milliways_bar | (no subject)

[OOM:Last week, Sam missed Life Support. Here's why.

And we would all go down together
We said we'd all go down together
Yes we would all go down together

Warning for sudden a death and suspicions of suicide.]

The notice is up on the board and oddly terse this time.

Fight Club Outback tonight:
Rules are simple
1-Fight friendly
2-Be honest with skills and abilities
3-Break off the fight if it's getting serious
4-Square areas are for sparing with weapons
5-Circle areas are for sparing hand to hand
6-Any area (square or circle) that also has a triangle is for teaching

[OOC: See this backroom post for OOC rules. Party style post with a chance to spar; tag into an existing thread, but don't jump into an existing fight (unless invited or cleared) or start your own thread for matches. Feel free to contact me via DM if you have questions or concerns. Open until the next Fight Club.]
[ETA: I should warn of likely slow times from me. Short day at work and so of course there are lots of projects.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sam has set up a punching bag in one of the circles and is working it over like it stole his lunch money; kicks as well as punches and elbow strikes. It's pretty obvious he's working something out.

"Sam." Jay nods to him, starting his own set of warm up. He knows that look. He's seen it in the mirror a few times. He knows there are questions to ask and questions not to ask.

So he goes for one of the ones you can ask. "What d'ya need?"

Sam glances Jay's way and for just a moment his eyes are cold and flat. Their usual warmth creeps in and Sam steps back from the bag to suck in a few gulps of air.

"You got a time machine or know a psychic?"

"No to the first. Messing with timelines is notoriously bad news. Yes to the second but in general that leads to more bad than good. What I do have is a high pain threshold and some energy to work off."

And a heavily bandaged left wrist.

Sam takes a deep breath through his nose and lets it out slowly.

"I appreciate that, but how about holding the bag for now? I trust you can handle what I dish out, but I don't want to end up in the place I might if we fought."

Jay doesn't argue with him. He's pretty sure he's be okay with Sam kicking his ass. At a guess they're pretty evenly matched. But he respects that Sam knows himself best.

He steps behind the bag and takes up a brace position.

There was another man, except this wasn't a man but a terminator that acted human.

Marcus was stretching and getting ready to do his own punches and kicks.

The man hadn't been trying out his new found strength since... well Judgement day.

Sam glances over and nods at the man, but doesn't stop attacking the punching bag.

The man nods back at Sam and continues to punch the air "Stranger... would you like to spar? "

"Tempting, but I need to work out some pissed off first," he replies, taking a break and offering a terse smile. "I'm Sam Wilson."

When he sees Sam, he leaves the teaching circle and stands near him, waiting for the fury to subside enough to speak.

You don't interrupt a man when taking out his rage on a punching bag. You just don't.

The way Sam is going after the bag might make Steve hope his hands are taped up under those gloves. He continues for a few more minutes, though he does offer a nod when he first spots Steve, until he finishes with a flurry of quick jabs.

Stepping back and breathing quickly, it takes him another half minute before he glances to Steve. "I lost one of my guys yesterday."

"Oh, no, Sam. I'm sorry."

"It happens. Honestly, I'm surprised it took this long, the guy was trouble. I guess I just figured he was too mean or stubborn to go, you know?"

"What happened?" gently.

"He was hit by a truck. According to the police, witnesses at the scene said he walked out in front of the truck," Sam answered and then shakes his head. "Guy had a hard time, but he never showed any hint of being suicidal. I'm not sure if I buy it but I don't want to make too much noise in case I'm wrong, you know?"

"The family doesn't need that."

He pauses. "Did he have family?"

"A sister. She's the one who contacted me. I'm goign to fly out to be with her for the funeral, maybe see if she wants someone around to clean out his home or anything."

"Do I need to turn in a notice of absence or anything? I can still be on call if any Avengers business happens."

"Oh, no, nothing like that. Take all the time you need, and let us know when you're back." He smiles ruefully at Sam. "Or let JARVIS know you're back, and he'll take care of the rest. I'm sure there's some ... bereavement leave thing he does."

Having an AI to take care of all the paperwork is weird, but good.

Steve is stretching out by the circle-triangle area to see if anyone wants some lessons from Captain America.