The young man cracked his knuckles and flexed his fingers, but his eyes weren't on the Promethean Bowl. Instead, he was staring at Maddy as she neared the entrance of the combat trial room.
"Oh, damn! I forgot to ask her name!" he realized, panic crossing his face. "I didn't even tell her mine, either! What was I thinking?"
He took a sharp breath, trying to steady himself.
"I guess I have to finish this fast so I can catch up to her. I just hope she doesn't get disqualified so she's still there when I'm done!"
The receptionist leaned across the counter, her previous boredom completely gone. She twirled a lock of hair around her finger, her eyes tracing the lines of his shoulders.
"There is no need to hurry, handsome," she purred, her voice dripping with a forced sweetness. "A man with your physique should take his time. Why don't you focus on letting out all that heat on the wood? Or, if you prefer, you can show me that fire in private after my shift ends."
