Ruby zooms around a lot, usually keeping in earshot of Ellie - and, a good bit out of town, there's a rocky clearing by a stream that Ruby declares 'perfect'.

"I've never sparred before!" she says, cheerfully. "So this'll be an adventure."

"Neither have I. Try not to kill me, I guess."

"Fortunately I know how to heal people. Somewhat. A little."

"Oh that's comforting."

She laughs. "Healing yourself is actually really easy - just drop out of shape then back in. Doing it mid-fight's harder, though."

"I can see how it would be. Does that work in reverse, too?"

"Yup."

"Neat."

"It's pretty useful. Makes experimenting with magic less risky, too."

"As long as you don't kill yourself right away."

"There is that! Don't know how likely it is, though..."

"You've made it a year, so I think the chances are pretty small."

She laughs. "If anyone would stumble on how to blow themselves up with magic it probably would be me, yes."

Ellie bumps her shoulder playfully.

She bumps back, then swipes with her claws. Slowly enough Ellie can dodge, but definitely in a mood for play fighting.

Okay, here we go.

Ellie's answering attack is accompanied by its customary lightning trail.

Her shoulder turns into billowing smoke. She speeds up for her next few attacks, testing Ellie's reflexes.

She flashes around them, making a few probes of her own.

Ruby's quick, and good - she turns entirely into smoke, reforming behind Ellie, at one more forceful strike.

She doesn't manage to track Ruby quickly enough to dodge that.

She laughs - the scratch burns, hot - and keeps dancing around Ellie, refusing to stay in one place to be hit.

Then she'll just have to hit everywhere at once. The scratch on her back hurts, but she has to focus around it.

Her next attack is followed by a multitude of other lightning-paws, saturating the space.

Ruby laughs and retreats, getting a good bit of distance on Ellie and her lightning paws. Still, her fur's standing on end, and she has a few scorches.

She takes the opportunity to dip out of and back in to her cat form.

Ruby flashes through her human form, too, before pouncing - and the fight's back on.