The Tenderness of Humanity

"And how will you do that?"

"It is a particular truth about secrets, Astarlane -"

"Please stop calling me that."

"- Astarlane, is that when you stop and look in just the right place, they betray themselves."

He stopped, and looked around. Just like that, the blank whiteness in the distance resolved into hard-edged shapes, into city blocks and - to her horror - a rapidly sharpening male likeness.

She forced herself into calmness, causing a tactile sensation not unlike a shutter snapping closed.

Both figures opened their eyes to a reset emptiness. Keeping her mind occupied, Astarlane drew herself into an assisted leap over his head. Ever-predictiable military close-quarters combat training brought his arms up to block an anticipated overhead strike as soon as he lost visual contact with her, but she landed lithely and swept a leg out to knock him off his feet.

In a blink, she was straddling him, pinning his arms against his sides and keeping him on the floor.

"Not that easily, wizard."