"Why not ask York instead? I can see this being the exact thing he lives for." Nico says as we circle each other on one of the square foam matts in the training room.
"I told you; I just need to let some steam off. If I asked York to train with me, he would take it as a challenge and try to kill me."
Nico chuckles a little. "That's a valid point. Alright then. Let's see what you've got."
He crouches low, his arms extended, and his fists clenched. We weren't using weapons, because like I said, I just wanted to blow off some steam and maybe pick up a couple of new tricks from some of my Reaper brothers. There were a lot of people here I hadn't even met yet, but right now I was feeling like shit because of Jazzy, so I decided against introducing myself and instead asking Nico for some sparring.
We hadn't actually met again since those first few days of my Reaper life, and I had liked him well enough. I had plenty of time to get to know everyone, so I wasn't too worried about that right now. Besides, I'd probably just come off as a cranky asshole right now.
I was just guilty, irritated, and regretful. I both wanted to punch someone and get punched in return. Weird, I know. But there were a lot of times when I was younger when hurting people or getting hurt was the only thing I could feel. I had made myself numb to the shitty way my parents made me feel on a daily basis, just because it was easier to not feel anything at all. But it also meant I didn't care about things like doing well in school, always just barely getting by. I didn't care about making friends or connections, forming relationships or even planning for a future. Easy to never be disappointed if you never had any expectations in the first place.
I didn't care about anything when I was alive, except for Jazzy. And now she had to forget me. I was having a really, really hard time being impartial about this whole thing, I can't lie.
I charge at Nico as my knotted-up thoughts threaten to consume me, bringing my leg up to bring it back down on his shoulder. It lands, and he tilts to the side, but manages to grab my leg at the side and push. I lose my footing, and crash to my back.
"That was a really good move. It's easy to tell you're a practiced fighter." Nico says while nodding. "But I suggest you not fear a retreat. You could have avoided my swing if you'd immediately darted away after delivering your attack." I nod a little, and sit up, getting to my feet.
"Again." Nico nods in agreement, and stands, returning to his original position. This time when I charge him, the bastard pushes himself off the ground right before I go to swing at him. He lands on my shoulders, one hand one each side, his fingers digging in as he twists himself and wraps his leg around my neck and begins choking me.
"Jesus" I choke out, tapping his shin for mercy. He unwraps himself and jumps off gracefully. I cough, rubbing at my throat a little.
"The lesson there is to think outside the box when you're facing a stronger enemy than yourself. You are most definitely physically stronger than me, so I have to fight a bit like a wild animal." He shrugs, like he was completely okay with this fact.
"What are we doing in here?" I look to where a Reaper I haven't talked to yet is walking in. He looks maybe…twenty-five? Although who knows how old he really is. He has icy blue eyes that almost seem to glow, and messy black hair. He's tall and pretty fit looking, and weirdly enough, he's wearing what looks like a black bathrobe.
God, I hope he has underwear on under there at least.