The Salle | Saturday Afternoon

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

There was just no dispelling all the energy Nico was trying to deal with this week, no matter how much time he put in with weapons training. Sure his, uh, talk with Jason had helped things a little, but all that really led to was some pretty wicked daydreaming when he wasn't in class avoiding looking at people for a variety of reasons.

One of those reasons being how to best destroy Percy with a rant in lieu of more physical fighting. Well, that was assuming Nico ever stopped avoiding the water boy. Luke was a different story entirely, being both an excellent roommate and just overall better than Percy. Nico couldn't help but hope something about fooling around with Percy would make Luke less likely to become Kronos' favorite suit. Although, if that meant Percy had some kind of magical healing spit, Nico was going to blow a gasket.

Which took him right back to stabbing things in the salle. His form was a little on the sloppy side, but his Stygian blade was getting the job done. Nico wished he could raise a few skeleton soldiers to make his solo sparring more realistic, but he doubted the other students would be keen on dead people getting used for his training purposes.

[Open salle!]

Comments

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Luke was having a similar overabundant energy problem, which was why he was down in the salle. He wasn't all that surprised to see Nico down there, but he was tempted to turn around and leave when he spotted him. He had picked up enough over the last few days to know that Nico wasn't mad at him, but it was still kind of awkward.

After a moment he figured that they had to move on from the awkwardness eventually, which is why he cleared his throat to get Nico's attention. "Hey."

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

There was no avoiding people when they wanted his attention, and Luke was right that Nico wasn't pissed at him, exactly. He paused in his attack on the dummies and tried not to be too awkward in reply. "Hey. Looking to stab things, too?"

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. Trying to work off some energy," he said, looking down at his sword. "I can leave though, if you want."

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

"No, it's cool," Nico shrugged. "Better fighting you than something that can't hit back." Not that he'd had any practice at that earlier in the week.

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Luke nodded and twirled his sword around once or twice, figuring that it was only fair that Nico get a chance to try to kick his ass.

It wasn't likely to happen, but Luke would still give him the chance.

"I know I said I was trying to work off some energy," he said, smirking. "But for the record, that's not an invitation for you to take away any of my life force."

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

Nico grinned, pushing his hair off his forehead with his free hand before getting a better grip on his sword. "Aww, I wish you hadn't clarified that. I was looking forward to using my powers."

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Luke smiled and moved a bit closer to Nico, trying to judge where to hit first. "I've fought enough overpowered brats by now to know to always clarify beforehand."

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, well, the second you snap your way to the other side of the room I'm raising ground hazards," Nico replied, wishing his focus was stronger. Fighting the guy who trained him was already difficult without unwelcome thoughts.

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"I'll be good," Luke promised. Of course right after he said that Luke struck out, aiming a hit a Nico's ribs.

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it was no wonder Luke went to the dark side. Nico jumped back, swinging his sword around to try and block that blow. Way better to have metal on metal than skin. "I'll trust that when I see it!"

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"Oh I meant I'll be good about my powers," he said with a smirk. "Cheap shots are still fair game."

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

"You say that like you expect to pull one over on me," Nico said, trying not to sound worried about that as he swung toward Luke's side.

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Luke blocked that shot easily and took a step back as he tried to decide what to do next. "You don't think I can't? Tricking people is sort of my specialty, you know that right?"

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

"Is it? Is it really?" Nico asked like an eye-rolling douche. Maybe he was channeling Percy.

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"Oooh, so sassy," Luke said, laughing. "So unlike you. Been a frustrating week?"

Projecting was fun.

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

"Yeah yeah, unlike you," Nico scoffed, glad there was no forced honesty to make him say more.

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"I don't know what you're talking about," Luke said innocently, jabbing his sword at Nico's shoulder this time.

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

Nico was surprised enough by the innocence to take a hit to the armor he was totally wearing to fight this badass just prior to moving his sword to knock Luke's away. "You're such a liar," he said, almost amused. "I bet Percy's face remembers."

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"You really trying to talk about this?" Luke asked. He figured that everybody would just pretend it's not happening.

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

"That depends, did he tell you anything about his Luke?" The one with the golden eyes and control over time.

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"Nobody tells me anything," Luke said, frowning. Half the reason Kronos would be so appealing to him would be because he was actually straightforward. "But I'm not stupid. I know there's something up. There's a reason you punched him and not me."

Luke didn't expect a clear explanation, but he didn't want Nico to think he was completely oblivious.

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

"Yeah well, you I like." It wasn't that he didn't like Percy at all. He just didn't like his stupidity. "Blame the roommate thing."

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I'm sure that's it," Luke said. He took a swipe at Nico's arm, probably being more vicious than strictly necessary.

[deaths-demigod.livejournal.com]

A streak of red appeared on his arm and Nico grit his teeth, pivoting to swing out at Luke's shoulder. He may never be as good as his cousins, but they couldn't say he didn't put out a lot of effort.

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

Luke managed to dodge that as well, but the move was far from graceful. He almost fell on his ass, actually.

He moved back a couple steps from Nico and took in a few deep breaths, trying not to let his frustration get the better of him. "I'm sorry."