This time around, the ogre isn't just sitting around and having a drink. No, he's being much more active than most people have seen him be since joining the Freehold. Usually languid and slow and even plodding, he is now up on his feet in one of the side caverns, hacking away at some poor practice dummy with a massive sword that is almost as large as he is. The thing doesn't look particularly special or anything. Probably some practice sword lying around. Thorn uses both hands to wield the beast and seems to be working through a particular and structured set of moves. Slashes, dodging unseen counterattacks, using the hilt and crossguards of the sword as weapons. It's a display of power and speed and he is focused upon his task. Also, loud enough to be heard out in the main cavern.
Sneaky, sneaky fox. She's sneaky when she's not even trying. And she's not really trying right now... but sort of. Okay, soon as she realized it was Thorn in there, she started to properly sneak. She makes her way slowly along the wall, quiet as a mouse (or fox!), until she's fairly close. Ten feet away, half hidden behind some cabinet. She peeks that foxy head out. "Watch out! Behind you!" she yells.
And should Thorn actually be processing AJ's presence, he'll note a rather lovely Beauty and the Beast sweatshirt, big and baggy, hanging low enough to almost cover her rear. She's in a pair of black leggings beneath that, and then black sneakers. For sneaking.
The ogre doesn't notice her. He's busy. He also doesn't startle easy, nor does he turn around and start swinging the two-hander like a wild man. Thorn does stop and turn around quickly, though. A warning like that can't be completed ignored and so he turns with a controlled and practiced movement, sword held at the ready. Red-orange eyes sweep about and when he sees no danger, he relazes. A little. Then notices AJ. Eyes narrow but he smiles faintly, "You shouldn't try that with someone who is new to this. They might turn around and hurt someone." if it's an admonition it's a very light one. "Hello, AJ. How are you?" he holds the sword across his shoulders. It's a practice blade so it's not so sharp.
AJ doesn't get quite the reaction she was hoping for. No scream and chop at nothingness. This puts a faint pout on the fox's face. She steps out from behind her sort-of hiding place. "So?" she asks. "Someone's fault for standing within striking distance of an ogre practicing!" she decides. She takes another few steps forward - though stays out of striking distance. "Doin' okay. Lil bored, and was awake so... decided to run down here," she says, with a shrug.
The smile grows a bit before fading. He knows what she was after. Thorn is a denier of fun, which to him is fun. It works out. "Bored? There's always plenty to do." though he doesn't list anything for a while. Instead, he's staring down at her chest. Well, her Beauty and the Beast sweatshirt. Surely he knows what it is, but he just stares for a moment before looking up. "Physical activity alleviates boredom. So lets do something active and physical." again, no suggestions. Thorn rotates, stretching out his sides, his arms still up with his hands draped over the flat of the sword.
AJ seems him eyeing that shirt. Yes, yes she does. There's a big smile for it, too. Yes, it's intentional. Yes, it has layers of meaning. Yes, she's so terribly pleased with herself. But she doesn't dwell too long. "I told you, I ran here," AJ says, with a little laugh. "But... sure, whatcha got in mind, gorgeous?" she asks, taking another step forward.
"Attack me." he states plainly, ambling over to the nearby weapon rack and setting the practice sword back where it belongs. Then Thorn is back standing in front of her, looming over the shorter woman with his hands clasped behind his back. "Let's fight. I know what I'm good at. What are you good at, AJ? Are you a fighting Summer? Are you a political Summer? Are you an ass-kicker? What are you good at? Attack me and let me learn more about you." Thorn arches a brow slightly, "If you need to catch your breath, though, take your time. I will wait. I can tell you, though. Baggy sweatshirt. Not good for a fight. If this were a real fight." he smiles faintly. Someone must be in a good mood if he's smiling now and again! Even if it doesn't last long.
He says the first two words, and AJ's hands are already curling. She might just up and do it, right then! But, no, he's talking more, and clearly moving to put away a weapon. Right, don't sucker punch the Lieutenant... She gives a faint laugh at her own instincts, but otherwise listens attentively. "I fight," she confirms. Then she considers a moment, and gives a little shrug. "Not really been a problem before, but..." she reaches down to grab the hem of her sweatshirt, and then pulls it right on up, over her head. Beneath, there's not another shirt. Nope. AJ is left standing wearing a pastel purple sports bra, one that shows a hint of cleavage, but otherwise does a fairly good job of covering a rather sizeable bust - at least for her slight frame. Of course, that also reveals all the taught muscles that cover AJ's body. Her mien is definitely in much better fighting form than her mask. "Use my hands," she says. "Or, claws. And teeth." She smiles brightly... to show off those pointy teeth.
Well, now when he glances at her chest it's not at Belle or the Beast. "Well...I was mostly just making a funny remark." he pauses for a moment or two, staring. At her face, not her chest. "I guess it wasn't funny." then to even things up, he pulls off his shirt. There are scars on his face, there are even more on his chest and stomach and arms, all over the place. High Wyrd plus his entitlement make him look like a ferocious and marked warrior. Which he is. He's even warmer without the shirt, heat radiating off him both from his powerful mantle and the molten, fiery nature of his kith. "But that's fine. I don't mind. Though you might be trying to distract me with your breasts. It won't work. Let's brawl then." he flashes a smile right back at her. No half-assed, small and brief smiles. This one is downright joyful, bright white teeth shown and contrasting dark skin. This is what he enjoys, this is what makes him happy. Balling up his big fists, he advances on her, but doesn't make the first move, waiting for her to initiate.
"Do leggings bad for a fight, too?" AJ asks, to counter that he was just joking. She's grinning still. And then comes a laugh. "Hah! No, babe. You'll know when I'm trying to distract you," she says, lifting her eyebrows. "And by that I mean, it will be clumsy and cringeworthy," she clarifies, with a little laugh. She then steps forward, and her hands go up. "Ready?" she asks. There's a moment's wait until there's confirmation, then AJ steps forward, and leads with a kick.
"Yes." Thorn decides after a moment considering AJ's question about leggings. He nods and then laughs. It's a miracle! "Ok, I'll know. I'll keep an eye out for clumsy and awkward come ons." When asked if ready, Thorn nods and gets into a slightly different stance, prepared to fight and, mostly, defend against the fox's incoming attack. While he takes every fight serious, at first he is reserved in his defense and attacks. Just testing her out, getting a feel for how the woman fights, gauging her skills and peculiarities. The kick comes in and he defends against it, blocking with his own leg. The ogre and the fox are squaring off in one of the caves off the main cavern, engaged in the beginning of a friendly fight. Presumably friendly! Both are shirtless, though AJ is wearing a bra and a Beauty and the Beast sweatshirt has been tossed to the floor nearby. After deflecting the kick, Thorn retaliates with a right straight punch.
AJ is, indeed, in just a sports bra. Pastel purple! She's also seems to be pretty dang quick, just as she can't really land a blow, so she seems able of dodging, weaving, and otherwise smacking away any hands coming her way. She takes a breath, and then grins. "C'mon, Thorn! Don't go easy. Promise you can't break me," she says, letting the big man make the next attack.
Fighting in the Summer Court. Yep, that's normal enough. The other big man who swaggers into the cavern almost doesn't look up for a moment, his wings moving with every heavy step. In fact, Cobalt heads straight to the liquor cabinet, pulling out the biggest bottle of whiskey he can find and claiming it for his own. He pauses to take a very long swig straight from the bottle before moving closer to the fray at hand. There's a huge black sword strapped to his back today that matches his black armor. He actually notices the crumpled sweatshirt before he gets a good look at the combatants, and squats down with a frown as his lifts it up with one claw, brilliant green eyes looking at the Beauty and the Beast motif with a strangely hollow expression. Then his dour gaze trails up to AJ and Thorn fighting, and he begins to watch.
While AJ isn't egging Thorn on with particular malice, it is still a minor annoyance. Also, he doesn't want to be shown up by the tiny woman and so his eyes narrow and he focuses now. Serious threat! She is, that is. "I won't set myself on fire. Promise." he rumbles with a grin, moving in to try and just grab her in his arms. Probably don't want the big ogre getting a hold of you. If he can. She's fast and nimble, which means she is an annoying opponent to face. Especially if one relies mostly on their massive strength to get anything done.
AJ looks absolutely delighted that he's diving into the subtle shit-talking. Moreso, when he does lash out at her. AJ steps to the side, throws up a block, then slides a foot forward, and applies a hard shove. It's perfectly timed, and obviously practiced. Enough to send the big man hurdling towards the floor. Of course, as he goes down, AJ doesn't let him go without firing a fist out towards his flank, hoping to score on that soft spot under ribs. "And I won't use claws," she huffs out.
Cobalt doesn't seem to have noticed that he's still holding the sweatshirt once he stands, and carries it with him as he moves over to a seat facing the spar and falls heavily into it, continuing to drink. He watches AJ push Thorn down with a deeply amused smirk, but doesn't hoot or holler or clap. Not in the mood right now. It's fun enough watching you two kick the crap out of each other.
Yes, he fell for it. And fell because of it. Not the most embarrasing thing that's happened to him in a fight. Thorn goes down in a heap, no worse for the wear since AJ didn't hit him enough to mean anything. And so he just stands back up. He would dust himself off but time's a-wasting! The big man turns, catches sight of Cobalt out of the corner of his eye but understandably doesn't go have a conversation with the man. Lifting his fists again, he looks to AJ, "I now see what kind of person you are. Shifty." he grins to soften his words, showing they're meant in a friendly way. "All right. I didn't think I would be as impressed as I am. Now stand still so I can crush you to death, fox!"
AJ does not look quite as smug, when she doesn't leave the man in crippling pain. There's even a little huff of annoyance. Still, she's not back off! She does glance aside, to Cobalt. She catches the man's eyes, for just a moment, and focuses long enough to send a wink his way. Then she turns, and it's right back at Thorn!
Cobalt, still unaware (or so it seems) that this sweatshirt doesn't belong to him, tosses it over one big shoulder and heaves himself to his feet, still drinking the whiskey as he moves to a pillar and leans up against it. While he's there, he gets a cigarette out of some inner pocket in his armor/jacket combo and lights up. Smoke billows demonically out his nostrils as he leans his head back, continuing to appraise the fight. If he noticed AJ's wink, he doesn't return it, though the amusement plays on his face again.
Feeling better once he's on his feet, he takes another hit from the fo. It's not that he lets her in close it's just that she's so fast and he's just upright again. Determined, the ogre advances upon her again, darting forward with more quickness than he seems capable of - though not anywhere near as much as her - he tries again to get his hands on her, getting all grabby. He figures once she's there she's in trouble. Moreso than if he keeps taking swings at her.
Fast fox is fast! Super fast! But not fast enough, it seems. Thorn gets a hold of her, and AJ lets out a positively unfrightening sqeauk. It doesn't mean she doesn't aim for a few cheap shots as he grabs her, but still! She doens't look terribly pleased with how this is evolving.
Finally! Thorn grabs AJ and then wraps her up as he swings around her. The man is immensely strong, as one would expect of an ogre, though he hasn't tapped into his seeming's powers. Once she's grabbed, him behind her with one arm cinched up under her breasts and the other higher up near her throat without actually choking her, he holds on tight. He doesn't have to talk loud here with his head beside hers in their suddenly intimate position. Intimate until her slams her against the cabinet she was previously hiding behind. "This is where I would set myself on fire." he rumbles softly. "You want to keep going or is the fight over?" he asks, not taunting, but seeing how she wants to play out the remainder of the friendly bout.
A turn of events, eh? Cobalt leans forward in his seat, watch Thorn bring the proverbial smackdown, or grapple down as the case may be. "I'd like to see you wiggle out of this one," he suddenly calls out, his own deep voice reverberating across the cavern, and he raises his bottle in salute to the both of you.
AJ gasps out as she finds herself grabbed, and then there's a cry as her head bounces off that cabinet. Tiny thing she is, tossing her around is not hard, not once he actually as her. AJ lets out a low growl, appropriately adorable for a little fox, and likely not at all intimidating. But, well, it is a clear indication of displeasure, at least! "Not done with you yet!" she says, and, yes, she does indeed to try to wiggle out of that!
"All right." Thorn nods as best he can. Keeping his hold on her, he doesn't mess up her face any more. The man isn't a monster. Instead, he just starts squeezing. Apparently he's done this enough to know where the line between painful squeezing and rib-breaking is because he does the former and not the latter. He now has some time to look over in Cobalt's direction with the fox locked up in his grasp, the squeeze on, "Hello." not much of a greeting, but it's acknowledgement. "I've had slower and dumber people than her break out. It's not impossible. She might get free." he allows, nodding a bit and waiting on AJ to decide what to do next.
"Yeah. Hi." Cobalt's not the friendliest guy around, so that gruff, half-uninterested greeting is about the best Thorn is going to get. "She might get free, but she probably doesn't deserve to." He smirks at AJ -- it's fun to rag on her, just like she enjoys ragging on him. "She'll just sneak up behind you and bite you on the ass or something. Watch out. If it were me, well..." All this talk, but he's still holding her sweatshirt, and still doesn't seem to realize he has it.
AJ kicks and wriggles and even at one point snaps at his arm, with pointed teeth. The kicks probably hurt, but a few bruises on shines are not going to win this fight for her. Finally, she makes a strangled sort of yelp. "I give, I give!" she gasps out, after it, rather aware that something has been badly hurt on her insides. No words from her besides that, and no looking at Cobalt. She's too focused on not dying.
Thorn leans forward and sets AJ down on the ground gently. The big man sets a hand on her shoulder once she is freed from his grasp, bending down some to look her in the face and check on her, "Just breathe, you're all right. Nothing broken, nothing crushed." he has a confidence born in experience. The hand is meant to be reassuring, as is his low and soft tone, "You're all right. Nice deep breaths, it just feels really shitty." she'll be all right. Unless he's way off. He ignores Cobalt as well for the moment, more due to concern for AJ than rudeness, "That was good. I was worried you were about to kick my ass. I got lucky."
Cobalt's full lips twist in his handsome face for a moment. Maybe it's in reaction to Thorn's kindness. Maybe it's because AJ actually lost. Who knows. He doesn't approach the two of you for a moment, just stays where he is, his clawed hand still fingering the material of AJ's sweatshirt.
AJ drops to her feet, wobbles, and then drops forward, to hands and knees. She then drops to the side, and rolls onto her back. "Ohmygod," she gasps, then takes a deep breath. In, then out. In, then out. "Got lucky," she echoes, defiant, even after she lost. "Coby distracted me," she adds. Because, really, there's no end of excuses for AJ. She just stays there, hands above her head, laying on the matt in sports bra, leggings, and checks. Sweat glistens on her pale flesh. It was obviously a work out. "Think every single rib is broken," she adds. No, almost surely not.
When AJ goes down, so does Thorn. Just not in pain and gasping for air. He takes a knee, dropping down to one as she lies there and pants. "Lucky." he agrees with her, confirming for a third time how fortunate he is that he won the match. "No, I didn't hear or feel any breaking. This is a normal reaction. It'll just hurt for a while and you'll need to catch your breath. See, I knew that if you kept your sweatshirt on, you'd have been able to squirm out. This is why I am a tactical genius." he states flatly. Again, a joke. He thinks it's funny. "You're fast and hard to catch. When you sent me to the ground I thought I was done. I always have trouble with quick martial artists. very good." he pats AJ on the stomach and then hauls himself to his feet, offering her a big hand up, "Walk it off, fox." soft love over, tough love commences. "On your feet. Come on." it's not really that tough, "I'll buy you a drink or three."
"Yeah, I am pretty fucking distracting," Cobalt agrees, going to far as to flex one well-formed bicep. It doesn't matter if anyone else even sees that; he's got plenty of admiration for himself. He approaches the two of you once you stand, holding out the whiskey bottle to whomever feels like taking it. "May as well start here." Then he gives Thorn an upnod, appraising the other man. "Not half-bad."
"Are you sure? I think they all broke," AJ pouts out at Thorn. And then he tells her about the sweatshirt, and she laughs! Then winces. "Oww..." she whimpers out. Thorn pats her stomach, and she does reach up a hand, to lay it over his. It's a sweet, affectionate touch. And she flashes him a sweet (if still a bit pained) smile. She's positively adorable! But then he's up, and demanding she rise to. And then, oh, right, Cobalt is here. She takes one more breath, and then pulls herself back up to standing, groaning just a bit as she does. She doesn't reach for the whiskey. "Hi, Coby," she says to the man, and then narrows her eyes. Not at him, but at the sweatshirt.
The ogre does take the bottle from Cobalt, tilting his head back to take a healthy-sized gulp of whiskey. Mmm, burning. Then he hands it back to the unfamiliar man. "I'm Warmaster Omar Thorn of the Legion of the Iron Wall. Thorn is fine." he knows AJ, clearly, so no introductions are needed. Once she is up, he keeps by her side in case she is going to overdramatically collapse on him. "You might need to ice yourself down a little." he must be sore but he's not showing any signs of it, nor is he complaining. "Do you use any weapons, AJ?" he looks over at Cobalt and his black armor and black sword. "I need to get myself my own sword. I had one, a real monster, but I lost it in battle years ago."
"Stop calling me Coby," Cobalt growls at AJ. And, uh. Oh. Oops. Sweatshirt. He stares at it, slightly wide-eyed for a moment before thrusting it in her direction. "Here. You fucking dropped this. Put some goddamn clothes on before you scare the whole court." As he takes the bottle back from Thorn, Cobalt nods. "Cobalt Rasender, Sacred Band of the Golden Standard." He eyes AJ balefully as Thorn asks her about weapons, then looks back to the man when he mentions swords. "Yeah. Swords are good. I'm a fan of mine." Plus, it adds to his badass appearance. That counts for something in Cobalt's mind.
AJ takes a few steps, then winces, and she does lean out to lay a hand on Thorn, on his back. Another sweet little touch that's almost surely calculated, if you pay attention to things like that. She takes the bottle of whiskey, takes a healthy swig, then winces. "Mmmph..." She shoves it at Cobalt. "Thought that was your name?" she asks him, with a twinkling smile. She does grab the sweatshirt, then. "Does it smell like me?" she asks him, eyes so very focused on the demon for a long moment. Nevermind how AJ is sweating and flushed, and how there's clearly a bump rising up just above her temple. And how raw and red the marks on her chest - above and below her bust - looks. Even beat up, and leaning on Thorn for support, she still keeps at it. She glances back to the ogre. "Claws," she says. "Learned how to fire a gun when I was little, and go shooting sometimes. But... you know. Just enough not to shoot my own foot."
Thorn does not himself pay attention to things like that. Is she being deliberately sweet? He has no idea. "Nice to meet you, Cobalt." he nods at the man as he keeps AK upright, both deliberately and inadvertently. If she even needs it. "No swords or bats or handheld weapons?" he asks, though he seems to be just confirming since he nods. "All right. Claws are good. Natural. Instinctive." he rests a hand on her back, right between the shoulder blades. Though in a second or two, he gives her a little nudge away from him, trying to get her walking. "Walk around some. Really. You've milked it enough." he rumbles, not unkindly, even smiling a bit. Aww, he's warming up. Emotionally. He's already warm otherwise. "I was thinking of going out to start gathering supplies for a new one. And then probably some armor. I should stop losing my gear in battle, but some of the fights have been...dire." obviously he's turned to Cobalt and is talking to him rather than AJ. He's not oblivious enough to not notice their apparent hostility or tension.
And said demon focuses back on AJ for an extended moment, glowing green eyes pulsating with what could be anger. Or low level irritation. Or something else entirely. "You watch this one," he says offhandedly to Thorn after the other man notes that AJ's milked it enough. "Don't let her charm you. She knows exactly what she's doing." Even so, his pronouncement doesn't sound particularly malicious or full of hatred. It's just the honest truth. Taking a swig of whiskey, he nods a little to Thorn. "Huh. Well. Maybe I'll go with you. I could always use some new shit."
AJ tosses her sweatshirt over her shoulder. She has no intent on putting it back on. Not like she doesn't train in almost literally this same outfit. Then as Thron confirms claws good, AJ grins. Her hand slides up his back, and she presses those claws, just bare arely, onto the bare flesh of his back. Down the go, scratching along the hot flesh over his spine. It's a light touch, but their sharpness cannot be doubted from it. She then gives a sigh. "But you're warm," she whines out, as he orders her to walk. Still, it's just a light protest, and then she does draw away. "Going on a hunt sounds fun," she says. "I'll help, if you need it." Pause. "Cobalt just likes having an excuse to watch me," she adds, at the end there. Her only defense against his words. And, assuming (hoping) that the demon is watching her, she gives a little sway of her hips as she walks away from the pair. A sway that quickly draws out a wince, and then she knocks that shit right off.
The touch may be light, but Thorn can feel the prick and sting of the fox's claws. He almost shudders a little. Maybe he's ticklish. "I'll be sure to keep an eye on her. She seems like trouble." the man sounds dubious but he's not mocking Cobalt's warning, nodding. "I was going to say I don't think it will be dangerous, but what isn't? It will take some time for the right conditions. I want to find a fallen star or comet or something celestial and make a blade from it. The hilt, I don't know. It needs to be large enough to have enough material, of course. I will take what help I can if you two wish to join the adventure." he nods, apparently in thanks, and is distracted by AJ's swaying walk. He smiles and...there it is. The inevitable wince and realization that she can't do that right now. Thorn laughs and almost goes to help her. In the end he stays put. "We can, of course, go gather anything else we might need or you might need for whatever. Once the sword is done, I'll go back to find armor."
Cobalt snorts openly when AJ says he likes to watch her. "You wish." He also chuckles when she winces, but sure as heck doesn't help her. To Thorn, he adds, "Who said anything about helping? I need stuff for myself. Granted, you two probably /need/ my help." He tosses his head like a colt for a moment, long tendrils of black hair floating as if they have a will of their own. This is surely just playful bluster from Cobalt, right? Then he kills off the bottle and throws it against the cavern wall -- he's more than strong enough to smash the thing to bits.
Back to the men, neither can see the faint smirk as they both react to that wince. Real or fake, it hardly matters. It means they were both watching. She wipes the smile off her face, and turns back around. "Sounds like an adventure!" she declares, with delight in her eyes. Then she looks to Cobalt, and rolls her eyes. "Yeah, okay, babe," she says. She keeps walking, back past them to the other end of the room. "I honestly haven't spent a /lot/ of time in the hedge. You know, more than the trods to known places. So... would be fun!"
And lo, the scene did continue... but who needs to see that part.
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