milliways_bar | (no subject)

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(no subject)

X slips downstairs after her shift in the nightclub, half-glancing at the back door before she decides to forgo training for the moment.

It is more important to eat something. Just in case.

The fact that X-23 (and her soup) are settled at the bar instead of her usual booth is entirely unrelated to anything.

Except that she refuses to be uncomfortable in what is, for now, her home.

This is just proof of that.

[ooc: This post is open until it falls off the front page or X gets another EP, whichever comes first. Thanks!]

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Cass sits, silent and still, watching X quietly.

She smells of sweat and violence, and slightly of blood.

Maybe that's comforting to X...

X flicks a glance from Cass to the front door.

There's a question in that.

Things back home are okay?

And if a bit of her awareness remains on the front door--

That's only sensible, right?

An easy shrug from Cass indicates that all is well. Business as usual, after.

Cass follows X's gaze. Watching the door would be sensible for most people. Cass knows that X doesn't have to.

Something is wrong.

She can't ask what.

X nods, just a little.

She understands business. It is good that Cass' world is not as strange as X's, at the moment.

After a few moments X switches position so she can look at the other girl. She draws up one knee, resting her cheek on it.

There.

That is more comfortable.

And just so happens to keep the door in sight. Cass knows that trick.

She reaches up to pull her mask off, that will let X see her questioning expression.

The questioning expression prompts a one-shouldered shrug.

And a slight stiffening of X's frame.

Even with words, X does not know how to explain.

Cass nods slowly.

Fair enough. Her lip twitches upward slightly. It might even look comforting.

X relaxes a little more.

It's deliberate, but--

It kind of counts.

Then her gaze flicks toward the back door.

Maybe Cass is willing to spar? That helps, too. Sometimes.

That little lip twitch settles into an actual expression.

X should know she doesn't even have to ask.

X just slips off the barstool, heading for the back door.

This is better.

This makes sense.

Cass certainly can't argue with that. She rolls her shoulders as she stands up to follow.

They have done this before, and certain cleared areas tend to remain clear.

X heads for one of these, turning to face Cass.

If there is no other indication, X does not wait.

She moves, expecting Cass to be ready for the quick, hard kick aimed at her midsection.

True to her usual approach to sparring, Cass lets X make the first move.

Of course she's already sliding out of the way as X's foot lashes out. Her hand snags the leg and twists. She knows X can handle the pain, and considering how much tougher the other girl is, Cass needs every advantage she can get.

X doesn't cry out, just twists her own body, getting the leverage to fling an elbow at Cass' face.

If it wrenches her leg out of Cass' grip, that's just a bonus.

Cass faces a choice: she can dodge the elbow or keep hold of the leg. She chooses the latter.

That's going to be a nasty bruise on her cheek. In fact, she pulls back just far enough to keep her cheekbone from cracking.

But at least she can twist the leg further.

X's breath hitches in her throat. Just for a moment.

Then she drops to the ground, using her own back as a brace for a sharply delivered kick with her free foot.

And she has her hands for leverage, too, if a follow-up move is necessary.

The leg isn't worth that much. Cass let's it go and suppresses a wince as the foot slams into her. She's able to absorb some of force by rolling away, but that's going to leave a nasty bruise too.

She rolls to her feet and slides back into a defensive stance.

X is rolling to her feet, too.

Then she relaunches herself at Cass, a one-two punch and knee combo.

Cass saw all three attacks coming, but X is fast enough that dodging them all wasn't an option. She decided to take the second punch and slip in an elbow to the solarplexus.

X's block--a new development in her style--is a little late to do much good.

She'll adjust faster next time.

She lets out a sharp whuff of air, then directs a sharp downward kick at Cass' knee.

A quick twist pulls the knee out of the way, and Cass responds with another quick elbow. Fighting X is always interesting. Cass knows that she can only hope to slow the other girl down.

But that doesn't keep her from trying.

And as long as she can keep eyes on X, she can stay one step ahead.

This elbow X manages to block, clumsy though it is.

It doesn't give her much positioning for a subsequent attack, though.

So X goes in for a snap kick, instead.

Cass pushes in close to rob the kick of power and counter.

Then she realizes that this is X and she's way too close.

This might be the point where X's palmstrike snaps into Cass' chin.

Carefully, of course. Cass does not heal.

Or it could be the point at which X grabs Cass and attempts to throw her over one hip.

The shot to the chin stuns her, but Cass reacts on instinct to the throw. Her hips drop low and she hooks one foot behind X's ankle to keep her from getting any leverage.

Then she spins to try reversing the throw.