intense practice—and several piles of cherries—Rahzel finally manages to master the trick. She spends the rest of the time bragging about her new skill, much to her companions' amusement.

7. Disguise

The problem with traveling with an albino is that, no matter how you try, his pale skin and scarlet eyes always make him stand out in a crowd. Luckily, Heat knows just how to keep Alzeid from being seen as they maneuver through a town that has them on their "Public Enemy Number 1" list.

Yes, list.

"If you laugh, I'll kill you." Alzeid mutters, and Heat stifles the grin growing on his face.

Rahzel studied the previously white-haired man critically, before nodding in approval. "Alzeid," she said, beaming at him, "You make a very lovely mannequin."

8. Better

"Of course I'm the best," Rahzel said, sounding surprised they would even ask, "Who else has the skills to put up with the two of you?"

9. Laugh

They might make her so mad that she half-wants to just go it alone—but at the end of the day, Rahzel knows that Heat or Alzeid will say something to pull her out of her melancholy and put a smile back on her face. And, after all, isn't that what friends are for?

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