Itching for a Fight

[Elyse]

Elyse watched as Arabella tested the bonds of her relationship with Nox. Nox hadn't needed to do anything about the tennis ball hitting her. She could take it. But Nox was Nox and even emotionless, he wanted to to protect everyone. Maybe that was a good thing. Part of him still existed in there.

Jared then approached her on the mat, and they began to spar. She knew Jared was trained in aikido, and as a soldier, he probably had trained in more forms of hand to hand combat. She thought why not and offered the first attack. Then she was on the floor. She rolled out of it and got back on her feet. The move was unfamiliar to her and it had seemed so easy to Jared.

"I've never seen that before," she said, not embarrassed, but curious. "Do it again?"

Jared nodded at her. "Slower?"

Elyse nodded, and attacked again slower. Jared went through the move, and then she saw it. He hadn't blocked her attack. He had moved with it. He was using her own movement against her. He hadn't so much as thrown her as guided her to throw herself. It was kind of neat. He rotated, her wrist in a lock and then he threw.

Once again she was on her back and then rolled out of it. "Your throw almost seemed like a sword strike?"

Jared smiled. It's based off of one," There was a light in his eyes then as if something came to his mind just then. Jared turned to the kids. "Any of you guys familiar with martial arts? Want to practice, move through some forms, maybe learn something new?"

Elyse smiled. It might be fun to turn this into an impromptu class.

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel remained on the floor. Her eyes stayed mostly on the infant in the young man's arms. She remembered seeing the young man when she was here last as well as the child. But this was different. She knew Emily was expecting a baby now. Rachel thought about that. She was going to be an aunt, and she was certain she was going to be a bad aunt. She couldn't take care of a child like this. She couldn't do anything.

Rachel realized that she was staring and felt bad about it. It was rude. She turned to watch Jared and Elyse, working through some aikido moves. Jared had taught her some of them. He was actually really good at teaching. It had been fun. Jared turned and asked the kids about being involved. Jared could be a lot of fun, but Rachel remained silent and seated, just watching.

[Legione Sumus]

Liam Wilson

Arabella was being a little bitch today, it had started early when she woke up. Liam thought it was jealously of Lily, and how she was always carried around. She had been the baby for so long she was starting to act out. But then again she always liked turning on the machines and watching the chaos too.

The blonde from before was watching him and he suspected Lily too. Her brother in law asked about forms and most of the kids jumped at the chance. Emma and Sophia being the only two to sit down and on the couch away from everyone else to watch. They rarely took part in the physical activities, though if Nox was doing yoga they might hope in. Though they much prefered to watch. Nox was all sorts of bendy. He didn't mind watching either.

Liam sat down next to the woman who had turned her attention back to the dojo mat. He sat close but not too close. She was the one who had been targeted by the sentient. Which was new to Liam, there were a lot of things new to Liam. He was reading a lot on things like that. The information Nox had was amazing and strange and he couldn't beleive he grew up knowing all that stuff about monsters. But he also knew Nox's life was just as rough as his had been even if he hadn't been hunting for monsters, Nox had hunted monsters instead. It wasn't all that much different a life.

Liam smiled at the woman next to him. "I'm Liam. This is Lily."

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel watched, but wasn't really paying attention. Most of the kids except for two girls and the young man had gone to join in. Jared was introducing himself and getting their names in return. The young man approached her and sat down, close enough to be friendly, but far enough away that he didn't overwhelm her. Rachel had a feeling he remembered her, and was perhaps being cautious because he didn't want to spook her.

Still she worried he had caught her staring and was angry, but his voice was cordial and friendly as he introduced himself and the baby Lily. "I'm Rachel," she said, her voice soft and hesitant.

Her eyes went to the baby. She was so tiny. Rachel assumed she was fragile too. For some reason, that stoked the fear in her. She didn't understand it. She hated not being able to control it. It was why she was tired of fighting it. She wondered if Emily's baby would be this small, and if she would be able to even hold her own niece or nephew. What if she broke the baby?

But being around people made Rachel want to try - at least some of the time. "Ummm...she's really pretty," Rachel said after a long silence.

[Elyse]

The kids got excited to do martial arts except for Emma and Sophia. That was pretty normal. Jared started with an introduction and asked the kids their names. Elyse took this time to look over at Rachel. She still smelled afraid, and that was normal too. It made Elyse sad. Liam had joined her and Rachel was looking at Lily. She was likely thinking about her sister now.

Elyse was glad that Liam was with her though. It was good for Rachel to interact with people. If he hadn't, she'd be over there. She probably would be over there soon, but Rachel seemed focused and she got overwhelmed easily right now. Rachel looked over at Elyse and Elyse gave her a smile and a questioning thumbs up. Rachel shrugged at her. At least she was recognizing she wasn't doing okay. Elyse looked over at the spot next to Rachel; the question of if Rachel wanted her to come over. Rachel responded by looking over at the group. Elyse understood. Go have fun and talk to me later. Elyse gave her a smile and Rachel returned it, and for that moment, her fear scent diminished for a bit. Their gazes lingered on each other for a few moments before they both returned back to their tasks; Rachel to the child and Elyse to the martial arts.

[Legione Sumus]

Liam Wilson

Liam grinned. "It's nice to actually meet you this time. I think she's going to be more of a handful than Ara is." He nodded in the direction Nox had gone. "He dots on this one, but they have a connection. I think Ara is jealous cause she's not the baby anymore and it finally connected."

"Do you want to hold her?" Liam asked. "She's open to it. And she has a way of healing the heart." Liam gave her a reassuring smile. Lily is what kept Nox going everyday. And since Hayden put the bug under Nox's rear to get a cure, Nox has needed it more everyday. It worried Liam, but he was just a kid.

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel hadn’t really processed such about the little girl that had the tantrum. She had noticed it and recognized it. Liam’s explanation made sense. She had experienced. ”I was the same when my little sister was born. Just less biting.”

Her eyes went to Elyse again and they had a silent conversation. Elyse seemed to get her in a way that few did. She was also able to pull the small bits of the real Rachel that hid behind the fear all the time. What upset Rachel was that is was still not enough. She was still afraid all the time. It was frustrating.

Liam offered to let her hold Lily and Rachel wanted to. The baby was so adorable. It was easy to see why Nox doted on her. Rachel gave a small nod and started to reach, but brought her hands back quickly before shaking her head. ”I probably shouldn’t,” she said, her voice laced with fear and disappointment. She wanted to, but was scared to. Scared that something would happen.

[Legione Sumus]

Liam Wilson

Rachel reached for Lily and then jerked back suddenly. There was a lack of confidence, and fear in her voice. "The first time I got to hold a baby was when Gen was born. We weren't really allowed to do that, but Gen had been crying and no one was around but me so I had to pick her up. Everyone else was out, I was eleven and new to the family, I hadn't had all my training yet. It was scary. But I figured it out. And Gen calmed down. I promise you won't break her, I haven't met a person yet that doesn't get it right the first time."

Liam moved a little closer and held Lily closer to Rachel. "You need to support her neck, she's not strong enough to do it herself yet." Lily was bundled in a blanket, swaddled tightly. There were no flailing lips just a cut little face sticking out of the blanket. She liked to be wrapped tightly, or pressed against your chest. And she didn't like to be alone, though she did sleep well in her own room. Not that Nox let her do that most nights. But she was happy and awake and making cute little sounds. She still couldn't see far away, though she did focus on Rachel.

[Rachel Shale]

Liam spoke to her, telling her his own experiences. A young boy, who did something simple for his sister. Maybe not a blood sister, but a sister all the same. Liam told her what to do, and held Lily out to her. Rachel was still uncertain. It was difficult to get past the fear, and Rachel knew that even if she got through enough of it to hold Lily, the fear would still be there. It wouldn’t go away. It would never go away.

But the baby was there, making cute sounds and looking at her. That’s what did it. Lily was looking at her, almost as if she was inviting Rachel to hold her. Rachel took a deep breath and then reached out again, first getting an arm under the baby’s head to hold it like Liam had told her. Her other arm came underneath to get her legs. Rachel felt Liam’s arms move, handing control of the baby to her.

Rachel pulled Lily close to her chest, the movement feeling natural. She was swaddled tight, and she felt little movement from the child. Lily wasn’t struggling. She just seemed happy. Rachel didn’t smiled but she held herself differently then. The hope that was all but gone kindled a bit in her then.

[Jared Vanders]

Jared turned to the group that he had in front of him. They seemed keen to learn. Two girls sat aside, and Jared gave them indication that they were welcome to join in any time. He didnt want them to feel left out if they changed their minds.

He introduced himself and found out their names. He’d likely forget, but had no qualms with asking again. It always took time to learn names. ”So, do any of you have some experience?” he asked. Hands went up for all of them. Likely Nox had taught them things. ”Well then, what do you know?”

It was a little girl who caught his attention. ”Gen was it?” he asked. She nodded and then told him they knew some katas. ”then let’s start with that. A good warm up. Gen - take the lead.” the girl beamed at him. Her energy and excitement were palpable. It was neat to put the to use.

They knew three katas. Jared quickly saw how they fit together. They’d move into do it with partners soon enough. Jared spent his time walking and watching, offering correction and advice as needed, making sure to always get their names again and saying them often. Showing that he cared, and wanted to teach them.

”Alright, I see these fit together. Partner up and let’s go through them together. Remember we’re not hitting. Keep it safe.”

It was then Jared saw Rachel holding the baby. She wasn’t smiling, but her posture was better. Jared knew more than he let on. He knew how much Rachel was struggling and how tired she was. They all tried so hard, but she was not always receiving. He knew Rachel didn’t think she was getting better, but there were little moments like this that showed she was - a little bit at a time.