Sixty Eighth Sip

[mal_addict]

[It's the first time she's bothered talking on the journals, unfiltered, for over a month. She's stayed in Brock's cabin, avoiding everyone, hating the castle for taking away such an important part of her life here. She's not exactly sure what it was that pulled her out of the darkness. Perhaps it was the realisation that his birthday had come and gone. Perhaps it was because she realised she was moping about like a fool, letting her heart rule her head in ways she swore it never would. Regardless, Maladict's tone is even when she speaks]

I'm in the mood to go find things and either shoot and/or punch them. Who'd like to accompany me to the gym or shooting range. It'd be nice to have some company.

Comments

[panicswitched]

Anytime you want. Call it payback.

[mal_addict]

[Oh hey Ashley, hey. She lets out a steady breath]

Sure. I can live with that.

[panicswitched]

Name your time. And place of choice.

[mal_addict]

Right now, same old place?

[panicswitched]

You bet. See you in a few.

[ she'll just casually be out there waiting for mal to turn up. ]

[mal_addict]

[And eventually, Mal will appear, giving an awkward sort of wave]

Hi.

[panicswitched]

[ have a wave with talons. ashley's ready and grinning, like nothing's wrong and this is just another normal day. ]

Hope you're ready to have a good little spar. I was thinking maybe we could see how much these talons can take. [ aka if they can even be broken. ...do they grow back if they're broken? there's so much she doesn't know. what better time to find out? ]

[mal_addict]

[The talons do bring back a few memories, brings a tough of tightness to her chest. But she's here to forget, not remember, so she offers a smile]

I'm always ready, and a little testing might be wise, you never know what'll happen here after all.

[panicswitched]

[ if ashley knew, she'd fight as a human, but seeing as she doesn't, she's trying to help as best she knows how. she grins, raising a hand and motioning mal forward as she settles in and braces herself. ]

Bring it.

[mal_addict]

I'll be glad to.

[And moving like a blur, she races forward, moving to plant a fist at Ashley's side]

[panicswitched]

[ ashley does her best to block, while kicking out with one leg to try to off-set mal's balance. ]

[mal_addict]

[Mal stumbles, but soon rights herself, setting up for another swing]

[panicswitched]

[ ashley prepares to take it and retaliate, willing to keep this up until mal looks as though she's either tired or distracted enough to manage. ]

[mal_addict]

[Mal's got a lot of pent up anger. At the castle. At Nikola. At life in general. So it takes a while before she finally steps back and lets out a breath]

[panicswitched]

[ she takes each hit like a pro, not backing down until mal steps back. ashley pauses just to make sure and then lowers her arms, letting the talons retract again. ]

Well that felt good.

[ she grins like it's just another day at the office. ]

[mal_addict]

You know, it really did.[Ashley gets the hint of a smile] Thanks. I needed that.

[panicswitched]

Sure thing. A good fight usually helps me work the kinks out. [ she pauses, though, debating whether to ask. ]

You gonna be okay?

[ it's an open invitation to talk or let it go without pressing. ashley just wants to be a good friend. she hasn't had many of those in her life. ]

[mal_addict]

I will be, I think. [She gives a soft shrug] It's just the price you pay for living here. We're all aware that everything we have here is on borrowed time.

[She dreads the thought of him coming back though. Coming back and NOT knowing who she is. She's not sure if she could cope with that, and she hates herself for being so weak]

[panicswitched]

Doesn't mean we have to like it.

[ ashley would understand. she's heard that her mother's been around a few times and the idea that she might come back and not remember anything, that she would be surprised to see ashley alive again, hurts. ashley isn't sure how she would deal with that if it ever happened.

she sighs. ]

Coffee?

[mal_addict]

No, I suppose not.

[She seems to relax a little at the offer. Coffee made everything better]

You know, I think I could really use one right now.

[panicswitched]

[ she holds out her hand. ]

Short way or the long way?

[ aka does ashley need to teleport them to the kitchen or are they hoofing it? ]

[mal_addict]

...I'm feeling adventurous, let's try the long way.

[She'll take Ashely's hand in hers]

[panicswitched]

[ hoofing it it is! she grins and starts off. ]

Some day I'll have to use the short way again.

[ and she'll totally show it off. again. ]

[mal_addict]

[Aww yeah showing off, nothing like it. Mal dashes off too]

[panicswitched]

[ she doesn't stop until she's made it to the kitchen and then she heads straight to making the coffee. ]

Nothing like a good pot of coffee. Drives Mom crazy.