Sure. [He's focused on her, ignoring the throb in his ankle. He's had far worse in far more strenuous battles. He moves in again, this time his brain frantically reassessing her moves. (There's dirt on the floor, she could throw it in his face to blind him—he isn't sure what she might have in her pockets—) He's still holding back because Mal is naturally good as they'd both known she would be, but she doesn't have his experience and it makes a difference.
(Minos hadn't trained him like this, Minos had thrown him to the wolves, some more literal than others, and coached him from the sidelines. It might have worked but Nico would carry those scars for his entire life and he wouldn't do that to Mal.)
He breaks away from her guard for a moment, turning his sword and sweeping it so that the flat of it will knock her in the back of the knees and send her to the ground if she doesn't dodge.]
no subject
(Minos hadn't trained him like this, Minos had thrown him to the wolves, some more literal than others, and coached him from the sidelines. It might have worked but Nico would carry those scars for his entire life and he wouldn't do that to Mal.)
He breaks away from her guard for a moment, turning his sword and sweeping it so that the flat of it will knock her in the back of the knees and send her to the ground if she doesn't dodge.]