Post by charlirozzi on Nov 10, 2024 5:24:03 GMT -8
Their training session had been intense, Charli was still reeling from the targeted attack Olly had made to her already injured ribs, letting some of the pain finally wear her down and take her cocky expression off her face. Olly wasn’t afraid to hurt her, he made her feel something real and that was why she sought him out, craved his time.
As the pair now sat on the mat, she sipped the water he had handed her, pulling a small pill bottle from her bag and knocking two back with a long swig. As she daughter her breath, she finally broke the silence.
”I see all the travel hasn’t worn you down any.”
He had been sitting in silence since their sparring session ended, sucking on his lower lips. Even as she spoke, he barely acknowledged her words with a nod. The quiet lasted for a few more seconds until the Division trainer turned his head away from Charli, looking in the opposite direction to spit some blood on the floor.
”Yeah, I'm getting used to life on the road.”[/font] Ever since the New York apartment he shared with Faith burned down, an electric fire according to the official report though the truth was very different and much grimmer, Olly had adopted a nomadic lifestyle, occasionally sleeping at The Division Mansion but spending most of his time traveling aimlessly.
”Nice knee, by the way.” A rare complement for the strike she was able to land on him, a jumping knee strike that busted his lips open. He washed away the lingering taste of blood with some water from another bottle he grabbed from the floor, his eyes staring off at the opposite wall.
”Thanks.” Her tone was measured as she watched him, she could feel the distance between the Olly sitting in front of her and wherever his mind was. She knew better than to press too much, but her curiosity was full in her eyes, even as she followed his gaze to the wall.
”Sudden interest in architecture or is something wrong?” Her tone was less measured now, the playfulness masking the challenge behind her question.
A chuckle escaped his lips, his head shaking ever so slightly. ”Nah, just my mind drifting off for a minute. All good now.” This was the first time he was back in the Crucible since that night when he took out McKena Hardy and left her in the hands of Julian and Ozzie Savell. Between his wrestling endeavors in Zion and MWE and the travel, he didn’t really had time to think about all that. But being here now with Charli, the spark that made the whole thing blow up, brought his memory back to that night.
”Sorry I’m such boring company.” Her tone was reproachful, not self deprecating as her words would suggest. She moved forward a little, getting closer and adding a little more intimacy to their conversation instead of the more formal way they had been sitting before.
”I can imagine it’s a lot, all the travel and then coming back here. But it’s all worth it right? You believe in the cause and you’re spreading the word, very cult follower like.”
”Handing out flyers and shit.” He replied with what was an obvious joke, even though his tone remained serious. ”I’m not out there to proselytize, I just enjoy the sights.” There was obviously more behind his choice to not have a permanent home, but he wasn’t going to spell it out, keeping those walls up.
For the first time since their training session ended, he turned toward Charli, finding her closer than he remembered. ”But I told you once and I’m telling you again. You’d be a great addition to our ranks.”
She looked down with a small nod, something crossed her eyes but she made sure he couldn’t quite see it. That challenging defiance back as soon as she looked back up at him, she sat back just a little, still close.
”Success above everything, maybe if Julian hadn’t fucked it up I’d be part of your ranks. But I’m not so sure I’d be the soldier he seems to want.” She smirked, leaning her head off to one side. ”I’m more of the take control and make things happen kind of person. You may have noticed.”
She could be talking about what happened last show or how she seemed to pull people in, able to hold court with almost anyone be they friend or foe, either way it was clear she wasn’t confident that Julian would know what to do with her.
”I noticed.” He added, gulping another sip of water. ”And I have to say, I’m a fan of how you’re having a bunch of students dancing to your tune. That’s impressive.” None of his words sounded sarcastic or derogatory. He was honest, and she could tell it by the look in his eyes as they briefly met hers, before trailing off once again in the distance. Olly’s left hand moved on his right wrist, fingers running against the silhouette of what looked like a bracelet hiding under the tape. ”Reminds me of when I was a student myself.”
She smiled slightly, her eyes moving to his wrist and watching him fiddle with the tape there, she had some idea what was underneath. And it maybe wasn’t her place, or the right time, but ever since she had made the comment that had set his anger briefly in her direction, she felt she had to tell him.
”I really did know her.” She didn’t say the name, she didn’t say too much. She just let enough out to show she knew what he meant when he thought about being a student. If he wanted her to elaborate then he would let her know and she would do her best to answer any questions.
”So I’ve been told.” He replied, his voice coming out calm, almost in a whisper. ”Same circles, right? Upper class New York, the fancy parties and all that.” He reached inside his pocket, finding a crumpled pack of cigarettes. Only one was left inside it, bent and barely holding together. Olly cursed under his breath and lit it up, taking a long drag. It was a bad habit, more so for an athlete. One he was able to quit a couple of years ago, but his health was no longer on top of his priority list. ”She liked to play with people too, bend them to their will, break them if they didn’t.”
”Yeah, she did...” she agreed, leaning back a little more, putting her hands flat on the mat to sit comfortably. She wasn’t just drawing him in, she wasn’t looking to use him as a pawn. She offered honesty. ”I used to watch her, the way she commanded a room, the way she controlled everyone and everything around her.” Her tone was soft, her eyes looking away from him.
”Where do you think I learned it all?” A truth, she had learned so much of what she did from watching Faith, from seeing someone like her, someone betrayed by the world they lived in and turning that to her benefit. She wouldn’t emulate her for a few years, not really needing to until her father broke her. ”I’m sorry. I can’t pretend to imagine what you’re dealing with… But I didn’t want the only thing you knew about she and I to be that we went to the same parties.”
A long silence followed her words, time Olly spent consuming his cigarette and processing what Charli just told him. There was a reason why he spent most of the little time he dedicated to his trainer role to her, a student that wasn’t even in his team. Ever since he laid eyes on her, he noticed some similarities, glimpses of Faith in the way she portrayed herself, in the way she quickly imposed over her peers.
”Thank you.” Two simple words, but full of meaning. He was thankful for the sympathy she showed, not something you take for granted from Charli Rozzi. He was thankful for the kind words she had for Faith, for the picture she painted with few nice, carefully chosen words. He was thankful for the nice trip down memory lane, the chance she gave him to speak about the woman he loved. He was thankful for being wrong, for judging too harshly that slip up she had a couple of weeks ago.
Charli smiled again, this time she took her water bottle and downed a couple of gulps, before laying back flat on the mat with a small laugh that turned into a groan as she rested her hands on her chest. Musing over her position for a moment before she looked over at him again.
”If you’ve broken another rib I might never get to leave Southie property again!” She laughed again, this time it was jovial and genuine before she looked up at the ceiling with an amused sigh. ”Thanks, for keeping some time for me. I feel ready now.”
He gave her one final glance, paired with a slight smile infused with melancholia. Olly nodded his head as he slowly pushed himself up. ”Anytime, kid.” It was the first time he didn’t call her with her first name, or at least the name she was using in the Crucible. She was only three years younger than he was, not enough to justify the use of that moniker in a taunting way. And that wasn’t his intention, not in the slightest.
”You tend to leave your flank open when you swing your leg. Work on your posture, protect your ribs until they heal.” Those words echoed over his shuffling steps as he left the gym.
As the pair now sat on the mat, she sipped the water he had handed her, pulling a small pill bottle from her bag and knocking two back with a long swig. As she daughter her breath, she finally broke the silence.
”I see all the travel hasn’t worn you down any.”
He had been sitting in silence since their sparring session ended, sucking on his lower lips. Even as she spoke, he barely acknowledged her words with a nod. The quiet lasted for a few more seconds until the Division trainer turned his head away from Charli, looking in the opposite direction to spit some blood on the floor.
”Yeah, I'm getting used to life on the road.”[/font] Ever since the New York apartment he shared with Faith burned down, an electric fire according to the official report though the truth was very different and much grimmer, Olly had adopted a nomadic lifestyle, occasionally sleeping at The Division Mansion but spending most of his time traveling aimlessly.
”Nice knee, by the way.” A rare complement for the strike she was able to land on him, a jumping knee strike that busted his lips open. He washed away the lingering taste of blood with some water from another bottle he grabbed from the floor, his eyes staring off at the opposite wall.
”Thanks.” Her tone was measured as she watched him, she could feel the distance between the Olly sitting in front of her and wherever his mind was. She knew better than to press too much, but her curiosity was full in her eyes, even as she followed his gaze to the wall.
”Sudden interest in architecture or is something wrong?” Her tone was less measured now, the playfulness masking the challenge behind her question.
A chuckle escaped his lips, his head shaking ever so slightly. ”Nah, just my mind drifting off for a minute. All good now.” This was the first time he was back in the Crucible since that night when he took out McKena Hardy and left her in the hands of Julian and Ozzie Savell. Between his wrestling endeavors in Zion and MWE and the travel, he didn’t really had time to think about all that. But being here now with Charli, the spark that made the whole thing blow up, brought his memory back to that night.
”Sorry I’m such boring company.” Her tone was reproachful, not self deprecating as her words would suggest. She moved forward a little, getting closer and adding a little more intimacy to their conversation instead of the more formal way they had been sitting before.
”I can imagine it’s a lot, all the travel and then coming back here. But it’s all worth it right? You believe in the cause and you’re spreading the word, very cult follower like.”
”Handing out flyers and shit.” He replied with what was an obvious joke, even though his tone remained serious. ”I’m not out there to proselytize, I just enjoy the sights.” There was obviously more behind his choice to not have a permanent home, but he wasn’t going to spell it out, keeping those walls up.
For the first time since their training session ended, he turned toward Charli, finding her closer than he remembered. ”But I told you once and I’m telling you again. You’d be a great addition to our ranks.”
She looked down with a small nod, something crossed her eyes but she made sure he couldn’t quite see it. That challenging defiance back as soon as she looked back up at him, she sat back just a little, still close.
”Success above everything, maybe if Julian hadn’t fucked it up I’d be part of your ranks. But I’m not so sure I’d be the soldier he seems to want.” She smirked, leaning her head off to one side. ”I’m more of the take control and make things happen kind of person. You may have noticed.”
She could be talking about what happened last show or how she seemed to pull people in, able to hold court with almost anyone be they friend or foe, either way it was clear she wasn’t confident that Julian would know what to do with her.
”I noticed.” He added, gulping another sip of water. ”And I have to say, I’m a fan of how you’re having a bunch of students dancing to your tune. That’s impressive.” None of his words sounded sarcastic or derogatory. He was honest, and she could tell it by the look in his eyes as they briefly met hers, before trailing off once again in the distance. Olly’s left hand moved on his right wrist, fingers running against the silhouette of what looked like a bracelet hiding under the tape. ”Reminds me of when I was a student myself.”
She smiled slightly, her eyes moving to his wrist and watching him fiddle with the tape there, she had some idea what was underneath. And it maybe wasn’t her place, or the right time, but ever since she had made the comment that had set his anger briefly in her direction, she felt she had to tell him.
”I really did know her.” She didn’t say the name, she didn’t say too much. She just let enough out to show she knew what he meant when he thought about being a student. If he wanted her to elaborate then he would let her know and she would do her best to answer any questions.
”So I’ve been told.” He replied, his voice coming out calm, almost in a whisper. ”Same circles, right? Upper class New York, the fancy parties and all that.” He reached inside his pocket, finding a crumpled pack of cigarettes. Only one was left inside it, bent and barely holding together. Olly cursed under his breath and lit it up, taking a long drag. It was a bad habit, more so for an athlete. One he was able to quit a couple of years ago, but his health was no longer on top of his priority list. ”She liked to play with people too, bend them to their will, break them if they didn’t.”
”Yeah, she did...” she agreed, leaning back a little more, putting her hands flat on the mat to sit comfortably. She wasn’t just drawing him in, she wasn’t looking to use him as a pawn. She offered honesty. ”I used to watch her, the way she commanded a room, the way she controlled everyone and everything around her.” Her tone was soft, her eyes looking away from him.
”Where do you think I learned it all?” A truth, she had learned so much of what she did from watching Faith, from seeing someone like her, someone betrayed by the world they lived in and turning that to her benefit. She wouldn’t emulate her for a few years, not really needing to until her father broke her. ”I’m sorry. I can’t pretend to imagine what you’re dealing with… But I didn’t want the only thing you knew about she and I to be that we went to the same parties.”
A long silence followed her words, time Olly spent consuming his cigarette and processing what Charli just told him. There was a reason why he spent most of the little time he dedicated to his trainer role to her, a student that wasn’t even in his team. Ever since he laid eyes on her, he noticed some similarities, glimpses of Faith in the way she portrayed herself, in the way she quickly imposed over her peers.
”Thank you.” Two simple words, but full of meaning. He was thankful for the sympathy she showed, not something you take for granted from Charli Rozzi. He was thankful for the kind words she had for Faith, for the picture she painted with few nice, carefully chosen words. He was thankful for the nice trip down memory lane, the chance she gave him to speak about the woman he loved. He was thankful for being wrong, for judging too harshly that slip up she had a couple of weeks ago.
Charli smiled again, this time she took her water bottle and downed a couple of gulps, before laying back flat on the mat with a small laugh that turned into a groan as she rested her hands on her chest. Musing over her position for a moment before she looked over at him again.
”If you’ve broken another rib I might never get to leave Southie property again!” She laughed again, this time it was jovial and genuine before she looked up at the ceiling with an amused sigh. ”Thanks, for keeping some time for me. I feel ready now.”
He gave her one final glance, paired with a slight smile infused with melancholia. Olly nodded his head as he slowly pushed himself up. ”Anytime, kid.” It was the first time he didn’t call her with her first name, or at least the name she was using in the Crucible. She was only three years younger than he was, not enough to justify the use of that moniker in a taunting way. And that wasn’t his intention, not in the slightest.
”You tend to leave your flank open when you swing your leg. Work on your posture, protect your ribs until they heal.” Those words echoed over his shuffling steps as he left the gym.