Who: Nikita & Elijah What: Random run in When: During Fight Club Where: At Fight club Rating: TBD but probably lowish.
Nikita was still missing Alex and hated the dome for taking her away from the kids and Adam. The woman was like a younger sister and to know she had been happy around here after everything had Nikita happy only to see it torn apart. Sadly, she couldn’t do anything other than help Adam out as much as possible and be there for the other people she knew who lost people. If she was being honest, it was also a way to avoid dealing with the loss of her best friend by focusing on everyone else. Nikita was great at keeping the wall of emotions up.
With her thoughts running away with her today, she was glad it was fight club night. Though she hadn’t signed up in a while, and might have to change that, she did enjoy going and watching. Dressed in tight black jeans, a shirt, and a jacket with her dark hair up in a high ponytail, she gave a small nod to some of the people she knew. Ordering herself a beer, she figured later she might go get some wine after since she could use a glass. Thanking the bartender, she rested her back against the counter, scanning the room for a seat before moving over to an empty spot with her drink. It was a little on the cold side, which only made her wish it would hurry up to the summer weather; however, she knew how to deal with it even if she wasn’t a fan. Sitting down, her dark eyes rested on where the fights would be happening once the next round started.
Elijah sipped on his bourbon after his last bout. He’d probably leave sooner than usual, because tonight made him thirstier than usual. Possibly because he’d forgotten to drink a blood bag before his arrival. Ah well. Centuries of control meant he could stay a bit longer. Plus, going home where Hayley wasn’t still bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
He noticed a woman he saw around town, but hadn’t actually met. She hadn’t competed, not that Elijah judged, since plenty came just to observe like Alyssa. Elijah nodded at the woman as she ordered her drink. The Original knew he should make a friend or two, so he offered a greeting. Even with fight club, he wore a suit at times, since he fought back home wearing them. “Hello.”
Nikita enjoyed her sparring with Chris and some other people along with her time in the gun range. Fight club was fun to watch, but she hadn’t felt any urge lately to throw herself into the ring. Though she also knew it would be good to keep up her skills, especially since this place was always full of surprises. Maybe next month but right now she was enjoying her drink and waiting to cheer on her friends who did sign up.
When a man spoke to her, she glanced at him, knowing him from the networks. Nikita was a creature of old habits, thanks to training that she knew all the names of people in town even without meeting them. However, she knew how to keep that stuff to herself. The man reminded her of Michael, especially with the suit causing an amused smirk to show up for a moment. Before making her miss the man that she loved and had to leave though she pushed it down like she did with most things that she didn’t feel like dealing with. “Hey,” she commented back with a small smile. “How’s your evening going?” Being a trained assassin, she was able to handle any situation and even pretend, but she was just being herself. Never one for having a problem being friendly unless she felt threatened or backed in a corner, which she did not. Elijah liked the chance to use his fists. For all his attempts at appearing noble, the Original knew that, just like his brothers, a monster resided inside him. And, deep down, the vampire knew he could be even more ruthless than Niklaus or Kol. This outlet, though? Helped. A lot.
His eyes observed the woman and while his instincts wanted to size her up as prey, centuries of control ensured he didn’t. Elijah returned the small smile, very familiar with pushing down unwanted feelings. “Well, it’s fight club, so it’s going about as well as any first Wednesday night of the month goes.” She moved with ease which caused Elijah to wonder what she did in her regular life. A sip of his bourbon while he waited for her answer.
Nikita was no stranger to having a monster within, considering she had one of her own though very different than his. It was what made her the most wanted and dangerous assassin back in her world. Unlike during her younger years, she had more control but that side was always ready to come out when needed, especially if it was in protecting her family.
She could feel his eyes on her, which she had already looked him over. Nikita was used to studying her surroundings in case she ended up in a fight. Old habits really didn’t die even after years around here with no one ever attacking her. “That would depend on the person. Since I’ve seen some whose night is ruined just because they didn’t do well,” she said with a small nod. Her dark eyes shifted to the ring for a moment before back at him, taking a sip of her drink before continuing. “I’m Nikita,” she held one hand out, introducing herself to the man. Elijah tended to not lose his temper or his composure over situations like Fight Club. The nights never made any sense anyway, so he just went out and tried his best. Unless like that little girl joined again which he would not hit her for the obvious reasons. He had no issue fighting an adult female, but someone who looked to be a literal child? No. Thanks.
“No. I don’t let my wins or losses get to me. Sometimes these rounds seem so random that getting upset seems to be pointless. Though, obviously I prefer when I win. Like most anyone.” He took a sip of his not so great bourbon, thinking about what he could change for next month. At least he had high shelf bourbon back at his house, which meant one drink and he’d head back home.
“Hello Nikita.” Elijah held out his hand to shake hers. “I’m Elijah Mikaelson. Pleasure to meet you. Enjoying your evening?
Nikita knew what Division had been like and the pressure that they put on their recruits to win even in sparring. It made her wonder and feel for the ones who did get worked up over losing at fight club since she saw more than enough of what that pressure could do to people. However, she also knew nothing she could say would get them to look at it differently considering some were on the younger side, and they had to figure it out on their own.
“Really? And here I was thinking I was talking to someone who seemed the type to get all bent out of shape,” her tone showed she was only giving the man a hard time since he didn’t seem that type at all. “Some take it to heart, which as you said is pointless but they’ll learn it at some point or another. Though now I’m imagining someone winning and throwing a fit because of it.” The image was rather amusing that she couldn’t help the small chuckle that left her lips.
He really did remind her of Michael, and if the man ever showed up, she would need to get them to meet. Shaking his hand, she smiled at Elijah, “Pleasure to meet you as well.” Pulling her hand back from his, she took another sip of her drink before answering his question. “For the most part. Probably only going to hang out here to see my friends who signed up, then go enjoy a glass of wine with some dinner.” Probably even clean her guns since it been a bit and she wanted to go shooting soon, but she wasn’t sure if that was tonight’s plan or tomorrow’s plans. Nikita did know for she wanted a glass of wine and the dish that was waiting for her back at her place in the fridge. “What about yourself? Any plans this evening once done here?”
Elijah actually chuckled. “I know how I seem, what with my attitude of being upset.” Win or lose, Elijah usually carried himself in the same manner. As much as he was loathe to admit it, Hayley might have been correct saying he was somewhat like Damien and his lack of showing emotion. The elder Mikaelson usually kept his emotions closed off unless you were Hayley or one of his siblings who annoyed him wholeheartedly. “I’m sure someone here would lose their minds over winning.” Though Elijah couldn’t think of anyone off the top of his head.
He ensured he didn’t squeeze her hand too hard and when she pulled away, the Original returned to both hands holding his alcohol, at least for now. “Dinner and wine always sound like a good plan, though I’d take bourbon.” Elijah took another sip. “Probably go home and read for a while.” He’d just purchased a new book and the idea of reading with a glass of bourbon sounded good.
Nikita smirked, pretending to study him as if she was trying to see what type of attitude he had. “I still just see you throwing a board game cause you’re losing,” she joked. “But nah, I get the whole people assuming certain things. Been there, and probably will always have that,” though sometimes Nikita found it hilarious. It really depended on what was being assumed about her, especially if she could use it in her favor. Her emotions was what kept her from fully becoming the monster and machine Division had wanted of her. It was what kept her alive and she was always going to care about people. Letting them in? Now that was a different story unless they earned a look behind that wall that she kept up. Still, she never put value on her own life and was always ready to protect the world even if it came at the cost of herself. Which she also knew pissed Division off more than anything. “Oh, I know there are. Since it started, I’ve seen some people who do get upset over not getting that first place rather than using it as a teaching moment.” Train, practice, and maybe do better next time especially if one studies the moves of the people who participate.
She had to admit it was nice to have a conversation with someone who didn’t know about her loss of Alex or that she was worried about because of everything. It was a normal conversation without Nikita analyzing the words to see if they were trying to downplay because she couldn’t help herself. Once someone was considered family to her, Nikita was going to do everything to keep them safe and help them as much as possible. So to not be doing that and having to worry about the man in front of her, it was a nice break for her brain, which was what she needed. “I don’t mind bourbon, but you put that and an amazing glass of wine in front of me, I’m taking the wine. I’m a wine lady, so you can have all the bourbon,” she told him with a chuckle. “Hopefully, it’s reading something good and for fun? Not for something specific?” That just made Nikita realize she couldn’t even remember the last time she read for fun. Most of the time it had been for missions or kids books, but just a book for fun? Maybe she’d need to change that. “Though it sounds like we’re going to be living the party lifestyle,” she joked, turning and setting her drink down to grab a napkin. “While my party girl ways are long over,” since that had always been for Division and only went to parties for specific reasons around here, Nikita had better things to do with her time, “if you are ever wanting to do something like grab a drink and get out, you can call me.” Scribbling her number down on the napkin. Nikita needed to get out more, and she was fine with being social so she didn’t see the harm in maybe hanging out with the other man. Also, he seemed like he’d keep her on her toes during a conversation, which was something she always welcomed. Holding out the napkin to him once she finished writing down her number. Nikita wasn’t hitting on the man or anything as she was sure was obvious. Yes, he was a good looking guy, but she was just being friendly and needed to get out more. She couldn’t keep pestering Chris to spar with her, working out, or pestering people to check on whether they were okay or not.
Elijah sighed, but grinned, to show he didn’t really mean it. “I know. I toss over every board game I play,” he commented. Not really, preferring trivia to actual games. The Original preferred learning from his mistakes, though this month he just wanted to come and cheer on those from his world, specifically Kol.
“Bourbon isn’t for everyone.” Elijah obviously liked wine on occasion, but he didn’t usually reach for it like he did bourbon. He liked that this young woman didn’t know he’d lost Hayley either. “Tonight for fun. I need a night off of anything to do with my classes.” Once a week Elijah spent an evening putting aside work.
A nod. “A drink sounds good.” Elijah didn’t particularly think he wanted a relationship, but a friend? A friend sounded nice to the Original and she hadn’t given off any signals this would be anything beyond possible friendship. He entered her number into his phone, shot off a quick text so she had his, and then laid down money to cover his drinks.
“I think I’m calling it a night, but I’ll be in touch.” Elijah offered her a smile, though.
Nikita clicked her tongue as if she was dealing with a child who just did something wrong. “That’s no way to handle losing. Make sure if I ever invite you over for game night, I stick the game to the table,” her tone sounded serious, but the look said she was joking. Nikita couldn’t even remember ever doing much of a game night; however, she was amused at the idea of this man throwing a fit even when she knew it wasn’t happening. “Though probably better that route than stabbing someone when you start losing,” she faked an innocent shrug as if that was really what she did. While she had played video games in the past with Birkhoff and other games, her skill set was in anything strategy since that was where her brain worked better.
For her, she was the opposite. Nikita had no problem with bourbon and even had it in the past, but her hand always reached for the wine above anything else. “Then I hope it’s a good book and gives you that break from anything regarding your class.” While slightly curious about the class he was talking about, she didn’t ask and could always do that next time or she was sure it’d be easy enough to figure out if she really wanted to know. Still, if she wanted to know she’d ask him another time.
Nikita was only interested in a potential friend, feeling she could always use more of those. Anyone who read into anything more from what they might be seeing was on them cause she meant nothing wrong it. Getting nothing on the man’s body language in the area of romantic or sexual towards her. Checking her phone when it vibrated, noticing it was from him. She started to put the number into her phone so she didn’t forget when he sent her a message. “Have a good nice, Elijah. It was nice to meet you, and I look forward to hearing from you. Try not to throw any board games until then,” she teased with a wink before returning to her glass of wine. [wrap]