Jace Herondale (uniquetake) wrote in worldsapart_ic, @ 2019-02-25 22:41:00 |
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Entry tags: | rhys hunt, xx_troy hendriks |
Who: Rhys Hunt & Troy Hendriks
What: Just some wolves throwing down
When: Set before the full moon
Where: Tooth and Nail
Rating: Low
Warnings: n/a
Getting settled in seemed to involve a lot of meetings, far too many if he was being overly honest, but he knew they put the importance of team work and cooperation high on the priorities in this place -which was good, he didn’t want to have to be battling with his co-workers for a story, not when they could figure out how to work together.
It meant a lot of the time he was stuck in conference rooms, listening to people tell him how things worked here, who did what, meeting all the people he’d be expected to work with and the deadlines he’d need to meet now.
It was fine, it wasn’t exciting, but it was fine.
All that it did was make him feel cooped up though, like he was too big in his own skin. He said as much, during a late night text session with Mika, who he was still getting regular updates from about both his sisters. It was Mika who told him about Tooth and Nail, told him he’d heard stories about it, that it might be Troy’s kind of place.
A quick search got him the address, a few tips on how things worked and a general rule list. It seemed a bit overkill at first, until he walked in and then it made a little more sense. This place was far more intense than he’d initially thought, the reviews not really preparing him for the place, nor did Mika’s silly winky face inform him just what he was getting in to.
Grabbing a beer from the bar, with a decent enough vantage to see what was going on, while listening to the roar of spectators, Troy tried to keep a level head about it all.
---
A level head was definitely a good way of approaching Tooth and Nail. Some people came in too fast, too excited, and it was never pretty. Cole was renowned for having a very short fuse and it honestly didn’t take much to piss him off. As long as people didn’t act like douches and respected the space for what it was then you were left alone for the most part. You really didn’t want Cole breathing down your neck for any reason.
Rhys wasn’t actually fighting for the first time in a long time and was instead supporting a wolf from his pack as they took to the ring for the first time ever. The wolf wasn’t big but he was fast and he was capable so Rhys was there to cheer him on and also give him coaching during the short breaks.
They were already two rounds in with one round left and so far it was level pegging. “Come on, Grant, you can do this,” he murmured as he passed the other wolf some water and a towel. “Just keep up the pressure, he’s waning I can tell. “ Rhys turned his head to regard the vampire who was prepping for the next round before his attention tracked back to Grant. “Also, he’s cocky. Thinks because he has a couple fifty years on you that it somehow makes him better. It doesn’t but you can use that arrogance against him.”
“How?” Grant queried.
“Let him think he’s got you right where he wants you and then right at the last minute you flip that shit around on him.”
Grant nodded and as the last and final round started it was clear he’d taken Rhys’ advice because he let the vampire get in close and then just wrecked him in a display of pure barbaric strength and ferocity only ever seen in a werewolf. “Yes!” Rhys yelled as he hooped and he hollered in support. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
---
In many ways Troy saw this whole place as something of a boxing club, it just so happened that the participants had some additional power under their bones due to a difference from humans. And it was a lot more bloodier. Likely because it was a vampire and wolf in there right now, either coming down to a pissing match between species that seemed to not get along -Troy hadn’t figured out the depth of it, just being told that vampires and wolves were not friendly at all.
He passed up an offer to place a bet on the next round of fighters, still watching the one unfold in front of him, half worried he was going to see teeth flying across the room at some point.
No one else seemed particularly worried, probably just the tourist in the corner being overly wound up about things, but Troy opted to take his drink and work his way a little closer to the fight, if only to see things without flailing people getting in his way.
---
Whilst Rhys’ eyes were pretty damn fixed on Grant in the ring as he exchanged blows with the vampire he couldn’t help but notice the approach of another wolf. This one was unfamiliar to him and that was impressive in itself because generally speaking Rhys knew a lot of the wolves in Los Angeles. The perks of being a Beta to a very active very involved pack that prided themselves on being involved with local politics and community.
“First time?” He hollered over with a grin before he cupped his hands around his mouth to yell. “Don’t let him sneak up on you, Grant.” Worst mistake to make with a vampire, sneaky bastards that they were.
---
Glancing from the blond that called at him, Troy looked over and then back to the fight, giving a nod while he took a drag from his drink. “Looks like I picked a good night.” It was a bit of a yell to get heard through the yelling, everyone getting right into the last round of the fight.
“He’s pretty good.” Although Troy didn’t share an innate animosity for the vampires in general, or having too much experience watching them fight, the wolf was clearly well enough in a fight to hold his own.
Young maybe, but skilled.
---
“Oh, definitely,” Rhys hollered in agreement over the sound of well, everything. Thankfully he was good at projecting so he could be heard. Also wolves had good hearing which came in handy.
A nod soon followed. “I’d hope he would be considering I trained him. If he sucked then I’d really have something to answer for.” He was after all a regular fighter at Tooth and Nail and had quite a few wins under his belt.
Rhys stuck a hand out. “Name’s Rhys.”
---
Juggling his drink so that he could offer his hand back for a shake, Troy gave a friendly smile, “Troy,” he was used to the meetings in odd places, given his line of work people either wanted to be comfortable where they spoke or tried to make him uncomfortable, it made him adaptable at least, although he couldn’t see any conversation going terribly well until the fight was over at least.
“At least you know your methods work then.” There was probably something to be said for supernaturals fighting each other, but then it wasn’t like a wolf could step into a ring with anyone -most humans didn’t have the stamina or strength of a wolf, and Troy knew, since he’d gotten quite the lesson post-bite.
A little tension release wasn’t a bad thing, and the appeal wasn’t lost on him. Just because he tended to be less controlled and organised when he got into fights didn’t mean everyone wanted to go about things that way. “So this is a regular thing, right?”
---
“The wolf in the ring?” Rhys queried with a raise of his eyebrow. “Surprisingly not, this is his first time fighting. Me however? I’m here all the time.” Which was not a lie. “It’s a really good way of making money and working off some aggression especially leading up to a full moon.”
Plus Rhys liked to fight which probably said a lot about him but he never picked unnecessary fights and it meant he was willing to defend his pack which was the most important thing.
“What about you? You a fighting wolf?”
---
For a first time, the wolf was holding his own, especially against a vampire -potentially twice or more the wolf’s age and far more trained. Which was impressive, certainly, given how fresh the wolf was in there.
Although he wasn’t terribly surprised that Rhys was a regular, not if he was training some of the other fighters too. But Troy had to shake his head with a slightly self-deprecating laugh, “Oh, not in any kind of organised event.”
Even before he was bitten, before he had the excuse of the full moon and the anxious energy under his skin, Troy was a bit of an idiot for getting into things. “I’m pretty sure either of them could wipe the floor with me.”
---
“Fair enough,” Rhys said with a small lift of his shoulders. “It’s not for everybody.” It definitely was for Rhys, he’d been born to an Alpha after all so he sort of needed to be able to hold his own from a young age.
He turned his head as the sound of the bell ringing could be heard and he gave a happy holler when it was clear that his packmate was the winner of this particular bout.
“Drinks are on you,” he pointed out with a grin before he turned to Troy. “Can I get you a refill?”
---
While there was a spread of raucous cheering, the less intense disappointed complaints from the vampire supporters, Troy settled for a casual clap in congratulations for the young wolf. Likely, his first win, would be one to remember regardless.
At the offer of a refill, on the winner, Troy held up a hand, ready to politely decline, “Oh, no, this seems like a pack thing.” Or at least a trainee/trainer thing. It was the kids first win, he could probably celebrate all night anyway. “It was a good match, you guys will probably be drinking this place dry before the night is out.”
Or at least until the money ran out for the night.
---
“Alright, if you’re sure,” Rhys fired back with a lift of his shoulders and a wide smile. “Pretty sure Grant wouldn’t mind getting a fellow wolf a drink to help celebrate his win.” And Troy was not wrong about the packmates drinking the place dry before the night was out or their money ran out whichever came first.
This was a good night, not just for their pack but for wolves as a whole.
Some bad blood went back generations.
---
"I'm sure," as kind as the offer was, and as much as he was trying not to impose, he definitely felt like this was the sort of thing for a pack. "Maybe another night though."
He wasn't sure if he'd be back often, he did think he'd likely stop by in a spectator capacity, the frequency of those visits was still somewhat up in the air, but Troy didn't think he'd be a stranger. He could already tell that the atmosphere was full of excitement and camaraderie. And it didn't seem to be tied to just one pack. It was a new experience, not a bad one, and certainly something he could find himself getting used to.
Troy did not mind leaving the celebrating to the pair and whoever else were there from their pack. He was sure there'd be other times to join in later.