Can't Rid of Me (JackLex & Marree)

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[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] For moments at a time, I find myself staring after the two boys that take to hitting the ground running. My vision settles on Joel as he takes of and a few seconds later, I hear him laugh along with the other boy. If you touch Gala after this, you can expect a world of pain that my knife will prove my point. If Gala is still okay... if Matthew.. No, he can handle himself. he deserves it for not helping. If he's even on our side. Who can really say? The searing fire that throbs in my face is starting to become an unwelcomed thing. At first it was just completely numb, but now, the longer I hold my hand to my cheek, it starts setting alight with pain. It seems to wake me up. Make me look around. Without another second, I start getting up slowly. My vision swims with the effort. I feel my face already swollen around the imprint of the knuckles. "Damnit.." I say and furiously look over when I see one guy already passed out on the ground and the other two are still alive and kicking. Kicking. I see the one guy smash his boot into their hands. I blink and open my eyes again with some effort. I feel so tired right now, but that can hardly be the case. I shake it off for now. I need to because the moment I make it to my knees I hear a scream. I hear this God awful sound that really makes me come back to reality after making myself get up from the ground. My senses are coming back. The last two guys are still rearing to go. One of them does something to Matt and it's his voice I hear when he screams out. Since when does he scream? Since when does he really seem to care about girls, obviously... that has been the question and answers I keep hearing. Even with me, I noticed at first his lack of like for the female gender. Maybe, he is on our side for once? I grimace when I see his face get kicked and watch his assailent stand over his like an old oak tree. What I happened to miss was the moment that Gala got taken away. Yanked away from Matthew and struggles against the guy who holds her a little too close for my comfort. His arms around her entire torso and arms bound in his grip. "GALA!" I scream out, and force myself to my feet and close the distance in between me and Gala. I watch as he squeezes the life out of her. I see her struggling. I'm almost there when I feel a fist connect with my back. A shock comes through my body. All of the connecting nerves sends pain signals throughout my body and my first reaction is to swing and for the first time, there is power and good aim. I turn around and feel as my fist connects with the guy just below his nose. His mouth parts and I feel something dig into my skin as he falls backward as stiff as a board and lands with a thud. His mouth begins to bleeds instantly. He starts choking instantly on the blood in his mouth and I grasp my hand where the pain come from. Blood pools at the top where his teeth dug into my skin and I can only wonder if I had actually done that. Surprise is evident in my face and takes my attention for only a moment before I hear Gala's hoarse wheeze. I turn to meet with the guy sqeezing her tightly. Gala's face turning pale the longer I stand to look. I see the look on his face when I turn to him after taking one swing against his friend. How can I help her? I hear Matthew's voice somewhere below me as he tells her to fight, but how can she? He squeezes the very life out of her the longer I stand here. Don't just stand there... help her. HELP HER. I walk closer to the guy, extending out my left hand that has blood all over it. I show him the color of my blood. "Let her go..." I ask politely at first. I try to show him, I"m not afriad to bleed. I'm not afraid to hit someone. I try to reach Gala's eyes and give her the moment to make a move when she can. The guy don't seem to understand my meaning. He just thinks I"m telling him to stop. "Piss off Kyanite, unless you want me to hurt her." I shake my head to him. "Didn't you see Joel and that other guy take off? I did that. See your buddy over there with a bloody mouth? I did that. DO YOU REALLY WANT ME TO START ON YOU NEXT?" I see the look in his eye when he stares at his friend, who begins to get up and showing off where two teeth used to be. I glance in that direction to show him and realize that must be the reason why my hand bleeds. Although, the display doesn't scare him. He must be the muscles of the group. He must be the one that does all the leg work. Instead, he takes one hand and pulls Gala's face back roughly with his hand on her chin. His fingers dangerously close to her mouth. He looks down at her and grins. "Little girl who needs a rescuer... do you want me to knock her out for you?" He asks Gala and glares back at me.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

All of the pain raging through Gala transfers to only her smashed hand, and her grasp on the only support. How was Matthew and Kyanite doing? She couldn't even concentrate enough to tell. The impact and pain of another kick to Matthew was clear though. A tumble happens, and one of the last two careers are on the floor in the grasp on Matthew. "You choose the wrong side." The career claims even though he's in the grasp of Matthew.

"You think?" Matthew responds with a gasp. Still Gala convinces herself that he couldn't stand there doing nothing. He had to pick there side, as much as he hated girls. A punch gets in but for some reason Gala's trainer also lets out a scream. That never happens. The small girl's eyes widen to witness what was happening.

What was happening before her was nothing nearly as important as the career behind her, with a quick grab upon the small girl. The scream of her trainer was so devastating concentrating on the last career didn't matter. Gala's hands her pinned to her side with long career arms easily reaching across the small disposition. Her trainer also gets distracted with the sudden grab and suddenly he's in the dirt, looking very dizzy. Then her passes out. An important member blanks out for a few moments.

"Gala!" Kyanite easily grabs her attention, darting her eyes over to see what was going on. The squeeze around her ribs tightens, pressing against the bruises from the prior kick, and feeling very close to being choked. Still her eyes stay upon Kyanite as a punch reaches her back from the guy Matthew previously had a hold on. Some how though she turns and punches the guy right below the nose. Blood immediately follows.

How I'd love to be that strong Gala thought as it gets interrupt by an even tighter squeeze that has her gasping for air. "Fight! You can..." Matthew voice pulls Gala's eyes over to him, struggling on the ground. She begins kicking, her only fighting ability left with her arms pinned. Slightly the careers gets jerked by the intense scrawny legs, but simply grasps her even more.

Through the struggle Gala still sees Kyanite revealing her bloody hand, whether it was her blood or another was unknown. "Let her go..." Surprisingly her voice is calm, but the clutch never loosens on Gala. The two females meet eyes for just a few moments, enough to confirm they were fighting together.

"Piss off Kyanite, unless you want me to hurt her." The career threatens. Pain was already given though, so that threat really meant nothing at the moment. Gala's head drops in defeat.

"Didn't you see Joel and that other guy take off? I did that. See your buddy over there with a bloody mouth? I did that. DO YOU REALLY WANT ME TO START ON YOU NEXT?" Kyanite's voice brings Gala's head up without even trying. How guilty the small girl felt that two others were feeling pain due to her. The guilt and gratitude constantly battled each other while the pain toke up most of her thoughts. Both of her current protectors were so strong, and so much Gala craved to be, but felt she never could be.

Instead of giving up like Gala was hoping, the career with the hold yanks her head up. It felt as if he was attempting to pull her head off though everything stays attached. "Little girl who needs a rescuer... do you want me to knock her out for you?" The career questions, and for a second Gala's confused on whether he meant her or Kyanite. Either way she shakes her head no as she's forced to stare at him.

"No?" He aks in a baby-like sort of voice. At least pulling her head up brought her feet down the ground. Instinctively Gala does her best to dig her shoes into the ground. "Well to bad." The career announces, but as he pushes Gala to the side and runs forward in one movement, the small girl sticks her ground somehow. They both go tumbling over, but luckily the career falls forward, and Gala to the side. Quickly she frees her leg, and scoots away.

Knocking out Kyanite was his goal, but all of the careers' goals were to harm any of them. A simple fall to the ground wasn't enough for him either, and just as Gala turned to him he was preparing to get up. Without a second thought she jumps on top of him, a surprising move that brings the career back to the ground. Despite all of her pain she grips his hair, pulls back, and rams his head into the ground as hard as the small girl could.

[Jack Lexington]

As soon as I close my eyes the world starts spinning like inside a washing machine. Still I hear the girls desperate voices. Whatever is happening to them can't be good. It isn't.
With a ground I roll over onto my stomach to push myself onto my elbows at least ignoring the stinging in my left arm. I can only hope that nobody is hovering above me to kick me in the head again because I'm not going to be able to stomach a second blow.
Opening my eyes I stare down at the twigs, mud and dead leafs in front of my face and wait for them to settle in one place before my eyes. Then I turn my head to see the girls fighting the exact guy who had been on my throat before.

Kyanite is holding her ground very well. Bruise and bloodied she still threatens her opponent, while Gala seems frightened and at the end of her wits.
Some words are exchanged between them that I can't hear, then he drops the younger one of them and charges for my girl. Somehow he trips but still grabs hold of Kyanite and sends her to the ground.

"Arghhh." A growl comes from deep within my lungs when I push myself to my feet with the expression of a wolf ready to strike at it's prey. Cause that's all he is to me right now.
On shaky legs I stumble over to the remaining group, the one I punched out seems to come to again and tries to grab my foot but I simply shake him off.
For once in my life I'm really worried, even afraid for somebody else, which keeps me going.

Just when I reach the girls Gala comes up with a surprise. Apparently there is some fight left in her. She grabs the guys head and smashes him into the ground.
So all that's left for me to do is help her by kicking the shit out of him. Then I kneel down, turn him arm and hammer my balled right fist into his face until he's done. Once, twice, three times.
He raises his hand and mutters through bloodied lips. "I give."
For a second I want to deliver one more punch but hold my fist high above my head.
Then I drop it and grab his face to turn it towards the two young women. "Loook at them. These two!" I spit at the ground next to him.
"You don't even mess with them!"
I wait for him to nod and then let go of him.

It's hard to stand up considering how much my vision is swimming and my face has the imprints of a shoe sole scraped across one side. Still I extend my hand to Kyanite who seems stunned.
Then I turn to the smaller one and bend over to put my hands on my legs for stabilization. "I knew you could do it."
My greater concern is for Kyanite though. Not because of possible injuries but the looks she was giving me.

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[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] I'm fully prepared for what's about to come. I know to expect it. I know what I did when I challenged the guy holding Gala. I figured that my words would send him into a fury for me to throw at him my words to make him sound weak. Make him think different about holding onto a small girl who coud barely struggle out of his grasp and go for a girl who was ready to take him on. It had worked. He looked to Gala and asked her if she wanted him to knock me out. He was taking the bait. With a shake of her head, Gala refused to have him go after me. "Well too bad." He announces and he pushes Gala to the side. Somehow, as I watch, I see her feet dig into the ground and she becomes the stopper to his plans to charge at me. He starts coming at me and I flinch for only a second, my right leg going backwards to try to get me to run, but the events take place and not what I was expecting. Gala somehow trips him, and he plummets forward to me. I can't seem to move quick enough as his arms latch onto my knees and in a matter of seconds I feel my head against the ground in a weird set amount of mere moments. I blink once. twice. The third time my eyes open, I glance over to Gala and watch as she is on top of the guy who just took me down and I hear Matthew's voice bellowing outward somewhere near me. I groan a bit and pull my legs out away from the career as I watch Gala shove his head into the dirt with as much force as she can manage. I sit there stunned as Matthew comes in next to finish the job that Gala started. "Matt..." My voice comes out with this sort of amazement. His punches comes fast and quick to the man's face. Over and over until he deems himself done and he called out that he gives. Weakling. Not even I give up... at least not outwardly admits it. I place a hand to my cheek as fall had jarred me enough to send the pain raging in my face again. I grimace as I watch the reactions of my fellow comrades and the aftermath of what was going on. Behind me, I look at the guy who was previously knocked out, as he takes off, pushing his buddy that I hit in the mouth, off into the distance hills that Joel and Henn had taken. Maybe they finally learned their lessons? After all, I make sure when I fight someone, they remember me. I'm not out ot make friends or enemies, I fight so they know I'm worth it. They know I'm worth one hundred percent of whatever they dish out, I can give back two fold. They better stay away from Gala... or they'll have to deal with me all over again. I make a silent promise to myself. It's then, that I finally see the hand that Matthew has been extending to me to take and for a moment, I hesitate to take it. I'm unsure of his intentions now. At first he stood back, then he jumped in. Whose side is he really on? I take his hand and stand. For a few moments, I stand there with nothing but a look on my face. I glare at Matthew with hatred. With sincerity. With confusion. He turns to Gala, and bends down. This is the moment that I start to think that he may be on our side, but that doesn't make it easier to swallow what we went through. I knew you could do it. AS much as it pains me to smile, I let my lips rise in a congratulatory grin to Gala. I see how she must be feeling to participate in her first fight... if this is her first actual fight. I know how scared she must be as well, because things like this don't happen that often when you're outnumbered. I nod to her as well. "Good job Gala... You're tough, whether you think you are or not." I tell her. Praise. It's the one thing that can make a difference in a careers life when training. It gives them the satisfaction of a job well done. It gives them confidence and hope. She needs that. Of all people, Gala needed the praise afterall, it was her who saved me from getting mowed down by that career. "Thank you Gala. I thought he was about to take me down. Never expected that out of you. You doing alright?" At this time, I feel every punch and hit coming back with a vengence. My back stings and I look to Matthew with this angered expression. "Thanks for arriving late... or rather, I should thank you for coming at all." My voice holds a bit of sting for him whereas moments ago, it held nothing but a gentle voice for Gala.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Strength was one of Gala's on talents, along with a slick tongue. She needed to support twice her body weight during a performance, so training began way before becoming a career. Compared to older careers it was probably nothing, but for a thirteen year old it was very decent. The ram of the career's head by Gala looks pretty harmful from her point of you, and pain starts pulsing through her hand that was recently stomped on to confirms it. But with the size difference it was difficult to tell if it was anywhere as painful for the older careers as it was for Gala.

The sight of the career's struggle in pain for just a moment freaks Gala just as much as before Kyanite & Matthew showed up. Her actions that caused that. Pain returns back to her face, back to her stomach, and the rest of her body for that matter. It felt like out of the sympathy though the pain was probably bound to come back eventually. The one head slam wasn't enough, but just as the careers attempting to stumble back up, Matthew's there to finish the job. Kicking so much kicking, just like the careers were doing to Matthew and Gala. She walks a few steps in reverse until her back's protected up against a tree.

The cold air makes it especially difficult to catch her breath, burning the inside of nose and lungs as if they weren't painful enough. Punching begins to the last career, Gala's eyes follow as the other two scattered off...not even concerned over their friend. When Matthew began punching one of the career's with a stick, Gala couldn't close her eyes. The payback felt so good, and she desired that strength and ability. Now though, there was only one left. The tables were reversed and it no longer felt like payback, even if the guy just had a hold of Gala and was attempting to harm Kyanite. Now he was clearly done for.

"I give." The career finally says with his arm raising slightly like a gesture of a white flag. Why didn't he just do that earlier? Why didn't Gala know to do that? She held no pride as high as these guys, she would of called it off when she was still hiding in the tree. Though something tells her they wouldn't of taken her seriously anyways.

An arm is still still held in the air by Matthew, and the desire to throw one more good punch is clear. But instead he grabs the career's head and forces him to look at the two females. "Look at them. These two!" Matthew's voice is filled for anger and just to get a little bit out he spits on the ground next to his prisoner. "You don't even mess with them!" Once a nod answers that the career understands Matthew drops him from his grip.

Instead of watching Matthew and Kyanite struggle to their feet, Gala's eyes are glued on the career that lays in defeat. The rest have left him to much wanted revenge of two actual careers and a little wanna-be one. Guilt somehow found it's way into Gala's thoughts, but Matthew's previous words were making them fade. As much as she was ignoring why they were in this mess it was because five career went after a young girl. The tables had hardly turned, and they were much kinder then if the career had their way.

"I knew you could do it." Matthew actually compliments Gala's few fighting moves she managed to pull.

Still attempting to catch her breathe Gala still manages to pull out a, "Thanks." A sarcastic remark was replaying in her mind, a simple I told you so, but the energy to pull out that many words wasn't happening. Still the one word makes her cough up the cold, dry air into her arm.

"Good job Gala... You're tough, whether you think you are or not." Kyanite's voice speaks up, and Gala's eyes shift over to her, then to the floor. She had hardly done anything and got them into this mess. The young girl shook her head no subtly. "Thank you Gala. I thought he was about to take me down. Never expected that out of you. You doing alright?" The only move Gala pulls off brought them all tackled to the ground. One head slam to the ground was all she had, and wasn't enough.

"You did...get...taken..down." Gala reminds as she still has to inhale deeply to fill her lungs. There was no need for her to be getting praise, and it frustrated her greatly. If they didn't show up Gala probably would of been beaten for fun. Getting the words out to explain wasn't happening though. To answer the second question Gala nods her head to proof she's alright. Certainly her entire body felt like a giant wound, and the kick to the ribs was prolonging catching her breath, but for the most part she was okay...

"Thanks for arriving late... or rather, I should thank you for coming at all." Kyanite's attention shifts to Matthew and his late arrival...well he did stand there for a few moments, debating on whether he was going to join or not. But all in all he did, and that's all that matters right? The point was that a career group was ganging up on a little girl and it completely backfired on them right? They won....for now. Already Gala knew she was going to be scared to walk around the district alone, a fear she had never had before.

Why did Gala feel guilty over Matthew finishing off the last guy? Certainly he looks beat to a pulp, but the career would of done much worse if they could of. And the small girl felt guilty, shared the pain. But mostly it was this new fear. While Kyanite sarcastically thanks Matthew, Gala finds her over to the career hardly pulling himself together on the floor. She gives him one last punch to the face, the one that Matthew wanted to give but didn't due to those stupid words I give. Just one punch due to the fact she holds no strength to present another one, as much as she'd love to.

Gala struggles back to her feet but still pulls it off without even the assistance of a tree. "Can...we...go?" Gala asks, not daring to walk back to the gym alone. All she could do was write please in her tired, weak expression.

[Jack Lexington]

if I wasn't so precoocupied with staying on my own two feet Kyanites words would sting even more. But even in my beaten up state, mind you I only caught two or three kicks but those were extreme, I do notice the sarcasm when she thanks me. That doesn't sit too well with me. After all I got over myself to step in and help two 'girls'.
"Don't worry about it. Didn't do it for you." My answer is clearly pissed because of so much ungratefulness. Why couldn't she just say thank you. She's so nice and enouraging to Gala, just to downgrade me. Then again she stepped in herself to protect the smaller girl.

I shift my gaze to my trainee who stands with her back against a tree, panting, out of breath, pale...but not defeated. At least not in my book. Something is going on inside her little head but I don't think it's the same hatred again me that Kyanite feels. Gala's got her eye on the career, who winds himself in pain on the frozen ground near me.

What comes next is a surprise nobody expected. The young career wannabe walks on over to him and delivers one nice hit to his face. Done.
It's as if she's trying to say. "You messed with the wrong chick."
The sight of this makes me laugh and cheer her on. "Oh my. What a finish."

For some reason she doesn't look as glorious as she just came off when she asks to go.
I'm still hunched over because that's the only way I can stand without swaying like a drunken sailor.
I actually think I need a moment and it doesn't look like Ky fancies my company.
So I place my palm on the cold bark of a tree and slide down on it to lean my back against it.
Time to check the stats. My head hurts pretty bad from the kick so do my ribs and when I look down at my left hand I finally figure out what happened when I punch that red head with my half fucntioning hand. My ring finger is twice the size and somewhat crooked. I guess I broke my own finger. With a weird smile on my face I try to wiggle it but get that same stinging pain that feels somewhat numbed until it reaches my elbow.
the aftermath of a fight. It's the hardest part. When you feel all the damage done and sit in a pool of blood of your oponents. It certainly isn't pretty.
My eyes find the girls. Gala just wants to get out of here, understandable but Kyanite? I'm worried about her and what she might think about me. So I nod at her.
"Better late than never, isn't it?"
To Gala I say. "Go ahead. I need a moment. Stay with Kyanite though." Drawing in a deep breath of cold air I rest my head against the tree.

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[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] My concern is fully for Gala right now. As much as I feel horrible for the way I am treating Matthew, I feel like he deserves what he got just because of the fact that he let Gala and I to be not only outnumbered but left us to get more injuries than we should have gotten if he had only stepped in the minute he got there. I had no doubt in my mind what I had to do. Something about the small girl has a special place in my heart for her and I would step in front of a career for her and take the lashing. It's not like I havn't before. Pain is secondary to what I feel to see someone being ganged up on. To watch them go through something so emotional is what lingers. The pain will go away physcially, but emotionally? To endure the fear everyday... I won't let her go through that. "Perhaps, Gala, but just think.. if you had not dug your feet in the ground to keep him from getting me, he could have really hurt me. So, again. Thank you." I tell her, giving her a lopsided smile. My cheek feels huge and the heat it's giving off is enough that my eye above is starting to water. I reach for the liquid that forms at my eye and I dab at it to get the blurry form of water out. Then I turn my attention back to Matthew whom I have lashed out at with my tongue and attitude. Somewhere in between me thanking Matt with a sarcastic tone, I see Gala go over and punch the guy just once more. Finalizing her fight against him. Just the action alone makes me stop my words toward Matthew and I nod a little. She's going to be alright. I can tell. She needs practice. A little work. She's got the attitude for a career in the making. Just a few years away from being a tough chick. I listen to MAtthew's reaction to her latest hit against the career then her whole facade of being strong from the last punch fades away when she says she wants to go. Matthew, however, seems to have taken my attitude to heart. I have a way of doing that for some reason. My mouth always gets me into trouble, no matter who it is. I instantly feel bad for it, but I'm still angry at him. "Better late than never, isn't it?" I want to slug him in the arm just for that comment and I bring my arms up to fold against my sore body. As I watch him just lay there against the tree, he tells me and Gala to go ahead. That he needs a moment. I look around and the last guy is starting to slowly come to and uses his hands to practically crawl away slowly. I shake my head to Matthew. "Nope. Sorry. I'm not leaving you out here by yourself. If they come back... If i remember correctly, YOu didn't leave me behind. Get up. I'll help you." As much as I was angry before, I walk over to him, and extend my hand out to him to take.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

"Perhaps, Gala, but just think.. if you had not dug your feet in the ground to keep him from getting me, he could have really hurt me. So, again. Thank you." Kyanite explains, clearly desiring to proof to the young girl there was strength in her. They were all already really hurt though, and Gala did nothing compared to Kyanite & Matthew. But arguing that was too much work, and for once she didn't even try. The smile all the older female's is so kind, a reaction like this never occurs when Gala lands herself into trouble. She pulls a fake one onto her own young face, but with an inability to lie at the moment it quickly slips.


Matthew cheers and laughs at Gala's final punch to the career. "Oh my. What a finish." It did feel good. Like a warning to not attempt that again. Still a bad sting of fear lingered in her heart...or maybe that was just the pain from one of the kicks. Still the enthusiasm through the pain gives enough strength to pull a slight smile to the girl's face. Though it's completely gone after the struggle to get upon her feet. Soon smiles will stick to her face again. How she'd love to give a sarcastic bow right now to, but that'd only have her tumbling back to the floor. Next time.

Instead of leaving Matthew slumps against a tree, with no desire to leave. He begins examining one of his hands, most likely the wound that had caused him to actually scream. He looks finished with fighting, as does Kyanite, and certainly Gala. And lucky for them, it is. "Better late then never, isn't it?" Matthew comments, and the expression of Kyanite's face clearly illustrates the return of anger. His attention turns to Gala. "Go ahead. I need a moment. Stay with Kyanite though." That was a given, she had no intentions of walking around anywhere without someone. Not until her ability to run returns.

Leaving Matthew was not a smart idea either, and as much as Gala wants to leave, she couldn't leave either of them behind. At least two of the careers skipped away not very harmed, at least not as much as any of them are. Gala shook her head no, and luckily Kyanite pushes her anger aside and also refuses to leave anyone behind.

"Nope. Sorry. I'm not leaving you out here by yourself. If they come back... If i remember correctly, You didn't leave me behind. Get up. I'll help you." Kyanite offers, and for some reason you didn't leave me behind plays on repeat in Gala's brain. The older female offers her hand and despite the pain things actually click in Gala's brain.

The fact that both Matthew and Kyanite showed up after Gala's scream was no surprise; but she didn't notice there interactions afterwards. If they didn't know each other then Kyanite wouldn't of ordered Matthew to make them stop, like she knew him. Matthew certainly wouldn't protect some random girl, unless he knew her. Once Gala meet Kyanite she predicted she was the one to go beyond the fence with Matthew, now she was certain though.

"I knew it." Gala couldn't help but actually say in a very hushed voice. Her breathing was still heavy but manageable. Please go with us Gala begged in her head and probably on her face as well. Any sound of footsteps or laughter in the distances stiffened her up though she knew the career gym was very popular. They weren't coming back, not now at least.

((OOC: Sorry there wasn't really anything for me to add because I didn't want to god mode on whether Matthew gets up or not...and Gala is certainly not running off by herself.))

[Jack Lexington]

Apparently Kyanite doesn’t agree with me on the ‘better late than never.’ Her looks sting but I’m preoccupied anyway. Thank goodness. This is one of those situations when I know exactly why I never wanted to have a girl friend or even just be friends with a chick. They just can’t leave things be.

She also insists that I’m not staying where I am right now but orders me to get up. It’s a gesture I’d appreciate under different circumstances but not after getting a speech about my late joining in the fight instead of a ‘thank you’.

I look at her extended hand, which admittedly I didn’t expect. Yet another girl thing. Spank a guy verbally and then reach out your hand.
“Who the heck is supposed to get you?” I question with a frown.

Behind her I hear a loud groan when the guy Gala beat into the ground is trying to get up. Maybe she’s right. I had enough and don’t fancy going up against whoever might be coming back by myself.
I don’t take her hand though. Out of spite I push myself up from the ground. Slowly but surely and wait until my vision stabilizes. Only then do I take my hand away from the bark and cast a concerned look at Gala, who looks absolutely defeated. The girl isn’t used to fights.
“Cheer up, you won.” I tell her a little too dry.

That’s when her face lights up and she darts out. “I knew it.” Irritated I look at her then Kyanite. When I see that silly grin on the younger girls face I get what she’s just figured out for herself.
I give her a warning look and growl. “Don’t start.”
Then I follow her through the trees towards the sports field with my left arm hanging limp at my side. I don’t want to cradle it because I don’t want the girls to make a fuzz but I’m pretty sure Kyanite would rather smack me on the back of my head right now that play the caring Samaritan. I grin a little to myself when I cast a glance back at the guy who’s still back in the dirt. “Hope your buddies are going to come and get you.” One last low blow before he’s out of sight.

The short walk back to the training center seems almost as long as the walk out of the forest last week. But when we finally reach the main area
Without a word I walk into the dressing room. I’m glad when I don’t have to see Kyanites scolding expression anymore.
I only cast a brief glance back at Gala. The little girl looks like she’s going to be okay….good.

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[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] Get up. I'll help you. My voice rings out clearly annoyed yet confident to Matthew. My hand extended to him and hoping he'll take it but the moment that I wait for him to take it he shrugs me off and painfully he gets up. Stubborn-ass I think to myself in a humorous way, but his harsh voices comes back to bite me just as I did his. Who the heck is suppose to get you? I grimace toward him and hear the same thing the same groan. I watch Matthew as he pushes himself against the bark of the tree and gives me the cold shoulder to my help. Once again, he refuses my help and I take a heavy sigh. I've told him before how that hurts me that he wouldn't take my help. Again, I feel that same jab in my heart. This time, he does it out of spite, at me of all people. I pull my hand away and bite the inside of my cheek. Fine... be that way, Jerk! You'll never change. Even though, I hate that he refused me, he still turns to Gala and tells her to cheer up. I smile at the thoughtful gesture he tries to give her and I can't seem to stay mad at him much longer, though the heat still wants to boil up into my throat. I knew it! Gala suddenly said and I had to look at her with a questionable look on my face as I tried to figure out what she's talking about. It don't occur to me about the situation that she's referring to. I shrug it off when I hear Matthew's sudden retort back to her. She shuts up and I don't give it another thought. We three beaten up mice take to the hills to get back to the gym and the moment we are inside, Matt takes off to the dressing room. I can't help but watch after him in a longing way. I'm still upset with him, but how can that feeling stay strong for long when I seem to be more worried than angry now? "Come on Gala. Let's get to the med room and see about getting something for our victory marks?" I ask Gala. My fingers still bleed a bit and I definatley think I could use an ice pack on my face. The swelling seems to be taking over cause with every word, it feels tight and pain shoots across the left side of my face. "You still doing okay?"

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

The offering hand from Kyanite is not taken by Matthew. Instead he uses the tree for assistance and pulls himself up with a struggle. At least he realizes they need to leave. “Who the heck is supposed to get you?” He asks not understanding the scolding then offering hand. No wonder he doesn't understand girls. Though Gala could understand; Kyanite was upset over his pause, but was still grateful that he eventually did. She didn't want to leave him either.

"Cheer up, you won." Matthew says but does not have any thrill in his voice. Nor would Gala, but she also didn't believe she won. If Matthew & Kyanite didn't show up...she wouldn't of won at all. And they all received some nice new injuries and lots of soreness for the next couple of days. If the careers ever stumble upon the young girl again they'll certainly want revenge, and what if no one's there for a rescue then? She won nothing but a few wounds. The blue eyes stay upon the floor, or the trees, anywhere besides to glance over to see if when they're ready to leave.

Gala's discovery does not please Matthew, and she knew she should of kept her mouth shut...once again she couldn't help it though. He shoots her a look of disapproval. "Don't start." He growls, and immediately Gala's mouth tightens up. No more trouble, not today. More anger was to be avoided. They leave to prevent any more conversation. Abouttime. All Gala truly desired was getting to safety.

The cold air burns Gala's lungs as they trek back to the gym, the kick to the ribs consuming the majority of her pain. Still she doesn't stop as much as she wants to, not until she's inside the gym. Without a word Matthew goes into the boy's locker room, leaving Kyanite and Gala to themselves. Gala wants to thank him, but the pain was too over-whelming. Later, she'd see him at training surely. Though she didn't know that when her pain subsides she'd change her mind out of embarrassment.

"Come on Gala. Let's get to the med room and see about getting something for our victory marks?" Kyanite offers with a kind voice. Med room? Victory Marks? Neither of those sounded nice to Gala though. They weren't victory marks but painful reminders that there's a lot of big, older, scary careers out there. And the med room sounds just like a hospital room. Gala hates hospitals, or anything of the sort. But the journey home was not going to occur until she cared for her injuries a little.

"Sure." Gala agrees with a hushed voice and lowered eyes. She drags her feet for the walk to the med room. On the way the common question of whether Gala was okay returns. She nods her head, but feels bad for her few words a decides to actually reply in words. "I'm okay." Her voice is a little louder then before. They enter into the med room and that horrible clean smell fills Gala's nose.

"What happened?" The woman checking them asks as she bandages Gala's hand. Suspicion over a fight traces everywhere on her face, but usually not this bad for girls. Guys yeah, but girls weren't this violent.

"Fell from a tree." Gala immediately answers, lying to cover for her troubles came naturally. Only her hand she informed about, and her face from the punch was pretty evident. But they could both be results from a fight...right? "Apparently the branch couldn't hold both of us." With the winter time branches were falling over the place, that was helpful. But what about Kyanite? Gala completely forgot and looks over at the older career, hoping her wounds fit with her excuse.

The guilt because Kyanite and Matthew were harmed due to Gala was as bad as the pain. Once the nurse left, she couldn't help but say something before Kyanite also did. "Thanks." Gala pulls out. "You don't even know me and you...put yourself in danger." Her voice trails off in a hushed voice. They were patched up for the most part and it was time to go, but still it was much needed words. Now to thank Matthew...eventually.

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[atrb=background,http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/LaSaundra_Kiser/kytab_zps6362855b.jpg] The way the careers were going after Gala, it seemed as though it was mainly against Matthew. Afterall, when I first happened upon the group, they were making fun of him and the small girl, whom I now know as Gala. She's the kind of girl that I would have liked to have if I ever had a sister. She's small, yes. She's younger, yeah. But the girls got spunk. I could see it in her when she took that final hit against the guy that lay on the ground, allowing for the phrase to come to my head. Adding insult to injury. A small smile formed on my lips. She reminds me a lot of myself when I was younger. Although, at her age, I had to be strong and showing signs of weakness wasn't allowed in my family. My mother, when she was still alive, babied me because I was her little girl. She never would let him train me more than what was necessary. Though, when she passed away, when I was ten, my father coped with his loss by training me harder to become strong. My brother did the same as an outlet for his grief. I wanted it though. I wanted to show what I was made of, but the two years I had of training could have never prepared me for my first battle that left me scarred yet feirce. I found that I gained respect by not giving up in front of that crowd of people. Gala, though? It seemed like this was her first battle that she had ever participated in. I agree, the circumstances were horrible. She was out numbered by five guys that wants nothing more than to taunt and harm her. I'm just glad that Matthew and I were around. There's no telling what they would have done to her if we hadn't been able to hear her. Though, as I suggested that we get our wounds taken care of, or at least just get something to numb the pain with something cold, she agreed with a daunting voice. "Oh come on. You were so brave back there. You afraid of a little ice and a bandage?" I tease her heartily, giving her a quaint, but painful smile. "It's not bad. Usually the nurse isn't in there, and we can just do it ourselves, and I'll help you if she's not in there." I tell her and when we enter, I see the sweet looking lady inside. Guess we'll have to worry about telling why we are all banged up. O'well... I'll just use the same story I always do. She knows me as the clutz anyways, but Gala? I nodd to the woman as she asks what happened to us, and Gala is the first to answer. I don't speak though. I see the look on the womans face when she tends to Gala first. She bandages her hand and she turns to give her an ice pack. I don't wait on her though. I've seen this place inside and out and know exactly where all the supplies are. I go to the small mini freezer and pull out the ice pack and grab a small, thin towel to cover it up with. I place it gently against my cheek as she keeps to Gala. I close my eyes and let the cool temperature soak into my throbbing cheek. The heat that radiates through my face is returning to normal with the aide. The moment the woman finishes with Gala, she turns to me and she sees my fingers that are caked with blood. She makes a 'tisk, tisk' sound with her tongue, clicking it against the roof of her mouth as she pulls me to the sink to wash off the dried blood. She goes from there to swab the alcohol on it and then some ointment. She finishes by wrapping both the middle finger and ring finger seperately with white gauze and tapes it. She looks both of us over again, and walks out of the room. Not even a few steps out of the room, Gala speaks up to the silence. Thanks. You don't even know me and you... put yourself in danger. I listen to her hushed voice trail off. Her eyes seemed so concered for things she needn't be worrying about. It wasn't like she begged us to participate. It wasn't like she purposely put us into the fight. I did what was right and because, in those few moments that I got to know her, I felt obligated to. She was being taught by the one person that I opened up to, so she instantly became part of me in some weird way. No one has ever done that to me before. With sny other person, I might step in to help, but it would have to be a good reason and on a good day. Otherwise, I would just let them be and to deal with it themselves. Today? When she screamed my name after only knowing me long enough for me to almost kill her with my knife, only to turn around and give her the knife, she put in motion this feeling within me. Almost like, I needed to be there for her. "Hun, if I didn't help you, I would feel horrible if those guys had really hurt you. Those guys were jerks. That one guy who punched me in the face, Joel... needed to be taught a lesson anyways. I'd been meaning to get back at him for the longest time. He's done the same thing to me once, a couple months ago, in a sparring match, but I'll tell you a secret." I pause a moment to look around, just to make sure no one is lingering around then I look back at her. ".... distractions are the best way to go. You need to learn their weaknesses... distract them, then beat them at their own game." I tell her. Though, at her age, the distractions I"m talking about probably won't work. It's just the simple wink or suggestions of body language that can be used against a guy that ultimately make a difference in my fighting style. Playing dirty might not win any awards, but it'll sure even out the odds. I look down at my freshly bandaged fingers and nod. "Guess the tooth fairy is going to visiting that one tonight... although, I'm not sure if she'll appreciate how it was done. O'well. He was asking for it." I say to Gala and keep the ice pack glued to my face. My stomach is killing me the longer I stand still, so I suggest something to Gala. "What say I walk you home? I'm sure after what just happened, I imagine you'd like to get some rest, right? All that adrenaline is starting to leave you. That's the worst part." I say this because I'm starting to feel the after effects as well. The pain. The weakness. My entire body feels drained. I walk over to the door and wait with an outstretched arm for the girl to come and step into. "So, tell me why of all people, you... or Matthew picked to train you?" My voice trails off.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

"It's not bad. Usually the nurse isn't in there, and we can just do it ourselves, and I'll help you if she's not in there." Kyanite offers, and the kindness is very shocking. The entire time she's been nothing but nice certainly, but still it's these words that finally surprise Gala. Only her twin Gwen was ever this kind to her. Sure her older sisters would patch her up from a wound, but usually with anger in their expression and a lecture over what she did wrong. Kyanite wasn't like that though, and the fact that she was a career as well...

The idea of getting a bandage and some ice, especially if the nurse wasn't even there, sounded perfect. Not so much like a hospital, or doctors. But of course as they stroll in there's the nurse. At least it appears that she knows Kyanite, and doesn't even question the accident though it's written all over her face. The bandage doesn't take long, but Kyanite takes it upon herself to grab an icepack for her swollen cheek. She must visit this place often. An icepack is also given to Gala that nurse already had beside her. Was it for her nose or hand? The thought of putting something on her nose didn't sound smart, so her hand received the coldness.

It appears that Kyanite's not interested in help from the nurse, that could handle it. A true career, and another reason why Gala was simply a wannabe. She could proof herself though, when she's Kyanite's age maybe. The nurse on the other hand insists on helping the older career, starting with cleaning off her bloody knuckles, disinfecting, and wrapping it up. There goes the excuse of falling out of tree, but then again Gala didn't have enough time to consider everything. As the nurse exits her facial expression clearly indicates she knows, maybe not exactly what happened, but still knows. Something about her tells Gala she's going to tell anyone though.

"Hun, if I didn't help you, I would feel horrible if those guys had really hurt you. Those guys were jerks. That one guy who punched me in the face, Joel... needed to be taught a lesson anyways. I'd been meaning to get back at him for the longest time. He's done the same thing to me once, a couple months ago, in a sparring match, but I'll tell you a secret." Kyanite gives the truth and for once someone's just honest with Gala. She pauses before giving up her secret to being a good female career. "....distractions are the best way to go. You need to learn their weaknesses... distract them, then beat them at their own game."

Distraction? Was that what Kyanite was doing with saying stuff? To catch them off guard? Gala was too young to fully understand the extant of what she meant. She simply hoped that Kyanite would stick around long enough to teach. It seemed as if she actually cared about the little career, and that Gala didn't want to loose. On the same length with wanting Matthew to train her, and clearly she always finds a way to get what she really wants.

"That's kind of confusing..." Gala admits to her lack of fully understanding what Kyanite was talking about with distractions. "But I'm glad you got pay back." She wanted to try to bring a little light to the situation, though it didn't appear that anyone got pay back.

What exactly happened during the fight was difficult to keep up with, and half of everything Gala missed. While looking down at her own wounded hand she comments; "Guess the tooth fairy is going to visiting that one tonight... although, I'm not sure if she'll appreciate how it was done. O'well. He was asking for it." It actually brings a light giggle from Gala, though that results in a sting in her lungs.

"I think so." Gala agrees, finally forcing a smile to her face. She was okay, or at least was going to be.

"What say I walk you home? I'm sure after what just happened, I imagine you'd like to get some rest, right? All that adrenaline is starting to leave you. That's the worst part." More kindness from Kyanite, and Gala couldn't help but look up at her in disbelieve. After the fight and every, she was really offering to take her home as well? After everything that happened Gala wasn't going to deny the offer, and was extremely grateful for it. She nods her head immediately.

Kyanite walks over to the door and extends her arm for Gala. This time a true smile finds it way to Gala's face; to her it was a protective wing she wanted so badly from her sisters. Quickly she gets to her feet and takes the offer. Finally safety.

"So, tell me why of all people, you... or Matthew picked to train you?" Kyanite asks as they walk. How long that story would be. The young girl shrugs.

"Just was signed up together." That was the best excuse, and after all that was how it all began. The part of Gwen throwing a knife at his pants for him to stay, or him leaving because they attempted to patch a wound up themselves, finding the jacket that finally gained Matthew's trust. Finding Kyanite's jacket...yeah maybe not the best story to share.

((OOC: I feel like that's the perfect ending! xD))