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You don’t even have to give her question a second thought. Yea, sure as you’ll ever be!
“But what if you-”
She asked you earlier where you learned to fight, you reply as you carefully detach yourself from the hug, and you said you didn’t wanna talk about it.
Pepper nods.
The truth is, you explain, is that you’ve trained in martial arts… but you’ve been in scraps before that. Scraps that everyone was certain you couldn’t win–hell, even some that <span class="mu-i">you</span> didn’t think were winnable.
Pacing around the dock, you take a moment to watch the water lap at the sides of the boat. One of those unwinnable fights got you in big trouble, you add, so much so that you and your parents, well…
You aren’t really on good terms anymore.
Both Raj and Pepper blink as you turn around to face them.
Long story short, you beat the crap out of a guy that deserved it–the kind of guy who always has a few goons with him to laugh at his jokes and kick people’s teeth in. The kind of guy with connections that can make someone’s life hell as easy as you brush your teeth.
A rebellious smile forms on your face.
And you don’t regret a damn second of it. You’d do it again given the chance!
Reaching into your pocket again, you pull out the <span class="mu-s">GOLD LIGHTER</span> and place it next to the <span class="mu-s">AIR FRESHENER SPRAY.</span>
Sorry, you mutter, you forgot that one.
“S’cool…” Mutters Raj as Pepper watches with starry eyes.
Anyways, you conclude, the moral of the story is this: lots of fights are unwinnable. Hell, you’d argue most of them are… but even so…
You pause your speech as another unholy roar echoes from above and around the cave.
Sometimes you’ve gotta fight. <span class="mu-i">Especially</span> if no one else is gonna do it for ya.
Giving your pals a lazy salute, you turn to assemble your kit, but are stopped once again when Pepper tackles your side! Ow, dumbass!
“... you’re right.” She mutters as she stares into your eyes with renewed determination, “you’re absolutely right…”
Fiddling with her camera, the girl gives you and Raj a nod. “Let’s do it, then.”
“HELL YEA!” Roars Raj as he drums his hands on Linda!
Uh, excuse me, you retort with a frown, you’re doing this alo-
“You just spewed a year’s-worth of cliches at us, sandcrab,” Counters Pepper as she defiantly plants her hands on her hips, “Least you can do is indulge us a bit.”
“They’re our pals too, bro.” Adds Raj with a determined look on his face, “Can’t talk us out of it now!”
Damn it…
>CONTD.
