— "I'm more than ready to get back out there, ready for the wait to be over. I've come to learn a lot about patience in recovery, mostly that I didn't have very much of it initially, but I've picked up a thing or two about it."

— Things felt right again, and the Gamma had an inkling of a feeling that he was proud of him.

"Yeah, you could say that again. Azriel's doing well with filling in for me for the time being, but I know they're ready for me to come back." —

— "It took a little getting used to, I'd been more used to being either alone or in groups of two. Ichor runs well together, you should see how we get on with some of the war games, I've heard we're fun to watch."

It felt good to see him smile, after everything that's happened. —

— it was a testament to his unyeilding will and drive to succeed.

"As for leading, it's different, but it feels right. It's where I feel like I belong, truth be told. I'd say it's surreal, since it's where I've wanted to be since boot. "

—

— "That's the plan, and I'm looking forward to getting back out there again. I've missed it."

The Spartan nodded, the tone of his voice reflecting a sense of pride that hadn't been there before. For him, he was more than happy to share about both Ichor and how far he's come, —

— That was one thing about Salvador that never changed.

"The Banished thought they knew what Spartans were like, though they've never seen something quite like us. I'd like to say we made quite the impression on them."

A sharp grin pulled across his face, teeth peeking out from behind his lips.

—

The body language of the Gamma shifted, his shoulders loosening and his posture relaxing into a more natural stance.

The weight that had been in his chest dissipated, and it was easier to breathe. The simple fact that the Spartan had been so torn up about it showed that he never stopped caring.

—

— a fake out for a fake out.

But now that he was in much closer proximity to her, he'd hook an arm around the back of her knee and pull on her hard, attempting to knock her down onto her back.

— The Spartan kept his attention focused on her as he started to circle around the edge of the mats, his eyes not breaking contact with her for a single second.

— straightening back up and turning one of the blades around to that the end was pointing towards Kali.

"Go ahead, you'll like how it feels in your hands."

— He'd twirl the weapons around his fingers, gripping the hilts and sliding into a mock fighting stance, the blades resting along the edges of his forearms.

"Just the right size for fighting close quarters, don't you think?"

The Gamma laughed, —