Duelling Discussions PV Jackson V Closed

@Jackson Valentine

However small the nod he got in response, Ruka didn't miss it, too focused on Valentine's face for anything to escape his watchful eye. There wasn't much more elaboration from the other boy, only the acknowledgment that Ruka did understand. It wasn't worth it to press the subject, wouldn't do to make Valentine feel interrogated just because Ruka was curious, so he decided to press his lips together in a vaguely painful smile as the only further comment on it.

Ruka's gaze followed Valentine's through the Great Hall for a moment, looking out for familiar faces. He was tempted to check for Jack's presence nearby, a common longing he had to suppress by focusing on the conversation again instead. Independence was the goal of this school year.

"I think Meenauh is capable," he pointed out in his team mate's defence, humming thoughtfully. Certainly there were some mismatches but could they really make any certain calls after just one duel? "Once is chance." Twice a coincidence. "Third time's a pattern." He wasn't sure exactly where that came from but it sounded like something smart his brother might say so he could have picked it up over the summer without consciously realising.

Either way, he wanted to believe in second chances since he had never before been very prone to giving them. "I don't think we should be breaking up teams just yet. Keep an eye on them, sure, but... We should see how the next stage goes before we make any rash adjustments." Aside from that, Ruka was relatively certain they weren't technically allowed to swap partners until the Duelling season was over anyway. That gave them time to take note of everything they needed to pay attention to, to eventually change partners in a more favourable way for the next season.

"As for Zykeal," he continued, shrugging his shoulders lightly. "I suppose we're always accepting new sign ups." He let his lips twitch into a small smile as he offered Valentine a challenging wink.