Atlas Park
Legendary Dojo
Neph sat cross legged on the floor, trying unsuccessfully to meditate, for the tenth time that day.
Letting out a tired sigh she slumped onto her back and starred up at the roof, she needed some other way of unwinding, to work of the stress of her job, dealing with her family (something that the universe seemed to be forcing her to do) and her trips to her shrink.
He had suggested medication, but after she threaten to put his head through his desk if he drugged her, he quickly offered several alternate medicine choices, meditation was towards the end, but even after getting pointers from Light, she was still failing.
Closing her eyes she contemplated trying again when she heard the sound of small feet running across the dojo floor, before a large weight dropped on her gut, knocking the breath from her. Eye’s flying open she saw Franz sitting on her stomach, his squished face pulled into a look of puppy dog glee.
Coughing as she tried to get her breath back, she heard some one run in. “Shit, how is that little tubby bastard so fast?”
Looking over she saw Light come in, he paused to look at her as she tried to catch her breath, then to the dog sitting on her, panting happily as he barked at him.
“Sorry Neph, thought you were home, so opened the door and he bolted, you okay?” He asked, kneeling next to her and offering his hand.
Wheezing she managed to push Franz off and sit up. “I have had worse.” Taking Lights hand, she climbed up. “Just ruined my half ass attempt at meditation, that’s all.”
“Still having trouble with it?”
Neph let out a long sigh. “Yeah, I’m running out of relaxation ideas, there are a few left…” she could feel her self blushing as one that Lights primal counterpart mentioned came to mind. “But I’m holding off on them for now.”
“Some sort of extreme treatment or something?”
“Uh… yeah, something like that.” she muttered climbing to her feet.
“So what have you tried then?” Light asked, scooping up Franz.
She lead him back to her apartment, rattling off each relaxation techniques, not noticing Light slowly growing thoughtful till after she shoved Franz back into the apartment and closed the door.
“How about sparing?” he asked.
“Sparing?”
“Sure, helps me unwind.”
She mused on it, a few minor bouts would be fun… and a small part of her mind pointed out that it would also have Light hot and sweaty in close contact… not the level of contact it wanted, but damn near close enough.
“Worth a try. When?”
Lights grin spread. “Meet me at the Talos arena in half an hour and dress warmly.”
Nodding as he left, Neph started musing what he had in mind.
^later^
Talos Island Arena.
Now I know what he meant about dressing warmly. Shivering slightly, Neph cast her gaze around the arena Light had selected, some sort of arctic cavern, ice boulders littering the floor, several arena drones hovering around to provide enough light for the combatants.
Looking over to him, she almost felt like swearing as she saw him in his usual light pants, tank top and vest, acting as if it was a nice summer day. Turning around he walked over and smirked. “You ready then?”
“I-I-I feel like I’m about to freeze my ass off.” She managed through chattering teeth.
“Don’t worry, You’ll warm up soon enough.”
Muttering she made it to the staging area, concentrating as layer upon layer of protective energy fields forming around her while she waited for the count down to start.
An electronic beep echoed through the cavern, as a drone hovered next to her, a small display showing the rules of the match, timed match, audience allowed, several other minor things she didn’t bother about as she started to roll her shoulders.
It let out another beep. “Match starting in three… two… one.” An air horn blasted as Neph ran forward, ducking amongst the ice as she adjusted her belt again, the light bending around her to render her all but invisible to the naked eye.
Gritting her teeth she scanned around, looking for a tell tail flicker or scattering of snowflakes that would give away his position, while she was sure she could hit harder than him, Light was a lot faster than her, and in a fist fight, quantity could easily out do quality.
Ducking around an ice bolder, she swore and threw herself to the ground as a ball of Ki energy flew by, tearing a massive groove in the wall behind her. Not waiting for him to get off a second shot, she leap in the general direction of the blast, her fist surrounded by a crackling aura as she smashed into the ground, failing to strike anything.
[{ Ice Fight - Jeff Williams - Red vs. Blue (Revelation Soundtrack) }]
Out the corner of her eye she spotted a flicker and started rolling away as the ice next to her seemed to detonate, showering the surrounding area in freezing shards as she scrabbled to her feet. Swinging blindly, grinning as she heard a gasp as one of her wild blows struck him in the gut, momentarily winding him.
But her minor victory was short lived as he started drawing energy around himself, swinging both fist down in a massive two handed blow, sending a shockwave out that knocked her down and sent her sliding across the floor. Slamming against a bolder, she leapt to her feet, quickly launching into a counter attack.
Her fist blurred as she went on the assault, every second blow seeming to miss him by inches. Shattering the ice where she hit, but after a few minutes of hit and miss, she became aware of a low groaning noise.
Looking up she saw massive cracks spider webbing up along the wall and roof, her body reacting before her mind finished processing the fact that they were now in the middle of a cave-in. chucks of ice rained down, each one shattering as it hit the ground, sparing her with frozen needles.
She was wondering whether Light was okay when he dove under one block and swung at her, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him as he forced her on the defence. His fist were almost a glowing haze as he pushed her back, at the same time effortlessly dodging the falling ice… but she still had some tricks up her sleaves.
As one of the massive blocks thundered into the ground next to her, Neph stepped behind it and punched it, sending it sliding across the ground towards him, laughing as he jumped out of the way, just as she dove at him, her arms wrapping around him and pinning him to the ground, a grin threatening to split her face in two.
Panting she couldn’t help but gloat. “Looks like I win.”
There was a slight glint in his eyes. “Don’t be so sure.” He pulled his head back and jerked forward, causing her to flinch as she expected his forehead to smear her nose across her face.
So it came as a complete shock as he stole a kiss.
She wasn’t exactly sure what happened next, one second she had him in a bear hug with him kissing her, then next she was on her back, arms pined under his knees, a smirk on his face.
A slight battered arena drone floated over, letting out a low whistle. “Times up. Winner, Light’s Retribution.”
Standing up, he gave her his hand and helped her up. “So, did that help you relax?”
As Neph brushed the ice off, she couldn’t help but smile. He was right, she did feel a bit more relaxed now, if bruised to hell and back. “Yeah, but now I feel the overpowering urge to find somewhere warm to curl up till I stop hurting… was the roof meant to fall in like that?”
“No... But then I don’t think anyone had your fighting style in mind when they made this place.” He wrapped one arm around her and lead her to the exit.
Looking around, she slumped against him. “Home again home again trittiy trot.” She managed to get out past a giant yawn, the fight obviously taking a bit out of her.
“You look like you might not pull of the tritity trot part.” With out even waiting for a reply, Light scooped her up and carried her out. “Any problems?”
Unable to keep a grin off her face, Neph draped one arm around his shoulder. “Not at all… not at all.”
Legendary Dojo
Neph sat cross legged on the floor, trying unsuccessfully to meditate, for the tenth time that day.
Letting out a tired sigh she slumped onto her back and starred up at the roof, she needed some other way of unwinding, to work of the stress of her job, dealing with her family (something that the universe seemed to be forcing her to do) and her trips to her shrink.
He had suggested medication, but after she threaten to put his head through his desk if he drugged her, he quickly offered several alternate medicine choices, meditation was towards the end, but even after getting pointers from Light, she was still failing.
Closing her eyes she contemplated trying again when she heard the sound of small feet running across the dojo floor, before a large weight dropped on her gut, knocking the breath from her. Eye’s flying open she saw Franz sitting on her stomach, his squished face pulled into a look of puppy dog glee.
Coughing as she tried to get her breath back, she heard some one run in. “Shit, how is that little tubby bastard so fast?”
Looking over she saw Light come in, he paused to look at her as she tried to catch her breath, then to the dog sitting on her, panting happily as he barked at him.
“Sorry Neph, thought you were home, so opened the door and he bolted, you okay?” He asked, kneeling next to her and offering his hand.
Wheezing she managed to push Franz off and sit up. “I have had worse.” Taking Lights hand, she climbed up. “Just ruined my half ass attempt at meditation, that’s all.”
“Still having trouble with it?”
Neph let out a long sigh. “Yeah, I’m running out of relaxation ideas, there are a few left…” she could feel her self blushing as one that Lights primal counterpart mentioned came to mind. “But I’m holding off on them for now.”
“Some sort of extreme treatment or something?”
“Uh… yeah, something like that.” she muttered climbing to her feet.
“So what have you tried then?” Light asked, scooping up Franz.
She lead him back to her apartment, rattling off each relaxation techniques, not noticing Light slowly growing thoughtful till after she shoved Franz back into the apartment and closed the door.
“How about sparing?” he asked.
“Sparing?”
“Sure, helps me unwind.”
She mused on it, a few minor bouts would be fun… and a small part of her mind pointed out that it would also have Light hot and sweaty in close contact… not the level of contact it wanted, but damn near close enough.
“Worth a try. When?”
Lights grin spread. “Meet me at the Talos arena in half an hour and dress warmly.”
Nodding as he left, Neph started musing what he had in mind.
^later^
Talos Island Arena.
Now I know what he meant about dressing warmly. Shivering slightly, Neph cast her gaze around the arena Light had selected, some sort of arctic cavern, ice boulders littering the floor, several arena drones hovering around to provide enough light for the combatants.
Looking over to him, she almost felt like swearing as she saw him in his usual light pants, tank top and vest, acting as if it was a nice summer day. Turning around he walked over and smirked. “You ready then?”
“I-I-I feel like I’m about to freeze my ass off.” She managed through chattering teeth.
“Don’t worry, You’ll warm up soon enough.”
Muttering she made it to the staging area, concentrating as layer upon layer of protective energy fields forming around her while she waited for the count down to start.
An electronic beep echoed through the cavern, as a drone hovered next to her, a small display showing the rules of the match, timed match, audience allowed, several other minor things she didn’t bother about as she started to roll her shoulders.
It let out another beep. “Match starting in three… two… one.” An air horn blasted as Neph ran forward, ducking amongst the ice as she adjusted her belt again, the light bending around her to render her all but invisible to the naked eye.
Gritting her teeth she scanned around, looking for a tell tail flicker or scattering of snowflakes that would give away his position, while she was sure she could hit harder than him, Light was a lot faster than her, and in a fist fight, quantity could easily out do quality.
Ducking around an ice bolder, she swore and threw herself to the ground as a ball of Ki energy flew by, tearing a massive groove in the wall behind her. Not waiting for him to get off a second shot, she leap in the general direction of the blast, her fist surrounded by a crackling aura as she smashed into the ground, failing to strike anything.
[{ Ice Fight - Jeff Williams - Red vs. Blue (Revelation Soundtrack) }]
Out the corner of her eye she spotted a flicker and started rolling away as the ice next to her seemed to detonate, showering the surrounding area in freezing shards as she scrabbled to her feet. Swinging blindly, grinning as she heard a gasp as one of her wild blows struck him in the gut, momentarily winding him.
But her minor victory was short lived as he started drawing energy around himself, swinging both fist down in a massive two handed blow, sending a shockwave out that knocked her down and sent her sliding across the floor. Slamming against a bolder, she leapt to her feet, quickly launching into a counter attack.
Her fist blurred as she went on the assault, every second blow seeming to miss him by inches. Shattering the ice where she hit, but after a few minutes of hit and miss, she became aware of a low groaning noise.
Looking up she saw massive cracks spider webbing up along the wall and roof, her body reacting before her mind finished processing the fact that they were now in the middle of a cave-in. chucks of ice rained down, each one shattering as it hit the ground, sparing her with frozen needles.
She was wondering whether Light was okay when he dove under one block and swung at her, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him as he forced her on the defence. His fist were almost a glowing haze as he pushed her back, at the same time effortlessly dodging the falling ice… but she still had some tricks up her sleaves.
As one of the massive blocks thundered into the ground next to her, Neph stepped behind it and punched it, sending it sliding across the ground towards him, laughing as he jumped out of the way, just as she dove at him, her arms wrapping around him and pinning him to the ground, a grin threatening to split her face in two.
Panting she couldn’t help but gloat. “Looks like I win.”
There was a slight glint in his eyes. “Don’t be so sure.” He pulled his head back and jerked forward, causing her to flinch as she expected his forehead to smear her nose across her face.
So it came as a complete shock as he stole a kiss.
She wasn’t exactly sure what happened next, one second she had him in a bear hug with him kissing her, then next she was on her back, arms pined under his knees, a smirk on his face.
A slight battered arena drone floated over, letting out a low whistle. “Times up. Winner, Light’s Retribution.”
Standing up, he gave her his hand and helped her up. “So, did that help you relax?”
As Neph brushed the ice off, she couldn’t help but smile. He was right, she did feel a bit more relaxed now, if bruised to hell and back. “Yeah, but now I feel the overpowering urge to find somewhere warm to curl up till I stop hurting… was the roof meant to fall in like that?”
“No... But then I don’t think anyone had your fighting style in mind when they made this place.” He wrapped one arm around her and lead her to the exit.
Looking around, she slumped against him. “Home again home again trittiy trot.” She managed to get out past a giant yawn, the fight obviously taking a bit out of her.
“You look like you might not pull of the tritity trot part.” With out even waiting for a reply, Light scooped her up and carried her out. “Any problems?”
Unable to keep a grin off her face, Neph draped one arm around his shoulder. “Not at all… not at all.”