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[stake]

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@faith

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[redeems]

( and here he is. knowing what he's doing and who he's approaching. he wants to see how the faith that he remembers stacks up to one so guileless.

his smirk is not like one of angel's. it's cunning. it has an edge and it's as sharp as a knife. )

Funny, I'd call our meeting inevitable. We have such history, even if you haven't lived through all of it, yet. Spoiler alert, you might be on death's door.

[stake]

[ This isn't the first time he's tried this: dropping hints about her future like breadcrumbs, wanting to get in her head. He wants her unfocused. She refuses to give him the satisfaction. ]

Been there, done that. [ She shrugs like she couldn't care less. ] I even bit the dust for real last October. And here I am, still kicking.

[redeems]

You honest to god, died. Didn't think you had it in you.

( But maybe she does now. His smirk turns into a full on grin as he holds his hand out. His palm outstretched, he waves in his own direction. Let's dance, the gestures says. Let's see how spry she is for a former corpse. )

[stake]

[ Faith didn't expect the talking part to end so soon but she won't complain. She has never been one to shy away from a fight. ]

You in a hurry to get your ass kicked? [ A subtle shift to her stance, then she draws her fists up in front of her. ] Never let it be said I'm not a giver.

[ She's in motion before she is even finished speaking, bluffing with a telegraphed punch before spinning into a roundhouse kick aimed at his smug face. ]

[redeems]

( he knows what comes after that punch and the kick connects. it doesn't knock him back, he's formidable, and he's ready to scrap. as soon as she's down he tries landing a backhand, targeting his wrist across that smug face of hers. they'll get back to the banter. for now, this is a test. )

[stake]

[ She takes the blow to the face but it doesn't slow her down. He's moved within arm's distance now, so she throws an uppercut at his sternum, then grabs for his shoulders with a knee flying up toward his gut. ]

[redeems]

( if he had wind, it would be knocked out of him as that knee hits. but, he doesn't, so all it does is crunch some bones that are about to heal. he takes her momentum, and holds her sides as he bumrushes forward, wanting to push her back and take himself with her. )

[stake]

[ His momentum becomes hers as Faith is knocked back, stumbling over cobblestones. Anyone less than a Slayer would have lost their balance. She manages to stabilize, if just barely. He comes with her for the whole ride, limiting her range of motion, so she goes for a headbutt to put some space between them. ]

[redeems]

( The headbutt causes him to let go, so he goes for a forward kick to her chest, knee bent, to try and finally knock her back. Just hit those cobblestones! )

[stake]

[ This time, the heel of her boot is caught between cobblestones. She has no chance to recover, hitting the ground hard. But even from down here, she can still make another move, furiously swinging one leg out to try and swipe him from his feet. ]

[redeems]

( He jumps the sweeping leg, landing closer, trying to use his backstep to kick his front leg forward and get her in the stomach, maybe kick her up against the nearby bench. )

[stake]

[ She's a sitting duck on the ground, so he gets what he wants: his kick sends her crashing into the bench, a flurry of motion and splintered wood. Instinctively, she reaches around in the detritus, searching for any piece that tapers to a sharp point. ]

[redeems]

( He kicks a piece of wood she's grasping for away and tries to wrap a hand around her wrist so he can drag her back across the splintered remains. )

[stake]

[ Faith kicks out wildly, thrashing against his grip. Her jacket snags on a jagged piece of bench, and with a clean tear the garment is rendered useless against the elements. She needs to get back on her feet but she has no leverage like this. Out of better options, she twists her wrist in his grip so she can dig her fingernails viciously into his hand. ]

[redeems]

( He grits through his teeth in pain, coming forward onto one knee, at least closer to her in proximity to maybe do some damage. The blood she draws starts to drip down his hand to hers. )

[stake]

[ His blood leaks between his grip around her wrist and Faith is finally able to slip free. She scurries away, putting distance between them first, then turning around with her fists raised defensively. She's panting for air, her heart is pounding, but she refuses to look scared. ]

[redeems]

( He shakes some of the blood off, as the wound subsides and closes up and when he looks up with a growl, he's put on his familiar game face.

He comes to a standing position, wiping his hand on his pants. )

Kitty's got claws.

[stake]

[ Faith has backed herself up close to the ruins of the wooden bench. There's one piece there, a little less pointed than she'd like but she can be the driving force. It rests at an angle, half of it jutting into the air, and Faith brings a boot down on the piece under it, it causing a see-saw effect that launches her new makeshift stake into the air where she can catch it. ]

You've got a real death wish for someone so high on life.

[redeems]

( He bounces from one foot to the other, ready for a second round, but still plays to what he thinks may be some form of guilt? )

You'd really just do me in like that? What would Buffy say?

[stake]

[ Luckily, she is immune to guilt in the same way that someone who ingests a little each day becomes immune to poison. She scoffs. ]

Not a huge concern at the moment. Or ever.

[redeems]

Come on. Give us a kiss.

( He lets her make the first move again, but doesn't press her forward. Just stays put. This is the fun. She's good, he'll give her that. But, she's not as resourceful. Not older. Not wiser. Not even ruthless.

And she's scared. )

[stake]

[ She doesn't move except to narrow her gaze into something equal parts mean and suspicious. ]

What are you playing at?

[redeems]

Well, I meant, give it your best shot. Come and get me. But, did something deep down in your lady parts just palpate? I'm not Angel. I'm better. Didn't you always want better, Faith?

( If she's not going to swing at him again, then he's going to get inside her head. )

It wasn't me, but, oh, I felt that kiss Angel gave you. Back when he and Buffy duped you, bad. Got all under that skin. Share all your deep dark secrets. Give the plan away...

[stake]

[ Faith jerks her head back with the sort of disgusted look that usually accompanies stepping in feces. She meant to get down to the point of it all, his reason for picking a fight with her. But his response makes her reflexively defensive. ]

Going for the double Slayer special? Bet you thought I'd make this easy. Jokes on you, 'cause easy as I am? I'm still above you.

[redeems]

I knew you were a wildcard. Now I see that self righteous streak's still intact. Guess you're not a lost cause, after all.

( He sounds - disappointed? Impressed? )