[james narrows his gaze at her, because he knows very well that asking someone to pick first is done for a reason even if her expression doesn't reveal that. he lifts up an eyebrow, not hiding that he knows exactly why she has asked him this.

and he is also not afraid of giving her the straight up honest answer.]

Normally with my brother I would choose a sword.

[he has a preference for the sword. he isn't certain if that is him or the hunter.]

With a new sparring partner, I choose a staff until I see how compatible our fighting styles are.