The training room doors opened on noise.
Kikaru was working a dummy near the center lane, each kick precise enough to sound like a decision. Paul stood beside Faye with three glass shards turning around his shoulders while she shaped a low note into a disc. Tidwell leaned near the equipment rack, knife in hand, pretending he had not been watching the door since lunch.
Colby stepped in behind Elias.
The room changed.
Kikaru's next kick missed the dummy and struck the shoulder instead of the center mark. Paul's glass dropped out of orbit and shattered into dust on the mat. Faye's note died in her throat. Junjio, near the far wall, took one step back before he realized he had moved.
Colby walked into the light without trying to soften the sight of himself.
