Anythingdrabble Challenge 30 - Deadly weapon

[m_findlow]

Title: Deadly weapon
Fandom: Arrow
Characters/Pairings: Thea, Malcolm
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 30 - Lethal at anythingdrabble
Summary: Thea is under no illusion that the man with whom she shares this house, is anything but deadly.

Thea clutched the mug of coffee in her hands, savoring the scent as she held it to her face. There'd been a time when breakfast in bed was the preferred option, but now she found she couldn't sit still. She had to always be on the move, like a shark moving through water to stay alive. She took to wandering the sunlit mansion, watching as the light sent shadows spearing across the space. It was strange to think that this was someone else's home, yet hers as well for now.

It had none of the expected trappings of wealth, but was more like a monastery. Each artwork or artifact was placed with significance or purpose, a desolate mountain scene, an ancient tapestry or a set of singing bowls. Mostly though, she found herself coming to stand and stare at the ceremonial swords hung on the wall. Their curved sheaths were polished lacquer, inlaid with gold, depicting dragons and flame. She could almost smell the lingering hints of incense imbued in the wood. Ceremonial to anyone else, perhaps, she thought, but not to Malcolm.

Inside, each blade would be expertly sharpened, ready for use. Malcolm had taught her many things: how to fire an arrow straight and true, how to block her mind to physical pain, how to disarm with only her bare hands, and how to quiet her mind until there was nothing but a pure meditative state. Recently had she taken up learning how to fight with a staff. Each lesson had made her stronger and more easily able to face the world outside.

'You are not ready yet,' the voice behind her said, watching her every move as she stood in front of the swords.

She raised the mug to her lips and sipped before turning to face him. 'I don't think I'm ever going to need to know how to use a sword.'

He gave her a look that suggested he knew more of the future than what was plainly visible. 'One day, perhaps. First you must master combat without weapons.'

'Most people just use a gun,' she replied. She thought of Roy and the bow and arrows she'd found hidden in his flat. Most people.

'Guns are for cowards,' he replied, his gaze steely. It was a gun that had taken his Rebecca away.

She caught the look and stopped. 'Sorry. I didn't mean to offend. Just don't imagine fending off muggers in Starling with a machete.'

Malcolm gave her a thin smile. 'The only offense is that you still drink coffee.'

She smiled down at her mug. 'I'm trying, but that tea you make makes my head go all weird.'  

His smile this time was touched with warmth. 'It's designed to make you mentally stronger. I can teach you to turn your body into a weapon, but your mind is the most lethal weapon of all.' He pulled the sword from the wall, unsheathing it. 'Like a good blade, you must sharpen it every day.'