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+--- Thread: Itching for a Fight (/thread-1849.html)
Itching for a Fight - Elyse - 06-01-2025
Elyse didn’t sleep much the night Jay had shown up at the house. She told herself she wouldn’t spiral. She wouldn’t give herself over to the darkness. So she kept Marta’s picture there. A sign for her whenever she felt like she needed a reminder to not allow herself to be overtaken. It was difficult though. Guilt was still there. The thing had probably hurt Nox. Or not. It was hard to tell with his emotions just gone. Then Liam. The kid that had to grow up. Much like Marta had. And here she was, feeling like shit.
Elyse had to remind herself that she was struggling with mental illness. Her reactions weren’t her fault. She had to remind herself that it was okay for her to have problems. She remembered Liv telling her that she wasn't a burden to them. Hell - they considered her a friend - family.
Sometimes she still wasn’t sure what that meant. She tried to remind herself though. When she looked at the time, she realized it was morning. She had missed breakfast. Even so, she wasn’t feeling hungry. Elyse’s head rested against the wall. All that time wasted moping. Why was it so hard to be productive. Finally Elyse stood, got her medication and took it. It was becoming a habit now. When she changed her clothes, it wasn’t to get ready for the day. She changed inter her exercise clothes. She had enough of this moping shit.
She pulled out tape and began to wrap her hands and wrists. There was a punching bag in the gym. And she was going to beat the shit out of it. Today was going to be a good day. She was determined to make it so. Wrapping completed, she pulled her hair into a pony tail, stretched, and then headed downstairs.
Right now, the dojo was empty, but it may or may not be that way soon. Elyse didn’t hesitate, she just went to the bag and hit it, immediately feeling better. She it hit it again. Then again. Each time she hit it she felt the crappy emotions leaving. She began to move around the bag, getting her footwork in. She lost herself in the exercise, focused on her breathing. This felt good. It felt really good.
RE: Itching for a Fight - Nox - 06-01-2025
Being stuck in a sterile room had been less than ideal. His whole body itched. It wasn't anything they done, it was normal typical tests everything they'd done before and then some.
His mind wandered from Jay to Hayden and to Raffe. He wasn't sure where his life was going. Jay had forgiven him, but yet he walked away. Hayden had been there for him. He'd convinced Nox to find a cure. It would have taken Nox a while longer to figure it out himself. But it was expedited by Hayden's worry for him. Worry that he'd become dangerous -- more than he already was.
He missed Raffe, but he wasn't sure there was any point in any of it anymore. The more he had time to think the less he thought he and Raffe had ever been on the same page. There should be anger. There should be sadness but on his walk back to the house there was no emotion, nothing but empty gray.
But the emptiness drew his desire to hit things. Which was part of what Hayden was worried about. What happened when he couldn't control himself or find a reason to stop.
His life was mostly empty -- empty except for waited for him in the Red Light District. His life was just his family now.
Nox made his way downstairs. He found Elyse beating the bag.
Nox sat down on the floor close by and untied his boots and pushed them off to the side. "Jay has that affect on a lot of people. You okay?"
RE: Itching for a Fight - Elyse - 06-01-2025
Soon enough, the dojo wasn't empty anymore. Nox's scent gave him away. She only knew one person that smelled like that - like nothing. Elyse didn't stop hitting at first, even after he spoke. She took a couple more swings at the bag before she paused, her breathing heavy and her blood pumping. She faced Nox, sitting on the floor, his boots off and next to him.
"It's not just Jay and last night," she said, stretching a bit. "It's everything...it's my parents, my dad, the break up, the suicidal thoughts, it's the not knowing what family is anymore, and it's the fucking guilt."
Elyse sighed. "I'm tired, Nox. I'm tired of moping around and being fucking depressed all the time, and this helps. This makes me feel normal. Maybe not forever, but for now it will. I'm going to have a good fucking day, damn it."
Elyse didn't know if her words were hollow or not, but it didn't matter. What matter was she was trying and for the first time in a long time, she felt really good. Elyse went back to the bag and hit it a couple more times before she turned back to Nox. "Could you hold the bag for me. It's better when it's not flopping around so much," she gave an encouraging smile. Or...would you like to take a few swings yourself?"
RE: Itching for a Fight - Nox - 06-02-2025
Nox listened. He didn't interrupt. He understood it. It wasn't new. But it was the first time since they'd been together that Elyse had spoken so freely for him.
"Hitting things is always helpful for me too. We could spar. I promise not to cheat with the power." It was meant to be funny though without humor added to his voice it came out dry and wrong even to his own ears. But it was the truth and still funny if you understood him. Which Elyse may or may not.
He stood up. Once upon a time it would have been far more graceful. It was jerky and broken and he winced in pain as the muscle fibers didn't quite bend the way they used to. "I need to get back into shape after the kidnapping." It hadn't been the cage that had done it, it had been the torture and butchering of his body and then the healing that made his body ache and him out of shape. He didn't care about the scars -- chicks digged scars after all. And he had to get used to the new arm. Though it was far easier this time than last.
RE: Itching for a Fight - Elyse - 06-02-2025
Elyse gave a smile as Nox spoke. Even his quip about the power caused a slight chuckle. It was some of the "Old" Nox, breaking through again even if the lack of emotion in his tone took away some of the humor. At the very least, she felt like he was trying. That meant something, and it was a big difference from the guy who had seemed to not care.
She nodded. "A spar might be fun," she said, noting the stiffness in which he moved. "You need to stretch first though. If I'm going to hurt you, I don't want it to be because your muscles seize up." she said with a playful grin.
Nox agreed and they began to stretch together, getting nice and loose. Elyse's muscles were already ready, but the stretching helped her get her breath and recuperate a bit. When they were done, Elyse turned to him.
"Normal rules - I'm assuming - this isn't Almaz. Tap to get out of holds and what not. The arm is new, I'm assuming you need to get used to that - just try to be cognizant of it. I trust you." She said, her voice serious. This was primarily a training session with some emotional release. "If you're good - I'm good to go."
[ooc - Feel free to start the actual spar]]
RE: Itching for a Fight - Nox - 06-02-2025
Nox stretched carefully. It was still difficult to move with the recovering muscles. The healings he'd received the past few times had helped greatly, but they weren't even close to being Almaz ready much less hunting ready, but that didn't really stop him.
"Control with the new arm isn't an issue. I can feel the pressure, hot, cold, it's amazing to feel my left hand again. Sadly it's the reason I can't feel anything else." He didn't blame Sage. It wasn't his fault. He didn't know and he was doing everything in his power to help fix it. Which also included stepping up his scanner project.
"It's more of a weight movement concern right now. Like trying a new gun or cross bow that you aren't used to."
Nox stepped into the dojo area. The kids loved to watch and they would probably end up down here later. Something about Nox getting hit with tennis balls was funny. Though he wasn't turning them on now.
He took up stance and set the song in his ear to content. "If I get too intense tell Sky to change the song. Doesn't matter to what just to change it, it'll signal something in my brain to change my tactics." He hadn't sparred with anyone but Oriena and with Oriena there was no holds barred and Ori could handle herself in all things. Elyse didn't have that advantage.
Nox didn't wait long as they circled each other before he threw the first punch.
RE: Itching for a Fight - Elyse - 06-02-2025
They moved to the center and circled each other for awhile. Elyse waited until Nox threw the first punch. She blocked it and countered with her own, which he met. Elyse had sparred with Nox before, and the first thing she noticed was that he was sluggish. Combat training wasn't the way people saw it in the movies. You learned to see a weakness and exploit it. You ended the fight quickly because death was the alternative. This isn't what this fight was for. It was for improvement and getting into shape.
Nox was a better fighter than she was. Elyse knew that. That's what daily obsessive practice did for someone, but Elyse clearly had the edge here. It wasn't his fault. Being tortured meant his muscles weren't responding in a way he was used to, and he was missing something he had always used in his spars - the power. Elyse would press when she saw his weakness, but not overly exploit. A hit there when she saw the opening, to let Nox know she had seen it. It was a training technique. One to show him the holes so he could identify and fix them.
She may of had the advantage, but Nox got in hits too - and plenty of them. She was sure one underneath her ribcage would bruise later. It was fine - she was used to that. She had her weaknesses that had to be addressed too. The spar continued back and forth with Elyse only backing up when she heard the occasional growl come from Nox. It was then she backed up. It wasn't fear or condescension that cause it. She wanted to give him the space to center himself. She didn't talk or offer any advice unless asked. That was just basic manners.
Elyse wasn't surprised when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs to dojo. The kids had likely come back for gym or had been upstairs and notified by Sky that there was a spar going on downstairs. Elyse wouldn't mind an audience, but she hoped Nox was okay with it. Another attack and Elyse moved to attempt a grapple, but she missed, Nox slipping out of it at the last second. She smiled a bit. She was actually having fun with it.
RE: Itching for a Fight - Rachel Shale - 06-02-2025
Rachel hadn’t been doing very well. She told everyone things were getting better, but the truth was she wasn’t. She was certain that others didn’t believe her on that. The truth was she wasn’t still afraid all the time. It didn’t matter what - she always felt it there, and she felt like giving up trying to get better. She wasn’t going to.
The family had breakfast together this morning. It was a tradition and Rachel had decided to go. That would at least help them think she was doing better. Emily had gotten a call though and had to leave due to a work emergency. Mara headed off to be with a friend. That left Rachel with Jared. She didn’t mind that. She adored Jared.
Emily had taken the car to do with whatever was happening at the company, so Jared and Rachel were left to take a cab home. After Jared paid the check, he ordered a cab.
”Can we go see Elyse?” she asked, her voice quiet.
”Of course we can. You want to send her a message and let her know we’re coming?”
Rachel nodded and sent it. Jared had smiled at her wanting to see Elyse. They saw her as wanting to go out as a good sign. In a way it was. She truthfully did want to see Elyse. The pair got in a the cab. Rachel’s wallet remained silent, and that worried her. What if something had happened to Elyse?
Rachel looked out the window as the city passed by and then looked down. She was wearing jeans. She had quit wearing dresses and skirts because of the mess with Lucio. He had always wanted her to wear them. She now knew why. She’d always liked wearing them, and now they were just a reminder of how she had ruined everything. How her stupidity had ruined everything.
She began to cry then, and she felt Jared’s arm on her shoulder. She touched his hand in silent thanks. She got her tears under control as they arrived at the building.
”You okay? You still want to be here, or do you want to go home?”
”Im okay,” she said; a lie - she was never okay. ”I still want to see Elyse.”
They entered the building and a number of people were heading downstairs to the dojo area. Elyse hadn’t responded yet, but it seemed best to follow the crowd. They went downstairs and found Elyse in a fight with Nox. At least she knew why Elyse hadn’t responded.
[color=lightgreen]”Theyre sparring - they aren’t really trying to hurt each other, you know that right,”Jared asked. It was hard to tell if the scared look on her face was real or just how she always felt now.
Rachel nodded and sat down on the floor against the wall to watch.
[[OoC: even though she looks not so great, Rachel will be enjoying and looking interested in what is going on]]
RE: Itching for a Fight - Nox - 06-02-2025
Nox and Elyse went round and round for the better part of an hour. Elyse didn't push too hard on his weak spots, though she didn't take it easy she made every opening known, which was good, but it also left a few more bruises than he'd have liked.
The herd of kids piled down the stairs making a large racket. They always did, with their giggling and laughing. Arabella was the first one through the basement doors and bee-lined straight for the dojo mats. She raced for the machines that lined the mats and there was little he could do before the nearest one shot out a green tenisball aimed straight at Elyse. Nox didn't hesitate while he moved in position to take the ball to the back. He grunted as the ball smashed into his lower back at high velocity.
It was par for course if he was alone, but Elyse didn't need to be begged.
"Arabella we've talked about this. Just because we are on the mat does not mean we want the machines on."
The little girl didn't look indignant or even like she'd been punished -- that was the Blackthorn bitchiness he was trying to train out of the three rich little brats. He loved them -- he did, but of the three they were the hardest to get into line. Their parents were not much to be desired -- being monsters and all. Nox gave them some leeway but even that was shedding thin.
Not only was Arabella glaring at him like 'what are you gonna do about it' but they had company. Nox nodded to Rachel and Jared and asked Elyse, "You okay? I didn't hurt you?" He looked her over before he turned back to Arabella and flipped the machine off just as it wound up before tossing another green ball out of the nozzle.
Arabella flipped it back on. "Out now." His voice was cold and held no emotion. He was doing everything to keep what emotions he had in check. Anger always came far easier than any of it.
"You ain't my Daddy." The other kids who had been still and quiet froze.
Sophia rushed forward. "She doesn't mean that." She moved to take Arabella out.
"I got this, just watch the kids." Nox turned to the tiny four year old. "You can either wiling go with me, or I'll carry you kicking and screaming."
She screamed. "That's the way you want it." Nox looked at their guests and frowned. "Sorry for the poor maners. Welcome, enjoy. I'm taking this one with me."
She did as he thought she would. She bit and screamed and carried on as Nox lifted the tiny girl from the floor. It was a bit of a struggle, but he managed. She was strong for four. And she thankfully only bit the arm that couldn't get hurt. Though Sage was going to wonder about the teeth marks left in the skin.
RE: Itching for a Fight - Jared Vanders - 06-03-2025
Jared couldn't help but evaluate the moves as they were doing in the fight. Martial arts was a hobby of his. He had a black belt in aikido himself. But it was hard to think about it too much. There were kids there - and a lot of them. It brought to his mind the fact that soon enough he'd have one of his own. The There were a few young girls, some older and some younger. There were also boys, one of which carried a infant child. One of the younger girls went and and activated a tennis ball machine and shot it at Elyse.
Then began the discipline. Nox spoke to the girl who resisted. His voice was emotionless. The little girl stood her ground though almost as if she was daring Nox to do something. Nox gave her an out. She refused. Nox followed through and took the girl out screaming and biting. Jared watched the situation, and was grateful he had a few years before he would have to deal with that kind of discipline.
Part of Jared wanted to follow and see how Nox dealt with the situation. But he felt like he shouldn't. He thought he should touch base with Nox later and ask him about what he did later. He didn't want to distract Nox and embarrass the child. But he looked back to that group of kids. Kids that maybe had been excited to see a spar. They now looked back and forth between the adults in the room. The kids needed something.
Jared looked down to Rachel, seated on the floor. Her eyes were on the young man with the infant. Rachel knew about Emily's pregnancy, and he wondered what she was thinking about as she looked at the baby. Rachel then looked at him and gave a slight smile - forced but there. The whole situation was difficult.
Jared then turned to Elyse then removed his shoes and approached, giving her a slight martial arts bow with a smile. Elyse smiled back and bowed. Jared approached and got into a stance and Elyse attacked. He moved with a practiced ease, moving with her, twisting her attack and Elsye was pulled to the ground and rolled out of it. Jared wasn't quite sure where he was going with this yet, but maybe he could figure something out.