Gym, evening

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

After what felt like a far too long day of doing many things that Angel wished that he hadn't - such as get out of bed and actually interact with people, just to pick a random example - Angel decided to head down to the gym.

His left hand was finally healed, or as healed as it was going to be, which meant that he could attack the heavybag with as much force as it could take.

Anyone watching him might be surprised to notice that after a while there was no sign of Angel's usual hesitations, slouching, or stumbling. He moved like a dancer - an actual dancer - with every muscle doing exactly what he wanted it to.

They also might be taken aback by the vehemence of his kicks and punches.

Sublimation? What's that?

[ooc: interrupt him if you wish. Or he can ignore you if you need to be alone in the gym]

Comments

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"No," Angel made a firm gesture of denial. "No physical problem at all. I am totally, completely capable. Largely capable. Whatever rumors you might have heard otherwise are completely wrong."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Well," Jack lowered his voice to a purr. "Why don't you try kissing me again while not under a spell? I promise I won't struggle."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

For a split second Angel looked tempted.

He took another step back. "Can't. There's this thing where I lose my soul."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack blinked, and leaned back from his personal-bubble-crowding lean. "Okay. I think I skipped a few pages there. Huh?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"You know," Angel started to say, then realization dawned on him. "Oh, right. You lost your memory. Of course you don't know. Okay, here's the thing. Not that long ago I didn't have my soul. When I don't have my soul it's this bad, horrible, no-holds-barred, leather pants wearing situation. I have the soul and that doesn't happen."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"No leather pants? That's disappointing. How do you ... not have a soul? I thought that was sort of standard operating equipment. You know, brain, heart, gonads, soul. Right?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Right," Angel said. "Unless you're a vampire."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack's eyebrows raise. Really, really high. "Okay. That's probably the weirdest thing I've heard here. You're a vampire? And souls... are a not part of the manufacturer's equipment?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angel nodded, relieved that they were finally communicating. "Yes. Vampires from where I'm from don't have souls. Unless they get cursed, like I did."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I missed seeing you in leather pants?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"I've got these jackets that are really - " Angel rubbed the back of his neck. "Nevermind. Point is, that's why there can't be any heying. I hey, the soul leaves, then it's more with the killing than it is the... no, actually, it's still a lot about the sex. But you can see where the killing's a bad idea."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I agree. Killing is bad. But... is there possible hey? Partial hey? Hey-until-you-say-no-hey? What are the parameters here?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"I haven't actually... tested the heying," Angel admitted. "It's a whole perfect happiness thing so if somebody's any good at what they do - " Angel shrugged, letting the rest fill in itself.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"And I'm very, very good. But I'm more than willing to put myself in your hands for experimentation."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"And don't think I don't appreciate that," Angel said. "But I can't take the chance. I know you don't remember what I was like without the soul, but I do. I don't want to go back to that again."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

The tone of the last sentance broke through to Jack. "Okay. I understand. But... if there is no heying, can there still be friendship? Would that be hoeing? Hee-ing?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angel smiled. "Hi-ing? Like - Hi, I'm Angel. Nice to meet you without a spell this time, Jack."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack grinned, and held out his hand. "Hi, Angel. I'm Jack. Nice to meet you."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angel returned the handshake. "Thanks. For understanding about the hey thing."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I'd say no problem, but it's actually a damn shame. But I'd rather be friends with you than see you turn into a monster and feel honor-bound to kill you. I'm oddly against homicidal maniacs. So... what do you do for fun?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"This," Angel indicated the punching bag. "Movies. Hockey. Ballet - um, watching, not performing."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Now, that's a shame. I love a good pas de deux. So, you play hockey, or just watch? 'Cause it sounds like you do a lot of just-watching."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Hockey I play," Angel said. "Actually trying to be on the team, though I guess I missed practice yesterday due to that spell."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"There's a hockey team? That sounds like fun. Enthusiastic and physical and... okay, okay, reining in the hey. But playing hockey sounds like a good way to work off energy."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Patrolling's a good one too," Angel said. "Haven't had much chance to do that while I've been here though."