[color=ed1c24]“I think she’s smarter than she lets on. At the very least, selective. Or I could be completely wrong and she missed a perfectly good opportunity.”[/color]

Kohra shrugged at the comment, acknowledging the chances of either possibility. Kohra herself had known a few women who used their beauty to their advantage, but had never really fancied herself for that kind of work. She preferred work that involved movement. Quick hands and quick feet. In and out before anyone noticed. That was how Kohra had survived. Upon reflection, Kohra realized how lucky she was that she had been able to choose her own work for so long.

Suddenly, a feeling of anger at the busty noble began bubbling up inside of her. Kohra was sure that this woman's life had been filled with choices, more choices than she probably even realized. What food to eat what day. What clothes to wear to a specific place. Which people to flatter and which people to dismiss. At the same time, she had probably never had to make many choices at all. Kohra found it hard to believe that this woman's path hadn't been laid before her with care for her to walk with that swaying of the hips.

Kohra's anger was interrupted as the tall boy grasped her hand and gave his name, Hikari, and suddenly realized she had a chance to analyze his appearance. Between his height, the piercings, the shaggy hair and unkempt appearance, he might have seemed intimidating. Yet, he had maintained a jovial nature in dealing with the troublesome nobles. What was truly behind those dark brown eyes? Those dark brown eyes that remained locked on hers. Locked for what suddenly seemed like a very...long...moment.

And, suddenly, as quickly as it had started, it ended. Kohra felt herself flush as Hikari's hand remained clasped on hers as he gently pulled her towards the center of the colosseum. It was nice, being led through a crowd instead of having to duck and weave through one. It reminded her of many years ago, when Teylas had done the same for her, when the city still felt like a different and unsettling world.

She shook her head as though to clear the cobwebs of memories away as Hikari brought her to a spot in the arena floor with a good view of the judges. She mumbled a [color=c4df9b]"thank you"[/color] and dropped his hand. 

She couldn't let herself get distracted. Not today, not now. She was here so that she didn't end up like Teylas. He had gone to great lengths to shelter her during her childhood, and she refused to let those efforts go to waste. Every time a job had started to go bad, Teylas made sure Kohra was the first one out, that she was the first one to safety. There had never been any arguing with him that she would be protected first, and now she wasn't sure if she would ever see him again. She needed to honor him somehow, and this seemed the best way. She gazed up at the judge's box, willing a fire into her eyes that would communicate that she was ready, that she was enough, that she could go toe to toe with anyone of noble blood. Even if her mana was weaker, she knew she had her own strengths, and they would have be to be enough to get her through these tests.

She was shaken from her thoughts as she heard a sputtering noise from behind her. She turned to see Pompadour with his hair and clothes drenched in water. Laughter bubbled up from inside her at the sight of the noble finally getting his comeuppance, and she was able to face forward with renewed confidence.