I know I messed up but there's no use in crying

[theturksway]

Who: Reno and Roland
Where: Training Gym
When: Month of Imagination, Day 20
What: Reno still has some issues to work through. Roland offered to be the punching bag in the equation, and now Reno is taking him up on that.
Warnings: Dark emotions, sketchy pasts, fighting, cursing, etc.

Reno had grown more and more restless as the days post mission came and went. The new passengers had made for a brief distraction but the train wasn't taking in as many per round these days. And besides, it was business as usual after platform day and that meant wandering the train uselessly as life went on. Living life on a train was like putting him into a cage. He grew anxious seeing the same faces day in and day out.

In particular, one face bothered him the most and it wasn't even a passenger's mug. It started with a certain passenger's face annoying him whenever he ran into that person. Hard not to walking in a straight line every day to get somewhere. But eventually Reno wasn't seeing Inigo's face anymore, not really. Every time he passed the kid he saw a face from home, the boss's younger brother, Evan. A recent addition to Reno's list of persons of interest. The kid wasn't actually all that interesting (except that he was good at getting into trouble) but Reno had grown attached through his own dumb nature and found himself keeping an eye on the kid despite himself.

It had begun with a simple mistake that led the Turks to Evan's door and afterward a realization that Reno recognized the features in the young blond. Once the idea was there he couldn't get it out of his head and he'd bothered Tseng and Rufus until they'd agreed to the meeting. Reuniting long lost family, seeing how they acted on meeting, Reno had looked forward to it. He still wasn't sure if it had been worth it or whether he was disappointed in the way it went down. His expectations had been too high, he realized later, but he couldn't help it. There was something about family that Reno just couldn't let go.

Reno's fist stung. He looked down at it and noticed the red marks signifying its irritation. He glanced around the carriage to see how many people he had startled with the sudden movement--a punch to the wall--and ducked out when he noticed a few odd stares. He hadn't even realized he'd grown bothered enough to act out in such a manner. The punch had come out of nowhere, brought on by...what? his thoughts? his homesickness?

Ugh. What a lame word. What a lame excuse for dumb emotions. He sneered at himself and pushed through the crowded train carriages with no apology for his rude behavior.

He wasn't really sure where he was going but he stopped when he saw a perfect target for his boiling temperament anyway. Roland. Fucking asshole. His fist clenched at his side. The wall wasn't close enough to punch but it was tempting again. His lips parted into a wicked smile and he moved forward again.

"Hey, asshole." He greeted the dark haired man. "You owe me one, yo."

Comments

[adregem]

"Way to ask politely."

Roland glances up from his writing, unstartled even as Reno makes his way over without trying to hide the noise he brings with him. He's been trying to organize himself since the mission, coming down from events that he had neither expected nor understood fully. And frustratingly, there were no answers to be had, no readings to dissect, no resources to mine from. Everything always came to them in piecemeal.

Seeing the redhead ask for his end of the deal didn't help Roland's mood at all, either. Whatever professionalism the two of them exhibited on the journey to save a certain voidcraft captain tided over the moment Roland remembered what Inigo told him - how Inigo managed to pick at Reno's own insecurities; or how he saw Reno move to grab his baton before Inigo left him to stew in his own anger, escaping wrath he did not deserve. Again. It's not enough for Roland to break his facade of calm, but it angers him to think that in one minute, Reno could show him vulnerability, even fondness for the life he was forced out of, before swinging back to hurting innocents just because he didn't feel like talking anymore. Because he felt like his mood warranted a fight.

Roland slowly closes his journal and it disappears into his arms band. He hasn't forgotten what he offered Reno, that day. He stands by it, even if his guilt eats up at him; how Inigo wouldn't want Roland to be doing this, how he would find fault in himself for forcing Roland's hand. But this was about Roland too. About how he takes bullies, no matter how grown up they are, or where he finds them.

He finishes off the drink in his mug before nudging his head back, to the direction of the training car, eyes tired and gaze hardened.

"If you can keep your temper in check for five more minutes," he quips dryly, sharply. "I'll just meet you there." He didn't exactly dress to train when he got up.

[theturksway]

"Pretty please~," the redhead 'amended' with a mocking sing-song quality as he leaned forward and batted his eyelashes. His grin fell as he straightened up and rolled his eyes though he kept up the appearance of good humor with a smirk. "Like you expect anything less from me."

He watched Roland and if he had been on top of his game he might have noticed the tired eyes, the stressed posture, or wondered what the other was writing in his book. Or maybe he was just used to the hardened gaze turned on him and the tension between them. Maybe he didn't want to know what the other was up to at all. Then again, perhaps he noticed and ignored it all because he had adopted a current demeanor of not caring about anything. See how far that got him.

His lips pursed as though he might object to Roland's delay. But it turned out to be a thoughtful expression and Reno simply protested to be antagonistic. "What? You're busy? Like there's anything to do on this train," he said half-heartedly. He waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, take your time. It's not like I have anything better to do. Ain't gonna go on a kit hunt to make you keep your promise or anything."

Deceptively dismissive perhaps. A passive-aggressive way of reminding Roland that Reno expected the other to show up. Not an open threat but with the hint of one in the subtext. Reno had no intention of hunting down the little ~pup~ but the threat of it nonetheless would likely catch Roland's attention and cause him to keep his promise. Or push his buttons enough so Reno had some entertainment ahead of him.

[adregem]

He's already on both feet, stood straight with shoulders back by the time Reno barks out his little empty threat. That's what Roland would like to assume, anyway. He'll grant him that much, though he knows Reno is capable of following through with it if he was riled up enough. Hence this arrangement, right? It's all part of his game, it obviously amuses him to see his words get under someone's skin.

But this, whatever words come out of Reno's lips, it still grates at Roland inwardly. Makes his mouth twitch slightly out of annoyance, a wave of protectiveness washing over him. Whatever notion Reno held about Roland's betrayal, that was his alone to hold on to for as long as he wanted. For Roland, this has always been about abating the loose canon before him for Inigo's sake - and maybe a sprinkle of his own desire to see a bully put to justice in whatever way he can deliver.

So even if he feels like he could rise to that jab, he could take it on with a heated exchange of his own, Roland doesn't. That would be too easy. Inigo can take you on, anyway. Do you really think he's not grown since the last time you've seen him? That he's not trying to get stronger? Ah, but no. No, he can't offer Inigo to the wolf like this. Attention has to be on him, for now. Until Inigo was ready. So, he just smiles dryly at Reno, stares him down for a moment. "I'm a man of my word. So I expect you to keep yours too."

At the very least, he can always rely on his well-practiced default, stoic and sure. Born from decades of trying to keep a level head despite always standing in a room filled with angry politicians with egos as big as their countries. In many ways, his career had trained him to deal with Reno somewhat. He acted just as impulsively as some of the worst world leaders in his time.

Roland moves out of Reno's proximity smoothly and begins to walk towards the direction of the sleeper cabins, not looking back, offering only one last thing before he eventually disappears from Reno's line of vision.

"Five minutes. I'm just changing. Don't blow a fuse."

[theturksway]

The little twitches of suppressed expression, the annoyance in the air--that was the sort of thing Reno looked for, amused him to have caused. The practiced stoicism and cool response--that was much less interesting. A disappointment, really.

He got enough of that from his partner. Perhaps that was why he found it so fun to get a reaction out of people. It was hard to get a noticeable reaction out of Rude, but that's what made it so exciting whenever he did.

Thoughts for another time and place, he shoved them firmly out of mind. Just further fuel for his mood. He didn't need to be thinking of things back home, a world he was separated from, people he genuinely missed when he let himself admit to such things.

Idly, the redhead pivoted to follow Roland's progress with his gaze. He made an unamused noise. "Yeah, yeah." He watched Roland leave.

He stood still for a few more seconds afterward. Felt the discomfort and tension build back up now that his target was out of sight. His mind would wander again if he let it--

He turned on his heel quickly and headed towards the training gym.

Reno was glad to note there wasn't enough people to make it hard to procure some space. Nor create a spectacle. Probably. He easily ignored the usual suspects in the carriage and claimed a spot for a warm-up. Rude would have probably got onto him for the lack of proper routine--his "warm-up" today consisted more of hitting a dummy painfully hard a few times while he waited rather than actual stretches and warm-up routines. He just wanted--

He eventually settled in and waited impatiently. His posture gave off the impression of a relaxed slouch with no care in the world. However, subtler signs pointed towards a less patient demeanor beneath the facade. The way his eyes darted around, his fingers tapping against his thigh. He was ready.

"Took you long enough," the redhead called out despite the fact that it had been no more than the advertised five minutes once Roland finally entered the carriage.

[adregem]

"If you haven't noticed, it's big train." He answers dryly.

Which meant a longer walk, but it's not like Roland purposely delayed his coming. He could roll his eyes at such a welcome, if he were the type. He walks in controlled steps, catching the last violent thump of Reno's 'warm up' against the poor dummy absorbing all his punches. He had promptly changed into more appropriate clothes, and took special time to add contingencies in the event things go south - because by experience, it always seems to go that direction with Reno. So apart from asking his higgledy to grant him his usual boosted spell for extra stamina, he's wrapping his hands with a thick gauze too, just about finished with the roll as he stops a little ways away from the red head. The light sheen of sweat over his forehead may indicate he jogged over to the training car too, its own form of a warm-up.

Roland had no intentions of pulling punches today. He said what he did and he's going to see it to whatever end it comes. Roland thinks of Inigo too, and how he might make it up to his adopted should he ever find out that Roland did this for his sake. But more than the natural irritation that rolls off of him just remembering how casually Reno always jabs at hurting Inigo, or anyone else for that matter, there's something mellowed brewing just beneath the surface too. Whether this was brought about by the shared experience by the jungle planet, or the revelations that came with the death of the captain, maybe Roland just truly wanted to hold up his end of the bargain. Get this over with so Reno could stop acting so aggressively over every person who crosses his path. So he could get back to his own thoughts; to processing the grief that traps his mind within itself by the daily.

Not that Roland thinks one sparring session would ease Reno's perpetual moodiness, but that was an aside. He crosses his arms over his chest and addresses him straight on, no pussyfooting around.

"Ground rules." Roland says. "First: if we're fighting with weapons, disarm only. Even without it, we call in as soon as the other is unable to get back up. Nothing fatal." He walks in a semi-circle, keeping his eye on Reno. Roland's scoping out a good space for them to start, one that didn't need to disturb anyone else who might come.

"Two..." His mouth twitches. "Nothing to harm the train. For obvious reasons." He's repeated his story so many times, Roland should be used to the truth by now. He's not. He stops moving and resumes his stance as they scope out their little arena. "And last one. Get rid of all your toys. No using them here."

That should be obvious too. The electric gadgets, the flying metal balls and the tools he used to stop the giant robot in its tracks...Roland shakes his head once for emphasis. Those were unnecessary in an honest fight. If Reno was capable of that honor, even for a second. Regardless, he's not budging until he hears Reno confirm what he lays out.

[theturksway]

Reno eyed Roland as the other walked about surveying the area and addressing him with all those stipulations to their little match. His brows were furrowed slightly as he listened. This felt oddly like he was about to take a test and it had been a long time since he'd undertaken such an endeavor. In fact, usually he was the one administering tests on rookies and potential recruits.

Shit, that had been years ago. There were no new recruits to the Turks or even SOLDIER candidates to test out anymore. It was just the four of them, five counting the President as their leader, and a scattering of former company employees that helped with projects to help rebuild when called upon. The latter weren't even permanent. It was really...just the five of them. And they still went on like they had any business being in charge of anything.

Again, shit, thoughts for another time or no time at all while he was stuck here. That was just asking for trouble. He shook his head more to clear it than to respond to Roland's dumb guidelines.

"You don't like my toys?" he whined unabashedly. "You just love to rain on my parade, don't you. Fine. It's not like I need 'em for you."

With that said, Reno sidestepped to face Roland head-on and twirled his baton in a loose circle at his hip possibly as a purposeful gesture to bring attention to the fact he already had it in hand. He didn't fight much without it unless he was caught off guard or the mission required a more distant touch to complete.

"Are you done yapping yet? You know that's my stitck, yo." He laughed at his own joke and then pointed his baton at Roland. "Let's get this party started already!"

[adregem]

He summons his sword, a simple one for now, nicely decorated with a golden hilt and a straight edge, no fancy magic imbued. Roland brandishes it with one hand before resuming a stance, his other hand lifted to grip the handle tight.

"I don't care much about your toys, no." He says coolly. "But I'd rather you save them for a mission where they can help people." It's an easy explanation for Roland, regardless of how he feels about his opponent. If they were talking about work, then he'd rather Reno performs to his utmost best on the job, using his weapons to stop opponents the way he did in Nion. That was it. Using them on Roland during a sparring session would be such a waste of resources.

But back to the action. The rest of Reno's verbal assault is left mostly unacknowledged. As far as Roland can tell, they're already beginning, and he steels himself for watching Reno's movements carefully. He's coming into the zone, matching the heightened energy rolling off of the other guy with his own, simmering just beneath the surface. It didn't matter who was facing Roland on the other end of the gym; he always gives his all anyway.

Wordlessly, he wastes little time just as Reno demands of him. Roland moves with a practiced ease, smoothly rushing into a weighted thrust extending his whole arm to gauge just how much Reno could defend against a completely open attack. The baton, he's certain, is charged with electricity. Whether or not Reno will use it today, however, is completely up to fate itself.

En garde.

[theturksway]

There was a response on the tip of Reno's tongue that he held back for no other reason than that the action was finally ready to start. His attention focused in on his opponent as well.

There was a subtle difference in Reno's demeanor when he was play fighting versus getting a job done seriously. His attention to detail and a sharper glint to his eye was one such tale. Either way though he seemed to enjoy the action, the thrill of the fight, and employing his little tricks and taunts all throughout.

Reno's legs twitched as his first instinct was to dash out of the way of an attack. However, at the last second he brought up his baton to block the attack. Despite the one handed grip he employed on his weapon, Reno's block arrested Roland's sword and held it in place. Just to show that he could.

A second, two passed as he locked weapons with Roland before the redhead finally pushed back so that he could escape the stalemate. His strength wouldn't last forever. His speed was his best asset.

To that end, Reno dashed in a zig-zag pattern to the opposite side of the arena. If Roland had any doubts about how Reno felt about his electrical attacks being something other than typical tactics, this would clear it up already. Reno's movements left a barrier of electrical currents in his wake, forcing his opponent to maneuver carefully for a little while they lasted in the air and Reno prepared another attack from behind Roland now.

[adregem]

Roland narrows his eyes at the darting movement after their weapons break from the lock. It's an easy observation to make. Plenty of warriors on the train boast of their speed, but Reno had an edge Roland can't help but acknowledge to aid in his defense: he knew how to use his speed regardless of the circumstance. Reno's well-trained, and it shows. Roland is right not to underestimate his opponent; one wrong move and he could find himself outmatched in dexterity, easily.

Reno understood the terrain too; was planning moves around his strengths. That might be where Roland catches him though, already aiming to use what Reno deems his best asset against him. If Reno expects him to run around, Roland does the opposite and stays still, braced like a statue ready for more. Eyes watching, moving as Reno does, sword half-raised, two hands on the hilt. He would never be able to run circles around Reno anyway, and training a bit more with Tidus helped hone his own instincts around enemies who rattled less experienced folks with a flurry of movements that instinctively awaken a reaction to catch up.

Roland doesn't need to catch up. What Reno offers in speed, Roland will match in stamina, of which he has plenty to go around. What he does instead, is to play a careful balancing act not to get caught in a trap between the barbs of electric aura Reno leaves behind - curious little thing, was it naturally magic? His feet shuffle in micro movements. But regardless, his body language says it all. Come on, then. Give me your next move. He can take it.

[theturksway]

There was a bit of a slow saunter to Reno's movements between his attacks. Like he was a languid cat taking his time with his intended prey. He would take a few steps in this manner as he eyed his opponent carefully before bursting back into a speedy attack.

When Roland didn't attempt to come to him, Reno went to Roland. The redhead came at a quick run. His speed added force to his first attack with his baton, a strong diagonal swipe downwards. Then there was a follow-up back in the opposite direction. Reno was also a kicker--once he'd attacked with his baton he aimed a simple front kick at Roland in an attempt to drive him backwards before the blue electrical field surrounding them faded entirely.

[adregem]

He reads such a movement well-enough to receive all the blows with a brace, though the ringing, tingling up his arms from every forceful attack is not to be ignored. It's good though. It's a sensation that wakes the body up, tells your brain you need to start fighting. Roland waits until Reno's leg begins its natural decline back down to position; then, he too, strikes. The leg supporting him from getting pushed back too far jolts, sending his weight towards every strike that he counterattacks with. One, two, three swift slashes with his sword, with a quick pivot at the final hit, spinning him once in a decisive horizontal strike.

His sword locks in with the baton once more before he breaks first, fast before Reno can retaliate up close, then resuming his stance. Till now, Roland is studying his opponent in his own way, not as a predator but as a guard. Noticing as much of the nuance in Reno's face, his limbs. Or the way he is approaching Roland's own strategy. He beckons him with a subtle nod.

[theturksway]

Reno's baton came up to block the swift attacks, blocking the sword with the ring of metal on metal. His right hand came up with the last strong strike as if to help brace his defensive pose but never quite touched his baton to back up his main hand. Roland broke free before Reno quite felt the need to use both hands and instead he used the opportunity to backflip out of the way of any more oncoming attacks if Roland changed his mind.

Out of melee reach, Reno sauntered around his opponent idly for another few moments as they eyed each other. Though Reno was focused it couldn't be denied that he was enjoying the rumble. The brute force, the speed and dexterity, the act of watching and reacting, acting and counter-acting; it all held a quick thrill that kept the redhead satisfied.

The idle moment passed and Reno bent forward as he sprinted back towards Roland. The Turk had to hand to the guy, he certainly had his guard up. He was intent not to give Reno the opportunity to get a cheap hit off. Fine, fine by him, yo.

That probably meant Reno would have to resort to more interesting tactics in a bit. Else he'd get bored with the fight. However, he gave Roland one more pass with a straight up attack; his baton came up to engage the sword, get it out of the way, so he could attack with a combination of kicks. He had a certain flow to his movements that spoke to the fact that he was keen on this sort of maneuver, a set of kicks he practiced and honed. At the end of his combo attack he struck again with the baton to swipe away the sword if possible and follow-up with a jump spin kick.

He knew he'd be vulnerable afterwards but his speed played a huge role in getting him out of trouble and he flipped back out of reach quickly to regain his footing away from his opponent.

[adregem]

Roland does something that Reno may not have expected. He's not one to do so in a regular fight where people's lives are on the line, including his own, but in a spar, he can afford such dangerous little luxuries. He hopes it'll aid him in the long run, this gathering of information; this fight to settle feelings of dread and frustration that never quite left him. How he still thinks Inigo is owed something, and he'd be happy to keep putting himself in the middle if it meant buying him peace of mind. Time to believe in his own potential.

If he ever found out...

For now, he'll play to strategy. When Reno's kicks flurry in rapid strikes, each hit knowing precisely where to go, he allows one to slip past his defenses. His sword is lowered out by just enough such that his arm is what take the most of the final kick to his person. There's enough time in between the thought and the action for Roland to brace himself for it, but it hurts just the same. A bruise would most likely form if he didn't get healer's attention sooner rather than later, but that didn't quite matter. His only purpose then, was to measure how hard Reno hits.

'Decent force, but the momentum falls back down in exchange for more speed and flourish.' He knew how to put his back into it, but the follow-through always left him room for vulnerability. He'd flip, dart away, try to confuse with being the fastest. Roland notes all this in his silence, his expression still hyper focused on the man in front of him. The kick doesn't quite manage to stagger him completely backwards, but there's afforded room to counter, the pain in his arm already dulled from adrenaline.

He rushes when Reno retreats with a flip, taking the opening presented to him eagerly by combining both moves now; the thrust to catch Reno off-guard, not intending to hit skin or muscle, then a combination of previous moves, ending with a low somersault in mid-jump, lending more power to a downward slash of his sword against the baton.