For Sherlock of some flavor or another

[tofightinjustice]

There's a heavy bag hung up on one of the trees at the edge of the Milliways forest. It's a little off the beaten path, which is nice, and Bryce finds that working in the cool not-Scottish air is a lot less dehydrating than working in the California sun.

For her size (she's middling tall but not very bulky), she's giving the bag a fairly thorough beating.

Comments

[sicaria]

"No it's not," she says absently, still analyzing data. "What d'you think it was made for?"

[tofightinjustice]

Skeptical: "Not rolling around in the dirt?"

[sicaria]

"For fighting in," she explains. "Look—"

And, with most of her attention still elsewhere, she twists to throw Bryce off her. The move is perfectly executed, without any of her usual hesitation.

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce inhales sharply, letting Sherlock throw her off. This time she rolls out of range and comes up into a crouch, watching Sherlock warily, one hand balancing her on the ground and the other ready to block an attack.

[sicaria]

She shows Bryce the back of the dress, which is indeed a little wrinkled but otherwise intact.

"See? It's hard to find a fashion designer in the Capitol capable of entertaining a practical thought, but the results are more than worth it."

Beat.

"Oh, of course," she says, brightening. "The reason I've been so awful is because I don't have a clear goal."

[tofightinjustice]

"Because you're not trying to kill me?"

[sicaria]

"Kill or incapacitate or chase off. I've always been after something."

[tofightinjustice]

She stands up, still on guard.

"So try and keep me from fighting back. I'll tap out if you manage it."

[sicaria]

"Hmm," says Sherlock, thoughtfully. Recalibrating.

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce stays on the defensive, at first, which turns out to be good, because when Sherlock attacks again it's almost an entirely new fight. It takes her a few minutes to work out Sherlock's new methods.

Once she does -- once she spots their weaknesses, which are mostly strategic, not physical; there's no way to win this fight solely by being faster or stronger -- she adjusts her own thought patterns and goes back on the offensive.

It's a hell of a fight.

Five minutes of fierce, fast brawling later, with both girls tiring, Bryce takes advantage of a minor stumble on Sherlock's part and tackles the gladiatrix to the ground.

[sicaria]

This time there is no easy throw. She doesn't even try; nothing that fits parameters would work.

[tofightinjustice]

And Bryce doesn't give her time to try anything. A moment after they're both down, Bryce's forearm is across Sherlock's throat and pressing lightly.

"Tap out," she pants.

[sicaria]

She spends a brief moment considering her options.

Then she smiles, relaxing.

"Yes, all right. Congratulations, by the way; you're the second person ever to beat me in a fight."

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce relaxes in turn and rolls off to one side, grinning breathlessly.

"Thanks."

[sicaria]

With the fight now over, Sherlock can take stock of her physical situation and finally let herself feel all those minor injuries that weren't allowed to matter when they happened.



She also notices something else.



Aaaand now she is blushing.

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce is taking a similar moment of cataloging injuries. Bruises, scratches, more bruises. She's going to be incredibly sore tomorrow, but it was totally worth it.

Henri is going to have questions about who she's been fighting, though.


She's -- not certain whether this was worth Henri getting annoyed or not. But he can't get mad at her, can he? She won, and she's not hurt so badly she can't keep training or go out this weekend. They'll have to come up with an explanation for the people at school, though, and he might not like that.

She glances over at Sherlock and -- blinks.

"Why are you blushing?"

[sicaria]

"...Do you want me to answer that question?" she asks, lost.

[tofightinjustice]

". . . It's okay that you didn't win," Bryce offers, uncertainly. "You fought really well."

[sicaria]

"That is not why I'm blushing."

[tofightinjustice]

[sicaria]

She blushes harder!

She doesn't need to say it now, right?

[tofightinjustice]

"--Um."

This.

What.

UM.

[sicaria]

"...Sorry?" she tries.

[tofightinjustice]

"That's--"

Um.

"That's okay?"

[sicaria]

"...Okay."

??? NOW WHAT ???