What's a cod to a nonbeliever

[shellfishlovver]

WHO| Orphaner Dualscar and Jane Shepard
WHAT| Dualscar got to Thane in the Arena and Shepard would like to punch him for his trouble.
WHERE| Training Center/Gymnasium thing.
WHEN| Backdated a weenie bit, maybe to the 20th?
Notes/Warnings| Fighting and swearing like naughty children

It would surprise nobody to know that murder guilt really doesn't keep Dualscar awake at night, it's sort of implied in the first half of his name after all. Needless to say, Thane had been no exception. Really, the only thing that truly bothered him about that situation was the simple fact that Thane had nothing of value to him and was utterly useless even in death. He is, however, curious as to who the Shepard is and why they intend to kill him for his trouble. He's not a bit scared, but he's wary. If the little bastard intends to send his companions to Dualscar for vengeance, he needs to be prepared.

That isn't the sentiment that lead him to the Gymnasium today. It's really more a habit of his to find time to be there when there aren't many others around. He's managed to avoid contact with anyone for the most part and he'd like to keep it that way, he's yet to come across any soul in this place that hasn't inspired a deep hatred and loathing in him. He certainly revels in the silence, it makes it so much easier focus on less tiresome things than people, like punching things repeatedly. That's always a pleasant relief.

For the moment he's taking a breather, leaning against a bench and staring with undeserved disdain at a medicine ball in the distance.

Comments

[earthborn]

Shepard has been training for all her life, in one capacity or another. Most recently, though, she's less been following a regimen than fighting a galactic war. In that grand tradition, her Capitol-side practice schedule mostly revolved around when she most wanted to hit someone, and how many people she could convince to let her have a go at them in the ring.

"Hey you," Funny, just seeing Dualscar sitting there, she suddenly feels like having a few rounds. Maybe more than a few. Ah for the days of locked interrogating room doors and the Spectre authority to make all the broken bones legal, "Are you just gonna hit sandbags all day, or are you too much of a wuss to get up here and go a few rounds?"

One would be enough, but she didn't let that show on her face, and her tone was full of the usual bravado it took to get people up there. After all, how many hands of Skyllian Five were won by telling everyone what you meant to do?

[shellfishlovver]

It already seems as if she and Dualscar have something in common. Alternia is survival of the fittest. Weakness isn't tolerated and everyone wants to stab you in the back eventually. Given that Dualscar came to exist among the most vicious and mentally unstable of all trolls (trolls like himself, of course) he's quite accustomed to being on his toes.

As such, he's skeptical at the prospect of training with someone else. That much is apparent in his face as he glances up at Shepard and gives her a brief once over.

"I've no interest in panderin' to the likes of you." He grumbles. Yet, he feels himself rising to the challenge. Funny what boredom does to a troll. He stands, but only so he may begin to circle her like a shark with a newly found interest in a surfer.

[earthborn]

Oh, now that attitude she knows. She's seen it a hundred different ways, in Salarians who think they know better, Turians who scoff at human flexibility, in Grunt's voice, dismissing her as worth less than they, as worthless.

And the Asari. Don't get her started; fucking Asari, man. Even Liara, sweet summer child that she'd been, who had only recently seemed to fully realize that Shepard— that humans were people. That all those numbers and horrors were people. That they mattered.

"Sure, you're scared. What if you get up here and I wipe the floor with your sorry ass? I mean, hell. You're already ugly. Be a shame to show all these people how weak you are, on top of being a coward."

[shellfishlovver]

Unfortunately, in this place it's humans that hold the vast majority. Thus, Dualscar is incredibly tired of their presumptuous attitudes and seemingly overwhelming egos. So many of them are entitled with nothing but uselessness to back up their desires, it truly sickens him.

He supposes it wouldn't hurt to take up the offer on the high chance he'll be able to put her in her place. Or, at the very least, shut her up. It's been a while since he's had a good fight that didn't need to be finished quickly. He's already aware that murder is not advisable in the capitol, so he's not sure how much fun he can really have.

"Scared? No. Bemused is a far more fittin' word." He crinkles his nose at the insult. "I suppose that makes two of us, then." He retorts in a dry tone. "Forgive me for the assumption that you'll be as incapable and boring as the others of your species. Care to prove me wrong?" He's just going to swagger over with all of the casualness in the world.

[earthborn]

Think you can dance and talk at the same time, Lola?

As if the trash-talk weren't invitation enough. There's a cocked ear in there somewhere that catches at her attention, a glimmer in the dark. It's very much like a grin, except that it doesn't show on her face.

"Are you waiting for a written invitation?" she stepped back as he advanced, ceding the leading corner, waiting for the first move, "Or maybe you just wanna talk me into unconsciousness."

The key wasn't to be tense, but to be ready. Stiff muscles moved slowly, took energy; better to let yourself flow, like water. But watch sharply. If you missed the cue...

Oh, I can dance.

[shellfishlovver]

There's a small urge in Dualscar to ask for a name. Not for the sake of courtesy or manners, simply curiousity. He's found it pays to know who you involve yourself with around here, particularly when everyone seems to have some sort of connection to one another. Of course, he has no idea this is the Shepard with a supposed desire to kill him, but ever since Thane muttered the half baked threat he's been suspicious of every unfamiliar face.

Naturally, her comment is enough to have him avoiding further conversation. There's really nothing more he can add to the back and forth that wouldn't be needless procrastination. He does, however, give her a dirty look for her trouble. One with enough irritation apparent to get his point across without uttering another word.

Dualscar carries himself with an air of experience, but it's impossible for him not to be tense. He's rigid and precise in his movements, even as he continues to circle. He's not making the first move, that is the courtesy of the challenger.

You want to dance? You can lead.

[earthborn]

It's there, in the cock of her head, the bloodyminded grin, fine by me— he's stiff. How long has it been since he's done this kind of thing? The arena's one thing, but this kind of match is another.

It's like a snake uncoiling, a feint, wide and fast, but she ducks under it to box him, unrelenting little rabbit punches, testing his guard, looking for the opening.

[shellfishlovver]

It's been a considerable amount of time since he's had to handle a fight with fists. He's generally far too armed and fearsome for such dealings. The way she uncoils is a warning to relax himself, he takes a sharp step backward and eases into a defensive stance.

He keeps his arms up and at the ready, but this is boring and he cares little for the build up. He sweeps a fist upward, aiming for her gut. He's no reason to know it will hit its target, but he wants to up the ante without trifling with the foreplay of the fight.

[earthborn]

He was impatient. The grin became a baring of teeth and the way he drops his guard to go on the offensive is the opening she's been seeking. Vanguard tactics; go in fast and hard, commit to each attack, and make sure it hits home. Reflex and stamina, pain tolerance, to run right up into the teeth of every fight, and rely on every moment that comes to tell you what to do with the next.

Her body tilted, automatic, a smooth, easy shift of weight that let the gut-strike go by. His face was unguarded and she put all the cybernetics-reinforced strength of her shoulder behind the vicious left cross.