[ Amber flexes her arms, one by one, then her legs, like some robot checking all her parts are in functional condition. Her arm still throbs and her heart's still pounding against her chest but she's otherwise fine. ]
[ Joel exhales. No, it doesn't fucking help. The adrenalin gets a hold of him and he does shit, shit that he's good at but probably shouldn't be. But he isn't going to have this conversation with her. Short tempered, he snaps: ]
A way to fight better. I was. [ Amber cants her head to one side, considering. ] You get emotional and that makes you strong, but sloppy. I can't help you with your emotions.
[ If that flat affect on her face tells him anything. She understands what it means to want to be stronger for the sake of someone else if only because she has met others like him, but now she doesn't know what she can even do for him. ]
But when someone goes for the back of your head, a swipe kick works better, especially against bigger opponents like the Neraki. Or an elbow to the face, but that only works for the little ones. If not, a kick to the back of their knees. Does that make sense?
[ Joel shakes out his hands and lets them rest purposefully at his sides, instead of in tight fists. ]
I ain't got that kind of training.
[ Getting himself down low enough to fight like that and then back up again— Joel isn't fast. He's a hard hitter, but he's not that quick. Amber could take him out easily with her speed alone.
But he looks away from her and takes a deep breath. Exhales it slow. With the fury ebbing, the sorrow wells up thick once more. ]
[ Amber crosses her arms in front of her, regarding him quietly. Her usual mask is a smile, placid and serene, but this time she only seems cold. Maybe for once she isn't lying, but who's to say when it comes to her? ]
When I was sad, someone took me for a run until I couldn't run anymore. And then I slept. When I woke up, I ran again. Until I couldn't.
[ And again and again until the ache in her chest came more rarely and the rest of the world returned to focus bit by bit. ]
He doesn't want to run. He doesn't want to see anyone, or do anything. The pain runs deep, an overflowing wound that he knows ain't going to heal right. It hadn't when he lost Sarah, and it won't now he lost Ellie. Especially now that he lost Ellie. Not for the first time in his life, he's wondering just how much a man can take.
When his gaze moves it's to land on his revolver. He steps back over to pick it up,check the safety's on, before stowing it away. Joel faces her again, and it isn't resolution in his face. It's something closer to giving up. He's doing it because his body needs something to do, not because he's driven, or seeking release. That's over for him. ]
[ Amber moves to recollect her weapons only after he's gone to do so. She checks the safety instinctively and stows everything away slowly but precisely. Then she stretches both her arms into the air while casting her eyes to the distance forest, then turning over her shoulder toward the campsite and the lowlands stretching beyond it. ]
[ Joel looks at the woods, considering, and then reckons he's not all that interested in tripping over himself. He nods toward the flatlands without saying a word.
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no subject
Does this help you?
no subject
Weren't you tryin' to show me something?
no subject
[ If that flat affect on her face tells him anything. She understands what it means to want to be stronger for the sake of someone else if only because she has met others like him, but now she doesn't know what she can even do for him. ]
But when someone goes for the back of your head, a swipe kick works better, especially against bigger opponents like the Neraki. Or an elbow to the face, but that only works for the little ones. If not, a kick to the back of their knees. Does that make sense?
no subject
I ain't got that kind of training.
[ Getting himself down low enough to fight like that and then back up again— Joel isn't fast. He's a hard hitter, but he's not that quick. Amber could take him out easily with her speed alone.
But he looks away from her and takes a deep breath. Exhales it slow. With the fury ebbing, the sorrow wells up thick once more. ]
Look, maybe we should reschedule.
no subject
[ Amber crosses her arms in front of her, regarding him quietly. Her usual mask is a smile, placid and serene, but this time she only seems cold. Maybe for once she isn't lying, but who's to say when it comes to her? ]
When I was sad, someone took me for a run until I couldn't run anymore. And then I slept. When I woke up, I ran again. Until I couldn't.
[ And again and again until the ache in her chest came more rarely and the rest of the world returned to focus bit by bit. ]
Would you like to run, Joel?
no subject
He doesn't want to run. He doesn't want to see anyone, or do anything. The pain runs deep, an overflowing wound that he knows ain't going to heal right. It hadn't when he lost Sarah, and it won't now he lost Ellie. Especially now that he lost Ellie. Not for the first time in his life, he's wondering just how much a man can take.
When his gaze moves it's to land on his revolver. He steps back over to pick it up,check the safety's on, before stowing it away. Joel faces her again, and it isn't resolution in his face. It's something closer to giving up. He's doing it because his body needs something to do, not because he's driven, or seeking release. That's over for him. ]
Okay.
no subject
Easy or hard mode?
no subject
Once she takes off, he'll follow her lead. ]