[ the clatter doesn't startle blade, but his gaze does lift from the plate in front of him to look incredulously at manuela. that outburst is certainly not in the script—or at least in what blade remembers of the script—and it speaks to a more genuine emotional response, which surprises him in turn. she shouldn't care. she'd demonstrated that she doesn't, in the way she'd turned on her heel and walked away from blade not a week ago. so why, now, does it seem like she's angry? ]

Of course you will, [ blade says. he's grasping for ways to at least take this conversation in the same rough direction that the original, scripted fight was supposed to go, although he's not sure how much it matters, as long as the outcome is the same. ] Just like you always do. You like to interpret things your own way and then take action without even confirming that you're right.

[ like the first time they'd met. like the time in the punishment room. blade takes a glass in his hand, then sets it down, as if concerned he'll grip it too hard and break it. ]

I've never been miserable with you. You would know that if you'd bothered to ask.