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]

"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 ???

[tofightinjustice]

WHO KNOWS. D:

Bryce pulls a knee up to her chest and runs a hand through her hair; it sticks up in haphazard, sweat-soaked spikes.

"I didn't. Mean to. I mean it's okay, I just. Didn't -- know?"

[sicaria]

"Didn't mean to what? Beat me in a fight? Because that's apparently the criterion," she says, a little ruefully.

[tofightinjustice]

"--Oh."

Well.

She definitely meant to do that.

[sicaria]

"It's actually sort of interesting," she says thoughtfully. "...But I suppose you won't be particularly keen to listen to me analyze it."

[tofightinjustice]

"No," she says, looking up. "I wouldn't mind."

[sicaria]

She sits cross-legged and folds her hands in her lap. (Her dress is smudged in a few places, wrinkled in others, but will probably be fine after a good wash.)

"I've only ever lost before to Jim, and that was half on purpose; he was training me for the Games. I had... other reasons to be fond of him, but looking back, that was a major factor in why I find him so attractive."

[tofightinjustice]

"You like it when people beat you?"

[sicaria]

"Seems to be the logical conclusion," she agrees. "I suppose it makes sense, too. It's a high bar to clear. And I've always found violence arousing, in the abstract at least."