no such animal

Was Carmen laughing? The noise caught Emily off guard for a second, almost making her lower her fists. The key word being almost. She was so used to doing her training in near silence, the only noise being her own breathing, with the soundtrack of whatever she was hitting in the background, that the bark of laughter almost threw her off. But the reflexes kicked in before she could do something as amateur as let herself be distracted by that. Even so, it wasn’t quite enough to avoid Carmen’s body hitting her.

The two hit the ground. Emily felt the breath leave her body in a huff. Instincts taking over, she wrapped one leg around Carmen’s, searching for leverage, but the other woman had the momentary upper hand. Emily was pinned (for now at least). “I think I was saying that you’ll have to correct me,” she replied, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Maybe I like the boxing gym I use?” She ignored the comment about killing assholes for now at least. She didn’t know what Carmen knew or how she knew it, but Emily hadn’t gotten hunter vibes off her. Those were questions that she could ask and answer later, thank you very much. “Oh, sweetheart, I can handle quite a lot, thank you very much.” As they’d been talking, Emily had slowly been moving her other leg. Finally, she got it where she wanted it and with an easy movement, flipped Carmen over, landing herself on top. “Does this answer your questions?”

・゜゜・． 

“Sounds about right,” she grinned, quirking -dare I say- a suggestive eyebrow in Emily’s direction as she felt her leg wrap around. It hit her two seconds too late she might have jumped the gun between them at her answer. Shit, she’d never been good at the whole ‘subtlety’ thing. Carmen never figured she would be in the position of someone like Viper, wining and dining potential recruits (offering them up their wildest dreams, babying them or whatever else was necessary). She might be better off leaving that shit to the professionals.

Still, she wanted to be the one to give the grand tour. “Trust me, honey. Wherever you’re going, mine’s better.” Carmen was cocky as hell and right now, she was too busy thinking about where this might end up to see that she was the one who was about to be handled, and only partly in the way she wanted. “You’ve sure got a lot to say from down the----”

Ouch.

“Loud and clear,” she retorted, struggling against Emily’s pin (nose scrunching and everything, how embarrassing). The flash of naturally occurring rage ebbing away from Carmen’s face though and she let out a breath. “Well, fuck me---,” she paused, a little breathless, “You weren’t kidding, huh?” Carmen continued to breath a little heavily, still thinking about ways to throw Emily off her (thinking about ways to not). Thinking about how if she was gonna go some day, this would be the way to do it. “You wanna play again?”

Are you denying the power of our lord and savior, statistics, in determining how one chooses a potential partner? Because that’s just rude. Once again, he has a nice face, but despite, that, he’s not my type. It’s such a good thing that I do not do the financial side of things because my hair would be grey at this point, and that just wouldn’t be a good look. I think Finance is on the third floor? Maybe? I’ve never actually met a person from Finance in real life. What? I was caught up in some up in a data set. It happens. Okay, let me try to comm someone. Gimme a second…Huh. Well, that’s weird.

I never won any awards for being polite, Lulu-licious and I ain’t about to start now. Besides, it’s not rocket science- you see someone you’re into, you hook up or hold hands, or whatever, then you move on. No special algo-stats-whatevers needed. Boom. Done. .... Alright, well, good. [ laughs ] You say that again. We probably never see ‘em because they’re too busy tryna keep their shit together. I never envied the suits, you know. They’ve got all this red tape and shit to think about and I’d rather just point ‘nd swing. Did I tell you they put me in charge of an asset though? I guess that hasn’t been terrible. Uh huh, sure. Only to you. Hey, what? [ swipes those little paws in Lulu’s direction ] What is it? It’s a piece of junk, right? Lemme whack it off the wall.

There was something about training with a partner that Emily hadn’t realized she had been missing. It had been years since she had worked with someone else, even if said working was just a casual workout. She had gotten used to doing everything solo, keeping precise track of how well she did at each metric so she could keep beating her old numbers. She’d always liked a bit of self competition, pushing herself harder and harder with each round.

But this, getting to push against someone else, someone who hit back, was more amazing than Emily remembered. Even if Carmen had a tendency to rely on the same sort of move. It was enough to just get lost in the push and pull of working with someone else, instead of the monotony of the punching bag. As Carmen aimed for her jaw, Emily ducked, rolling away, letting out a laugh, before kicking Carmen in the chest.

“At least I can land a punch, darling!” That was the other nice part of fighting with someone. Getting to spit insults (none that were too mean, nothing about each other’s mothers, of course) as the adrenaline flew. “Once you hit me, we can chat about…” One of Carmen’s fists brushed against her jaw. “I stand corrected, don’t I?” The quip was good, but as she spoke, Carmen had launched herself at her.

・゜゜・．

Carmen’s heart was hammering, her nerves were electrified and she felt so damn good. No one liked playing with her back home, at HQ, not after the first round. The newbies were wimps and while she’d found a mentor in Chuck, he wasn’t exactly ‘in the game’ these days. She hadn’t realised how bored, how restless, how entirely pent up she’d been until right now. Plus, Emily was cool which was a fucking miracle in a shittown like this one.

A bloody bark of a laugh left her lips at Emily’s retorts which felt even better. The laugh turned to a wolf’s grin as she threw her whole weight at Emily, knocking them both to the ground. “Sorry, what were you sayin’ about standing?” Carmen had her pinned (only for now though, it’d take more than that to see who landed up on top) and the look she gave them wasn’t exactly subtle.

“You ever get sick of punching the same old spot or killing the same old assholes... You should give me a call. I’m told I don’t exactly play nice with others but I dunno. I bet it’s nothing you couldn’t handle, princess---,” she teased, she prodded, she pushed. She thought about how she might leave here with a little more than a couple of friendly bruises. If she was lucky. Carmen even thought that the Institute might want someone like Emily Matthews on the payroll but that was in the back of her mind. Way in the back. 

I’m not saying that I have a crush on him or anything. I just have to admit that from a statistical point of view, he has a nice face. That’s all. He’s not my boyfriend. I’ve never spoken to him once in my life. Or been in the same place as him. Happy? [completely missing the biology comment because what did she say about breaking things?] Carmen, no. Absolutely not. That is so wildly irresponsible. And expensive. Is this why my requests for an electron microscope were turned down? Um. I don’t know. I haven’t tried to comm anyone for a bit. Let’s see…

Yeah, yeah, statistical blah blah blah. I’m just sayin’, if there was some basic bitch dude out there that you were into... You could do better than him. [ Actively rolling her eyes but definitely smiling at the ‘wildly irresponsible’ shpeel ] See? You get me, Lulu. Ha... Who knows, huh? You’d probably keel over though if you saw the expense reports after the missions I’ve been on. Shit, they definitely hate me down in Finance. Or up... Whatever. Point is- I can’t get through to anybody. I’d even be glad to hear from Smith at this point, big freak that he is and all. You haven’t tried to comm anyone for a bit? [ With quirked brow- ] What, am I really all the work company ya need? I guess Callie’s here too though, sharing your nerd powers. Thanks. Lemme know if you want me to hit it.

Beat up George Weston? No! His face is so pretty. It’s very…symmetrical, and I think a lot of people would be sad if that stopped existing. Okay, just because I’m good with biology doesn’t mean that I’m an expert in…The comms aren’t working? Have you filed a report about that?

Oh please, that ‘local celebrity’, cheesy grin, salesman bullshit? You’ve got to believe there’s hotter dudes out there for you. Whatever, I won’t beat up your boyfriend. Yeah, I’ll bet you are [ winks ]. What? Do I look like I’ve got time to deal with that bullshit? I either hit somethin’ and it works or I hit somethin’ and it breaks. Simple. No filing. But yeah, I haven’t been able to get through to the bosses. Reception’s been shitty at best... It’s nothin’ though, right? WiFi glitching or something.

I can go all the way, all day. Trust me.

・゜゜・．

It had been too damn long since Carmen had felt like this. Felt that heart pounding, jaw bruising, itch scratchin’ rush. Emily Matthews hadn’t been kidding when she said she could go all the way, all day and thank fuck for that. Carmen had been all but rusting in this shithole of a town, barely getting to use her hands. She’d been playing by the rules but at what cost? None of that matter now though because finally, finally, she’d gotten tangled up again with a woman who could swing one mean right (and left) hook.

Carmen felt the wind get knocked out of her as Emily hit again. A feral grin on her face, Carmen let out a laugh from the ground on her back. She hadn’t sparred with someone who wouldn’t go easy on her in way too long. Everyone back at HQ stayed out of her way and her last partner? Well, she was gone. Dead- to Carmen. Chuck was a softie at his core and besides, he didn’t need this right now. This was just for Carmen.

“Anyone ever tell ya you hit like a baby?” The shit talk was all in good fun. She liked Emily. Plus, there was nothing hotter than brawling- sparring- with a woman like that. Carmen jumped back up to her feet, still grinning, still buzzing before squaring up again. She aimed a few lighthearted hits- flirting, if you will- before launching herself towards Emily with the intention of pinning her back. Maybe Havensdale wasn’t the worst after all.

Cristina shook her head. Were there a lot of throats - probably considering her kill count went over the 100. Then again she had been alive for a long time. Almost killed twice. Once a vampire and once when she was still human. She didn’t enjoy the feeling of dying, that was why her kills were most often quick - unless they deserved death well than she made sure it was slow and fun for her. “It’s as you say, an asshole is an asshole.” She agreed with the statement, something from her past bubbling to the surface but with a smile it was pushed down, deeply so no one could ever reach it. No one needed to see the vulnerable side. “Depends on how you look at it, some are friendly- others plain annoying.” It wasn’t like Cristina believed in friendship, yet some people just stuck to her. 

Cristina watched Carmen’s every move - how she glanced at her watch. It was a procaution, in the hope that this wouldn’t be swarmed like a swat team on a high criminal. She didn’t want to deal with anymore hunters. 

She nodded. “it’s the worst.”

`**☆ 

Carmen was a good solider, a fucking star employee for the Institute even if she wasn’t very good at playing by the rules. She was trained to kill vamps when the mission called for it and asked to play nice when they were on her side. Everything depended on what HQ had to say which was fine, it was how she liked it. How she survived. There were no conflicts of interest for Carmen- she’d shoot wherever her gun was pointed.

Still, talking to Cristina, it made her feel... It made her miss a vampire that used to be on her side (on the Institute’s side) before- before she’d betrayed them. Betrayed Carmen. It made her feel like she didn’t have to shoot just cause someone flashed fangs. It had been a long time since she’d felt that way. Carmen cleared her throat, stomping down whatever loose emotion wanted to break free and gave Cristina a shrug.

“Fuck it. Do you drink? I mean, the regular, non-veined shit?” She asked, tapping her own wrist before raising a brow. “Unless you’re busy or whatever.”

               [ Ayesha’s lips twitched upwards as she watched the recognition dawn on Carmen’s face. If she was honest, their brief dalliance had been one of her favorites of the last fifty years or so; it wasn’t often she met someone as beautiful as they were feisty. And Carmen was definitely both.] You know what, I believe you do.

              Well, whaddya know? Well hey, I’m nobody’s cheap date here. This isn’t the kinda thing you can just duke out on main street or whatever stupid ass name they’ve given it here. We have to this good and slow and proper. [ For any bystanders at this moment, it is not entirely clear if she’s talking about a mean right hook now or...something else, a-wink. ] What’re you drinkin’ these days?

Oooh. I’m deeply deeply hurt. Well, there’s no time like the present. How far do you want to go?

Let’s go all the way, baby. Unless you’re chicken?

               [ Ayesha’s lips twitched upwards as she watched the recognition dawn on Carmen’s face. If she was honest, their brief dalliance had been one of her favorites of the last fifty years or so; it wasn’t often she met someone as beautiful as they were feisty. And Carmen was definitely both.] You know what, I believe you do.

              Small fuckin’ world, huh? [ She’d admit it. Carmen’s ‘type’ had always been the kinda woman she wanted to brawl with. Violence and sex went hand in hand according to her handbook- Ayesha checked all two of the boxes. ] I don’t want it getting out that I don’t pay back my punches. Figure we’re gonna need a bar first though... You game?

In reality Cristina had gotten so far to purchasing a house. How she got it, and how she got the money, no one really needed to know. It wasn’t important, nor was it very legal. She knew hunters, she knew they failed her. And therefore she hated them it was that simple. Acting like the good guys while they weren’t good at all. 

She chuckled. “I know, but that’s how it was at that time.” Even now things seemed rather old-fashioned and it would take a long time for sexism and racism and homophobia to be gone from the world. “Can’t say everyone is familiar to me, though I’ve seen some familiar faces.” More vampires, great. 

Once Cristina was the same. She believed she wouldn’t get bored of the murders, but in reality the thrill wasn’t as exciting anymore. Thinking she’d be dying to wake up to hellish pain, it just wasn’t enough. She needed something. Something which she hadn’t figured out what it was yet. Someday she would.

“Lately I haven’t been anything but bored.”

`**☆

“Yeah, fair enough I guess. I bet there were plenty of throats to rip out then though. Not that I’m allowed to condone it or anythin’ but an asshole’s an asshole no matter how you knock ‘em out,” she shrugged. It was weird to hear even a glimpse of her past. The vamps she’d known before, worked with at the Institute, they tended to keep their personal lives close to their chest. Carmen didn’t blame ‘em. A few hundred years worth of crap didn’t need shared. “Friendly faces?”

Carmen glanced at her watch. She hadn’t had contact from HQ in a while now. Maybe they were just really sticking with this whole ‘surveillance’ thing in Havensdale, leaving her to it but then again... Maybe something was wrong. Of course that might have just been wishful thinking. Carmen would have much rathered some big, bloody mess to clean up than this bullshit. She looked back over at Cristina when she spoke again, forgetting to fight off a smile.

“You and me both. Usually-,” she hesitated then, trying to mind her wording. If she was gonna go up the ranks, she had to stop talking so much shit to vamps. “Usually I’ve got much more exciting things going on. Pretty much in a dry spell right now which is just... the fuckin’ worst, you know?”

Are you suggesting that I’m not? I’m more than willing to bite.