As if sensing her growing anticipation, Astron turned his head slightly from where he stood, his gaze sliding toward her. Their eyes met.
Not for long.
Just long enough.
"Don't let out your intent too much," he said quietly, his tone flat and unbothered—as if commenting on the weather.
Julia blinked.
Then she laughed, loud and amused. "Wow. You could just say you're scared."
Astron didn't flinch. "I'm not."
She tilted her head, that grin still playing across her lips. "No? Could've fooled me. You're reading my intent like a book already. Nervous, huh?"
"No," he said again, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly—just short of a smirk. "I just prefer when my opponent doesn't broadcast every thought like a marching band."
Julia snorted. "Come on, admit it. You like the attention."
Astron gave her a glance that was all dry neutrality. "I've had enough attention to know it's overrated."
Julia raised an eyebrow. "That's such a dramatic answer, wow. You gonna monologue next?"
