There will probably be many a time when either Dave is faced with a situation like this in the near future. Dave had entered the Arenas fairly cocky and confident in his ability to pass through without much effort, but they curve ball like nobody would believe. Shit gets nasty, pride means fuck all when you're bleeding out in a fountain.

"If we're masters of it, someone will probably send me a knife soon with a little note about how touching our relationship is. Then I might have to kiss you- no tongue though." He pulls the corner of his mouth to the side, betraying his straight face. "Listen cabbage patch kid, you can whine about that when you stop getting caught in shit."

With that, he takes the knife and rounds the other boy. He takes a moment to judge the best way to do this before he starts making cuts into the vines. "This reminds me of the time I stripped a sentient tree."