14024/Picking Up The Slack

Picking Up The Slack
Date of Scene:	16 December 2021
Location:	The Magic Box, Sunnydale
Synopsis:	Nick sneaks over to the Magic Box for some training with Buffy. Also learns to dodge questions.
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Buffy Summers

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It is well past the hours that the Magic Box would be open to the public. But, that doesn't mean the building is devoid of life. The back room is still lit and a melody of stick hitting stick sets the mood for the two persons inside.

Nick seems, a bit tired. How long he's been there, he's lost track of but the sheen of sweat upon his brow betrays the time to be long. That aside, he seems like he was when the practice sessions were more frequent. There aren't any additional scars and his arrival to the place was less than normal. Dream travel can be quite handy when one wants to sneak out someplace without tipping off any watchers to the intended destination. Although, he's sure that Bucky wouldn't have trouble finding him if it was really necessary.

There's a break in the movement as Nick steps back. Escrima sticks held at the ready while he catches his breath, intently watching Buffy's motions.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers is used to late night practice sessions, and while things have been oddly quiet lately, at least it gave her a chance to relax in the training area of the Box, after several quiet days of patrolling that turned up nothing unusual. Even demons are behaving lately. And so she was a bit surprised to find Nick at the Box, but more than happy to practice with him even at this late hour of night.

She is using her tonfa tonight, evenly matching his movements, but barely breathing from the exertion. "You're improving, I'm impressed." she smiles, knowing that he doesn't have super strength or endurance to give him an edge. Of course he has other abilities. With a grin she suddenly sweeps out with her tonfa low to the ground, trying to sweep him off his feet.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick sees the stick swing out towards his feet and hops diagonally over the tonfa, landing not where he started but a bit closer to Buffy. As she's crouched down, he brings one stick over to smack at her shoulder. "You're still holding back." Nick replies in kind, pulling back the stick so he has both at the ready for the next round. "I still have a ways to go."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers grins, darting back, circling him again, "Oh! am I?" she shrugs, "So you think I'm going too easy on you?" even as she speaks, Buffy ups the ante, rushing at him with a near eye blurring flurry of rapid punches followed by a few quick, well placed kicks, "What are you afraid of the most, Phantasm..?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
With the two sticks, Nick's options are limited. Coupled with the fact he is not using powers, some of the strikes do end up landing. But the sticks are utilized, and following the general objective to disarm instead avoidance, some swift whacks are given to the knuckles of the fists.

"That's a loaded question, Buffy." Nick cautions.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns, "Of all of us, you have the highest defense. You can literally phase out of the solid plane if you want. You're smart and fast, you can hide better than most of us." she frowns, "To be honest, I'm still not sure why these people are after you, but clearly you must have seen something you weren't supposed to or something, right? So are you afraid that you're vulnerable even with all that you're capable of, or are you afraid that others will get hurt because of you..Or is there something else I don't know?" she continues to assault him with a flurry of high and low punches as she casually speaks before changing her stance, stepping to the side to throw him off, pushing him to his limits.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick ends up getting shoved back as a few of the hits make it through. Her speed making it so she can get more strikes than he can block. But the historically more troublesome strikes get knocked back with wrist strikes.

"There's a lot you don't know." Nick replies through gritted teeth. He seems exhausted but he's still standing. "And a lot I can't tell you because stuff is still in motion. But... It turns out my decision to practice this without using powers was spot on."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods and smiles, "Youre better than you think, and you're getting better. Still, I worry about you. Wish I knew more about what's going on so I can help. You've been MIA for a long while, but I'm relieved to see you're still alive and kicking." she slows her assault, then stops completely, pausing to bow respectfully to him. "Sooo, how long you sticking around this time? You're safer staying with people who can help protect you, rather than striking out alone, y'know?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick frowns, stopping when Buffy does, straightening up with a deep breath. "I'm staying with people who have more of a knowledge of who I'm dealing with. But," He pauses, "I uh, snuck out to come here, and yes... I used the powers to not be seen coming in. I'd recommend not acting like you know me when in public for the time being. The people I'm dealing with aren't above attacking family, friends... or aquaintances."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns a bit, "That sucks, but I'm glad to hear someone's got your back at least, I hope at some point you are able to clue us in on what's going on though..I hate feeling helpless, you know that." she smiles, reaching for a water bottle and towel, tossing him two as well, "Here, take a load off for a bit before heading back, this is a safe place too. It was good seeing you again."