a needed tug (LUCAS)

[Axelle Flint]

When Axelle had signed up to do the tug of war she had anticipated a lot of the locals would be wary about challenging her. Especially in light of what happened to the statue downtown. But since most of the town's inhabitants were used to things like that happening, she found it was as Vince Romanov had said, most of it had been smoothed over and most people had been willing to accept it as an accident. She wasn't surprised when a group of well-muscled men had challenged her, they tried by themselves first, each laughably defeated with a small twitch of her hand, sending them sprawling onto a conveniently placed mattress (just in case). When they had banded together Axelle had to actually anchor herself first (her weight wasn't affected by her strength) and tugged at the first opportunity before they could yank her off her feet. After they were defeated business had been slow. Most of the kids at school knew not to challenge her and she was starting to regret her choice until a very small boy had demanded she play with him.

She'd been puzzled at first and then decided that because the kid was so small, it was in her best interest to let him win. Otherwise the results could be disastrous. So, shaking and incredibly nervous she had gripped the rope and when she felt the tiniest of tugs on the rope as he pulled with all his strength, she did the decent thing and fell onto the mattress. This apparently was the most brilliant thing she had ever done. The little boy had shrieked with laughter and ran off to brag to his mother. She watched this for a minute, heart inexplicably thumping at the image. She was scared of children, how fragile they were how easily she could hurt one without even meaning too...but that didn't mean she hated them. After that it seemed like kids were coming constantly. They tried by themselves, they banded together in groups and they all ran away giggling when they “beat” Axelle. Even she had to admit she enjoyed it, she loved hearing the giggling erupt as they cheered and congratulated each other.

Now she was “recovering” after being beaten, looking up from her mattress making faces at the children who were all making faces back and trying to beat her. She finally pushed herself up and dusted off, resetting the rope as the group ran away to do something else before inevitably they would return to beat her again. She was unaware that she was being watched as she kept smiling, running fingers through her hair, pulling it back again before it could fall out all over the place.

[Lucas Blacke]

What had started as a simple stroll over the fair turned out to be more than Lucas had anticipated, though he knew not if more meant better or worse.. He had his earbuds in as he went from place to place, nodding at people who talked to him because he couldn't hear them. And even with him being able to read lips and knowing when someone asked him a question to which a nod wasn't enough, he'd just throw them a smile and nod before simply walking off, time after time even pointing at the music in his ears.

It was an upbeat song, which was quite a big deal for him, okay? Luke wasn't one to adjust to mere events so when ''Kalevala'' was blasting in his ears he felt quite uneasy, though oddly happy as his body swayed along with the music. Russian folk was good for that happy rush you needed from time to time. It allowed him to go around the happy, happy grounds without feeling completely shut out, though he took care of that by shutting everything else out first.

Like this stupid tug of war game he passed. Who would even host such a..- He smirked suddenly as he noticed a familiar back of the head. Not all too coincidental this was also when the song hit the mouth harp part. He slapped himself in the head -he hoped noone was watching him, and cursed himself for being so judgemental, but he was glad for the fact he hadn't said it out loud. What if it was who he thought it was and she had heard him? This was his time to apologize for what had happened way before, not fuck things up further.

He assumed it was Axelle, and as such he took out his earbuds to let the sounds of the people around him wash over him. Obviously he had heard some of it, but not nearly enough, he realized. He heard the sound of fun, and it was unknown, but pleasant.

He saw multiple small kids run off as they ''beat'' her, he was sure she was either faking it or wasn't who he thought she was. But even if she wasn't, it couldn't hurt to give the rope a try, right? He wouldn't really stand a chance, but it could land him some alone time with Axelle.

And if it wasn't Axelle, it'd land him some alone time with a hot redhead. Win-win!

''So, do I need to pay anything to get to play?''

[Axelle Flint]

Axelle turned at the question, the smile on her face dying abruptly, her face falling into a frigid frown as she caught sight of who had addressed her. "No," she answered sharply before finishing her reset and walking away from the boy who had caused her a great amount of personal and emotional stress. She had no interest in speaking to him anymore than necessary and if he even thought of picking up that rope she'd pull so hard....no...she wouldn't. She frowned guiltily for even thinking that she might hurt him on purpose just because he'd been terrible to her.

She sat down on her little stool and reached down for a bottle of water that she carefully uncapped and drank from before returning it to it's spot.

[Lucas Blacke]

Okay, so it was Axelle and he did get an answer to his question, though his presence got a less than expected reaction. She remained silent and didn't say more than what she needed to say, she didn't even yell at him for fucking up. Somehow this did tell him how badly he fucked up as he slowly moved over to where she sat down and took a sip from a water bottle.

He squatted down behind her, with his back at her to invite her for a push or something. He'd deserve it, even if it sent him diving into one of the bouncy castles that just happened to be in the way and oprovide him with a soft landing. He smiled weakly, not that she'd see it and sighed softly. He wanted to say something, wanted to apologize, but he wasn't sure where to begin.

Some part of him wanted to start by apologizing right away, but a part of him wanted to start small talk, and all he could think up in that category was that he'd broken up with his girlfriend. Though when thinking on it that one could just make her think she was a second choice or something.

He turned around and let himself fall backward into the grass. What to do, what to do?

''How are ya?''

[Axelle Flint]

Axelle rolled her eyes when Lucas sat behind her and did her best to ignore him. She was still righteously pissed at him and knew that while she might forgive him eventually, that future (in the here and now) seemed very distant. She crossed her legs and then her arms, willing him to go away when he suddenly spoke. She took a deep breath, knew it wasn't polite to tell him to go to hell, especially in public...so she sighed and pretended to ignore him for a little bit. But ultimately that made her feel bad because she was not a mean person by any definition of the word and ignoring people was not something she generally excelled at.

“It goes,” she finally said, letting the subject drop; if he wanted to talk to her so badly he would need to carry the conversation himself. She would do as little to help as possible in that regard. She watched people walk around the fair suddenly envying them. She wanted to walk around and have an excuse to beat a hasty retreat if someone she didn’t want to talk to approached her. It was certainly a lot easier and less stressful than trying to ignore them.

[Lucas Blacke]

So obviously she had no interest in talking because she ignored him for a bit, and Luke was okay with it, really, he had earned to be treated like that. He looked up at the sky as she finally replied to him though with the most cut off sentence ever; and she had a right to do so. The boy knew he was to blame for all of this in the end, not her. He had to be the one to talk to her instead of the other way around. Though having someone talk back did make it easier.

''So, Axelle.'' He finally said after a period of silence and a moment of watching clouds drift by ever so slowly. What he would say next, or what he had planned anyway, would make it so that he had no way back and though he had thought it through on multiple occassions, he was not quite sure where to start. Seemed like speaking her name was a good start though. ''I.. wanted to apologize..'' He added.

He left it at that for now as he sat up straight and waited for her to respond. Her reaction would tell Luke how to go from there, if she would even talk to him again.

[Axelle Flint]

Axelle tilted her head a bit towards him to pick up what he said next. He wanted to apologize. She narrowed her eyes distrustingly. He'd been a complete and utter asshole to her, to the point where she'd had to physically escort him off her property. She wasn't entirely sure what he hoped to gain, and wasn't entirely sure that his apology was sincere. To that end she decided to test the waters a bit. She'd throw him a bone as it were. If he apologized to her satisfaction she might speak to him again, in passing if the situation called for it.

“For what?” she asked, though the tone was certainly more of a demand than curious ignorance. If he wanted to demonstrate proper remorse he would know exactly what he was apologizing for and why she had been so angry at him in the first place.

[Lucas Blacke]

''Lots.'' He replied silently as he looked at her with pleading eyes. It wasn't that he needed friends exactly, but he did need to stop screwing up what could be a great friendship. On top of that it meant a whole lot to him that, straight to the point as she was being, she didn't storm off and instead took the time to listen. Though looking around Luke assumed she didn't have all that much need to bolt, she could just wait for the people to come to her and finish their conversation instantly. And with her strength it would be a bit stupid to try and force the matter.

He sighed as he turned his eyes to the ground briefly before turning his blues to stare into hers. He didn't quite smile, but his look wouldn't be a sad one although he very much was at this point. ''I've been a dick. And not only to you, to myself as well. I keep telling myself I want to change, and every single time I do something to fuck it all up. Like with you. I called you.. what I did because I was confused, I think.'' He hesitated briefly as he looked down at the ground momentarily before continuing as he began nervously snapping off blades of grass.

''I know that's no valid reason as to why I acted the way I did, but.. but..'' He tried finding the words he was going to say next, but kept on drawing a blank. ''I.. this has taken long enough, right?'' He said with a shaky voice despite being the master of muscle control. ''I want to make it up to you..''

''Please, don't leave me like the others.''

[Axelle Flint]

Axelle's posture didn't change, if anything her muscles tightened further as she tensed to hear his reason. Lucas had said several hurtful things to her in the garage that day and had made her question herself and her relationships with others. She never thought it was in her nature to hold grudges, but she'd never been afforded the opportunity before. It wasn't that she thought his apology might be insincere but she was also a believer of the saying: "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me."

She mulled on the last two things he said the longest, hazel eyes glaring at him for a moment before looking away in contemplation. How exactly would he want to make it up to her? She didn't need or want his attention anymore. That little spark of interest had died swiftly and mercilessly that day in the garage when he spoke about how "oh-so wonderful" Karalie was. It wouldn't cost her anything to forgive him, because she could potentially go on ignoring him as she had been since she'd walked him off her property.

The only other thing that troubled her was the plea to not leave him. She didn't owe him anything, they hadn't been dating and it had been her choice to evict him from her life for the things he said to her. She'd also talked extensively to Marnie and (having experienced Lucas' behavior herself) had a hard time believing that the other girl was making things up to be spiteful. To that end she reached a decision. After taking a breath to center herself, her eyes met his and she frowned.

“Thank you for apologizing, I know that couldn’t have been easy. But, unless you can prove to me that your douchebaggery is at an end I won’t forgive you. You said some really shitty things to me and I just can’t pretend that never happened. So…yeah, I wanna see for myself that you’re changing and when I’m convinced, I’ll forgive you.”

[Lucas Blacke]

He smiled feintly at her as she spoke, she didn't forgive him until she saw he had changed. That could very well form some sort of problem. Luke had trouble doing the thing she wanted to see, changing. He was on his way, and so he said but he was just that, on his way; he'd make some progress and instantly prove to himself that he was incapable of change. He thought with her he was on the way to change. He thought that with Kitrana he was on the way to change, and he most certainly hoped he was on the way to change with Karalie.

But, as with everyone around him he'd just push them away.

''I.. thanks.'' He replied as he looked at her. Though he didn't ask for forgiveness in those words he accepted her thinking he did. ''But I just wanted ya to know I'm sorry. If ya don't forgive me I'd be fine with that too.'' He told her as he smiled slightly. ''But I am happy to know I have a chance.''

''Not.. like that..'' He instantly corrected. ''Ya know what I mean, I hope?''

''Anyway.'' He followed as he jumped up suddenly. ''What exactly do ya do here, other than making lil' kids feel like gods?''

[Axelle Flint]

Axelle had assumed that forgives was at least a goal in his future, otherwise why bother to apologize in the first place. She looked at him briefly when he spoke and then away again, standing up to put some space between them. "Yeah I know," she answered simply. She put her hands in her pocket and tilted her head back a bit to listen to his question.

“Not much, I was mostly looking forward to taking people down a peg or two. The kids are cute though. Terrifyingly small and fragile, but cute overall,” she shrugged. She could see a group of them forming on the edges of the clearing, it looked like there were quite a few this time, she’d have to put up a decent fight with all of them around before giving in, they seemed to enjoy that quite a bit. “Were you doing a booth or a game or anything?” she asked curiously.

[Lucas Blacke]

She was talking to him and not about what he had done or what he needed to do to make her forgive him, it was a surprise to see there was someone who could do that around. In his past he would've gotten scolded and told how to fix his actions. It was the worst.

But she didn't say anything about him apologizing aside from a small confirmation, the rest of what she said was about the fair itself and what he was doing there. Progress, Luke assumed.

When she said something about looking forward to taking people down a peg or two and not just toying with little children he chuckled. He wasn't yet comfortable making jokes around her, but there was no law against laughing as far as he knew. ''I was just walkin' around. This place ain't really fer me, y'know? But it kinda does help me with clearin' my mind.'' He offered without going into what he had on his mind that had him all weirded out. What was he going to say? 'Hey, that girl I told you about when you got so angry? We broke up. Wanna be friends?' No, that wouldn't help.

''I've been wanting ta find out how strong ya really are. I know ya have super strength and all, but I wanna experience it.'' He eyed the contraption she was operating. ''I suppose I'm offerin' ya a way to show me and take me down a peg or two. Whatcha say?''

[Axelle Flint]

Axelle usually preferred being buried in the shop somewhere with the radio playing when she wanted to clear her mind, or out in nature, being in the middle of a crowd hadn't ever appealed to her, even before she had manifested – to each their own. Maybe he needed to be reminded that there were other people in the world that would be affected by his selfish actions, but she didn’t think it was her place to comment that. She’d said her piece and had clearly revealed her stance on the situation. Saying anything more about it invited trouble in her opinion.

She frowned again when Lucas mentioned wanting to know how strong she was. Well, too damn bad. “I’ll play with you but it’s not going to be “full strength” that’s a bit too dangerous to use on anyone, anywhere,” she informed him. If they’d been on better terms she might have invited him to the training rooms so he could see just how much she could lift (hint: it was a lot) but since she didn’t want to be alone with him the idea didn’t even cross her mind. “If you go pick up the other end of the rope, I’ll accept your challenge,” she informed him as she positioned herself at her end of the rope and picked it up, anchoring her feet properly as she got ready to send him flying (it was a foregone conclusion) and yes…she might enjoy it a little bit.

It wasn’t that she enjoyed potentially hurting people or even the idea of hurting people, but this was something she could do, it would be fun, this was a game. It was like playing soccer at school, sometimes you got a little aggressive but you didn’t mean to hurt people and she was surprised and relieved to note that this felt the same. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she would certainly enjoy it when he crashed onto the mattress.

[Lucas Blacke]

It wasn't as much a challenge as it was finding a quick way to ease her back into feeling okay around him again. In his eyes he figured that showing someone you were stronger was a good way to feel at ease, and even if it wasn't he'd still get a rush out of it. He wondered how long he could hang on the the rope as she pulled on it, maybe he'd even be able to pull it back a bit though he knew this was nothing but hopeful thinking. The things he'd heard about her, the things he'd seen her do that one time in her garage, the way she 'escorted' him off her property, no, she wasn't just strong, she was freakishly strong. Luke liked that, and also figured he'd need to be on good terms with her because of it. He pegged her for one of those people that, when playing nice was really nice, but when angry.. well, he had bones that could be broken.

''It's not so much a challenge as it is.. settin' myself up for a loss, I guess.'' He shot her a smile as he went for the end of the rope she pointed him to. He picked it up and waited for her to pick up her end before wrapping his hand around it, kicking his feet down into the ground despite knowing he'd lose. Hey, people were watching, there was no law against acting tough. He gave it a few quick tugs and waited for her to do the same.

..or not as she went to the counting down and gave Luke next to no time to get ready as she started her countdown. He gripped the rope tightly and began pulling on it as hard as he could with both hands as she just held it in place with ease, she was keeping the guy who had trained like nobodies business at bay without even trying. It irked him slightly.

And then she pulled on the rope and Luke felt his entire body fly forward as the rope slipped out of his hands, leaving slight burns on his hands. It wouldn't leave a mark or anything but he felt it at the time. He hit something soft instead of hitting the ground and saw that it was a mattress. He grinned slightly and looked up at Axelle.

''Aight, don't want you as my enemy.'' He said as he decided to keep on the mattress a moment.

''Ah, soft an' harmless..''

[Axelle Flint]

She looked at him with a cocked eyebrow and a wry smile. He was just figuring out not to mess with her now? "No, you really do not," she agreed genially as she reset the rope and let him flounder on the mattress. It was nice and fluffy after all, very harmless all things considered. She sat back down on her stool and put her head in one of her hands, and balanced it on her knee and she hunched over. She could hear the chirping of the birds in a nearby tree and the general noise of the crowd around them, shrieking laughter and cheering from somewhere on her left. Her dad was supposed to be wandering around; she hoped he was having a good time outside the shop.

Her attention was brought back to Lucas when he finally got off the mattress. “So, did you enjoy your flying lesson?” she asked with a smirk. Yes, that had definitely been satisfying.