Nai Izumi

They told me heat rises and I’m always on fire.

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

@MageOfSteel —fight a thief…” She purred, golden eyes glittering with playful confidence.

“…you should keep an eye on more than just her blade.”

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

Nai rested high among the broad branches of an ancient oak, her back against the sturdy trunk while one leg dangled lazily over the limb beneath her.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy, glinting off the polished hilt of the katana at her hip. To any traveler below, she was—

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

@MageOfSteel —snatch it or merely brushed the leather before he reacted, Nai sprang backward with feline agility, landing atop the exposed root of a massive oak. She balanced effortlessly, katana resting across one shoulder as a mischievous smile spread across her face.

“If you’re going to—

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

@MageOfSteel —someone capable stirred the thrill she craved.

She leveled her katana toward him, golden eyes locked onto his.

“Come on.”

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

@MageOfSteel —revealing just a hint of mischief. “Try not to disappoint me, knight.”

Nai’s pulse quickened with excitement rather than fear. This wasn’t simply about taking his valuables anymore. The way Tristan carried himself hinted at experience, and the prospect of crossing blades with—

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

@MageOfSteel —unsheathed it in one swift movement. Now pointing it at Tristan, Nai’s golden gaze captured the rest of his attire with a hungry curiosity.

“On second thought… why don’t you just strip and leave ALL of that with me? Steel like that can sell for a pretty penny, you know.”

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

@MageOfSteel —Tristan Gareth, and instead hand over all of the jewel in that bag.”

Her eyes flickered to where his money laid next to his sword on his belt.

An impish thought crossed her mind then, reflecting upon her expression as her slender fingers curled around her own katana and—

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

—of his equipment, and whether he carried anything worth the trouble. If fortune favored her, the knight would leave the forest a little lighter than he had entered….

“What say you, @MageOfSteel?”

[Nai Izumi @Shapeshxfted]

—movement from above.

A faint, amused smile curled across Nai’s lips.

“Traveling alone? Either very brave… or very foolish.” She mused in a tone that was a mix of bewitching and ominous.

She watched him for another moment, gauging the weight of his coin pouch, the quality—