"When you've been using a blade in earnest for this many years, you learn to make distinctions most people never discover," Michelle said. It wasn't something to be proud or ashamed of, it just was.
"So we just have to weather the storm, so to speak, until The Powers That Be have had their fun?" She scowled for a moment. "I don't like that," she said, but then she sighed. "I don't like having to be perpetually ready to fight other immortals with little or no notice, but I can't do anything about that either. This, at least, probably has an end date."
She noticed him rubbing his shoulder, and sheathed her sword and buckler. "Here," she said, reaching up to lay her hands on his shoulders, gently, in case he objected. "Among my other talents, I give a great massage," she said. She could feel knots under the skin, which didn't surprise her. They were all under stress and carrying a lot of tension around.
"I was hoping to introduce you to this talent under more intimate circumstances, but if you're okay with it, I can help...."