Good Afternoon Adventurers, and what a fine day it is however I had a bit of a sad morning because I do not have any coffee. I ran out before I had gone off on my trip this summer and I just haven’t replaced it since then. Now I am paying for it as I sit here, wanting a hot cup of black gold. oh well, carpe diem. Today I want to talk about a specific scene from Project: Dancing Night, one that I like to call “Verbal Sparring.”
So before I start, I just want to say that I threw off all of my habits after all of the traveling that I did this summer. I didn’t realize it until I got back into the routine of work, but man is it bad. So just sitting down and writing these updates have been tough because all I want to do is just sit on the couch and play a game, watch a movie, or read a book. Which to add to that, I am an ARC reader for another author, so I need to get on that as well as make a social media post about it. So yeah, I’m a tad bit behind on what I want to be doing, but I’m picking myself back up and working on it.
Anyways, “Verbal Sparring,” is probably the first scene where Grim and Zaya actually have a conversation after having met in the opening sequence of the book. The moment’s intent is to show off Zaya’s skill with a spear and her nature to be verbally combative with those around her that she sees as a “threat” to her. The scene literally starts off with:
The spear presses under his chin, silver eyes never leaving mine. “You’re frighteningly large this close up.”
The line could maybe use a little more context but I am hoping that it shows off two things. One being that she comes off as standoffish as a warrior women might have been in her position. The second being that she isn’t trusting of people, let alone Grim who is this unnaturally large man now wandering around her home. Yes, this scene does lead to them sparring with each other in a practice ring with their weapon of choice; super tropey, I know, but I think it will showcase their physical skills the best while also portraying how these two warriors think in their approach to combat.
This scene also allows me to include some of the other barriers that continue to block Zaya’s way. Specifically, her being a warrior woman in a warrior culture dominated by men. I’m not sure if I am going to keep this line, but I’ll share it anyways.
In context, this line comes from Zaya’s father who is a warrior of great renown and skill. Does he respect his daughter’s skill as a warrior, definitely, he trained her himself. However, he only did that to ensure her safety because he has been known to find himself in a last stand every now and then. However, as she continued to improve as a warrior, it became harder and harder to find a match for her. Or better yet, someone who could actually beat her in a fight.
“You’re better off breeding a warrior who rivals that giant, then as a protector of my god-daughter.”
Yeah, it’s a pretty harsh line coming from the person that raised you. However, it does put her at odds with Grim now as he stands before her as the person that could potentially beat her in a fight. It’s glaringly obvious that he should, but that doesn’t mean that she isn’t going to try. Without Grim realizing it, this entire sparring session essentially bears the weight of potential marriage because she has never lost before. If anything, all Grim sees is someone who is frustrated and in dire need of letting off steam.
Leave a comment